The city guards were momentarily uneasy, their gazes towards Lu Cijian filled with complex emotions.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan'an immediately retorted with dissatisfaction: "Pah! You dead bandit, stop trying to sow discord. You've done all sorts of things—burning, killing, looting, and abusing—and you still have the nerve to say you're kind-hearted."
Kindness my ass! If you were kind, you would have released us now. Why are you keeping us tied up here as hostages? You shameless bastard.
You bunch of river bandits are the ones who deserve to die the most. You really know how to pat yourselves on the back. If you were kind-hearted, your grandpa would be the merciful Buddha.
Although that man surnamed Lu is no good, he did all this for the sake of the people of Weizhou. If he really wanted us to die in vain, that bastard wouldn't have come; he would have just run away.
He was dissatisfied that this guy surnamed Lu knew this place was a pit of fire but deliberately lured him here.
But their goal was for the people of Weizhou, so nothing else mattered.
Besides, if he doesn't want to come, no amount of enticement from this guy will make him agree.
Upon hearing this, the anxiety in the hearts of the city guards vanished instantly.
Indeed, no matter how much Lu Cijian uses them, it's all for the sake of the people of Weizhou.
To call someone who cares about the people ruthless is too arbitrary.
These city guards existed to protect Weizhou and its people.
Since their goals are the same, it doesn't matter how they do it, as long as the final result is good.
They should believe Lu Cijian.
Seeing that the city guards' suspicion of Lu Cijian vanished instantly, Zhao Cheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Lin Yan'an with a hint of hostility.
Seeing this, the scarred man immediately punched Lin Yan'an hard in the abdomen. Lin Yan'an cried out in pain, his abdomen churning, but he didn't complain, "You, you bandits, if you have the guts, kill me now."
Hey Lu, you better lead them and run! There are still a lot of people in the woods on both sides. These river bandits are just waiting for you to fall into their trap.
"I may die, but remember, my death shouldn't be in vain. Tell the people of Weizhou who I am, and that the Lin family's business cannot be lost. We must ensure the Lin family prospers and flourishes. Don't forget that, ah."
Before he could finish speaking, the scarred man punched him several more times, quickly silencing him. He was furious, wishing he could beat the man to death right then and there.
Thinking that it wasn't enough, he punched the other person several more times until the other person was too weak to struggle before he stopped.
Zhao Cheng snorted a few times and stared at Lu Cijian with dissatisfaction, saying, "Since this idiot has already told you, I won't hide it anymore. There are more than just these river bandits here; the forests are full of people."
You people are no match for us.
"If you know what's good for you, you'd better surrender quickly, otherwise, you'll all die."
Lu Cijian merely frowned, his gaze sweeping over the dense crowd on the hilltop and the dense forest on both sides of the houses, his hand gripping the sword unconsciously tightening.
He had considered that the number of these river bandits might be several times greater than the actual number, but seeing it with his own eyes still made him somewhat alarmed.
A rough estimate suggests there are at least 30,000 bandits on this mountain, and the number in the dense forests on either side is likely no less.
Those people were also somewhat different from the bandits outside; they were clearly well-trained, and even their breathing was much shallower.
Things were more complicated than he had imagined.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhao Cheng only glanced coldly at the people behind Lu Cijian and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Oh, it seems that there are still quite a few soldiers left in the city to guard it. However, Lord Lu is underestimating us too much, daring to come to suppress bandits with only such a small number of people."
"Lord Lu, you wouldn't be here to die on purpose, would you? Tsk, it's a pity the princess isn't here. If she were, I could make sure you two become a pair of ghost lovers after you die."
These words displeased the city's garrison soldiers.
One of them immediately shouted, "You are nothing but a rabble. Lord Lu and the rest of us are enough to kill you all."
You should think carefully about where you'd like to be buried first; maybe the old man will be in a good mood and grant your wish."
Upon hearing this, the city guards immediately burst into laughter.
The bandits were furious and raised their weapons, ready to charge at the bandits and fight them to the death.
Zhao Cheng stopped them, only glancing coldly at Lu Cijian, and said sarcastically, "Lord Lu, there's no need to engage in verbal sparring with me. I have hostages in my hands right now."
"With just a word from me, these two will be burned alive."
He wanted to see what these people would do; after all, they had the upper hand now, so teasing them wasn't a bad idea.
Last time, he and the prince lost so badly. If he were to let Lu Cijian die here so easily, it would be too lenient for him.
Lu Cijian only looked at Lin Yan'an and Liu'er.
The two struggled desperately, trying to speak, but the rags in their mouths prevented them from uttering a single word.
Zhao Cheng just smiled and said, "Well, Lord Lu? I'm a little curious whether you consider the lives of these two people to be insignificant?"
This young man just said he was willing to die. If you all don't care at all, I'll have someone set it on fire, which will fulfill his dream.
As he spoke, he raised his hand.
He wondered what these people who constantly talked about serving the people would think as they watched these two men being burned alive.
The scarred man immediately raised his torch and tried to set the pile of firewood next to Lin Yan'an on fire.
Lu Cijian simply looked at Zhao Cheng, his voice devoid of any emotion, "What do you want me to do?"
Zhao Cheng just smiled and stared at Lu Cijian for a long time before saying, "Lord Lu, you think too highly of yourself. What do you think I can still use you for now?"
"The troops here outnumber yours by more than two; I can easily kill you all here."
He now holds the initiative; he can make these people die however he wants.
Thinking about it, his gaze fell on Lu Cijian, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction. He really hated seeing the other's calm and indifferent expression, as if nothing could stump him.
He really hated hypocritical people who insisted on putting on a brave face even when they were clearly at a disadvantage.
He only gave a cold laugh, and then, as if remembering something, said, "Since Lord Lu has asked so sincerely, I will naturally answer him thoughtfully."
You withdraw your troops now and let us into the city. We will not harm the people in the city, we only want your head, Jiang Yimian's head, and Xie Yi's head.
How about it? If you agree, I'll release those two right now.
The lives of three people are exchanged for the lives of tens of thousands in Weizhou. Isn't that a good deal? Since it's a transaction, Lord Lu naturally needs to show some sincerity first. Therefore, he should commit suicide first.
Zhao Cheng spoke casually, but his eyes were full of ruthlessness.
He didn't believe these people would surrender, but if he could kill them without losing a single soldier, that would be good for them too.
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