The Imperial Guards, like Yama, slaughtered until the Empress cried out for help.

By the time Shen Qing returned to the centurion's office, it was nearly dusk.

The usually dull and gloomy Hundred Household Office was now more lively, thanks to the dozen or so children rescued from Dezheng Pavilion.

The Imperial Guards took them directly back to the Hundred Household Office. These children were still young and had been living with Old Lady Sun. They didn't know how terrifying the Imperial Guards were; they just thought the Hundred Household Office was a larger courtyard.

Amidst the commotion, even the usually stern-faced Imperial Guards showed some smiles and even took out their own money to buy candied hawthorns for the children.

Just then, the scholar rushed over, carrying several purses in his hand. Judging from the aroma, it must be roast chicken.

"Boss, you must be starving after a long day. I bought some roast chicken."

"By the way, I just went to Guyue Street to inquire about the Sun family. There's some story behind them."

Tell me about it.

The scholar nodded, quickly opened the purse, revealing a roasted chicken inside, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and began to speak.

"The Sun family is a respectable family. The old man is a schoolteacher and is quite well-known in Luoshui City. They have a son and a grandson. They live a happy life. Moreover, the son is smarter than his father. He achieved a good ranking in the autumn examination and is waiting to go to the capital next year to participate in the spring examination. Maybe he can even get a degree."

"Until that winter, a martial arts sect abducted a woman in Luoshui City. His son was killed while trying to stop them, and his infant grandson was also killed."

"The old man was so angry that he kept going to the yamen, but the yamen ignored him. Later he went crazy and would only talk when he saw children. So Grandma Sun took in orphans on the street and ended up with more than a dozen children in her family."

"By the way, that sect is called the Twin Absolutes Sect, the one that's been making a lot of noise lately."

Just as he returned to the Hundred Households Office, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard told him that the old man he had rescued from the yamen had died, the doctor had not been able to save him, and that old woman Sun had also lost half her soul.

Shen Qing looked at the roast chicken in her hand and felt that it had lost its flavor.

He reached out and beckoned a few children over, then handed them the roast chicken he was holding.

Just then, the oldest child ran over; he was the twelve-year-old child that Grandma Sun had mentioned.

He knelt down in front of Shen Qing with a thud, imitating the tone of an adult: "Lord Shen, I am the eldest among these children. They may not understand, but I know that you saved us, and that you saved my grandparents. I, Sun Kong, will definitely repay this kindness in the future."

After saying that, he started kowtowing, his head hitting the floor with a loud thud. In just a few moments, his forehead was bleeding.

Shen Qing reached out and released a burst of true energy to lift Sun Kong up, patted his head, and then strode into the Hundred Household Office.

As night fell, Shen Qing sat in his courtyard, drinking alone, feeling an unnamed fire burning in his heart, wanting to smash something to vent his anger.

Just as the moon rose high in the sky, the scholar rushed to Shen Qing's courtyard in a great hurry, shouting as soon as he entered.

"Boss, something's happened to Fang Ming! Urgent report! Commander Fang was ambushed while on a mission in Shuangshui Valley."

"One of the captains was skilled at hiding and escaped undetected, sending a message by carrier pigeon."

"Boss, guess who attacked us?"

"It's the Twin Absolute Sect!"

Upon hearing this, the entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence, but the scholar could sense that the air itself seemed to tremble slightly, as if a volcano was about to erupt.

Suddenly, cracks began to appear on the stone table where Shen Qing was sitting. In the next instant, a surge of domineering true energy erupted, shattering the entire stone table into dust.

"You're courting death! All of you, assemble! We'll raze the Twin Absolute Sect to the ground!"

Without any hesitation, the scholar ran out of the courtyard, shouting as he ran.

"Get up, all of you! Get to work!"

Before long, the entire Baihu garrison was in an uproar, with boxes and boxes of thunderclap bombs being hauled out.

......

At that moment, outside the Hundred Household Office, Zhang Shan hummed a tune and carried two jugs of wine as he walked towards the office.

Suddenly he saw a figure in a red dress, standing furtively outside the garrison. Zhang Shan frowned, about to make a move to capture her.

But Zhang Shan stopped very quickly because he recognized the person; it was Su Jiudie from the Red Cloud Sect.

"Miss Su, what are you doing?"

"Why are you sneaking around so late at night instead of sleeping?"

Su Jiudie was startled. She turned around, saw Zhang Shan clearly, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Commander Zhang."

"I'm here to find someone."

Zhang Shan looked at Su Jiudie's rosy cheeks with some suspicion.

If you're looking for someone, just look for someone. Why are you blushing like a teapot?

Who are you looking for?

Su Jiudie quickly spoke up: "I'm looking for Lord Shen Qing."

Zhang Shan looked like he had just realized something.

It's understandable that she'd be looking for Shen Qing. He's handsome and capable, so it's natural that he would attract a young girl like Su Jiudie.

Ugh, why don't I have a face like that? Damn you, God!

Zhang Shan shook his head and chuckled, "Then come with me. I was just about to go have a drink with him anyway."

The two chatted casually as they walked toward the Hundred Household Office. Soon they reached the gate and noticed the fully armed Imperial Guards.

Zhang Shan grabbed the scholar's arm: "Hey, scholar. What are you doing? Fully armed so late at night. I didn't see you like this when we killed the Japanese pirates last time."

The scholar quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Commander Zhang. The matter is as follows..."

The scholar then quickly recounted the whole story, and Zhang Shan snorted, his face turning cold.

"What a joke, the Twin Absolute Sect! They've really run out of time. The Martial Alliance matter is still in its infancy, and they're already jumping around?"

Just then, Shen Qing also came out of the courtyard.

Su Jiudie, who was standing nearby, quickly went over and bowed with a slightly flushed face: "Su Jiudie greets my benefactor."

Although Shen Qing was very angry, he would separate one thing from another. The Shuangjue Sect deserved to die, but Shen Qing would never take his anger out on his friends.

Shen Qing looked at Su Jiudie with a gentle expression: "What's wrong? Is there something you need so late at night?"

Su Jiudie quickly took out a booklet from her arms.

"My benefactor, I have heard that the imperial court is going to establish a Martial Alliance! Our Red Cloud Sect is willing to be the first sect in Yongning County to join the Martial Alliance. We are willing to submit to your name."

"This is the roster of my Red Cloud Sect, containing 239 people from the sect leader to the outer disciples, including their place of origin, all of whom are recorded in the roster."

Shen Qing reached out and took the roster. He saw loyalty and sincerity in Su Jiudie's eyes.

"I won't lie to you, it's true. But as you can see, I'm really busy with something today. Come back in a couple of days."

A resolute glint appeared in Su Jiudie's eyes: "My benefactor, I heard you. You want to crush the Shuangjue Sect? I beg you to let our Hongyun Sect join this battle as a pledge of allegiance!"

"This time, our Red Cloud Sect's three Innate Realm elders, my father, and ten true disciples have all come to Luoshui City. They will surely be of great help to you, sir!"

In just a few breaths, Su Jiudie's mind had already processed countless thoughts.

The establishment of the Martial Alliance by the imperial court naturally signifies the complete destruction of the previous system. Therefore, the martial arts world and the Martial Alliance naturally only have one option: neutrality is impossible.

Since that's the case, why not cut off your own escape route and show your loyalty?

This way, they can also secure some benefits for the Red Cloud Sect in advance.

Su Jiudie looked at Shen Qing, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"Our benefactor! Count us in!"

Shen Qing smiled and nodded.

Without hesitation, Su Jiudie raised her arm and shot a hidden arrow into the sky, which exploded into a pink firework in the air.

At this moment, three more people walked out from the side. They were the three Ding brothers. After returning from Dezheng Pavilion in the afternoon, the three of them had been staying in the Hundred Household Office. Now that they saw Su Jiudie speaking, Ding Yi also spoke.

"Lord Shen, we three brothers are not as powerful as the Hongyun Sect, but we are not ungrateful people. Could you please count us three brothers in this battle?"

Ding Yi and his two companions were simple. They were born thieves and suffered a lot as children, so they believed in one principle: whoever treats them well, they will treat that person well in return.

Shen Qing smiled and said, "Okay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ding Yi and the other two, along with Su Jiudie, all turned their gazes toward Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan was taken aback.

"Why are you all looking at me? Do I even need to be looked at?"

"Damn it, the atmosphere has gotten this heated."

Zhang Shan? Zhang Shan is even simpler; he simply considers Shen Qing a friend and dislikes the sect.

After saying that, Zhang Shan raised his arm and shot out a green firework.

"I'll say it again! No matter who's targeting the sect, I, Zhang Shan, will definitely lend a hand!"

"The Twin Sects? Let's take them down!"