82: Chapter 82 The impending destruction of the Pi Kingdom

The commoners of the Rebel Army in the Pi Kingdom spent a joyous New Year. This was the first time in their lives they did not have to spend the New Year serving high officials and nobles as slaves, but were truly celebrating for themselves, their families, and their friends.

Having enjoyed over a month of being well-fed, this carefree life did not dull their resolve; instead, it filled them with even more anticipation for a happy future.

Li Jiao announced that they would continue to crusade against Emperor Pi. For the sake of the future and to ensure their descendants would no longer suffer from oppression and exploitation, the Rebel Army fought fearlessly with soaring morale, breaching city gate after city gate and taking control of territory after territory.

After news of their constant victories and the feat of capturing three cities in a single day spread, many nations were shocked.

Three cities in one day, and order stabilized in half a day.

Unless one were to massacre the entire city and kill every single inhabitant, not even a Grandmaster could achieve such a feat.

For a time, the Pi Kingdom, which hadn't produced any explosive news for over two hundred years, appeared in the public eye and made headlines across various nations.

But the most discussed topic was none other than this extraordinary man, Li Jiao!

Yes, an extraordinary man!

He was an ordinary person with no aptitude for martial arts, yet he had countless commoners and martial artists following him.

Moreover, it was said that when the Rebel Army besieged cities, they used a weapon specifically designed for martial artists. It sounded like thunder, and with one strike, nothing remained but bones! And this weapon was created by Li Jiao.

If a person with no strength to truss a chicken could continuously accomplish such great feats, what else could he be if not an extraordinary man?

At this moment, across the nations of the world, thousands of people discussed Li Jiao every day, speculating whether this extraordinary man could truly overthrow the Pi Kingdom. For many, the first thing they did upon waking up was to inquire about news regarding Li Jiao.

"The Rebel Army has captured five cities in a row!"

"The Rebel Army has breached another three cities."

"A Master has appeared in the Pi Kingdom. I think the Rebel Army is in big trouble."

"Heavens! They were just some second or third-rate martial artists, yet they actually killed a Master!"

"That's impossible!!"

"The Master's mangled corpse has been hung up on a tree!"

"The entire Rebel Army has mobilized, bringing along that weapon capable of killing Masters!"

"They have already conquered half of the Pi Kingdom's territory!"

"It's too terrifying. The Rebel Army's weapons are too terrifying; even Masters have no power to resist!"

"Even a Grandmaster would be nothing more than this, right?"

"I feel as if I am witnessing the rise of a great nation!"

People were everywhere in discussion; some were shocked by the speed at which the Rebel Army captured cities and territory, while others were stunned by the weapon that killed Masters.

There were also those speculating whether the Rebel Army could contend with a Grandmaster. Topics concerning Li Jiao were everywhere across the world.

Amidst the daily clamor, the Rebel Army occupied half of the Pi Kingdom, then seventy percent, eighty percent, ninety percent, and finally, all of the Pi Kingdom's territory except for the Imperial City of Pi.

On this day, Li Jiao shaved off his scruffy beard and changed into clean robes.

At this moment, the Rebel Army had the Imperial Dynasty surrounded completely from all sides, above and below. Today was the day they would breach the Imperial City and declare the destruction of the Pi Dynasty, which could be considered a moment worth commemorating.

"Awoo~" (Put on the crimson molten armor.) Tiger Brother said.

"That dog of an emperor can no longer stir up any trouble."

Li Jiao shook his head. The crimson molten armor was too heavy, and he did not like wearing it. Before, it was a necessity, but now that the Masters were all dead, there was no need to wear it anymore.

Furthermore, today he had to judge Emperor Pi in front of the commoners; wearing the crimson molten armor would make him look bloated and affect his image.

"Awoo~" (It's better to wear it.)

Tiger Brother insisted. In recent days, Li Jiao had encountered too many assassination attempts, and protecting him had been too difficult; he had developed psychological trauma from it.

"I'll wear half of it, and put a toad-skin vest underneath..."

Li Jiao nodded. He did not want to start an argument, nor did he want Tiger Brother to worry. He put on a vest made of golden-swallowing toad skin—this was a Master-level spirit beast, and its skin had decent defensive capabilities—and then Li Jiao added a piece of the crimson molten armor to his back.

In this way, after putting on his cloak, he would not only avoid looking bloated but it would also make him appear more robust and tall.

After putting it on, Li Jiao showed off, "How is it, Tiger Brother? Isn't it handsome!"

"Awoo~"

Tiger Brother nodded. He couldn't appreciate whether it was handsome or not—without fur, how handsome could it be?—but the main thing was that it was safe.

"Tiger Brother has good taste after all!"

Subsequently, Li Jiao and Tiger Brother walked out of the tent, lit the fuse themselves, and the cannons blasted toward the city gate.

Then, ten thousand cannons fired in unison, and the Imperial City walls collapsed.

Li Jiao stormed into the Imperial City, entered the palace, and saw the Emperor who had already consumed poisoned wine.

The uprising... was over.

This rotten and dark dynasty was about to become history.

Li Jiao gazed at the dragon throne in the throne room, sneered coldly, and walked toward it while holding a bomb.

"I announce, the Pi Kingdom..."

"Roar!"

Boom!

Suddenly, Princess Xiao, who had been following behind Li Jiao, raised her fair palm and struck toward Li Jiao. True energy surged; she was actually also a powerful Master.

The moment she raised her palm, Tiger Brother sensed something amiss and moved to intercept immediately.

But as a result, three people erupted with the aura of Masters around Tiger Brother, blocking him!

Li Jiao also wanted to dodge to the side, but having been assassinated by Masters many times, Li Jiao knew deeply that he could not compare to the speed of a Master. He decisively jumped up and used the crimson molten armor on his back to block, reducing the damage to the minimum.

In the end, Princess Xiao's palm landed on Li Jiao's back.

Bang!

Li Jiao was instantly sent flying across the air toward the wall of the great hall, spraying a mist of blood from his mouth mid-air!

"Commander!!"

The sudden turn of events left the members of the Rebel Army in the great hall horrified. Before they even understood what had happened, they saw their Commander spitting out blood!

Swish! Swish!

The Rebel Army in the great hall split into two factions on the spot, with blades and swords hanging at the throats of one of the groups.

"Roar!"

Tiger Brother was furious, staring fixedly at Princess Xiao.

"Cough, cough~"

Li Jiao struggled to get up from the ground, coughing up fragments of his internal organs. Looking at Princess Xiao walking toward the dragon throne, Li Jiao smiled bitterly.

"I actually misjudged you!"

"You didn't misjudge me!"

Princess Xiao's expression was complex. "I wanted to see a prosperous age, but that was to be the prosperous age of the Pi Dynasty!"