Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 319 An Unimaginable Promise

The old man's face darkened, and a flicker of anger flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly concealed. He took a deep breath, then raised his voice and announced, "With Xihai City as our leader, we will establish a kingdom, a kingdom that will bring peace and prosperity to all, regardless of status. This kingdom will be called the Taiping Empire." His voice echoed through the square, carrying an unquestionable dominance, as if he were already the master of this empire. He pounded his cane against the ground with a resounding "dong," as if beating the drums of war for the birth of this new empire.

But the civilians still didn't cheer. Their expressions remained calm, though their eyes held a hint of confusion and fear. They didn't know what this so-called peaceful empire would bring them: true prosperity, or even deeper disaster? They simply knelt there silently, like criminals awaiting judgment.

The old man was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and said to the black-robed men, "Release these civilians." Upon hearing the order, the black-robed men slowly dispersed, lifting the siege on the civilians. Their movements were coordinated and swift, without the slightest delay. The old man then selected a number of individuals from among the civilians and the surrendered family members. His gaze swept through the crowd, and every person he caught his eye shuddered involuntarily, as if being stared at by a cold, venomous snake.

"You, and you, stand up," the old man said, pointing at several people. His voice was calm, yet it held a force that could not be disobeyed. Those chosen were filled with fear, but they dared not disobey the order and could only stand tremblingly. Their legs were weak, they could barely stand, and their eyes were filled with helplessness and fear.

"From today on, you are soldiers of the Taiping Empire, and your duty is to protect Xihai City. Xihai City will be the capital of our Taiping Empire, and I will name it the Holy City. You must work hard for this great goal, do you understand?" The old man's voice was serious and solemn, like a strict father teaching his children.

The chosen ones nodded quickly, saying, "Yes, sir." Their voices trembled, like candles in the wind, ready to go out at any moment. Their eyes were filled with helplessness and fear, unsure of what their future would hold.

Afterwards, under the supervision of the black-robed men, the civilians slowly dispersed and returned to their original lives. However, after experiencing this nightmarish incident, everything had changed.

In the days that followed, a strange atmosphere permeated the streets and alleys of Xihai City. The once powerful and wealthy, seemingly overnight, had become amiable and affable. They no longer bossed the common people around, and even offered to help those in need. In the marketplace, merchants traded fairly, with no more price gouging or shortchanging. The wealthy began donating their wealth to build public infrastructure and provide aid to the poor. This change astonished the common people, who began to gain a new appreciation for the black-robed men and this so-called Taiping Empire.

On a busy street, a once-arrogant wealthy businessman was personally directing the construction of a new bridge. A kind smile graced his face as he chatted cordially with the workers. "Everyone, work hard! Once this bridge is finished, travel will be much more convenient," he said. The workers were somewhat flattered; they had never seen such kindness from this wealthy businessman before.

In another corner, a noblewoman was distributing food to a group of hungry children. "Children, eat quickly, don't go hungry," she said gently. The children's eyes sparkled with surprise, and they carefully took the food, as if they couldn't believe it was real.

As the days passed, the civilians gradually began to feel that the promises made to them by the black-robed men were gradually being fulfilled. The streets became cleaner and tidier, children could play in a safe environment, and the sick received prompt medical treatment. Schools and libraries began to be built, giving everyone the opportunity to receive an education. Long-lost smiles began to appear on people's faces. Although some doubts remained, life seemed to be truly moving in a positive direction.

In a corner of the city, an elderly woman sat outside her home, watching the bustling and harmonious scene on the street, tears welling in her eyes. She said to her neighbors, "I never thought I'd see such a scene in my lifetime. Perhaps this peaceful empire can truly bring us happiness." Her voice choked with emotion, a happy smile on her face.

The neighbor nodded, with a hint of relief in his eyes: "Yes, I hope this is not a dream. Although these men in black robes are cruel, if they can really let us live a good life, then it would be a good thing." There was still a hint of worry in his eyes, but more of it was the expectation for future life.

However, beneath this seemingly rosy surface, unsettling factors remain. Some observant observers have noticed that the black-robed individuals are acting mysteriously, often appearing at night and conducting undisclosed activities in secluded corners of the city. Furthermore, those selected to become soldiers demonstrate extreme intensity and brutality in their training, as if preparing for a greater war. For now, however, the people choose to enjoy this hard-earned peace and prosperity, hoping that this peaceful empire can truly endure.

In the heart of the Holy City, the magnificent building that once housed the City Lord's residence has been transformed by a black-robed elder into the headquarters of the Holy Cult. The building's exterior has been renovated, and a massive black banner flutters from the roof. Embroidered on it is the Holy Cult's mysterious symbol—an eye composed of various mystical runes, seemingly gazing down upon every occupant of the city. The black banner flutters in the wind, creating a whirring sound that exudes a sense of mystery and majesty.

An elderly man in black robes sat in the headquarters' lobby, surrounded by several trusted black-robed figures. The hall was dimly lit, illuminated only by a few magical lamps emitting a cold glow. The elder sat on a massive black stone chair, intricately carved with patterns, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. His eyes were deep and mysterious, as if he were plotting a deeper plan.