Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 451: Chapter 451. Inciting the Target

Amon proceeded to tell them what they should do after delivering the envelopes. They went to rest afterward. The next morning, they left the slum and split up. Each went to a different district where their target clans were located.

As they walked the streets, they heard the announcement from the army outside.

”Citizens of Fuxiang City! You are currently under siege and have nowhere to go. We understand this is not your fault. It’s the people in the city hall who have caused this mess. Help us punish these people by opening the city gate or staying out of our way. You will not be punished as long as you don’t assault the kingdom soldiers. You are still Echos citizens. You are part of us, and we will free you from the rebels’ clutches!”

The announcement was different from the day before. This was because Amon asked Huang San to change it. The previous announcement made it sound like the entire population of Fuxiang City was the enemy of the sieging army. The revised announcement highlighted the difference between the people holding the rein and the common civilians.

This was to drive a wedge between the civilians and the mayor who caused the uprising. With any luck, it might even trigger a protest against the people who decided upon this uprising.

The announcement repeated another two times like usual. By then, Amon had arrived at his target district.

Not too many people were on the streets. Many shops also didn’t open. Amon couldn’t tell if this was because the city was under siege, or if this was the natural state of the city. Amon moved around the streets where the clan mansion was located and started asking questions.

Thankfully, taverns were full, so he could ask many people inside. It was probably because lots of people came there to relieve their stress and forget the fact that their city was under siege.

His other method of acquiring information was by using the homeless kids. This city had no shortage of them. He gave the kids a few aer stones and these kids happily went around asking questions for him. Before long, he had gained the location of his targets.

He went to the nearest one first. He brought a few homeless kids in tow. Once he had sight of his target and confirmed the identity, he gave an envelope and a few aer stones to one of the homeless kids. The homeless kid pocketed the aer stones and ran to the target.

The target was confused when the homeless kid gave him the envelope. After he took the envelope, the homeless kid ran away. He opened the envelope and read the letter inside. His expression changed upon reading. He looked around uneasily before crumpling the letter and stuffing it into his pocket.

Amon couldn’t tell if the target accepted the offer or not. He didn’t think much about it. He went to his next target and repeated the same method.

*

Later that afternoon, Amon was inside one of Fuxiang City’s teahouses. He sat beside an outdoor table, enjoying his tea. He might be acting leisurely, but his eyes were watchful at everyone on the street.

This morning, he had sent letters to four out of his five targets. The letters contained a brief message asking the reader if they were satisfied with the current situation and whether they preferred their clans not to support this uprising. If they did, they were suggested to visit an inn at a particular time.

Each envelope sent the reader to a different inn at a different time. This was to ensure he didn’t get into trouble in case the targets decided not to go up against their clan master and instead reported his letters to the city hall.

The first target, who was supposed to come two hours ago to an inn two blocks away, didn’t show up. So, Amon moved to the next inn for the second target and staked out the inn. This time, the target showed up.

Amon watched the target look around the place before going inside. Amon didn’t immediately follow in. He rose from his seat and walked around, encircling the inn. Only after ensuring no suspicious people were following his target or surveilling the inn did he enter the inn.

He went directly to a room. The room number was mentioned in his letter, and he had paid for it in advance. He entered the room and saw his target standing near the window. His target was watching outside when he entered.

”Who are you?” His target turned to him and asked.

”I am the one who wrote the letter,” Amon answered.

”What do you want?”

Amon took a chair and sat on it. He didn’t answer the question this time. Instead, he asked, ”Mister Bing Heng, do you wish your clan to be the enemy of Echos Kingdom?”

”I... Of course not,” Bing Heng answered.

”Yet, your cousin, the clan master, supports this uprising. When the kingdom army storms into this city, and they will, your clan will be considered rebels and exterminated. Even if your clan survives, they will be forced to flee the city and leave in hiding like the rest of the rebels.”

Bing Heng’s face distorted into an ugly expression. He yelled, ”We never agreed to that! It was a one-sided decision that never involved anyone in the clan!”

”Then you should do something about it,” Amon said.

”Like what?” Bing Heng asked in anger.

”Speak to your clan members. Talk some sense into them. Otherwise, the kingdom will treat your clan as part of the rebels.”

”It’s too late now. With what my cousin did, we are doomed as rebels already. Our only chance is that the rebels win this conflict.”

Amon chuckled. ”Do you seriously believe that can happen? Even if the rebels can somehow win, it will be in the far future. They don’t have the necessary manpower to challenge the kingdom. All they can do is guerilla warfare and use tricks like this to annoy the kingdom and harm the innocents. Have you seen the army outside? Do you honestly think this city has any chance to repel that army? The only reason the army hasn’t stormed in here is because the kingdom doesn’t wish to harm the innocent civilians.”

”Bing... Bing Ma told us the rebels had their army waiting nearby. They will attack once the kingdom army storms into the city,” Bing Heng said. Bing Ma was his cousin, who was also the Bing Clan’s clan master.

Amon laughed. ”Do you truly believe that bullshit? Do you believe the rebels have an army that can challenge the kingdom? Why do you think they remain hiding all this time?”

”I... I don’t know... What... What can we do then? It’s too late now... Our... Our clan is doomed...!” Bing Heng stammered. He looked close to breaking down.

Amon supposed Bing Heng must have been under a lot of stress lately due to the situation, which was perfect for his purpose.

”It’s not too late,” Amon said.

”What...?” Bing Heng stared at Amon like a lost person.

”If you can persuade your clan members to denounce your clan master and stop this insanity, your clan will not have to bear Bing Ma’s sins. Do that, and the kingdom will not punish your clan. Only your cousin and those supporting him will be punished.”

”Who... Who are you...? You are talking like you are someone important in the kingdom.”

”I am Colonel Amon. I am the second-in-command to Prince Huang San, who commanded the army outside this city.”

Bing Heng couldn’t respond after hearing the statement.

”Prince Huang San sent me here to find people still loyal to the kingdom. If you can prove the Bing Clan still has many people like you, then we can work out a deal. Your clan will not be held accountable for this uprising. On the other hand, if you can help us quell this revolt, your clan will even be granted rewards.”

”Are... Are you telling the truth?” Bing Heng asked.

”What do you think I can gain from lying to you?” Amon asked in return. ”But if you need proof. Here is my military badge.”

Amon showed him the badge he received when he was appointed to the rank. The word, Colonel, was etched on the badge.

Bing Heng stared at the badge. He couldn’t tell if the badge was authentic or not. He didn’t have friends in the military, after all. But as Amon said, there was no benefit in lying about this matter. If he went with Amon’s proposal, the one who profited was the kingdom, which proved Amon’s identity.

”You can truly guarantee my clan will avoid persecution?” Bing Heng asked.

”If you follow my instruction,” Amon said. ”However, those in your clan who supported your cousin will still have to be punished, and you need to hand them over once this is over.”

Bing Heng nodded.

”Good, we have a deal then, future clan head of the Bing Clan,” Amon rose and offered a handshake.

”Fu... Future clan head?” Bing Heng asked, confused.

”Sure. If we pull this off, your clan will lose its clan head, and you will be the savior of the clan. Who else deserves the empty position more than you?”

Hearing that, Bing Heng’s expression changed. His original fearful and worried expression gave way to a hopeful one. Amon grinned upon seeing that.