Chapter 172 – Vanquishing Private Soldiers

Translated by Bloodfalcon

Liu Mang finally regained his consciousness and he is really surprised with the amount of casualties in front of him and said “What the hell is this scenery?!”. He is really unable to believe that this is the result when heavy infantry clashes with light infantry and because the battle took place at a “confined” space, right now those noble private soldiers are cornered like rats. Even when at Bagongshan battle, when Yu Province Cavalry trampled upon supply troops, the scenery is not as pitiful as this. But even then, that battle took place in an open space where people can still escape and scattered in all directions so at that battle, all remaining 3,000 supply troops are able to escape.

Those noble private soldiers who are cornered right now, only have two choices. First is to commit suicide by jumping from city wall, second is to be executed by Liu Mang’s soldiers. Liu Mang’s decision this time is a bit too harsh.

Liu Mang unleashed what we called a barrage of mortar bombs in our modern time terms toward those noble private soldiers. Such is The Black Flag comparison during massacre just now. Infantries did not stand a chance from mortar barrage and after the assault stopped, what was left is only a scene from hell.

When Liu Mang awakes Huang Zhong quickly got to Liu Mang’s side and said “Little lord, please order them to stop!!!” Huang Zhong already seen that these Sun Ce army already lost courage and already wanted to surrender. These remaining 5,000 troops are all still human not pigs. If they still have courage to fight, Huang Zhong will not spare them, but all of them already throw down their swords and screaming for surrender.

Some of those private soldiers who heard Liu Mang and Huang Zhong’s word started to speak up “Yes, general. I am willing to surrender. I am willing!!!” They all know that Liu Mang is Lu Bu army’s leader also Black Flag who have heard Huang Zhong’s words also stop their advance in order to hear Liu Mang’s words.

Surrender?! Even if you surrender, all of you already useless. Fear has gripped their heart tightly, they will not be able to fight against Sun Ce army. All of them already feared these Black Flag as their nightmares. They are monsters. One strike from them, casualties amounted to 6,000 troops. So only these 5,000 troops are left and right now they are surrendering and looking at Liu Mang for hope of mercy.

Liu Mang closed his eyes and tighten his brow. He knows that these Sun Ce’s noble private soldiers are all commoners and are all Han Dynasty’s subjects. Liu Mang really did not want to kill his fellow Han but they are forced to battle against him by Sun Ce who wants to avenge Da Qiao and Zhou Tai’s death. Liu Mang also forced his own soldiers to do battle in order to avenge Su Fei’s death and to avenge his brothers-in-arms who were killed by Zhou Tai. Hearing their pleas, Liu Mang’s heart began to soften. His thought began to stream. He thought maybe they are the only son in the family whose mother now is sewing his cloth and waiting for him to comeback, or they maybe a sole pillar of support for their own family. No one is willing to go to war, only those greedy nobles who want this war.

Looking Liu Mang closed his eyes, Huang Zhong think that Liu Mang will spare them. Once Liu Mang said his order, he will relay it to all Black Flag. But Liu Mang next words made every people stunned.

Liu Mang opened his eyes and said these words in cold tone “SPARE NO ONE!!!!” But his face expression is one of struggling expression. Liu Mang’s deepest wish is to spare them, but considering their mentality, they will be unusable again for the next battle, also Liu Mang can no longer reserve his soldiers to guard them, for all of Wancheng city’s noble private soldiers from the one that did not participate in noble’s rebellion are all exhausted. Lu, Xu, Han and Liu, all has been decimated by Danyang soldiers. Regarding Black Flag, because Xu Sheng already subjugated by Liu Mang, all Black Flag is obedient toward him. But these noble private soldiers? They are not disciplined, they are afraid and only able to do orgy. Liu Mang will not use them. Furthermore, if they rebelled again, Wancheng city will not hold on assaults from inside and outside. Might as well kill them all.

“WHAT?!” Xu Sheng and Huang Zhong all shocked, disbelief to their little lord’s words.

“DO I NEED TO REPEAT MYSELF? SPARE NO ONE!!!!” Said Liu Mang coldly. His eyes shows more struggle, but now, he must be merciless toward enemies. Finally he knows how heavy is a responsibility to be general. A general need to sacrifice in order to achieve victory, since Liu Mang’s own men cannot be sacrificed, then surrendered enemy who shall be the sacrifice.

“YES SIR!!!” Xu Sheng said it with respectful tone. Xu Sheng concluded that his little lord is a very ruthless person. Xu Sheng himself is ruthless in battle, and if the one who subjugate them is less ruthless than they are, maybe they will rebel.

Yesterday, Liu Mang decisively threatened Black Flag with starvation. And now Liu Mang ordered death for these 5,000 lives in one breath. This made Xu Sheng realize that Liu Mang is a very decisive person and the one needed to quell the flames of war. Xu Sheng himself find that he is liking Liu Mang more and more. Xu Sheng is a restless person, he cannot wait to show this nation the prowess of his Black Flag and help his little lord win the hegemony competition.

“GENERAL, WE SURRENDER, WE SURRENDER!!!!” The noble private soldiers start to break down. They already threw down their swords and spears to the ground, already kneel down toward Liu Mang to spare them, but unexpectedly, Liu Mang their death altogether. Black Flag quickly execute his order as if they are Liu Mang’s arms and legs.

When Liu Mang see and hear their pleas, he can only said “Forgive me!!!!” in his heart. If Wancheng city has enough defenders, Liu Mang will accept them but now, Liu Mang can only ask all of you to die. Liu Mang thought “I am sorry, I will give you all some paper money offering after the battle is finished, so you can rest peacefully!!!”

“SPARE NO ONE!!!! KILL ALL OF THEM!!!!” With Liu Mang roared his order again, no one hesitate anymore. If some people question his order again, it might be like Xiapi where he killed 3 soldiers for insubordination.

“SPARE ME, SPARE ME!!!!!” “GENERAL WE SURRENDER, DON’T KILL US!!!!” “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!!!! I HAVE MY FAMILY!!!! PLEASE SPARE ME!!!!” Such words and pitiful sound are now very common among noble private soldiers.

“MOTHER, I CANNOT RETURN HOME, I CANNOT HAMMER NAIL IN YOUR COFFIN!!!!”

“MURDERER, BUTCHER!!!! WE HAVE SURRENDERED BUT YOU STILL KILL US!!!!”

“LIU MANG, YOU WILL DIE LIKE A DOG!!!! WE SHALL WAIT FOR YOU DOWN BELOW!!!! GENERAL SUN CE WILL TAKE REVENGE FOR US!!!”

Liu Mang clenched his fist unconsciously. Haha, murderer? Butcher? Since when Liu Mang’s name is associated with those words?! 5 months ago, he has never killed a chicken. But right now, there is blood of 100,000 people in his hands.

“BUTCHER HUH?!” Liu Mang’s eyes began bloodshot and said “If it is for my brothers-in-arms, I will be more than willing to become a butcher to ensure their safety and prosperity. You dare to kill them, then I will kill you all mercilessly!!!” Liu Mang then slashed several soldiers, several heads flying up.

Liu Mang then strangely chanting some curse in his mouth “Karma for killing a person is suffered forever!!!” Liu Mang’s hand began quicker and killing those soldiers, because of blood spurting here and there, his Aries gold-cloth now dyed red without any gold color.

Then Liu Mang continues again his chanting “In the past there is a heroic man, he swore brotherhood. He killed people in extreme anger state, with his skills he destroy people with ease like flying. With his sword and spear, he galloped to strike this nation” His chanting is as if summoning the spirit of past heroes to join him in this battle. Now Liu Mang really become a demon from hell.

“Want me die, huh?! I’ll kill you first!!!” Every soldiers under the pressure of fear can show their dormant abilities and become more efficient in battle. Right now, that soldier has the speed of third-class general.

He is quick but Liu Mang is quicker. Liu Mang stabbed him and continued his chanting “This kind of desire, is as if fishing for moon from moon shadow. Leader fall, scholars disappear, warrior die. Benevolence and justice imprisoned, China is in chaos. Central Plains is in turmoil, people grieving.” Liu Mang’s hand become more quicker than ever, Huang Zhong himself also noticed that Liu Mang’s skill has grown more than ever.

“Karma for killing a person is suffered forever!!!” Huang Zhong tried to chew that words. He thought “Little lord, can your ambition grow bigger and bigger? Zhong swear to follow you to greatness”

Liu Mang’s chanting kept continuing, filling up his bloodlust "Ancient love to study, respect heroic spirit, ridicule those with smelly reputation. With iron sword in hand, angry prople kill enemy. Brave people cut thigh for snack and drink heartily, his laughter and discussion made gods and devils cringe. Travel 1,000-li to kill foe, hang wish on 10 stars. Meeting bosom friends, tying knots with deep feelings. At dawn goes to west gate, evening bring enemy head with victory scream. At night, people sleep tight, suddenly blows war trumpet. At west gate, mother bid farewell, at west gate, mother grief for losing child. Youth last like a breeze, become old in blink of eye. Murder happened across the land, making everything in desperation. With three steps, murder is done, stopping all movements of all organs, blood flows until 10,000-li. Corpses piling like a mountain, heroes are stopped on their expedition. Enemy’s corpse become pillow, in dream still killing people. With smile, people marry their daughter, only to find out that she fear this murderous person.”

“Father, Little lord!!!” Huang Xu who are just finished putting Bao Zhong to the prison suddenly become very worried. Right now Liu Mang is the one taking the upper hand, killing all those private soldiers, even Black Flag stopped their rampage and let Liu Mang fight.

“REVENGE!!! BLOOD, BLOOD, BLOOD!!!!” Liu Mang exclaimed loudly. His sword’s blade is already broken, it cannot withstand Liu Mang’s assault. Liu Mang then pick up great shield and spear and started his slaughter again and again.

Liu Mang continued his chanting “Since ancient times, those who screamed benevolence and righteousness always hurt people. None of the scholars ever wield morality, justice in their soul. There is only tiger and lion who are fighting for their victory!!!” While Liu Mang is chanting, his shield and spear become Death’s scythe, causing casualties here and there.

“What is this?!” Xu Sheng who just stopped his assault also pondering. Liu Mang is impossible to wield the shield and spear as if it weighed nothing. That spear and shield is at least weighed around 2-3 person weighed together.

Huang Zhong also pondering “Did he managed to break through his strength or this is something else?!” Unknowingly, Huang Zhong compared himself to Liu Mang. At the age of Liu Mang now, he managed to breakthrough to superclass, but something feels off of Liu Mang.

Huang Zhong then closed his eyes to assess Liu Mang more. “Little lord’s killing intent is very heavy right now.” Huang Zhong then realized something that made him felt threatened.

“No, no, no!!! Is little lord going to break into hyperclass?! Impossible, definitely impossible!!! There is no single person who can breakthrough from third-class general to first-class general, let alone a hyper-class general!!!!” But Huang Zhong cannot deny the feeling that he felt, it really felt like breaking through to hyper-class.

Liu Mang asked noble private soldiers “Kill one person is a sin, kill 10,000 people is also a sin, killing 1,000,000 people is also a sin. All of you tell me, in this world, what hero has never kill people?!” With those words, Liu Mang’s momentum maxed and kept massacring those private soldiers.

Black Flag have long stopped their movements, they cannot catch up with Liu Mang. Liu Mang has killed innumerable soldiers, so much that his own golden armor is already crimson colored, covered by organs and blood.

“DEVIL!!!! HE IS DEVIL KING, DEVIL!!!!” With that words, noble private soldiers quickly jump over the wall and be flattened rather than be killed by golden devil.

“Cough cough!!!” Finally Liu Mang’s eyes has been restored to normal again, he is now coughing loudly and arm is shivering. He quickly dropped his weapon and sit down. Liu Mang really surprised that he had created a mountain of corpses.

"Kill one person is a sin, kill 10,000 people is also a sin, killing 1,000,000 people is also a sin!" Huang Zhong finally calmed down. It is not breaking through hyper-class!!! If hyper-class is so easy to breakthrough, then this land will be full of those generals. But even though Liu Mang failed to breakthrough, what he has done really an act of terror.

“Is little lord, using the murderous rampage?!” Huang Zhong who currently holding Liu Mang’s body pondered. Liu Mang just fall down, due to exhaustion. One of the prerequisite to at least murder 100,000 people by himself, or raised by animals. Liu Mang fulfilled one of the prerequisite by killing the rebelling noble clans. Lu Bu also had reached murderous rampage stage early in his life. After his father died, he lived with wolves, raised by wolves, hunt with wolves. During first battle of Jiuyuan County, Lu Bu along with 123 troops were surrounded by 30,000 troops of Wuwan tribe armies. They crushed and grinded their troops until it left only 3 person, including Lu Bu, but during that battle, Wuwan tribe also suffered casualties of 7,000 troops. At that time, Lu Bu’s psyche become that murderous rampage. Without any horse, without any weapons, Lu Bu tear everything apart just like tearing open papers. 7,000 troops fall down before him. Lu Bu gave up this technique because after you use it, you will become unconscious for a few days. Another reason Lu Bu did not pursue further is during murderous rampage mode, you cannot distinguish which one is friend and which one is foe much like Zhou Tai during bloodthirsty mode. Liu Mang can become like that, the credit should be given to Lu Lingqi.

TL: Wuwan tribes: their location is now called Liaodong, capital of You Province

During the time of their practice, Lu Bu said that this method could increase Liu Mang’s strength dramatically. Who knows after that, Liu Mang inquired Lu Lingqi. Lu Lingqi said that it required you to kill as many people, the more, the better. With that, your killing intent will rise tenfold and finally your consciousness will sharpen and you will go into berserk mode.

Under the influence of murderous rampage, Liu Mang has killed 1,000 troops by himself. Noble private soldiers who become fearful, quickly jump toward the wall, they would rather become a meat patty than face Liu Mang.

Now with nobody left to kill, suddenly Liu Mang’s killing intent receded and exhaustion invades him, luckily Huang Zhong is there to grab him. Liu Mang just huffing and puffing all this time right after he fell down. That technique is too scary, it made him to lose control of himself.

Even Black Flag felt fear when Liu Mang berserked just now, they all felt, if they are in opposition of him, he will be able to cut clean all of them.

Huang Zhong then reported “Little lord, just rest, it is okay already. 12,000 of Sun Ce’s noble private soldiers has been annihilated. The rest of them are climbing down the wall and become meat patty. None was left!!! Black Flag completed the mission, the only ones left are noble clan’s reps and they are already captured and arrested as per your order."