Lin Feng immediately reached out his hand to stop Yuan Hong and softly said:

"Wait!"

Although his tone sounded quite light, it was extremely urgent. However, this urgency was deliberately restrained by Lin Feng.

Lin Feng hoped Yuan Hong would, after calming his anger, take the people of Peace City into consideration. They now needed the protection of the army; everything had to be focused on the bigger picture.

"The current situation is still unclear, let’s retreat for now. Let’s see exactly what medicine they are selling in their gourd."

Originally furious, Yuan Hong felt the fire in his heart subside after hearing Lin Feng’s words. He then turned to the armored soldiers and said:

"Release the people!"

At this moment, Chen Lang did not speak; instead, the armored soldier spoke on behalf of Cheng Lang: "Lin Feng, with the general considering the merits you achieved during the day, despite the significant crimes committed by your subordinates, due to your years of defending Peace City, we won’t pursue the matter. However, you will be expelled from Peace City and stripped of all duties."

"You."

Upon hearing what the armored soldier said, Yuan Hong was so angry that he couldn’t close his mouth. Yet, for Lin Feng’s sake, he had to swallow his pride.

The armored soldier telling Lin Feng to leave was utterly absurd and laughable.

Lin Feng and his group were the true masters of Peace City, yet due to the Court’s military presence, they were being overshadowed.

Although Lin Feng was not afraid of the armored soldiers before him, thinking about the overall situation of Peace City, he certainly couldn’t make a move lightly. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

But just at this critical moment, Lin Feng’s old subordinates and a group of cultivators rushed over.

Some of these people carried swords and blades, some wore military uniforms. It was clear that some were martial artists, not soldiers within the army. Among these people were experts above the Spirit Knot level.

If both sides were to clash under the current circumstances, actions could still be kept under control.

The armored soldier was somewhat surprised to see Lin Feng receiving support and said to the group:

"Weren’t you supposed to be dead?"

At this moment, thick black smoke was rising from the distant sky, and as the armored soldier watched the widespread smoke and dust, he finally realized.

"So you were prepared all along, huh!"

The armored soldier sneered, then asked everyone: "How did you know?"

Someone in the group replied to the armored soldier: "General Lin Feng instructed us before the battle. We were fully prepared for any changes that might occur after the big fight."

At this moment, a man stepped out from the crowd, a robust figure that was none other than Wu Fa.

Wu Fa walked out from the group and said to the armored soldiers: "In fact, Lin Feng had met with the Six Great Sects long ago. Upon seeing that you were slow to send reinforcements, he began to suspect that the Court had ulterior motives."

"The Court notified the Six Great Sects three months ago. Now the Six Great Sects have been camping outside Peace City for three days and nights, yet the Court not only did not send any troops but also recalled the army back to the Capital. I had no choice but to be cautious of you."

Lin Feng finally spoke up at this moment.

Hearing Lin Feng’s words, the armored soldier couldn’t help but laugh coldly.

Speaking to Lin Feng, he said: "Hahaha, that’s so funny. Lin Feng, don’t forget, the safety of your academy and the people is in your hands. If you incite inner conflict, the enemy will take advantage of the situation and attack. By then, Peace City will no longer be defensible!"

Now the armored soldier had about eight thousand troops under his command, yet despite holding control, only about three thousand could be stationed at the military camp because the remaining forces were distributed along the city defense.

Lin Feng’s more than one thousand troops, having achieved a major victory during the day, did not need to defend the city walls and were assigned to rest in their quarters.

Unexpectedly, someone set fire at night. Thanks to their vigilance, they discovered the Court army’s actions early and thus managed to escape after a round of fighting.

The soldiers who escaped from the fire were now gathering towards the military camp. Lin Feng watched their ash-covered faces and felt an immense pain within.

These were his comrades who had fought alongside him for years, now implicated because of him.

He originally thought that winning the battle was the best outcome for everyone, but now the Court’s people were here, stirring trouble for their own selfish desires during the lull in the battle.

Lin Feng was puzzled by what the armored soldier intended to do, so he asked him:

"I have already given you all authority, why do you still do such things?"

After finishing his words, Lin Feng looked at the armored soldier with an expressionless face.

The armored soldier responded to Lin Feng:

"You have always been a scourge of the Court; as long as the Court does not eliminate you, Lin Feng, peace will always be a daydream. I am here to take over all affairs in Peace City by imperial decree; the current Emperor cannot hand over his doors to the Six Sects."

The armored soldier’s words revealed the truth.

Lin Feng was shocked and quickly asked the armored soldier: "Who are you to know my background?"

The armored soldier smiled faintly, appearing very indifferent.