The vast crowd was unarmed, yet their gaze chilled everyone to the bone.

Even after experiencing such a massacre, they still couldn’t bring themselves to raise the knives in their hands.

Wang Chao was also frightened by this momentum, but he quickly composed himself and led his men out, shouting loudly, "We are here by imperial order to confiscate the Qingning Temple, are you all attempting to rebel?"

He immediately accused the crowd of a serious offense, hoping to intimidate them, as most civilians generally feared government officials. Usually, at his rebuke, everyone would have been scared away.

But this time, events unfolded beyond his expectations. These people, whom he viewed as extremely cowardly, now seemed unusually brave.

They didn’t care about the gleaming cold weapons in front of them and rushed forward like mad.

"If you dare come forward, you will be treated as rebels!" Wang Chao shouted loudly.

However, no one paid him any attention, for the power of belief is frightening, capable of making people forget life and death.

Those who could arrive at Qingning Temple at this time were devout followers of the Daoist Sect; seeing their holy place destroyed, they didn’t care about the consequences and rushed forward fueled by heated blood.

"Back off!" Wang Chao shouted loudly, but it was hardly effective. The dense crowd surged forward like a tide, making him feel powerless.

These people had completely lost their minds, utterly disregarding Wang Chao’s roars.

Wang Chao then became ruthless, shouting loudly, "Kill them, those who dare to attack the army deserve to die."

His words triggered a bloody massacre. At his command, all soldiers drew their weapons and chopped at the angry civilians before them.

Blood splattered everywhere, instantly staining the entire street red. It was just the beginning; screams were continuous.

Normally, such bloody slaughter would have terrified the civilians, making them afraid to linger, but today, they seemed crazed, each looking with furious eyes at the soldiers who were killing indiscriminately. Even though unarmed, they kept rushing forward.

By that time, Wang Chao had lost all restraint, knowing only to swing his weapon continually at the people in front of him. But these seemingly endless people surged forward like a tide, brandishing their fists.

At that moment, their flesh was their weapon, the power of belief making them forget fear. To them, death was merely a passage to the realm of the Divine Spirits, escorted by the gods.

When unarmed civilians were unafraid of death, the power they unleashed was terrifying.

Wang Chao’s weapon was blunted from hacking, and he could no longer remember how many people he had killed. His whole body was soaked with blood, making him look like a fierce ghost that had crawled out of a sea of blood.

Yet, when he lifted his head and saw the vast crowd surging toward him from all directions, a feeling known as fear began to grow incessantly within him.

He could not remember the last time he had felt such fear. It seemed as though countless fierce ghosts were staring at him with chilling eyes, and although his hands were already stained with blood, he was truly afraid at that moment. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

It was a moment’s laxity when someone rushed up and grabbed his legs. Wang Chao used his weapon to fiercely chop down on the person’s back, but the person clung tightly to his legs, refusing to let go.

Wang Chao struggled desperately to break free, but more and more people surged forward. They swung their fists and used their teeth as weapons, surrounding this executioner.

Wang Chao felt the pain coursing through his body, and a wave of fatigue swept over him; he saw his own death approaching.

Even though his heart was unwilling, he no longer possessed the strength to resist, and those crazed followers ultimately bit him to death alive,

Blazing fires and a chaotic scene of corpses and blood created a beautifully eerie picture that all surviving individuals never forgot for a lifetime.

Qingning Temple also vanished in this great fire, many mourned deeply, for it was their place of faith, now collapsed.

These people, enveloped by misery, relied solely on faith as their sanctuary, a glimmer of light in this cruel and dark world. But now, someone had snatched that light away, robbing them of their last hope.

At that moment, flames of rage fiercely burnt in their hearts, they hated the Imperial Court, hated that Emperor high above.

Suddenly, someone yelled, "Damn it, we’re going to die anyway, might as well rebel."

As soon as these words were spoken, they instantly garnered everyone’s support.

Under the circumstances, rebellion seemed to be their only choices, so a massive rebellion began at the foot of the Capital City.

This night was destined to be restless, starting with the Imperial guards rushing mightily toward Qingning Temple in the city, followed by countless devout followers pouring into the location, and ending with a rebellion.

The entire Da Ning Capital City was enveloped by flames. The long-peaceful Capital City faced a trial of blood and fire.

At this moment, on a nearby mountain closest to the Capital City, several Taoists were watching the Capital. The flames soaring into the sky were clearly visible even from their location.

"Such a pity for the ancient city, such a pity for Qingning Temple," one Taoist said with much sighing.

"Senior brother, do you think they can succeed?" a younger Taoist asked.

His senior brother gently shook his head, "No, Da Ning’s time hasn’t come yet for its end. Despite their formidable appearance, they are merely a disorganized crowd. Probably by tomorrow noon, they will mostly be suppressed."

"It’s such a pity; they were the most devout followers of our Daoist Sect!"

"This is a necessary sacrifice. Although they will fail, they indeed will shake the destiny of Da Ning Realm. Troubled times await Da Ning in the future."

Each stating facts one after another, they were the true manipulators behind the turmoil, using those deceased followers as their pawns.

They spoke with cold indifference about these dead followers, showing not a hint of mercy in their eyes, as if the lives and deaths of mere ants were unworthy of their concern, supremely aloof.

"Let’s go, this show isn’t worth watching anymore, it’s time to leave."

The several Taoists slowly left, leaving behind the chaotic wreckage of Da Ning Capital.

This night was unforgettable for the people of Da Ning Capital City; they had never imagined that slaughter and rebellion were so near them.

As the army suppressing the rebellion and the Rebel Army clashed within the city, everyone seemed to witness the fall of the dynasty, sensing the tumultuous waves soon to approach.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, the old Emperor was caught off-guard by the sudden news.