Saber in hand, follow me!

Time had moved past midnight.

The world was shrouded in darkness, but the Vuong family's landlord compound in Vuong Gia Trang was ablaze with firelight reaching the sky.

The two hundred plus households of Vuong Gia Trang, totaling seven hundred and sixty-two people, all came to the front of the landlord's courtyard. Because they were awakened from their dreams, some people were still drowsy.

But very quickly, they realized something was amiss.

That martial artist master sent by the Vuong family was actually being held by his hair and pressed to the ground. Those seven Vuong family guards were also forced to kneel on the ground.

The firelight illuminated these people. On their faces, the villagers of Vuong Gia Trang saw fear and terror.

For a moment, the expressions of the Vuong Gia Trang villagers suddenly changed somewhat.

So it turned out, the high and mighty martial artist masters could also become someone else's prisoners.

So it turned out, martial artist masters were no different from them.

Their gazes were no longer filled with reverence, but rather an indescribable emotion.

Just then, the Vuong family martial artist captured by Tran Mac suddenly shouted loudly, "Fellow villagers, these bandits are here to rob us! Quickly, kill the bandits! Whoever kills a bandit, I will definitely report to Landlord Vuong and exempt you from one year's rent!"

One year's rent – this figure caused a commotion among the villagers.

But it was merely a commotion; it quickly subsided again.

For no other reason than Landlord Vuong's reputation in the village wasn't very good, and he had no credibility.

Moreover, the Vuong family martial artist who had just spoken had bullied them quite a bit on normal days.

Seeing no one budge, the Vuong family martial artist's expression changed, just as he was about to resort to threats.

Thwack!

The Tang saber in Tran Mac's hand instantly slit his throat. A gush of fresh blood immediately spurted from the severed throat, spreading all over the ground.

The villagers were all shocked, somewhat frightened.

Although the feeling of reverence in their hearts wasn't so strong, they still feared the Vuong family martial artist. At this moment, watching him get his throat slit before their very eyes, their heartbeats quickened a bit.

Fear and reverence then transferred to the person who killed the Vuong family martial artist.

Tran Mac tore a piece of cloth from the Vuong family martial artist's attire, wiped the blood off his saber, and said, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Tran Mac, from Phuc Trach Village, and also a martial artist..."

When he mentioned "martial artist," Tran Mac suddenly turned, and from a distance, slashed with his saber towards the landlord's compound behind him.

"Boom!"

An invisible saber qi shot out. With a loud bang, the landlord's compound instantly collapsed, shattered into pieces.

The villagers were so scared they couldn't help but retreat a couple of steps. Those "deserters" who had previously pledged allegiance to Tran Mac were also dumbfounded, but then their hearts were greatly reassured.

The stronger Tran Mac's power, the more secure his promise of protection made them feel.

Tran Mac slowly turned back, sheathed his Tang saber, and said, "I came here for only three matters."

"First." Tran Mac held up one finger, his voice loud: "From this moment on, Vuong Gia Trang is under my management!"

"Second, the debts you previously owed the Vuong family are all canceled."

"Third, this year, Vuong Gia Trang will not collect taxes. Not only that, but starting next year, only a thirty percent land tax will be collected, with no other heavy taxes or levies."

Tran Mac repeated almost exactly what he had said in Phuc Trach Village to the villagers of Vuong Gia Trang.

The imperial court and the Vuong family had oppressed them for a long time.

In recent years, the imperial court's heavy taxes and levies had become increasingly numerous. Coupled with the disasters of the past two years, relying on their few acres of land, they simply couldn't afford to pay the taxes.

At that critical juncture, the Vuong family stepped forward, offering to lend them money.

Of course, this money definitely had to be repaid, along with a considerable amount of interest.

But this year's taxes were paid, and next year they still had to pay. They could only continue to borrow money to pay taxes.

Eventually, they became tenant farmers for the Vuong family.

And the debts, they were never fully repaid. Instead, they accumulated bit by bit on them, forming a great mountain, making them work for the Vuong family generation after generation to earn money, with no chance to ever break free.

A fire was also simmering in their hearts.

But there had never been a leader, and they weren't yet at a dead end, so this fire in their hearts could not be vented.

But at this moment, Tran Mac would help them vent it.

When Tran Mac said their debts were canceled, their bodies suddenly felt light.

Afterward, they asked Tran Mac the same questions those "deserters" had asked in Phuc Trach Village.

Tran Mac answered them again.

Finally, he said, "You don't need to worry about the authorities. I will take responsibility for everything together."

The hearts of the crowd were moved.

They didn't care who managed Vuong Gia Trang; they only cared if they could survive, whether they could live better than before.

They only cared about their own small plots of land, regardless of who the County Magistrate was.

"Now, I've said what I needed to say. Whoever wants to leave, whoever wants to stay, or report to the authorities, it's up to you."

Tran Mac shouted loudly, then turned his head and said, "Those who wish to stay, these few people are yours to deal with. Avenge enmity with enmity, repay grievances with grievances."

As soon as he finished speaking, the pupils of those seven Vuong family guards constricted, their faces pale.

Especially when they saw some people about to make a move, one guard shouted, "I also wish to stay, Tran... Brother Mac, I..."

Before he could finish speaking, a villager rushed up and kicked him in the head: "My daughter was violated by you and driven to suicide! Today, I will avenge my daughter!"

With someone taking the lead, a group of villagers who had suffered their bullying quickly surged forward.

A punch from you, a kick from me.

The seven guards were beaten to death on the spot.

It was unknown who set the landlord's compound on fire, but it blazed fiercely, the scorching firelight illuminating everyone's faces, reflected in their eyes.

This fire was like the fury in their hearts, thoroughly ignited.

At least at this moment, the firelight consumed the cowardice in their hearts.

Han Vu and the others, seeing this scene, inexplicably felt the blood in their veins boiling.

When one carries a sharp weapon, killing intent arises all around.

After they had vented their anger.

Tran Mac leaped onto a rooftop and shouted loudly, "Since you have all chosen to listen to me, then, return to your homes, take up your sabers, and follow me!"

...

When Tran Mac came out of Vuong Gia Trang, about six hundred men followed behind him.

These six hundred men were all males.

Afterward, Tran Mac led his men to Lieu Thon, Tieu Cao Thon, and several nearby villages.

In these villages, there were quite a few "deserters" who had fled back.

They hadn't chosen to follow Han Tam before.

Instead, they had fled back to their homes on their own, intending to escape with their families.

But now, Tran Mac led his men into the villages, announced he was taking over their villages, dividing land, and exempting taxes.

Swept up by the great momentum, they joined this contingent.

By the time Tran Mac led his men to Dai Dong Lake, dawn was already breaking on the horizon.

This contingent, from the initial three or four hundred people, had already swelled to over eight hundred.

When the Qinghe Gang disciples stationed at Dai Dong Lake discovered this crowd, they were all terrified.

Tran Mac raised his arm: "Do you still remember how the Qinghe Gang bullied you when they raided the villages?

Go, and take your revenge back!"