A woman named Mei Lin rushed into the private office and threw the door open. There, she found the old pervert’s body lying cleaved on the floor. There was no sign of struggle. No blood splatter. Only the perfect, chilling work of the Punisher and the Crimson General.

  The little girl—Xia—opened her eyes at the sound of Mei Lin’s gasp. Frightened, she scrambled to hide behind the woman’s legs. Mei Lin’s eyes were wide with shock… and something else: a flicker of relief.

  Jian Zhi stepped toward them. “Do you want to be free?” he asked, his voice a low, resonant chill.

  Mei Lin froze under the weight of his aura, but little Xia peeked out. “C-Can we really be free? Is it even possible?”

  Jian Zhi gave a slight, almost warm nod.

  “You would free us?” Mei Lin whispered. “Ask for nothing in return?”

  “Yes,” he replied, his tone devoid of mercy. “If I wanted something, you do not have it.”

  “Gather the others. Tell them they are free. Bring me the list of all brothels and gambling houses he owned—and the names of his partners.”

  Mei Lin nodded, hurrying away with a mix of fear and dawning hope.

  When she shared the news, the women stared in disbelief. Freedom? For free? Their hearts, scarred by betrayal, hesitated to trust. Some dared to believe. Others stood paralyzed by doubt.

  “My sister waits outside at the stall. Bring her to me,” Jian Zhi said.

  A young woman named Lihua went out and returned with Lin Wei.

  As Jian Zhi read through the list of names and locations, the room fell into a tense silence, all eyes fixed on him.

  One of the women, Ying Yue, eyed Lin Wei curiously. “Little one, who is your brother? He acts like a man of importance. Handsome, yes—but arrogance may cost him.”

  Lin Wei giggled. “He is the Crimson General. He lived in the mountains. You may know him as the Mountain Devil.”

  A ripple of shock passed through the room. Eyes widened. Whispers erupted.

  “The Mountain Devil? But he’s so young!”“And so handsome… Had I known, I would’ve run to that mountain long ago. “Lin Wei, what was it like there? How did you survive?”

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Lin Wei began to tell her story—of safety, soup, and a kind demon who wore a general’s resolve. As she spoke, the fear in the women’s eyes softened, replaced by something they had long forgotten: hope.

  Just then, Fen, who’d been keeping watch, rushed in. “General! Ten soldiers approach. What should we do?”

  Panic surged—but not in Jian Zhi. He knelt before Lin Wei and Xia, his voice softening. “Would you like to play inside and have something to eat? I must speak with the soldiers.”

  Once the girls were safely away, he turned to the women. “Lock the door behind me. Do not let the children see outside. This will not take long. Go. Eat.”

  With every step toward the door, the warmth faded from his face, replaced by the cold mask of the Crimson General.

  He stepped out, locking the door behind him.

  Ten soldiers stood arrayed before him, faces smug with arrogance. “Who do you think you are?” one spat. “That armor and sword don’t make you a knight, boy. You’ll pay for killing the nobleman.”

  Jian Zhi almost smiled. He considered using the Punisher—but did they even deserve its edge?

  Instead, he chose The Devil’s Way.

  He tucked his arms, clenched his fists, and used Ghost Step.

  Crack.

  One clean blow shattered the first soldier’s nose. He crumpled, unconscious.

  The others stumbled back, eyes wide. They had not even seen him move.

  “D-Don’t come closer! You’ll pay for this! We’re civil servants!”

  They tried to flee—but they were no match for the Crimson General’s monstrous agility. Soon, all ten lay subdued and bound in the center of the street.

  When the women finished eating, they ventured out—and gasped.

  “Am I dreaming? The ones who always tied us up… are now tied themselves. “He truly is our savior.”

  Word spread. A crowd gathered.

  Jian Zhi’s voice cut through the murmurs. “Do you wish to live freely? In peace? Then tell me the names of those who wronged you—and where to find them.”

  The crowd hesitated—until an old man stepped forward, voice trembling with decades of grief.

  “Young man… I do not know you… but can you truly bring freedom? The man across the street—the brothel owner’s partner—he took my daughter fifteen years ago. I never saw her again… Can you find her? Can you…?”

  The sorrow in the old man’s voice ignited Jian Zhi’s fury. He turned to the bound soldiers.

  “Are you not ashamed? You did nothing while they suffered—yet you serve them? You enforce their justice?”

  He spat in disgust. “Lin Wei,” he said calmly. “Close your eyes.”

  As she did, the Punisher flashed.

  Ten heads fell in the street.

  And in the silence that followed, something shifted in the people’s hearts. Fear turned to awe. Hope flickered like a newborn flame. They started to look at the crimson general in the different point of view from that moment onwards..

  The Crimson General’s purge had begun.

  A heartfelt thank you to every reader who has joined Jian Zhi on his path from the mountain. Your clicks, your time, and your silent support mean more than you know.

  A special thanks to those who have followed all the way to the latest chapter—seeing your engagement is the fuel that keeps this story going.

  Due to my studies, my schedule is tight during the week. I will be writing throughout the week, but new chapters will be posted on weekends only. This allows me to maintain both the quality of the story and my academic responsibilities.

  Your patience and understanding are deeply appreciated. The Crimson General's journey is only beginning.

  Thank you for reading,

  — Jin Huo