Chapter 446: Chapter 239: Real Benefits! (Three-in-one) _1 [The Heavenly Path’s Hint: Due to your killing of the two generals guarding the fortress, the morale of the fortress troops has decreased by 50 points and is currently in a state of low morale. In this state, their attack power and defensive power will decrease by 50%.] Chen Mo glanced at The Heavenly Path’s Hint and ignored it, continuing to command his Skeleton Monster Army to bombard the fortress wall. A massive volley of arrows and projectiles frantically slammed into the already crumbling fortress wall, which was now on the verge of complete disintegration. After another half-minute of bombardment, a tremendous rumbling shook the ground. This enormous fortress finally collapsed under the onslaught of the Skeleton Monsters. [The Heavenly Path’s Hint: Due to the fortress collapse, the morale of the fortress troops has decreased by 50 points. The current morale is zero points. In this state, they will fall into chaos and fear, greatly reducing their combat effectiveness!] After the fortress collapsed, Chen Mo had initially intended to directly eliminate these fortress troops. However, considering that he might trigger a better reward evaluation if he could recruit them, he temporarily ordered the Skeleton Monsters to cease their attack. After all, he had already experienced many hidden special reward conditions. The Heavenly Dao was utterly insidious. He needed to be more prescient about these matters. Besides, these Imperial Soldiers weren’t a threat to him now, so there was no harm in trying to recruit them. With this in mind, Chen Mo immediately soared into the sky. Using Energy to amplify his voice, he addressed the entire area. "All Imperial Soldiers, listen well," he declared. "We are not the ’Rebel Army’ as spoken of by the treacherous officials and the Demonic Queen—we are the Rebel Army! "We have no direct conflict with you; in fact, we are on the same side! "We too were originally citizens of the Empire. We established the Rebel Army because the Demonic Queen and treacherous officials are tyrannical and despotic. They have coerced the Emperor, making life unbearable for everyone in our empire. "Are you going to aid such treacherous officials and their ilk in their tyranny? Today, it is we who are oppressed; tomorrow, it could be you. "In their eyes, you are just insignificant soldiers. Within our Rebel Army, even high-level soldiers have suffered their persecution. By now, the entire nation is aware of the despicable acts of these treacherous officials and the Demonic Queen. Surely, you too have heard of their shameful conduct. "If we were not truly suffering under their tyranny, how could such a large-scale Rebel Army have been organized? "Our current battle here is nothing but fratricide, utterly meaningless. We of the Rebel Army are not tyrants or bloodthirsty killers like the treacherous officials and the Demonic Queen. We are now giving you a chance to surrender. We will not harm anyone who surrenders. "After you surrender, if you are willing to join the Rebel Army, we will treat you as our own people. "Those of you unwilling to join the Rebel Army, who wish to remain neutral for the time being, we are willing to let you depart. You can avoid this current turmoil and re-emerge when peace returns to the land. "As long as you do not stand against us, we will let you go!" When Chen Mo finished speaking, the tens of thousands of soldiers in the fortress, already succumbing to despair, found their minds in a whirl. They too had long heard of the deeds of the treacherous officials and the Demonic Queen in the Imperial City. At first, they had been somewhat skeptical. This was especially true when their General had told them these were rumors spread by rebels, that the talk of ’treacherous officials’ and the ’Demonic Queen’ was merely deceptive propaganda concocted by these insurgents to legitimize their revolt. This had made them lean towards believing what the General said. But now, the General was dead, and the fortress had been breached. They were now at the mercy of this Rebel Army, who could annihilate them with a mere gesture. Yet, this Rebel Army had not chosen to slaughter them. Instead, they offered them a way out—to leave or to join. This made them reconsider the rumors they had heard before. If the Rebel Army were truly the vile rumor-mongers intent on treason, as claimed, would they be so gracious in persuasion after achieving such an absolute advantage? Even if they chose not to join, the Rebel Army was willing to spare all their lives. This act alone spoke volumes of their character. After all, such mercy could easily be akin to releasing a tiger back into the mountains. Having heard Chen Mo’s words, the soldiers inside the fortress began to earnestly consider their options. In their current situation, fighting to the death was utterly pointless. Their adversaries didn’t even need to deploy their own people; that massive horde of Skeleton Monsters alone was enough to crush them. Clearly, their opponents weren’t trying to persuade them to surrender out of fear of incurring casualties. Therefore, their words held a high degree of credibility. "My time is limited," Chen Mo announced. "I will give you ten seconds to consider. Those willing to join our Rebel Army, stand to the left. Those who do not wish to join our Rebel Army, nor wish to continue to trouble us, stand to the right. We will allow you to leave. "As for those who remain foolishly loyal, ignore counsel, and wish to continue fighting us to the death, you may stand in the middle." "10, 9, 8..." As Chen Mo began the countdown, the soldiers, who had been hesitating, finally started to move. When they saw several soldiers decisively move to the left, many others quickly followed their lead, also moving to the left. A smaller number chose to stand to the right.