Chapter 478: Breaking Armor (Third Watch)
Chapter 478: Breaking Armor (Third Watch)
"Yes, this is the Meng family..."
As these eerie shadows appeared, an intangible pressure emanated from them, causing even Hu Ma to grit his teeth.
He should have known better. Killing a member of the Meng family was never going to be easy. They were a powerful and influential clan with heavy fate and abundant blessings. Taking their lives was never as simple as killing just one person.
Take the Dark General, for example; it could overturn the incense altar and destroy the vengeful ghosts summoned by the Meng family, but it was useless against the group of chief attendants in charge of the ceremonial pavilion. The Dark General could dominate the battlefield, but it couldn't overcome the high threshold of the Meng family.
"You..."
The Meng family son, upon hearing this, became enraged, "Let me escape?"
He understood that if this task failed, he would be in a dire situation if he were to be chased away by a rural demon, looking pathetic.
The most crucial part was that the chief attendant could truthfully report the reason for their departure—the demon held the Dark General, and even the Meng family would have a reasonable excuse to avoid such a vicious entity.
But the Meng family son couldn't do that...
After all, if the family asked about the origin of the Dark General, he wouldn't be able to provide an explanation. How could he say that he intercepted the ghost servant and gave it to the demon for refinement?
Hu Ma, on the other hand, was infuriated, wondering why killing a member of the Meng family was so challenging. He already possessed considerable skills and had the Grass Head Eight Decay God on his side, yet there was still a servant specifically assigned to protect the Meng family son.
However, as their anxiety grew, the chief attendant gave the order, and the strange ghostly shadows surrounding them suddenly crowded around a palanquin, hastily pushing the Meng family son into it.
"Stay right there..."
At this moment, Hu Ma, with his vicious blade in hand, rushed forward once more. He had no intention of killing the Meng family, but now that he had decided to do so, he wouldn't let them escape.
"No matter who you are, you dare not offend the prestige of the Meng family!"
But as Hu Ma charged forward, the chief attendant's eyes were cold and stern. He didn't know Hu Ma's background, nor did he fear him.
Due to his position, he wasn't overly concerned about anything else. He had only come out for one purpose: to bring the young master of the Meng family back to the mansion alive. Therefore, he wasn't willing to take any risks.
Seeing Hu Ma with his vicious blade and murderous aura, the chief attendant remained calm and unhurried, staring coldly at him. Suddenly, behind him, a banner held by the group of ghosts began to flutter without any wind, making a rustling sound.
At first glance, the banner didn't seem unusual, and it wasn't even a magic treasure. It appeared to be just a flag used by the Meng family to lead the way during their travels, also symbolizing their status and background.
But as it suddenly unfurled, revealing the character 'Meng' on it, an indescribable and unclear presence filled the air, weighing heavily on people's heads and forcing them to feel like they were falling from the mortal realm into the netherworld.
In this hazy state, Hu Ma felt that the moment the banner appeared, the character 'Meng' occupied most of his field of vision, and his body suddenly became incredibly heavy, as if he couldn't even lift his feet.
Not only him, but Ma Ye beside him felt the same way.
"What kind of ghostly thing is this?"
Hu Ma struggled, focusing on the banner, which seemed to grow larger, and the character 'Meng' seemed to project into his mind, causing a momentary daze.
It was as if he had seen an immensely tall figure seated in a temple filled with incense, exuding an aura of supreme authority. Just a glance from this figure made him feel an infinite weight on his body, his knees buckling as if about to kneel involuntarily.
Not only that, but even the Dark General seemed affected, slowing down as if trapped in a viscous liquid. A hint of bewilderment appeared on its hollow face.
"Hurry up and attack! I want to see this scoundrel beheaded!"
At this moment, the Meng family son shouted angrily.
"Young Master, hurry and leave. The chief attendant is using the Meng family's name to pressure him, and the commotion is too great. Who knows what it might stir up!"
The senior maid beside him urged, prompting the palanquin to depart quickly. She seemed to understand the situation; if the chief attendant hadn't displayed the banner representing his status, he could have joined the others in fighting the rebel bandits.
But with the identification token revealed, the Meng family members had to leave, as the commotion was too great. Aristocratic heirs could handle matters with their own skills, but using the family name to pressure others was a last resort.
"Want to escape?"
At that moment, Hu Ma clenched his teeth, feeling intense reluctance.
The Meng family son had some skills, but they weren't exceptional. He had just figured out his opponent's abilities and was about to deliver a fatal blow. How could he let him escape so easily again?
But the identification token seemed to possess an indescribable power, pressing down on his head, making it impossible to move.
He cultivated the Great Heavenly General Seal, and was naturally unaffected by such suppression. Earlier, when facing the Grass Head Eight Decay God, he also felt their heavy gazes, but with his Dharmakaya condensed, he felt carefree and possessed an air of commanding spirits and chastising ghosts.
But now, facing this banner, why has it changed?
The Netherworld Ceremonial Pavilion of the Shadow Bridge Meng Family actually has such divine might. Not only can the Dark General not cross the Meng Family's threshold, but even I am being suppressed by it?
As this invisible pressure descended, the Meng Family's Grand Attendant standing before the banner silently watched Hu Ma. With a low sigh, he said, "As the Master of Ceremonies, I accompany the Meng Family in their journey between the living and the dead. I don't know how many arrogant people I've encountered..."
"It's just a pity that the Meng Family's prestige can suppress all demons and ghosts, as well as kings, lords, and officials. What's more, you..."
"..."
"..."
As the Grand Attendant subdued Hu Ma, the Meng Family Son was also pushed onto the palanquin. It seemed that the invisible gap always made people helpless, and there would always be those who were unwilling and unyielding, but they could only kneel down.
Just at that moment, in the Stone Horse Town, within the main mansion, a gust of wind blew through the ancient elm tree that towered like a canopy. Its branches rustled, as if sighing softly.
"The cause and effect are the same as what the young master said earlier, without any difference..."
Amidst the sigh, the entire tree trembled slightly, and the objects tied to its branches began to fall one after another.
Among them were armor, boots, and official seals.
Hu Ma clenched his teeth, resisting the invisible pressure and desperately refining his Dharmakaya to try to stand up straight.
However, the Dharmakaya he refined was originally naked.
As he refined his divine soul, at first glance, his figure appeared much taller, and he had a fierce and terrifying appearance with green-faced fangs. But this was not a physical entity; it was more like a projection of his enlarged divine soul.
He wore straw shoes and a blue robe, and his Dharmakaya also appeared in the same attire. Although his appearance was formidable and ferocious, his hands and body were empty. Only when he exerted his full strength would he hold the General's Token in his hand.
This indicated that he had not yet cultivated any corresponding divine abilities or unique skills, nor did he possess any powerful magic treasures.
Just as Hu Ma felt the heavy pressure from the identification token, gritting his teeth, the branches of the ancient elm tree in the main mansion of Stone Horse Town suddenly began to shake.
A tattered piece of armor tied to the highest branch fell, floating lightly, and disappeared as soon as it touched the ground.
The movement was so light and silent that even Miao Shan Fairy and White Fan did not notice it. Only the Senior Brother noticed, and he sighed softly, glancing at the branch from which the armor had fallen.
His expression seemed to carry a hint of emotion.
Outside the town, Hu Ma suddenly stood up.
His Dharmakaya was originally naked, reflecting his current appearance—wearing a tattered Daoist robe. But at this moment, a black light began to form on the robe, spreading and connecting, gradually taking the shape of armor.
Without this armor, no matter how solid and domineering Hu Ma's Dharmakaya appeared, he was still just a commoner, claiming to be the Heavenly General, but the title seemed somewhat inappropriate.
But with the armor on, he immediately looked like a formidable and awe-inspiring general.
The mysterious will that had just pressed down on his head seemed to be lifted at this moment, and Hu Ma stood up. Not only that, but even Ma Ye beside him no longer felt the pressure.
Instead, as Hu Ma rose, the Grand Attendant in a black robe and official attire could not withstand it and stepped back with a thud.
In his cold eyes, a strong sense of astonishment emerged, almost unable to comprehend this change.
Wearing the armor symbolized status, and he would no longer be suppressed by this will.
"Your Meng Family is indeed formidable. Has it become so terrifying that you can suppress everyone in the world with just your status?"
At this moment, Hu Ma didn't even have time to think about where the armor came from. His heart was filled with anger. He had cultivated the Great Heavenly General Seal for a short time and had not yet fully understood it.
But he vaguely understood that this seal technique not only required an "official status" to cultivate, but its power and manifestation seemed to be closely related to one's identity in reality, making it a complex and interconnected matter.
The identity of a Hu Family descendant, the No Beef Sect, the General's Token... all these seemed to have corresponding effects.
However, he couldn't delve into it deeply at the moment. He spoke softly, his eyes gleaming with determination, as he looked ahead: "But because of this, it's necessary to let someone from your family die..."
With a low roar, he suddenly raised his sword. In an instant, the sword seemed to resonate with Hu Ma's state of mind, vibrating fiercely with a menacing aura.
After all, he was a sword forged by eight Case Gods, and no one could suppress him. A rolling malevolent qi surged forth, like a raging storm, slicing towards the tall Grand Attendant.
(End of Chapter)
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