Chapter 534: Brass Man Enchantment
Chapter 534: Brass Man Enchantment
Upon reaching the southern mountain pass, Shen Bangzi instructed his subordinates to find a place to settle down.
As a former disciple of the Red Fragrance Sect, he was cautious and had his men set up camp both inside and outside the area. He personally inspected everything and arranged for ten people to take turns on sentry duty, rewarding each with two mantou to eat during their night shifts.
However, he did not provide any alcohol, fearing they might get drunk.
Although they were setting up camp, they lacked sufficient tents and military supplies. They could only pitch three to five tents in the mountain pass, accommodating a few squad leaders.
The remaining three hundred men and horses were scattered in various spots within the pass. Each soldier found a soft pile of grass, hugged their weapons, and took a nap leaning against a tree, considering it a good night's sleep.
They stood guard until the seventh hour, and there was no unusual activity. Shen Bangzi had a substantial alcohol tolerance, and he would usually drink at least three or four jars to feel satisfied. However, Yang Gong had advised him to be cautious that day, so he didn't drink enough in Yang Gong's tent. Although he initially intended to listen, he couldn't fall asleep when he lay down.
He got up, had his attendants bring over a jar of wine, and called his squad leaders and trusted followers to join him. He wanted to get drunk quickly and fall asleep early.
After a while, by midnight, everyone in the tent was drunk. Even those who were supposed to take turns on patrol saw that the tent was filled with people drinking, and after finishing their two mantou, they felt bored and found a grassy spot to sleep.
In the latter half of the night, at an unknown time, a figure appeared on the path leading to the mountain pass. This person had summoned a small ghost and sent it to scout around the camp. Upon its return, it bowed to the person and reported, "They're all asleep, sir. Everyone is sleeping!"
"..."
"Indeed, they're just a mob!"
Hearing these words, the person coldly laughed and called his followers to his side.
He was only a squad leader and held the position of a Venerable in the Truth Sect, but he was different from the previous Pavilion Master who had been beheaded. That Pavilion Master had led five hundred followers, mostly recruited from Mingzhou, making them an obvious and conspicuous group.
However, this squad leader had only brought along twenty men. Eight of them had followed him from Guan Prefecture, and the other twelve were originally disciples of the Qingyi Gang. After the Qingyi Evil Ghost was killed, they had hidden in the mountains and were discovered by this squad leader during his rural visits, who then recruited them into his group.
They were all light on their feet and stealthy. As they reached the mountain pass, the squad leader sneered, "The Sixth Pavilion Master, Xu Dahu, is a half-baked Wogui person. His abilities are not that impressive, but he was given the Hundred Ghost Banner by our General, which made him seem formidable."
"Don't be fooled by his death. It was because he lacked discernment."
"Some techniques can withstand military malevolent energy, while others are ineffective against human vital energy."
"His Hundred Ghost Banner was originally very powerful. In a one-on-one fight, if given time to summon ghosts, I fear even three of us would not be a match for him."
"But he encountered these bold and courageous warriors, whose brave energy suppressed the ghosts, preventing them from harming people. That's why he was overwhelmed and killed by these mountain bandits. I've only brought twenty of us, but we must seize this opportunity to showcase our might."
"..."
Upon hearing this, his followers responded, "Brother, just give us your orders. We're eager to establish merit and seek rewards. If we can defeat this group, we might even be promoted to Pavilion Master upon returning."
The squad leader said, "Don't ask about other things. Just follow my banner and enter the formation to kill."
"Your knives must be swift, and your movements light!"
"..."
The followers agreed, and he went alone to the nearby summit, which provided a perfect vantage point overlooking the mountain pass. Shen Bangzi had arranged for his men to keep watch on both sides, but they had neglected the summit behind them, allowing the squad leader to easily reach the higher ground.
Looking up, he saw the moonlight slowly fading into the dark clouds.
The squad leader untied a bundle from his back and opened it, revealing a three-foot-long brass man.
The brass man had a ferocious appearance with glaring eyes and blood-red lips.
The squad leader performed a ritual on the summit, bowing four times, then used a small silver knife to cut his finger and held it to the brass man's mouth.
The blood oozing from his finger seemed to be swallowed by the brass man, and in the rustling wind, one could even hear the sound of gulping. The squad leader, who was initially radiant, gradually turned pale and gaunt.
After feeding the brass man for a while, he stepped aside and held the brass man with both hands, placing it upright. Its orientation was directly facing the camp below where Shen Bangzi and his men were settled. Suddenly, a gust of yin wind blew from behind, swirling down towards the mountain pass.
As the mountain mist rose, the entire valley became eerie. However, the camp below, where Shen Bangzi and his men were sleeping, showed no reaction.
The squad leader slightly raised his head, knowing that the ritual was successful, and sighed softly. He took out a small flag from his bosom and waved it towards the camp below.
"The master is waving the flag," one of his closest disciples, who was keeping watch below, immediately noticed and moved forward.
Before long, they reached the path and found a sentry leaning against a tree, asleep. They silently slit his throat, took his waist sword, and continued forward, reaching the mountain pass.
In the mountain valley, groups of people were scattered about, all asleep. Without any prior arrangement, they set off in different directions.
Approaching the sleeping individuals, they swiftly slashed at their necks with precise and ruthless force, instantly severing their heads.
The dull sound of slicing flesh, the thud of chopping bones, and the splatter of blood spurting from necks echoed incessantly through the valley.
The commotion did not go unnoticed. As one person's head was severed, it rolled to the ground with a gurgle, startling those nearby who were in light sleep. Groggily, they saw blurred figures moving and smelled the pungent scent of blood, prompting them to cry out.
Although their eyes were open, their bodies remained in a slumber, unable to produce any sound or struggle to grab a weapon. It was as if they were trapped in a dream, unaware of their predicament.
The knives sliced through their necks, and they couldn't discern if this was a dream or reality.
The blades rose and fell, and the massacre continued until they reached the tents. Sheng Bangzi, having once followed Red Lantern Lady, possessed a keen intuition despite being spiritless and lacking spiritual power after leaving the Scarlet Lantern Society. In his half-awake state, he sensed something amiss.
Suddenly, he attempted to roll over and jump up, but his head felt heavy and dizzy. Through the haze, he saw a green-faced, fanged, and blood-stained malevolent deity standing on his chest, pinning him down, preventing him from waking up.
He watched helplessly as the gleaming knife slashed towards his neck.
A surge of resentment and unwillingness filled him, reaching its peak.
From the hands of the executioner to the Red Lantern Society, and now to this household...
The good days hadn't lasted long enough...
As this thought crossed his mind, his head was severed, and he was lifted by someone, unable to scream. Tears of blood flowed from the corners of his eyes.
...
...
"Big Brother Yang Gong, it's my fault. I shouldn't have drunk at night."
Ten miles away, Yang Gong had just finished inspecting the tents and returned. As he lay down in his tent, he suddenly dreamed of Sheng Bangzi, holding his own head, rushing to his bedside, and crying, "I've followed you through so many life-threatening situations. I thought I was lucky, and Heaven wouldn't take me early. But before witnessing true wealth and power with you, I've lost my life..."
"..."
"Ah..."
Yang Gong woke up from his bed with a start, drenched in cold sweat. There was no one around, only a quiet yin wind.
"Something's wrong!"
Realizing the situation, he shouted and jumped up, grabbed a horse, and rushed towards the mountain valley. The patrolling and sentry guards, along with a few startled squad leaders, followed behind in a panic.
They lit lanterns and torches, illuminating the area, while the commotion attracted others, who joined the chaotic scene of horses and shouts in the mountains.
They rushed to the mountain valley, where the torches illuminated the scene ahead. The shouting suddenly ceased.
An intense stench of blood filled their noses, and everyone seemed to have their throats choked. For a long moment, they couldn't make a sound, their eyes wide open, witnessing a hellish sight.
Just before nightfall, there were over three hundred people in the valley, but now, not a single living soul remained. All they could see were countless heads hanging from the trees in the forest, their eyes dry and lifeless, staring straight ahead.
Even on the ground, a pile of bodies formed a victory mound, with Sheng Bangzi's despairing and frozen face at the very top.
"My brother..."
Yang Gong jumped off his horse, wanting to embrace Sheng Bangzi, but his body felt icy cold, and he burst into tears.
Behind him, the numerous vigorous young men who had followed him were also shocked by the sight of the hanging heads. Their boldness and courage from the victory earlier in the day had vanished, leaving them shaken and terrified.
Their fiery passion had cooled within a day, replaced by a chilling fear.
...
...
Meanwhile, at the same time, Hu Ma had returned to the Green Stone Town's estate and inquired about Li Wa Zi, learning that nothing unusual had happened. Without further ado, he placed the iron box he had brought with him on the table in the main hall of his inner courtyard.
The Punishment Official Saber, casually mentioned earlier, was now propped against the wall, apparently without complaint.
Hearing Hu Ma's arrival, several people emerged from the side room, all excited and laughing.
It was Zhou Da Tong and the others, who had also returned from the mine, preparing to head back to the camp for the New Year. They had left a few days late and traveled slowly, only reaching the estate late that night. Hearing Hu Ma's return, they eagerly greeted him.
As he was about to give them instructions, a chill wind blew in from Old Yin Mountain.
Hu Ma detected a strong scent of blood in the wind, and his expression changed slightly. After a long pause, he spoke softly, "Let's rest early tonight. Tomorrow, prepare a fine feast."
"Perhaps we'll have guests visiting the estate soon."
(End of Chapter)
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