https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-553-The-Governor-Deity-of-Mingzhou-Prefecture/12919023/
Chapter 552: Forced to Play the Last Card
Chapter 552: Forced to Play the Last Card
"Just an outsider?"
Hu Ma spoke these words as if merely conveying a message, his tone detached.
After all, he was just a small manager of the Blood Feast Society, relaying the thoughts of the nobleman from the mountains.
It wasn't his personal matter, so there was no need to let his emotions show in his words.
However, it was precisely this indifferent tone that had an unexpected effect. In just a short sentence, the distant cousin of the Hu Clan paled, as if struck in the chest, and staggered back a step.
She couldn't imagine this outcome; it seemed that even if they were treated as enemies, it would be better than this.
Boom!
At the moment these words were spoken, the remaining members of the Truth Sect nearby, along with those who had come to gather information for the city's nobleman, were startled into a cold sweat:
"Fucking hell..."
"Mingzhou City has been badly harmed by these people. The Grand Sword-Holder under that nobleman has made his identity clear. What were they betting on earlier, and what were they after?"
"So grandly, they came to Mingzhou, entered the government office, demanded supplies, and claimed to be Heaven's Will. But in the end, it turns out to be..."
"Is it... fake?"
"..."
When this speculation became reality, countless little ghost servants were released.
Their little faces turned ashen, and they ran into the city with their small legs, spreading the news throughout the mansions: "Disaster! Disaster! Master, don't sleep with the mistress! The Heaven's Will General in the city is a fake..."
Everyone could guess the outcome of these words. The elder sister of the Hu Clan naturally knew that this single sentence from the Sword-Holder had shattered the foundation of the Truth Sect.
After all, the Truth Sect had only sent some altar masters and followers, and although their numbers were not few, they couldn't stir up much trouble in Mingzhou. The only reason they had gained such prominence was because of the support of the city's noblemen.
Once this news spread, there would be no need for the Grain Protection Army to attack. The noblemen's withdrawal of their troops would be enough.
It was even possible that they would face a backlash and be directly suppressed by the city's forces, dying a just death...
However, amidst this commotion, there were some more astute individuals who focused on another part of Hu Ma's words: "Regardless of background, whether inside or outside the secret arts, and regardless of cultivation depth, anyone can become an official in the Pacifying Evil Office?"
"This is the most important point. Compared to this, a state or a province is insignificant. The nobleman in Mingzhou never communicates with outsiders, and his occasional interventions are like a dragon's fleeting appearance. Whether it's dealing with the Green Robe Sect or slaying the Five Stars, he shows no mercy..."
"Now, this is the first time he's spoken through his Sword-Holder, addressing the people. Does this represent something?"
"..."
"..."
"He... he's so cold to us, his own blood relatives?"
Everyone had their concerns, but the woman's heart was filled with panic. Her voice trembled as she called out to Hu Ma, "We're outsiders, who can be his own people?"
"He acts so childishly. Does he truly understand what he's taking on by shouldering the Pacifying Evil Office?"
"..."
"He really doesn't know what he's up against."
Hu Ma, facing her anger, slightly lowered his voice and said calmly, "After all, relatives have come. Even if we don't pay a formal visit, we should at least use the altar technique to disturb his mind."
"Instead of speaking up for our own people and seeking justice, we've mixed with the heretics of the Truth Sect. Rather than bringing blessings to this peaceful land of Mingzhou, we've invited disaster and cut off the Zhen Sui Hu Clan's future!"
As he spoke, his voice turned cold and hard. Each of these reasons was sufficient for him to show his dissatisfaction with these relatives.
But there were two more important reasons he couldn't express: First, why did only this lineage take on the responsibility of the Pacifying Evil Office in the past? Second, knowing that the Meng Clan and the Zhen Sui Hu Clan have deep-seated blood feuds, how dare they collude with the Meng Clan? These relatives probably don't know that I already knew who was behind the scenes in Shi Mazhen. I didn't want to meet them because, no matter what they said, it would ultimately point to the Meng Clan, the greatest enemy of the Hu Clan.
Whatever the Meng Clan is involved in, no matter how friendly they seem on the surface, there's always something sinister underneath.
"Now is the time for you to show your true colors!"
Hu Ma, with his large saber in his arms, took a step forward. The Executioner's Saber in his embrace suddenly vibrated, and a cold shout echoed through the desolate and lonely night: "The spirit of Mingzhou resides within you. Now that you've come, what are you waiting for?"
Others didn't understand the meaning of these words, but Yang Gong suddenly comprehended. He didn't know how Hu Ma had become a high-ranking official in the Ghost Summoning Path, and to some extent, he didn't fully grasp the significance of this position...
If he had to say it, he felt a bit dissatisfied:
My brother Hu Ma, with such insight and abilities, why does he have to work under someone else as a Sword-Holder?
It should be the other way around.
Of course, these were just his thoughts. Now, hearing Hu Ma's shout, he suddenly understood. What Hu Ma had told him that night didn't make him undergo a complete transformation, but it was as if his Ren and Du meridians had been unblocked.
In his heart, he knew exactly what he needed at this moment. Seeing the opportunity, he brandished his sword and roared, "Lads, charge with me!"
"Kill all the Truth Sect followers and protect Mingzhou's supplies! We can't let people starve..."
"..."
The mighty roar of the Grain Protection General reverberated, and behind him, a series of loud and chaotic shouts erupted.
Among them were many who, upon seeing Hu Ma's current identity, were filled with motivation. However, from their expressions, it seemed as if the General's command had rallied even the wandering martial artists, who now brandished their weapons with killing intent, charging towards the Truth Sect's troops.
"Ah-ya..."
The Truth Sect's troops had been driven towards the direction of Red Gate Town by the Grain Protection General.
Now, seeing the overwhelming force of their opponents, they dared not resist and instead fled in disarray, disregarding orders.
Some even knelt down in groups, seeing the overwhelming crowd behind them, unable to move forward. They threw down their weapons and surrendered willingly.
Even the Grain Protection Army was unaware of the true extent of their might, as these troops had already been weakened by the shadows, and the Truth Sect's morale had been shattered as expected.
Hu Ma stood with his sword drawn, his gaze coldly observing the troops passing by his side, rushing towards the front.
His eyes were fixed on his distant cousin, the Hu Family Elder Sister, or perhaps on Mingzhou City itself.
With such a formidable display, the Heaven's Will General and the remaining members of the Truth Sect, like cats and dogs, had no power to resist this army. But Hu Ma knew that they still had hidden tricks up their sleeves.
He was too lazy to play along, so he simply used the Grain Protection Army's thunderous approach to force them to reveal their trump card.
"How dare you treat me with such disrespect?"
General Zhong Benyi, the Heaven's Will General, witnessed the overwhelming army, his own men fleeing or surrendering, like a mountain collapsing. The situation seemed dire, and he was furious. He leaped onto the back of the Red-Haired Fire Ox and brandished his meteor hammer, charging forward.
While others protected their commander's retreat, he alone advanced, covering the retreat of his troops.
The key was riding the fire ox; with the meteor hammer swinging back and forth, its power was overwhelming, and indeed, no one dared approach. In an instant, he single-handedly blocked the path of thirty to fifty soldiers, who surrounded him with swords, spears, and halberds, but none could get close to his body.
This battle formation even blocked the path of other troops, as if he alone had halted the charge of the Grain Protection Army.
"This person is not from the Longevity Gate Sect, but he has exceptional battle formation skills."
Hu Ma glanced at the Heaven's Will General and noticed something new on his body. He slightly pointed his Executioner's Saber towards the General but then dismissed him from his mind.
Compared to this so-called Heaven's Will, who had been forced to the forefront, Hu Ma was more concerned about Mingzhou City and what gifts his distant cousin had prepared for him.
They had provoked him, and now, with the Red Lantern protected and the army at the border, he wanted to see how long they could endure before revealing their trump card.
...
...
"Is there no other way?"
In the city of Mingzhou, as Hu Ma had suspected, in a certain long-sealed mansion, on a tall building, three men dressed simply and withered in appearance, listened to the faint shouts from outside.
Two of them sat at an eight-immortal table, in magisterial chairs, while the third stood by the door, listening intently to the commotion outside. The more he listened, the more his brows furrowed, and his disappointment deepened.
"With so many opportunities, how did it turn out like this?"
"His temperament is unlike our Hu Family's stubborn and domineering ways; instead, he's more like Aunt Bai..."
"..."
"After all, he was raised outside, and he understands the importance of the Pacifying Evil Office. So, it's inevitable that he overestimated himself, thinking we came to help him, but he treated us as if we were here to take his things. That's why he was deeply hostile towards us from the start."
"Don't think our methods were wrong. Even if we had knelt before him from the beginning, he wouldn't have shown us any respect."
"Perhaps, for a child, instead of gentle persuasion, it's more effective to let them know the consequences."
"..."
"After all, he's our own child, and even if he's willful, we should find a way to convince him."
Seeing the two men reach a decision, the one guarding the door smiled and gently pushed open the door.
The two in magisterial chairs exchanged a glance and stood up together, walking side by side out of the door. Now, it was clear they were standing atop a tall building in Mingzhou City, overlooking the entire city. They bowed to each other, then slowly knelt in reverence.
"Inquire of the spirits, summon the Six Town Altar!"
"The eldest branch of the Qingyuan Hu Clan, Hu Fengyue, receives the command and sets up the altar in Mingzhou City. With the three sacrificial offerings, we ask the hearts of the people and carry out the will of Heaven and Earth. We respectfully invite the Governor of the State, Qiang Wu Jun, to descend upon this place..."
(End of Chapter)
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