https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-556-Good-Battle-Sharpening-the-Blade/12919046/
Chapter 555: My Entry into the City
Chapter 555: My Entry into the City
As Hu Ma emerged from Old Yin Mountain, the sky was already growing light.
The once quiet Red Gate Town was now bustling with activity. Three thousand Grain Protection Army soldiers, along with various branch shopkeepers, military leaders, and even the Grain Protection General himself, had all come into town to pay their respects to Red Lantern Lady.
It could be said that this small Altar Deity temple, occupying only a few dozen square meters, had never before seen so many people bowing in reverence, and it was all because of the changes in their fate and destiny.
The scene deeply moved Red Lantern Lady, and she dared not move a muscle.
Seeing the Grain Protection General coming to her rescue and protection, and witnessing the shopkeepers, worshippers, and soldiers with significant destinies outside, one by one, bowing before her, she didn't dare respond, but secretly sent a message to her left guardian, Shen Hongzhi:
First, she asked Shen Hongzhi to accommodate these people, ensuring they were well taken care of, and to prevent them from getting desperate and tearing down her temple.
Second, she requested that the remaining blood food in the Blood Food Warehouse be brought to her. After all, these people had come to her aid in the middle of the night, and as a small Altar Deity, she couldn't be ungrateful, even though they seemed to be protecting something other than her.
However, Shen Hongzhi, the left guardian, was equally overwhelmed, never expecting that the town, which had been deserted just the day before, would suddenly become crowded in the middle of the night.
Fortunately, the Grain Protection Army was well-disciplined, with most of the troops stationed outside the town. They only needed to arrange accommodations for the leaders within the town and provide the soldiers with the town's stored provisions, livestock, and horses as a reward.
When Yang Gong met with Red Lantern Lady again, she felt even more apprehensive. She had a vague memory of this young Red Fragrance Disciple.
But now, seeing his status had changed so drastically, she felt uncomfortable speaking to him. Regarding Red Lantern Lady's request to bring out the remaining blood food, Shen Hongzhi agreed and had already dispatched people to the Blood Food Warehouse early in the morning.
However, upon their return, they were startled once more: "Goodness, half of the remaining blood food is gone..."
"Last night, someone took advantage of the chaos and sneaked in during the night. They knocked out the guards and carted away the blood food. Luckily, it seems the thief didn't have any accomplices, and they were struggling to move the cart by themselves..."
"Our people saw her from a distance this morning. When we shouted, she abandoned the cart and ran off. Her legs seemed a bit wobbly, but she was fast..."
"..."
"Could it be another demon from the Truth Sect?"
Shen Hongzhi was flustered, smoke seemingly rising from her seven orifices: "With so little left, are they still after it?"
Nevertheless, the remaining blood food was sufficient, as there were nearly a thousand catties. Yang Gong and the leaders of the Grain Protection Army had never seen so much blood food in their lives.
Along with the black oil paste, the town's stored provisions, livestock, and horses were all delivered to the Grain Protection Army camp, astonishing Yang Gong and the group of country bumpkins from the mountains: "Is the Red Lantern Society this wealthy?"
"Is this entire jar filled with the legendary blood food, more precious than gold? Eating just a mouthful of this stuff is said to reduce one's lifespan, and now they have enough to fill an entire jar?"
"..."
But it wasn't just the Red Lantern Society; soon after dawn, people from all directions—villages, towns, and even Mingzhou City, where the city gates had been secretly opened—arrived in Red Gate Town with offerings, some even bringing along troops.
These visitors were all prominent figures from Mingzhou City, expressing their gratitude for the Grain Protection Army's kindness and offering their support and resources.
Each group that arrived carried astonishing items, as indicated on their tribute plaques: livestock, horse farms, provisions, weapons, and armor. Yang Gong and the others from the mountains were left in awe, feeling like they had stepped into a dream...
They were unaware that the people in the city had changed their minds and were now rushing to show their support to avoid being left behind.
The mountain folk, who had initially struggled to obtain even the most basic necessities and had to make do with dull blades, couldn't believe that in just five or six days, their fortunes had taken such a dramatic turn, with each person offering so much.
Not to mention the troops that had been sent, with dozens here and hundreds there, an entire mountain of bandits had reformed and joined the army, and an entire village of hundreds of able-bodied men wanted to show their gratitude and protect the grain...
At this rate, it seemed that within two or three days, they would have gathered an army of ten thousand strong.
Amidst these rapid changes that left everyone overwhelmed and at a loss, a group of people arrived from the mountains, led by Yang Gong's father-in-law, who hurriedly brought a dozen servants to the town.
After paying their respects to Red Lantern Lady, he immediately summoned Yang Gong to his tent, saying, "I'm aware of the situation here. Come with me back to the mountains quickly!"
"Back to the mountains?"
Yang Gong was taken aback by his father-in-law's words: "The remnants of the Truth Sect are still in the city, along with the grain they stole. We've finally gathered so many troops, and now is the time to strike and reclaim Mingzhou. How can we leave now?"
"If we don't leave now, we might die."
His father-in-law sternly scolded, "Something's not right. You're moving too fast. It's as if you're being pushed out to your death."
"You've fought your way here, and not only have you secured the grain in the mountains, but you've also protected the nearby counties. The army of the Grain Protection General has also arrived."
"Now, returning to the mountains, we can plan carefully and train our troops. It's the right time for that. But if we stay here, those ruffians from the rivers and lakes, those noblemen, which one of them will truly submit to you?"
"The troops are rallying, but they're only using your name. They'll easily drown you."
"Quick, now is not the time for you to enter Mingzhou City. Pretend to be injured... no, pretend to be sick, and come back to the mountains with me."
"Wait until things become clearer here, then you can come out of the mountains again!"
"..."
At this moment, Yang Gong and the others were still unaware of the three hundred thousand starving ghost army, but they had all realized that Mingzhou was not ordinary. The strange phenomenon from the previous night still weighed heavily on everyone's minds, and Yang Gong also knew that what his father-in-law said was probably true.
Just as he was about to agree, he suddenly remembered what Hu Ma had told him in the Qing Shi Town Manor. He slowly shook his head:
"Elder Father-in-Law, I still can't go back."
"I know too. Mingzhou will face a calamity, and it's evident that these people who have come to join us may not truly submit to me. Moreover, I can see that although this army is strong, it's just a haphazard mob, incapable of fighting a tough battle. But precisely at this moment, it's time for me to make a name for myself."
"At the very least, when I first came out of the mountains, it was to protect the grain in Mingzhou..."
"I can calculate, but others can calculate even better. If I leave now, will we abandon the grain outside the mountains?"
"I'm not sure if entering the city this time will be easy, and I don't know what I'll encounter. But I believe in one thing—as long as we remember to protect the people's grain, this land of Mingzhou will not let me down."
"..."
"You call yourself the Grain Protection General, but do you truly only care about those grains?"
Hearing this, his father-in-law became furious and wanted to hit him with his cane. But seeing Yang Gong's sincerity, he couldn't bring himself to do it, and only grumbled, "Those commoners, once they're full and drunk, who will care about you?"
"The noblemen in the city initially followed the Truth Sect, but now they're just testing you because they see that you've gained some momentum. If you only care about those grains, how many of them will truly respect you?"
"Now, I don't care who taught you all that nonsense. I'm asking you, with more and more troops under your command, each with their own agenda, how many eyes do you have to manage them all?"
"..."
Yang Gong was momentarily stumped by the question. For major decisions, he trusted Hu Ma and the 'heavenly book' he heard that night, knowing that now was not the time to retreat but to push forward. But when it came to specific matters, he also felt like he was facing a tangled mess, with too many things to handle.
Just then, they heard someone outside the tent reporting, "Is Yang Big Brother inside? Please come out quickly, there's another visitor."
"I don't know where this fortune-teller came from, but he says he has important matters to report from the city..."
"..."
Before the person finished speaking, another voice called out, "Yang Gong Big Brother, come quickly! There's a wandering sage who admires you and wants to join you!"
"Grain Protection General, there's a wretched scholar who brought half a bag of grain and wants to join the army, and he even wants to manage the accounts..."
"Oh, and now there's a performer too? What a lively bunch!"
"..."
The continuous commotion left Yang Gong and his father-in-law speechless. They had no choice but to go out and meet the visitors.
In Yang Gong's eyes, he was a bit surprised. Some were dressed as fortune-tellers, some in plain clothes with robust physiques, some with headscarves and a scholarly air, and some in colorful clothes, carrying weapons and even a monkey on their shoulders...
At first glance, they seemed like a motley crew, but their expressions were calm and natural. From a distance, they looked at the restless troops around Zhu Gate Town without fear, even with a hint of admiration.
Yang Gong, having been a Red Fragrance Disciple, knew not to underestimate people and hurriedly went to greet them.
However, Yang Gong only greeted them with a smiling face, accepting all who came to join without rejection. His father-in-law, who had followed Yang Gong out, initially thought they were people with ulterior motives. But after taking a closer look, his face suddenly changed.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again, his face turning pale with surprise. He quickly hid until Yang Gong had met with the visitors and arranged a banquet to welcome them.
Seizing the opportunity when the fortune-teller was alone, he hurriedly greeted him, bowing his head to the ground:
"Benefactor, benefactor..."
"..."
He was so moved that tears streamed down his face. "Elder Father-in-Law of Liu Fugui from Yuerwa Village in Xiaoliang County of Lao Yin Mountain, pays his respects to Brother Who Does Not Eat Beef..."
"Eight years ago, Brother passed through Yuerwa Village and saved the lives of all the villagers. You instructed us to wait for the right opportunity to achieve great things. For these eight years, we have always kept your words in our hearts and have never eaten beef again. We only wish for your guidance once more..."
"I don't know... does Brother still remember me?"
(End of Chapter)
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