Twilight's Threshold Chapter 556: Good Battle, Sharpening the Blade - Novel Cool

Chapter 556: Good Battle, Sharpening the Blade

Chapter 556: Good Battle, Sharpening the Blade

"So, this Red Lantern Lady's Incense Disciple, she has quite a background..."

"I was wondering why she suddenly became so assertive, standing tall and driving out the Plum Lane. I was also wondering how she could face the Truth Sect's aggressive stance and not give even a penny of Blood Feast. And then she claimed that it was stolen."

"Alas, it's my fault, all my fault. I used to think that our Lady was muddled and wouldn't amount to much, but now it seems we were the confused ones..."

"It's fortunate that Elder Xu sent a message, allowing us to come in time. Otherwise, we might have faced repercussions later..."

"But this little Red Fragrance Disciple has gained such fortune, becoming the Grain Protection General. It's truly hard to fathom..."

"Hehe, don't you think about when this little Red Fragrance Disciple started to rise?"

"It wasn't just this time. Back when there was banditry in the mountains, she already showed signs of it. At that time, she was still a disciple under the Lady, and was sent into the mountains, where she gained fame. Later, it was the Lady who expelled her from the society, and only then did she truly take root in the mountains."

"Don't forget, even when she was expelled from the society, she didn't throw away half her life like other Red Fragrance Disciples. Instead, she was released with both arms and legs intact..."

"Oh my, did this grand scheme start back then?"

"Aiya! I knew it! Without such a deep mind, how could the Red Lantern Lady have come this far?"

"..."

In the Red Gate Town, the various shopkeepers who had rushed to escort the procession were whispering among themselves. The more they talked, the more they felt that the Red Lantern Lady was unfathomable, and everything that seemed coincidental was actually well-planned.

In the spacious inner hall across from the Red Lantern Shrine, the Left Guardian Shen Hongzhi was only half-seated on a chair, nervously watching Zhang Agu.

Being a member of the Secret Art, she naturally understood the formidable background of the seemingly ordinary girl before her. She had countless questions in her mind, but didn't know where to begin.

Zhang Agu, being kind-hearted, noticed the Left Guardian's nervousness and confusion. She took the initiative to explain, "To be honest, I don't understand much about the matters here either. I also faced great difficulties before, and when I survived, I realized that I had taken on a responsibility."

"However, I only learned of the Red Lantern Lady's identity last night."

"To be frank, I also had some misunderstandings about the Blood Feast Society. But now, seeing the people under the Red Lantern Lady, all daring to take on the responsibility of protecting the grain for the people of Mingzhou, I realize that my previous judgment was too hasty."

"This time, I may not be of much help, but I'm here to set up the lanterns and pacify the spirits for your Lady, as a small token of respect..."

"..."

"I dare not, I dare not..." Shen Hongzhi quickly shook her head.

"I'm extremely grateful, extremely grateful. Would the Great Ghost Walker like some tea? I'll go and fetch it for you!"

Zhang Agu shook her head. "No need for tea, just a cup of clear water will do."

"Yes."

Shen Hongzhi didn't dare to insist and quickly agreed. She poured the water and served it herself, then cautiously asked, "What about the matters afterward?"

"I'm just a rural Ghost Walker, I don't understand these important matters."

Seeing that she asked, Zhang Agu slowly explained, "Right now, I can see that in Mingzhou Prefecture, the spirits are restless, the Yin and Yang are out of order, the mortals are in a daze, and the spirits are disturbed. It seems that in Mingzhou City, an evil spirit has descended, startling all the living."

"If this continues, Mingzhou will also become a place of desolation. Not only the living, but even the Red Lantern Lady's incense offerings will be unstable. Everyone will be affected."

She was indeed just a rural Ghost Walker, and her thoughts were simple, not wanting to get involved in various conflicts.

But as she spoke these seemingly ordinary words, Shen Hongzhi's heart suddenly became clear, and she nodded repeatedly, "That's right!"

At the same time, as the Left Guardian spoke with Zhang Agu in the inner hall, the Seventh Aunt, who preferred not to go out during the day, had found a grassy nook to sleep in. Meanwhile, in the Red Lantern Shrine, the Red Lantern Lady was also feeling troubled.

In the shrine, which previously only had an incense altar and a single red lantern, the situation had changed drastically. The Ghost Blade who had left yesterday had brought with him a group of peculiar little ghosts.

As the Red Lantern Lady was feeling troubled, the Ghost Blade, who was also the Inquiry Hall Official, arrived in town and witnessed the scene. He let out a few low sighs of pity and ordered a row of a hundred oil lamps to be lit and placed beneath the red lantern.

There were so many oil lamps that even the small Red Lantern Shrine couldn't accommodate them all.

The Red Lantern Lady's discomfort also stemmed from these little creatures. After being offered the oil lamps, they became much calmer and didn't cause trouble during the day.

But each of them was very greedy, especially for oil. The flames burned brightly during the day, and now, beneath the incense altar, the lamps hung above were roasting the Red Lantern Lady, making her feel uncomfortable. She couldn't help but think:

'When can I send these little creatures away...'

'After all, I'm also an Altar Deity, reciting sutras and looking after these kids every day. Who can bear this?'

'I can only blame the Right Guardian, who kept making empty promises, saying that he would handle the important matters, and told me to focus on being the Red Lantern Lady. But now, at this critical moment, where has he disappeared to?'

During this period, Yang Gong, who lived outside the town, was also perplexed. In recent days, the nobles and wealthy individuals from the city had secretly sent supplies, soldiers, and horses, which he could understand. He could even comprehend why the surrounding villages and bandits had come to surrender.

However, he was truly baffled by the group of strange individuals who had voluntarily come to join them.

These people seemed to be wanderers, each with their unique skills and trades, but few appeared to be skilled in warfare.

Moreover, these individuals were surprisingly unreserved. After enjoying a customary feast, they immediately expressed their willingness to serve. Some went to survey the terrain of Red Gate Town and Bright Province City, while others took inventory of armaments, and there were even those who offered to become cooks.

Yang Gong, solely focused on finding formidable warriors, felt increasingly impatient as these individuals were only concerned with various trivial matters.

Just as he was feeling frustrated, his father-in-law, who had previously urged him to return to the mountains, suddenly appeared and kicked him in the backside, scolding harshly, "What's bothering you? What's bothering you? Listen to what I'm about to say, and learn from it!"

"Let me tell you, without him, there wouldn't even be you. It's a shame to have a face with two holes in it, unable to recognize a true master."

Yang Gong's expression became peculiar after the scolding, "He's not my father, so how can I not exist without him?"

Despite his words, he patiently watched as these individuals received their orders, set up camps, distributed supplies, and even invited artisans to craft armor and seals.

One by one, these tasks were completed with remarkable efficiency, things Yang Gong hadn't even considered when he led his men out of the mountains. In just a day or two, they divided their forces, established camps, created rosters, and organized everything. The bustling and clamoring crowds inside and outside Red Gate Town quickly settled into a well-ordered state.

Although Yang Gong didn't fully understand, he wasn't foolish. He soon realized the significance of these individuals and sighed, "If these people had come earlier, my brother Shen Bangzi might not have lost his life..."

This newfound respect for them grew, and he sincerely sought their guidance.

Among them was a man dressed as a fortune teller, who introduced himself as a wandering sage from the Gold Character Guild, with the nickname Iron Mouth.

With a smile, he addressed Yang Gong, "General, you have a fortunate destiny. Riding the wave, you've seized an identity, and now ghosts and gods respect you, attracting followers from all directions. With a formidable army, you've created a heaven-sent opportunity in Bright Province..."

"However, in my opinion, there's still one flaw."

Yang Gong's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly asked, "Brother, please don't hold back. Speak your mind, and I'll listen."

Iron Mouth smiled, "You lack a good battle."

"I can see that you have a master guiding you. In every dire situation, there's a way to turn the tide. You've defied fate and created this current situation. It's no exaggeration to say that a dragon scale has grown on a mud loach. Now, with entry into Bright Province, you'll receive the mandate of a king."

"Of course, this king is merely a Grass King, but in these times, even a Grass King carries significant weight!"

"But speaking of which, that noble has made excellent arrangements, but the timing is off. A good piece of wood needs a fierce fire to forge a fine sword."

Yang Gong understood but was puzzled, "How can there be no good battle? Isn't there still an army of thousands in Bright Province City?"

"Their fate has long dissipated, hidden by a malevolent energy. That's why it hasn't been revealed yet."

Iron Mouth laughed, "Entering the city will be easy for you now. The nobles in Bright Province City are eager to open the gates for you. But I feel that such an easy victory is too simple."

"Winning without a fight is good, but your men aren't easily swayed. Without this battle, even if you enter the city, the Grass King's position won't be secure, and there's a chance he'll be overthrown."

Yang Gong suddenly recalled that this was the same as what his father-in-law had said. He hurriedly asked, "Please advise me, sir, on what I should do."

"Having this battle has its benefits."

The man smiled, "With this victory, your destiny will be fulfilled, and your subordinates' doubts will be quelled. You must know that at this crucial moment, your title as the Grain Protection General carries more weight than a thousand soldiers and horses."

"A title is more important than my actual soldiers?"

Yang Gong struggled to comprehend the shift in dynamics, feeling that there was truth in the man's words, but he didn't know where to start. Just then, a commotion outside caught his attention.

"It's bad, really bad..."

"A group of beggars is approaching from the direction of Bright Province City..."

"They're extremely ferocious!"

Yang Gong was puzzled by the fuss over beggars, but Iron Mouth's expression changed. He quickly raised his hand, performed a calculation, and his face grew strange.

"So that's how it is..."

"No wonder he could become the sect leader. These supernatural entities were already predicted?"

(End of Chapter)

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