https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-556-Good-Battle-Sharpening-the-Blade/12919046/
Chapter 557: The Arrival of the Starving Ghost Army
Chapter 557: The Arrival of the Starving Ghost Army
The Starving Ghost Army arrived in the Bright Province Prefecture area on the second day's dawn.
When a group of ragged-out individuals, holding broken spears and wooden sticks, with iron plates on their backs, emaciated, and eyes glowing with a faint blue light appeared in the Bright Province Prefecture area, everyone around was terrified.
As they passed through the villagesEverything turned barren, food containers were smashed, and the hundred or so people who couldn't escape in time seemed to vanish.
Before they reached the Bright Province Prefecture, they merely glanced up at the tall city walls and then looked away. They set up a large pot by the city walls, breaking down doors and boards to make a fire, to cook porridge and meat.
The food was steaming hot, and some people, their Adam's apples bobbing, rushed forward, unafraid to grab the food. Some ate so hastily they choked, suddenly collapsing to the ground.
The crowd seemed indifferent, but soon swarmed around, and the body of the person who fell was quickly hidden.
...
"What are those things?"
Yang Gong led a team of soldiers and the Golden Tongue, the military strategist. Upon seeing them, his heart raced. These people were not strong, nor did they look trained, but their dark, grimy aura was unsettling. Their faces, covered in thick layers of dirt, were expressionless, yet instinctively frightening.
He grited his teeth, took an arrow from a nearby person, drew his bow, and aimed at the group appearing ten feet away, yet they showed no reaction.
Only when the arrow struck, did they suddenly open their mouths, catching it with their teeth. They chewed it slowly, breaking down the arrow's shaft and swallowing it. Unable to chew the arrowhead, they spat it into the fire.
From head to toe, they didn’t even bother to turn and look, uncaring who shot the arrow.
Life, both fragile and savage. Fragile, they could collapse and die at any moment; savage, they seemed to harbor more life within them, always ready to consume.
"They are the starved ghosts."
In response to Yang Gong's puzzled question, the Iron Mouth beside him sighed and said, "Starved for too long, they've become the starved ghosts, leaving nothing but bones behind in their wake. A province can't prosper due to their arrival. Now, they can never be sated, even if they eat until they burst, they won’t be full..."
"Because, only the living can be full, but they are no longer considered alive..."
"..."
He spoke in a low voice, looking toward the distant Bright Province, shrouded in the morning mist, where the ragged group grew larger. Their voices were subdued, "They must have come from the Official Province. I've observed them for a while, sharing the same path."
"However, they shouldn't have appeared in Bright Province so soon. The timing and route are off. It seems someone helped them..."
"Those people are becoming increasingly lawless."
"Though, these laws were set by them from the start..."
...
At the same time, within the Bright Province Prefecture, incense smoke filled the entire city, giving the whole city, streets, and lanes a ghostly and illusory atmosphere. Every household closed their doors, covering their ancestral tablets with black cloth.
If they didn't, they would dream of their ancestors weeping, saying they were afraid, fearing the Governor of the Prefecture would see and bring them close.
In the desolate, uninhabited streets, the banners drooped weakly. The Heaven's Will General, bound and gagged, saw the incense table before being captured, sitting with an official robe, disheveled and sword-wielding middle-aged man.
This Heaven's Will General, Zhong Benyi, clearly unsatisfied, gritted his teeth, and said, "I know you all understand some malevolent techniques. In the Official Province, I've seen every kind of malevolent method. When the troops charge, they scatter like dogs fleeing their homes.
"It's a pity that you tricked me into coming here, leaving me without roots or allies. The men I gathered are but a haphazard mob. If my troops were here, I'd like to see who in Mingzhou could stand against me!"
"..."
"Hehe, what you say isn't entirely unreasonable."
As he gritted his teeth, the person behind the incense table revealed a cold smile, saying, "Taking advantage of the chaos in Official Province, the Truth Sect has indeed trained a formidable army. The 'Heaven's Will' in 'Heaven's Will General' doesn't come from you, but from these troops."
"But since you say so, I'll let you have your way. Go take a look outside; the starving ghost army you've been longing for is right outside the city."
"..."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Heaven's Will General abruptly lifted his head, his face filled with disbelief.
Ever since entering Mingzhou, he had wanted to bring his ten thousand troops, but these people wouldn't allow it. To ensure their survival, he had no choice but to agree.
Now that he heard this, he naturally didn't believe it. Even if these people changed their minds and agreed to let his troops in, the time wouldn't be enough. These starving people would need at least a month to travel through the states and counties.
"They're indeed right outside the city."
The person beside him, with a slightly calmer expression, said, "Not only have your men brought you here, but the Twelve Demons of your sect have also come."
As he spoke, his voice turned cold and sharp: "Everything you asked for is here, and the restrictions we placed on you are no longer valid. But with this, you should still remember the task we entrusted to you, right?"
In response to these words, Heaven's Will General abruptly lifted his head. Initially, he didn't believe it, but facing their gaze, his breath became heavier. Suddenly, he said, "I'll kowtow to that head."
"I can even give him my head... as long as you can do what you promised..."
"..."
"What you ask of us is the simplest thing..."
The person behind the incense table let out a cold laugh and pointed. The ropes binding Heaven's Will General suddenly loosened, and he was momentarily stunned before jumping up.
He sprinted out of the north gate of Mingzhou City and saw countless beggars and starving ghosts scattered across the mountains.
"They really came?"
Looking at them, his eyes even turned red.
These numb and indifferent starving ghosts, upon hearing someone approaching, didn't lift their heads. Until they vaguely sensed something, they slowly raised their heads. On their faces, which had become expressionless due to numbness, a hint of emotion appeared.
Suddenly, with great effort, they crawled out of the ground.
One by one, they slowly crawled towards him to kowtow.
Seeing this, more people noticed Heaven's Will General. They struggled to pull themselves up and approached him, their stiff faces trying to force out a flattering smile. With great effort, they reached into their bosoms and took out a black lump.
It was a severed hand.
As they kowtowed, they offered the severed hand. After all, this was the only person who repeatedly sought food for them during the famine in Official Province.
"Hehe, hehe..."
Amidst the oppressive silence, the sound of wild beasts howling could be heard again. From a distance, they saw cages, each containing a beast-like creature with red eyes, being dragged by dozens of horses, tumbling and rolling towards the crowd.
Inside the cages were creatures resembling wild beasts with red eyes.
Heaven's Will General abandoned the ox and stumbled towards them. With all his might, he tore open the cage, and the creatures inside nearly burst out, opening their mouths to bite him.
But he seemed oblivious to the pain and hugged their heads, saying, "Comrade, it was my fault for leaving you to watch over the people. I couldn't deliver food, and you should eat me too."
These people slowly regained their senses and finally recognized him. They immediately retreated in fear and forcefully spat out the blood in their mouths.
Filled with guilt, they dared not look him in the eye.
"Let's go!"
Heaven's Will General scanned the monsters that had emerged from the cages, then turned to the three thousand starving ghosts scattered across the mountains. His expression changed from previous pain and despair to an unprecedented cold and fierce determination. "Gather everyone here!"
"I'll lead you to a satisfying meal!"
"..."
Boom!
The three thousand starving ghosts began to move, and the invisible aura seemed to shake the entire law altar covering Mingzhou City.
"Second Uncle, Third Uncle..."
Inside Mingzhou City, Hu Family's Elder Sister could no longer hold back and looked towards the person behind the incense table. "Are you really going to do this...?"
"It's not the same as what you said when we first arrived, and also..."
"Is there still room for negotiation?"
"..."
"No."
The two clan uncles behind the incense table and the young uncle standing by the offerings glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Since he refuses to meet us, we have no choice."
"He, a mere child, obtained the Pacifying Evil Office. Let's see if he can really use it!"
(End of Chapter)
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