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Chapter 563: The Demonic General
Chapter 563: The Demonic General
"What?"
When this news spread, Tianming General Zhong Benyi also flew into a rage.
Currently, he was appeasing the twelve Demonic Generals. These twelve had remained in Guan Province, guarding the Truth Sect followers in his stead, but they had endured much hardship and even appeared to have suffered some kind of torment.
Neither human nor ghost, with beast-like forms, only he could bring back some sanity to these people. Now, as they were about to eat in Mingzhou, there also needed to be someone capable of leading troops into battle.
He needed armor, weapons, and provisions.
With not a moment to spare, he prepared for two days, intending to gather and organize this army. Moreover, he had issued strict orders, forbidding the Hungry Ghosts from easily engaging in battle. After all, some provisions had already been given to the city, temporarily appeasing their hunger.
Unexpectedly, while he was busy trying to restore the sanity of the Demonic Generals, he also invited a physician from Caoxin Hall in the city to examine them. The physician frankly stated:
"General, your men are neither ill, injured, nor in pain. They appear to be burdened by something they cannot bear on their shoulders... Pardon my frankness, but it seems they have committed some heinous, conscience-stricken act, and their minds cannot bear the weight of their sins."
"So, one of the three souls has departed, unwilling to return to the body. This is the cause-and-effect soul."
"That's why they look like beasts, lacking sanity. It's because their three souls are incomplete. If you want us to help, we can't refuse, but this can't be rushed. It takes time."
"..."
Listening to this, General Tianming was both anxious and heartbroken. Despite his domineering nature, he dared not pressure the physicians and could only urge them to hurry, offering the gold and silver rewarded by the Hu family.
The physician had no choice but to follow the prescribed treatment, but he couldn't spare any attention for the Hungry Ghosts outside.
However, just as this matter was causing him heartache, he suddenly heard that the Grain Protection Army had come to attack their camp, drawing away one of his forces and burning them to death in a hollow seven miles away. General Tianming's anger surged, and when he arrived at the scene, his eyes burned with fury.
"Is this what they gave you to eat?"
He glared at the city with resentment, now understanding why his troops were so easily lured away.
In that instant, he almost turned back to storm the city, but he managed to restrain himself. With anger, he looked towards the direction of the Grain Protection Army and shouted, "These people know we cherish our provisions, yet they use such despicable tactics! It's too much!"
Then, he instructed a Demonic General who had just regained consciousness, "Lead the troops and charge! Grab some provisions and food to temporarily fill our bellies!"
The Demonic General grinned fiercely, "Even if we can't grab provisions, flesh and blood are also delicious! Let's go!"
With a mighty roar, he mounted the horse given to him by General Tianming, wielded a large sword, and urged the Hungry Ghosts sitting on the ground to follow him. Taking advantage of the deep night, they charged towards the enemy with a thunderous roar.
This was the Hungry Ghosts' first formal charge in Mingzhou, a massive assault that sent ghostly energy soaring into the sky. Even in Mingzhou City, countless people rushed to the city walls to witness the spectacle.
Upon hearing the commotion, the Grain Protection Army immediately responded with the deafening sound of gongs and drums. The Iron Tongue Strategist had anticipated the Hungry Ghosts' attack and had already made preparations.
When the Hungry Ghosts were halfway through their charge, several teams suddenly emerged from the side, each holding a Pointed Ox Flag. Most of these flags were hastily sewn overnight, as evidenced by the fresh ink and burn marks from the talismans.
Instead of engaging the Hungry Ghosts head-on, they planted the flags into the ground and retreated, preparing to shoot arrows.
As the Pointed Ox Flags were planted, the Hungry Ghosts showed clear signs of confusion, as if they couldn't discern the direction. Unexpectedly, the leading Demonic General let out a roar and charged forward.
The confused Hungry Ghosts were suddenly jolted, and they followed in his wake, directly breaking through the Pointed Ox Flag formation and charging ferociously towards the Grain Protection Army.
"Not good..."
Someone cried out in shock, staring intently at the Demonic General, "The leader is wrong..."
"He's the hungriest of the Hungry Ghosts. Though alive, he walks the path of ghosts. In truth, he can be called a Ghost King. Raised in the dire lands of Guan Province, with him leading, the Hungry Ghosts won't lose their way. The Pointed Ox Flags are useless now..."
As the cries rang out, the Demonic General and his troops clashed with the Grain Protection Army.
Leading the charge were Yang Gong's own men, those who had joined him earlier. Commanding them were the various managers of the Scarlet Lantern Society, persuaded by Xu Clan Chief to serve under Yang Gong, especially the New Year Guardians at the forefront.
The New Year Guardians were formidable in battle, and their aura of masculine energy could, to some extent, suppress the Hungry Ghosts. However, to everyone's surprise, the situation turned unfavorable as soon as they engaged. The Demonic General brandished his large sword, instantly beheading four or five people.
Bald Old Zhang, his senior disciple, and two other managers of the branch stores, all masters of the New Year Guardian Sect with refined internal organs, rarely encountered strong opponents in battle.
But now, as the four of them surrounded and attacked the Demonic General, they were suppressed by his ferocious and terrifying sword. Within just a few exchanges, the situation became dire, and one of them was already slashed from his horse.
"Retreat quickly!"
The Grain Protection Army had already begun beating the drums, signaling a retreat, but the three of them could only lament, how could they possibly retreat now?
They felt that if they dared to let their guard down for a moment, the enemy's sword would surely land on them.
"Watch me..."
Just then, a female general charged out from behind, none other than Madam Sun, a manager at the Red Lantern Lady's branch store.
The others were puzzled, as none of the four New Year Guardians were a match for the Demonic General, and she, a mere woman and a member of the Soul Punishment Sect, would surely be courting death if she engaged him.
But before they could finish their thought, Madam Sun spurred her horse and rushed forward. Instead of directly confronting the general, she suddenly pulled out a painting from her bosom, unfurled it in the air, and began chanting. The painting floated through the night sky and enveloped the Demonic General's head.
"Huh?"
To everyone's surprise, the painting, which seemed flimsy and easily torn, had somehow trapped the general. He seemed unable to remove it, and instead of reaching up to pull it off, he stood there roaring in anger.
The general wildly waved the large sword in his hand, slashing down many Hungry Ghosts under his blade. He seemed to have fallen into a frenzy.
Bald Old Zhang and the others were terrified, quickly turning their horses to flee to the sides. Their chaotic escape lacked any semblance of order as they shouted at Madam Sun, "Madam Widow, we owe our lives to you this time..."
"Don't talk, I'm already regretting this..."
Madam Sun cursed under her breath, her gaze fixed on the painting. The Demonic General, struggling fiercely, had managed to tear the painting to shreds, which now lay on the ground.
This painting had the power to bewitch minds and diminish one's Dao virtue. Even ordinary people who approached it would die, yet it couldn't hold the Demonic General. Madam Sun felt a sharp pain in her heart, for all her abilities were invested in this painting.
Now that it was destroyed, what could she rely on to establish herself in the jianghu?
However, the others didn't have time to consider this. Seeing the Demonic General break free from the painting, his anger intensified, and he led his troops in an even more ferocious charge.
He ignored the fleeing Bald Old Zhang and the others, his eyes fixed on the Grain Protection Army camp ahead. Glaring at the Grain Protection General and the massive army, he roared and charged forward with increasing speed.
The more exhilarated he became, the more frenzied the Hungry Ghosts behind him grew. Their eyes turned red, stirring up Yin winds, creating an overwhelming and fierce force as they charged towards the enemy troops.
Although they numbered only seven or eight hundred, they looked like ferocious wolves, their momentum unmatched. They charged straight into the Grain Protection Army camp, which had ten times their number, without any fear, like a tiger pouncing on a flock of sheep.
"Clang! Clang!"
But just as they unleashed their attack on the Grain Protection Army, they suddenly felt something amiss. The soldiers in front of them fell with a push, revealing bamboo poles holding tattered clothing, with jars hanging from them. Even the horses were made of paper.
"Not good..."
The Demonic General realized something was wrong, but behind him, the Hungry Ghosts had already surged forward, charging into the Grain Protection Army camp. The sound of tearing rags, breaking jars, and shredding paper figures filled the air.
The next moment, countless fire arrows were launched from both sides, turning the camp into a sea of flames in an instant. The jars contained flammable substances, which ignited the Hungry Ghosts.
The Demonic General roared in fury, tugging at his horse's mane, determined to break free. But at that moment, just a mile away from the camp, a series of green banners rose, concealing the true Grain Protection Army and horses from outside view.
"We may be kind in daily life, but on the battlefield, not a single enemy should escape..."
Behind the banners, the Iron Mouth Strategist, with a cold smile, took a bowl of clear water and silently chanted a curse into it. Then, he flipped the bowl and poured the water onto the ground.
In an instant, within the burning camp, the Demonic General and the Hungry Ghosts, driven by the flames, tried to escape. But they found the ground around them had turned into a muddy swamp, and with each step, their legs sank three feet deep, making it impossible to pull them out.
It was said that water and fire were incompatible, but here, the fire grew stronger, and the water became deeper, each element unhindered by the other. The Demonic General and the eight hundred Hungry Ghosts were all trapped, burning to a crisp.
...
...
A mile or two away, the Grain Protection Army soldiers smelled the intense scorched stench. Many of them couldn't hold back and vomited on the spot.
Even the Grain Protection General Yang Gong, hidden behind the green banners, felt his heart tremble at the sight. "I thought battles were about fighting to the death, seeing who was more fierce. I never imagined there would be such underhanded tactics."
"Huff..."
In Red Gate Town, Hu Ma, overwhelmed by the pungent smell, felt his heart sink. He silently remarked, "It's said that the first generation of reincarnators are all ruthless and cruel, capable of wiping out entire families. Now, even without them, just looking at their disciples..."
"Each one of them is indeed a heartless and cruel bunch."
(End of Chapter)
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