https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-577-Proclamation-of-the-Pacifying-Malevolent-Spirits-Decree/12919088/
Chapter 578: The Evil Ghost Enters the Flag
Chapter 578: The Evil Ghost Enters the Flag
"Fairness, fairness!"
The situation had become incomprehensible. Heaven's Mandate General Zhong Benyi, with his status, willingly knelt before the Pacifying Evil Office.
It was clearly time for his execution, but instead of fear, he laughed heartily, "From Official Province to Bright Province, I've never encountered anything more fair than this!"
As he spoke, he tore his clothes, ripped off a piece, and then bit his finger, writing a petition with his blood. He handed it over with both hands, and Hu Ma took it in an instant.
With a solemn tone, Hu Ma said, "I promise you in front of everyone that no matter if it's humans, ghosts, demons, or gods, or anything else, as long as the Pacifying Evil Office is here, we will seek justice for you!"
Hearing this, Heaven's Mandate General nodded repeatedly, as if he had forgotten to respond.
Seeing him kneel before the Pacifying Evil Office, the group of starving ghosts behind him, who had already come back to life, finally reacted. They were simple-minded and lacked experience, and they didn't even know why the Heaven's Mandate General was kneeling, but they all followed suit and began kowtowing.
"Brothers, neighbors, remember the words of the Pacifying Evil Office. Our sins must be acknowledged. Those spirits and ghosts have been following us, watching us, waiting to see when we can atone for our sins. Let's repay our debts now."
"If we can't repay them with this death, then we'll become ghost soldiers and continue to repay. If this grievance can be addressed, we will have paid our debts and can leave with a clear conscience."
"If no one addresses this grievance, we'll fight our way out of the underworld and return to this world to seek justice!"
"..."
His words were powerful and filled with resentment and unwillingness, but one couldn't help but acknowledge the force behind them.
The starving ghosts also cried and laughed hysterically, nodding repeatedly. Their cries were not of sorrow, and their laughter held no joy.
But as they knelt with the Heaven's Mandate General, even hearing the word 'death', they continued to kowtow, as if they had accepted his words.
"Kill me!"
The Heaven's Mandate General took a step forward, tore open his collar, faced the Pacifying Evil Office, and calmly said to Hu Ma, "Come and cut off my head. Take me to seek justice for this grievance!"
"You are a living person, and the Pacifying Evil Office's blade does not cut living people."
Hu Ma nodded at him and suddenly turned around, facing the Grain Protection General Yang Gong at the altar's side. He shouted, "Grain Protection General, I'll borrow your blade and your men. Since you are the Grain Protection General, it's your duty to slay this grain-stealing evil ghost."
"You can borrow it."
Yang Gong heard the Heaven's Mandate General's complaint of unwillingness, and he also heard that the Pacifying Evil Office had accepted his grievance petition. No one knew what impact these scenes had on him, but at that moment, he only loudly agreed and stepped forward.
Zhong Benyi turned around, facing the south, in the direction of the mountain villagers whose grain he had taken. He didn't utter words of apology, but this kneeling was voluntary. He lowered his head, exposing his neck.
Beside the Bright Province City, the starving ghosts surrounded by the Grain Protection Army also lowered their heads, touching the ground with their foreheads, creating a silence like a vast ocean.
"Not yet!"
At this moment, Hu Ma hesitated and stopped Yang Gong, who was about to approach with his sword drawn.
In an instant, Yang Gong, the Meng Family Elder Son beside him, the Grain Protection Army soldiers, and even the Heaven's Mandate General and the starving ghosts all turned to look at Hu Ma. After a long pause, no one spoke, and their gazes seemed to hold a hint of doubt.
Hu Ma sighed softly, "Let them have a full meal before they depart."
Yang Gong was taken aback and immediately waved his hand, ordering his men to make arrangements. Heaven's Mandate General Zhong Benyi suddenly froze, his lips trembling as he stared at the shadow on the altar. He seemed to want to say something but ultimately only managed a bitter laugh.
Shaking his head, he accepted the arrangement of the altar master, deliberately appearing more relaxed. He turned to Yang Gong and said, "Brother, is your blade fast?"
Yang Gong held up his precious sword, revealing its gleaming edge, and said, "This sword was given to me by a brother. He also saved my life. He told me to remember where I came from, so I know who I should kill."
"Because I know who to kill, my blade never hesitates. It's especially fast and doesn't get stained with blood."
"..."
"My blood isn't clean, so it's best not to get stained."
Zhong Benyi turned to look at Yang Gong and whispered, "You're a good man too. It's just unfortunate that I was born in Official Province. If I had been born in a place like Bright Province, I might not have been any worse off than you."
"Are you envious of me?"
Hearing his words, Yang Gong shook his head, "You shouldn't envy me."
"My life has been bitter. From a young age, I've either been hungry or had to risk my life. There have been few peaceful days, and I've always been the one envying others."
"..."
Zhong Benyi asked, "Who do you fight for?"
Yang Gong replied, "At first, it was for myself, but later, it was for those like me who were hungry and had no way out."
Zhong Benyi laughed, "Then I still envy you!"
Their conversation didn't hinder their task. Over there, the Grain Protection Army had set up pots and stoves, steaming buns and cooking porridge. They distributed the food, and even Zhong Benyi took a bun and ate it in a few bites, licking the crumbs into his mouth. Then he knelt facing Bright Province.
"My friend, I'll send you off on your journey."
Yang Gong raised his knife, and with a sudden loud shout, the blade swiftly slashed down, severing a large head. Blood spurted from the neck, shooting high into the air.
Zhong Benyi's laughter abruptly rang out, continuing even as his head separated from his body. Despite the bright daylight, the blood was blinding, and the eerie laughter sent chills down the spines of those nearby.
As Zhong Benyi's head hit the ground, on the battlefield and throughout Mingzhou, countless hungry ghosts emerged from their bodies, one after another.
The sinister Yin Wind and malevolent aura emanating from these ghosts were so intense that even under the sun, they didn't dissipate. Instead, they chased after the blood-red light that spurted from Zhong Benyi's neck, flying towards the direction of Zhenchong Manor.
Inside Zhenchong Manor, Hu Ma had already drawn out a command flag. As the countless vengeful spirits rolled in, they all flew into the flag.
On the other side, there were still three to four thousand hungry ghosts. They were eating flatbread and drinking porridge, but it was clear they were hungry ghosts, yet they ate extremely slowly, and soon seemed to be full, stopping and staring blankly upwards.
Zhong Benyi had been beheaded, but no one was there to execute them. However, among them, many just stared blankly, and suddenly, their heads tilted, and they fell to the ground. From their bodies, Yin Wind swirled, and vengeful spirits flew out one by one.
The howling wind and swirling spirits were like a storm, a terrifying sight.
Hu Ma, holding the flag, felt its weight suddenly become unbearable. The blood-stained letter that Zhong Benyi had handed over seemed to emanate a surging aura of vengeful spirits.
"I accept your grievances and will help you avenge this blood debt. Rest assured and depart!"
Hu Ma sighed softly, and with a forward throw, the command flag in his hand pierced straight into the back of the Shadow General, who was standing in the middle of the battlefield, suppressing the entire formation. The Yin Wind and malevolent aura on the Shadow General's body instantly intensified a hundredfold.
On the other side, Yang Gong, who had beheaded Zhong Benyi, raised his knife. The usually bloodless treasure knife now bore a bloodstain that couldn't be wiped off no matter how hard he tried.
"A mere verbal promise has summoned ten thousand ghost soldiers..."
Witnessing this scene, the disciples of the Beef Avoidance Sect, the Daoist practitioners of Mingzhou City, and even the Meng Family Elder Son were all shocked. They couldn't even imagine what it meant for the Heaven's Will General to enter the command flag.
These were countless hungry ghosts from Official Province, now willingly entering the flag, their malevolent aura far surpassing the scope of Daoist arts. Who could match such a grand gesture and spirit?
The Meng Family Elder Son's palms even trembled slightly, understanding the weight of these ten thousand ghost soldiers. Despite his cultivated composure, he couldn't contain himself and spoke up:
"But does Brother understand where to bring these grievances and how heavy this burden is?"
"..."
"The doors of Zhenchong Manor are open. If there are grievances, they must be heard. Otherwise, what's the point of opening these doors?"
Hu Ma smiled at him, appearing very polite and not putting on any airs of his position. "If the citizens of Official Province have suffered this calamity due to natural disasters, then so be it. But if ghosts and gods are involved, then it's time for Zhenchong Manor to issue its decree!"
"Now, let the people of this world witness. Let them see if I'm making empty promises or truly seeking justice for the citizens of Official Province!"
"..."
Suddenly, he turned and looked towards Mingzhou City, shouting, "The Governor God is dead, and the hungry ghosts have returned to their places. You demons, after committing such evil deeds, do you still think you can hide?"
As Hu Ma reopened Zhenchong Manor outside the city and the Meng Family Elder Son came to observe the ceremony, chaos reigned within Mingzhou City.
They were first shocked, then fearful. Initially hopeful, they became terrified when Hu Ma accepted Zhong Benyi's grievance. Some wanted to borrow the Ghostway to quickly leave, but they couldn't; the Ghostway was closed, blocked by spirits.
They tried to ride horses and break out of the city, but that was impossible too; the city was surrounded by the Grain Protection Army.
In their despair, they suddenly saw a girl with red clothes and two small braids tied with goat horns. Their hearts sank, and their legs turned to jelly.
"You..."
The little ghost in red clothes saw them, her eyes also seemed a bit dazed, but after struggling to think for a while, she shook her head.
She couldn't remember.
She just hopped and skipped ahead, leading the way, "Follow me, Uncle Hu Ma is already waiting for you outside."
Uncle Hu Ma's second, third, and fourth uncles, as well as the eldest granddaughter, all had their hearts sink at this moment. They were all experts in ghost summoning, and there was no reason to fear a little ghost servant, but they couldn't muster any strength. They just stared at each other.
After a long while, the eldest granddaughter, Hu Xi, finally bit her lip and followed the little ghost servant, slowly saying, "Let's go, we've always wanted to see him, haven't we?"
(End of Chapter)
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