Chapter 817: Establishing a Great Vow, Sealing the Bright King (6000 Words)

Chapter 817: Establishing a Great Vow, Sealing the Bright King (6000 Words)



The Second Young Master's skills were indeed impressive.

However, as his abilities grew stronger, the same technique took on a different form when he used it.

This group of rebels, with their red belly wraps, exuded a strong evil aura. They had hidden among the rebels, intending to use them as cover to get close to the Granary Protection General and capture him.

But they never expected the Granary Protection General to be so audacious, daring to leave the city alone. Seeing him nearby, they naturally wanted to seize this opportunity. With the red belly wraps on their bodies, they were confident that they could capture the Granary Protection General even in the midst of thousands of troops.

On the city wall, Xu Datongzhi was startled when he saw them. He hurriedly called out to Hu Ma, "Quickly, save the Granary Protection General!"

"These damned rebels are not easy to deal with. They are from the Three-Headed Dragon Demon King of Lake State."

"..."

"Three-Headed Dragon?"

Hu Ma, however, remained calm and collected. After exhaling, he paid no further attention to it. In the army, it was as if a flash of firelight merged with the surrounding dust, and the ground seemed to tremble slightly, but there appeared to be no significant changes.

Xu Datongzhi was also skilled, but he couldn't understand what Hu Ma had done. He anxiously said, "He's a powerful warlord, truly formidable."

"They've been eyeing our Bright State ever since they noticed our flourishing incense offerings. They've been plotting to invade, but the Granary Protection General has been blocking them. I never thought they'd be so bold as to use evil sorcery to infiltrate the army and take advantage of this rebellion."

Hu Ma wasn't worried; he was just surprised. "What kind of damned things are these? The name itself is sinister."

"They're said to be from the Black Magic Sect. Isn't that sinister enough?"

Xu Wensheng was a shrewd man. He had come to remind Hu Ma, and his urgency was evident. But seeing Hu Ma's composure, he knew that Hu Ma must have grasped the situation, so he became less anxious and spoke softly, "The Year-Guarding ones are fierce, the Ghost Walkers are mixed, and the performers are skilled. This Black Magic Sect has claimed the word 'evil' as their own."

"Many sects' techniques become useless in the army because the army is filled with heavy killing intent, and the spiritual arts of ghosts and gods are easily overwhelmed by this killing intent."

"Only the Black Magic Sect is different. They always come up with strange and bizarre things."

"Look at these old men wearing women's red belly wraps. These wraps are their treasures, chosen from those worn by women in the sect for years without changing, all for the sake of absorbing yin energy and monthly blood energy."

"When the time comes, they take them off, and the sect's experts draw talismans on them. Once worn, they become impervious to blades and guns, and their ferocity is unmatched... The only problem is that wearing them for too long makes them less manly."

"So this sect has a tradition of killing their wives. When they reach a certain level of cultivation, they kill their wives and offer them to the sect or share them with their brothers."

"This is called the Wife Sacrifice Banquet."

"By setting up this banquet, others will know that their abilities have reached maturity, and they no longer need their wives."

"..."

Hu Ma nodded as he watched, his gaze still fixed on the battlefield. "That's indeed a hefty price."

When it came to invulnerability, both the Year-Guarding and Soul-Back sects had their methods. The Year-Guarding sect relied on physical strength, while the Soul-Back sect depended on the objects they carried. However, the Black Magic Sect seemed to draw upon certain things to gather yin energy.

Their invulnerability and evil aura were slightly stronger than the Year-Guarding and Soul-Back sects, but they also had more requirements.

For instance, the Year-Guarding sect's invulnerability was a result of their advanced skills, making it difficult to injure them.

The Soul-Back sect invited powerful beings, and the stronger these beings were, the harder it was to harm them.

The Black Magic Sect, on the other hand, was most effective in chaotic situations, making it challenging to harm them.

For the same person, if they were in a state of panic and confusion, holding a knife or gun and attacking the person wearing the red belly wrap, it would be difficult to harm them even with frantic slashes and stabs.

The more anxious one became, the more solid the opponent seemed.

However, if one calmed down, focused their energy, and aimed a precise strike, there was a chance to penetrate their defense.

Additionally, most spiritual arts emphasized balance, requiring both skill and self-cultivation. But these women from the Black Magic Sect seemed to have a reckless disregard for consequences.

As long as it worked, anything was acceptable.

Of course, there were many such unorthodox sects in the world. With limited contact with sect members and little reputation in the martial world, they usually operated in secret, taking advantage of the Ten Surnames Hall officials' weaknesses to carry out ruthless deeds.

However, this also meant that they occasionally devised particularly vicious and deadly techniques.

To be honest, the Ten Surnames were not entirely clean... except for the Hu family... But with their reputation, they had to maintain a certain level of decorum. Their disciples couldn't act without restraint, completely disregarding all limits, and were subtly restricted.

On the other hand, these sects, behind closed doors, acted without restraint, and their maliciousness far exceeded that of those who operated openly.

Hu Ma, now with considerable skill, couldn't immediately see through all their techniques, so he had to resort to using the True Yang Arrow, a rather crude skill.

Currently, the group wearing red belly wraps had already reached Yang Gong's front, ignoring the scorching sensation above their heads and the troops rushing from behind.

It seemed they might truly capture the Granary Protection General, but suddenly, the voices around them became blurred, and hot winds blew everywhere, as if the ground had turned into a volcano.

Looking down, he saw the golden talisman on the crimson belly wrap, which was now melting away and dripping bit by bit.

His heart was filled with shock. Some hurriedly chanted incantations, while others tried to pat it out, but to no avail. The surrounding area felt like it was inside a furnace, and not only had the golden characters on the red belly wrap melted, but suddenly, with a whoosh, it caught fire.

Amidst the chaotic army formation, several dozen blazing fireballs appeared, and even the screams from their mouths were choked by the flames. The flames grew stronger and stronger, soaring several zhang high in an instant.

The soldiers rushing in from both sides were startled by the commotion and backed away.

"Ai yo..."

Xu, the Grand Overseer, was also startled by this and almost fell over. He looked at Hu Ma with suspicion, "You... How did you do that? Was it you?"

Hu Ma could only smile in response, helpless. His vision wasn't sharp enough to see through the intricacies of this sinister spell, so he had to resort to a crude method.

From the moment they made their move, their aura revealed their path of dark malevolence. Solving this problem became straightforward—a True Yang Arrow was unleashed, harming no one, but turning that area into a pure Yang bronze furnace.

These men wearing the crimson belly wraps, their yin energy was completely neutralized, and the remaining primal Yang fire energy couldn't be extinguished. Naturally, their bodies became fuel, and they burned.

It had to be said that Hu Ma had once envied the fire-breathing skills of the play troupe, and now, he had learned it himself.

"Hehe, even in death, you don't choose the right time!"

As these rebels aiming to capture the Granary Protection General were suddenly burned to death, like a divine miracle, Yang Gong stood behind the raging flames, his eyes cold. He pointed his golden saber forward, and his shadow seemed to grow larger.

"Capture all these troublemakers and behead them as a warning."

"... "

The mutineers initially thought they could force their way into the palace, but seeing that even the soldiers behind them wouldn't obey their commands, and several generals and commanders they thought were on their side were voluntarily protecting the Granary Protection General, they knew the situation was hopeless.

Before their eyes, a massive army surged forward, and the few guards who tried to escape were hacked to death by the chaotic blades. They had no thoughts of resistance and allowed themselves to be captured.

They were tied up and escorted by soldiers, following Yang Gong back into the city.

Knowing they had no hope, they didn't even bother pleading for mercy. Only one of them, stubbornly defiant, glared at Yang Gong and cursed, "So, you set a trap to lure us! You just wanted our army!"

"But don't get too smug. The Ancient Serpent King has his eyes on this place, and with his thousand years of cultivation, who dares to show disrespect?"

"Then I'll just beat you to the Yellow Springs and wait for you there!"

"... "

"That old thing has quite the attitude!"

Yang Gong turned to look at him and smiled, "I was just about to find someone to test my blade on. If he doesn't come, I'll go to him, but I didn't want you to see it."

He waved his hand dismissively, "Stop chattering, you noisy bean curd!"

They were brought to the top of the city wall, and before the rebels outside the city, their heads were chopped off one by one and hung on the city gate as a warning.

The rebels inside and outside the city, under the scolding of Zhao Zhu and the other generals, threw down their weapons and knelt to beg for forgiveness.

Hu Ma also realized that this rebellion was likely Yang Gong's plan all along. Now that he had expanded his influence, many had come to join him, and some were indeed capable, making them valuable generals.

But some were unruly and only wanted to get provisions to feed their own soldiers. These acquired soldiers, unless they were exceptional, had to be disbanded and retrained, but these men would never agree.

So, Yang Gong had secretly plotted to make them reveal themselves. He executed the leaders and charged the rest with a crime, intending to gradually bring them under control.

This strategy wasn't particularly honorable, but Hu Ma had no intention of interfering.

The third volume of the Heavenly Book from his past life had fallen into this world, containing profound truths, but they had to align with the circumstances of this world. Yang Gong had his own way of surviving.

The last character of the Wordless Treasure Seal, "Chang," was no longer within the grasp of a single person's ability; it required the combined fortune of everyone in the world to obtain. Therefore, after this competition, a true emperor must be chosen.

The principles of his past life couldn't be entirely replicated in this world, but the concept of "the people's hearts" was fundamental and invaluable, indispensable.

This determined his decision to find someone who understood and valued the people's hearts, and yet also fit this world's perception of an:

Emperor.

That was his thought, and he spoke it aloud. That night, Yang Gong held a grand banquet to welcome him, but Hu Ma only drank a few cups before waiting for the third round of drinks. After the banquet dispersed, he sat with Yang Gong in the courtyard, taking only a pot of wine to enjoy under the pavilion.

As they drank, Hu Ma spoke frankly, "You are my brother, not my pawn. So, I think it's better to be clear about some things."

"Your foundation is now strong, and the last of the Duyi's Incense Deity has disappeared. It's time for you to venture out of the city. With the armies and capable men under your command, you may not have a significant advantage, but you now have a chance to contend for the world."

"Unfortunately, among the grassroots kings of the world, few are truly from humble beginnings. Most are either local aristocrats or capable individuals backed by influential connections."

"When you face these grassroots kings, you are essentially confronting those aristocrats and influential figures. Your life hangs by a thread."

"In this situation, you have two choices."

He paused briefly and said, "One option is to let the sky be your limit and forge your own path."

"With the resources and talented generals you currently possess, it won't be difficult to establish a solid foundation. Even if you encounter formidable opponents in the future and suffer a crushing defeat, or if you meet a wise ruler, you can still surrender and pledge your loyalty, exchanging it for a prosperous future."

Yang Gong spoke directly, "And the other option?"

Hu Ma hesitated for a moment before replying, "The other option is for me to borrow your battle formation to slay the grassroots kings, gather the Heavenly Mandate, eradicate the demonic sects, and pacify malevolent spirits. I want to refine my altar and my sorcery."

"If you are willing to assist me, you can still pursue the path of becoming an emperor, and you will have my support. However, because of me, you will also encounter even more formidable opponents and sinister individuals."

"The risks and challenges will increase tenfold."

"Moreover, there will be no opportunity to bow down and pledge loyalty to others. It's a path that leads to an uncertain end, perhaps even death."

As Yang Gong listened, he fell silent, his eyes widening as he stared at Hu Ma.

"Additionally..."

Hu Ma also gazed at him and slowly said, "Not only will I help you, but there will be many more willing to lend a hand. However, they are all proud individuals, and their willingness to assist us stems from the most precious and sincere part of their hearts."

"Therefore, as a form of gratitude, you must not forget the content of the Heavenly Book that I taught you, and you must never lose sight of your initial aspirations. Although I don't expect you to forge a Heavenly Soldier, there are certain principles that you must always remember!"

"..."

At this point in the conversation, Hu Ma paused, looking intently at Yang Gong, awaiting his decision.

To engage in a spell duel with the Ten Surnames, one would indeed require such a vast army. Although Hu Ma could have kept this information to himself and prevented Yang Gong from making a choice, he felt it was better to be straightforward and transparent.

In the midst of his silence, Yang Gong looked at Hu Ma and suddenly started to smile.

He seemed to be slightly tipsy as he said, "Brother, do you remember when Bright State was plagued by bandits, and I led a group from the mountains to eliminate them?"

"During that time, you saved me and gave me this saber. It was as if I had caught a glimpse of something—my fate, which was too insignificant. I should have died at the hands of the rebels then, forgotten by everyone."

"You changed my destiny, allowing me to be who I am today. This is something I wouldn't have dared to dream of in my previous life. So, if you ask me if I dare to aspire to be an emperor, I would say I don't dare. It's too grand."

"But speaking from the bottom of my heart, if there were an imperial throne right in front of me, I would fight with all my might to seize it. Given my background, even if I only managed to snatch the title of emperor, my ancestral tomb would still emit a few years' worth of blue smoke..."

"..."

Smiling, he turned to look at Hu Ma and said, "Additionally, I know what you're worried about."

"Having a thousand fields and desiring ten thousand, becoming an emperor and aspiring for immortality, there's a void in people's hearts that can never be filled. Even the closest of brothers will fight tooth and nail when it comes to dividing family assets."

"You don't want that day to come, so you've always shared many wise words with me. I fear that day as well, which is why I'm speaking from the heart."

"The Yang Gong of today values brotherhood above becoming an emperor. I also want to compete for the imperial throne."

"However, I'm aware of my limitations, so I can only offer my sincerity in exchange. Therefore, I make this vow:"

"I, Yang Gong, will never forget my origins, the hardships I've endured, and the people who have supported me. I will never betray the common folk, and I will always remember why I took up arms in the first place."

"I'm also preparing to break free from Bright State and meet the heroes of this world. Hence, I beseech the heavens and deities for their blessings and the aid of extraordinary individuals. If there ever comes a day when I burn high-quality incense at my ancestral tomb, but I'm still not content and become a different person..."

"Then, brother, come and take my head!"

"..."

As he spoke these words, he surprisingly smiled with great joy. Usually, he was enthusiastic, but he always showed respect towards Hu Ma. Now, he casually patted Hu Ma's shoulder and said, "This is what I'm asking you to do."

"With the heavens and spirits as witnesses, if you kill me, it won't be a betrayal of our brotherhood."

"..."

Looking into his eyes, which were clear and devoid of any trace of intoxication, Hu Ma suddenly realized that this youth from humble origins had grown just as much as he had...

After a long pause, Hu Ma nodded slightly, picked up his wine bowl, and slowly drank.

At that very moment, in the distance beyond the city walls, flames surged, illuminating the night sky. It was the rebellious armies outside the city, now fully prepared, as their generals lit fire basins to send signals to the Grain Guard Army camps within the city.

At this moment, in the distant night sky, a red lantern emerged from the depths of the darkness.

Erguotou sat astride his horse, holding the lantern, and behind him was the vast Granary Protection Army. As they slowly emerged from the night, it was as if this piece of heaven and earth had also become a bit more solemn.

After all, with his mind in a hurry, Erguotou hurried his journey, and finally, leading the Granary Protection Army, he returned to the front of this Ming Prefecture City.

"Brother, you have abundant troops and provisions, and your reputation is far-reaching. This time, the Granary Protection Army has brought back enough blood food for you, ensuring that you have the confidence to conquer the world."

Hu Ma smiled and nodded to Yang Gong, saying, "Now, it's time for you to be crowned king and lead the troops out of Ming State."

Yang Gong looked at him and slowly nodded. The Granary Protection Army of Ming State had long been prepared, and he was originally waiting for Hu Ma to return and discuss this matter with him. Seeing that Hu Ma took the initiative to speak, he knew the time had come.

After pondering for a long time, he said, "You changed my fate, so please grant me a royal title!"

Hu Ma smiled and said, "Why make it so complicated?"

"Since you were born in Ming State, suffered in Ming State, and rebelled in Ming State, then take the land as your title and choose the word 'Ming' as your royal title. How about that?"

"..."

Yang Gong laughed, "I'll listen to you. Then I'll be the King of Ming State, leading the Granary Protection Army!"

"However, since you've decided to help me, I actually have some questions to ask you. During this time, I've been pondering the contents of the Heavenly Book that you taught me."

"Thinking about what the Heavenly Book says about the army and the people, provisions and troops, the nobles in the city, and the commoners in the mountains, I feel like I've learned a lot and have confidence, but the more I think about it, the more questions arise in my mind..."

"Can you come and teach me more when you have time?"

"..."

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Ma felt a little embarrassed. After all, he had learned these principles from others.

It wasn't a problem to casually teach some of it to Yang Gong, but this guy had been putting it into practice and gaining experience. As for many of the ideas within, they were probably more profound than his own. Asking him to teach at this point might make him feel a bit awkward...

It seemed he still needed to find a humanities PhD to guide him...

After drinking three bowls, the two stood up. Yang Gong led his followers out of the city to meet the troops, while Hu Ma turned around and disappeared into the night, using his divine boots to return to Greenstone Town.

Li Waizi had been guarding the manor and hadn't gone to sleep yet. Hearing the commotion, he hurriedly came out to greet Hu Ma, wanting to cook a meal for him.

Hu Ma smiled and waved his hand, saying he had already eaten. He opened one door of the manor and closed another, then asked someone to bring an incense table, on which he lit a stick of incense in the incense burner.

Before long, the night outside stirred, and one by one, figures appeared in front of the manor, bowing to Hu Ma from outside. However, only an old farmer and three or four people dressed like Jianghu wanderers entered the manor.

They stood on the left side of the courtyard.

After half a moment, Old Abacus, who had been riding a fast horse and using sorcery to hasten his journey, arrived, panting, with the fortune teller he had met on the road by his side.

Although there were fewer of them, they also represented the Dalaofa Religion and stood on the right side of the courtyard.

Hu Ma wasn't one for pretense and didn't care about these superficial gestures. He stood up and sincerely said to them, "The Granary Protection General is about to be crowned king and lead the troops out of Ming State to suppress the various grassroots kings. Let's see who is the true dragon and who can seize the heavenly mandate."

"And we will also take this opportunity to reveal the truth to the Ten Surnames."

"..."

Hearing this, everyone was excited. Non-Eater Ox and his group of demons had been busy rebelling for a lifetime, and now that they finally saw a great cause to be accomplished, they couldn't help but feel thrilled, clapping their hands and laughing.

Even Senior Brother Non-Eater Ox looked up at Hu Ma, "Has the leader already decided to support this emperor-to-be?"

"That's right."

Hu Ma nodded and looked at the incense in the incense burner. Although the night wind was howling, making the wild grass fly, the incense burned straight upwards, indicating that the Mountain Lord had also arrived at the manor and was listening to his words.

He spoke with determination, "It's him."

"I know that you all think his fate is a bit lacking, and his foundation isn't thick enough. He can be one of the seeds, but it's not enough to place the great treasure on him."

"But I think that for our goal of recreating the world and reshaping the universe, we need someone as pure as him. We have the assistance of the Heavenly Book and the protection of the deities. What's there to fear about an insufficient fate?"

"Crowning a king, offering sacrifices to heaven, slaying the grassroots kings, gathering the laws of the world, and immediately leading the troops out of Ming State to first capture the ancient serpent in Lake State who claims to have a thousand years of cultivation, and use him as a sacrifice to the flag!"

Upon hearing this, everyone became excited.

Even Senior Brother Little Blackie of the Non-Eater Ox Sect had a hint of anticipation, "Is the leader so confident because of the third volume of the Heavenly Book...?"

Hu Ma smiled, "The third volume of the Heavenly Book, one volume for penetrating the mystic, one for gazing at the heavens. The one who penetrates the mystic can discern the subtleties of people's hearts, and the one who gazes at the heavens can see the workings of heaven and earth. What I want to show you now is precisely the third volume of the Heavenly Book."

"Summon divine weapons to descend and purge the demons and evil spirits!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end