Day and night tour

Chapter 388 Hundred Ghosts Night Parade
"If even the Great Master can't suppress Shepherd Soul City, what should we do?"

"Trust Mr. Da, trust him."

"Yes, we must believe in the power of belief."

The people of Mingjiang Prefecture still trusted Zhou Xuan implicitly, and could only trust him—it was Zhou Xuan who led the people of Mingjiang Prefecture through the chess game of heaven and earth and the post-disaster life.

Zhou Xuan lived up to expectations, rolling up his sleeves and pointing his right hand toward the Dao Ancestor's mask in the sky.

After receiving guidance, a rich purple aura emanated from the mask.

The purple mist spread like smoke, and its rapid expulsion soon illuminated half of Mingjiang Prefecture with a vibrant purple hue.

A vast expanse of purple mist enveloped Zhou Xuan's City God Temple.

With the aura of the Dao Ancestor empowering it, the cracks in the temple were constantly being repaired, while the city pressed down on Shepherd Soul City.

Not to be outdone, the city of Shepherd Souls unleashed a torrent of water from the meandering River Styx, which surged up and flooded the entire city.

The Styx River was scorching everything, scorching Shepherd City, and also scorching the City God Temple controlled by Zhou Xuan.

Inside the City God Temple, the sounds of thousands of Taoist priests chanting Taoist scriptures could be heard.

Meanwhile, within the City of Shepherd Souls, countless vengeful ghosts wailed.

Two sounds rang out: one moment the Taoist chants from the City God Temple were stronger, and the next the ghostly wails from Shepherd Soul City were louder.

The exchange of these two voices resonated with the people of Mingjiang Prefecture, giving them a sense that the Great Master and Muhun City were evenly matched, locked in a bloody stalemate, with each side taking turns gaining the upper hand.

They couldn't help but feel worried for Zhou Xuan.

This is the scene Zhou Xuan wanted to see.

Only when the common people believe that he and Muhun City are fighting to the death, but neither can harm the other, will it be time for the two sides to begin negotiations.

……

At this moment, with the combined power of the City God Temple and the Taoist Ancestor Mask, the Mother of a Hundred Ghosts had been suppressed back into a slumber by Zhou Xuan.

However, since the "City God Temple" was still to be used for theatrical purposes, he was not in a hurry to take it back, and the Mother of a Hundred Ghosts could not be immediately thrown into the secret realm.

He first wandered in spirit to the gatehouse beneath the bell tower.

Inside the gatehouse, Guishan Taoist and the five paper figures he had created in disguise remained on standby throughout the entire process.

Besides them, Yun Ziliang and "Mountain Ancestor" Li Changxun, who had not yet shown themselves, were also waiting in the house.

Each of these five paper figures has a specific role to play.

One person played the ghost messenger, two played the parents of "Little Brother Er" (a nickname), and two others played the neighbors of "Little Brother Er".

Now, the paper effigy of the ghost messenger will come in handy.

"Old Turtle, this ghost messenger is about to take the stage."

"Master, what do you want the ghost messenger to say?" Guishan Daoist asked Zhou Xuan beforehand, rehearsing the words.

Zhou Xuan whispered something in the ear of the Taoist Guishan.

Guishan Daoist immediately expressed his understanding, while Yun Ziliang said to Zhou Xuan, "Xuanzi, you've made such a big fuss, don't attract the real Shepherd Soul City down here."

"I didn't build Shepherd City; it's a projection of the cerebellum. It's a kind of magic play, and it can't be entangled in cause and effect."

Zhou Xuan said with a smile, "Old Yun, Li Shanren, whether this paper ghost messenger can perform like a real ghost messenger later depends on your skills."

"Don't worry, the Dragon Seeking lineage has a long history of using paper talismans. This paper figure being released into the air is just a larger paper talisman."

"That's good. One act ends and another begins... The great ghost messenger of Shepherd Soul City is out for a stroll right under the noses of the people of Mingjiang Prefecture."

After Zhou Xuan finished speaking, his spirit traveled back to Mount Damu.

Yun Ziliang and Li Changxun, along with the ghost paper figures of Guishan Daoren, went up to the bell tower.

"Two great masters, you only need to release the paper figure. As for the rest, such as the paper figure speaking, you can leave it to me. When the paper figure is released, you should also pay attention to its stability and make sure that the internal organs are not out of place."

“If the positions are messed up, the paper figure containing the dirty things won’t work.”

Master Guishan repeatedly gave instructions, which Yun Ziliang took to heart.

After he and Li Changxun went up to the bell tower, they stood on either side of each other.

Li Chengfeng, who had been feeling uneasy, immediately looked at the two of them as if they had found a lifeline and asked, "Master Yun, was the attack on Shepherd City tonight really the work of the Great Master?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure? But the aura of Shepherd Soul City is exactly the same as the real one. If there's something going on, please explain, Master Yun. We, the Mingjiang Prefecture, are not cowards either; we will definitely gather our strength..."

"Old Li, why are you rambling on? I said it's true, Shepherd Soul City is fake."

Yun Ziliang grew impatient and pushed Li Chengfeng aside to prevent him from delaying the release of the paper figures.

Li Changxun, who was standing to the side, also said with a smile: "Li Chengfeng, I have only met the Master a few days ago, but I have already figured it out - this Master from Mingjiang is very capable. In his hands, the fake can become the real."

"If the imposing aura of Shepherd Soul City couldn't deceive you, how could the Great Master's brilliance be demonstrated?"

As he finished speaking, he gestured with his hand to signal Li Chengfeng to make way.

"Ugh."

Li Chengfeng sighed deeply and obediently stepped aside.

"The Dragon Seeker borrowed the momentum, and a strong mountain wind arose."

Yun Ziliang raised his hands, and the ten large dragon cloud patterns on his Taoist robe trembled slightly. Suddenly, a strong wind rose up on the bell tower. The wind was so strong that it could even lift the top of the bell tower.

"When the winds and clouds meet, they all follow the dragon and the tiger. The wind becomes the dragon's power, and the clouds become the tiger's power. They can all be used by me."

Li Changxun made a sword-finger gesture with his right hand and pointed at the gale. Instantly, the wind condensed into a thin rope, and the wind force no longer leaked out.

The two dragon-seeking masters, one generating wind and the other controlling it, didn't seem to employ any particularly domineering methods. However, the people standing atop the bell tower, even the least devoted among them—Li Chengfeng, who had been worshipped for seven incense sticks—were all discerning individuals.
How could they not see Li Changxun's exquisite control?

The way of incense and deities involves gathering incense to draw power from heaven and earth and the human world. The use of incense requires control, and the stronger the control, the more agile the incense-related methods become.

"Li Shanzu's skill is truly remarkable; his control over incense offerings has reached such a level?"

The painter immediately started gesturing along.

"One must be single-minded; only when one is single-minded can one communicate with spirits and deities."

Li Changxun said it in a cold and indifferent manner, but he was secretly very pleased.

Among the twenty-four deities in the heavens, he had always been the worst, a "shame of the gods." Now, he had shown his skills, which made many disciples above the eight-incense stick level envious. This feeling... was truly... long-lost.

Since he ascended to the heavens and killed the previous "Mountain Ancestor," he hadn't experienced this feeling of being the center of attention for a long time.

"If it's not for showing off in front of others, what's the point of cultivation?"

Li Changxun was secretly pleased with himself when Yun Ziliang's words pulled him back to reality: "You better watch your back, you son of a bitch! What kind of mess is this control of the wind vents? Mountain Ancestor? Bah!"

Don't say

Because Li Changxun was distracted, the paper figure that was being swept up by the wind began to sway slightly.

"Don't rush me, this is a technical adjustment."

Li Changxun's mind was drawn into the wind again. The slender yet powerful wind, like an invisible traction rope, controlled the paper figure to fly in the air.

"The storm is rising again."

The ten large dragons that Yun Ziliang was hiding in had detached from his Taoist robe and were swirling around him, while a stronger wind was blowing into the fine threads.

He provided the wind power, and Li Changxun controlled the wind. Under the guidance of these two dragon-seeking masters, the paper figure first flew in the low sky without making a fuss.

The distance was only a few kilometers, and the flight was quite fast, until the paper figure entered the projection of Shepherd Soul City.

Yun Ziliang lifted the ten dragons with one hand. Above the bell tower, lightning flashed and thunder roared, the wind was pushed to its limit, and Li Changxun's wind control was also at its most exquisite.

The paper figure, which had been flying at low altitude, suddenly soared into the air and stood beneath the purple moon composed of "the mask of the Dao Ancestor and the power of the gods".

This paper figure was a ghost messenger created by the Taoist of Guishan. It wore a black robe and had several small skulls made from leg bones hanging on its body. When the wind blew under the moon, the skulls jingled.

The paper figure, having been subjected to the "dirty magic" of the Guishan Taoist, spoke in human language and immediately shrieked, "Master of Mingjiang, my master had no intention of harming the people of Mingjiang Prefecture. He is kind-hearted. Why did you resort to such cruelty?"

Zhou Xuan was quite satisfied with the paper figure's imposing presence.

According to his envisioned script, the chief ghost messenger from Shepherd City would come forward to negotiate a ceasefire with him.

Now, the paper ghost messenger, with the purple moon soaring in the sky, walks on the horizon, still retaining some of the imposing manner and air of a great ghost messenger.

Zhou Xuan feigned ignorance and pointed at the ghost messenger: "And who are you?"

"Subordinate to the Will of the Shepherd—Night Impermanence."

After introducing itself, the paper figure said to Zhou Xuan, "Master, Shepherd Soul City has a long-standing custom of a hundred ghosts roaming at night. Every year, they choose a place with extremely heavy death energy, and at noon when the sun is blazing, they block out the sun and moon, allowing the hundred ghosts to roam and absorb the death energy of the human world..."

"This custom, though somewhat eerie, is not morally wrong. We urge you, sir, to be lenient and remove the temple. Once the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts is over, we will close the gates of hell and leave Mingjiang Prefecture alone."

After the paper figure spoke and began negotiating with Zhou Xuan, the people of Mingjiang Prefecture were finally reassured and began discussing it in the streets and alleys.

"Did you hear that? So Shepherd Soul City didn't mean us any harm. They're just planning some kind of Hundred Ghosts Parade."

"After the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts, Shepherd City will be withdrawn, which is a good thing."

"I think you guys are just naive. You believe whatever people say. If it weren't for the fact that the people of Shepherd Soul City couldn't withstand the Great Master's City God Temple and Dao Ancestor Mask, would they even be willing to talk to us? Right and wrong will all depend on whether our Great Master's fist is truly strong."

"Now that you mention it... that makes sense. The eldest master is truly remarkable. Although he can't guarantee a victory against Shepherd Soul City, he can at least put up a fight to a draw."

"It was only because Shepherd City was hurt that it sent its chief ghost messenger to negotiate a ceasefire with the Great Master."

The people in the streets and alleys were chatting amongst themselves, and the fear that had made their courage split open just moments before quickly disappeared like a receding tide.

……

"Attack! Shepherd Soul City, you damned city that claims to be the number one underworld city, go ahead and attack!"

Bi Fang was so angry that his teeth itched.
Zhou Xuan and Mu Hun Cheng were clearly locked in a fierce battle, both sides suffering heavy losses. If the fight continued, neither side would gain anything. Yet, Mu Hun Cheng surprisingly stepped forward and backed down.

"Don't be a coward, let's fight."

Bi Fang was so angry that he wanted to descend to the mortal realm himself and join forces with Mu Hun City to attack Zhou Xuan.

But he also knew his own limitations. Although he was a Celestial-level deity, even with his peak combat power, it would be risky for him to fight an entire city alone. The Ancient Tree Golden Bell and the Peach Blossom Ancestral Tree were still there.

Moreover, Zhou Xuan hadn't even used his trump card yet. The day and night wandering gods of Pingshui Prefecture were all eyeing him covetously. If he really managed to win over those Pingshui wandering gods with a tree gate, then Bi Fang would be a god fighting against two cities.

He was confident that he couldn't win.

“The Arrow Master, Zhou Lingyi, the Wine Master, and Yuan Buyu of Pingshui Prefecture are all not to be trifled with.”

"Painters, musicians, the Red Coffin Lady, and the fierce tattoo clan of Pengjia Town... Even I, a fierce tiger, fear a pack of wolves."

Even though Bi Fang hated it and itched his teeth, he still had some sense of reason.

"Let's take another look... let's take another look."

Bifang continued to observe the situation on Earth.

……

The paper ghost messengers have made their demands—the gates of Shepherd Soul City can be closed, but only on the condition that the city's hundred ghosts be allowed to roam at night.

Zhou Xuan feigned silence, and after a long while, he spoke to the ghost messenger: "This is Mingjiang Prefecture, the Mingjiang Prefecture of every commoner. You, the Shepherd Soul City, water your horses here. Even if you don't do anything immoral or harm people indiscriminately, so what?"

"Within the vast land of this capital, how dare you, a mere city of the underworld, act so presumptuously here?"

"Close the gates of hell and return to your underworld. If you disobey, I have the Mountain and River Map and the World Chart to let the will of the Shepherd Soul clash with me a few more times and determine the depth of our conflict."

Zhou Xuan argued his case forcefully, not yielding an inch to Muhun City.

The ghost paper figure bowed and said, "Master, please don't be angry. It is indeed unreasonable for Shepherd Soul City to have a hundred ghosts roaming around here at night. However, the fact that the hundred ghosts are roaming around at night makes Shepherd Soul City absorb enough death energy is also a helpless move."

My lord, I am willing to make a deal with the great man.

Zhou Xuan remained silent.

The ghost messenger continued, "A few days ago, countless people died in Mingjiang Prefecture due to the fire disaster. These people all entered Shepherd Soul City. If you are willing, Master, Soul City is willing to release those Mingjiang dead back to the mortal world, so that they can be brought back to life."

"A dead person returning to life?"

Zhou Xuan raised his eyebrows and asked.

"That's right, the dead are brought back to life. At the same time, the will of Shepherd Soul City is willing to hand over the Land of Rotten Flesh to help Mingjiang Prefecture rebuild."

"What we Soul City want to do is simply borrow your precious land for a hundred ghosts to roam at night."

“Oh, these conditions are not bad, but Mingjiang Prefecture is not just my Mingjiang Prefecture—I have to ask them if they agree.”

Zhou Xuan traveled to the Purple Moon, removed the Dao Ancestor's mask, put it on his face, and activated the boundless Dao sound, asking, "If the hundred ghosts are allowed to roam at night, the dead of Mingjiang can be brought back to life. People, do you agree or not?"

These words, once spoken, made it seem as if a formless Taoist priest was standing beside the people of the city, whispering questions in their ears.

"Then I agree, even though my wife and children died in the Zoroastrian fire."

"I agree, I agree. As long as my family can be brought back to life, I'll let them roam freely in Mingjiang Prefecture, let them roam freely every day."

“Sir, I agree.”

The opinions of the entire city have been collected by Tianxia Shi.
The purple aura that filled the sky slowly condensed and contracted, all of it receding into the mask.

After his heart stirred, Zhou Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils now completely purple. He stared at the ghost messenger and said, "Since this is the will of the people, I have nothing more to say... Granted..."

Immediately, the ghost messenger bowed deeply to Zhou Xuan again, took a step in the air, each step covering dozens of feet. After several steps, he entered Shepherd Soul City and shrieked, "Great Master, you have granted permission for Shepherd Soul City to have a hundred ghosts parade at night."

Instantly, the howling of the vengeful spirits within Shepherd Soul City became much more invigorated.
The Ghost Gate of Shepherd City was thus revealed in a blatant and aboveboard manner.
The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons has officially begun.
……

The night was very quiet, but the paper ghost messengers carrying water and fire sticks led hundreds of ghosts and hundreds of thousands of dead people who had been released from Shepherd Soul City to roam the streets and alleys of Mingjiang Prefecture.

The ghosts and the dead are all silent, which makes the night even more tranquil and eerie.

"Are you sure you don't need to make a sound?"

The cerebellum cast a shadow over Mingjiang and asked Zhou Xuan.

The ghost messengers, the hundred ghosts, and the dead—except for the ghost messengers, who are paper figures—are all projections of the cerebellum.

Zhou Xuan shook his head and said, "Only when ghosts are silent and souls are invisible can they have any class. What kind of behavior is it when all the ghosts and the dead come out shouting and yelling?"

"So I'll just wander among ghosts and the dead like this?"

"Of course, by the way, remember the route I told you. No matter where you send the ghosts to parade through the streets, make sure to go around the clock tower. There are four paper figures there waiting for your projection."

"Easy to say."

Cerebellum responded and continued to perform its duties as a "projector".

A massive procession of ghosts roamed freely through the city. The images of these ghosts were projections created by the cerebellum based on the "hundred ghosts" on the Mother of a Hundred Ghosts. Each of these images appeared eerie and ghostly.

The countless dead were the common people who died in Mingjiang Prefecture, and their images were provided by the joyful Zen master who transformed into a Bodhi tree.

As the ghosts and the dead roamed, these projections followed the planned route and passed the clock tower.

Inside the unlit gatehouse on the first floor of the bell tower, four paper figures, under the control of the Taoist priest from Guishan, silently joined the group.

"Director Xuan, the paper figure is in place."

Zhou Xuan was reminded by his cerebellum.

Zhou Xuan nodded and said, "Continue traveling at night, circle around Mingjiang Prefecture a couple more times. Don't worry about being exposed; we have no chance of being exposed anymore."

What should be done if the ghosts roaming at night are discovered to be ethereal shadows? The answer is... no need to do anything.

Ghosts are inherently ethereal and intangible, usually without a trace or form. So what if they are a little ethereal now? It is precisely because they retain their ethereal nature that we can confirm that this is a ghost, not a living person.

While waiting for the parade, Zhou Xuan wasn't idle. He first stored the City God Temple and the Mother of a Hundred Ghosts into his secret realm—since the negotiations with Shepherd Soul City had concluded successfully, these veteran actors could now retire from the stage.

Then, Zhou Xuan summoned Miss Wall.

"Ah Qiang, the Hundred Ghosts Parade has been completed, and the Shepherd Soul City is right under the noses of the people of Mingjiang Prefecture. They have agreed that the dead in Mingjiang Prefecture can be brought back to life. Our play is only left with the last step - the final decisive blow."

Zhou Xuan said.

"Which hammer?" Miss Wall asked.

"Now, the vast majority of the people in Mingjiang Prefecture believe that the dead people of Mingjiang can be brought back to life. Even if we do nothing, the Book of Will will collect the will of the people and promote the reconstruction of Mingjiang Prefecture."

"However... I'm afraid things might get complicated if I wait too long, so I'll make sure this matter is settled later."

Zhou Xuan rested his chin on his hand and said.

"So what exactly do we do?" Miss Wall asked, her interest piqued by Zhou Xuan's question.

“Simple. We’ll rebuild two streets and revive four people first,” Zhou Xuan said. “Let the people of Mingjiang Prefecture see that the contract between us and Muhun City can take effect immediately.”

There's an old saying, "Don't release the hawk until you see the rabbit," and the same applies to scams.

Without firsthand accounts, no matter how grand or magnificent the event is, it will lack authenticity and ultimately feel somewhat incomplete.

"Rebuild two streets? Resurrect four people? That sounds great, but how exactly do we do it?" Miss Wall asked again.

Zhou Xuan pointed in the direction of the donkey shed shop and said, "You mentioned the donkey shed shop. Since there are too many dead donkeys, there is plenty of flesh and blood material. So, use your method of manipulating flesh and blood to build two streets in the donkey shed shop. As for those four people, I have already made preparations. The two of us will work together to finalize the last blow for this grand show."

"We'll do it your way, Ah Xuan. You really are a resourceful person."

Miss Wall waved her fist and said.

……

Zhou Xuan performed the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts as a major custom of the Soul Shepherd City.

Since it was such an important custom, it was definitely not enough to just wander around for an hour or two. Xiaonao led those projections and paper figures around Mingjiang Prefecture for more than three hours before finally leading the group into the donkey shed shop.

The donkey shed was packed with people, making it quite noisy.

Fortunately, the Imperial Guards helped maintain order.

Dozens of lanterns lit up the sky, casting a stern warning.
"Fellow citizens, the roaming of a hundred ghosts at night is related to whether the dead of Mingjiang can be brought back to life. This is a major plan for the future of Mingjiang Prefecture."

"Everyone, form two lines and make way for the ghosts."

"The realm of the living is separate from the realm of the dead. The boundaries are clear. If anyone dares to cross the line, don't blame the Bureau of the Wandering Gods for disregarding the feelings of their fellow villagers."

boom!
Dozens of lanterns together created two beams of light, within which lay the arena for the Night of a Hundred Demons. Anyone else wanting to watch the spectacle? Sure, but they must step outside the light.

These living people, knowing the gravity of the situation, automatically made way and retreated out of the light. As for those who were less discerning, looking at the lights above them and the circling eagles, they dared not act recklessly.

This matter concerns the grand plan of the entire Mingjiang Prefecture and the vital interests of every ordinary citizen. Breaking the rules at this crucial juncture, even if he were beaten to death by the Imperial Guards or pecked to death by those divine eagles in the street, would bring him no sympathy.
On the contrary, other passersby would yell "Serves you right" in response.

With the double warning, the scene was extremely effective. No one dared to cross the boundary, and the ghosts, led by paper-figure ghost messengers, paraded through the streets in perfect order.
However, this orderly arrangement did not last from beginning to end.

After the procession of the hundred ghosts, it was time for the procession of the dead.

These hundreds of thousands of dead people all had their heads bowed, their hands resting on the shoulders of the dead in front of them, their hair disheveled.
Even with such attempts to conceal it, passersby still recognized it.

"My wife, it's my wife, I've seen my wife again."

"Child, look up and see your father."

"Sister...Sister..."

The appearances of these deceased people were projected from the images of the people who died in Mingjiang Prefecture.

Now, when the people see the dead, they truly believe they are seeing the ghosts of their loved ones. Overwhelmed with longing, they instinctively reach across the light to embrace their loved ones.

The order was about to fall into complete chaos.

Upon being reinstated, Li Chengfeng, through a secret message from the gang, inquired of the painter: "Master, what should we do? We can't control the common people. Are we really going to resort to drastic measures and kill every single person who crosses the line?"

The people are in a frenzy, and dozens of people have already crossed the border. If they are all killed, a popular uprising may break out.

The chaos came too suddenly, and the painter was in a panic. He couldn't decide whether to kill or not. What should he do?

He glanced back at the empty sofa.

"If only the eldest son were here, he could make the decisions."

The painter was in a state of great anxiety...

(End of this chapter)