Catching Monsters

Chapter 438 Great Spirit Buddha Mountain
Nanping City was a small town in the coastal area controlled by the rebels.

This small town is surrounded by a three-meter-high earthen wall.

However, this place can also be considered a strategic location. If Nanping City is captured, the connection between the two rebel forces along the coast can be completely cut off.

Therefore, tens of thousands of rebel troops were stationed in Nanping City.

It almost filled the small town to capacity.

Of course, during this time, these rebels were not happy at all. They all knew that the Zhenchi Army was about to attack, and that the Zhenchi Army was famous far and wide. No matter how many fortified cities they had been in front of them, the Zhenchi Army had taken them without breaking a sweat.

It's obvious even to a fool that this single layer of rammed earth wall couldn't withstand the attack of the Zhenchi Army.

On the rammed earth city wall, many rebel soldiers sat on the wall with low morale. Some even secretly conspired with each other to surrender and revolt when the Zhenchi army arrived!

No matter what, at least I've survived.

This kind of atmosphere was completely ignored throughout Nanping City, even by the upper echelons of the rebel army.

The rebel leaders could see at a glance that Nanping City was impossible to defend. The high-ranking officers had already fled. Why would they stay here to wait for death?

Meanwhile, the middle and lower-ranking officers were all thinking that they should start the uprising as soon as possible, so that they might be able to enter the Zhou court and become military officers of the Zhou state.

There are quite a few people who hold this view.

Just then, two plumes of dust suddenly appeared in the distance, and the soldiers on guard on the city wall were instantly on edge. Could it be that the Zhenchi Army had attacked?

But when the soldiers on the city wall took a closer look, they breathed a slight sigh of relief. At this moment, the one running in front looked like just one person.

However, this person's speed was surprisingly fast.

Can a person really run that fast?

This question inevitably came to the minds of many soldiers.

But soon, when they saw the enormous creature following behind this person, everyone's expression changed!
What kind of monster is this?

A giant ape?

Standing two zhang tall, and using both hands and feet, its speed was astonishing; as it rushed past, it seemed to stir up a whirlwind.

"Alert! Alert immediately!"

At this moment, a soldier was shaking the warning bell repeatedly.

The clanging of bells slowly began to ring out.

At this moment, the hyena saw Nanping City so close at hand, and his heart finally settled down a bit. Heaven knows what he had been through.

The speed of the Xingxing behind him was frightening. He could feel that the Xingxing was less than ten meters away from him several times, and he could even hear the Xingxing's heartbeat behind him.

The hyena unleashed almost all the corpse energy within its body, finally transforming into a streak of light that rushed directly into Nanping City.

The rammed earth wall was easily smashed by the xingxing, which then kept searching for the hyena's tracks.

After entering the city, the hyena completely concealed its aura, not daring to be discovered by the xingxing.

Within the city of Nanping, there are numerous houses, making it impossible to find the hyena with the naked eye.

The Xingxing kept pounding its chest and roaring loudly, as if venting its dissatisfaction.

Soon, its attention fell on the rebel soldiers around it.

……

"I wonder how Senior Hyena is doing."

In Poqing Town, in a relatively intact courtyard, many Imperial Guards were resting.

In front of Jiang Yun was a map of the Zhou Kingdom, and Jiang Yun's gaze fell on Nanjin Province.

This is the location of the Demon Spirit Cult's headquarters. Jiang Yun took a deep breath, looked around, and said to Qi Da, "Have some of your men stay behind to keep an eye on the Xingxing's movements. The rest of you should retreat back to the capital. The Xingxing's matter is beyond their ability to handle."

"Come with me to Nanjin Province."

Upon hearing this, Zidane's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, sir, I will arrange two fast horses right away."

At this moment, Zidane was still somewhat resentful that Jiang Yun hadn't taken him along when he went to the brothel last time.

After all, as Jiang Yun's confidant, he should have taken Jiang Yun with him when he went to a place like this.

He once wondered if he had done something to displease Jiang Yun.

Now that Jiang Yun is going out on a mission with him alone, he is naturally happy.

At times like these, Jiang Yun would only bring his trusted subordinates.

Soon, after the two made some preparations, Qi Da quickly arranged for his Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) to leave behind a dozen or so of the more astute ones to keep an eye on their movements.

Then he and Jiang Yun took four fast horses and traveled day and night, quickly heading towards the direction of Nanjin Province.

The two traveled day and night along the way.

Nanjin Province is located in the south-central part of Zhou State, close to the coast. Strangely, although it is very close to the rebel territory, it has not been attacked and captured by the rebels.

Moreover, the official road was peaceful and serene, with many caravans constantly coming and going.

It's important to understand that merchants generally don't dare to do any business near war-torn areas.

After all, you have to be alive to spend the money you earn.

At this moment, Jiang Yun was wearing a black long robe and a bamboo hat, riding a horse, with Qi Da following closely behind.

After arriving at a post station, the two decided to rest for two days.

The two had been traveling for a day and a night.

We have reached a relatively central area of ​​Nanjin Province.

After tying their horses to the front and back of the post station, the two went inside. The post station was doing quite well; the dozen or so wooden tables on the first floor were almost full of people.

Upon seeing them, the innkeeper noticed that Jiang Yun and his companion looked travel-worn but possessed an air of refinement. He quickly greeted them with a smile and asked, "Where are you two from?"

The guy wasn't asking where I came from or where I was going.

Instead, they asked the two whether they were officials, ordinary merchants, or just travelers.

Jiang Yun thought for a moment, smiled and said, "Let's arrange a table by the window on the first floor. Money's no object."

As he spoke, he took out a silver ingot and handed it to the waiter.

Seeing this, the waiter quickly nodded and bowed, smiling, "Alright, please have a seat, you two."

Seeing that Jiang Yun had given him money, he knew he wasn't a government official. After all, what kind of government official would give money at a post station?

Although the imperial court had clearly stipulated that regardless of official rank, expenses for food and lodging at post stations should be paid at market prices.

However, past officials disregarded this rule. After all, before becoming officials, they had to pay for lodging and meals.

Now that officials have to pay for accommodation and meals, isn't that a waste of their official position?
Seeing that Jiang Yun had not revealed their identities as Imperial Guards, Qi Da gave Jiang Yun a meaningful look, said nothing, and simply followed behind.

After the two sat down, the waiter enthusiastically brought over one dish after another.

"Esteemed guests, judging from your accents, you must be from out of town. This is a specialty of our Nanjin Province: Beggar's Chicken and Steamed Qi Fish..."

As the waiter served the dishes, he explained their origins and names to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly, then asked curiously, "Buddy, let me ask you, I came from the coastal area, how come the commerce here is so prosperous?"

"Aren't these ordinary people and merchants worried about war?"

Upon hearing this, the waiter fell silent, only saying, "Please enjoy your meal, sir..."

"This meal won't cost much, and the remaining silver ingot is your reward," Jiang Yun said.

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately laughed, then looked around and said in a low voice, "Sir, what are you saying? Since you've come to Nanjin Province, don't you know anything about it?"

“Our Nanjin Province has its own special circumstances.”

"After all, with the Daling Buddhist Temple here, it's more than enough to protect the peace of our Nanjin Province."

At this point, the waiter smiled and didn't continue. Hearing this, Jiang Yun's heart sank slightly. He nodded and said, "Alright, I'll call you again if anything comes up later."

"Yes, sir." The waiter left happily, thinking to himself, "This guy is really strange, asking such a simple question."

In Nanjin Province, everyone with a bit of influence knows that with the Daling Buddhist Temple around, even if those rebels had a lot of guts, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly.

Jiang Yun and Qi Da couldn't help but exchange a glance. Sure enough, it matched the information Jiang Yun had seen.

Within this province of Nanjin, the Demon Spirit Sect has been operating for a full three hundred years, though certainly not in the form of a demonic sect.

However, it merely used Buddhism as a shell.

In each prefecture of Namtsen Province, Da Ling Buddhist Temples were built for members of the Demon Spirit Cult to gather together.

Qi Da took a deep breath and whispered to Jiang Yun, "Sir, perhaps all the officials and wealthy merchants in Nanjin Province are connected to the Demon Spirit Cult..."

"Let's eat." Jiang Yun said after a moment of silence, "We'll talk about it when we get to Daling Buddha Mountain."

This place is less than fifty miles away from the so-called Great Spirit Buddha Mountain.

Da Ling Fo Shan, located in the northern part of Nam Jin Province, is a high mountain with an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters.

It is said that a magnificent and large Buddhist temple was built halfway up the mountain.

On auspicious days and festivals, dignitaries and nobles from Nanjin Province would always go to Daling Buddha Mountain to pay homage to the abbot.

After the two finished their meal, they continued their journey and finally arrived at the so-called Great Spirit Buddha Mountain at dusk.

From a distance, one can see rows of magnificent buildings perched on the mountainside.

At this moment, wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys, adding a touch of warmth and life to the scene.

However, it doesn't quite look like a Buddhist temple.

At the foot of Mount Dalingfo, there is another town.

The temples on Mount Daling are different from ordinary Buddhist temples. At night, all pilgrims, including high-ranking officials and nobles, are not allowed to stay overnight. They can only rest in the town at the foot of the mountain.

This has led to the development of a relatively prosperous town in this remote and secluded place.

Upon seeing this scene, Jiang Yun couldn't help but take a deep breath and sigh inwardly, "What a behemoth!"

The Demon Spirit Cult was much larger than he had imagined.

If we were to truly follow His Majesty's orders and eradicate the Demon Spirit Cult, the Eastern Garrison Command alone simply could not accomplish it.

And during this process, it's unknown how much manpower and resources will be consumed.

Just thinking about this made Jiang Yun's expression darken.

Soon, Jiang Yun and Qi Da found an inn in the town and settled down for the time being.

People are not allowed to go up Daling Buddha Mountain at night; they can only go up the next morning.

……

Daling Buddha Mountain has a wide staircase that leads directly to the Buddhist temple at the top.

At this moment, a young-looking man, who appeared to be around twenty years old, was being helped up by two men dressed in black robes.

He was Lu Lingyu, who summoned the Xingxing.

"Elder Lu, please be careful."

Two disciples of the Demon Spirit Cult were carefully supporting him.

Lu Lingyu looked disheveled and unkempt, like a criminal on the run.

After he possessed the body, the monkey went on a killing spree like a madman, and Lu Lingyu almost lost his life in Poqing Town.

Fortunately, he was lucky enough to escape from Poqing Town. After escaping, he headed towards Nanjin Province.

He had lost his magical powers and almost encountered rebels on the way, where he was captured and used as cannon fodder.

He didn't dare reveal his identity either...

Lu Lingyu is a man who has killed countless people and has a lot of experience in possession. In this situation, it is even more important not to expose yourself easily.

Otherwise, if someone with malicious intent were to kill him, wouldn't he be unjustly killed?

Heaven knows how much suffering he endured along the way, having to evade the brutal rebel army and be wary of wild beasts along the route.

Finally!
After so many days and hardships, even to the point of having to beg a kind person for a meal, I finally made it.

came back!
Finally back.

Looking at the building above, Lu Lingyu finally felt completely at ease.

He never imagined that the Xingxing he summoned would be so terrifyingly powerful.

Of course, it's understandable that the evil creatures he summoned, given that he was at the cost of his second-grade realm life, would be powerful enough to fall.

Once I return, all I need to do is find a body with exceptional talent and cultivate for a year or two to fully recover.

Thinking of this, a broad smile appeared on Lu Lingyu's face.

Anyway, it's so far away, that little monkey wouldn't dare to come here and cause trouble.

Let the Zhou court worry about that Xingxing problem!

(End of this chapter)