Minglong

Chapter 132 Roadblock

The light gradually faded.

Three figures hid in the dense forest on the hillside, watching the group of cavalrymen leave the inn on horseback.

He Can crouched behind the bushes, shielding his eyes from the rain with his hand, and asked:
"We've been discovered?"

Zhang Chu's eyes were filled with suspicion as he constantly scanned his left and right, seemingly worried that Xie Jinhuan might suddenly appear out of nowhere.

"They didn't go into the inn; they probably just wanted to cross the pass at night and find lodging in town. But what are they going to Hongzhang County for?"

Kui Yunya stood beside him, holding the soul-guiding banner, his entire body shrouded in black mist, almost blending into the night:
“Whatever we do, they do too. This kid is indeed as swift as lightning. Ye Shirong was exposed just yesterday, and he’s here today. He’s running around faster than any of us.”

He Can shrugged slightly: "This guy has always been like this, we're used to it. Who told you guys to mess with his father?"

Zhang Chu frowned: "Since Xie Jinhuan found out that the crime was committed in Hongzhang County, the imperial court must also know about it..."

"This kid must have just found some clues in the case file and came to verify them. If he were sure that we made our move at the Hongzhang County quarry, he wouldn't have brought just these small fry."

Kui Yunya glanced at the figures in the distance, paused for a moment, and then said:
"Fortunately, the sect has learned its lesson this time and is now taking precautions. As long as this boy dies here, the court's attention will inevitably be focused on Hongzhang County, and we can take advantage of the situation to launch a feint attack."

"Does Third Master mean you should go and get rid of Xie Jinhuan?"

He Can glanced at it briefly, somewhat doubtful:
"To put it bluntly, this guy is quite strange. He brought a lot of men with him on this trip. If Third Master is caught off guard and dies here at Ironthorn Ridge..."

“Extraordinary people must have extraordinary qualities; I will take precautions.”

As Kui Yunya spoke, he raised the soul-guiding banner and pointed it at a mountain sparrow sheltering from the rain in the bushes. Black smoke drifted out of the banner.

Call ~
"Chiji~"

The titmouse was enveloped in black mist and thrashed about in its nest. After a moment, it stood up, its eyes glowing red, and disappeared into the forest.

He Jianjian, having already prepared for Kui Yunya to capsize, refrained from further mockery and raised his empty hands:
"The other side has a lot of people and I don't have any magic weapons. Third Master, could you lend me your banner? I know how to use it."

"?"

Kui Yunya didn't even bother to pay attention, his figure transforming into a wisp of black smoke, silently drifting down the hillside:
“Hongzhang County has already deployed dozens of people in advance. You two go and notify everyone to evacuate first, and leave some ‘clues’ to distract the imperial court.”

"Yes, sir! Farewell, Third Master!"

He Can got up and ran.

Zhang Chu didn't say much, and with his sword drawn, he disappeared into the rain...
-
Hoof-tapping hoof-tapping...

Seven swift horses galloped across the muddy ground. As they entered Ironthorn Ridge, there was no light left. Even the torrential rain was somewhat reduced by the dense canopy of trees, and the crisp "pitter-patter" sound drowned out all other noises.

Xie Jinhuan couldn't see the road, so he slowed his horse down and raised his hand to slightly gather his breath:

Da Da Da~
A tiny arc of electricity flickered in his palm, sometimes bright, sometimes dim. He couldn't see the road clearly, but the atmosphere became even more sinister and eerie.

?

Seeing this, Linghu Qingmo, who was walking beside him, secretly shook his head. He raised his left hand, and a dazzling arc of electricity burst forth from his palm, illuminating the area within two zhang around him.

Stab~
Yang Dabiao, a crude and uncouth brute, looked on with genuine envy:
"Speaking of which, the Hidden Immortal Sect is also affiliated with the Daoist sect. Jin Huan, your thunder magic is really a bit... um..."

Liu Qingzhi added, "It can replace a flint and tinder, allowing you to start a fire and light a cigarette at any time, so it's not entirely useless."

Xie Jinhuan didn't use Taoist thunder magic, but rather a miscellaneous thunder technique he created himself, responding with an air of importance upon hearing the sound:

“My master was well-versed in various schools of thought. Seeing my talent for martial arts, he taught me martial arts. Fearing that I would try to learn too much and not master it, he did not teach me thunder magic.”

"Oh……"

Many soldiers suddenly realized what was going on.

Using the light from the 'MoMo brand stun gun', Xie Jinhuan intended to ride quickly across the mountains to reach Hongzhang County as soon as possible, and also return to his room to discuss lightning magic with MoMo.

But halfway up the hill, the red-clad ghost that had been following them suddenly appeared from their side:
"There's an ambush."

Xie Jinhuan frowned and immediately reined in his horse, and the group stopped in the deciduous forest.

The coal lumps hiding under the cloak, seeing that work had come, spread their wings and flew into the air without being given a command.

Seeing this, Linghu Qingmo activated his energy, causing the lightning in his palm to turn into daylight, like a flashbang, instantly illuminating the surrounding forest and fields for hundreds of feet.

Stab la la——

Xie Jinhuan narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully scanning the surrounding woods, but found nothing amiss. Just to be on the safe side, he waved his hand:

"Withdraw."

Upon seeing this, Yang Dabiao drew his sword and turned his horse around. The two constables then took round shields and crossbows from the sides of the horses, changing the rear formation to the front formation.

Liu Qingzhi and his partner removed the Qilin mask from the side of the horse and put it on their heads, while carrying long spears to guard the flanks.

Xie Jinhuan drew his Heavenly Mace to keep watch behind him, while Linghu Qingmo walked in the middle with his magic sword in hand, lightning flashing in his left hand, ready to unleash a spell.

A Taoist sect that knows thunder magic, surrounded by six martial artists, and equipped with standard equipment such as Qi-breaking crossbows, Immortal-trapping ropes, and Ink Scale Light Armor, would probably cause any normal evil spirits or heretics to turn their heads and run away, without even considering taking on a tough opponent.

But the newcomers clearly had no intention of backing down. The seven formed a circle and retreated no more than three zhang (approximately 10 meters) when a strange sound suddenly echoed through the forest, where only the dense sound of rain had been heard:

"Hahahaha~~~"

"Woooooooo..."

The eerie, chilling sounds of crying and laughing echoed from afar, carried by the wind through the dense forest!
The voices were indistinguishable between male and female, and they sounded like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts all around. Ghostly figures began to appear in the forest, as if hundreds or thousands of dead souls were surging in from all directions.

Upon seeing this overwhelming display of force, Yang Dabiao's expression changed drastically. He thought to himself, "My life is over." The eerie crying and laughing sound entered his ears. Even though he forced himself to concentrate, he still felt a sense of trepidation and fear deep in his soul. The two constables' hands, which were holding weapons, trembled slightly, and their faces turned pale.

The two soldiers were elite troops of the Prince's Palace, and they did not lose their composure, but their warhorses began to become restless.

Tread...  

Linghu Qingmo realized that it was a heretical path of ghosts and demons. He immediately held the magic sword and silently recited the Purifying Heaven and Earth Mantra. The sword was crackling with lightning, but the difference in their cultivation levels was too great, and he was unable to dispel the overwhelming wailing.

Just by looking at this formation, Xie Jinhuan knew that the newcomers were far more powerful than Taishu Dan. Thinking this, he drew his Zheng Lun sword and, feigning seriousness, muttered:

"Five stars shine brightly, illuminating the darkest realm. Thousands of gods and saints protect my true spirit..."

Stab la la...

The Zheng Lun sword was surrounded by sparks of electricity, making little noise, but the subtle sword chimes were like a unicorn raising its eyes or a blue dragon probing its head!
In an instant, the overwhelming wailing stopped abruptly, the shadows drifting in the dim forest vanished, and even the eerie atmosphere of the forest became peaceful.

? !
Linghu Qingmo's eyes widened in surprise. He glanced at the sword in his hand, then looked at Xie Jinhuan, his mind filled with doubt.
"You...you really have a fake?"

Xie Jinhuan looked serious and started rambling:
"This is an exorcism spell taught by my master. It has the same effect no matter what kind of ritual implement you use."

"is it?"

Several soldiers were a little confused, but they were glad they could subdue the ghost.

The group intended to continue their retreat, but from deep within the mountains came an aged voice:
"Your foundation is truly remarkable, but unfortunately, I know far more than just these things."

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge creature seemed to surge in the silent depths of the forest.

Huhu~
Looking into the distance, everyone could see a dark cloud appearing dozens of feet away, like a black wave rolling across the forest, with a soaring, malevolent aura rushing towards them!

Linghu Qingmo sensed the chilling aura of Yin energy, and his face suddenly turned pale.
"Is it a demonic cultivator?"

Liu Qingzhi and the others looked astonished:
"It seems true."

Xie Jinhuan figured out the person's style and was quite surprised.

The demonic path is divided into two major schools—body cultivation and ghost cultivation.

Body cultivation, as the name suggests, involves plundering living beings to nourish one's limbs until the physical body transforms into a demon, at which point the body is destroyed and the person dies.

Ghost cultivators don't raise ghosts, but rather nurture themselves. They nourish their souls by plundering living beings, and can even possess another's body to return to life. They are difficult to completely suppress and kill. Corpse Ancestors are a prime example of this. They are few in number, but they are all high-ranking members of the demonic path with abundant resources.

Xie Jinhuan's Zhenglun Sword can suppress his ghost-controlling supernatural powers, but the strength of ghost cultivators lies in their powerful souls that control the five elements of incantations. To win, one can only withstand the incantations and destroy the body, or drive the person away.

Ye Hongshang also appeared at this moment, carrying a red umbrella and acting as an advisor, helping to analyze the situation:

"This person has already reached the first rank, and is probably a minor leader of the Underworld God Cult. He has no chance of winning in a normal fight. Tell Mo Mo not to resist, and I will possess her to teach her how to fight."

Xie Jinhuan knew this filthy creature would be difficult to kill, so he turned his head and gave the order:
"You all form a protective formation to protect Qingmo, I'll charge into the formation and force him into a corner, then strike him dead with lightning."

Liu Qingzhi and the others had already dismounted. At this moment, two constables held round shields to defend the front, two soldiers with spears stood on the left and right, and Yang Dabiao stood around Linghu Qingmo with a broadsword, ready to block arrows for the Taoist priest if necessary.

Huhu~
At that moment, the black mist churned and swelled, quickly coalescing into a two-meter-square human face within it, its eyes composed of oily green will-o'-the-wisps.

"This little girl alone is probably no match for me."

Xie Jinhuan, holding the Zheng Lun Sword, looked at the terrifying ghost face:

“I have killed many people from your Underworld Cult. Could you please tell me what happened to my father three years ago?”

Holding the Soul-Guiding Banner, Kui Yunya walked slowly forward through the black mist, while the enormous ghost face also moved forward:
“Your father may have seen something he shouldn’t have, and sent someone to silence him, but he never came back. What I really want to ask you is what exactly happened three years ago.”

Xie Jinhuan felt that what this thing was saying was probably true, and although he was puzzled, he didn't say anything more and turned to say:

"Qingmo, I need to use the secret technique of summoning gods passed down in Fengling Valley. I need your cooperation. Please don't resist."

The art of summoning spirits?

Use it on a teammate?
Isn't this a unique skill of the priestesses of the same lineage?
Linghu Qingmo looked a little bewildered, but still nodded solemnly.

Xie Jinhuan held the sword upright in front of him and muttered to himself with great seriousness:
"In the beginning of chaos, darkness was separated from yellow, and heaven and earth were created, establishing yin and yang..."

Upon hearing the sound, Kui Yunya stopped in his tracks, even the enormous ghost face in front of him seemed somewhat bewildered.

After all, these catchy phrases sound exactly like the kind of shamanistic rituals used by the Northern Zhou dynasty's priests...

Could this young man really be Empress Guo's concubine...?

(End of this chapter)