Twilight Boundary-Chapter 438 - 432 Great Hall Officer

Upon closer inspection, these people who had fled back were mostly merchants, with a mix of people from all walks of life, including local ruffians and villains who had sought refuge here.

Last night, disturbances caused by a Demon Corpse in the town resulted in dozens of deaths, naturally causing panic; countless people were eager to leave.

Although the One Coin Sect members had all rushed over to maintain order, it was impossible to persuade everyone. Those who came with prominent figures, like the people from Sun’s Trading House, were cautious and wouldn’t leave until Old Master Sun gave permission.

However, this disorganized group, who had initially gathered, paid no heed, feeling that saving their own lives was more important. Just at dawn, they had hurriedly packed their belongings and headed out of town.

Yet, these very people soon met with calamity and now knelt on the street, crying aloud, "We had just left the town and followed the mountain path. Not even twenty miles out, we encountered layers of white fog. In the fog, in broad daylight, we heard ghosts wailing!

"It was terrifying, and we wanted to return! But some brave ones thought they had pond ash for protection and tried to push through. Unfortunately, as they pushed forward, things went wrong—their arms and legs just fell off..."

"We got scared and hurried back..."

"..."

"..."

Listening to their stories, everyone present looked at each other, puzzled. Were they just unlucky, encountering something strange in the mountains, or... they secretly speculated.

Shima Town was in the mountains, and this area had the One Coin Sect’s altar, which should have ensured safety. However, twenty miles away from the town, who could say for sure if some evil spirits might cause harm? After all, the yin and yang in the mountains were mixed; not every place was safe during the daytime.

But just as they were about to inquire further, sounds of a commotion came from the other end of the town.

Everyone hurried over and saw another group of people, looking like blood-covered gourds, rushing back in a panic. They were wailing and crying, saying that those heading in the other direction had also encountered something strange blocking their path, and two of their companions had been eaten.

"People who left the town from both exits encountered something eerie. Doesn’t that mean..."

Hearing these words, they couldn’t help but feel alarmed. Even the One Coin Sect Hierarch suddenly reacted, casting a deep glance at Bai Shanzi.

Bai Shanzi immediately understood. He quickly pulled a copper whistle from his sleeve, put it to his mouth, and blew hard.

The people around heard nothing.

This, however, was a small gadget from the trick door. While those present couldn’t hear it, the talismanic armor soldiers deployed outside could. They would immediately relay the current situation from outside back to town.

If such strange things were happening outside town, the numerous talismanic armor soldiers couldn’t possibly remain unaware.

However, Bai Shanzi blew the whistle for quite a while. He even climbed onto a rooftop, fanning his ears gently with his fan, but he waited so long that his face gradually turned pale; he seemingly heard no sign of the talismanic armor soldiers.

He jumped down from the rooftop and slowly shook his head at the One Coin Sect Hierarch, but swallowed his words as so many people were watching.

The One Coin Sect Hierarch naturally understood his meaning. Her face instantly clouded over, and she even found it hard to believe...

Those talismanic armor soldiers were all selected from the most loyal members of the One Coin Sect. Usually, they were just members, but in critical moments, once armed with talismanic armor and equipment, they became soldiers. Additionally, each received the protection of the deities from the altar and was equipped to deal with evil spirits and strange creatures.

Even their skills were carefully refined by the Shousui men. Whether in martial arts, archery, or horsemanship, all were extremely skilled and able to respond to any situation promptly.

Yet now, they had all suddenly fallen silent without anyone noticing?

This was a bizarre event beyond imagination.

Witnessing Bai Shanzi’s and the One Coin Sect Hierarch’s reactions, those further away remained ignorant. However, those closer suddenly understood, exchanging glances filled with visible suspicion and concern.

Something big must have happened to the One Coin Sect...

The Demon Corpse’s mischief last night already hinted at something sinister. Now, faced with such bizarre incidents again, could it be that someone is orchestrating this from behind the scenes, tampering with things, making the Demon Corpse so malevolent and hard to deal with?

"..."

"..."

The scene had sunk into a prolonged silence. The thickening atmosphere became increasingly unbearable until, suddenly, the One Coin Sect Hierarch let out a cold laugh. "Very well," she said. "This simplifies things..."

Even though she knew how bizarre the situation was, she deliberately remained unfazed, laughing coldly. "At first, we worried our One Coin Sect’s Lantern Festival wouldn’t be lively enough. It seems some good friends have come to observe.

"But to come observe without even a greeting is discourteous. And to boldly seal off our town...

"Heh, don’t they know this is our One Coin Sect’s main altar, where the altar protector is worshiped?"

"..."

"Hmm?" Bai Shanzi, hearing these words, was momentarily stunned. He was feeling anxious, pondering who to send to investigate, but couldn’t find a suitable choice.

The Magic Kings, naturally, couldn’t go. My own personal soldiers are unsuitable, and as for myself, certainly not... After considering it, convincing some Shousui men to go seems most appropriate. Unexpectedly, however, the Sect Hierarch suddenly mentioned the altar protector, and Bai Shanzi grasped her intention.

But is this... appropriate?

No sooner had the thought formed than the One Coin Sect Hierarch coldly ordered, "Someone, quickly go summon the Magic Kings! We’ll open the altar before the people and invite the altar protector to help us take a look outside.

"I want to see, after all, what evil spirits have the audacity to wreak havoc at our One Coin Sect’s main altar!"

"..."

At the loud command, close sect Disciples immediately went to deliver the orders.

Soon enough, the Magic Kings, who were scattered across the town appeasing the other Disciples and townspeople, received the message. Realizing the gravity of the situation, they hastily began their preparations.

Those gathered in the inn for the meeting had initially intended to disperse. Now, with panic in their hearts, they stayed to watch.

Before long, the sound of drums and gongs suddenly echoed from deep within the town. The high-pitched sound of suonas rose above, swirling across the entire town. The townspeople, hearing the commotion, flocked over to watch, creating an unusual bustle.

From afar, a colorful procession emerged. As the crowd parted, bare-chested strong men carried several sedan chairs over. The Magic Kings had changed into the peculiar attire of Incense Burners, holding incense in both hands and following beside the sedan chairs.

On these sedan chairs were the Nine Heavens Lotus Saint, the Great Fortune God, the God of Marriage and Fertility, and the Gambling Luck God.

The townspeople and countless merchants, seeing the Divine Statues from afar, became extremely excited. They knelt toward the sedan chairs and kowtowed, even throwing handfuls of Copper Coins onto them.

Those from the Path also backed away slightly. Truthfully, hearing the names of these Protector Gods from the One Coin Sect, they couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed, but the townsfolk were deeply convinced.

Moreover, these names were not designated by the One Coin Sect.

It was said that these names were passed down by people from Not Eating Beef. In Not Eating Beef, some specialized in creating names like this, which was incredibly effective; just announcing the name could draw countless offerings of incense.

The four sedan chairs were carried to the center. The Divine Statues on them, dressed in red and adorned with colors, were seated back-to-back around the periphery of the Magic Altar in the town center. They appeared to smile serenely, observing the surrounding kowtowing townspeople.

A group of eight Magic Kings led their Disciples, bowing to the respective deities they served. Then, they raised their arms and bent their legs, dancing the Nuo Dance.

Chanting as they danced, their movements grew faster, and the drums and suonas around them became ever louder. All the sounds mingled, creating what seemed like an intangible pressure, causing even the townspeople kowtowing nearby to not dare raise their heads.

Yet, from their elevated position, the leading eight Magic Kings suddenly raised their arms toward the sky. Immediately, all drums and suonas fell silent. No one around dared utter a word, creating a profound quiet.

The nearby Disciples hastily presented trays, delivering items to the Magic Kings.

Each Magic King took an item from a tray. One had a handful of paper money, which he flung forward forcefully. Another held a rooster, which he grasped before slitting its throat with a knife. Yet another had a short blade, which he drew across his own tongue.

These actions combined were for casting magic toward the four quarters of the town, instantly triggering a wind. The incense array burning on the altar emitted smoke, which drifted straight toward the surrounding forests.

WHOOSH!

Yet after just a few breaths, a sudden, heavy, gloomy wind rolled back upon them from all directions.

CRACK! CRACK!

The next moment, someone witnessed in terror that the Divine Statues standing by the altar on the sedan chairs—whether made of wood, paper, or clay—developed large cracks. Dark blood seeped from their eye sockets, and they eventually shredded into pieces.

From within the statues, something leaped out: coiled entities revealing foxes, hedgehogs, snakes, and even deer, all deceased.

"This... this..."

Upon glimpsing this scene, everyone felt their courage fail. They then perceived clouds gathering overhead, obscuring the sun, as a distant, gloomy wind blew into the town.

Vaguely visible in the gloomy wind, a little ghost dressed in white robes floated forward. It held an Imperial Decree, its piercing voice serenely proclaiming: "Imperial Decree of Tie Jun, Sword-Catching Hall Officer of West Ridge:

"The One Coin Sect is charged with deceiving the common people and assembling for rebellion. Foolish and reckless men, unable to discern good from evil, shall, according to the law, be beheaded. Within three days, enter the town to carry out the execution. Leave no one behind—man, woman, old, or young!"