Twilight Boundary-Chapter 561 - 552: Dianyou Technique
"Did the Sect Hierarch really say that?"
Meanwhile, in Zhu Men Town, the altar had already been set up. Three of the Four Great Hall Officials were busy while one was bewildered, and outside in the military camp, the Cow Horn Horn was also being blown.
Without the qualifications to directly meet the Sect Hierarch, they didn’t understand his true intentions. However, receiving the message passed by Immortal Miaoshan, Think Tank Iron Mouth immediately came up with a plan and escorted Yang Gong to the front of the formation.
One group of soldiers after another was summoned and lined up, appearing strong and formidable.
Looking across, three miles away, hordes of hungry ghosts had also gathered in front of Mingzhou Prefecture. In just one night, the opposing side had amassed three to four thousand, a massive, unnerving sight that made hearts tremble.
However, compared to Yang Gong’s side, they still seemed somewhat inferior, as if a single charge could scatter them.
"Which brother will volunteer to charge and slay the enemy for us?"
Yang Gong also knew that this group of hungry ghosts wasn’t simple. He couldn’t rush in recklessly, nor could he sit by and watch as more and more enemies gathered. He swung his horsewhip and shouted this question to the leaders around him, causing several to immediately become excited.
"I’ll go..."
"Let me..."
Many people volunteered to fight, eager to demonstrate their skills.
Some noticed that those gathered in front of Mingzhou Prefecture weren’t even a match for the Truth Sect soldiers they had faced when they first emerged. There were few horses in sight, and their equipment seemed poorly maintained—a loose formation that looked easily scattered with a single charge. They felt this was their opportunity.
Someone boldly rode out of the formation, calling to Yang Gong, "I won’t let anyone else go first! I’ll teach them a lesson!"
Saying so, they spurred their horse forward, brandishing a long spear and charging at the enemy.
Someone recognized the person as a capable manager under Lady Sun of Red Rice Ridge. Lady Sun was of the Execution Soul Path, but this manager followed the Shousui Path and had already refined his limbs, making him highly valued in the branch.
He originally used two short knives but switched to a long spear for this battle to make it easier to slay the enemy. Now he charged towards the group of hungry ghosts on horseback, displaying a mighty presence.
The group of hungry ghosts initially ignored his provocation. Only when he drew closer did someone on the outskirts come forward to confront him.
The hungry ghosts didn’t have any leaders organizing them. They formed in groups, with the strong and fierce ones standing on the outer edge. This could be seen as protecting the weaker ones inside or as guarding the food supplies to prevent escape.
This person held a black bone in hand, fighting the horseman on foot with no particular technique, swinging directly at the manager’s head.
The manager sneered, his long spear parrying and striking. After several exchanges, he knocked the black bone out of the opponent’s hand. With a smirk, he leaned down, grabbed the opponent, and draped him across the horse, ready to ride back to the camp for his reward.
When he seized this person, he used the Soul-locking Hand of the Shousui man. His left palm performed Death Transformation. If he held any part of the opponent, yin qi would corrode their body, forcing compliance.
Having captured an enemy general and made a name for himself, he intended to return triumphantly.
Yet suddenly, Lady Sun in the formation noticed something amiss and shouted, "Watch out!"
The manager on horseback was just slightly taken aback when, suddenly lowering his head, he saw the hungry ghost he had apprehended—a foe who should not have been able to resist—flip over and bite his neck savagely, blood spraying out.
Startled and panicked, he didn’t understand why his trump card had failed. He let out a loud scream as he struggled and fell off the horse with the opponent.
Seeing the dire situation, Lady Sun, both shocked and furious, immediately rallied those around her to rush in for a rescue. But as they advanced, dozens of previously inactive hungry ghosts also charged out from the other side.
Facing Lady Sun’s soldiers, they leaped, pouncing on the leading riders and horses, the sounds of flesh being torn and devoured unceasing.
"Quickly, save them!"
Seeing the tables turn, and with dozens on their side in peril, someone shouted from Yang Gong’s formation.
Zhou Datong and Zhou Liang simultaneously spurred their horses forward, albeit cautiously, not daring to charge directly into the enemy ranks. Keeping a safe distance, each of them held a gold and silver doll under their arms, squeezing hard to unleash interwoven streaks of gold and silver energy.
In the past, this move had been unbeatable for them.
But now, upon hitting the enemies, they found them completely unfazed; they continued to bite and pounce. More enemies emerged from their lines, not only trapping Lady Sun’s group but also preparing to charge their own troops.
The duo had no idea why this was happening and felt immense fear. They didn’t realize the hungry ghost army, driven mad by hunger, cared nothing for gold or silver.
All that filled their eyes were food and flesh, rendering them immune to the influence of gold and silver energy.
"Retreat!"
Fortunately, at this critical moment, someone suddenly rushed between Zhou Datong and Zhou Liang—it was the Bald Shopkeeper from Kouzi Mountain. He bypassed the two, faced the hungry ghosts, lifted his hands, pressed them against his sides, and shouted mightily.
The sound resembled thunder, a resounding croak, exploding with masculine energy that suppressed the surrounding chaos.
The creatures, neither fully human nor ghost, were slightly stunned at last, and Lady Sun and others took the opportunity to crawl back.
Looking back, they saw they had already lost seven or eight lives and three or five horses. The manager who had attacked earlier had his body half-devoured. Even with his Shousui skills, survival seemed impossible at this point.
Not only was Lady Sun frightened, turning pale, but those in Yang Gong’s formation, having witnessed such a massive loss at once, were left speechless.
They strained to see ahead, yet they couldn’t fathom the origins of these beggars or why they were so sinister.
"Let’s withdraw for now."
Having witnessed the scene, Yang Gong also turned pale. He glanced at Think Tank Iron Mouth beside him, who slowly gestured with his hand, whispering, "Let’s discuss matters in the tent first."
Everyone saw this and agreed, though their faces all showed signs of unease.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the one who had just bitten the manager under Lady Sun’s command slowly walked back into the crowd. Someone suddenly tossed a pig’s head toward him. It was raw and still bore hair, yet he hugged it and began gnawing on it.
The surrounding hungry ghosts, seeing this, drooled uncontrollably. When they glanced at the Food Protection Army on Yang Gong’s side, a greedy gleam appeared in the eyes of many.
"Brothers, did anyone see the key point?"
Think Tank Iron Mouth entered Yang Gong’s tent, surrounded by seven or eight Jianghu Strange People.
His expression was serious. As he looked around, he saw that everyone present shared a solemn look. After pondering for a moment, someone spoke in a low voice, "I observed that each of these hungry ghosts carries an unknown number of resentful deceased souls. Each one is a born Negative Spirit."
"The advantage is that they have little human energy, so we need not worry about their numbers overwhelming our Magic."
"But the downside is... facing these hungry ghosts, without employing the Strange Skill from across the bridge and relying solely on the Ascension-to-Mansion dharma method, we’ll suffer greatly!"
"The abilities of Negative Spirits can’t match them head-on, and the skills of Punishment Soul are almost entirely restrained. Even the usual bravery of Shousui men on the battlefield is half-neutralized; they can only be shocked by masculine energy."
"..."
Those listening nodded, recognizing the difficulty of dealing with the hungry ghosts.
Yet, as they discussed tactics to counter the enemy, they erupted into diverse opinions. Someone suggested forming a Child Scouts unit, recruiting from various blood food mines, claiming it would be most effective against these hungry ghosts.
Another proposed using a grain supply method, stating these hungry ghosts knew no satiety. If they gathered sufficient grain and mixed it with Guanyin Soil, they could potentially be stuffed to death...
However, none were immediate solutions, provoking Think Tank Iron Mouth to fury. He angrily scolded, "Always boasting daily, yet when it comes to the crunch, you can’t produce a useful Method?"
"The one in town is watching us. If we can’t consume thirty thousand hungry ghosts in one go, that’s not a disgrace. But if we can’t even win a decisive battle before the enemy forces are fully gathered, how do we maintain face?"
"..."
His tirade left everyone below humiliated and at a loss for words.
Nevertheless, at this moment, someone unexpectedly spoke up, "Why not let me try?"
Everyone turned their heads, frowning.
Members of the Not Eating Beef sect often wandered the jianghu and acted secretively. While some maintained a dignified demeanor, always carrying the air of experts, others endured the elements, neglecting their appearance until they resembled beggars. Yet, the one speaking now was the most unkempt of all.
He wore ragged clothing, covered in grass and ash, looking even worse than a beggar. Even the monkey he carried was crawling with lice. When idle, he would squat there, and he and his monkey would pick lice off each other to eat.
It was fortunate the Golden Character Line’s Sect Leader hadn’t seen him; otherwise, this fellow might have been the first in the Not Eating Beef sect to be expelled due to his personal appearance.
However, now he stepped forward thoughtfully, saying, "Who’ll fetch a chicken?"
Soon, someone went into Zhu Men Town and borrowed a magnificent rooster from Seventh Aunt. The beggar took it, sticking a silver needle into its neck. The rooster suddenly ruffled its feathers and fled madly, pecking at everyone, its eyes turning gray.
Seeing this, others felt uneasy. Everyone stepped back, sensing that this rooster, after being pricked with a needle, now bore a resemblance to the hungry ghosts.
At this point, witnessing the rooster’s complete frenzy, the beggar sprinted forward and pinned it down. He didn’t use any grass rope to bind it, simply drawing a vertical line in the air before its beak with his finger.
Upon completion, he slowly released his grip and stepped back two paces. Everyone curiously leaned forward to look. They were surprised to find that the once violently aggressive and frenzied rooster, merely by having a vertical line drawn before its beak, now squatted there motionless.
In the silent, peculiar atmosphere, the beggar exhaled a long breath, clapping his hands with a grin. "Not bad, not bad. Food-protection general, allow me to present you with your first victory against the hungry ghosts..."
