Wandering Gods of Day and Night-Chapter 964 - 385: Night Parade of Hundred Demons (Part 3)
He considered himself unable to contend.
"Lord Jian of Ping Shui Prefecture, Zhou Lingyi, Lord Jiu, and that Yuan Buyu, none of them are easy to provoke."
"The Painter, the Music Master, Lady Hong Guan, and that wolfish Tattoo Clan of Peng Town... Even a fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves."
Though Bi Fang seethed with hatred and ground his teeth, he still retained some rationality. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"Let’s wait and see... just wait and see."
Bi Fang continued to observe the situation in the human world.
...
The Paperman Ghost Messenger had already made a request—Soul Shepherd City could close the Ghost Gate, but the condition was allowing the Night Parade of Hundred Demons in Soul Shepherd City.
Zhou Xuan feigned silence for a long time, then he spoke to the Ghost Messenger: "This is Mingjiang Prefecture; it belongs to every common person of Mingjiang Prefecture. Even if Soul Shepherd City drinks its fill here without violating heavenly principles or wantonly harming people, what of it?"
"The prefecture spans thousands of miles, and it is not for you from a Netherworld City to run rampant here."
"Close the Ghost Gate, return to your World of Darkness. If you do not comply, I have the Mountain and River Map, the All Under Heaven Style, to contend against Soul Shepherd’s will several more times, gauging its depth."
Zhou Xuan argued with reason, not yielding to Soul Shepherd City in the slightest.
The Paperman Ghost Messenger bowed deeply, saying: "Do not be angry, Great Sir. It’s indeed unreasonable for Soul Shepherd City to hold a Night Parade of Hundred Demons here, but it is a necessity to gather enough death aura for the city."
My master wishes to conduct a transaction with the Great Sir."
Zhou Xuan remained silent,
The Ghost Messenger continued: "A few days ago, the disaster of the Xianhuo in Mingjiang Prefecture claimed countless lives. These people have all entered Soul Shepherd City. Should the Great Sir wish it, Soul City is willing to return those deceased from Mingjiang to the human world, so they may come back to life."
"Ghosts returning to life?"
Zhou Xuan furrowed his brow and asked.
"Indeed, ghosts returning to life. At the same time, Soul Shepherd City is willing to give up the Decayed Land to assist Mingjiang Prefecture in rebuilding."
"And all we seek is to borrow your land for the Night Parade of Hundred Demons."
"Oh, that’s quite an enticing condition—but Mingjiang Prefecture is not mine alone—I must ask them whether they agree or not."
Zhou Xuan made a day trip to the Purple Moon, took off the Tao Ancestor’s mask, placed it on his face, and activated the endless Dao sounds, asking: "If the Night Parade of Hundred Demons is allowed, the deceased of Mingjiang can return. Dear citizens, do you agree or not?"
As these words emerged, it seemed as though an intangible Taoist stood by each citizen, whispering softly in their ear.
"Then I agree. My wife and children perished in the Xianhuo."
"Agree, agree! As long as my family can return, it doesn’t matter if they parade every night in Mingjiang Prefecture."
"Great Sir, I agree."
The public opinion of the entire city was collected by the All Under Heaven Style,
and the vast purple aura slowly condensed, contracted, and entirely gathered onto the mask.
With heart and intention aligned, Zhou Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, both pupils entirely purple, stared at the Ghost Messenger, and said: "With such public opinion, I have nothing more to say... It is granted..."
On the spot, the Ghost Messenger bowed deeply to Zhou Xuan once more. In a few swift steps, it spanned dozens of yards and entered Soul Shepherd City, shrieking: "Acknowledged by the Great Sir, Soul Shepherd City’s Night Parade of Hundred Demons is approved."
Immediately, the howling sounds of the Evil Ghosts within Soul Shepherd City grew more excited,
the Ghost Gate of Soul Shepherd City was grandly and properly opened,
the Night Parade of Hundred Demons officially commenced,
...
The night was quite tranquil, while the paperman Ghost Messenger wielding the Water and Fire Stick led the dispersing hundreds of ghosts from Soul Shepherd City, and already tens of thousands of deceased, to boldly meander the streets and alleys of Mingjiang Prefecture.
Hundreds of ghosts, the deceased, all were silent, enhancing the night’s tranquility and eeriness.
"Should they truly remain silent?"
Little Brain cast a projection over Mingjiang, asking Zhou Xuan.
Except for the paperman Ghost Messenger, all the ghosts, hundreds of ghosts, and deceased were projections cast by Little Brain.
Zhou Xuan shook his head, saying: "Ghosts voiceless, souls shadowless, that is how they hold majesty. Hundreds of ghosts, the deceased, erupting in loud shouts—where is the decorum?"
"Then I just let the hundreds of ghosts and deceased wander?"
"Naturally. Remember the route I mentioned. No matter where you parade the ghosts, you must avoid the Bell Tower. Four papermen there await your projection."
"Understood."
Little Brain acknowledged and continued executing his "Projectionist" duty.
The vast ghostly troop wandered freely in the city, the ghostly images of hundreds of ghosts derived from those embodied by the Mother of Hundred Demons on the Hundred Demons, each image exuding singular ghostliness.
And those countless deceased were the deceased common folks of Mingjiang Prefecture, their images provided by Joyful Zen Master incarnated as the Bodhi Tree.
As the hundreds of ghosts and deceased roamed, these projections followed the planned route, passing by the Bell Tower.
In the unlit gatehouse on the first floor of the Bell Tower, four papermen, controlled by the Turtle Mountain Daoist, quietly merged into the troop.
"Xuan Director, the papermen are in position."
Little Brain notified Zhou Xuan.
Zhou Xuan nodded, saying: "Continue the night procession, circle Mingjiang Prefecture a few more times, fear not exposure, we have no risk of exposure."
In the night procession of hundreds of ghosts, if discovered to be ethereal shadows, how to handle it? That would be... it needs no handling.
Ghosts are inherently ethereal entities, normally without form or shadow; more ethereal now matters not. Maintaining their ethereal nature confirms they are ghosts, not living humans.
