Chapter 667: Gold Paper Manuscript

Ji Yuan’s words carried no killing intent, yet Hong Shengting on the side felt a sharp chill rise within him, like a biting wind, even though it was already frigid weather.

Ji Yuan looked towards the northeast for a moment, then suddenly turned to Hong Shengting and asked, “Regarding my idea, does Mountain God Hong have any advice?”

Hong Shengting quickly waved his hand and shook his head. “To Mr. Ji, I wouldn’t dare offer advice. I merely have a small question: Did you come all the way to Tingqiu Mountain just to tell me this?”

Ji Yuan smiled. “I’ll be direct with Mountain God Hong. Since you’re already leaning towards Da Zhen, why not lean a bit more?”

“Am I not leaning enough? It’s not as if I, Hong Shengting, need to go to Da Zhen’s capital to accept an imperial enfeoffment, is it?”

Hong Shengting pointed to himself. Just recently, he had slain five demons with such a huge commotion without a word, practically shouting to the land of Zu Yue that no evil creatures should cross Tingqiu Mountain.

Ji Yuan shook his head. “Mountain God Hong overstates it. I didn’t mean that. It’s just that when Da Zhen pacifies the world and frees the beings of Zu Yue from turmoil, Tingqiu Mountain will be at the center. One could even say it’s Da Zhen’s foremost mountain, with its high peaks and perilous terrain, capable of stabilizing a nation’s destiny…”

Before Ji Yuan could finish, Hong Shengting already understood what he was implying. A mountain god of his cultivation level was no ignorant fool. He cut directly to the chase. “Mr. Ji, are you perhaps suggesting that the Da Zhen Emperor should perform the Fengshan sacrifice on my Tingqiu Mountain?”

“Mountain God Hong speaks correctly. That is precisely my intention.”

Hong Shengting frowned. If it weren’t Ji Yuan standing before him, though he wouldn’t attack him, he likely would have already left. But since it was Ji Yuan, whose capabilities he had witnessed, he had to remain calm.

“Mr. Ji, the ‘center of a nation’ is still far from established. Besides, even if Da Zhen counterattacks Zu Yue and achieves great martial deeds, a significant part of Tingqiu Mountain is still connected to Tingliang Kingdom. Could it be that after Da Zhen conquers Zu Yue, it will directly march west and not even spare Tingliang Kingdom? As long as Duke Yin lives, I, Hong, do not believe that is possible!”

He didn't explicitly refuse, but Hong Shengting’s rejection was clear. And if this mountain god didn't agree, then even if the Da Zhen Emperor wanted to perform the Fengshan sacrifice on Tingqiu Mountain to solidify the nation’s destiny, it would be useless, as he might not even be able to ascend the high peak.

“Mountain God, please calm down. Perhaps you didn’t fully grasp something I said at the very beginning: ‘The human destiny of Yunzhou rests entirely on the battle in the southern region.’”

Hong Shengting paused slightly, frowning as he looked at Ji Yuan, who sighed and said, “The Song clan of Zu Yue has been weak for a long time. It’s truly strange how so many demons and monsters suddenly obey the emperor. However, your assistance this time is already highly commendable; Ji Yuan won’t ask for too much.”

Ji Yuan’s words made Hong Shengting feel increasingly uncomfortable, yet he couldn't directly agree. If the Da Zhen Emperor performed the Fengshan sacrifice on Tingqiu Mountain, the first thing he’d likely do after honoring heaven and earth would be to enfeoff Tingqiu Mountain. And if he, the mountain god, then opened the doors and provided convenience, wouldn’t that effectively be accepting the emperor’s enfeoffment by default?

Hong Shengting knew that if he brought this up, Ji Yuan would definitely guarantee that such a thing wouldn’t happen. But mortals can sometimes be irrational; an emperor, blinded by power, might say anything. Perhaps the former Da Zhen emperors didn't understand this, but now Da Zhen also has cultivators, and there might be someone who understands. However, he couldn't explain this concern to Ji Yuan directly, as it would seem like he didn't trust him.

Hong Shengting could only try to change the subject. “Sir, you have a fine disciple. That night, Lady Bai single-handedly guarded Yongning Pass; her sword mastery was truly rare.”

“You, Mountain God, have also heard of ‘The White Deer’s Fate’?”

“I have heard a little.”

Ji Yuan nodded, then shook his head. “If I told you this white deer isn’t actually my mount, would Mountain God Hong believe me?”

“Hahahahaha, I believe you!”

“Truly believe?”

Hong Shengting nodded, smiling. “If she were truly Mr. Ji’s mount, she wouldn’t fail to comprehend the Way and fall in love with a mortal. But seeing Lady Bai use her sword, I knew that Mr. Ji must truly have guided her. If she had received your true teachings, no one at Yongning Pass would have escaped.”

Ji Yuan disagreed with most of Hong Shengting’s last statement, only saying with a smile, “Even if Bai Ruo were truly my mount, the story of ‘The White Deer’s Fate’ might still occur. Falling in love with a person doesn't necessarily mean failing to comprehend the Way. Well, enough small talk. I still need to go to Zu Yue Kingdom. Farewell!”

“Then I shall not see you off.”

After they bowed to each other, the sound of a sword hummed from behind Ji Yuan. His entire being transformed into a streak of sword light, vanishing in a flash to the horizon, heading eastward.

On the mountain peak beside Yongning Pass, the meditation mat and incense altar remained. Bai Ruo sat there with two girls, cultivating and resting their spirits. After Lunar New Year’s Eve, Qizhou had become a chaotic mess. Zu Yue Kingdom sent reinforcements, but Bai Ruo only intercepted cultivators who had reached a certain level of power, ignoring all others.

Just then, a streak of light cut across the sky, and Bai Ruo’s eyes snapped open, looking heavenward. ‘What a fast flight! Who is it? An immortal from Yuhuai Mountain?’

“Madam, what’s wrong?”

Bai Ruo shook her head. “Nothing. It shouldn’t affect us. The demons and monsters of Zu Yue Kingdom should be the ones worrying.”

“Madam, when will you teach Qiao’er and me some skills again?” “Yes, yes, Madam, we also want to learn that move, that sword technique.”

“You two little brats, you want to run before you can even walk properly. Focus on your cultivation!”

As laughter echoed from the mountaintop, Ji Yuan looked back from the horizon, vaguely sensing the scene, but he did not descend to see them. Instead, he urged his magic power and hastened towards Zu Yue.

Before noon, Ji Yuan had arrived at Wuya Ghost City. Xin Wuya, who had expected Ji Yuan to come since the war began, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside the Ghost Hall of Wuya Ghost City’s Underworld Ghost Mansion, Ji Yuan sat on a small stool beside the main seat, while Xin Wuya remained standing at the main seat. He handed Ji Yuan a sealed dark wooden box. The box was stamped with the four characters “Underworld Main Hall.”

“Please inspect it, Sir.”

Ji Yuan took the wooden box and slid open the top panel. A flash of spiritual light briefly appeared and vanished, revealing a page of golden paper underneath. At the top right, the two large characters “Imperial Decree” were most striking. The text below was concise and to the point: the human destiny of Yunzhou would belong to Zu Yue, and those who aided would gain a chance to achieve enlightenment by riding on the nation’s rising destiny. It even explicitly stated that the position of City God for a certain prefecture would fall into Xin Wuya’s hands.

Ji Yuan felt the material and concentrated on the text, its true meaning and essence manifesting, appearing extremely profound, even surpassing ordinary decrees. It made Ji Yuan wonder if it was similar to the legendary enfeoffment talismans. If he felt this way, then to others who saw this item, it would naturally appear even more convincing.

“Sir, to my knowledge, apart from a few crucial waterways where few have received this item, many others everywhere have received it. Among the demon cultivators I know, some were promised enlightenment and divine positions, or even human sacrifices of boys and girls. Some went directly to accept enfeoffment from Zu Yue Kingdom.”

Ji Yuan’s brows furrowed. After seeing the item, he no longer hesitated. He sealed the wooden box again, put it into his sleeve, and looked up at Xin Wuya, his ancient eyes calm and serene. He simply asked, “Are there any people you wish to protect?”

Xin Wuya’s heart trembled. He understood what the question implied. After careful consideration, he quickly listed the names of friendly demon and ghost cultivators and spirits who had few unacceptable misdeeds.

That night, Wuya Ghost City, which had withdrawn its forces and been almost sealed for nearly a year, saw various ghost generals leading large numbers of ghost soldiers pour out of the city. War chariots rumbled, ghost horses neighed, and they surged like a tidal wave across the land, rushing in all directions.

As the most numerous ghost force in Zu Yue Kingdom, operating secretly, their former range had already encompassed the entire Zu Yue realm. They had a rough idea of where demons, devils, and spirits resided, as Ji Yuan had initially instructed them to manage evil creatures, if possible, in addition to ghosts.

Tens of thousands of ghosts marched out, a sight that would keep countless mortals awake at night, yet the moon shone brightly in the sky.

In a modest Zu Yue city, an exorcist suddenly opened his eyes. He found himself covered in goosebumps, feeling very cold even under a thick blanket.

“Hiss… so cold? Something’s wrong! Something’s very wrong! Apprentice, wake up, something’s wrong!”

“Ah… ho-hum, Master, *you’re* the one who’s wrong, I’m so sleepy…”

The exorcist immediately got out of bed, threw on a cotton robe, and rushed to his apprentice’s bed at the other end of the room, pulling off his apprentice’s blanket.

“Ow! Master, what are you doing!”

“Get dressed and grab your gear! Tonight feels wrong!”

The exorcist said, walking to the window of the house, opening it, and looking up at the sky. He couldn’t help but frown. “A bright moon in the sky? Such heavy yin energy shouldn’t be possible…”

The apprentice was quick too. While the exorcist was still tying his belt, he had already dressed himself, slung a wooden box on his back, and taken out two swords, handing one to his master. “Here, Master!”

“Good. Let’s go out. There must be evil spirits in the city tonight. It’s a good thing we didn’t answer the court’s conscription to go to war, otherwise, who would uphold justice for humanity at a time like this! Let’s go!”

The two opened the door, used their lightness skill, vaulted over the courtyard wall, and then jumped onto a nearby rooftop, leaping a few times to reach the highest inn roof nearby.

Then, both master and apprentice froze.

“Gulp…”

“M-Master, h-how about we uphold justice for humanity another day?”

The exorcist’s face was also pale, his hairs standing on end just like his apprentice’s. “My apprentice speaks wisely… Tonight, the timing is not in our favor, and the ghost army passing through is not overstepping… Let’s uphold justice for humanity another day, another day…”

They had arrived with the lightness of swallows and bold movements, but they left stiffly, almost slipping off the roof. Their eyes weren’t on the path but fixed on the low earthen city wall in the distance.

There, thousands of armored ghost soldiers advanced in formation, with cavalry and chariots, banners everywhere, and spears like a forest. The ghostly energy beneath their feet rolled like a tide, rushing at incredible speed towards the distant mountains and forests. The yin and ghostly energy were so strong that both believed even ordinary people standing there would see it clearly; the terrifying scene would be unforgettable for a lifetime.