NOVEL NEXT The northern sector of the nether realm:
Accompanied by numerous ghost kings and ghost marshals, Ancestor Mang Shan led a group of ghost Dao ancestors from the north and charged towards the Han Imperial Dynasty’s army.
Capturing the leader first was a common strategy, and the vision of these ancestors naturally did not focus on the Han Nation soldiers but directly targeted the four commanders of the Han Imperial Dynasty’s Nation Suppression Army: Gao Xianzhi, Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, and Long Shenying.
Of course, if it were not for Ancestor Mang Shan’s repeated demands to use the heads of these four commanders to restore their honor and embarrass Gu Hai, the ancestors would have already gone to Everlasting Nether Capital.
However, the ancestors still felt that even if they were delayed a bit, it would not be by much.
The Mosquito Daoist, Kong Xuan, a young man whose name they had never heard before—taking their heads would be easy for four ninth-layer Upper Heavenly Palace Realm ancestors.
They even split up, each responsible for a person. They prepared to take the heads of the four commanders simultaneously.
Naturally, Ancestor Mang Shan led one of the teams.
The vast number of ghost soldiers whipped up a dark wind as they charged straight towards Kong Xuan’s camp.
Kong Xuan’s command post was very high. These days, Kong Xuan rarely came over. After all, the orders from above did not suit his appetite at all. After capturing the city, they were supposed to treat the civilians kindly and avoid harming the innocent. However, he could wipe out the entire city with a single slap. There were no decent opponents, and it was so boring.
Moreover, as the commander, he could not wander around freely and had to stay in the central military camp. Although everything was well managed by the people below, he could not simply leave. Warfare was a serious matter; the commander could not casually decamp. How could Kong Xuan take it?
If they encountered a group of powerful enemies and he had to command and coordinate everything personally, that would be fine. Now, it was just drinking tea, day in and day out. Could this be any more boring?
Today, Mo Yike suddenly sent someone with a message saying that a group of ghost Dao ancestors from the northern nether realm was planning a major counterattack. A large wave of experts was coming.
Kong Xuan immediately perked up and hurried to the command post.
“Reporting to the commander, numerous unknown experts have reached the front lines! The general of the vanguard requests permission to block the enemy!” a subordinate called out.
“Let them pass; don’t interfere with these people. Continue with the mission of capturing cities and expanding our territory!” Kong Xuan ordered.
“Yes!” That subordinate immediately sent a message via a zither puppet.
“Reporting to the commander. A large number of ghost experts are attacking, and the general of the second defensive line requests permission to engage!” another subordinate announced.
“Let them pass, let them pass. Don’t attack. Let them come!” Kong Xuan ordered.
“Yes!”
“Inform the generals of the other eight defensive lines not to engage but to let them all pass. Let them come!” Kong Xuan ordered.
“Yes!”
------
The news quickly spread.
Ancestor Mang Shan and his group were the most affected.
“See? A bunch of cowardly fellows. We just showed our auras, and they were scared away!” Ancestor Mang Shan laughed heartily.
“Yes, there are so many defensive lines, but that group of people charged up and then retreated. Are all our ghost kings useless? A bunch of cowards defeated them?” another ancestor sneered.
“We overestimated the Han Nation’s army. They’re nothing!”
“Kong Xuan’s main camp is right ahead. Let’s pick up the pace!”
Ancestor Mang Shan and his ghost experts charged forward with great momentum.
After flying for some time and passing through eight defensive lines, they finally saw Kong Xuan’s main camp in the distance.
Kong Xuan was sitting on the high command post, dressed in azure robes, calmly sipping tea. A group of generals stood beside him, glaring at Ancestor Mang Shan and his people.
Boom!
Ancestor Mang Shan and the others halted. A powerful aura billowed, like a strong wind sweeping over the massive command post. However, when the wind reached the platform, it mysteriously dissipated.
“Ancestor, he is Kong Xuan! He is the one!” one of the ghost kings called out excitedly.
Kong Xuan remained seated as he looked at the ghost army and suddenly frowned.
“Are you Kong Xuan, the commander of the Han Nation’s army? Surrender now!” Ancestor Mang Shan sneered.
Kong Xuan’s hand, which was holding the teacup, paused. He frowned at the over two thousand ghosts in the black wind. Slightly displeased, he asked, “Didn’t they say over ten thousand ghost Dao experts were coming to attack? Why are there so few?”
“Commander, please calm down. We’re not sure; the message we received said there were ten thousand ghost Dao experts coming!” replied one subordinate hurriedly.
On the other side, Ancestor Mang Shan heard that.
“Is there a spy among us? Who leaked our information?” Ancestor Mang Shan asked seriously.
“No, we did not!” The ghost kings shook their heads.
“This doesn’t make sense. The ones in the front are ghost Dao ancestors, right? Weren’t there supposed to be over sixty of them? Why are there only a dozen or so?” Kong Xuan knit his brow once more.
On the other side, Ancestor Mang Shan was surprised and exchanged glances with fifteen other ancestors, who had the strongest auras, in front.
Indeed, there was a spy within their group. The sixteen ancestors’ faces turned unsightly momentarily, but this was not the time to catch the spy. There were more pressing matters at hand.
Even if there is a spy who knows our situation, what can they do? The counterattack from the nether realm’s north is not something a small fry like Kong Xuan can compare to.
“Which ancestor will capture Kong Xuan?” Ancestor Mang Shan shouted.
At this moment, he was the leader; how could he act prematurely here? He had to go after Gu Hai’s head, leaving capturing Kong Xuan to other ghosts; this was a minor task.
“Let me handle it. You all take a break. This kind of insignificant figure isn’t worth our effort. I’ll get the ball rolling!” one ancestor said.
“With Ancestor Four Arms, it will naturally be easy!”
“Good, let’s witness the might of Ancestor Four Arms!”
The ancestors cheered enthusiastically, all regretting they had shouted too late. Had they shouted earlier, the opportunity would have been theirs.
Ancestor Four Arms slowly flew out. He felt extremely cocky, elated over his earlier cleverness.
Kong Xuan seemed like an ant he could easily crush at this moment. It was the perfect opportunity to flaunt his might.
“Kong Xuan, come out and meet your doom!” Ancestor Four Arms shouted as he transformed into a giant stone monster over three hundred meters tall with four arms. Sparks flew as he swung his arms.
When Ancestor Four Arms displayed his might, the other ancestors cheered.
On the opposite side, Kong Xuan goggled.
This shouldn’t have happened! This is not the scene I want. They should be charging in with great momentum so that I can make a grand entrance in an epic battle. What does this bunch mean by this?
Kong Xuan looked at Ancestor Four Arms prancing around, and the noisy fanfaronade. He felt he was watching a circus.
These dancing clowns dare to challenge me? Back when this great me was in the Solar Divine Palace, I could consume a thousand of them in a mouthful. What are they thinking, challenging me?
Kong Xuan’s face sank. He had hoped for too much and ended up with a bunch of nobodies. It left him in a terrible mood.
“Kong Xuan, why are you not coming out to meet your doom!” Ancestor Four Arms shouted again.
“The Upper Heavenly Palace Realm’s seventh layer?” Kong Xuan stared at Ancestor Four Arms with an unpleasant expression.
“He’s scared! Hahahaha!”
“Ancestor Four Arms really frightened him!”
The ancestors burst into laughter, and Ancestor Mang Shan stroked his beard. Although the battle had not yet begun, they had already displayed their might.
Kong Xuan: “…”
“What a waste of my time! Just a bunch of insignificant fools!” Kong Xuan said coldly, feeling frustrated.
“What did he say? How hilarious! Kong Xuan is still talking big at this moment?” A group of ghost kings laughed.
“Humph! Kong Xuan, if you don’t come out, it’s your own fault. Don’t blame me for this. I’ll come over then!” Ancestor Four Arms shouted again, charging forward.
Kong Xuan was thoroughly irritated. These insignificant fools do not know their place and dare to come at me?
“Don’t bother me!” Kong Xuan suddenly yelled at Ancestor Four Arms, glaring.
A murderous intent burst forth, rushing towards Ancestor Four Arms like an icy stream. In that instant, he felt his body stiffen, as if Kong Xuan’s murderous intent had frozen him in place.
The terrifying murderous intent passed through his mind, and Ancestor Four Arms even felt like his head was exploding.
Boom!
Ancestor Four Arms went flying.
Blargh!
Blood spewed from Ancestor Four Arms’s mouth, and his eyes were vacant, as if he were in a daze.
Kong Xuan’s murderous intent had made Ancestor Four Arms feel like he was at death’s door, as if it had nearly snuffed him out. It was terrifying.
Ancestor Four Arms trembled, tears of fear welling up in his eyes.
“Scared into crying?” a group of Kong Xuan’s subordinates remarked, finding this strange.
“Ancestor Four Arms, are you alright?”
“He must have used some kind of curse! Humph! You might have cursed Ancestor Four Arms, but you cannot curse all the ghost kings here!”
“Ancestor Four Arms fell for his tricks. Avenge Ancestor Four Arms!”
The assembled ghost kings raised an outcry. Ancestor Mang Shan felt that as the leader, he was responsible for ensuring justice for Ancestor Four Arms.
“Humph! Kong Xuan, you are a fool who doesn’t know any better. Release the curse on Ancestor Four Arms now! Otherwise, I’ll leave nothing standing in your camp! Then, I’ll bury Gu Hai with you all!” Ancestor Mang Shan declared.
Kong Xuan’s expression grew menacingly dark as he coldly eyed the troupe of dancing clowns.
The Han Nation soldiers gazed at Ancestor Mang Shan and his ilk with pity. You are truly courting doom. Provoking Lord Kong isn’t just a matter of life and death; it means seeking an end worse than death.
“Reporting to the commander! His Reverence sent a letter instructing that you should merely toy with these incoming ghost kings. Do not annihilate them. The Han Imperial Dynasty still has a use for them in its plan to rule the northern nether realm!” An official rushed over to deliver this message.
“What? I’m not allowed to finish them off?” Kong Xuan asked in a heavy tone.
“Yes,” the official confirmed.
Kong Xuan glanced at Ancestor Mang Shan and the others, who were simply asking for a beating, with an expression of frustration. “You sure are lucky.”
“What luck are you talking about, Kong Xuan? You refuse to lift the curse on Ancestor Four Arms, right? Then don’t blame us. Everyone, advance! Let’s raze this commander’s camp swiftly and decisively!” Ancestor Mang Shan ordered.
“Yes—” the ghost kings responded, but halfway through, their eyes widened.
They saw the nearby Kong Xuan suddenly open his mouth wide. It was an incredibly massive mouth, so vast that the world turned black.
“Ancestor, I feel like I’m about to be eaten,” one ghost king said uncertainly.
“Don’t be afraid. With Ancestor Mang Shan here, no tricks will work. Ancestor Mang Shan, can you explain why the world has suddenly turned black?” another ghost king asked with a hint of unease.
“Yeah, I also feel like we’re being eaten, but something seems off. Ancestor Mang Shan, you’re experienced; what’s happening?”
Ancestor Mang Shan replied, “It seems we’re actually being eaten!”
The ancestors: “…”
The ghost kings: “…”