CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 483: SACRIFICING THE FLAG WITH HUMAN HEADS

"Alright, alright, the Lantern Festival is over. Where can we get a Red Lantern?"

When the ghost soldiers retreated, leaving behind a shockingly oppressive atmosphere, the townspeople of Shima Town, after bowing one last time, broke into jubilant cheers.

During the siege of the ghost soldiers, which coincided with the festival’s end, they had felt the lingering oppression and shadow but had merely assumed it was the oppressive divine gaze typical of such events.

This was a good omen!

Now, having finished their bows and with the festival concluding, the pressure dissipated. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from everyone’s hearts, which suddenly became light and carefree, like a stream gently flowing over rocky terrain.

"WHOOSH..."

The first to snap out of the reverent silence were the townspeople. After their bows, they felt as if the town’s lights had instantly brightened.

They stood up, smiling brightly and celebrating. Although they knew little of the twists and turns within this Lantern Festival, they somehow felt its weightiness and significance surpassed any festival they had previously attended.

Amid their cheering, they naturally began to ask if there was still food to be distributed, if they should go together to the Stone Horse in town for incense-burning, and if they should take the Red Lantern from the Divine Platform back to their homes to worship.

The central principle was to worship everything—be it the Red Lantern, the One Coin Sect, or the Stone Horse and the Old General at the town’s entrance—to ensure the blessings were shared widely.

"It’s over, it’s over..."

「Meanwhile, in the main hall of the headquarters」

Immortal Miaoshan felt a surreal sensation washing over her.

Looking at the ten large vats in front of her, their contents seemed exceptionally tranquil. She faintly sensed an unseen fortune rising over Shima Town. Gazing at the old elm tree beside her, she could almost feel it exuding newfound vitality.

Did it succeed?

She muttered to herself, understanding that this Lantern Festival involved exchanging blessings for luck. An abundance of luck could lead to significant achievements, using the One Coin Sect as a foundation.

Initially, she hadn’t thought this task too difficult. But now, having dealt with it from start to finish, its many thrilling moments were astonishing. Surviving through it all, she found it somewhat unbelievable.

The Niuba Sect had toiled for twenty years, yet no one had ever truly succeeded in this grand endeavor. Could it be that she was the first to accomplish it?

"It succeeded!"

Beside her, Big Senior Brother also chuckled softly. He reached out to pat the ten large vats, his expression curiously complex.

"Junior Sister, earlier, your senior brothers kept the truth from you, making you think this sort of thing was simple."

"In truth, such matters depend on timing. If the time isn’t right, acting is like going against the heavens, making it very easy for things to go wrong. Entrusting this sect matter to you was also because you have good fortune. We figured we’d give it a shot, whether it bore fruit or not; after all, even if it didn’t succeed, we could still protect you."

"But we never expected you to succeed first. From now on, no disciple in the Niuba Sect will dare disrespect you..."

"..."

"Ah?"

Immortal Miaoshan’s eyes brightened. She tried to maintain her composure, but her mouth pulled into an irrepressible grin that she couldn’t suppress. Subconsciously, she sat up straighter, her mind awash with countless thoughts. She couldn’t help but blurt out, "Then, what was happening outside just now?"

"When I looked out earlier, all I saw was flying sand and swirling stones, a pitch-black expanse; I couldn’t make out anything at all..."

"..."

"You think you were the only one who couldn’t see clearly?"

Big Senior Brother gave a slight, bitter smile upon hearing her words. He lifted his gaze to the top of the old elm, where the big seal tied to a branch swayed gently. Sighing, he said, "It’s different from what I imagined..."

"I originally thought we would have to rely on it to save our lives in the end. I didn’t expect that our Sect Hierarch is truly a destined person, his abilities far greater than we imagined..."

"Of course, it’s not just our Sect Hierarch. Perhaps... those three Martial Uncles too..."

"..."

"Ah?"

Immortal Miaoshan was startled. "The Martial Uncles have returned?"

At this, Big Senior Brother just chuckled and remained silent.

But this wasn’t a bad thing. Both he and the old elm were filled with comfort and joy in their hearts at this moment.

Facing Immortal Miaoshan’s question, he only smiled softly and murmured, "I can’t say for sure. How could I, with my meager cultivation, possibly see through the methods of the Martial Uncles?"

"..."

"..."

"What the hell was all that about?"

「Back in Shima Town」

The Lantern Festival had successfully concluded. The townsfolk were busy with their children; some found a corner to shelter for the night, while others gathered around a brazier, discussing their plans to set off for home once daylight arrived.

Meanwhile, atop several surrounding mountains, frustrated and fearful voices could be heard.

Second Young Master Meng had long since been executed, his head used to make the ghost soldiers retreat. Monkey Wine, to the south, had already put away his drum and run back to where they had killed the Meng family’s Chief Steward. He was now meticulously inspecting the battlefield with a lantern.

Regardless of whether it was a useless talisman, a broken bone, or some innards, as long as it was useful, he collected it with extreme care.

Er Guotou, on the other hand, had been holding his breath, cautiously keeping watch. It wasn’t until he confirmed that the ghost soldiers had truly retreated and that the Meng Family Ancestor they had tricked hadn’t found him, that he suddenly let out a breath. "OOF!" He plopped down on the ground.

His voice carried a tone of being caught between tears and laughter: "We were having perfectly good days, so how did I get tricked by that thick-browed, wide-eyed old scoundrel, Old White, into offending that *thing*..."

"If I’d known this trip would involve this kind of business, why was I so polite and careful in Plum Bossom Lane back in Mingzhou? I should have just kicked them out!"

"I was always worried about causing trouble—what a joke! Is there any trouble bigger than this?"

"..."

The more he thought, the angrier he became, as if a fortune he had painstakingly saved, copper coin by copper coin, had been squandered in an instant. A sense of bitter unfairness welled up inside him:

"What, just because they’re all so good at causing trouble, they think they can bully me because I’m not? Let me tell you, I’ve had my eye on the Zhen Sui Hu Family’s treasures too!"

"..."

"..."

「Elsewhere」

Miss White Wine was similarly half-hidden behind a tree. Only when the commotion had truly died down did she slowly let out a breath. With a wave of her hand, she retracted the surrounding white gauze, tucking it back into her sleeve.

Then, she glanced towards the mountain peak from which Hu Ma had made the ghost soldiers withdraw. Without a word, she turned and left.

Even for you, what you did this time was incredibly dangerous...

That man holding the lantern said you’d discovered something about Reincarnators. Could it truly be such an astounding secret that it made you go to these lengths?

...

...

"Phew, it should be fine now..."

Hu Ma confirmed that the ghost soldiers had retreated and let out a deep sigh of relief. He slowly retracted his Divine Soul Dharma Form. Even the broken armor on his body and the boots on his feet vanished, returning to the old elm tree.

The saber in his hand, as if it had drunk its fill of blood, was now content. Its malevolent aura had receded, making it seem like ordinary mortal iron. He carried it in his hand. This saber wasn’t actually fully forged yet; it lacked a comfortable hilt and a suitable scabbard.

In his other hand, he still carried Second Young Master Meng’s head. It would be a waste to just throw it away, so he could only hold onto it for now.

Standing there, he glanced in several directions. He could sense that the three who had helped him had already departed. He let out a long sigh, his heart feeling somewhat heavy.

Actually, this time, he had wondered if he could rely entirely on Shousui’s abilities to kill the people from the Tongyin Meng family. The result, however, was disheartening.

Impossible!

The Ten Surnames each possessed their own unique Strange Techniques. Using abilities from outside the Ten Surnames to kill them was virtually impossible.

However, he was fortunate to have the help of Reincarnators. At least in the eyes of outsiders, this approach seemed feasible, and that was enough to achieve his objective.

However, from the recent commotion, Hu Ma also vaguely sensed that perhaps the abilities of the Ten Surnames were so formidable that, peculiarly, only Reincarnators were suited to dealing with them?

And within this, was there some kind of unseen connection?

Lost in thought, he first burned a stick of incense and called for Little Hongtang. Seeing her still holding a red lantern, he smiled reassuringly and slowly led her down the mountain. Soon, he saw two rows of lanterns lit up ahead; people were coming out to welcome them.

It was Immortal Miaoshan and Bai Shanzi. Behind them followed an old man dressed like a farmer, as well as the opera troupe leader he had seen before. The ordinary disciples were not present. Everyone looked at him with shocked and uncertain eyes, seeming to have something to say.

"I’m tired. I need to rest for a bit."

Hu Ma waved his hand, stopping them. He then tossed the head he was carrying in front of them and said, "Since we are to undertake great deeds, someone must serve to consecrate the banner, no?"

"This..."

Those at the front looked at the head he held, a sudden silence falling over their hearts. They knew what it represented. They had already known this outcome, but seeing it up close still made their hearts clench.

This was the head of a man who could summon three thousand ghost soldiers and then dismiss them in an instant! With such a priceless individual’s head now here, who could clearly say how much opportunity versus deadly peril it represented?

"What?"

Seeing their hesitant expressions, Hu Ma glanced at this group of demon people. Under the lantern light, he suddenly grinned, his eyes glinting sharply. "They say the Niuba Sect is determined to achieve great things and is incredibly daring..."

"Are you scared now?"

"..."

Being watched by Hu Ma like this, the opera troupe leader felt his heart skip a beat, and the pressure on him instantly doubled. This was despite the fact that the Sect Hierarch’s cultivation, Entering the Mansion, was far inferior to his own.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said in a low voice, "We humbly obey the Sect Hierarch’s decree!"