Chapter 54

The bell had just rung when the drumming began, and in the city hall, a large group of ghost soldiers gathered at the sound of the drums. It looked like they were preparing for a siege.

I stood there, stunned, watching the ghosts assemble into an army, my face turning pale. There must have been hundreds of them!

Outside the city, Yinxuo the General was almost completely consumed by Xijun, his soul as faint as water. I quickly stopped Xijun, thinking that we might need Yinxuo and Lingtong later. We had to get into the city first; they were about to close the gates!

As I said this, Xijun had already bitten off half of Yinxuo's leg. Then she dragged him by the hair, pulling Lingtong along like a dead dog, with a look of inertia on her face as she glanced at me.

I could only be speechless. Alright, he's not dead, and you've completed my task. Missing a leg or two isn't a big deal. We can't hold a grudge against a child, right?

The gate creaked open, and the city hall was about to close it. I couldn't stay outside any longer, so I immediately entered the city.

Xijun dragged Yinxuo and Lingtong by their hair, running into the city. The two of them, being dragged, gritted their teeth and tears welled up in their eyes.

Bang!

After the deafening sound, the city gate was completely closed. I wasn't sure if I was being shut out or if I was coming in to fight. Either way, the ghost soldiers were everywhere.

Among them was a figure in blue armor, holding a golden lock as tall as a person, standing tall and mighty in front of the ghost soldiers.

Three ghosts against a large group of ghost soldiers.

Song Wanyi! So many ghost soldiers! What should we do? I frowned and turned to ask Song Wanyi, as she had more experience in such situations.

Master, kill them. Song Wanyi came closer, whispering softly to me.

Why don't you say that loudly and clearly? I think Song Wanyi has ulterior motives. In ancient battles, when the lord asks what to do, the leading general should step forward and shout to boost morale. Why are you whispering to me?

Master, you know I have a soft voice. Song Wanyi said shyly.

Her expression and voice made my skin crawl. This is a matter of life and death; use it on the enemy.

Brother! Brother! Save me! Save Dahan! Chen Dahan cried out, crawling on the ground toward the Golden Lock General, even abandoning his chain.

Chen Dahan had almost been completely consumed by Xijun, and now he had lost two legs. He looked pitiful and miserable.

Who is this? I asked the dirty Lingtong on the ground.

Golden Lock General, Chen Zhili's brother, the fifth of the six major generals of the city hall. You must be careful. Lingtong quickly answered, no longer acting superior. He knew he had to be cautious, but he still believed in justice. His current submission was a show of loyalty.

The Golden Lock General stepped forward and shouted, "What kind of ghost dares to cause trouble in the city hall! You are surrounded! State your names and release my brother Chen Dahan immediately!"

What kind of ghost? Where is your city hall lord? I don't intend to hold you accountable for bringing me to the underworld. I need to return to the living world immediately. If you obstruct me or delay, you will end up like him! I pointed to Yinxuo, who was struggling to crawl away, but Xijun would drag him back.

Seeing his brother's condition, the Golden Lock General's face twitched. He wanted to send some ghost soldiers to help, but then he saw a small female ghost dragging his brother by the hair, pulling him like a dog.

He knew his brother's strength; they were evenly matched.

Don't harm my brother! The Golden Lock General reached out to stop her. After death, not all ghosts go to reincarnation. Some become ghost soldiers and retain their emotions, especially for their brothers. To prevent his brother from suffering, he immediately shouted, "Send someone to inform the city hall lord! Notify the Twenty-Four Departments to handle this quickly!"

He and his brother had taken on this task, thinking it would be simple, but it had turned into a disaster. Not only had they lost soldiers, but Chen Dahan was also in the hands of the enemy.

Is this Xia Yitian so powerful?

I'll whip him every few seconds. He'll be dead soon. You better hurry! I said, picking up the mourning stick and whipping him.

The惨叫声立刻让对面的阴兵阴将躁动起来，但没有首领发话，都不敢扑过来。

啊！夏爷！你怎么打我呀！夏爷！是我呀！我是凌童！凌童哭丧着脸，指着刚才还在他位置，现在已经爬到前边去了的陈大恒，他刚才想献媚就主动爬到了我身边，没想到替陈大恒挨了一鞭子，太他娘冤枉了！

哦，一时没注意。我一看打错了，也有些不好意思。

Xijun saw that I wanted to hit Chen Dahan and dragged him back again. This back-and-forth dragging might kill him. I had black lines on my forehead, thinking this little girl was quite foolish.

Soon, several dozen ghosts dressed as officials from the Twenty-Four Departments floated over from various directions. Although not all had arrived, those with a stake in the matter were likely there.

Seeing Chen Dahan's miserable condition, the ghosts were all sympathetic and looked at the Golden Lock General with questioning eyes.

Don't you see my brother in his hands? He's about to die! Think of a solution quickly! The major and minor ghosts guarding the city gate are the city hall lord's trusted generals. Chen Zhili's authority in the city hall is considerable, and his words frightened the ghosts from the Twenty-Four Departments.

They knew the details of the situation and my name on their way. A few departments, considering the Golden Lock General, immediately convened a meeting.

Aren't there six major generals? Why are only the Golden Lock and Silver Lock Generals here? What about the legendary Ox Head, Horse Face, and the Black and White Impermanents? I asked Lingtong, not finding the other four legendary ghost generals.

Lingtong, not daring to be negligent, said, "Ox Head General has a position and is leading a group of ghost soldiers to capture runaway ghosts. Horse Face General is busy leading people to the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Seventh and Eighth Generals are by the city hall lord's side and will come soon."

I understood. It seems that each city hall has these positions, but their appearances differ from the common depictions in city hall temples.

The underworld receives many souls daily, and the city hall can easily select capable individuals for these positions. Larger cities can find more capable individuals, but in a small county like this, the strength of the city hall is limited.

Even if there are capable individuals, they would be transferred to higher city halls. What capable individuals could remain in a small place?

Moreover, I can't afford to care about such details. I'm in this situation, and if I don't act decisively, I might not return.

Hey! Have you decided? If you don't let Xia Yitian return to the living world, I'll kill this Silver Lock General and a thousand or so ghost soldiers, and drag half of your Twenty-Four Departments to fill the grave! I said harshly, frowning. If the city hall lord hadn't been preparing to come, I would have attacked long ago.

Wait a moment, Lord Xia! The city hall lord is coming soon! Only the city hall lord has the authority to grant passage to the living world. One of the department heads bowed and paid respects, showing proper etiquette.

Are you saying you can't decide? Is it that hard to grant passage to the living world? Or do you not value your lives? I said harshly, pointing at Lingtong: There are two officials here. I can't manage, but I can leave Chen Dahan half-dead. As for Lingtong, why don't I just kill him for a snack?

As soon as I said this, Xijun bared her teeth, ready to eat Lingtong. She had eaten many minor ghosts but had never tasted an official, eager to try.

Oh no! Lord Xia! No, I don't want to die! Please don't eat me! Officials of the Twenty-Four Departments! Save me! Don't let me die! Uncle! Save your nephew! I really don't want to die! Lingtong, hearing that I would eat him, immediately fell to the ground, bowing to me and the others. His previous arrogance was long gone.

The faces of the officials were grim. Lingtong was a minor official in the city hall, and his death wouldn't cause a big wave, but it would be disheartening to see him die in front of them. Many ghost souls from the city hall were watching nearby.

Moreover, the Punishment Department was among the top three in the Twenty-Four Departments, and the official was Lingtong's cousin. Letting his cousin die would be like breaking his own bones, so they found it difficult to handle.

Ling Zhiying, the head of the Punishment Department, looked like Lingtong, with a fierce appearance. I didn't believe he was much better than Lingtong. How different could cousins be? They were all of the same ilk.

Ling Zhiying! Your department was the loudest in demanding action. Now that your cousin is in trouble, are you going to wait for the city hall lord? I won't be responsible if your cousin dies!

That's right, give them an answer quickly. They might get desperate and start biting ghosts!

Ling Zhiying gritted his teeth, glared at Lingtong, and looked at the Golden Lock General: General, I don't understand military matters. What do you think?

I'll be damned! If I understood, why would I call you here? My brother has been taken by that guy. If you can't save him, I'll kill you first! The Golden Lock General was furious and kicked Ling Zhiying to the ground.

Ling Zhiying, kicked to the ground, pointed at the Golden Lock General and shouted: You dare to hit me! The city hall lord will strip you of your position when he arrives!

Strip my position? I'll kill you first!

I found this amusing. It's like a scholar meeting a soldier; reason is useless. In critical moments, the Punishment Department can't handle the city guards.

Just as the drama was unfolding, the city hall lord arrived with a grand procession. The number of ghost soldiers and generals he brought was overwhelming. I was surprised to see such a large force in a small county.

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