Chapter 29

"... When the rooster crows for the first time, no matter what happens inside or how critical the situation is, you must not listen anymore and must come to find me. I will send you back to your body within the time it takes for a stalk of millet to fall..."

In the countryside, it is said that the rooster is the bird of the sun, also known as the phoenix chick, and ghosts fear the rooster's crow. One crow of the rooster makes the ghost shrink a foot, and the light brightens... But that's not true!

Even if Mo Xiao hadn't mentioned this, Zunbao would still remember his master's instructions. Whether it's out-of-body travel, wandering soul, exploring the netherworld, visiting the underworld, ghost gatherings, the seventh day, ancestor worship, or spirit possession... he must remember to return to his body before the rooster crows three times, otherwise, with the change of day and night, the soul will not be able to return to the body!

Hearing the rooster's crow, he became extremely anxious, wanting to rush out and escape from this place. But somehow, that flame seemed to have a strange force pulling his soul, making him unable to move, let alone rush out!

Even more terrifying was the tassel-like gold canopy that appeared above his head, like a living eye staring at him. The flame changed according to his will—Zunbao believed that if he made the slightest movement, the one rolling on the ground would not be that hideous ghost, but himself!

Is the refining of ghosts and burning of souls determined by the amount of resentment?

But even if it's not aimed at him now, once that ghost's soul is scattered, wouldn't it be his turn next? — He must escape, he must rush out now!

Zunbao, having made up his mind, did not delay. He clenched his teeth, raised his hand, and fiercely formed a finger sword, shouting Mo Xiao's name: "Bind the three worlds of heaven! Summon! Mo Xiao! Command! Order!"

He knew his magic power was not enough to summon the second palace's ghost judge, but Mo Xiao was clearly nearby and knew his whereabouts, so he wouldn't just ignore him, right?

But what he didn't expect was—

After reciting once, there was no response, and instead, the flame suddenly surged toward him!

Whoosh! Bang! Bang! Bang!

It came quickly, and he dodged hastily. The pain that grazed him felt like being cut by a knife or pricked by a needle, cutting deeply into his heart!

His soul almost scattered!

Zunbao leaned back, barely avoiding the wave of flying fire, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat—both from pain and fear. His face twisted and deformed, and he involuntarily fell to the ground!

Heaven! Mo Xiao didn't come, but why did he provoke this thing?

Whoosh!

There was no time to think!

The thought had just flashed through his mind when the flame flew over again, about to burn Zunbao to ashes in the ethereal fire...

"Whoosh—Chi Wu Ding, Wo Jiao Shi, San Hua Yuan, Ji!"

The voice, as if coming from the ninth heaven, was ethereal and distant, yet clear and distinct. Each word appeared in Zunbao's ears with perfect clarity, like a cool, refreshing stream pouring over his head...

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

Like a candle appearing in the middle of a foggy night, instantly dispelling the darkness and misfortune, the flame suddenly retracted, as if a burned tentacle!

Everything around quickly returned to normal!

Zunbao felt a blank in his mind, a buzzing in his ears, and in a half-dream, half-awake state, he saw a figure moving in front of him, vaguely familiar...

He forced a smile, "Uncle Mo Xiao, you came..."

The world spun, and he murmured a few words before collapsing!

***

"Wake up, wake up!"

Zunbao exclaimed and jumped up from the bed, opening his eyes to see that he was in the inn bed—Feng San was rubbing his head and shaking him, saying, "Get up, get up, there's a lot to do today..."

"How did I end up here?" Zunbao looked at his hands in panic, then checked his clothes and shoes... Everything was exactly the same as before he went to sleep, with no changes at all.

"Where else would you be?" Feng San looked at him with a puzzled expression, then checked to make sure everything was fine before disdainfully picking his nose, "The way you talk! People might think you went out in the middle of the night! Tell me, did you have a wet dream? That's normal! I used to..."

"No!" Zunbao said urgently, "I left my body last night and saw a murder, a bang and the person's head exploded! I also saw a human sacrifice, it was so tragic..." He tried to recall the night's events, "Uh, it seems someone told me something..."

"Really?" Feng San, after picking his nose, sat on the bed and started picking his toes, "You didn't recite any spells or use any magic, how did you leave your body? Don't think I don't know anything when I'm asleep. I can tell how many drops of urine you pee, let alone if you recited spells and left your body—You must have been dreaming!"

"No, no," Zunbao's mind gradually recalled Mo Xiao's image, becoming clearer and clearer—suddenly he shouted, "I remember! It wasn't a dream, Uncle Mo Xiao pulled me out!"

"Huh? Are you sure it wasn't a dream?" Feng San, mentioning Mo Xiao, started to believe him, so he coughed, "Come on, let me see if there are any marks on your eyelids..."

"It's too late!" Zunbao, with a pale face, jumped off the boat, pulled up his pants, and put on his shoes, "Something happened! Something big happened! We must go back immediately, there's something very important to tell the master..."

"Wait!" Feng San grabbed him, "You haven't bought anything today, and you want to go back? Who knows if you're just fooling me?—Come, flip up your upper eyelid, if you really left your body, then we'll talk!"

Zunbao reluctantly threw down his shoe and walked over to flip his eyelid—there were blue blood vessels and black spots, like sesame seeds sprinkled on green vegetables.

This finally convinced him.

Although Zunbao didn't explain the reason, his pale face made Feng San believe him. They quickly packed their things and rushed out of the room, heading for the outskirts of the city.

After walking for a few miles, they saw dust rising on the road ahead. Looking closer, they saw a group of soldiers running forward, about thirty to fifty men, all armed with knives and guns, heading straight for Huangliang Ridge!

In front, a rickshaw was bumping along the uneven muddy road.

Feng San swallowed hard!

As the saying goes, "People fear thieves, and thieves fear soldiers; one thing relies on another." Feng San, who usually avoided officials and soldiers, felt uneasy when he encountered them. Adding to this, Zunbao had already told him the gist of the matter, making him even more uncomfortable...

But there was no other way, only this road led to their destination, and they had no choice but to follow it!

The soldiers occupied the main road, so everyone else had to follow behind. However, no one showed any reluctance; most were smiling—these merchants and caravans were glad to have the army along, some even skipped meals to follow, just to avoid bandits and robbers. Feng San and Zunbao, however, felt uneasy.

The rickshaw was out of sight, and only the soldiers were trudging along.

Following them for about half the distance, the soldiers began to rest and eat. The merchants and caravans naturally stopped as well. Taking advantage of the quiet, Feng San suddenly whipped the old donkey to try to get ahead of the group...

"You! Stop, get down!"

Just as he reached the side of the army, someone shouted. Feng San looked up to see the adjutant waving a whip at him. He had no choice but to stop and smile, "Sir, what do you need?"

The adjutant laughed a few times and took out a silver dollar, tossing it in his hand, "I've been walking for so long, I'm exhausted. I finally see an empty cart—wait, don't run, I'll ride in your cart, and I'll reward you afterward!"

Feng San naturally refused, "Sir, I can't, my mother is sick, I need to get back, I can't afford to delay..."

"Whoosh!" Three rifles were raised, the black barrels pointing directly at Feng San. Before he could react, a soldier cursed, "Your mother! Do you mean you won't let us rest? Fine, I'll give you a hole, and you can drive the cart yourself..."

Feng San broke out in a cold sweat, hastily explaining, "Sir, no, that's not what I meant..."

"Ah!" The adjutant coughed and raised his hand, the three rifles immediately lowered—"You brats, didn't you hear him? He has something at home! Can't you be considerate?"

He turned to Feng San with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll make them hurry, it won't take long... okay?"

That "okay" sounded like a plea!

Feng San had no choice but to nod, "Since you say so, Sir, I'll wait—But I really have something at home, please be understanding!"

The adjutant covered his mouth and laughed, "I know, I know—Hey, hurry up, eat and drink, and get up. When we get there, there will be plenty of women and warm beds, much better than this desolate place!"

He got into the cart, not sitting with Zunbao at the back, but next to Feng San at the front... He leaned against Feng San's shoulder, seemingly on purpose and not on purpose.

Whispers and giggles rose among the soldiers, and Feng San vaguely heard some phrases and laughter...

"... Good luck..." "... Handsome, better than women..." "... Tight, really tight..."

The adjutant's words were effective, and in less than a moment, the soldiers were ready and started moving again. On the way, the adjutant kept chatting with Feng San, his tone gentle and friendly, not like a military man, but like a virtuous woman.

His eyes were full of charm, and his hand kept touching Feng San...

Feng San was no longer afraid, but felt a growing sense of disgust!