Chapter 33

Let's go back eight hours...

In the early morning, white mist still lingered among the mountains, and the cold, fresh air carried a chill that drifted over the town. Luo Zihan had already woken up early. He stood by the window, gazing at the distant mountains. His military attire made his stern face look handsome and solemn, as if the cold in his heart was even more piercing than the morning chill.

Because he was going to kill someone today!

Luo Zihan was not as simple-minded and impulsive as Hongqi Wuge. Before setting out, he had already questioned everyone from the Brotherhood Society who had been to the City God Temple about the situation at the time. He then sought out some local gentry, ruffians, fortune-tellers, and geomancers in Rongcheng, carefully collecting and categorizing all the legends, stories, and strange tales about the City God Temple. Although he didn't know what secrets it held, he had heard of the White Lotus Sect's recent activities in the south, so he decided to start his investigation at Huangliang Ridge.

Not for any other reason, but to prepare the legendary items to dispel evil, such as rooster blood, black dog blood, human feces, and child urine!

He took a deep breath, letting the cold air swirl in his lungs, and the unease in his heart gradually subsided—this was exactly the feeling he was looking for!

At this moment, he was like a hungry wolf ready to pounce and tear his opponent to pieces!

His eyes showed a determination and resolve that was indescribable—killing, just like drawing a sword!

Luo Zihan turned and opened the door. Before the guards could greet him, he said, "Order—gather the soldiers, prepare the weapons!"

The two guards at the door snapped to attention and saluted, responding, "Yes! Gather the soldiers, prepare the weapons!" One of them immediately ran downstairs and into the courtyard, where he took out a whistle and blew it loudly!

He shouted, "The young general orders, all gather! The young general orders, all gather..."

Luo Zihan usually maintained strict discipline in his troops. As soon as the whistle blew, the rooms downstairs were filled with the sounds of soldiers getting dressed. They rushed out of their rooms and ran around the courtyard, heading to the latrines, water barrels, and kitchen... More often, it was the squad leaders kicking and dragging their men out of bed:

"Get up, damn it!" "Hurry up, stop dawdling!" ...

Three squad leaders quickly dressed and ran upstairs, standing at attention and waiting for orders... Just as Luo Zihan was about to speak, he sensed something was off. A moment later, he realized—his adjutant, Liu Guodong, was nowhere to be seen!

Seeing the displeasure in Luo Zihan's eyes, a squad leader who was a member of the Brotherhood Society quickly stepped forward and said, "Young master, that little bee went out last night and probably didn't expect you to wake up so early, so he's delayed... Don't worry, I'll send someone to find him right away..."

He shouted downstairs, "Hey, Xiao Dongbei! Take a few men and bring back Adjutant Liu!"

"Yes!" A few guards immediately grabbed some steamed buns and rushed out.

"That good-for-nothing, he chases after men like a fly to shit!" Luo Zihan shook his head slightly. "Forget it, note down ten lashes, and we'll deal with it when we get back—everyone, follow the plan and prepare, we'll set out in an hour!"

"Yes!" They stomped their feet, stood at attention, and responded in unison!

Seeing the squad leaders go to prepare, Luo Zihan slowly walked downstairs. A table was already set with millet porridge, steamed buns, pickled vegetables, braised meat, and phoenix chicken. He sat down and picked up a bowl, just about to take a bite—

"Young master! Young master, something's wrong..." A young soldier suddenly burst in, his face pale and crying, "Something's wrong! Young master, something's wrong..."

"Slap! Slap!"

Before he could reach Luo Zihan, the squad leader from the Brotherhood Society had already rushed over and slapped him twice, making his eyes water with stars!

He shouted, "What the hell! Can't you speak properly in the morning? If you can't, get out and think about it before coming back!"

The young soldier, holding his face, was stunned for a moment before realizing he had committed a taboo. He then said pitifully, "Brother, I really..."

"Brother my ass! Call me captain!" The squad leader immediately scolded him, "You've been with the young master for a while now, why don't you follow the rules? No matter what, you shouldn't speak like that, or you'll get more whippings!"

"I'm wrong, I'm wrong, really, I'm wrong," the young soldier slapped himself twice, "My mouth can't speak properly, young master, please don't be angry, don't let it affect your health... But, something really bad has happened!"

"Hmm?" Luo Zihan knew the temper of these rough men from the Brotherhood Society. If it wasn't something serious, they wouldn't be so shaken. He frowned slightly, "I won't blame you for the taboo. Speak quickly, what's the matter?"

The young soldier pointed outside and continued to wail, "Adjutant Liu, Adjutant Liu has been attacked..."

Luo Zihan slammed his bowl and chopsticks on the table, his eyes blazing, "Which gang did this, daring to touch my men? Tell me, how is the little bee?"

He gestured and replied, "Adjutant Liu took a young man out last night for some fun. The men downstairs thought everything was fine, but this morning when we went to wake him up, we found something was wrong! When we broke the door open, we saw Adjutant Liu tied naked to the bed, a large pool of blood on the floor! His testicles were bruised and swollen like a fist, clearly someone had stomped on them..."

"Really?" Luo Zihan and the squad leaders all drew a sharp breath, "Stomped on?"

The young soldier continued, spitting out his words, "And, Adjutant Liu's anus was also damaged! He couldn't control his bowels or bladder, a two-finger-wide wound was bleeding profusely, mixing with feces and urine all over the floor. The hole... the hole could fit a rolling pin!"

The three squad leaders looked at each other, unable to understand what had happened—clearly, the little bee had gone out for fun, but why did it look like he had been deflowered?

Luo Zihan thought for a moment and had an idea. He ordered, "First, send someone to get a doctor for the little bee. Then, investigate if the young man he took out last night is from Huangliang Town—I think he probably isn't." He waved his hand, "Alright, leave two men to guard, the rest continue, don't let other matters delay you."

The young soldier and the squad leaders went to investigate. Luo Zihan picked up another set of chopsticks and bowls, a cold smile on his face, "Not bad, you gave me a warning before I even arrived—impressive! It seems I'll have to kill you all!"

With a crisp sound, the chopsticks and bowl were crushed by his grip!

Luo Zihan ignored other matters, even the little bee, and just ordered his men to prepare all the items like feces, dog blood, and rooster blood, loading them onto the wagons. He then had a large bucket of dog blood and rooster blood, and had his men dip their ammunition belts in it...

He also had the dog blood mixed with mud to form mud balls, which were distributed to each soldier. Ash, cinnabar, rice, and talismans from Rongcheng were also given to everyone.

By noon, everything was ready, the knives were out, and the guns were loaded, the air filled with a killing intent!

"Set out!"

The soldiers marched quickly along the path toward the City God Temple. Luo Zihan rode his horse at the front, his cold face even more severe, his stubble adding a chilling aura.

Sure enough, some merchants revealed that the young man driving the donkey cart seemed to be from the City God Temple.

After leaving Huangliang Ridge, they moved through dense forests. Bandits and outlaws dared not approach such a regular army, so the journey was relatively peaceful, with only the rustling of leaves and the sound of hooves.

These soldiers were usually unruly, indulging in drinking, gambling, and whoring, but once the order was given, they transformed into killing machines—this was the difference between veterans and new recruits.

After walking through the forest for four or five hours, the sky began to darken, but there was no sign of leaving the dense forest. The scenery remained the same—trees, moss, rocks, and leaves, as if they were stuck in one place!

Whispers began to spread among the soldiers, and some started to murmur:

"This isn't right..." "Maybe we're..." "Wrong or..." "Caught in a ghostly maze..."

Luo Zihan also felt something was amiss, so he waved his hand to stop the troops. He looked around and then leaned down to whisper to the squad leader...

The squad leader was initially stunned but gradually understood. He then turned and whispered to the soldiers next to him—soon, the order was passed to every soldier.

Luo Zihan looked into the forest, nodded slightly, and the squad leader pointed to a spot in the forest, shouting, "First squad, first platoon, throw!"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The soldiers suddenly reached for the mud balls soaked in dog blood and threw them!

"First squad, second platoon!"

Swish! Swish! Swish! More mud balls flew!

"Third platoon!"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The other two squad leaders also ordered their men to throw mud balls:

"Second squad, first platoon!" ...

"Third squad, first platoon!" ...

The forest was filled with flying mud balls, covering all directions...

Just as the soldiers were throwing the mud balls, suddenly—

"Bang!"

A gunshot rang out!

Everyone was startled and saw Luo Zihan standing on his horse, the barrel of his pistol still smoking. The fog seemed to clear, and a familiar path gradually became visible.

Not far ahead, a stream of blood was dripping from a tree.

At the spot where the blood first appeared, it seemed to be a tree trunk, but as the blood dripped, the shape gradually became clear, with a head, a tail, and fur...

It was a fox with a spotted coat, agile and majestic!

The fox hung motionless from a branch, with a black hole in its leg, clearly the wound from the bullet!

Luo Zihan grunted, "I've always felt something strange on this journey, as if something was watching me, but I couldn't catch you—don't move! You know what I mean, if you move even a little, I'll shoot you!"

All the gun barrels were immediately aimed at the fox!

The fox made a few squeaks, dragging its injured leg, but it couldn't move. It slowly turned its head to look at Luo Zihan, then took a few heavy breaths, and with a final struggle, it straightened its body and died!

This...?

After a while, the fox remained still, and Luo Zihan finally relaxed. He put away his gun and ordered, "Take the fox down from the tree, and bring it back to make a shawl for Xiaoqing."

Two soldiers obeyed and ran to the tree, forming a human ladder to climb up... The others lowered their guns.

Suddenly! The fox nimbly stood up, then with a powerful leap from the branch, it landed on another tree!

With a few more jumps, it left a trail of blood but disappeared into the depths of the forest!

"Damn fox, you're a demon!" Luo Zihan laughed, "Forget it! If we can't catch you, we won't chase. Let's continue!"

He whipped his horse and led the way, his concern about the City God Temple growing stronger!

This concern was completely unnecessary—just as they emerged from the forest and the City God Temple came into view, he saw...

The City God Temple was engulfed in flames!

In the fire, a broad-robed Taoist was laughing maniacally, singing incomprehensible gibberish, like a madman!

His eyes fixed on Luo Zihan, piercing into his heart—Luo Zihan suddenly felt an indescribable fear!

He was terrified!

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