Emergency: Water Ghost Invasion

Chapter 29: Emergency Situation, Water Ghost Invasion

Chapter 29: Emergency Situation, Water Ghost Invasion

In a land spanning several counties, martial experts gathered in the Prefecture City. Under the command of the Prefecture City Inspector, they were to jointly exterminate the Water Ghost den.

But who would have expected that mere days after the many experts left their homes, these dozens of docks would fall victim.

Unbeknownst to them, in just a moment's time, an astonishing number of Water Ghosts surged onto the dozens of docks in Changhe County. Concealed by the fog, they silently clung to the slippery riverbanks.

Within the mist, the silhouettes of hundreds of humanoid figures gradually advanced towards the streets. The populace scattered, and immense panic began to spread.

At the County Yamen, Huang Shanqing's face was deathly pale. He stumbled over the threshold, practically tumbling into the main hall.

"What is it?" The head constable, Wang Tianxiong, was still seated properly. Seeing Huang Shanqing's panicked state, he couldn't help but chuckle. "What happened to make you look like this?"

The County Yamen was located on Changxing Street, at least a kilometer or two away from the docks. Huang Shanqing had run back without stopping the moment he first saw the Water Ghosts.

"Boss, n-no... it's bad... Water Ghosts..." Huang Shanqing, his face ashen, gasped for breath.

Under Wang Tianxiong's suspicious gaze, he finally managed to catch his breath and cried out hoarsely, "The Water Ghosts have come ashore!"

"Damn it!" Wang Tianxiong shot to his feet, grabbing the saber at his side. He roared at the idly loafing yamen runners along the way, "Grab your weapons and follow me, we're killing Water Ghosts!"

It wasn't just the County Yamen. Within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the remaining martial artists in the county had, as if by flock, converged near the docks.

The fog was so thick it almost completely obscured several docks. Countless grayish-green figures emerged from the white mist, their skeletons gaunt, their faces like crumpled paper.

Li Zhiming's expression was tense. He quickly issued an order, "Follow me and fight our way through. First, we'll rescue the surviving civilians from the docks!"

The docks were crucial to the Li Family's grand enterprise, built over generations. If they suffered heavy losses due to the Water Ghosts, leading to the suffering of the people...

The consequences were imaginable. Neither the county nor the prefecture would grant them another opportunity to manage river transport!

"Kill them!"

Li Zhiming charged forward, his Blood Essence almost solidifying. The long saber in his hand continuously whipped up gusts of wind, each strike accurately beheading a Water Ghost.

The other Li Family patrolmen and retainers followed closely, finishing off any Water Ghosts with remaining life along the way, leaving behind severed limbs and broken bodies.

Several martial artists formed groups, following Head Patrolman Li's example, clearing out the Water Ghosts emerging from the fog.

However, upon contact, many discovered that something was amiss.

Huang Shanqing, wielding a cow-tail saber, relied on his recently breakthrough Minor Accomplishment Blood Essence. He spotted a terrifying grayish-green Water Ghost, raised his saber, and charged.

Clang!

Sparks flew as the saber met its mark. With all his might, his cow-tail saber became stuck fast in the Water Ghost's shoulder blade.

Huang Shanqing's face paled in panic. He twisted the saber handle with all his strength, but it was still no match for the Water Ghost's forward momentum. He watched as its foul-smelling maw was about to tear into him.

Boom!

Wang Tianxiong suddenly burst from the fog and smashed a heavy fist into the Water Ghost's head. Under the immense force, its skull instantly exploded.

Purple blood splattered across Huang Shanqing's face. He swallowed, his voice trembling, "Th-thank you, boss."

In this initial clash, many suffered similar fates. Not only were there cries for help from within the fog, but also the pained shouts of martial artists.

Although these Water Ghosts appeared clumsy on land, they used the cover of the fog and their humanoid forms to emerge from unexpected corners.

The remaining martial artists from various factions were mostly in the First Level of training, and in their haste, most suffered heavy losses.

"These Water Ghosts can only be killed by decapitation; their skin is impervious to ordinary blades and spears!"

Just as the martial artists began to show signs of collapse, individuals from the four great families stepped forward. Leading the charge was a white-haired old man from Guo's Pharmacy.

His elegant robes were already stained with purple blood. The world once knew him only as a renowned doctor at the pharmacy, addressing him as Doctor Song.

Seeing his Third Stage Training Grand Accomplishment Blood Essence and the half-man-sized cleaver in his hand, which he wielded with formidable power, the martial artists he had treated were stunned.

One strike took down two or three Water Ghosts. After rescuing others, Doctor Song, finding a moment of respite, exuded confidence and began directing the others.

"Spread out, maintain your formation. Wait for these Water Ghosts to emerge from the fog, then at least three of you must work together to kill one!"

The small courtyard with stone walls was located near the western edge of Changhe County. It was quite a distance from the docks, and life there continued as usual. However, the panic had spread with the arrival of several messengers.

Lin Mo was teaching his apprentices basic stances as usual. Xu Changfeng and the others were out fighting Water Ghosts. Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.

"Patrolman Lin, something terrible has happened!"

A young servant from the Li Family rushed in to report. Upon seeing Lin Mo, he ran straight to him, barely able to catch his breath before blurting out the news.

"Dozens of Li Family docks have been invaded by Water Ghosts! Head Patrolman Li has already taken his men to the scene. He sent us, the Li Family servants, to notify martial artists from all sides to jointly defend against the enemy."

"Alright, I'm going now!"

Lin Mo turned around and instructed the apprentices present, "You all stay here. Absolutely do not go over there to play the hero. These Water Ghosts are not something you can handle."

With that, Lin Mo circulated his Blood Essence and, in a few swift steps, rushed towards the docks like the wind.

It wasn't just him, Lin Mo. Many martial artists living in the western part of Changhe County only learned of the news now. They grabbed their weapons and headed towards the docks one or two at a time.

If the docks were lost, it wouldn't just be the Li Family that would suffer, but also their wives and children!

"To have dozens of docks fall in an instant... how many Water Ghosts are there? Hundreds? Thousands?"

Lin Mo sprinted with all his might, his expression solemn, and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

He had once led the young strong men of the village to eliminate Water Ghosts, but that was only a small group, at most thirty or so, and they had the advantage of traps and terrain.

Although this Water Ghost looked emaciated, its rib cage clearly visible, it was incredibly tough once encountered...

"Martial Artists who have just entered First Level probably aren't enough. You'd need at least Minor Accomplishment in First Level, or even Major Accomplishment, to exploit its weakness."

As this thought crossed his mind, the sounds of fighting reached his ears from afar. The Water Ghosts had already crossed the dock and surged into the streets.

In Changhe County, no less than three to four hundred Martial Artists had joined the battle, but they could barely maintain the current situation. The battlefield had become a stalemate, and some civilians were even trapped before they could escape.

Suddenly, a shrill cry for help rang out.

"Help... Help me..."

Outside a tailor shop, less than ten square meters in size, which was already mostly ruined, three to five Water Ghosts were gathered. Lin Mo peered through the gaps in the wooden planks and saw a mother and daughter huddled inside.

Li Hao stood outside the door, his long saber slashing at the Water Ghosts. However, each strike left only white marks, at most a few streaks of purple blood.

"Damn it, why are these Water Ghosts so tough..."

His gaze flickered towards the entrance. Seeing the wooden door about to shatter, he grew more anxious. "Save them, let me save them..."

Swish!

A figure, agile as a monkey, leaped forward. A series of ripping sounds followed in quick succession, and Water Ghost heads flew into the air.

Li Hao's pupils suddenly widened. "Thank..."

Before the word "thank" could leave his lips, he saw the person's face.

"Lin Mo, is that you?"