Burning (Seeking Collection!)

The next day, noon.

The sun overhead was scorching, the time when yang energy was at its peak, even the thin mist around Black Water Town seemed to dissipate by a third.

On the official road, several fine horses sped along.

"Besides Great General Black Wind, our enemies this time also include Reincarnators!"

Wu Ming reined in his horse before the boundary marker of Black Water Town, saying thoughtfully, "A few newcomers are nothing to fear; now they're either dead or injured, scattered to the winds. Only Tu Yanghao and Zheng Qian remain. One is an Innate martial artist, the other cultivates Daoist magic. They cannot be underestimated..."

Recalling that day, although his surprise attack succeeded, it was only due to catching them off guard, and he and Zheng Qian had held back, neither revealing their full power. His eyes grew distant.

Now, his own side's strengths were almost fully understood. Ling Guhong was a sword cultivator, his martial arts comparable to Innate, perfectly matching Tu Yanghao.

Shan Lan's martial arts were weaker, but she had other trump cards, likely powerful talismans, magic items, or some obscure minor spell she had exchanged for.

It was a pity that the techniques Reincarnators exchanged from the Main God Hall could not be copied. Wu Ming didn't think much of these methods that only possessed techniques but lacked Dao.

The remaining Lin Qizhi was articulate, quick-witted, and possessed an extraordinary demeanor. Unfortunately, the Confucian Righteous Qi he cultivated was not even at the Minor Accomplishment stage, making him useless.

What a shame... If this Lin Qizhi were a great scholar, someone renowned throughout a county, this matter would be simple. A minor town evil god, unable to withstand a single shout. Even a domain would be shattered...

Overall, even with Shan Lan's trump cards, plus Lin Qizhi as a bonus, they could at most deal with Zheng Qian. That would leave Great General Black Wind and his subordinate monsters and ghost soldiers. Am I supposed to handle them all alone?

Wu Ming's face was impassive, but he felt a pang of regret.

Back then, if he had lingered in Black Water Town for a moment, or even visited the Land God temple, he might have received a villainous quest.

The thought of Zhang Zhengyi being worth fifteen hundred points, and even Wu Hong being worth five hundred minor merits, made Wu Ming's mouth water. Not to mention the large number of high officials in the city like the Six Offices, Chief Clerks, and Assistant Magistrates. If he could take them all down at once, the rewards would undoubtedly be incredibly generous!

Of course, Wu Ming wasn't a fool. He understood that greater rewards came with greater risks.

The human power in the entire Black Platform County was terrifying, let alone the Black Terrace City God within it. It wouldn't be easy for Zheng Qian and the others to assassinate even one or two people.

The best-case scenario is that these two are still in the county town, looking for an opportunity to assassinate the County Magistrate, the Patrol Inspector, or someone similar, causing chaos...

Now that Tu Yanghao is heavily injured by me, even with magical healing, his combat power will inevitably be reduced. The longer we delay, the more likely Great General Black Wind is to refine the divine position and ascend to true godhood... When he succeeds, it will be our doom. We cannot delay any longer!

Wu Ming glanced at the few people around him. Seeing Shan Lan and the others with solemn expressions, he knew they understood this principle. Otherwise, they wouldn't have come together. He nodded in agreement.

"Several righteous individuals, we have made arrangements as instructed!"

At this moment, two bailiffs in black clothes walked out from the town, bowing.

Wu Ming looked at them. One had a panicked expression and a worried face, while the other had a square, upright face filled with integrity. It was clear at a glance that they were the unlucky or ostracized members of the yamen's patrol, otherwise, they wouldn't have been assigned this task.

"Very good! Even the emperor doesn't mistreat his soldiers. We won't shortchange you..."

Wu Ming had just completed a job and could still play the part of a rich man. He immediately took out two small five-tael gold ingots and rewarded each of them. This immediately brought a slight smile to the face of the worried one. The other hesitated a couple of times before reluctantly accepting, saying, "We are here to protect the people, not for the reward!"

Wu Ming knew this person was speaking the truth and was someone who got things done.

If not for his sharp edges, he wouldn't have been forced into this situation. Wu Ming asked for their names and learned that one was Zhao Zhu and the other was Wang Er. Both were official constables with yamen positions.

In reality, this kind of suicidal mission was usually undertaken by informal helpers outside the official system. However, the County Magistrate had given the order, and the constable not coming was the limit. The rest had to show some effort.

Without further ado, they arrived at the outskirts of the town and saw a Land God temple. The main door was open, it was quite tidy, and even incense smoke curled upwards, though it felt somewhat eerie.

Several old men emerged from their worship and their expressions changed upon seeing Wu Ming and his group.

"Heh... Even this god has worshippers!"

Lin Qizhi trembled upon seeing this. Wu Ming's expression remained impassive, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes.

The Land God was a god of fortune and virtue, revered by all people and receiving incense offerings.

However, evil gods who disturbed the underworld, released ghosts, and spread fear could also gain reverence and blood sacrifices! Their efficiency was even higher!

In Black Water Town, there were likely many who worshipped out of self-preservation! Power obtained through force was a universal truth! As for the unfortunate Land God from before, how many would remember them?

"Fortunately, we arrived early. Otherwise, with the aid of these incense offerings and wishes, refining the divine position would have been instantaneous!"

Wu Ming waved his hand, "Attack!"

"Wait... What are you doing?"

Several old men, filled with fear, blocked their path.

"Collaborating with evil, pathetic and lamentable! Scram!"

Wu Ming didn't even look at them. With two lashes, he sent the group scattering in all directions, clutching their heads.

At this moment, another group of townspeople gathered around. Their faces were impassive, their eyes dull and lifeless, yet they seemed to hold a mixture of hostility and anticipation.

Wu Ming sneered and took out an official document from his robes, unfurled it, and read aloud: "...Investigating the Land God of Black Water Town for harming the townsfolk and causing immense suffering. By imperial decree, it is ordered to be destroyed!!!"

This document bore the County Magistrate's seal, square and imposing, radiating an indescribable power.

As soon as the words fell, a dull thunderclap seemed to echo in the void, followed by a faint roar, and then silence.

It is noon, and we are acting under the County Magistrate's order. If the opponent were purely a Yao, it would be fine. But since it has usurped the Land God's position, there will be trouble!

Wu Ming, confident in his strategy, immediately said, "Zhao Zhu, Wang Er! What are you waiting for? Go seal the temple!"

Wang Er still had some reservations, but Zhao Zhu loudly agreed and stepped forward.

"Wait... This is the Land God's temple, we can't seal it... we can't seal it..."

"If it's sealed, the Lord will be angry, and we'll all be doomed... Let's go together!"

Instantly, the crowd stirred, a surge of collective emotion rising.

Wu Ming's lips curled into a colder smile.

One person becomes a dragon, three become worms. When trouble truly strikes, everyone wants to shrink back, letting others step forward or sacrifice. But they don't realize everyone thinks this way, and in turn, they are controlled and forced to give up their gains.

And once it becomes a habit over time, they'll anxiously rush to maintain this system, simply because they fear losing more after upheaval. How tragic is this?

"This is the County Magistrate's order. Do you intend to rebel?"

Ling Guhong flickered and appeared before the old man. He lightly tapped the back of the old man's neck, and the old man's eyes immediately rolled back as he fainted.

He was a smart man, understanding that what needed to be done now was to cut the Gordian knot quickly. Otherwise, if it festered, it would be unwise for a mere few to fight against the 'public opinion' of the entire town.

"Disperse!"

Public sentiment is as hard as iron, and official law is like a furnace. The common folk fear officials; this is an eternal truth.

With the instigators quickly suppressed, the townspeople, facing the county constables, cowered and dared not step forward.

"Hmph! Evil sacrifices harm people!"

Zhao Zhu snorted coldly at this. He glanced at the statue in the Land God temple, saw a faint, swirling light flash, and his heart tightened. He steadied himself, strode forward, but did not enter. He directly closed the door and affixed two seals, each bearing a bright red official stamp, making them particularly conspicuous.

"Mission accomplished!"

Seeing this, Wu Ming finally laughed heartily: "Shan Lan, Ling Guhong, quickly, let's burn this temple together!"

The Land God temple received worship. It was possible it contained a domain. Ordinary ghosts and spirits dared not come out at noon, but within a domain, it was hard to say. This was a revelation from the Black Terrace City God.

But now, by directly sealing and then burning the temple, no matter how many spirits, ghosts, or traps were arranged, they would all be reduced to dust!

"We've been ready for a while!"

Shan Lan smiled. She and Ling Guhong took off their water skins, quickly doused the Land God temple, and then struck a fire starter, throwing it onto the temple.

WHOOSH!

Terrifying flames immediately surged. It turned out the water skins were filled not with water, but with fuel.

The great fire raged. Amidst the crimson light, screams could be heard, and a burnt, foul odor wafted over. One didn't know how many things were inside.

"It's... over just like that?"

Lin Qizhi looked incredulous. "If it were this easy, why didn't they... before we arrived?"

"Ordinary minor demons and ghosts would certainly be finished, but Great General Black Wind definitely wouldn't be!"

Wu Ming said with a wry smile, "Not to mention... even if Great General Black Wind were killed, there's still Lord of Black Mountain's backlash, which has far-reaching implications. That's why Black Platform County didn't dare to act rashly. But we are different!"

Lin Qizhi suddenly seemed to understand.

He knew they were all outsiders, with no roots in this place, so they naturally wouldn't fear retaliation.

However, such a brutal method was probably something even the County Magistrate hadn't expected.

Lin Qizhi turned his head and saw that Wang Er and Zhao Zhu also had stunned expressions. Clearly, they hadn't expected Wu Ming and his group to be so thunderous, decisive, and ruthless once they decided to act!

"Squeak squeak!"

Suddenly, a loud noise came from within the sea of fire. Two burning doors flew out, followed by a large mass of furry black shadow, with protruding fangs, sharp claws, and a long tail trailing flames. It was covered in a layer of black and white light, quite mysterious.

As this beast emerged, the flames on its body extinguished. Its wine-cup-sized green eyes stared at Wu Ming and his group, radiating hatred. It suddenly spoke human words: "You dare to ruin my great plan, how audacious!"

"Is that the Land God?"

"A... a monster!"

A group of people was instantly terrified: "So our Land God was actually a rat... a rat demon?"