Great Battle

"Don't you see? Your Land God is actually a monster! Why aren't you running?!"

Wu Ming dismounted and quickly said to Zhao Zhu and the other official, "You two officers can stop here. From now on, it's more important to lead the townspeople to escape for their lives!"

As he spoke, he thrust the horse reins into Zhao Zhu's hands.

Wang Er dazedly took them. Together with Zhao Zhu, they mounted their horses and fled with the townspeople for their lives.

"This is..."

Shan Lan saw the townspeople, first stunned, then scattering in a panic. The rat demon, as large as a yellow ox, had its black and white light flickering erratically, letting out miserable cries. She couldn't help but fall into thought.

"The Land God position is where the faith of all people converges. The God of Fortune and Virtue receives devotees, while evil gods receive the awe-inspiring Blood Food. Both are acceptable... but now, it's like pulling the rug out from under..."

Lin Qizhi and the others saw Zhao Zhu and Wang Er rushing the people away on horseback and seemed to understand. "Now... attacking the Land God in front of the townspeople, burning the temples, causing his prestige to be greatly damaged, and then dispersing the townspeople to rush elsewhere, can be described as pulling the rug out from under!"

After all, whether revered or feared, the main body needs people.

Now that the entire Black Water Town was empty, what could be done?

However, doing this truly sowed deep trouble. Perhaps all the townspeople would resent them. If they jointly reported it, Wu Ming and his group would not be able to bear the consequences.

Wu Ming smiled at this and said to the rat demon, "You now bear a divine position, failing Heaven and Earth, and carrying resentment power, yet you have no Incense Wish Power to supplement and suppress it. You still want to refine a divine seat?"

At this moment, the giant rat could be seen screaming continuously, the black and white light on its body flickering non-stop. The black gradually seemed to be like spots, devouring and overwhelming the white.

"Take advantage of the backlash to get rid of this fiend!"

Wu Ming shouted, and he, Shan Lan, and Ling Guhong were about to pounce.

Solving the Black Water Town Land God was that simple!

But it also depended on who did it.

Even the Black Platform County Magistrate, Zhang Zhengyi, could not relocate a town's residents... This meant at least ten thousand mu of fertile land to resettle, and the consumption of one hundred thousand taels of silver! Otherwise, there would be grievances, and even backlash. How could the county possibly have so much money? Even if it did, it would be reluctant to pay that price.

But Wu Ming was different. Unscrupulous, he had the courage to change the world, to smash everything and start over.

If not for the lack of manpower and insufficient ability to command subordinates, he could have simply burned Black Water Town with a fire, and it would have been over and done with. Perhaps it could have even affected innocent bystanders and caught Zheng Qian and the others in one net, which would have been a great good.

'Of course, if Wu Hong knew I did this, he would probably regret it to death!'

What would Zhang Zhengyi's expression be like when driving away thousands of refugees to the county?

If he had known earlier that Wu Ming was so audacious, he would have probably arrested and imprisoned him immediately, executing him as a formality, right?

"Be careful... don't let it escape!"

Wu Ming flicked his hand, and an iron chain flew out horizontally, coiling like an evil flood dragon. True Qi was infused into it, making a hissing sound.

The key to this battle was still killing Great General Black Wind!

If he was killed, Black Water Town would be safe, and afterwards, the townspeople could be resettled, and peace restored.

But if it escaped, then there would truly be never-ending days, and the Main Quest would be somewhat uncertain.

Not to mention, this rat demon represented a full thousand merit points!

Whoosh!

Amidst the flashing cold glint, a sword light, like thunder, suddenly appeared, beating Wu Ming to it.

It was Ling Guhong!

This was the first time Wu Ming had seen this person's inseparable, cherished long sword drawn from its sheath. He immediately felt a cold light rush towards him.

Within the three feet of blue light, he saw that the sword had an ancient appearance, with a serpent swallowing its mouth. The sword edge gleamed faintly, and in the middle, there were magic patterns and a blood groove.

"Monster, die!"

Ling Guhong became one with his sword. The long sword in his hand flexed and bent agilely, blooming with radiance inch by inch, directly attacking the rat demon's vital throat.

Screech!

Little did the rat demon know that it moved like the wind. Although it was still under the backlash, it lowered its head, and Ling Guhong's long sword scratched across its back, bringing up sparks and tearing open a long gash, blood splattering!

"Mortal! I swear, I will surely kill you all, skin you and dismember you, before I can vent the hatred in my heart!"

The rat demon roared. The black light on its body finally completely overwhelmed the white. It let out a sudden scream, and a white light was forced out from within its body, falling to the ground.

But at this moment, neither Wu Ming, Shan Lan, nor Ling Guhong could examine it closely.

Because the instant this white light was forced out, the aura on the rat demon's body suddenly stabilized. A foul wind, carrying black energy, rushed towards them.

"You ruined my divine position and killed my descendants. If this revenge is not taken, I swear I will not live!"

The giant rat's size was three points larger. It actually stood on its hind legs, its fur mottled and scorched in appearance. Its eyes, however, emitted ferocity and malice.

Swish!

In an instant, the giant rat turned into a black shadow, carrying a sharp gale, and instantly pounced.

Wu Ming's iron chain shook in his hand. He immediately felt a great force transmitted, and couldn't help but let go and retreat, his expression ugly. "This speed and strength are at least equivalent to a Martial Artist of External Gang..."

A scream came from beside him. Shan Lan clutched her shoulder, blood dripping.

And although Ling Guhong had the highest martial skill, he also received the special attention of Great General Black Wind. He retreated three steps, his face pale. Looking at the long sword in his hand, his eyes showed deep heartache. "My 'Golden Wind'..."

Wu Ming, noticing the two clear tooth marks on the sword body, his expression changed repeatedly.

"Hee hee... It seems to be a spirit sword too. Otherwise, it wouldn't have retained its form from under this great general's teeth!"

Great General Black Wind laughed wildly, his sharp teeth gleaming coldly.

"Ah!"

Just then, a scream came from beside them.

Wu Ming was startled and saw the scholar Lin Qizhi lying in a pool of blood, still holding an object that gleamed with white light.

Tu Yanghao and Zheng Qian walked out with sinister grins and picked up the item: "How audacious, kid! You actually coveted a divine object. You deserve to die!"

"You actually went this far! You almost made me capsize!"

Zheng Qian's expression turned grim. A small black banner appeared in his hand. As he waved it, a black mist immediately materialized, spreading over ten zhang. Within it, the sound of iron armor dragging could be vaguely heard, and numerous phantoms appeared, their faces pale and eyes like fire.

"Tu Yanghao and Zheng Qian are indeed here. This is truly the worst-case scenario..."

Shan Lan, Wu Ming, and Ling Guhong approached, exchanging bitter smiles.

Shan Lan first looked at Zheng Qian's side, then at the two beside them, and whispered, "We're all grasshoppers on the same rope now, so I'll be frank. My trump card is a lightning talisman. As long as I can delay for some time, I can severely injure this monster!"

"I have a secret technique that can consume my essence at the cost of increasing my combat power by thirty percent!" Ling Guhong also said.

"As for me..."

Wu Ming smiled faintly, and colorful talismans appeared in his hand.

"Vajra Talisman!"

"Demon Breaking Talisman!"

"Sha Expelling Talisman!"

Layer upon layer of buffing light appeared on the three of them, even dispersing the surrounding black mist.

"So many talismans? Could it be that you, Wu Ming, are a Daoist who specifically cultivates the art of talismans?"

Shan Lan's pupils contracted slightly. Even Zheng Qian and the other on the opposite side had their expressions change.

"Please trouble Brother Ling and Sister Shan Lan to deal with the Rat Demon. Leave these two to me!"

Wu Ming, with a Ghost Dispelling Pill hanging from his arm, drew his peach wood sword and came before Zheng Qian and Tu Yanghao.

Zheng Qian's eyelids immediately twitched: "I didn't expect... you would actually redeem so many evil-warding items. But how can you contend with my ghost soldiers?"

"I also didn't expect that the configuration originally prepared for the Land God's ghost army would fall upon you..."

Wu Ming chuckled, "Shouldn't I say to you... your fate is sealed!"

"Your fate is sealed!"

Zheng Qian shouted loudly, waving his small banner. Layer upon layer of ghost soldiers charged forward, fierce and malevolent.

Bang!

Golden light flashed brightly on Wu Ming, and two ghost soldiers were sent flying. At the same time, his peach wood sword was infused with True Qi, and after a few chops, several more fierce ghosts dispersed.

"Hah! Take my palm strike!"

In an instant, from within the ghost horde, a black figure attacked again. Tu Yanghao's expression was stern as he struck down with a single palm, a fierce wind assaulting Wu Ming.

"Iron Sand Palm? Old Tu, your skill has regressed!"

Wu Ming laughed as he also struck out with a palm. Their True Qi connected, and Tu Yanghao retreated three steps, his expression changing greatly: "Innate?!"

"After losing to you last time, I gained some insight!"

Wu Ming pressed his advantage, directly pointing out Tu Yanghao's weakness. He suddenly flew up, like a flying eagle pouncing on a sheep, his hands forming claws and attacking successively: "Thirteen Eagle Claw Strikes!"

Tu Yanghao had been defeated by this move before. Although he had studied hard to find a way to break it, Wu Ming had already advanced to the Innate realm, making it different this time. He only felt a great force attacking him, the claw wind assailing his face, causing the shadow of their last encounter to resurface in his mind.

"Shock!"

At the same time, a talisman on Wu Ming's body burned. A flash of golden light erupted, and amidst the vibration, the surrounding ghost soldiers all paused.

Tu Yanghao's eyes also showed a momentary daze, and then he saw two fingers getting closer and closer.

"Not good!"

This was the only thought in his mind, and then he screamed as Wu Ming's two fingers pierced his brain, killing him beyond death.

"Tu Yanghao is dead. Next, it's your turn!"

Wu Ming, with blood and brain matter on his hands, gazed at Zheng Qian, but suddenly smiled.

"Damn it! Trash is indeed trash. What a waste of all my spirit pills..."

Zheng Qian cursed inwardly. His peripheral vision caught sight of Shan Lan and Ling Guhong working together, struggling to withstand Great General Black Wind's stormy assault. His heart settled again: "...How many talismans do you have left on you?"

"You don't need to worry about that!"

Wu Ming snorted coldly and suddenly raised his hand. The sachet containing the Ghost Dispelling Pills flew out and exploded in mid-air. The black mist immediately dispersed, and numerous ghosts screamed and retreated.

Taking this opportunity, he charged forward rapidly, directly at Zheng Qian.

"Haha... Ran out of tricks, didn't you?"

This scene fell into Zheng Qian's eyes, naturally a sign that Wu Ming's resources were exhausted and his talismans were used up. He couldn't help but feel reassured and chanted an incantation.

The ghosts roared, black energy appearing on their bodies, turning into weapons, their gazes becoming even more frenzied.

At the same time, a few seeds on the ground broke through the soil, quickly turning into dark green vines, carrying thorns, coiling over like venomous snakes.

"This is the moment!"

A cold glint flashed in Wu Ming's eyes. He suddenly lunged out, another Ghost Dispelling Pill in hand flying and exploding.

The explosive force of the two Ghost Dispelling Pills immediately caused even the most ferocious ghosts to retreat.

Wu Ming soared across the sky, a two-zhang leap, coming before Zheng Qian and stabbing towards his throat with a sword.