Unruly

Wang Liulang was highly efficient. Not long after going out, he returned with someone in tow. Fang Ming's eyelid twitched slightly at the sight. Though the man was short and lean, with an unremarkable face, Sha Qi coiled between his brows, making his entire person seem extraordinarily tough and capable, possessed of a bearing all his own. Looking above his head, Fang Ming saw a Life-Bound Qi, red threaded with yellow, standing tall. Half of it had turned translucent yellow and was striving to shine, resisting the gray specks clinging to it.

Fang Ming knew this man was far from ordinary. Even without absorbing human vitality, he would surely survive longer than ordinary ghosts. Fang Ming secretly estimated that if this ghost did nothing at all, he could probably last more than twenty days before vanishing. Unfortunately, he had only a Fate Pattern and no Fortune. His life had therefore been full of twists and turns, likely marked by exclusion, unrecognized talent, and an early death in anger.

The man stepped forward, performed a half-kneeling salute, and said, "This commoner, Xie Jin, pays respects to you, my lord!"

Fang Ming stepped forward to help him up. "No need for such ceremony. Since Hero Xie has come here, you must have something to teach me!"

Once Xie Jin rose, his voice rang out loud and clear. "Xie heard of the Vengeful Ghost and sent one of my brothers to infiltrate his ranks. We have learned some details. That Vengeful Ghost is called Peng Chun, a confidant of Li Black Leopard, the Evil Ghost of Riverside. He arrived here three days ago and has now gathered more than a hundred Ferocious Ghosts. He has also swept up wandering souls, numbering roughly a thousand. His ambitions are immense." Fang Ming nodded. Ferocious Ghosts were ghosts who had eaten humans but had yet to advance into Vengeful Ghosts. They were elite main forces. Peng Chun had also herded over a thousand ordinary ghosts along with him. Clearly, he intended to follow the example of rebel armies driving refugees to assault a city, using ordinary ghosts to wear down the altar's spiritual power and reduce his own losses. Those ordinary ghosts had not committed any great evil; perhaps they could be saved?

He asked, "Does Hero Xie know Peng Chun's location?"

Xie Jin smiled. "Xie is unworthy. I only know the general direction, not his precise location. If we can wait another two or three days, my brother should send further news."

Fang Ming nodded. Knowing the general direction was enough. He possessed the Qi-Reading Divine Art. As long as he knew where to go, he could walk and observe along the way. Where Vengeful Ghosts and Ferocious Ghosts gathered, black Qi would surely coil through the air. Could they possibly escape?

With a plan in mind, a smile appeared on his face. "Hero Xie is outstandingly valiant and carries himself with uncommon bearing. You inspire admiration. I intend to enter the mountains and eliminate bandits, but this concerns the lives of the villagers, so I cannot be careless. Would Hero Xie be willing to lend me a hand?"

"Xie is unworthy, but I am willing to serve at your command!" Xie Jin immediately performed a grand salute. "This subordinate pays respects to my lord!"

Having seen Wang Liulang's transformation, Xie Jin had long harbored this intention. Otherwise, why would he have disclosed the news to Wang Liulang? Why would he have come at a single invitation, answering every question and holding nothing back? Fang Ming was overjoyed. "Xie Jin, do you have any close brothers? Bring them all here. I intend to raise troops and am sorely lacking manpower."

Xie Jin said, "I have more than ten brothers. Every one of them is a first-rate man, but..."

Fang Ming waved a hand. "Speak freely."

"They have all harmed people before, though most were bandits..."

Fang Ming gave an "Mm," rose, and took a few steps. He sneered inwardly. All bandits? He did not believe that for a moment. Heh, where in the world could there be so many thieves? Most of them were probably ordinary villagers.

But what he needed were soldiers and officers. An army's duty was killing and warfare—what did killing a few people amount to? Before joining his command, those men had been driven by the need to survive, and had their reasons. Now that he needed troops and lacked manpower, he could consider accepting them. Of course, once they became his soldiers, military discipline would have to be strict. If they offended again, they would be dragged out and killed, killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.

Having made up his mind, he said, "Bring them all over and let me have a look. If they are warriors, they shall be granted military posts!"

"When this subordinate came, I had already summoned them outside the village to await your orders!" From those words alone, one could see Xie Jin's standing among those men—and the faint hint that he was displaying his strength.

Fang Ming felt slightly displeased. He thought the man was overly calculating, but it was a small matter. These men had been summoned to serve him anyway. Outwardly, he was delighted. "Then I shall go meet them in person!"

The group arrived at an open space outside the village. Along the road, most villagers wore ruddy complexions and happy expressions. In the distance, the fields gleamed gold, the wheat growing splendidly. Villagers could be seen busily harvesting, or hauling carts piled with golden ears of wheat back toward the village. Seeing this scene, Fang Ming could not help feeling rather proud.

Xie Jin, following behind him, could not help saying, "This village's bountiful harvest is largely due to my lord's protection and guidance."

Fang Ming smiled, making a few guesses of his own. In life, Xie Jin had probably not known how to curry favor with his superiors and had suffered exclusion. After death, he had learned his lesson. Unfortunately, he was a novice on the road; his flattery still lacked polish and bore too many marks of deliberate carving. He was far inferior to He Dong, whose skill was much more refined. Still, that was only a minor art, and it was a good sign as well. It showed that Xie Jin was making an effort to draw closer to him, so there was no need to chill the man's heart.

Thus, Fang Ming laughed heartily, patted Xie Jin on the shoulder, and said, "Not at all, not at all. The villagers themselves must be diligent for such a harvest to happen. I merely did my small part." He looked exceedingly cheerful.

As they spoke, the group reached the open ground and saw more than a dozen sturdy men. The moment these men saw Xie Jin, they immediately stood at attention and called out, "Big Brother, you're here!" "Greetings, Big Brother!" It seemed Xie Jin's prestige among them was extremely high, and he held them firmly in hand.

Xie Jin waved a hand, and everyone fell silent. He first saluted Fang Ming, then swept his gaze around and said, "Brothers, I have decided to pledge myself to Lord Fang. Those who wish to keep following me may pay respects to our lord. Those who do not may leave. Let us part on good terms."

Only then did the men notice Fang Ming's group. They saw that Fang Ming had fine features and dark eyes, and that every glance he cast carried considerable authority. More than a dozen armored soldiers followed behind him, all clad in leather armor with longswords at their waists. They stood in two ranks, guarding him on either side, and an open, majestic military aura rushed straight at them. Fang Ming knew that without displaying authority, he might not be able to suppress this lot, so he had ordered Wang Liulang to gather the soldiers and bring them along.

The effect was indeed excellent. These men, who normally feared neither heaven nor earth and respected only their big brother, looked at the guards clad in armor and gripping weapons, then at themselves, empty-handed, and grew nervous. A few even broke into cold sweat. They knew that if a dispute arose and fighting began, not one man on their side would likely survive, while the other side, armored and armed with blades, might lose at most one or two.

For a moment, their spirits were utterly overawed. Xie Jin's cheek twitched. He coughed and said, "What are you all standing around for? Make your choice!" Only then did the men snap awake. One after another, they bowed to Fang Ming. "We pay respects to our lord!"

Fang Ming smiled and accepted their salute. "You are all warriors and may be granted military posts. I hereby appoint you as my Yin Soldiers." After pausing, he ordered, "Xie Jin!"

Xie Jin stepped out and knelt. "Xie Jin is here!"

"I appoint you squad leader, commanding a squad of ten men. Go choose your soldiers first." As soon as these words fell, Fang Ming saw a small mass of white Qi gather above Xie Jin's head, exceptionally stable. Fang Ming nodded. Xie Jin possessed at least the talent of a captain. Managing a mere squad would naturally be as easy as turning over his hand, and his Fortune remained stable.

Fang Ming looked at Wang Liulang's expression and saw that it had grown somewhat gloomy. When Wang Liulang caught his lord's glance, he knew trouble had come. He understood that thunder and rain alike were a ruler's grace. If a subordinate harbored resentment, disaster often followed. Though Fang Ming was not a sovereign, he held his subordinates' lives in his hands and could still grant life or take death, bestow favor or inflict punishment without warning.

Wang Liulang hurriedly stepped forward and knelt. "Brother Xie Jin is unmatched in valor and bears the name 'Young Tiger.' This subordinate has always admired him and is willing to join hearts and efforts with Squad Leader Xie, to die in service of my lord's great cause!" He knocked his head deeply against the ground, his body trembling.

Fang Ming could not help laughing. He had not expected a casual glance from himself to carry such power. Still, he had already made plans, and said warmly, "Wang Liulang, you have followed me for a long time and should also be promoted. I permit you to form another squad. The remaining men on Xie Jin's side will fall under your command. Go find more men and fill the squad to ten."

Wang Liulang's heart relaxed. Knowing that his lord had not taken offense, he exclaimed in delight, "This subordinate accepts the order!"

By then, Xie Jin had already selected his men. Together, they bowed down. "We pay respects to our lord!" Their voices were uniform and powerful. Fang Ming looked at the squad, especially at the black Qi hovering above most of their heads, and the corner of his eye twitched. Still, he waved a hand. Divine Power surged forth, and Xie Jin's squad was immediately enveloped in white light. A moment later, the white light faded, and Xie Jin's squad had been fitted with leather armor and weapons.

Xie Jin touched the leather armor on his body in disbelief. He was the first to recover, taking the lead in shouting, "My lord possesses great power!"

The burly men behind him had also received leather armor and longswords, joy written across their faces. At that moment, the way they looked at the armored soldiers behind Fang Ming changed somewhat, as though they were eager to test themselves. Fang Ming snorted coldly. He knew these men all had blood on their hands and were wild and unruly. Ordinary people could never keep them in check. If he did not suppress them at the first sign now, disobeying orders later would be the least of it; they might even turn on him at any moment.

With a wave of his hand, the divine majesty he usually kept restrained erupted forward like a surging tide. A tremendous authority descended upon the open ground. Even the armored soldiers behind him shuddered and trembled faintly. Xie Jin's squad, facing it head-on, was pressed flat onto the ground, unable to move. A great chill rose in their hearts, and every stray thought was extinguished.

Then their lord's icy voice rang out. "I know that many of your hands are stained with the blood of innocent commoners. Yet, considering that you were once driven by the need to live, I will not pursue the matter for now. From this day onward, you shall obey military law, uphold strict discipline, and act only upon orders. You must never again harass the living. Otherwise, I will ensure your souls scatter and your spirits disperse, never to be reborn for all eternity!"

Xie Jin hurriedly struggled up, knelt, and saluted. "My lord, forgive us. From now on, we will certainly act according to your orders and dare not defy them!" His voice trembled, and his face had gone pale.

Fang Ming snorted coldly. Fear showed in the eyes of the Yin Soldiers below. Wherever his gaze fell, they lowered their heads and dared not meet his eyes. Knowing that they had understood his power, and that any further pressure would have the opposite effect, he withdrew his aura. "Enough. Rise."

Knowing he had sufficiently won the hearts of his subordinates, he said, "Today is also a joyous occasion. You have newly joined my army and should receive rewards. I grant you wine and meat. Rest for one night, and tomorrow follow me into the mountains to encircle and eliminate Peng Chun!" As soon as he finished speaking, his figure had vanished.

The armored soldiers behind him promptly brought forth wine and meat. Unable to resist the fragrance, Xie Jin's group bowed in Fang Ming's direction in thanks, then began eating and drinking. With wine to calm their fright, their fear gradually faded. Little by little, they loosened up, playing finger-guessing games and eating meat with great gusto. They even began mingling with Fang Ming's original subordinates.

Holding a bowl of wine, Xie Jin knew that his lord had planted a seed in his men's hearts today and established his authority. If Xie Jin ever wished to rebel in the future, more than half the men beneath him would surely refuse to follow. But he had never intended to rebel in the first place. He also knew his subordinates were unruly, and that such measures were necessary. He did not know what to feel. Slowly, he drank down the wine. When his subordinates came to toast him, he refused none of them, and before long, he was drunk.