Damaged

"Martial Uncle Ancestor, are you alright?" After Fang Ming left, a figure emerged from the corner and supported Yuheng, looking worried.

Walking into the light, it was an old man, dressed as a Daoist priest, who turned out to be the White Crane Old Daoist Priest.

"Let me help you back to your room to rest!" the old Daoist priest said respectfully.

Seeing Yuheng nod, the White Crane helped him out of the garden. After a few steps, they reached a side room. It turned out this was White Water Temple.

"Hoo..." Yuheng meditated for a long time, then took out a pill from his bosom and swallowed it. His complexion improved slightly.

Turning to the White Crane, who was waiting, he said, "This time, it's all thanks to you! Later, I'll need to use your Bluebird to send a message to the sect..."

He inwardly gave a wry smile. Although the Earth God's position was slightly inferior to his own, his magical power was like a mountain and the sea, overwhelming and unstoppable. He had truly suffered a loss this time, his magical power greatly depleted, rendering him unable to even use Flying Crane Message. He could only ask for help from the sect through his grand-disciple.

Fang Ming had learned many secrets this time and tested his skills. Feeling greatly pleased, he was preparing to find a place to stay and leave the city tomorrow morning.

As he walked around a corner, he heard a voice as if from the highest heavens:

"Hee hee! Little official, you heard what I said before, didn't you! Then come with big sister!" A clear light flashed, and Fang Ming felt a tremendous suction force acting upon him, almost pulling his divine sense away. Greatly alarmed, the Earth God Golden Seal appeared, flashing red light, resisting the suction.

"You actually have some skill, but it's a pity..." The voice was alluring, yet carried a chilling tone.

Fang Ming saw a stream of green qi, and perhaps a small seal, descend vertically, striking his golden seal.

With a "bang," the golden seal shattered.

The suction force surged again. With no other options and the situation becoming extremely urgent, Fang Ming's expression hardened, and he said, "Disperse!"

With a flash of golden light, Fang Ming's figure disappeared, and he vaguely heard sounds of surprise.

A white shadow flickered and appeared where Fang Ming had been. On the ground lay a farmer, and from his embrace fell a statue of an Earth God, which shattered with a "crack" and then turned into ashes.

A slight smile appeared on the corner of the jade-like lips: "He really is an interesting fellow!"

At the same time, within the Earth God Law Domain, Fang Ming's main body's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood scattered upon hitting the ground, carrying wisps of red qi and specks of white qi.

Fang Ming's divine body also trembled, visibly dissipating to some extent, making his entire body appear somewhat unstable.

"This time, I've really taken a huge loss!" Fang Ming gave a wry smile. Seeing the urgency of the situation, he had preemptively dispersed the divine sense attached to his body, resulting in a severe loss of divine power. Fortunately, it was only a sliver of divine sense; if it had been his soul, he would now either be in a deep slumber or have gone mad. "Is the gap between different ranks of Qi cultivators really this large?"

Fang Ming recovered his breath and muttered to himself, comparing Yuheng and Su Xia.

This time, when he sent out his divine sense, he had also carried an additional five thousand strands of red divine power, stored within the Earth God statue, which allowed him to display great power and suppress the Daoist priest Yuheng.

But afterward, facing Su Xia, he seemed to have no power to fight back. Although it wasn't his main body that personally acted, and his divine power had been somewhat depleted before, there were still four thousand strands of divine power left in the Earth God statue at that time. He never expected to be so powerless, and in the end, everything was lost.

Fang Ming's losses this time amounted to a full sixty thousand strands of white divine power, making his heart bleed. This was the biggest loss he had suffered since becoming a Deity.

Fang Ming's eye twitched. He suddenly remembered the green qi and the small seal within it, and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Could it be... a fortune supreme treasure..."

The sky had brightened.

Great Master Su's convoy had already left Anchang County.

Xiao He'er looked at the shrinking outline of the county town and said, "Young Lady, are you just going to let that Earth God go?"

A smile played on Su Xia's lips as she stretched, revealing astonishing curves that made Xiao He'er blush.

"Since my attack failed, it means that Earth God is destined to be a vanguard here. This is the great trend of a Hidden Dragon, unchangeable. He already possesses fortune, which is why I returned without success. If I were to force it, I fear it would attract the Heavenly Way's attention, which would be a great loss! It's better to withdraw for now. When the great trend passes, there will naturally be opportunities!"

Su Xia slowly explained her reasoning. In her heart, however, she was still thinking about last night's events.

"Moreover, when I attempted to raid his lair last night, the Taiping Seal actually rang out a warning, indicating great danger if I proceeded. The Taiping Seal is a supreme treasure that can ward off misfortune and avert disaster. Since it warned me, I naturally cannot ignore it..." These thoughts were kept in her heart, not revealed outwardly.

"Young Lady, where are we going next?" Xiao He'er asked again.

"Jingzhou, and then Shudi..."

"Ah? That's so far..."

As the mistress and servant conversed, the convoy gradually moved further away.

At this time, Fang Ming also received the news of Su Xia's departure.

However, this news did not bring Fang Ming any joy.

Fang Ming's divine eyes looked out and saw that to the north of his own fortune, black qi was condensing into clouds, even forming ominous shapes, like a fierce tiger coiled on a mountain, poised to pounce, yet holding back, as if hesitant.

"If this black qi attacks, I will truly have no power to resist. Moreover, this feeling seems to be related to Su Xia..." Fang Ming muttered to himself, gazing in the direction Su Xia had departed, lost in thought.

"But the most important thing now is to improve my own position. Whether it's Su Xia's Supreme Dao or the previous incident with Yuheng, I need strength to overcome them..."

Thinking of Yuheng and comparing him to Su Xia, Fang Ming had some ideas about the positions and fortune of the Taoist Sect.

Yuheng was a core disciple, his own fortune pure red.

Su Xia was a half-step True Person, her own fortune red and yellow.

The fortune of a True Person must be a gathering of golden-yellow qi, much higher than Fang Ming's. He just didn't know how much fortune they could gather. If it was just a thin layer, he wouldn't be afraid. If they had a title and could borrow the Imperial Destiny, it would be terrifying.

There was also the precious White Cloud Sword. Just by its name, it sounded like a treasure for offense. In terms of destructive power alone, it was probably superior to Su Xia's green seal. Although it was unlikely to be brought out of the mountain gate, he still had to be prepared.

Fang Ming calculated the future changes, feeling that all sorts of possibilities were unpredictable. His mind was in a jumble, so chaotic that he felt like spitting blood.

"Not good, this is the effect of the severe loss of divine power. I thought I was fine, but I didn't expect it to affect my mind. I need to be even more careful in the future and not lose any more divine sense!" Fang Ming was startled, then realized the cause.

He could only go into seclusion now to repair the damage.

The great hall fell silent for a moment.

Several days later.

On a patch of wasteland, a chase scene was unfolding, invisible to ordinary people.

A burly man with a powerful build and a ferocious glint in his eyes, though dressed as a farmer, exuded a terrifying aura that would instill fear in anyone who looked at him.

But at this moment, this man was being chased, desperately scrambling for an escape route.

As he ran, the man shouted back, "We're all ghosts now, and I only ate one person! Why are you chasing me so relentlessly? Don't you know it's good to leave a little room for future encounters?"

Behind him, a squad of Yin Soldiers, all clad in leather armor and armed with weapons, were in hot pursuit.

Hearing this, the Squad Leader sneered, "Who do you think you're comparing yourself to? We are Yin Soldiers under the Earth God, ordered to eliminate fierce ghosts like you!"

The man's heart sank upon hearing this. Since the Earth God's expansion, the lives of fierce ghosts in Anchang County had become increasingly difficult. He had heard that many had already fled to neighboring counties, and he had harbored similar plans. He hadn't expected to be attacked at his doorstep simply because he'd been delayed by a few days.

Since he knew there was no room for negotiation and capture meant death, he naturally ran even faster.

Seeing this, the Squad Leader let out a cold laugh. Judging the distance to be sufficient, he drew a long bow from behind him.

Drawing the bow and nocking an arrow, he shouted, "Hit!"

"Whoosh—snap!" The arrow struck the man, who let out a scream and fell heavily to the ground.

The Yin Soldiers caught up and, without inquiring whether he was alive or dead, swung their sabers, preparing to decapitate him.

The man suddenly lunged up, attacking the nearest Yin Soldier as if driven mad.

The Yin Soldier sneered, "I was waiting for this!" He allowed the man to charge, his blow landing on the leather armor and only causing a slight jolt. At that moment, the Yin Soldier's long saber pierced the man, turning him into gray-black energy.

When ghosts died, they dispersed into energy. The man, having fallen after being shot, had feigned death to make a desperate bid, but this could only fool novices. The experienced Yin Soldier had seen through it long ago.

The Squad Leader also approached, looking at the Yin Soldier and saying, "Well done. You've taken down one enemy. You'll receive a reward of five large coins when we return!"

The Yin Soldier bowed and replied, "This is all thanks to the Squad Leader's excellent archery, which subdued him. I dare not take credit!"

"Haha..." The Squad Leader laughed proudly. "This bow and arrow were awarded to me for my many merits by the Barracks Commander. It's worth much more than five coins. What's yours is yours; would I be greedy for such a small amount..."

The Yin Soldier bowed in assent.

The squad returned to the Law Domain barracks.

The Squad Leader went to report. Xie Jin reviewed the report and said, "Good. Although that Yun Xiao Liu wasn't a vengeful ghost, he was cunning. It's a merit that you were able to kill him. Go and collect your reward!"

The Squad Leader bowed and said, "I dare not. This is the merit of the Captain's planning!"

Xie Jin smiled and waved the Squad Leader away.

Afterward, a Clerk stepped forward to meticulously record the details and distribute the reward money.

Since Fang Ming appointed Xie Jin as Imperial Martial Captain and placed him in charge of a battalion, Xie Jin had recruited warriors, filled the battalion, and trained them day and night.

Fang Ming also issued a military order for Xie Jin to encircle and suppress the fierce ghosts of Anchang County, as well as the mad ghosts. These mad ghosts were fierce ghosts that had gone insane from indiscriminately devouring other ghosts.

This was an effort to stabilize the order of the Anchang Underworld, and also to allow Xie Jin's troops to train and the new recruits to gain combat experience.

By today, the fierce ghosts within Anchang County had been almost completely cleared out.

Xie Jin finished writing the document and went to the outside of Fang Ming's study. He spoke to a servant, "I request an audience with my Lord. Please inform him!"

The servant entered the study and soon emerged, saying, "The Earth God requests that you enter!"

Xie Jin strode in and saw Fang Ming seated behind his desk, engrossed in reading an ancient text. There was tea and snacks on the table, and Zhenzhu was serving him.

Xie Jin knelt and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate greets my Lord!"

Fang Ming smiled, put down his book, and said, "Xie Jin, you're here. What matter do you wish to report?"

Zhenzhu, however, bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind her. Fang Ming inwardly praised her, "She's quite an intelligent girl!"

Xie Jin reported, "Following my Lord's military order to eliminate the fierce ghosts, the task has been largely completed today!" He then presented the document. Fang Ming glanced at it and said, "Good. Tell me in more detail!"

"Following my Lord's order, your subordinate began executing unlawful ghosts five days ago. Every day, veteran soldiers were sent out with new recruits in mixed teams. Until today, the new recruits have been trained, disciplined, and experienced combat, no longer fearing conflict."

"To date, fifty-seven mad ghosts and over a hundred fierce ghosts have been executed, clearing Anchang!"

"Excellent!" Fang Ming knew the achievement was significant because a layer of golden light had appeared around the fortune above his head. This human way merit had played a considerable role in restoring his divine body and stabilizing his mind; otherwise, he wouldn't have emerged from seclusion so quickly.

"Have the rewards been verified and distributed to those who earned them?"

"This is my Lord's strict order; how could your subordinate dare to err!" Although the accompanying Clerks followed Xie Jin's military orders, they could report directly to the Lord, making it impossible for Xie Jin to interfere.

"Mm, now that this matter is concluded, the barracks will receive a day of wine and meat. You will receive five taels of silver. You may go!" This reward was not small. Many Yin Soldiers saved their money and were reluctant to spend it themselves, while Xie Jin received an amount close to the total rewards for all his subordinates' kills.

"Thank you, my Lord!" Xie Jin bowed and withdrew.