Handling the Situation

All the ghosts entered the tower. Only then did the four words "Open Upon Meeting Che" flowing across the azure bricks gradually fade away and vanish without trace. Yet the dim green light still seeped ceaselessly from the tower's body.

Lady Snow was in excellent spirits. She said to Su Che and One-Brow Taoist,

"Other than this tower, Withered Forest Chan Temple has nothing worth seeing. Even if it did, Black Mountain Freak and One-Eye, who has entrenched himself here, have already picked it nearly clean."

Su Che and Lin Jiugong exchanged a glance and could only nod submissively, saying yes again and again.

Lady Snow looked at the two of them.

"I have a temple by the White Cang River. If you are interested, you may go take a look. We are fated to meet; should you two come calling, I will naturally play the gracious host."

"How could we refuse?"

"Thank you, Your Ladyship."

"That is enough. No need for so many courtesies. Since we are neighbors, there will naturally be opportunities to visit one another in the future." Lady Snow smiled sweetly, her bearing exquisite. Even Lin Jiugong, who had long guarded his Dao-heart, was momentarily dazed.

"I'm leaving. No need to see me off."

"This junior respectfully sees Your Ladyship off."

The two hurriedly bowed, one after the other.

A gust of cold wind swept by. Where was Lady Snow's figure now?

The moon shone bright and the stars sparse. Several birds shrieked and cried, while the forest of monk towers stood like a crowd of old monks silently telling the tale of this place.

Su Che gripped the peachwood sword in his hand and exchanged a look with Lin Jiugong.

"Daoist brother, it seems today's journey can only end here."

Lin Jiugong nodded.

Given the present situation, they had better stop talking about uprooting One-Eye once and for all.

If they stayed any longer, the two of them might have to start considering how to switch over to the ghostly path of cultivation.

"What are Brother Yue's plans from here?"

"This matter is grave. It is by no means something Daoist brother and I can settle with only the strength of the two of us. Yue has several friends. I intend to visit them personally and invite Jiang Biehe, Zhu Wushi, Hua Tiegan, Zuo Lengchan, Lin Pingzhi, and several other good friends. We shall gather everyone's strength and settle the score with them."

Su Che had assembled a party for Yue Buqun and his associates.

Lin Jiugong nodded upon hearing this.

This matter had indeed exceeded the limits of what the two of them could handle. Other than calling friends together and pooling their wisdom, there was no other way.

"I run a paper effigy shop east of Guobei County City. Once Brother Yue has gathered your friends, come find me there and we shall join forces. Lin has nothing else to offer but six pounds and eight ounces of hard bones. I can contend with this host of ghosts."

Su Che calculated the date.

"Then let us set this year's Double Ninth Festival as the deadline. At that time, we will gather everyone's strength and destroy this ghost den."

One-Brow Taoist nodded.

"Lin also has several close friends. It seems I can only cast aside my pride and ask them to brave this danger as well." Lin Jiugong's expression was grave. "Brother Yue, Guobei and Shanyin Counties have demons and ghosts' eyes and ears everywhere. Even the living cannot be trusted. You and I must keep our plans secret."

If a ruler was not secretive, he lost his ministers; if a minister was not secretive, he lost his life. What Lin Jiugong said was precisely what Su Che had been thinking.

Su Che nodded and clenched the object in his hand.

"Brother Lin, rest assured. Yue understands the gravity of this."

One-Brow Taoist had the temperament of a wanderer of the martial world, while Su Che was clutching something from who knew where. After bidding each other farewell, the two set off separately.

Su Che activated the secret art "Shadow Transformation" from the Mirage Shadow Primordial Sword. His whole body became like a ghost traveling by night, constantly darting through the mountains and forests. He changed direction several times, now south, now east, racing all the way toward Shanyin County City.

The changes within Withered Forest Chan Temple were absolutely beyond his ability to handle.

It was not that Su Che lacked confidence in the Sword Case left behind by that swordmaster of a previous generation, nor did he doubt the mysteries of the Mirage Shadow Primordial Sword.

He simply knew his own strength.

If a ninth-rank sword cultivator could rely on a divine sword to become the Sword God of Ten Miles Slope and sweep away every ox demon and snake spirit,

then all the famous demons, monsters, ghosts, and fiends under heaven would have long since died out.

What was more, those ghosts were not idiots. If they believed whatever Lady Snow said, were they really Lady Snow's lapdogs?

In the end, the thing within that azure tower was simply too tempting to the ghosts, causing them to temporarily overlook the four words "Open Upon Meeting Che."

Once they had some free time, they would definitely come find him for a few clashes.

Thinking of this, Su Che wanted to curse Zhongyuan a few times.

With this level of competence, he still wanted to imitate others and become the leader of an evil organization.

If this sort of maneuver were placed in another world, it would be like the Five Shadows gathering to discuss how to destroy the Akatsuki, while Nagato ordered Kakuzu and Hidan to deliver themselves right to their doorstep.

Wasn't that screwing people over?

For now, there was only one path.

Su Che had already made up his mind, and his steps became increasingly steady.

There was one method that looked usable, but in truth could not be taken.

That was to make use of the Mount Zhong Association.

In a few days, the Mount Zhong Association would gather in Shanyin County to investigate Mystic Mountain's interior. With Wu Zhiqi, Yuqiang, Gushe, and Plain Maiden present, dealing with a group of ghosts like this should not be a problem.

Yet there was one issue: why would they provoke a conflict with Guobei's ghosts and monsters?

Besides, since Su Che was a member of the Mount Zhong Association, he felt he still had to consider the overall situation from the organization's perspective.

He had to possess collective awareness, after all.

That damned thing Wu Zhiqi was definitely already a wanted criminal registered by Great Liang. If anyone discovered his connection to him, it was entirely possible that Su Che himself would be dragged into it.

According to the Mount Zhong Association, his previous misfortune had been caused by some scheme from White Deer Grotto.

Never mind why those great Confucian scholars of White Deer Grotto would trouble themselves with a descendant of the eunuch faction like him. If he caused trouble together with the Mount Zhong Association and was exposed under the light of day, what would be waiting for him?

He could not afford to gamble.

So if he was going to call for help, he did not necessarily have to rely on people from the Mount Zhong Association.

Who was he?

The Third Young Master of the Duling Su Clan, the county commandant of Shanyin County. The elders of his household served within the palace.

In other words.

He had people above him. A resonant voice.

"To the Esteemed Ci Prefecture Judicial Investigation Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard: This lowly official, Su Che of the Duling Su Clan, having recently assumed office in Shanyin, has devoted himself wholeheartedly to his duties and witnessed much of the people's suffering. I have furthermore seen demons and ghosts running rampant. Within Withered Forest Chan Temple west of the county is an old freak called One-Eye, truly fierce and valiant. He has repeatedly defied royal command and ravaged the region. The great clans of the county hate him deeply but dare not speak, while the common people fear him. He falsely cultivates a licentious shrine, proclaims himself a god, and widely gathers incense offerings. Some of his followers have even falsely claimed that the Three Yang Calamity has arrived and heaven and earth shall overturn, secretly storing armor and privately forging weapons. Unable to contain my righteous indignation, this subordinate personally went to Withered Forest Chan Temple and fought him to the death. By relying on the aid of His Majesty's heavenly might, I severed one of his arms..."

Su Che drafted an official document in his mind.

"...Then I suddenly saw a host of ghosts gathered within Withered Forest Temple. Among them stood the tower of the Lion Azure Lotus Perfected Tathagata, whom the National Preceptor of the previous dynasty once spoke of. It suddenly released azure rays and revealed the four treasonous words: 'Heaven Extinguishes Remnant Liang.' At the sight, this minister's tears and mucus streamed down, and righteous indignation surged through my breast. Now the host of ghosts has allied with One-Eye, intending to overturn the order of this region. This minister believes the matter involves an ancient Buddha of the previous dynasty and concerns the fate of the realm. I dare not act on my own authority, and thus specially send this document to Your Excellency the Thousand-Household Officer. I earnestly beg that you report it to the inner court, set the six dragons flying, mobilize the bear-like and tiger-like warriors, exterminate the host of ghosts to pacify heaven and earth, and sweep away the demons to secure the altars of state..."

In short, the situation in Shanyin County was too serious, One-Eye and the rest were far too wicked, and someone needed to be sent quickly to wipe them all out.

A host of ghosts was causing trouble and disturbing the locality.

This was the court's business, so the court should be made to deal with it.

Thank you to all the angel investors for your support.

Thank you to Shiranzi and Jia Niang for your monthly votes, and to Chengse for the reward.

The solo grind at the beginning of a new book was always difficult.

I was truly grateful to have everyone's company.

I could only repay everyone by striving to write a good story.

And even more thanks to the brothers on Mud Pond.

Thank you all for your praise, and even more for your criticism.

Through this long summer, I can only wish you that all things go smoothly, that your lives remain cool and free of troubles.

Thanks again.