But the thought that today's ally would be tomorrow's opponent left the General Who Conquers the East unable to celebrate.
The court's troops advanced slowly. Without a commander, the countless ghosts were no match for them. Like hard ice in early spring beneath the morning sun, they melted slowly but inexorably.
The only thing that mattered now was the Yin Pool Situ Tu had so painstakingly created.
A terrifying breach had opened beneath the ground. All manner of ghosts lurked in the yellow, turbid waves, which spread out like a lake.
The Yin Pool, like a miniature Yellow Springs, had taken shape. Its yellow waters now churned without cease, drawing in Earth-Lung Venom, Nine-Nether Death Aura, and Houtu Nether Qi from the deepest reaches underground. They seeped into it, turning into murky droplets that nourished the ghosts within.
The court's army had surrounded the Yin Pool, yet an endless stream of ghosts kept rushing out, driven by some instinct.
Du Ling, the General Who Conquers the East, looked at the Yin Pool with evident hesitation.
"At this point, all we can do is report to the court and ask it to send a Circuit Inspector skilled in formations to seal it."
Beside him, Li Liang, the General of Cloud-Banner, studied the Yin Pool and slowly shook his head.
Anyone could see that the Yin Pool had fully taken shape. It was not something the court's army could deal with simply by charging in together.
"Until the Circuit Inspector arrives, we can only station troops around it to keep any vicious ghosts from escaping and causing trouble."
"You can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't guard against thieves for a thousand days. Keeping an army stationed here is no solution..."
The three generals gathered together and discussed