"Oh, you old codger, it's rare for you to remember me?"
At the Duke of Ying's mansion, Duke Zhang Xun was surprised to see the head of the Yuchi Household come to visit. This stubborn old man had almost cut off all contact with them ever since they and their group were possessed by a ghost. They hadn't had any contact for a whole year, yet today he actually took the initiative to come to their door.
Old Yuchi gave a wry smile, "Isn't there no other way?"
The other person immediately laughed upon hearing this.
Since the birth of the Ghost Temple, under His Majesty's strong pressure, most families have been tempted to join. However, the Yuchi Household and the Hong Household, who consider themselves superior, have become heretics. Before becoming ghosts, everyone naturally had some resistance, but after becoming ghosts, their stance changed, and they naturally felt extremely displeased with the families that still held on.
However, both the Yuchi Household and the Hong Household held a very high position in His Majesty's heart, so even if they were unhappy, they couldn't do anything about it.
This mutual dislike had lasted for over a year, and finally, the old man couldn't resist coming knocking on our door?
Zhang Xun felt a surge of secret pleasure. He had heard a few days earlier that the families vassals of the Yuchi Household were complaining and expressing their discontent. As the Ghost General's power grew stronger, the various vassal families began to harbor rebellious intentions.
Indeed, seeing neighboring families rise to prominence and vassal families acquire such powerful strength, easily surpassing the Transcendent, how could they not be envious?
Your Yuchi Household is so aloof, but the people below are dissatisfied. He was just looking forward to watching the show. Yesterday, he heard that all the elders of the Yuchi Household's vassal families had gathered at the Yuchi Household, clearly preparing to cause a big scene. He was even holding some melon seeds, ready to watch the excitement.
"Please come inside and have a seat."
Old Yuchi's face twitched involuntarily as he looked at the other party's smug smile.
Back in the day, among the eight noble families in the capital, the Yuchi Household ranked fourth, while the Duke of Duke of Ying didn't even make the cut. Now, they actually call me "old man" to my face. How the times really do shape people.
Given his temperament, he would rather starve than beg this old man for help. After all, with his status in the Emperor's eyes, as long as he was willing to become Ghost General, the Emperor would definitely provide him with generous treatment, and he wouldn't have to be subservient to anyone.
But the situation is different now. According to Mu Hongqing, the capital is about to descend into chaos, and among those who remain in the capital, Duke Zhang Xun of Duke of Ying holds military power over the Imperial Guard!
"I told you long ago, His Majesty isn't trying to harm us. Becoming Ghost General isn't as terrifying as you imagine." Zhang Xun sat at the head of the table, speaking with an earnest tone, "Look at me, has my personality changed much? Our bloodline family has always relied on demonic bloodlines to obtain power that mortals dare not even dream of. It's always been risky. This Ghost General possession is the same principle!"
" Symbiosis with them; they nourish our spirits, and we nourish our bodies. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. When the time is right, they will naturally leave, and at that time, both sides will have benefited. What's wrong with that?"
Upon hearing this, Old Yuchi slightly curled his lip. Mutually beneficial? A clean break in the end?
Is it really that easy?
The Ghost General under King Xiang were all fierce ghosts who had fought among vengeful spirits. Yet they came to the mortal realm to strengthen your physical body, and then obediently left when the time was right?
Is it really that good? He certainly didn't believe it.
As for the other party claiming that he hasn't changed, that's utter nonsense. Doesn't he know? Things are alright inside the capital, but there are frequent disappearances in the surrounding cities. Who's behind it all?
These aristocratic families have long since degenerated into man-eating monsters, no different from demons in human skin.
"Is there still no news from His Majesty?" Old Yuchi finally spoke.
"His Majesty is currently attending the Celestial Master Assembly in Cloud Capital, so he naturally won't be back for a while," Zhang Xun said with a smile. "Moreover, I heard that Cloud Capital has arranged for His Majesty to stay in the former dynasty's imperial palace. This means that Cloud Capital also realized the situation, and who knows, we might all have to move to Cloud Capital next year."
"Is that so?" Old Yuchi nodded slightly. This seemed to be something many military officers were looking forward to. After all, although the capital was well-developed, it was still a harsh and cold place. How could it compare to the favorable terrain of Cloud Capital?
"You didn't come here just to inquire about His Majesty, did you?" The other person chuckled. "Well, that makes sense. If you change your mind, it's never too late to tell His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Old Yuchi shook his head. "The Yuchi Household's stance will not change."
"Oh?" Zhang Xun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "So what are you here for today?"
"You've probably heard about what's going on in my family. Those restless folks down there are practically on the verge of rebellion."
"I've heard some of it." Zhang Xun sipped his tea leisurely, inwardly grumbling: Which unlucky bastard followed you and didn't want to rebel? The chance to rise to power was right in front of them, and they still let it slip away. Anyone would be anxious in their place.
"We've known each other for a long time, so I came to ask my old brother for help."
"How can I help you?" Zhang Xun asked curiously.
"My men aren't on the same page as the Yuchi Household, but there's nothing I can do. After all, they've served the Yuchi Household for so many years, it wouldn't be right not to give them an explanation. As for His Majesty, I really can't bring myself to ask him for help. I hope my old brother can lend me a hand."
"You want me to open the Ghost Temple for the vassal families of your Yuchi Household?" Zhang Xun immediately understood.
"There's really no other way," Old Yuchi said with a bitter smile. "You've seen it yourself, that group is practically on the verge of a mass rebellion. My Yuchi Household has almost completely lost face."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xun rolled his eyes inwardly: Didn't you ask for this?
However, he felt that the other party was just looking for a way out, secretly asking him for help. He first arranged for Ghost General to possess the vassal family, and then when His Majesty returned, given His Majesty's affection for the Yuchi Household family, His Majesty would surely give them a way out and persuade them to join again. When that time came, the Yuchi Household would take the opportunity to join.
Thinking of this, Zhang Xun stroked his chin. If the Yuchi Household was considering joining, their resurgence would only be a matter of time. Doing a favor now wouldn't be a bad deal.
"Opening the Ghost Temple is a matter of great importance; I need to discuss it with the other garrison commanders in the capital."
"Of course, of course," Old Yuchi said with a smile. "I was just asking. If it's inconvenient for you, old brother."
"There's nothing to be ashamed of." The other party waved his hand dismissively and said casually, "Opening the Ghost Temple is no small matter, but I am currently the highest-ranking military officer in the capital, and I have priority in everything. Even if a few ignorant people object, I can still help you get it done."
"Thank you very much!" Old Yuchi laughed heartily and bowed.
"Don't mention it, we've been brothers for so many years." Zhang Xun laughed with satisfaction; favors from the Yuchi Household are not easy to accept.
Old Yuchi was puzzled. He and Mu Hongqing had discussed the matter last night. To control the Ghost Temple, they needed sufficient troops. Zhang Xun, who was in charge of the Imperial Guard, was the most suspicious candidate. If it were someone else, they would have to confront Zhang Xun's Imperial Guard head-on, which would greatly increase the difficulty.
Or perhaps it's someone hiding within, secretly holding military power?
"When can we arrange it?" Old Yuchi asked. "It would be best to arrange it as soon as possible. Those old fogies are keeping a low profile in my house, and countless families are laughing at them."
"Haha, you did it yourself." The other party laughed. "Here's what I'll do: I'll go to the Ghost Temple right now, find the priests in charge of the temple and General Luo, and also make arrangements with the other aristocratic families. It shouldn't be a big problem. If all goes well, I can arrange it for you tonight."
"Alright, alright, then I'll leave it to you."
Zhang Xun saw his guest off with satisfaction, while the head of the Yuchi Household hurried home to inform Mu Hongqing of the information.
For a moment, both Mu Hongqing and Liu Yu hesitated, because if the inside man wasn't Zhang Xun, how could the enemy possibly control the capital in such a short time?
It is true that His Majesty's army has gone to the border, but the Yin Army marches very fast. If they receive the news, they can return in three days at the latest. If we want to take the Mother and Child Ghosts Temple in the capital, we must take it swiftly and decisively.
Within the capital, who else possesses this ability?