Chapter Eleven: Jie Zong

  Wang Liu Lang handled things efficiently and soon brought someone back with him.

  At first glance, the corner of his eye twitched slightly. This person was short and slender in stature, with an unremarkable appearance, but a fierce aura swirled between his eyebrows, making him look exceptionally refined and dignified. Upon closer inspection of his head, a red-yellow vital energy stood upright, with half of it shining yellow, struggling to shine through the grey spots that clung to it.

  He knew that this person was extraordinary, even if he didn't absorb the energy of others, he would definitely be able to live longer than ordinary ghosts. Fang Ming secretly estimated that even if this ghost did nothing, it could probably survive for more than 20 days before disappearing. Unfortunately, although he had a good fate, he lacked luck, so his life journey was fraught with difficulties, and he often suffered from being ostracized or having his talents go unrecognized, leading to an early death in frustration.

  He saw this man come forward, make a half-kneeling bow and say: "I am Xiao Minzheng, I have seen the great lord!"

  Fang Ming helped him up and said: "No need for more courtesy, thank you, brave warrior, for coming here, you must have something to teach me!"

  Xie Jin stood up, his voice loud and clear, saying: "Xie Mou heard about the evil spirit's affair and immediately sent a brother to take advantage of the situation and gather some information. The evil spirit's name is Peng Chun, who is the confidant of Li Hei Bao, the evil ghost of Linjiang. Three days ago, he came here and has already gathered over a hundred evil spirits and manipulated the wandering souls, with about a thousand people involved. His plan is quite grand."

  Fang Ming nodded, the evil ghost was a type of ghost that had eaten humans but hadn't advanced to become a fierce ghost. It was an elite force with over a thousand ordinary ghost spirits under its control. Obviously, it wanted to use the tactic of driving refugees to attack the city, letting the ordinary ghost spirits consume the altar's spiritual energy and reduce their own casualties. These ordinary ghost spirits didn't seem too evil, perhaps they could be saved?

  "Does Xie Zhuang know where Peng Chun is?"

  Xie Jin smiled and said: "Xie Mou is not talented, only knows the general direction, but the specific location is unknown. If you can wait for two or three days, my brother will have news coming again."

  Fang Ming's eyes lit up, knowing the general direction, that made things easier. He had the ability to sense the aura of ghosts and spirits. As long as he knew the direction, he could walk and observe along the way. Wherever fierce ghosts gathered, there would be a dark aura surrounding them. What was there to fear?

  With a determined look on his face, he smiled and said: "Thank you, Mr. Zhuang, for your extraordinary bravery and demeanor, which makes people's hearts break. I want to go into the mountains to eliminate the bandits, but this matter is related to the lives of the villagers and cannot be taken lightly. Can you, Mr. Zhuang, lend me a helping hand?"

  "Xie Mou is not talented, willing to be a charioteer for the great lord!" Xie Jin immediately performed a grand ceremony and said: "Your subordinate pays respects to your excellency!"

  Seeing Wang Liu Lang's transformation, Xie Jin had this intention early on. Otherwise, why would he reveal the message to Wang Liu Lang? And also, he came as soon as he was invited, knowing everything and saying everything.

  Fang Ming was overjoyed and said: "Xie Jin, if you have any close brothers, invite them to come. I am about to use troops and I'm short of manpower."

  Xie Jin said: "There are more than a dozen brothers, all of whom are first-rate heroes, only..." his tone was slightly hesitant.

  "Never mind, just say it!"

  "They all once harmed people, but most were bandits..."

  Fang Ming grunted, got up and walked a few steps, sneering in his heart. They were all bandits, he didn't believe it. Heh, where could there be so many thieves in the world? Most of them were ordinary villagers, more or less.

  However, he wants soldiers and generals. The army's main job is to kill, what's the big deal about killing a few people? Those people didn't join him before because they were forced by circumstances and had reasons. Now that he needs to use his troops again, he lacks manpower, so he can consider accepting them. Of course, after becoming his soldiers, they must strictly follow military discipline. If they commit crimes again, they will be dragged out and killed, and used as an example to intimidate others.

  Having made up his mind, he said: "Call them all over and let me take a look. If they are brave warriors, I will grant them military positions!"

  "When the time comes, I will summon them to gather outside the village and await orders!" This remark reveals Xie Jin's status among those people and also implies a show of strength.

  Fang Ming felt a little displeased in his heart, thinking that this person was too utilitarian. However, this was a small matter, and these people were called here to be used by him anyway. He put on a happy face and said, "Then I'll go see him personally!"

  A line came to the outskirts of the village, where a vacant lot was located. On the road, villagers were seen with flushed faces and joyful expressions. In the distance, the fields were golden yellow, and the wheat grew luxuriantly. Occasionally, villagers could be seen busy harvesting or driving carts loaded with golden wheat ears towards the village. Watching this scene, Fang Ming couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his heart.

  Xie Jin, who was following behind, couldn't help but say: "The prosperous harvest scene in this village is largely due to the protection and education of the lord."

  Fang Ming smiled and made some guesses, it seemed that Xie Jin was not good at flattering his superiors when he was alive, was ostracized, and learned from his mistakes after death. Unfortunately, as a newcomer, this flattery skill is still not quite up to par, with obvious signs of awkwardness, far from the smoothness of Dong's skills. However, this is also a good thing, indicating that Xie Jin is making an effort to get close to him, and there's no need to chill his heart.

  He burst out laughing, patted Xie Jin's shoulder and said: "Where, where, this is also the result of the villagers' own hard work, I just did a little bit of human affairs!", extremely pleased.

  The crowd said and came to the empty ground, saw a dozen sturdy men, these men as soon as they saw Xie Jin, immediately stood up straight, shouting: "Big brother, you're here!" "Good big brother!", it seems that Xie Jin has high prestige among these people and is in control.

  Xie Jin waved his hand, and everyone fell silent. He first bowed to Fang Ming, then looked around and said: "Brothers, I have made up my mind to surrender to Lord Fang. Those who want to continue following me can pay their respects to the lord with me. Those who don't want to can leave, and we'll part ways amicably!"

  The crowd finally saw Fang Ming and his entourage, with Fang Ming's face looking elegant, his eyes dark and bright, and his movements full of dignity. Behind him were over a dozen armored soldiers, all wearing leather armor and carrying long knives at their waists, forming two rows to guard the left and right. A majestic and awe-inspiring military aura suddenly emerged. This was because Fang Ming knew that without showing his authority, he might not be able to subdue these people, so he ordered Wang Liu Lang to gather the soldiers and come together.

  As expected, the effect was great. These ordinary men who couldn't even look up to the sky could only admire the heavily armed guards and then look at their own empty hands, feeling a bit nervous. Some of them even broke out in cold sweat, knowing that if a fight were to break out, they wouldn't stand a chance, while the other side had armor and swords, and losing one or two men would be the worst-case scenario.

  For a moment, Xie Jin's face twitched and he coughed, saying: "What are you still dazing about? Hurry up and decide!" The Han men finally came to their senses, and they all bowed to Fang Ming, saying: "Greetings, Master!"

  Fang Ming smiled and accepted the courtesy, saying: "You are all brave warriors, suitable for military positions. I hereby appoint you as my secret soldiers." He paused and ordered: "Xie Jin!"

  Xie Jin comes out and kneels down: "Xie Jin is here!"

  "I hereby appoint you as the Fire Chief, in charge of a team of ten soldiers. Go and select your troops first." As soon as these words fell, a small cluster of white energy condensed on Xie Jin's head, very stable. Fang Ming nodded slightly, knowing that Xie Jin had at least the talent of a military officer, managing just one team of soldiers would be easy for him, with his aura being so stable.

  He took a look at Wang Liu's face and saw that it was somewhat gloomy. Wang Liu was glanced at by the master, knowing that things were not good, knowing that thunder and rain are all favors from the superior, subordinates who have grievances often have great disasters, the master is not a monarch, but has control over life and death, just as unpredictable as the power to kill or pardon.

  Hurry up and come out, kneel down, saying: "Thank you, brother Jin, for your bravery, with the name of 'Ruhu', I have always admired you. I am willing to work together with Xie Huo to dedicate myself to the great cause of our master!" He bowed deeply, his body trembling.

  Fang Ming was taken aback, unable to help but laugh, never expecting that his casual glance would have such power. However, he had already made up his mind and said in a warm tone: "Wang Liu Lang, you've been following me for a long time, it's time to promote you. I'll let you rebuild the Huo army, and those remaining people from Xie Jin's side will be under your command. Go find them and gather all the Huo army members."

  Wang Liu Lang felt a sense of relief in his heart, knowing that his master had not taken offense. He happily said: "Your subordinate obeys the order!"

  At this time, Xie Jin had already selected the right people and collectively bowed down: "Greetings, Your Excellency!" The voices were neat and majestic. Fang Ming looked at these fierce men, especially the black aura on top of most of them, and his eyes twitched slightly. However, he still waved his hand, and divine power surged out, immediately enveloping Xie Jin's flames in white light. After a moment, the white light dissipated, and Xie Jin's flames had already changed into armor-clad warriors, holding weapons in their hands.

  Xie Jin couldn't believe it and touched his leather armor, he was the first to react, leading the shout: "The Lord is mighty!"

  The big Han behind also had a leather armor and a long knife, with a joyful expression on his face. At this time, the gaze towards the armored soldier behind Fang Ming was somewhat off, as if he had a eager-to-try intention. Fang Ming let out a cold hum, knowing that these goods had blood on their hands, were unruly and unmanageable, and ordinary people absolutely couldn't control them. If they didn't take advantage of the current situation to suppress them quickly, later on, even if they didn't listen to orders, it would still be light, and who knows, they might even counterattack at any time.

  With a wave of his hand, the divine might that was usually repressed burst forth, and in an instant, a great majesty descended upon the empty space. Even the armored soldiers behind him were shaken, their bodies trembling slightly. Xie Jin, who was facing him directly, was pressed to the ground, unable to move, his heart filled with a chill, all thoughts extinguished.

  At this time, the cold voice of the master came: "I know that your hands are stained with the blood of innocent civilians, but since you were also forced to live before, I will not investigate for the time being. From now on, you must follow military law, strictly discipline yourself, and listen to orders without causing trouble to the people again. Otherwise, I will make sure that your souls fly away and never be reborn!"

  Xie Jin hastily scrambled to his feet, knelt down and paid homage, saying: "Your Excellency please forgive us, from now on we will follow your orders and not dare to disobey!" His voice trembled, his face pale.

  Fang Ming let out a cold snort, looking at the Yin soldiers whose eyes all showed fear. Wherever his gaze fell, the Yin soldiers lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eye. Knowing that he had already made the Yin soldiers aware of his power and that continuing would have the opposite effect, he withdrew his aura and said, "Alright, get up!"

  Knowing that it was enough to win over the hearts of those under him, he said: "Today is also a joyful occasion. When you first entered my army, there should be rewards. I will reward you with wine and meat, rest for one night, and tomorrow follow me into the mountains to besiege Peng Chun!" As soon as the words were spoken, his figure had already disappeared.

  Behind him, a group of soldiers immediately brought up wine and meat. Xie Jin's gang couldn't resist the aroma of the wine and meat, so they bowed to thank Fang Ming in his direction before starting to eat and drink. With the wine calming their nerves, their fearful hearts gradually dissipated, and they slowly let loose, drinking and eating with abandon, feeling extremely pleased. They gradually became one with Fang Ming's original subordinates.

  Xie Jin held the wine bowl, knowing that his lord had already planted a seed in his heart and established his authority. From now on, if he wanted to rebel, there would be fewer people willing to follow him, at least half less. But he didn't have such plans anyway, and he knew that his subordinates were unruly, so these measures were necessary. He didn't know what kind of feeling was in his heart either. Slowly drinking the wine, his subordinates came to toast him, and he didn't refuse anyone, soon getting drunk.