Twilight Boundary-Chapter 786 - 776: Mingzhou Borrowing Troops

Something's wrong, this isn't the Long-winning Army...

As soldiers emerged from the depths of the night, everyone felt a moment of excited joy; even the Shangjing City Garrison showed some disruption in their ranks. Yet, amidst the joy, some people's eyes flickered as they suddenly realized something was different.

Among the Reincarnators, many had already dealt with the Long-winning Army, knowing they all wore black armor and possessed strong soldiers and horses. But the ones appearing before Shangjing City now wore dark red armor, dyed by the light of red lanterns from long years under the Red Lantern Lady's protection.

Moreover, this army's aura was different. The Long-winning Army was known for its fierce, rapacious soldiers, plundering like fire. But this unit possessed a profound aura; everyone kept their eyes closed, and the horses, their faces covered with cloth, galloped without a hint of disorder.

As they emerged from the night, an elderly lady in blue, smoking a pipe and carried in a sedan chair by several robust yellow skins, came into view. Alongside her, a village woman dressed in coarse cloth with a scarf tied around her head stepped forward from the ranks. They came to stand beside Er Guotou, their presence complemented by the red lantern planted in the ground, naturally exuding an extraordinary air.

Then, Er Guotou, standing at the front, raised his hand and waved.

At the sound of a drum, the soldiers on horseback simultaneously opened their eyes. Then, in a unified, forceful motion, they tore the black cloths from their horses' eyes. This display of perfect discipline alone revealed an extraordinary and imposing presence.

Even the Reincarnators, who were ecstatic just moments before, now looked surprised. "What army is this?"

"The Food Protection Army!"

Er Guotou slowly turned his head and said coolly, "I borrowed them from the food-protection general of Mingzhou."

Everyone was astonished. "Soldiers can be borrowed?"

"Of course." A hint of pride touched Er Guotou's face as he said, "However many I ask for, that's how many I get."

"If the food-protection general wasn't still preparing to enter the capital, he might have come with me himself!"

「Just a day prior, within Mingzhou, the food-protection general was discussing matters with his men.」

After the Mandate of Heaven was announced that year, various grasshead kings rose up, waging wars all around. Mingzhou inevitably saw its share of trouble from mountain bandits. But the food-protection general led his troops to battle on all fronts, subduing countless unruly brigands. He staunchly withstood this wave of chaos, not only stabilizing his position but also strengthening his forces and increasing his supplies, experiencing a significant surge in power.

Moreover, the food-protection general personally entered Old Yin Mountain for a Sacrificial Mountain ritual, drawing upon the incense of the Pond God. This caused all evil spirits and demonic presences in Mingzhou to submit, leading to a year of favorable weather and abundant harvests. It truly seemed as if he was favored by Heaven, with great fortune on the horizon.

On this particular day, while they were in the command tent discussing which lands to conquer and whom to engage first, they heard that a Jianghu Strange Person was requesting an audience. Assuming it was another person seeking to join their ranks, they invited him in.

Upon seeing the man, everyone in the tent was surprised. "Hu Shanchuan, the Right Protector of the Red Lantern Society?"

"You..."

"Everyone," the former Right Protector of the Red Lantern Society smiled, "I have already left the Red Lantern Lady's Club. Otherwise, with my former identity, it would be inconvenient to discuss many things. This time, I'm here to borrow soldiers."

"Borrow soldiers?"

His words left everyone exchanging glances in bewilderment.

Historically speaking, on the jianghu, the food-protection general, Yang Gong, had once been his subordinate. But times had changed. Now, Yang Gong was a Great General, and his former superior in the Red Lantern Society had become a chief steward under him. The Red Lantern Lady was also a protector Magic God for the food-protection general; their respective statuses had effectively reversed. Moreover, Hu Shanchuan had made it clear that he had now left the Red Lantern Society.

Now, a mere commoner from the jianghu, he had come to the Food Protection Army's main camp to borrow troops? This is unheard of! Borrowing troops for conquest wasn't unheard of among the world's grasshead kings, but what business did a commoner like him have borrowing troops?

As they hesitated, they heard the food-protection general ask, "How many soldiers do you wish to borrow, and who do you intend to fight?"

The Right Protector smiled. "How many I borrow depends on how many the food-protection general has to spare."

"And I'm not borrowing them to fight anyone, but to save someone."

"My purpose in coming here to ask is simply to see if the Great General is willing to lend me his elite soldiers. If you agree, then give me the tiger token and deploy these valiant warriors to the ground before the command tent."

"They are all to follow my orders: men with eyes closed, horses blindfolded. They will only listen for my command to charge forward. No matter what they hear or encounter on the way, they must not open their eyes. If one opens his eyes, he dies, and not even an Immortal could save him."

"Preposterous, absolutely preposterous..." Those listening all exchanged confused looks, some even frowning.

What kind of talk was this? Not only was he, a mere jianghu Magician, asking for the tiger token, but he also expected them to let him act so recklessly? These elite soldiers were the food-protection general's lifeblood, his very foundation, not some toys to be trifled with.

But just as everyone found it absurd, the food-protection general slowly frowned and said, "You are an expert from the Path; you shouldn't be here to jest with me. Since you've come so openly into my military camp and spoken such outrageous words..."

"Then tell me, who is it that you intend to save?"

Er Guotou sighed lightly and took something from his sleeve. Most onlookers didn't understand its significance, but from behind Yang Gong, a lame little ghost suddenly poked its head out and exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Greetings and good fortune, Old Master Hu!"

Silence fell. Yang Gong looked at the little ghost, gently patted its head, and then smiled at Er Guotou. "The truth is, I only have ten thousand elite soldiers who can truly fight and follow orders. Will that be enough?"

Such straightforwardness caught Er Guotou, who had been about to say more, off guard. He laughed. "So decisive! Aren't you afraid I'm deceiving you, or that I'll waste your precious troops?"

"You don't understand." Yang Gong laughed. "My brother bestowed upon me a volume of the Heavenly Book. With this skill in my possession, even if I lose all my current assets, I can build them up again."

"Besides..." He paused, then smiled. "My brother never does things that would cause his friends to suffer a loss."

「Meanwhile, upon seeing an army approaching, although the Reincarnators were surprised, they immediately cheered.」

They didn't care where this army had come from. They only saw the sinister, evil aura of the Shangjing City Garrison, while this Food Protection Army stood firm and imposing, its presence not outmatched in the slightest. An army itself acts as a living suppression object. As long as its aura wasn't inferior and its numbers weren't too disparate, it could play a decisive role. They had suffered considerably in their earlier clash with the Ten Surnames. With this army present, another battle would be an entirely different matter.

Amidst their excitement, even before they could make a move, they saw drums beating within the Food Protection Army. A valiant general on horseback charged forward, followed by men carrying a banner emblazoned with the character "Zhou"—it was none other than Zhou Liang of the Food Protection Army.

Seeing Zhou Liang's fierce charge, a warrior from the Shangjing City Garrison also spurred his horse forward. Both sides were military forces, so they followed military protocols rather than jianghu customs. When one side sent out a challenger, the other was bound to send someone to meet them—this was the tradition of duels between champions.

Both men were on swift horses, their weapons heavy. They charged, weapons flashing, and quickly exchanged several blows.

In terms of skill, the Commander from the Shangjing City Garrison, enveloped in a sinister aura, was quite formidable. However, Zhou Liang now had the blessing of Er Guotou's altar, his Mana amplified, and he grew fiercer with every exchange. Spotting an opening, Zhou Liang struck the Shangjing Commander's back, causing bones to crack and a shoulder to seemingly collapse. But in an instant, the sinister aura flared, and the Commander was restored, continuing his fierce assault.

Seeing this, Zhou Liang suddenly pulled back, let out a muffled grunt, and a beam of white light shot forward from him. It was precisely the trump card Hu Ma had taught him in the mountains—the Nine Nether Bull Sound.

Once this trump card was unleashed, the Commander on horseback, wreathed in his evil aura, suddenly lost his balance and tumbled from his steed. Seeing things turn dire, two young women from the enemy ranks—identical in appearance, one dressed in black and the other in white—began to softly chant a curse. They actually managed to rouse the fallen Commander, who prepared to fight again.

At this moment, Er Guotou, positioned to the side of the army, let out a cold snort. The light from the Red Lantern beside him blazed forward. As the Red Lantern's light shone, the black and white women's Magic was broken.

Zhou Liang didn't even wait for the Commander to get up. He charged forward, and with a single stroke of his blade, severed the Commander's head, carrying it back to his own ranks.

Upon seeing this, the faces of the black and white women in the Shangjing City Garrison changed dramatically; they had lost this exchange in the duel of supernatural powers.

"Excellent!" From their side, a cheer erupted, and countless shadowy figures swiftly emerged from the darkness of the night.

Having a suppression object versus not having one made all the difference in such a duel. Seeing the Food Protection Army gain the upper hand right from the start, they knew they wouldn't be at a disadvantage this time. It was a moment to savor their elation.

Standing at the forefront beside the Red Lantern, Er Guotou also felt a sense of relief. His expression, though, remained stern as he raised his hand high, preparing to give the order.

"Hold on!"

But just then, from within the Shangjing City Garrison, Zhao Sanyi's expression changed, and he rode out to meet them. He first offered a distant salute to Er Guotou and then called out, "Brother, we are old acquaintances. We met in the Underworld."

"You've personally led troops and shown yourself here. Before we clash, surely there should be some justification offered!"

"Justification?" Hearing his words, Er Guotou's brow furrowed slightly. He first offered a slight bow, a gesture of courtesy, then smiled. "When we met in the Underworld, you did lend us a hand. So, you're not an outsider. I'll give you a proper answer."

"You ask what I'm doing here with my troops? I'd like to ask you the same question!" With that, his voice suddenly turned sharp and loud. "You people in Shangjing City! You've imprisoned my Ghost Walking Sect's Great sword catching sect. What exactly is your intention?"

"Hmm?" His words left everyone momentarily perplexed, caught off guard by his question.

"Today's matter is simple!" At this, Er Guotou declared coldly, "The Daluo Dharma Sect was disrespectful first, trapping a Great Hall Officer of my sect!"

"Today, I, representing the Ghost Walking Sect, am here for an Inquiry, to seek Reason, and to perform the Divine Incense Distribute! And with a host of my Small Hall Officers, I've come to demand that person from you!"

With his command, in an instant, the formidable soldiers and cavalry, along with countless Reincarnators shouting in excitement, surged forward like a tide.

And at that very moment, within Shangjing City, Hu Ma seemed to sense something and abruptly opened his eyes.