Chapter 23: Ghosts Walking in Broad Daylight

Little Forest Town lay northeast of Maple Forest City, with Green Mountain Town between them. In terms of straight-line distance, it was the farthest town within Maple Forest City’s territory.

Under Wei Yan’s leadership, the group rode without pause. They passed through Green Mountain Town without stopping and arrived outside Little Forest Town in only half a day.

There were no green mountains outside Green Mountain Town. No one knew how many years ago that name had been passed down. Perhaps mountains once existed there, before the vicissitudes of time reshaped the land.

But outside Little Forest Town there truly was a grove of Moon Cypress trees, though it was very small, visible end to end at a glance.

Moon Cypress had calming properties, and furniture made from its wood was highly sought after.

It was said that the grove had once been enormous, but because Moon Cypress wood was extremely valuable, the townsfolk frequently stole timber from it, causing the grove to shrink more and more. Had Maple Forest City not issued explicit orders forbidding illegal logging, this small forest would likely have vanished years ago.

The constables transferred from Green Mountain Town were stationed within the grove, lounging or reclining lazily. Only when they heard the thunder of hoofbeats did they gather together to receive them.

These constables were merely ordinary mortal forces. Naturally, in a situation like this, they did not dare enter the town to investigate. Their purpose was only observation and warning.

Wei Yan reined in his horse outside the grove, casually swept his eyes over the group, and asked:

“How is the situation in Little Forest Town?”

The leading constable from Green Mountain Town was a broad-faced man in his forties. Hearing the question, he answered:

“Starting five days ago, fog appeared outside Little Forest Town. At first we didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was only weather changes. Back then we could still see the outline of the town and faint figures moving inside. Some people from our Green Mountain Town even went there to visit relatives.”

“Yesterday we received orders to set up a checkpoint here for observation. We haven’t seen anyone come out since then, and the fog’s gotten thicker and thicker. Now we can’t see anything at all.”

Among the dao academy disciples, Jiang Wang stretched his neck to peer toward Little Forest Town.

Maple Forest City’s territory was the homeland that had raised him. Though he had grown up in Fengxi Town, he was not unfamiliar with Little Forest Town.

The bandits of West Mountain, whom he had once destroyed single-handedly with sword alone, had occupied West Mountain ten li north of Little Forest Town.

In the past, Little Forest Town could be seen directly from Moon Cypress Grove. The town was not wealthy, but it had been peaceful and content.

Now there was only a sea of mist.

At that moment, Wei Yan’s voice rang out:

“You were ordered here to observe Little Forest Town, yet you lounge about without discipline. Some among you even used the opportunity to illegally cut Moon Cypress trees. Are you here on official duty, or to line your own pockets?”

The Green Mountain Town constables immediately turned pale. Their leader repeatedly bowed, trying to explain something.

But Wei Yan’s judgment had already been spoken:

“The Moon Cypress trees already felled will be sent to the city guard camp. All of you will forfeit one year’s salary. The captain bears leadership responsibility and is removed from office!”

The broad-faced man looked utterly devastated, yet he did not even dare protest. He merely withdrew in despair.

Only after hearing Wei Yan’s punishment did Jiang Wang notice the few Moon Cypress trees that had been cut down.

And Wei Yan had already taken everything in at a single glance upon arrival.

Jiang Wang sighed inwardly at Wei Yan’s sharpness while also thinking this man truly was severe.

Little Forest Town had fallen, leaving this Moon Cypress grove temporarily ownerless. These constables were ordinary men risking their lives to maintain a checkpoint outside the town, and merely cutting a few trees to supplement their income was understandable, even if it technically counted as dereliction.

Green Mountain Town was not wealthy. Losing a year’s salary meant every constable’s life would suddenly become difficult. Especially for this middle-aged man in his forties—captain was likely the pinnacle of his entire life’s struggle. Yet with a single sentence from Wei Yan, he was returned to nothing.

Still, this operation was practically military action. With Wei Yan leading, he was equivalent to the commanding general.

His orders were military law. No one could disobey.

After finishing his punishments, Wei Yan tugged his reins and immediately took the lead, charging toward Little Forest Town.

The horses were all warhorses from the military camp. The riders were all cultivators from the dao academy. Though only a little over thirty strong, their discipline and speed carried the momentum of thousands of troops.

Hoofbeats rolled like thunder—

Then stopped abruptly!

Those battle-hardened warhorses reared and screamed before the fog enveloping Little Forest Town. No matter how their riders urged them, they refused to advance another step.

More than thirty warhorses neighed in terror together.

It was as though something within Little Forest Town inspired absolute fear in them.

The sight itself was horrifying.

Even though the riders’ strength prevented the humiliation of men thrown from their saddles before battle, morale still plummeted, and none retained the spirited confidence they had possessed when leaving the city.

Even Wang Changxiang, usually calm and detached, wore a grave expression.

Only Wei Yan’s face remained unchanged.

His armor was mottled with wear.

The saber at his waist was narrow and straight.

The warhorse beneath him was tall and majestic.

Everyone in the age knew these were Wei Yan’s three treasured possessions.

But suddenly, he drew his saber!

Like a bolt of lightning appearing from nowhere, the blade flashed and vanished. The treasured horse beneath him abruptly ceased neighing. Its massive head separated from its body and was hurled several feet away by the geyser of blood erupting from its neck.

The corpse crashed heavily to the ground.

Wei Yan rested his hand upon his saber, staring into the mist-shrouded town as he said coldly:

“If you fear battle before entering combat, what use are you?”

“Good!”

The first to respond was unexpectedly Du Yehu.

Fierce by nature, he loved direct action. At once he smashed his fist downward, shattering the horse’s severed head.

“Surnamed Wei, how are we charging in next?”

Wei Yan raised his right hand vertically.

“Listen to my command. Dismount and prepare for battle. Form an arrowhead formation. I will serve as the tip. We enter Little Forest Town directly!”

Wei Yan killing his own horse made everyone realize there was no retreat.

At this point, hesitation no longer existed. Everyone dismounted simultaneously.

Wei Yan commanded again:

“Raise arms!”

A synchronized chorus of blades leaving sheaths rang out!

At this moment, Wei Yan’s plain-looking deputy stepped forward. His right palm faced upward while his left hand formed seals. He chanted under his breath before declaring:

“Sharpen!”

Jiang Wang immediately felt the sharpness of the sword in his hand surge forth. Though originally only a decent-quality blade, it now gave the illusion that nothing in the world could resist it.

“Flame Attachment!”

Fire instantly blazed across every weapon.

The cultivators raised swords and sabers like torches, determined to illuminate the fog-covered town ahead.

“Body Reinforcement!”

Ling He felt his body become tougher, swelling with the illusion that he could exchange punches head-on with anyone. But after glancing at the nearby Du Yehu, whose hair and beard bristled wildly, he silently dismissed the feeling.

Meanwhile, Zhao Rucheng was thinking that group enhancement dao arts were at minimum upper-grade C-class spells. Yet Wei Yan’s unremarkable deputy had cast three in succession without changing expression. The military truly hid dragons and crouching tigers.

Regardless of everyone’s thoughts, an army could only possess one will.

Under the enhancement of dao arts, Wei Yan led with saber in hand and became the first to step into Little Forest Town.

Everyone advanced cautiously while observing their surroundings.

The town was so silent that only their footsteps could be heard.

After walking for some time, the fog seemed to grow even denser.

The mist had become so thick it almost possessed substance. Beyond three steps, human figures were no longer visible. Only the flames upon their weapons stubbornly stood firm within what seemed an endless sea of fog.

Left with no choice, the formation contracted again. The distance between each person shrank from five steps to three. Any closer would interfere with combat.

Jiang Wang and his brothers occupied a middle-rear position within the formation. Their cultivation was the lowest, so they naturally received protection. There was no shame in this—it was one of the dao academy’s longstanding traditions.

Du Yehu cracked his fists loudly.

He was not nervous.

He was excited.

Eager for battle.

Jiang Wang had no doubt that even if the infamous Nine Human Demons stood before him now, Du Yehu would still throw a punch without hesitation. Whether he could win, however, was another matter entirely.

At that moment, a shout suddenly came from the edge of the formation.

“What is that?!”

Another voice responded impatiently:

“Just ghosts. What’s there to fear?”

But immediately afterward, the same voice changed in shock:

“So many?!”

Hearing this, Wei Yan abruptly turned and slashed horizontally!

An enormous blade-light tore across the air, splitting apart the dense fog around them for an instant!

And in that instant, everyone saw…

Across the entire street, staggering and clawing wildly…

Countless wandering ghosts!

In broad daylight—

A hundred ghosts walked the streets!

(End of Chapter)