Chapter 37: Each With Their Own Thoughts

Thanks to the Monster-Subduing Bureau's strength and professionalism, the journey was slower but very safe.

No need to worry about being attacked by the wild ghosts at night, and they could rest better, without having to flip day and night.

At noon seven days later, the group finally arrived at the gates of Bobai Military Town.

By then the gates had been closed again.

Moreover, there seemed to be someone standing guard up above.

"What's going on? Have border troops been redeployed here so quickly?" Bai Liwei's expression was very strange.

Zhang Minsheng walked over, shook his head, and said, "Impossible! Without an altar in place, no border troops would garrison here."

This was indeed a fact — the more desolate the place, the more wild ghosts.

At first, one might rely on sheer numbers and the vigorous qi and blood to keep the wild ghosts at bay.

But as time went on, the yang qi and blood qi on a person's body would gradually be worn down, and the 'circle' formed by yang qi would shrink smaller and smaller, so the wild ghosts would slowly draw closer.

"But there really is someone up there!" a man from the Monster-Subduing Bureau said.

Bai Liwei picked up the thread: "Last time we escaped, the gates were open."

Zhang Minsheng nodded, then shouted up at the wall: "Monster-Subduing Bureau, under the Pacification-South Military Governor, Deputy Captain Zhang Minsheng, ordered to escort the 'altar' into this place. May I ask the brothers above — which border army do you belong to?"

His voice echoed around, but the people above gave no response at all.

Zhang Minsheng frowned and shouted it again.

Still no response — the figures hadn't even moved.

"Something's off." Zhang Minsheng gestured to a short little fellow in the Monster-Subduing Bureau: "Go up and take a look."

The skinny, short fellow also produced a grappling hook of the same style as 'Old Hou's', tossed it onto the city wall, then quickly climbed up.

Under everyone's expectant gazes, the skinny, short fellow shouted: "The things up there aren't people!"

Then a human-shaped object was thrown out, drifting unsteadily down to the ground.

When everyone looked, it turned out to be a paper figure dressed like a soldier.

It was drawn somewhat like a person, but also very unlike one, making it especially creepy to look at.

"Paper effigy?" Zhang Minsheng squinted and studied it for a moment, then looked at the spirit-hunters in his own party and asked: "What's the story here?"

A spirit-hunter from the Monster-Subduing Bureau stepped forward and said, "It could be some kind of evil art. I sensed a trace of grievance up there."

"Bring it in first." Zhang Minsheng looked up at the wall: "Once we're inside, gather up every paper figure and burn them all."

The Monster-Subduing Bureau men nodded one after another.

Soon the gates were reopened, and the group entered the fortress.

Looking at the white bones covering the ground, the Monster-Subduing Bureau men all furrowed their brows.

Zhang Minsheng asked Bai Liwei: "Last time you came, you didn't tidy up this fortress?"

"Where would we find the time." Bai Liwei gave a wry smile: "When we arrived, it was already past noon. We had to investigate whether any survivors were still here, and also look for clues — all of that takes time, no room for anything else. Then by nightfall, things went wrong."

Zhang Minsheng gave a small nod, showing he understood.

Then he waved to his men and said: "You lot — go investigate this place again. Every corner must be searched thoroughly. If you find any paper figures, drag them back."

The Monster-Subduing Bureau men set the altar down, then scattered in all directions.

Because it was daytime, the altar's Zhenjun didn't much like coming out, and was still curled up inside 'sleeping'.

At this point Zhao Hao walked over to Zhang Minsheng, smiled, and asked: "Captain Zhang, is there anywhere you need our help?"

"Actually, yes." Zhang Minsheng pointed at the altar: "This Zhenjun hasn't had any qi and blood offerings for several days now. Would one of you mind giving him a bit of qi and blood to fill his belly?"

"I'll do it." Zhao Hao laughed heartily, even patting his own chest: "Not to boast, but among all the spirit-hunters in Yulin County, my qi and blood are the most vigorous — I guarantee the Zhenjun will eat well and give his compliments."

Zhang Minsheng's cheek twitched a little; he felt this Zhao Hao was a bit of a simpleton: "Then sorry for the trouble, Inspector Zhao."

"Don't mention it, don't mention it."

After speaking, Zhao Hao walked up to the altar. After a bout of gesticulating, the Zhenjun that looked like a red-haired ape appeared.

Then Zhao Hao began supplying qi and blood.

The red-haired-ape-looking Zhenjun grabbed hold of Zhao Hao's right hand and sucked in big, greedy gulps.

Clumps of red light appeared, falling into that great black mouth — clearly a large amount of qi and blood being drained away.

Zhao Hao's face seemed to be twitching.

By this contrast, Li Lin could feel just how gentle the Tree Immortal Lady had been when she drew off his essence.

A moment later, the red-haired-ape Zhenjun wiped his mouth and went back inside the altar.

Zhao Hao walked back. His complexion was a little pale, but he still laughed brightly: "Fed it in one go — pretty impressive, right?"

Li Lin and the other two cupped their hands in unison.

"Impressive, impressive."

Su Huafang thought for a moment, then took out a small bottle from his pocket: "Young Master Zhao, these are Yang-Supplementing Pills I refined myself — have a few."

Zhao Hao took them without hesitation, pulled out the stopper, and poured them into his mouth.

By now Zhang Minsheng had walked off some distance. Zhao Hao chewed the pills while saying quietly: "That Zhenjun isn't quite right, and Zhang Minsheng isn't quite right either. Stay on your guard."

Li Lin and the other two kept their expressions unchanged, as if they hadn't heard a thing.

Before long, the men who had been searching all over the fortress returned.

They all shook their heads at Zhang Minsheng — they hadn't found any clues or objects worth noting.

However, they had all rounded up the paper effigies and thrown them onto an open patch of ground.

All of these paper effigies were shaped like soldiers.

Everyone formed a circle, looking at these paper effigies with their faces painted bright red.

Someone was about to light a fire and burn the lot.

Li Lin suddenly spoke up and asked: "How many paper effigies are there here?"

"No idea."

Li Lin said, "I think we should count them."

Zhang Minsheng pondered for a moment, then said, "There's no rush on this bit of time. Let's listen to Li Xunshou and count them."

Soon, the number of paper effigies was counted clearly.

"One hundred and thirty-six."

The expressions of Li Lin and Bai Liwei immediately changed somewhat.

Zhang Minsheng noticed this and asked, "Is there any significance to this number?"

Li Lin said, "When we came here last time, we saw the roster. There were a total of one hundred and thirty-seven soldiers, but at that time we only found one hundred and thirty-six skulls. Now, the paper effigies here are also one hundred and thirty-six!"

There was obviously a connection between these.

Zhang Minsheng nodded, his expression somewhat subtle: "I did indeed see this in the report submitted by Magistrate Huang. Your Soul-Hunters' minds are sharp; I truly did not connect these paper effigies with the number of soldiers. So, Li Xunshou, what is your suggestion?"

By the end, his tone had grown somewhat cold.

Li Lin waved his hand: "I was just asking casually. Commander Zhang is the one in charge this time."

Bai Liwei also clasped his fists nearby and said, "Before we left, the Magistrate stated that we four should follow Commander Zhang's orders."

Zhang Minsheng was very satisfied with their words. He then smiled, waved his hand, and said to his subordinates: "Burn all the paper effigies, and begin to establish a protective barrier."

"Boss, it's only just past noon. Is it too early to start establishing a protective barrier?"

"Better early than late. Go."

Then Zhang Minsheng and the people of the Demon-Suppression Bureau went off to busy themselves.

The four Soul-Hunters from Yulin County gathered together.

Bai Liwei whispered, "This Zhang Minsheng really does seem to have some issues now."

Zhao Hao chuckled twice: "Don't worry. If anything truly happens, I'll protect you."

(End of this chapter)