Chapter 37: Each Has Their Own Thoughts

Thanks to the strength and professionalism of the Spirit-Slaying Bureau, this journey, though slow, was safe.

There was no need to worry about being attacked by wilderness spirits at night, allowing for better rest and no need to reverse day and night.

At noon on the seventh day, the group finally arrived at the gates of Bobai Military Garrison.

The gate had been closed again.

And there appeared to be sentries on top.

“What’s going on? How did border troops arrive so quickly?” Bai Liwei’s expression was strange.

Zhang Minsheng walked over and shook his head. “Impossible! Without an altar, no border troops could be stationed here.”

This was indeed true—the more remote the wilderness, the more wilderness spirits there were.

Initially, one might use sheer numbers and vigorous blood qi to deter them.

But over time, the yang qi and blood qi of the human body would gradually deplete, the yang qi “circle” would shrink, and the wilderness spirits would slowly draw nearer.

“But there really are people up there!” said one of the Spirit-Slaying Bureau members.

Bai Liwei added, “Before we escaped last time, the gate was open.”

Zhang Minsheng nodded and shouted upward: “Spirit-Slaying Bureau, under the command of the Vice Commandant Zhang Minsheng of Funan Military Governor, ordered to escort the ‘Altar’ to this location. Who are you, brothers on the wall?”

His voice echoed nearby, but those above gave no response.

Zhang Minsheng frowned and shouted again.

Still no response. The silhouettes didn’t even move.

“Something’s off.” Zhang Minsheng signaled a short, thin man from the Spirit-Slaying Bureau: “Go up and check.”

The lean, short man pulled out a grappling hook similar to Old Hou’s, tossed it onto the wall, and swiftly climbed up.

Under everyone’s expectant gaze, the lean man shouted: “Those up there aren’t human!”

Then a human-shaped object was thrown down, swaying gently as it floated to the ground.

Everyone looked—it was a paper soldier.

It was drawn somewhat like a soldier, yet not quite, making it look especially unsettling.

“Paper effigy?” Zhang Minsheng squinted for a moment, then turned to the Spirit-Slaying Bureau’s Spirit-Hunter. “What’s your take?”

The Spirit-Hunter stepped forward. “Possibly a dark art—I sensed a trace of resentment qi up there.”

“Bring them in,” Zhang Minsheng said, staring at the wall. “Once inside, collect all the paper effigies and burn them.”

The Spirit-Slaying Bureau members nodded vigorously.

Soon the gate reopened, and the group entered the fortress.

Seeing the bones scattered everywhere, the Spirit-Slaying Bureau members frowned.

Zhang Minsheng asked Bai Liwei: “When you last came, didn’t you clean up this fortress?”

“We didn’t have time,” Bai Liwei chuckled bitterly. “We arrived past noon—had to check for survivors, search for clues, all of which took time. We had no chance to do anything else. Then night fell, and trouble came.”

Zhang Minsheng nodded slightly, showing understanding.

He waved to his men. “You, search this place again—every corner, thoroughly. If you find a paper effigy, drag it back.”

The Spirit-Slaying Bureau members set down the altar and scattered.

Since it was daytime, the True Lord of the altar preferred not to emerge and remained inside, “asleep.”

At this moment, Zhao Hao walked up to Zhang Minsheng and smiled. “Commandant Zhang, is there anything we can help with?”

“There is,” Zhang Minsheng pointed at the altar. “This True Lord hasn’t received blood qi offerings for several days. Could someone please provide him some?”

“I’ll do it,” Zhao Hao laughed heartily, slapping his chest. “Don’t mean to boast, but among all Spirit-Hunters in Yulin County, my blood qi is the most vigorous—I guarantee the True Lord will be satisfied.”

Zhang Minsheng’s face twitched slightly—he felt Zhao Hao was a bit foolish. “Then thank you, Patrol Commander Zhao.”

“No need to thank me.”

Zhao Hao walked to the altar, gestured wildly, and the True Lord—resembling a red-furred gorilla—appeared.

Then Zhao Hao offered his blood qi.

The red-furred gorilla-like True Lord clutched Zhao Hao’s right arm and sucked greedily.

Clusters of red light appeared, flowing into its black mouth—clearly, vast amounts of blood qi were being drained.

Zhao Hao’s face seemed to twitch.

In contrast, Li Lin could feel how gentle the Tree Immortal Lady had been when drawing essence.

After a moment, the red-furred gorilla True Lord wiped its mouth and returned to the altar.

Zhao Hao returned, his face pale but still grinning cheerfully. “Fed it all at once—impressive, right?”

Li Lin and the other two bowed in unison.

“Impressive, indeed.”

Su Huafang pondered a moment, then pulled a small vial from his pocket. “Young Master Zhao, this is my own refined Yang-Supplementing Pill. Take a few.”

Zhao Hao took it without hesitation, uncorked it, and poured the pills straight into his mouth.

Meanwhile, Zhang Minsheng had walked away. As Zhao Hao chewed the pills, he whispered: “That True Lord is strange. Zhang Minsheng is strange too. Stay alert.”

Li Lin and the other two kept their expressions unchanged, as if they’d heard nothing.

Soon, those who had searched the fortress returned.

They all shook their heads at Zhang Minsheng—no noteworthy clues or objects found.

But they had collected all the paper effigies and dumped them on the open ground.

All the paper effigies were in the form of soldiers.

Everyone formed a circle, staring at the effigies, their faces painted bright red.

Someone was about to light a torch and burn them all.

Li Lin suddenly spoke: “How many paper effigies are here?”

“We didn’t count.”

Li Lin said: “We should count them.”

Zhang Minsheng thought a moment. “No need to rush. Listen to Patrol Commander Li—count them.”

Soon, the number of paper effigies was counted.

“One hundred thirty-six.”

Li Lin and Bai Liwei’s expressions changed immediately.

Zhang Minsheng noticed. “What’s significant about this number?”

Li Lin said: “Last time we came, we saw the roster—there were one hundred thirty-seven soldiers. But we only found one hundred thirty-six skulls. Now, there are one hundred thirty-six paper effigies here.”

There was clearly a connection.

Zhang Minsheng nodded, his expression subtly altered. “I did see this in the report from the Huang County Magistrate. You Spirit-Hunters really think ahead—I never connected these effigies to the soldiers’ numbers. So, Patrol Commander Li, what do you suggest?”

His tone had grown cold by the end.

Li Lin waved his hand. “I just asked out of curiosity. Commandant Zhang is in charge here.”

Bai Liwei also bowed. “Before we left, the County Magistrate told us four to obey Commandant Zhang’s orders.”

Zhang Minsheng was satisfied with their replies. He smiled and waved to his men. “Burn all the paper effigies. Then begin setting up the Defense Array.”

“Chief, it’s only just past noon—isn’t it too early to set up the Defense Array?”

“Better early than late. Go.”

Then Zhang Minsheng led the Spirit-Slaying Bureau members into action.

The four Spirit-Hunters from Yulin County gathered together.

Bai Liwei whispered: “This Zhang Minsheng… he really does seem off.”

Zhao Hao chuckled twice. “Don’t worry—if anything happens, I’ll protect you.”

(End of Chapter)