Chapter 35: Meeting

「Go, collect the brothers' bodies, bury them decently, and burn the others. 」

「Also, issue the order: everyone associated with Shapozi and the old beggar, exterminate them root and branch! 」

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was low and hoarse.

The personal guards took their leave and left; only Jiang Xiaomu remained in the tent.

He sat cross-legged, circulating his inner energy to heal his wounds.

In these chaotic times, human life is as cheap as grass.

Suddenly, a voice sounded in his mind:

「The host slew the old beggar and Shapozi, rewarding seven hundred heavenly points. 」

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes snapped open, a glint of sharpness flashing across them.

System!

Since transmigrating into this perpetually war-torn ancient world, this system has been his greatest reliance.

With a thought, a light screen appeared before him, densely packed with various items.

【Longevity-extending pills】, 【swords that cut iron like mud】, and even the legendary 【technique to raise the dead】……

Seven hundred heavenly points are enough to exchange for some good stuff.

Jiang Xiaomu's gaze swept quickly across the light screen, finally settling on an item called "Profound Iron Armor." Although Shapozi has been eliminated, greater danger still lies ahead.

Only by strengthening himself can he survive in this cruel, chaotic world.

After exchanging for the armor, Jiang Xiaomu began browsing other items.

Each one made his heart race.

Greed leads to indigestion; for now, the most important thing is to boost his immediate combat power.

The news of Shapozi's execution spread rapidly throughout the city.

The people ran to and fro, telling each other that this scourge that had plagued the city for years had finally received its due retribution.

Jiang Xiaomu's name also rose to fame.

Relying on his martial skills and extraordinary courage, he gradually stood out in the chaotic world.

More and more refugees and deserters came, drawn by his reputation, hoping to find a way to survive under his command.

Jiang Xiaomu turned nobody away, incorporating them one by one, and his forces quickly grew.

However, fame brought not only followers but also potential enemies.

Some military households that already bore a grudge against Jiang Xiaomu hated him to the core; they secretly colluded, plotting to eliminate him and seize his military authority.

Jiang Xiaomu was not completely unaware of this.

In this chaotic world, to survive one must be ruthless and merciless, preferring to mistakenly kill rather than let slip, even if the opponent is a child.

One day, while Jiang Xiaomu was studying military tactics in his tent, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"What's going on?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked in a deep voice.

A personal guard rushed in panic, kneeling on the ground:

"General, it's bad! A large army has appeared outside the city, numerous and advancing menacingly!"

Jiang Xiaomu's brows knit tightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

This army came too suddenly, and its numbers far exceeded his estimate.

Could it be the Imperial Court's army? Or some other force?

He quickly donned his armor and stepped out of the tent.

All he saw was dust flying outside the city, banners blotting out the sun, a massive army marching mightily toward the city.

「Ghost Face Army! 」

A cry of alarm erupted from the crowd.

Ghost Face Army, a notorious bandit force that committed every conceivable evil.

Their appearance made the already panic-stricken city even more dire.

Jiang Xiaomu's face grew grave; he silently thought: It seems a fierce battle is unavoidable……

He suddenly drew the long knife at his waist, blade pointing toward the outside, and shouted loudly:

「All troops, on guard! Prepare to meet the enemy! 」

Just as Jiang Xiaomu prepared for a desperate last stand, the system's voice sounded again in his mind:

「Detecting that the host is about to face a life-or-death crisis, initiating emergency mission: repel the Ghost Face Army, reward one thousand heavenly points. 」

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted—one thousand heavenly points!

That is a huge temptation.

If he could complete this mission, he could exchange for even more powerful items, and perhaps even change the entire course of the war.

Jiang Xiaomu, clad in Profound Iron Armor, his eyes like torches, scanned the neatly arranged three thousand iron cavalry before him.

「Report! The Ghost Face Army has sent someone to request an audience! 」

A scout came flying forward, cupping his fists to report.

Jiang Xiaomu's sword brows furrowed slightly, doubt arising in his heart.

Ghost Face Army? I've never heard of that name.

He had endured three bitter years in this godforsaken Wangzhou City; aside from his younger sister and a bunch of rough fellows, where would any old acquaintances come from?

Could it be that they're coming for the tiger-wolf army under his command?

「Who goes there? 」

Jiang Xiaomu asked in a deep voice.

The visitor claimed to be an envoy of the Ghost Face Army, saying he wished to meet with the General.

The scout replied.

"A meeting?" Jiang Xiaomu let out a cold laugh,

"Surely this isn't a Hongmen banquet, right? This Ghost Face Army is mysterious, its origins unknown—just who exactly is its leader?"

He pondered in his mind: why would the Ghost Face Army suddenly request a meeting? What could their intention be?

If they are enemies, going there would be like leading a sheep into a tiger's den.

Just then, the envoy rode up on horseback and stopped ten paces from Jiang Xiaomu.

The visitor wore a ferocious ghost mask on his face, revealing only a pair of sinister eyes.

"The leader of the Ghost Face Army requests that General Jiang come for a meeting."

The envoy's voice was hoarse, devoid of any emotion.

Jiang Xiaomu sneered inwardly; the Ghost Face Army truly came with ill intent—even their envoy was so arrogant and overbearing.

"Who exactly is your master? Why does he wish to see me?"

Jiang Xiaomu demanded sternly.

"My master's identity is not convenient to reveal; you will know naturally once you go, General."

The envoy's tone was arrogant.

Jiang Xiaomu grew even more displeased; the Ghost Face Army's secrecy and covert actions forced him to heighten his vigilance.

"General, could it be that you're afraid?" the envoy said, seeing Jiang Xiaomu hesitate, his tone tinged with mockery.

"Afraid?" Jiang Xiaomu burst into loud laughter,

"I've killed countless men; what formation have I not seen? A mere Ghost Face Army isn't worthy of making me afraid."

He secretly thought the envoy was deliberately using provocation to lure him to the Ghost Face Army's camp—there must be some trick.

Moreover, he wanted to see what sort of scheme the Ghost Face Army was hatching.

"Fine! I'd like to see just who your master really is!"

Jiang Xiaomu declared loudly,

"Xiong Kuohai!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Take five hundred cavalry and follow me; the rest of the troops shall remain in place!"

Jiang Xiaomu ordered.

"As you command!"

Xiong Kuohai received the order and departed.

Jiang Xiaomu turned his horse and said to the envoy:

"Lead the way!"

The envoy gave a cold snort, turned his horse, and galloped off toward the northwest.

Jiang Xiaomu led his five hundred cavalry in close pursuit, marching toward unknown danger.

He remained vigilant, constantly scanning the surrounding terrain just in case.

After traveling for about half an hour, a stretch of rolling sand dunes appeared ahead.

The envoy stopped before the dunes and said to Jiang Xiaomu:

"General, my master awaits ahead."

Jiang Xiaomu reined in his horse and warily scanned the surrounding dunes.

"General, please!"

The envoy made a gesturing invitation, his tone carrying a hint of chill.

A gust of yin wind swept up, rolling yellow sand across the sky, blotting out the sun.

Jiang Xiaomu felt his vision blur, and the surrounding scene changed in an instant.

The barren Gobi plain vanished, replaced by a lush green grassland.

Upon the grassland rose a magnificent, gold-and-splendid palace.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart startled; he had never seen such a strange sight.

Just what is the origin of this Ghost Face Army? How could they possess such miraculous power?

"General, please!"

The envoy again made the inviting gesture, his tone tinged with pride.

Jiang Xiaomu felt doubtful, yet he steeled himself and walked toward the palace.