Chapter 36: Invitation

Jiang Xiaomu followed the envoy into the main hall, his steps steady, his gaze sharp as he swept over the surroundings.

On the steps at the center of the hall sat a figure, clad in heavy armor.

Most striking was the Asura mask on his face.

Jiang Xiaomu's hand rested on the sword hilt without a sound.

He asked in a low voice, "Who are you? What business do you have?"

That figure did not answer, merely raising his head slowly; the hollow eye sockets seemed to stare into Jiang Xiaomu's soul.

A hoarse voice came from beneath the mask, like the whisper of a hell demon:

"Jiang Xiaomu, a Lingnan native, lost his father in youth, relying on his sister Jiang Xiaoyu for survival; at fourteen years old…"

That voice, grating like sandpaper scraping, was harsh yet clearly recounted Jiang Xiaomu's past.

The more Jiang Xiaomu listened, the more his heart startled, the knuckles of his hand gripping the hilt whitening.

This person's understanding of him simply reached an unimaginable degree.

"You… who exactly are you?"

Jiang Xiaomu's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor.

That figure let out a low laugh.

"Who am I? Is that question important? What matters is that I know who you are."

"What exactly do you want to do?"

"Jiang Xiaomu, you are smart and also cautious."

The Ghost Mask Leader's voice was low and hoarse.

"But you will ultimately not escape my grasp."

Jiang Xiaomu's mind raced,

Just who is this leader?

What is his purpose?

Countless questions churned in his mind, yet he found no answers.

"You don't need to know who I am."

The Ghost Mask Leader seemed to see through Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts, his tone hinting at mockery.

"You must be curious how I know what you're thinking."

"This guy actually knows mind-reading!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted violently, he nearly cried out.

"Don't be nervous; I merely wish to invite you to join the Ghost Mask Army."

The Ghost Mask Army—a name he was not unfamiliar with; rumors about them in the martial world, each version chilling to the bone.

Some say they can summon evil spirits, command heavenly thunder and earthly fire, killing invisibly;

Some say they are not living beings but emissaries from hell, feeding on human souls;

Still others say they were once members of a mysterious sect, who, having violated forbidden arcane arts, turned into neither-human-nor-ghost monsters…

But no matter which version, they all point to one fact—the Ghost Mask Army is a powerful and terrifying force that none dare provoke or touch.

And now, this legendary army actually extended an olive branch to him?

Jiang Xiaomu kept his tone as calm as possible:

"I am merely a nobody; what merit or ability do I have to catch the leader's eye?"

The leader did not directly answer his question, but instead went on speaking:

"I have observed you for a long time, Jiang Xiaomu. Your thoughts are meticulous, your actions decisive, yet you are not a bloodthirsty person. You have the potential to become strong, but you are trapped in this small Hope City…"

"What do you want to say?"

Jiang Xiaomu frowned, a faint unease rising in his heart.

"What I want to say is that you could have possessed a broader world to fulfill greater ambitions, rather than wasting your talent as you do now."

"Join us, Jiang Xiaomu; I can give you everything you desire—power, wealth, strength, and even… eternal life."

"Eternal life?"

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly, "Does eternal life really exist in this world? I don't believe it."

"Believe it or not, but I can guarantee that as long as you join us, you will obtain everything you want."

"How about it, Jiang Xiaomu—are you willing to accept my invitation?"

Jiang Xiaomu fell silent.

Gazing at this inscrutable leader before him, he secretly pondered.

Gaining power means changing one's fate!!

And the price the Ghost Mask Army demands is likely far greater than he imagined……

"I need time to consider."

Jiang Xiaomu ultimately still did not agree; he needed to figure out whether this was an opportunity or a trap.

"Of course, I can give you time."

The leader's face showed no displeasure,

"However, I advise you not to keep me waiting too long; opportunities are always fleeting."

The leader drew an ancient flute from his bosom, placing it to his lips and playing softly.

Inside the hall, the previously calm air suddenly began to churn violently, forming a strong gale.

Jiang Xiaomu only felt his vision blur; upon looking again, the hall and the leader had vanished, replaced by a barren stretch of sand dunes.

"An illusion!" Jiang Xiaomu exclaimed.

I had heard that the leader of the Ghost Face Army was versed in strange and extraordinary arts, but today I actually saw him.

Someone who can simultaneously master mind-reading technique and illusion technique can no longer be described with the word 'person'.

It seems the Ghost Face Army is indeed as evil as the legends say.

Jiang Xiaomu leapt onto his horse, turned its head, and galloped swiftly toward the outside of Wangzhou City.

The Ghost Face Army's troops have begun to retreat; obviously, the purpose of their mission has been achieved.

Jiang Xiaomu watched the Ghost Face Army recede into the distance, his heart filled with doubt.

Just what is the origin of this Ghost Face Army?

Did they come all this way just to invite me to join?

Returning to his camp, Jiang Xiaomu immediately summoned his subordinate officers and recounted in detail what had just happened.

Upon hearing this, all the officers showed looks of astonishment.

"Lao Da, the Ghost Face Army is so powerful; how should we respond?" Xiong Kuohai asked, blowing out smoke rings.

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment, then said:

Pass the order down: the entire army is to be on alert, increase patrols, and strictly guard against another attack by the Ghost Face Army. Furthermore, send scouts along the way to search for any traces of the Ghost Face Army, to see if we can find their lair.

The soldier received the order and withdrew.