167: The troops are about to be dispatched! (Seeking monthly tickets)

“Woo——”

The sun set in the west, and the lingering rays were like blood.

The long horn blast, like the roar of a chariot from an ancient battlefield, reverberated above Yunding Mountain and rapidly spread in all directions.

In Jin Guan City, which had been bustling with activity, all the noise mysteriously vanished wherever the horn blast echoed.

Pedestrians driving carts and horses, vendors shouting, or storytellers in teahouses—at this moment, they all stopped what they were doing, choked on the words they were chewing, and turned their heads in unison towards the direction from which the horn sound came.

That was the direction of Yunding Mountain!

The next second, commotion erupted all over Jin Guan City.

In the marketplace, with a bang, a house door was opened, and a brave Hunter rushed out, looking up towards Yunding Mountain, his expression tightening, and quickly rushed back inside.

About a dozen breaths later, this person had already donned a set of Black Armored Soldiers, led a horse out of the courtyard, swiftly mounted it, and was about to charge out, tugging on the reins.

“My Lord!” A hurried cry, and a woman was seen chasing out, holding a long saber in both hands. She came to the horse’s side, looking at the Hunter with pleading eyes, “Are you leaving?”

The brave Hunter took the long saber, his face solemn, “The Fushi has blown the horn, which means an emergency assembly, little sister, wait for me to return!”

With that, the man didn't say much more, snapped the reins,

“Hup!”

The big horse charged onto the street, running dozens of meters away. The Hunter looked back, and in the distant doorway, his woman, with tears in her eyes, smiled and waved at him.

The man forced himself to look away, then cursed fiercely, “Damn it.”

Then, the big horse galloped away.

All over Jin Guan City, hurried hoofbeats like raindrops echoed, passing through main streets and alleyways, and armored figures rushed towards Yunding Mountain.

All the armored soldiers from various mountains who were on leave or out on assignments, upon hearing the horn, rushed to assemble at Yunding Mountain.

The common people watched as streaks of afterimages swept across the streets, stomping like the wind, and then heard the blaring horn, a cacophony of noise erupting.

At Beishan Courtyard, various Jianghu figures were startled by the horn blast and came out to look. Soon after, several armored soldiers were seen flying down from the mountain.

“By order of the Commander, at three-quarters past midnight tonight, the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General’s investiture ceremony will be held, inviting all sects to Yun Tian Peak to observe the ritual!”

After delivering the message, the armored soldiers flew back.

“Why is it earlier?”

“It seems there’s been some change.”

“Send word to Senior Martial Uncle, see if he’ll go.”

“……”

Sounds of surprise, suspicion, and low exclamations.

The Disciples from various families received the news of the ceremony being moved up, and then each used their methods to transmit the message.

Among them, some high-ranking members of their sects had arrived but had not shown themselves at the courtyard. Some were within Jin Guan City, others outside, seemingly observing.

At this moment, in a small hall within a courtyard of this very compound.

Ji Wuming, the Chief Disciple of Canghai Peak of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, was bowing to the two people seated in front of him.

Both were elderly, one with graying hair, wearing a black-collared gray robe, with a wooden hairpin in his hair, a square face and upright brows, subtly exuding an aura of authority.

The other had long white eyebrows and a benevolent expression, dressed in a large purple robe, possessing an otherworldly Daoist demeanor.

“No need for you, young man, to tell us; we two old fellows aren’t so old that we can’t hear, haha.” At this moment, the white-browed old man said with a chuckle to Ji Wuming, who was bowing and prostrating, appearing quite respectful.

After speaking, this person turned his head to the gray-haired old man next to him, his smile fading: “It seems there’s another situation with the Dao Fu Division; the scheduled ceremony has been moved up.”

He then sighed and continued: “Alas, that matter in the south came too suddenly. Many old fellows received the news and couldn’t make up their minds for a while, or they came but didn’t show themselves, or simply pretended not to hear, probably still waiting for follow-up. However, if they wait any longer, it might be irreversible. By then, how will we, who guard the Ancestral Master’s foundation, face the Ancestral Master’s valiant spirits on the Yellow Springs road in the future?”

The gray-haired old man nodded, his brows furrowing, “Shu Mountain sent us two old fellows here, so naturally, we won’t stand by idly. You and I are actually the same; we are old, and why would we not have reservations? We are certainly not as spirited as those passionate young people.”

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Ji Wuming and said, “Wuming, I heard you’ve had some dealings with a Zhonglang General recently?”

Ji Wuming nodded, “Reporting to Revered Master, yes!”

Ji Wuming recounted the events of the past few days and how he came to know that Zhonglang General.

“It seems it’s this one!”

The gray-haired old man’s eyes flickered, and he transmitted a message to the purple-robed old man, who nodded.

Their Shu Mountain was located in the northwest, three thousand li away from Tianxiong Pass. Before coming, Shu Mountain had received news from Tianxiong Pass.

The Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General had established a formidable reputation at Tianxiong Pass, and the entire mighty pass was in awe. However, it was strange that this person’s reputation was not prominent in Jin Guan City; he seemed to have emerged out of nowhere. Everyone only knew that a new Zhonglang General had arrived at Ninth Mountain and was about to be invested.

The gray-haired old man nodded, “What a Zhonglang General, generous and righteous, to bestow such precious things upon you. It seems you won’t need me to worry about your Breakthrough to Heavenly Gate.”

After speaking, his gaze firmed, “Next, I ask you, I, your Revered Master, want you to lead the Shu Mountain Disciples and follow this Zhonglang General south, to slay demons and eradicate evil, and uphold our Shu Mountain Dao. Are you willing?”

Upon hearing this, Ji Wuming felt a surge of righteous Qi in his chest, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he bowed with both hands, solemnly declaring, “Disciple is willing!”

“Even if the road ahead is perilous and life and death are uncertain, you are still willing?”

“Willing!”

“Good!”

“Then I, your Revered Master, will protect your Dao!”

…

At this moment, Yunding Mountain presented a bustling scene.

At the foot of the mountain, at the base of several mountains, the Ninth Mountain Army continuously gathered. People shouted and horses neighed, swiftly forming ranks.

Especially the Ninth Mountain Army, many of whom were newly recruited, now watched as soldiers rushed and formed ranks, shouting. They could clearly feel the tense atmosphere, and their bodies couldn’t help but tense up.

Some people carried heavy armor, throwing it to the ground, urging them on.

“Quick, form ranks first, then put on your armor!”

Everyone, under command, formed their ranks and then put on their armor.

Then, armored soldiers distributed long sabers and horses to them, and finally, even Medicinal Pills and talismans were distributed.

This made many of them unable to help but show surprise.

There were even Medicinal Pills being distributed.

The cheapest of these cost several taels of silver per pill.

At this moment, a cold shout was heard. In front of the formation, on three tall horses, three leading military lieutenants patrolled the formation. The one in the middle advanced, pulling on the reins, his eyes like a wolf, and he coldly shouted:

“Everyone listen carefully, the General is about to be invested!”

“Afterward, the Ninth Mountain Army will immediately march into the Ten Thousand Mountains to fight against demons.”

“Everyone, check your military equipment and tidy your military appearance.”

This shout instantly raised the tense atmosphere to its peak.

It turned out that they were about to march immediately!