The Ninth Lady is a rebellious person.

Chapter 626 A Surprising Force, The Army of Light

To say that she was involved in the game herself is actually superfluous. She was already in the game, and the way things have developed to this point is largely due to her and those around her. This game with Tantai Wuji involves the lives of all people.

Therefore, Lang Jiuchuan could not ignore it.

Now that things have come to this, she cannot retreat. If she does, it would be tantamount to deserting in the face of battle, and her Dao heart would surely collapse.

Upon hearing this, Fengya knew that she had made ample preparations. Although he was worried, he did not offer any words of advice.

The two went their separate ways.

Da Dan is now in a period of chaos even more chaotic than when war broke out. People have to guard against those terrifying demons and monsters, and also guard against their fellow human beings turning against them or pushing them to shield them from the invasion of demons. It is no exaggeration to say that those powerless, penniless and destitute people are struggling to survive in the cracks. This chaos is like the end times.

Faced with this scene, even the court officials were filled with unease. They were well-versed in poetry and literature and had read the Records of the Grand Historian. They knew that in times of chaos in history, it was always because of incompetent and corrupt rulers and a decaying court that the country was riddled with problems. They had never heard of such a calamity, nor had they ever imagined that such a horrifying thing could happen.

But now it has happened.

Just like writing supernatural tales, those things really existed in the land where they lived.

They can talk big and fight wars, but they are helpless, afraid and bewildered when it comes to dealing with such monsters. Who hasn't said that Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder and spirits? Now, who dares to say that Da Dan is still the Da Dan without strange phenomena, physical prowess and disorder and spirits?
How did the world suddenly become like this?

All the officials in the court were baffled and could only place their hopes on the monks and Taoists they had previously looked down upon, especially on Lang Jiuchuan, a Golden Elixir Immortal who had already become a true immortal.

If she can't even vanquish the demons and evil spirits, then the world is utterly doomed.

Fengya, however, had an epiphany: perhaps the spiritual energy here was about to revive!
Regardless of whether it was what he thought, the immediate priority was to stabilize the chaos in Dadan and prevent humans from killing each other. He used forceful means to compel the powerful and wealthy to act in order to bring peace to the country and save the people, even if it meant contributing money and goods.

Unwilling?

The gates of the underworld were wide open, and he sent all the adults of the family inside for a visit, where they all greeted King Yama.

The King of Hell and other emperors were both angry and helpless. Not only were all the underworld officials sent to the mortal world to collect souls, but they also had to pretend to make those living souls go through the eighteen levels of hell. It was truly a sin!

But they didn't dare say no. If the human world collapsed and the Heavenly Way died, there would be no need for the underworld to exist!

Fengya's actions were both domineering and cruel. Although those selfish people felt extremely aggrieved by his actions, they could only obediently follow his orders. They dared not go to the underworld to experience the horrors of the eighteen levels of hell.

In an instant, countless orders were issued from Wujing downwards, and those who disobeyed would be executed.

Such drastic measures, though they failed to completely suppress all those who harbored evil thoughts and greed, were not as severe as before. People could not even afford food, had to sell their children, and were even subjected to cannibalistic tragedies due to the corruption of demonic energy.

In the darkest hour of chaos in Dadan, a new force rose from the south.

At first, only sporadic news came from there. The cause was that after the fire at the imperial tomb, Da Dan was about to fall into chaos. Some refugees were causing trouble, and a third-rate local militia of only a thousand men followed the local magistrate to suppress the refugees and protect the people.

Later, as Dadan became increasingly chaotic, the number of this army grew. Although it appeared to be a motley crew, it was disciplined and its commander was particularly convincing.

While suppressing rioters, they also brought peace to the people. Wherever they went, they quickly established order and brought peace with ruthless and decisive measures, which resulted in the least harm to the people in the south due to the spread of demonic energy. This army seemed to be unafraid of demonic energy, not only daring to fight demonic spirits head-on, but even able to purify demonic energy with their pure energy. In particular, their commander seemed to be protected by the gods, as no dark, resentful demonic energy approached him, but instead he was able to make the demonic energy repel.

This army is called the Xuanjia Army. They march silently and fiercely. Their banners are embroidered with blazing red flames and are called the Crimson Flame Banners. Legend has it that these are the pure yang fires that can burn away all evil and bad luck.

The Xuanjia Army was also known as the Light Army by the people because wherever they went, the people could escape from the mire and despair and see new hope.

The commander of the Xuanjia Army was a county magistrate from the southern border region named Ning Zhe.

After the demon descended upon the world, many powerful and corrupt officials who were afraid of death hid to protect themselves. It was Ning Zhe who led the Xuanjia Army from south to north, forcefully cutting into this boundless darkness, like a ray of light illuminating this chaotic and gloomy world.

The news spread wider and wider, becoming more and more detailed, reaching not only the people of the world but also Fengya and others.

Fengya went to see Ning Zhe in person.

Ning Zhe was originally a vengeful spirit who was born in another body. He had made a life-and-death pact with the original owner of the body, and had already cleared the way for him in the Heavenly Dao. With the guidance of Lang Jiuchuan, he was no longer a vengeful spirit, but a real person, and a hope born for this world.

Upon seeing him, Fengya knew who the enlightened ruler Lang Jiuchuan was referring to was.

He saw the exquisite pagoda that always hung on Ning Zhe's waist. Because of the merits he had accumulated, it was becoming more and more spiritual and powerful, naturally keeping demons and evil spirits away.

He could also use the Linglong Tower to protect his own army from being corrupted by demonic energy. The armor of those troops was faintly engraved with peculiar pale golden runes, which repelled the demonic energy.

He is also another glimmer of hope left for humanity by the will of Heaven.

An aura of imperial power began to appear between his brows.

Ning Zhe faced Fengya with awe, but not fear. His eyes remained as firm and sharp as ever, and his brows carried the indomitable spirit of those who had endured hardship, as well as a hint of restrained compassion and benevolence.

He had absolutely no guilty conscience!
He was not afraid of being called a traitor by the world; he was simply doing what he believed was right, to establish a moral compass for the people, to establish a destiny for heaven and earth, to create peace for all generations, and to restore a bright and clear world to this place.

"Uphold your principles and protect the people. Whether you can rebuild this devastated land and save the world from collapse one day depends on your courage. If you succeed, it will not have been in vain that you were suppressed for so many years and endured your life as a spirit." Fengya looked at Ning Zhe calmly and said, "And don't let down all the knowledge you have acquired throughout your life."

Ning Zhe cupped his hands and said, "I dare not fail the True Man who saved me. I will do my utmost to create lasting peace and prosperity, and never forget my original intention."

Fengya nodded, giving his exquisite pagoda even greater power as he said, "That's good. I'll wait for you to come and take over this mess soon. Don't take too long; sitting in the court is really annoying!"

Ning Zhe: "..."

　Someone guessed it! Wow!

　　As you readers have probably already noticed, this story is nearing its end. The rest will be about wrapping things up and filling in the gaps. I'll try my best to write it well, and I'll revise it if I'm not satisfied. Updates may be less frequent, or I might be late, or I might simply run out of writing. Hope you understand. Well, if you don't understand, that's fine too.

　　(End of this chapter)