Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 440 The Form of the General Trend
Manager Zhang noticed that everyone was busy preparing to escape the ghost soldiers, while Lu Zheng and Qing Wan seemed quite calm and composed.

Seeing this, he pondered for a moment, then quickly walked over and whispered, "Is this your first time visiting Ghost City?"

Lu Zheng nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Steward Zhang then said, "The ghost soldiers here are extremely powerful. Would you two like to come with us to avoid disaster? ... To be honest, I've dragged you two into this mess. With your abilities, you should have been able to enter the city before the gates close today..."

Manager Zhang rebuked himself for a moment, then said, "If I survive tonight, I will give you both a gift as an apology..."

Seeing that Manager Zhang spoke with such sincerity, Lu Zheng could easily see through his intentions.

They wanted to seek their protection, but didn't want to make it too obvious.

Lu Zheng smiled slightly upon seeing this, "Staying here was our choice, so how can we blame Steward Zhang?"

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let's go check out those ghost soldiers and observe their movements..."

"If there is truly no other way and we have to abandon these goods, I will try my best to save your lives."

In fact, Lu Zheng's small space could easily hold all these goods.

But now his little world has encountered a slight change, becoming tainted by the aura of the Moon Goddess's clone, making it unsuitable to use it to store goods.

However, having them protect these people's safety shouldn't be a big problem.

Manager Zhang was greatly encouraged upon hearing this and repeatedly clasped his hands in thanks.

Lu Zheng waved his hand, then led Qing Wan to observe the Yin soldiers, and soon disappeared into the misty fog.

Seeing Lu Zheng and his companion leave, one of the caravan members couldn't help but whisper to Manager Zhang, "Manager, can't those two figure it out themselves..."

Manager Zhang glared at these words, his face full of displeasure. "These two are highly skilled cultivators. Why would they try to deceive us with such words? Don't speak carelessly. They might be able to hear you!"

Upon hearing this, the man couldn't help but cover his mouth and repeatedly bowed to the empty space to apologize.

Steward Zhang spoke again, "Alright, everyone gather together and get ready. If we really have to escape later, don't get separated. It's not far from Ghost State City, but it's dangerous as long as we don't enter the city..."

Even though the caravan he was leading this time consisted mostly of acquaintances who had some experience traveling to and from Ghost Prefecture, he still couldn't help but give them a few more instructions.

Just as the members of the Dahang Chamber of Commerce were waiting anxiously.

Lu Zheng and Qing Wan had arrived at a small hill, where they could see the blood-red torrent.

Those were ghostly soldiers formed from blood-red evil mist. Although their faces were somewhat blurred, their eyes shone with a blood-red fierce light, and they exuded a menacing aura.

The ghostly soldiers, numbering in the tens of thousands, transformed into a mighty torrent, moving across the plains at a considerable speed.

Wherever it went, its momentum was overwhelming and unstoppable.

Even from a distance, Lu Zheng and Qing Wan felt a breathtaking aura—an endless fighting spirit, an indomitable will, and a determination to fight to the death.

For some reason, Lu Zheng even felt a sense of resonance with this.

Isn't the path he's about to take just like this? He's willing to sacrifice his life for righteousness, even if it means facing millions of people.

Lu Zheng led Qing Wan closer, and when they were only a few miles away from the thousands of Yin soldiers, the blood-red aura emanated from them.

As the ghostly soldiers flew by, the two felt the aura they exuded, thus honing their own skills.

Qingwan clicked her tongue in amazement and couldn't help but say, "The soldiers of the Nine Kingdoms are nothing special, are they?"

None of them had ever seen the armies of the Nine Kingdoms, but they figured they were probably just as powerful as these ghostly soldiers.

Lu Zheng observed these ghost soldiers. With his current abilities, resisting them would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

These ghostly soldiers are far superior to ordinary demons and ghosts.

In a world where dynasties reign supreme, cultivation forces are relegated to the sidelines, and the armies of various countries play a significant role.

A Saint Realm expert is one of the world's top experts, but if facing a million armored soldiers, one must also consider one's own combat strength.

The elite soldiers of the nine kingdoms were all warriors, and their martial prowess was considerable.

With the combined might of a million armored soldiers and the national destiny they carry, they may not be able to contend with or suppress a sage, but they are certainly enough to give a sage a hard time. They are not like ants that can be manipulated at will.

Lu Zheng watched the crimson torrent pass before him and murmured to himself, "This trip was worthwhile..."

He had come to Ghost City to escape the Moon Goddess, but now it seems that being able to witness this scene makes escaping the Moon Goddess seem insignificant.

He glanced to the side, looking in the direction the ghostly soldiers had gone. Judging from the situation, they would probably pass by the caravan's location soon.

Without giving it much thought, Lu Zheng took Qing Wan and hurried back.

Before long, the two returned to the caravan's location and found Manager Zhang and the others still waiting there.

Manager Zhang and the others were actually eager to go ahead, because they noticed that the reaction caused by the ghost soldiers was getting closer and closer to them.

Only after Manager Zhang overruled everyone's objections did they manage not to leave.

Upon seeing Lu Zheng and the other man return, Manager Zhang breathed a sigh of relief.

"How is it? Will they come after us?" Manager Zhang asked anxiously.

Lu Zhengdao said, "It seems we'll get here sooner or later. The speed of those Yin soldiers is definitely faster than even a third-realm cultivator..."

Everyone knew that those ghost soldiers were very powerful, but they had no direct experience with them. When they heard Lu Zheng say this, their faces became even more grim. Didn't this mean that even if they rode horses, they couldn't escape and would be affected sooner or later?

Lu Zheng continued, "However, everyone need not worry. I have a magical artifact that I can use to set up an array here to conceal your presence. Afterward, I will try to set up some methods nearby to attract the Yin soldiers. There is a high probability that this area will not be affected..."

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhang asked, "How confident are you?"

Lu Zheng said, "I don't know, after all, I've never encountered such ghost soldiers before. I just went over to take a look, and I was quite shocked."

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "If the formation can't stop you, I can take you away directly, so there's really no need to worry so much."

"The reason we're not taking you with us now is mainly because we're afraid your goods will be destroyed."

"Going to other places now may not be safe either, so let's just stay here and wait and see."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Dahang Chamber of Commerce thought to themselves that they weren't that concerned about these goods, but Lu Zheng, an outsider, was very thoughtful.

When Manager Zhang heard Lu Zheng say that, he immediately felt at ease.

He quickly said, "As long as the immortal master intervenes to protect us and these goods, we will repay you handsomely once this matter is resolved!"

Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "No need for thanks. I might want to ask Manager Zhang about some things later, and I might need his help."

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhang's eyes lit up, and he patted his chest, saying, "Rest assured, Immortal Master, I will definitely do anything that I can do for you."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "It's not a difficult matter. Let's talk about it after tonight."

Having said that, Lu Zheng stopped talking and took out an array plate, tossing it gently.

Lu Zheng lightly tapped his finger, and a spell was cast.

The array plate landed in the center of the caravan, and a surge of spiritual energy emanated from it, immediately enveloping the entire caravan and preventing the surrounding energy from leaking out.

Manager Zhang's eyes gleamed. When he traveled to trade, he always had people prepare spiritual objects such as arrays for unforeseen circumstances.

But it was clear that the array plate Lu Zheng used was of much better quality than his other items.

Even if such a formation plate were given to these people, they wouldn't be able to control or use it.

After all, they are not professional cultivators and do not know spiritual power spells; they can only use low-level spiritual objects.

Lu Zhengdao said, "You all stay here for now, I'll go outside and make some more arrangements."

Lu Zheng walked through the hazy light curtain and left Qing Wan behind to reassure everyone.

Manager Zhang clicked his tongue in amazement and couldn't help but say, "You two are so young yet possess such skills. I wonder which immortal sect you come from? If I ever have the chance to pass by in the future, I will definitely go and pay my respects."

Qingwan blinked and said, "We're not from any immortal sect, but we did study at one. So, we're kind of independent cultivators, right?"

Manager Zhang was surprised to hear this. He was not a member of the Immortal Sect, but he was able to study there, so he must be a talented young man from a wealthy family.

However, seeing that Qingwan seemed unwilling to elaborate, Manager Zhang wisely refrained from asking further.

A moment later, Lu Zheng returned from outside.

He set up several energy-gathering areas around him, trying to lure the Yin soldiers towards the areas with the densest energy. As for whether it would be effective, only time would tell.

Based on Lu Zheng's observation, those ghost soldiers seemed to lack thought, but their actions were well-trained and they did not wander aimlessly across the plains.

That overwhelming and all-conquering momentum mainly stemmed from the fact that the aura here repelled those Yin soldiers.

The existence of Ghost City carried a familiar aura for them, so they did not attack the city, but instead acted as guardians, clearing away everything outside the city.

This shows that the soldiers of the previous dynasty died with considerable obsession, which enabled them to form such a ghostly army that has endured for hundreds of years.

Perhaps because of the special environment here, those ghost soldiers have become increasingly powerful.

Unfortunately, those ghost soldiers had no consciousness; they were formed from a great force and could not be used by anyone, nor could they be organized into a ghost army.

Of course, if someone wanted to refine that great power, it wouldn't be impossible, but no one has done it.

The blood-red torrent in the distance drew ever closer. Though it was clearly a stream of mist transformed into ghostly soldiers, its imposing aura was so great that one could even feel the earth tremble.

It was as if a real armored army was rushing in.

Within the formation, those from the Great Merchant Guild, upon hearing the sound, experienced inexplicable heartbeats and their faces gradually turned red, clearly influenced by the invisible aura.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng whispered something, and a righteous aura spread out, directly eliminating the influence on everyone.

"No need to be nervous, calm your mind, don't listen or think..."

Lu Zheng's words were like a warm stream, soothing the agitation in people's hearts.

(End of this chapter)