Chapter 57: Chapter 58: Captives among the Resentful Souls

However, Fuzzy Peach, who could clearly read it, wore the same blank expression as the others. The kid wasn’t stupid.

"I don’t know much Baling Language, so it’s a bit of a struggle to read. But Tao Bo requests that whoever dug up this Handwriting take it to the Baling Kingdom for a generous reward. Also, he seems to say that judging from this Illusion Realm, some Deity has indeed fallen."

A jolt went through Hee Lingchuan. "Mitian?"

’It seems the Baling Kingdom knows more of the inside story. But that’s to be expected; after all, they were one of the nations involved in the war back then.’

"I can’t make out those few characters," Fuzzy Peach said with a wry smile. "Also, the Grand Square Pot might not be movable."

Hee Lingchuan’s expression changed. "Are you sure?"

’They’d gone through hell and high water to get here, all to bring back the Grand Square Pot. If the pot can’t be moved, was this whole trip for nothing?’

’And what about the battle at Woling Pass?’

The moment this question popped into his head, Hee Lingchuan startled himself.

’Since when did I start caring so much about the Yuan Kingdom’s war situation?’

"I wasn’t quite sure, which is why I was hesitant to say anything," Fuzzy Peach mumbled. "I only attended school for three years. If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have slept in class. You always wish you’d studied more when it’s too late."

"Anything else?" Hee Lingchuan rubbed his chin. ’National Preceptor Sunx must have seen these words too, but he didn’t say a peep.’

’Is the old man confident he can take the Grand Square Pot, or does he have other plans?’

"Also, Tao Bo believes there’s a powerful existence in this world," Fuzzy Peach said, looking ashamed. "I can’t really understand the rest of the text, so I shouldn’t speculate."

’A powerful existence?’ "You mean the peeping tom hiding in some unknown corner?"

Fuzzy Peach shrugged. "Brother Chuan, why didn’t the National Preceptor mention it?"

"Maybe he thinks we don’t need to know," Hee Lingchuan said, then changed the subject. "How long have we been setting fires?"

"Uh, over a double-hour?"

"Time to head back."

"But the north side..."

Hee Lingchuan cut him off. "The north side is probably not important."

’How could the Eldest Young Master tell the north side wasn’t important?’ "The houses on the north side haven’t been burned. I’m afraid the National Preceptor will hold me accountable." If they were outside, Fuzzy Peach would have followed Hee Lingchuan’s lead without question, but in here...

"Eldest Young Master, don’t get me in trouble."

"Let’s head back first. If the Illusion Realm isn’t broken by then, I’ll definitely go north with you." Hee Lingchuan smiled. "Are you afraid those two will eat you?"

This hit home for Fuzzy Peach, and he couldn’t help but shudder. He was the weakest of the four. If he didn’t want to be the first one eaten, he had to at least ally himself with someone.

By this time, they had used up all the oil and charcoal they had picked up along the way. Fuzzy Peach no longer objected, so he abandoned the handcart and they turned to head for the South Gate.

"Eldest Young Master, we’re going straight there, right?" ’Why are we taking a detour, practically hugging the eastern city wall?’

"Follow me and cut the chatter." Hee Lingchuan couldn’t explain why, but the farther south they went, the heavier and more uncomfortable the feeling in his heart became.

It was as if disaster was about to strike.

That’s why he chose this route; the buildings in the east were tall and the network of rivers was dense, making it easy to stay hidden.

Now, with both the east and west sides of the city engulfed in flames, the air was thick with a sense of impending doom.

Outside the Thunder Summoning Array, a crushing mass of Heroic Spirits stretched as far as the eye could see.

The common Resentful Souls had long been squeezed out of sight; only the Great Wind Army now surrounded the area. Their formation was orderly, and they stood as still and deep as an abyss, the rabid frenzy they showed when first emerging from the Pool Well now gone.

A formidable army in life, and a formidable army in death.

Being stared at in silence by tens of thousands of dead men—can you imagine the pressure that put on the living?

The Black Water City Army’s scalps tingled, and they couldn’t tell if it was from fear or the electricity in the air. Before so many Heroic Spirits, could the Array still protect them? Hee Chunhua frequently had to shout to bolster his men’s morale: "Don’t worry, don’t be afraid! The Celestial Thunder is enough to protect us! Standing our ground here is how we fight for our kingdom!"

Indeed, Thunder Serpents slithered across the Talisman Array on the ground, a reminder to friend and foe alike of its latent, unspoken power.

Earlier, a Squad Commander had hurled his Long Spear, only for it to be disintegrated by the Celestial Thunder without harming anyone inside the Array. That had put everyone’s minds at ease. Who would have thought that not only could the enemy commander think and assess the situation, but he even knew to send subordinates for reinforcements?

Now, the massive army swarming outside the Array didn’t look like they were just here to watch the show. Once their numbers were gathered, they would likely launch an attack. This was what everyone feared most:

The Celestial Thunder Array was certainly powerful, but it was ultimately triggered by human effort, like a lever. If the Celestial Thunder provided ten parts of the power, their side had to provide at least one, right? Could the morale of these hundred-odd men, plus the Prefect’s Society Command, hold out until the National Preceptor emerged?

Even Hee Chunhua’s heart was pounding with uncertainty.

’The Heroic Spirit army has gathered to overwhelm us with their aura. It’s the classic strategy of subduing the enemy without fighting. So they must have another move prepared.’

Furthermore, Hee Chunhua was especially worried about his eldest son inside the Pool Well.

’Those two, Nian and Sun, bore ill will toward the Hee Family father and son. Would his son, all alone in there, suffer a great loss? Although he had sent Zeng Feixiong and others in, who knew how many dangerous traps lay within, or if Hee Lingchuan could handle them?’

On one hand, Hee Chunhua silently chanted that his eldest son was a fortunate general who would surely turn peril into safety. On the other hand, he couldn’t stop worrying. ’If something unfortunate happens to Hee Lingchuan, then in the future...’

"What’s going on?"

"Are there prisoners among the Resentful Souls?" A commotion among his men broke Hee Chunhua’s train of thought. He looked up and was also surprised.

The Great Wind Army parted down the middle, clearing a path to push forward several hundred Resentful Souls from the rear.

These were the first Soul Bodies to emerge from the Pool Well. Some were humanoid, others were bizarrely shaped, and more than half even wore military uniforms, appearing to be soldiers from other factions.

"The Alliance Army! They’re Heroic Spirits from the Immortal Ba Alliance Army." That’s right. The war on the Panlong Wasteland had been a stalemate for thirty-two years. This meat grinder had reaped not only the lives of the Citizens of Xiluo, but also a great number of Alliance Army soldiers.

They too were laid to rest in this blood-soaked land, only to be collected by the Grand Square Pot, finding no peace even in death.

These Resentful Souls, which had been whining and howling in misery, now appeared terrified as they were driven forward by the Great Wind Army. The Celestial Thunder roaming within the Talisman Array ahead gave off the scent of their nemesis.

Hee Chunhua’s expression changed. "The Great Wind Army is going to drive them to charge the Array!"

The words had barely left his lips when the Great Wind Army issued a command that shook the fields. Just as he predicted, they brandished their blades and spears, forcing the Resentful Souls forward. Goaded until their eyes turned red, the few hundred Resentful Souls spun in place before finally charging ahead, defying the celestial might.

The Array was instantly activated. The moment they hit the Celestial Thunder barrier, they were blasted into nothingness.

Even so, the Resentful Souls continued to throw themselves forward, one after another.

The living only saw the Array flash and heard the ROAR of thunder, while outside, the Great Wind Army remained in strict formation, ready for battle. An uneasy feeling crept into their hearts.

In battles or sieges, armies would sometimes force prisoners of war to the front lines as human shields. The opponent would hesitate to attack, allowing their side to seize the initiative. This method, though cruel, was effective and has never been absent from the annals of warfare.