Killing Dao Fruit
Chapter 251 - 248: Bizarre Dreams, The Thief Cries Thief

Chapter 251: Chapter 248: Bizarre Dreams, The Thief Cries Thief

Yunhe County, Four Seas Inn.

Duan Xing’an and his sister Duan Zhiyin, after parting with Nie Renxiong who had escorted them here, checked into the inn that very night for a temporary stay.

They planned to cross the "Yunhe Bridge" tomorrow to pay a visit to Zhou Jinhuan, who was stationed at the Navy Camp in Ninghai State, then head to the County Government to formally take office as Yunhe County Magistrate.

"Zhiyin, it’s already late, let’s go to sleep early. Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to meet His Highness King Jing," he said.

Before entering the room, Duan Xing’an gave his sister a meaningful glance.

Duan Zhiyin, her pretty face blushing and her eyes darting away, merely murmured an "Mm," then hurried back to her own room.

The three of them had known each other since childhood. Even after Zhou Jinhuan was forced to leave the Capital upon reaching the age of twenty, they had always stayed in close contact.

Latterly, while their father had been an Imperial Censor overseeing maritime affairs in the north and had lived with the siblings for several years at the Navy Camp in Ninghai State.

It wasn’t until their father fell seriously ill and returned to the Capital for treatment that the three had to temporarily part ways.

It was fair to say that the siblings were part of Zhou Jinhuan’s core team, deeply connected in various ways.

However, even after a tiring journey and despite lying down on the bed still dressed, Duan Zhiyin did not sleep well.

As soon as she closed her eyes, she faintly felt as if numerous pairs of eyes were staring at her through the gaps in the door, the window, and the cabinet.

But being exceedingly weary from the journey, she thought she was just unsettled by a scare on the road and soon fell into a groggy sleep.

She didn’t know how long she had slept when suddenly, amidst her half-dreaming state, she was awakened by a noise.

Upon opening her eyes, she was horrified to find the room filled with vague figures... filled with "people"!

Shocked, the girl was about to sit up from the bed.

But she immediately realized, although awake, she inexplicably lost control over her body.

It was as though she was under the grip of a nightmare. Her torso, head, and limbs... even her little finger, all felt as if weighed down by a heavy burden, utterly immovable.

The profound sense of helplessness was maddening.

As if plummeting into an abyss!

Cold to the core of her heart!

Fortunately, Duan Zhiyin was not an ordinary girl from a modest family. She was well-read and well-aware, and quickly calmed down.

Upon observing calmly, she noticed these people appeared to be blocked by something; although they had entered the room, they all stopped far away, about seven steps from the bed.

Looking closely at these "people" and their features, their faces were swollen and yellow, all devoid of facial features.

In the middle of each head, there was a grey fog swirling like a whirlpool.

It seemed to connect to the deepest parts of a nightmare.

Written on their foreheads were the names of evil gods: Gate of Misfortune, Mourning Guest, Death Talisman, Illness Talisman, Tribulation Fiend, Calamity Fiend... and so on; one glance at them was utterly chilling.

Underneath a garment that resembled dirty leather, there seemed to be numerous slippery limbs wriggling, occasionally emitting the low buzz of insects.

Even with a barely human form, Duan Zhiyin could distinctly feel the greedy appetite emanating from behind those whirlpools.

At that moment, she suddenly heard one of them speak:

"Forget it, this young woman has a Spirit Light of three feet, even brighter than the County Official in the next room.

It seems we can’t devour her today," they said.

If common folk could gain knowledge and understanding, a flicker of Spirit Light in their heart would set them apart from the unlettered masses, and their world would no longer be muddled.

And if they advanced further, comprehending the essence of scriptures and gaining deep insights, their rooms would emit a brilliant light at night, warding off ordinary ghosts and gods.

The brilliant light of a Great Scholar, a Great Literary Genius, or a Great Poet could stretch several meters high, extremely dazzling!

A mere inch of Spirit Light was considered adequate for ordinary scholars.

While those scholars who indulged too deeply in books to the point of absurdity had not a single hair of it.

With this Spirit Light, whether pursuing "Literary Dragon Ascension Tactics" or practicing cultivation, they would progress much faster than the average person.

Initially, Nie Renxiong praised Duan Xing’an for opening his mind and illuminating his heart, surpassing the vast majority of people.

Indeed, this was true, as scoring a second-class graduate in the imperial examination and gaining eligibility for official selection, Duan Xing’an naturally stood out as an exceptional individual.

But their father oftentimes lamented.

Had Duan Zhiyin not been born a girl, with her scholarly talents participating in the imperial examination, topping the first-class wouldn’t have been an issue.

Duan Xing’an’s Spirit Light shone bright for a foot, but Duan Zhiyin’s was brilliant for three feet!

Making these nightmarish creatures hesitate to approach her for quite a while.

After a stalemate, they reluctantly retreated through the gaps of the door, window, and cabinet.

"Whew!"

The moment they disappeared, Duan Zhiyin suddenly sat up from her bed, her clothing soaked through with cold sweat.

"Did... did I just have a nightmare?"

However, the next moment.

From the neighboring room, a suppressed, deep scream suddenly burst forth.

Then came the sound of flesh being torn apart, accompanied by ghastly chewing noises.

The voice that had just vanished laughed loudly:

"Today, I’ll start with a poor one.

For some reason, this Dengzhou area is already full of tribulation energy, which might peak in February of next year.

The longer we wait, the stronger we become, and sooner or later, all of the million inhabitants of Dengzhou Prefecture will end up in our bellies!"

Hearing this, the girl’s face suddenly turned to terror.

...

The hours before dawn are also the darkest times.

The official ship carrying Marquis Guangyang had arrived at Dongping Lake, where the Grand Canal meets Turbid River; from here, the journey continues to the westernmost county of Dengzhou Prefecture—Dongping County.

Guided by the Marquis’s guards, the official ship headed toward the gates leading to the Turbid River, expecting to reach Ninghai State by around noon the next day.

It has to be said that this plan was well-conceived.

Last night, the old eunuch Lv Jingde had captured Zhou Jinghuan, while they had seized the opportunity presented by the chaos at Long Water Camp to issue an Imperial Decree and usurp power in one fell swoop.

Lingxiao originally came from the Emperor’s personal army, specifically from the "Coiling Dragon Camp" of the thirty-six units tasked with defending the Imperial City, practicing the widely applicable Coiling Dragon Military Skill.

This unit was entirely composed of noble offspring whose lives were linked with the state, enjoying special status, rapid promotion, and immense trust from the Emperor.

As long as Lingxiao held a firm grip on Long Water Camp, capable of instantly killing talented mages, he could remain unshaken and secure in his position.

Unfortunately, no matter what, they couldn’t foresee how swiftly and fiercely their opponents would strike back!

Footsteps, soft and unnoticeable, sounded on the deck. Wang Yuan, not only using his ghost body to stay invisible, had also affixed a Mountain Shifting and Scenery Changing Talisman.

Thus, he walked brazenly on the official ship, yet no one could detect his presence.

Ordinary Yin Gods can stray only a few dozens of miles from their bodies, which is also the limit for slaying people with Yin God Sword.

But Wang Yuan had placed his physical body in the "Yama Palace of the Ghost Realm," which had no distance limitations.

If not for the fear of accidentally stumbling into the den of some evil old demon, traveling thousands of miles overnight would have been completely without issue.

The ghost body silently permeated through the wall, watching the soundly sleeping Mr. Zhou, Zhou Xianchen on the bed, Wang Yuan coldly smiled.

With a gentle wave of his hand, a blood-red sword-shaped token fell onto him, instantly merging into his body.

It was the Evil God Order inscribed with the divine title "Right Beside the Yin Mansion" that Wang Yuan had obtained!

This relic from beyond the Heavenly Gate came directly from Black Taisui, carrying the knowledge of a Heavenly Official, and was absolutely one of the most malevolent objects in the world.

"Depart from the Evil God," it implied avoidance, describing deities that when offended could cause trouble, totaling about 189 of them.

Why do most people feel they are always unlucky? Comparing with the total of 92 Auspicious Gods might make it clear.

Once touched, it could lead all developments towards the most unfavorable outcomes, rendering any attempt futile.

Because it directly came from a Heavenly Official, Wang Yuan didn’t even dare to reform it using the "Small Book of Life and Death."

In fact, not just Heavenly Officials, he dared not attempt reformation on objects tainted by those Green Seal Strange Immortals either.

Contamination of knowledge was mutual, and should the opposite side discover the existence of the "Small Book of Life and Death" and trace it back, there would be massive troubles.

Thus, Wang Yuan’s thought was simple.

If I can’t provoke such a terrifying Heavenly Official, do you think you, a mere Military Leader, can handle it?

It just so happened that the time bomb left by Black Taisui was ticking, unknown when it would explode.

With the Military Leader being particularly durable, bring along your incompetent teammates and play the hero who clears the mines.

I, on behalf of the people of Dengzhou Prefecture, thank you for your sacrifice!

Meanwhile.

The large ship about to enter the Turbid River gates was halted by a large group of over a hundred individuals clad in the Qiu Tiger official robes of the Imperial Dragon Guard Colonels and Powerful Warriors.

Nie Renxiong, dressed in the fifth-ranked official robe of Minister of Talismanic Treasure and built like a bear, called out sternly to the guards of the Marquis Mansion:

"Stop the ship! The Imperial Dragon Government Office has received reports that there is an extremely dangerous object on board.

No one is allowed to leave the ship, nor approach the shore. Accept the quarantine and inspection by the Imperial Dragon Guard!"

Yes.

They planned to suffocate everyone on the ship by shouting "thief" after releasing rogues and taking advantage of the Evil God Order "Right Beside the Yin Mansion."

Under Zhou Jinghuan’s command: Navy Camp, Civil Servants; under Wang Yuan’s command: Yin Officials, Imperial Dragon Guard, City God System;

The two brothers together had nearly sealed off Dengzhou Prefecture like an iron barrel.

I’ve clearly set a trap for you—what can you do about it? Hah!

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