Chapter 20: The Ritual of Departure

“Perhaps they obtained it, but an accident occurred midway, and it wasn't sent back to the country?” He Lingchuan insisted on being contrary—no, rather, he was raising a "reasonable doubt." “Just because the treasure hasn't been used on the battlefield doesn't mean it has been sitting untouched in the Panlong Desert.”

“No, it is still there.” State Preceptor Sun spoke with absolute confidence. “Otherwise, how do you think the Panlong Wasteland turned into a desert?”

He saw He Chunhua flipping the broken comb over and over without any intention of handing it over. Just as he was about to reach out to ask for it, He Chunhua preempted him: “I’ll keep it for now.”

Sun Fuping knew that He Chunhua was wary of the two of them, so he abandoned the thought of asking for it.

He Lingchuan was somewhat surprised. “Eh? Wasn't it said that the vengeful spirits of the Great Wind Army are undying and have withered the vitality of the entire wasteland?”

“If that were truly the case, it would only be a superficial phenomenon. Without the Great Fanghu, they would have long since dissipated into the heavens and earth. Don't forget, since they are capable of incubating thousands upon thousands of Heart-Confusing Insects, they should have no problem containing thousands upon thousands of vengeful spirits.”

Heart-Confusing Insects are formless, bodiless, and substance-less, similar to soul bodies—or rather, they are themselves a part of a human soul. Since the Great Fanghu can contain such things, it is highly likely it can also hold vengeful spirits.

Nian Songyu added from the side, “The Panlong Ruins are actually not far. We can make a quick trip and return; perhaps we can evacuate before September and avoid facing the fury of the Panlong Desert directly.”

It was already August 15th, leaving only fifteen days until September. Then again, the Panlong Desert didn't follow a lunar calendar to throw its tantrums; how could the timing of its mood swings be so precise? It could be delayed or it could come early.

He Chunhua nodded. “We were already gathering men and horses while searching for the Leopard Fang. We can set out the day after tomorrow at dawn!”

Nian Songyu frowned. “Can't it be tomorrow? It's already mid-August...”

Before he could finish, Sun Fuping waved his hand to interrupt him. “Let it be August 16th. Gathering hands at this hour would already be making things difficult for Lord He. It will also take some time for me to prepare the departure ritual.”

Before a royal army sets out, the State Preceptor must perform a ritual: first, for divination, and second, to pray for blessings.

Normally, how could the tiny local militia of Qiansong County enjoy such a grand scale?

Before dispersing, He Lingchuan approached Nian Songyu again. “Captain Nian, about that matter?”

Nian Songyu’s mind was entirely on the Panlong Desert, so he asked casually, “About what?”

“The person who leaked the information about my injury,” He Lingchuan reminded him. “Give me a name, and I won't bother you again.”

Since both sides had reached a cooperation, Nian Songyu had not expected this playboy to insist on tracing things to the root; he was simply ungrateful. His expression turned cold. “My guards said that person can no longer be found.”

That was the end of it. What could this country bumpkin second-generation rich kid do?

He Lingchuan looked disappointed. “Truly can't be found?”

The corner of Nian Songyu's mouth twitched. “A trivial matter. Young Master He should focus on the present.”

Uncle Hao walked past from behind, just in time to hear this sentence.

...

In the evening, the Hongbai Dao suddenly came looking for He Lingchuan.

“Young Master He, something terrible has happened!”

Upon hearing this, He Lingchuan was first surprised, then thoughtful. “Don't panic, what's the big deal? Where is Uncle Hao? Go find him for me!”

￥￥￥￥￥

Two days flashed by.

Due to the efforts of all parties to facilitate the process, these twenty-odd hours passed peacefully.

The terror of the Panlong Desert was deeply ingrained in people's hearts, with tragic cautionary tales occurring every year, but He Chunhua still managed to gather two hundred men within the specified time.

The team He Chunhua assembled was not composed entirely of soldiers; many were criminals exiled to the borders.

The exile period in the State of Yuan was very long. While other countries only required ten to fifteen years, Yuan required eighteen to twenty-five. Criminals exiled to Blackwater City had long since prepared themselves for the fact that they would never return.

The State of Yuan had been embroiled in civil wars for years, characterized by either warring vassals or grassroots uprisings. With such constant fighting, the military had been depleted wave after wave, making it difficult to recruit soldiers.

Qiansong County had also seen several foreign wars over the past decade, leading to a severe reduction in regular troops. Consequently, Blackwater City tried to absorb as many local recruits as possible. Whether they were exiles or murderers, as long as they were strong and healthy, they were inducted into the ranks, even receiving wages to spare them from lifelong hard labor.

State Preceptor Sun had also brought a Royal Pardon this time.

Anyone who accompanied them to explore the Panlong Desert would be granted immediate freedom upon success; no matter how great their past crimes, they would be pardoned entirely.

And there would be heavy rewards.

Under heavy rewards, there are always brave men. There are many things in this world more distressing than death—for example, poverty.

The bounty offered by the government was enough for these poor wretches to bid farewell to their "Fifth Maidens," marry a proper wife, take three or four concubines, father five or six fat boys, and buy seven or eight acres of prime paddy fields, allowing the whole family to live comfortably for the rest of their lives without doing a thing.

To put it simply, it was either sudden death or sudden wealth.

Furthermore, the borderlands were naturally full of desperate outlaws, so the number of recruits was actually dozens more than He Chunhua had anticipated.

As for the deputy lieutenant leading this team, Zeng Feixiong, his father had been insane for nearly twenty years and was also suffering from consumption. The monthly cost of his medicine was more than Zeng's own salary, and he was currently buried in debt. He Chunhua promised that if he was willing to lead the expedition to the Panlong Desert, all his debts would be cleared, and his old man could live out his remaining years in peace—with medicine to take, someone to care for him, and eventually, someone to wear mourning clothes to send him off.

In this era of chaos, securing a peaceful end might be several times harder than striking it rich.

Thus, Zeng Feixiong joined.

It was currently the fifth watch, and before dawn, the team had finished assembling at the North Gate of Blackwater City, waiting for the State Preceptor's ritual.

An altar had already been erected here. Sun Fuping had bathed beforehand and changed into a bright yellow robe before ascending the platform.

Only the Supreme Sovereign and the State Preceptor were permitted to wear clothes of this color; anyone else would be executed.

He Lingchuan was very interested, because the divine rituals in this world were not as simple as using peach wood swords, talismans, and water, followed by "By the mandate of heaven, let it be so!"

Sun Fuping took out a long staff and tapped it lightly on the ground. The monster at the head of the staff raised its head toward the sky and let out a loud roar.

The monster had a wide nose, a large mouth, protruding eyes, and a beard; its roar was like that of an ox, vibrating through the surroundings.

Curious passersby gathered to watch.

The monster roared three times, each louder than the last, with the final roar sounding like muffled thunder, making people's eardrums ring.

As if responding to the beast's roar, the clouds in the sky thickened and darkened rapidly, finally erupting with several bolts of lightning deep within the cloud mass, which rumbled down.

This was known as the "resonance between heaven and man."

Within ten breaths, it actually began to rain.

The clouds were only above the team, so the rain fell only on the soldiers; the onlookers remained dry in both hair and clothing.

Such precise control was remarkable.

"The monster on the staff is Yazi; it has the power to call the wind and rain, but it is missing its two horns," He Yue murmured, standing beside his elder brother. "Why doesn't State Preceptor Sun use providence to call for rain? Wouldn't that save effort?"

His voice was very low, but Nian Songyu still heard it. "He cannot use it, lest something goes wrong during the ritual."

"This isn't the ritual?" He Lingchuan stood between him and his second brother, using his own body as a shield to separate them. "Then what is the Preceptor doing?"