Chapter 362: Chapter 326: City Rules

Among the two thousand elite soldiers, there were only five hundred cavalry, and the rest were infantry. This raid, besides their own armor and weapons, they carried nothing else, going into battle lightly equipped.

All their supplies and provisions were stored into a painting by Sang Que, aiming to reach the outskirts of Tangyuan County in the shortest time possible.

As for the things the Ghost Vendor requested, Sang Que had already asked He Buning to help her collect them, so she could temporarily not worry about this matter.

What troubled Sang Que now was how to publicly let the Yin Child be captured by the Ghost Opera Troupe. This black pot must be perfectly placed on the Ghost Opera Troupe’s head to estrange them from Yunzhou.

They marched swiftly for a night and by the next morning had circled around to the northern woods of Tangyuan County.

According to the usual time, the day should have broken by now, but the woods were still pitch black with heavy fog enveloping them.

Sang Que sensed the aura of the Death Domain.

“You stay here, I will go ahead and scout.”

Sang Que said to Tian Xing, the deputy general assigned to her by He Buning, but Tian Xing immediately stopped her.

“Miss Sang, you are our commander. It’s better to send a scouting team to gather intelligence.”

In the Xuan Dynasty, there was no precedent for a woman being a commander, but due to the events at Wangshan City, Sang Que’s reputation was well known. Furthermore, she had previously brought back provisions for everyone, so this group held Sang Que in high regard and was willing to follow her commands.

Sang Que said, “In ordinary situations, scouts can investigate, but if there’s a Death Domain ahead, any number of people sent would just be walking to their deaths. I’m a Yin Walker, so it’s more suitable for me to go.”

With that, Sang Que left alone, leaving Xia Chan and Xuan Yu to remain in the forest.

Sang Que quietly reached the edge of the woods, found a tall tree, and looked towards Tangyuan County.

The thick clouds were as dark as ink, pressing down heavily over the ancient city in the distance, shrouding everything in an eerie twilight.

The entire city was engulfed in mist, utterly silent, like a heavy curtain separating it from the outside world, preventing escape, and under the cloak of fog, one could feel the threads of coldness penetrating to the bone and an indescribable fear.

Though the mist was dense, Sang Que could see that the north city gate was actually wide open, with no guards, only a row of dead bodies hanging from the city wall, and the occasional sound akin to a baby’s cry.

Sang Que felt that the Puppet Masters of the Ghost Opera Troupe and that dwarf jester driving many baby spirits were indeed in Tangyuan County, and at this moment it had truly become a Death Domain.

They didn’t need anyone to guard the city; any living person entering would be killed by the rules of the Death Domain.

Even the capable Day Travelers and Night Travelers, or Yin Walkers, would likely suffer at the hands of the Puppet Masters and the dwarf jester ambushed in the Death Domain.

Sang Que silently retreated back to the woods, using her instant teleportation ability to check the surroundings, selecting a suitable temporary campsite, and beforehand throwing all the supplies out from the painting.

After completing these tasks, Sang Que returned, instructing Tian Xing and everyone to take a break in the woods for the time being.

Sang Que called Tian Xing aside and briefly explained the situation, “Tangyuan County has turned into a Death Domain. There’s no need for you all to risk your lives by entering. Xia Chan and I will sneak in later; once we’ve dealt with those left by the Ghost Opera Troupe, we’ll signal you. By that time, we’ll see about dispelling the yin energy in the Death Domain and restoring Tangyuan County to normal.”

Ever since He Buning had this plan, Sang Que never intended to use this group to storm the city. These two thousand elite soldiers were mainly to secure the four gates quickly once she took Tangyuan County.

If the Qianshou Army retreated from Dongyang County, they could pursue them from behind, while on this side, they could launch a pincer attack.

Tian Xing felt that Sang Que’s approach was too risky, but they, as ordinary soldiers, had no means against the Death Domain.

Moreover, Sang Que hadn’t considered using them to test the Death Domain’s rules, which greatly moved Tian Xing and the others.

“During this time, you also have to be careful outside and be on guard in case the Qianshou Army suddenly withdraws and returns here. If you find anything unusual outside, notify me with the signal smoke from the Evil Suppression Bureau, and I’ll withdraw as soon as possible.”

“Alright!”

After everything was discussed, Sang Que let Xuan Yu stay with Tian Xing and the others. It has a keen animal instinct, able to notice things that ordinary people might miss.

Sang Que, with Xia Chan, instant-teleported to the edge of the woods, leaving a Xun Trigram on both herself and Xia Chan to hide their presence.

“Little Chan, once we enter the city, if you encounter any dangerous situations, stand still and don’t move. The mark I left on you will protect you from being harmed by the Death Domain’s rules for as long as one short incense stick lasts.”

Xia Chan nodded seriously, obediently to Sang Que’s words.

Taking a deep breath, Sang Que brought Xia Chan with her and instant-teleported into the city. As they crossed the city gate, both Sang Que and Xia Chan felt a suppressive force, which temporarily restricted Sang Que’s teleportation ability.

However, it wasn’t completely restricted to death, just less flexible than before, requiring more energy.

The two walked through the long passage under the city gate, where the stench of decay and death hit them in the face, and the sight left Sang Que somewhat shocked to see that there were still living people in the city; due to the Xun Trigram, these people could not see Sang Que and Xia Chan at this moment.

The stone-paved streets were stained with blotchy blood and black grime, with most shops along the street abandoned, their signs hanging loosely and creaking in the wind.

The people passing by were lifeless, their faces haggard, eyes vacant, moving like the walking dead, each exuding a sense of despair as if their souls had long been drained.

At the street corner, heaps of corpses lay piled in disarray, limbs twisted, with fierce expressions on their faces. Some bodies had already started to rot, emitting a nauseating stench, surrounded by swarms of buzzing flies.

The oppressive dark sky made it hard to breathe, occasionally a few crows circled by, letting out mournful cries.

This looked nothing like a city; to Sang Que, it felt like a massive tomb, devoid of any vitality and hope.

Could it be that all the cities occupied by the Qianshou Army ended up like this in the end?

Near the city gate, there was a bulletin board with several sheets of paper on it, where Sang Que immediately noticed two large bloody red characters.

City Regulations!

Beside the bulletin board stood an old man, eyes vacant, wobbly, and Sang Que recognized him at once — he was the former village head of Black Mountain Village, Du Enfu.

At this moment, someone stopped in front of the bulletin board, causing Du Enfu to shudder all over, then he mechanically began to recite the city regulations written on the notice.

Sang Que gestured for Xia Chan to follow, and the two of them moved in front of the bulletin board.

[City Regulations]

[City people must abide by the city regulations when conducting activities, those who violate the regulations and anger the Xishen will bear the consequences]

Xishen? Opera God?

Sang Que continued to read down.

1. None shall draw water or approach any well in the city from the hours of Hai (9-11 p.m.) to Chen (7-9 a.m.). If strange sounds are heard from a well, one must stay away and not gaze nor investigate.

2. After noon each day, if one sees anyone in a black robe in the city, they must not make eye contact or converse with them. If accidentally making eye contact, one must immediately kneel, lower their head, close their eyes, and mentally repeat “Xishen’s Protection” three times before getting up and leaving.

3. The county government closes every night from midnight to 3 a.m.; do not pass through in front of the county government during this time.

4. In the city’s former Prime Minister’s Temple, offerings are made to the Xishen statue. All must offer incense every three days. If the Xishen’s eyes weep blood, you must immediately kneel, beg for forgiveness, and self-amend for your sins, or disaster will befall your family.

5. At the end of West Street, there lies an abandoned courtyard with a bell hanging on its door; avoid approaching the courtyard. If the bell rings, an evil ghost will come for life.

6. If you encounter a shadowless person in the city, quickly hide in a dark place. If your shadow is touched by the shadowless person, you will die instantly.

7. When the city drums beat continuously, all citizens must return home, tightly closing doors and windows, and not go out, nor peek. They must kneel and pray for Xishen’s protection for safety.

8. After midnight every night, baby spirits patrol the streets; no one may cry at home, or baby spirits will visit to claim lives.

The eight city regulations left Sang Que feeling a tremendous pressure, if truly living here, one would surely be shrouded by fear every day.

Perhaps the Ghost Opera Troupe’s aim is to collect the people’s fear in this manner, to strengthen their Opera God.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep