After dinner that night, I went to the window and gazed into the distance, watching the newly risen full moon.
Finally, I understood why this place was called the Bright Moon Palace. From here, the moon appeared large, round, and exceptionally bright.
Looking down at the entire Bright Moon Palace, bathed in the soft moonlight, a sense of melancholy suddenly washed over me.
In a daze, I recalled Black Wind's words from earlier that day.
"You've become more wicked than I am now."
I smiled helplessly and looked at the bright moon again, sighing.
"Ultimately, there's no going back. I'm no longer the Liu Muye I once was."
The next morning, I remembered the brocade pouch the elder had given me. I reached inside and drew out a piece of paper, slowly unfolding it.
It read: Summon the Ten Thousand Ghosts.
"Summon the Ten Thousand Ghosts? Does that mean summoning the Ghost魅族?"
However, I knew very little about the Ghost魅族. If I had to make a decision, it would be best to ask Lin'er. Perhaps no one was better at making decisions than him.
So, I hurried to find Lin'er. I saw him just as he was coming out of a door, stretching. I wondered what he was going to do.
Worried I might miss him, I called out first.
"Elder, I need to see you."
He paused slightly, turned his head, and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Ghost King, what is it?"
I let out a sigh and handed him the note.
He took the note and immediately smiled.
"Ghost King, Uncle wants you to gather the Ghost魅族 under your command."
I also voiced my concerns.
"Gather them under my command? But I know so little about the Ghost魅族. I don't know how to gather them all in one place."
Lin'er had some insights on this matter. He invited me.
"Ghost King, the morning breeze is quite pleasant today. Why don't you walk with me? I can tell you about it as we go."
I nodded slightly and followed him as we strolled towards the garden.
As we walked, he began to speak.
"I should tell you about these matters, Ghost King. Most of our Ghost魅族 are scattered across various regions.
Each elder governs a portion, and our greatest wish is to reunite.
Now that the Ghost King has reappeared, it is the day for the Ghost魅族 to gather again.
Therefore, as long as the Ghost King gives the order, I can dispatch warriors from all directions to recall our people from their respective locations to gather at Black Mountain."
After his explanation, I understood a little better, but I still had other questions.
"About how many people are in the Ghost魅族?"
He pondered for a moment, unable to give a precise answer.
"I'm not entirely sure. For a thousand years, we have been scattered in different places and have had little contact.
However, when the Ghost King fell a thousand years ago, there were records indicating that our Ghost魅族 numbered around five to sixty thousand."
"Five to sixty thousand? After so much time has passed, how can there still be so many people?"
"Well, it's possible there are still quite a few."
"Since the elder has foreseen everything, let's proceed as planned. Summon the clansmen to Black Mountain."
Upon hearing this, his face lit up with joy, and he nodded.
"Very well, I shall attend to it immediately."
"Go ahead."
With that, Lin'er quickly went off to gather some warriors.
I looked at the vast garden before me, contemplating how I would settle the clansmen when they arrived.
Just then, Black Wind, who had been watching for a while, slowly walked up behind me. He picked a chrysanthemum and said,
"Ghost King, what do you think of my garden?"
I turned around and saw him. I smiled slightly and replied,
"It's very nice. I imagine you didn't build it yourself."
"Of course not. My grandfather built it. I heard he even hired many skilled craftsmen."
"Yes, it's clear a lot of effort was put into it."
He looked at the chrysanthemum in his hand and slowly offered it to me.
"I've noticed you bear some resemblance to chrysanthemums. This is for you."
I accepted it, held it, and sniffed it. It didn't smell foul.
He said,
"Ghost King, are you planning something big?"
"You overheard?"
I straightened my back and walked forward. He followed behind me and shared his thoughts.
"You've seen this place, Ghost King. It's vast and sparsely populated. If they were to come,
not only tens of thousands, but even millions could be accommodated here."
I nodded slightly, listening intently.
He continued,
"If you need any help, Ghost King, please don't hesitate to ask. I will do my utmost to assist you."
I turned back, looked at him, and nodded in response.
Knowing I didn't fully trust him, he didn't say much more, only remarking,
"I see there are many places you still need to understand. Let me take you."
With that, he led the way, and I followed silently. It was indeed time for me to familiarize myself with this place.
Meanwhile, at Lin'er's doorway, warriors from various mountains had already been summoned.
Facing the assembled crowd, he relayed the Ghost King's instructions.
"Now that we have settled at Black Mountain, we must have a next step. The Ghost King sought me out this morning and gave me an order.
That is to summon all the Ghost魅族 to gather at Black Mountain."
"Summon the clansmen?"
"Gather at Black Mountain?"
The crowd couldn't believe it. Their long-awaited wish was about to be realized.
Lin'er continued,
"Indeed, you heard correctly. The Ghost King's intention is to summon all our people to gather at Black Mountain.
However, to summon them, someone must deliver the message. You are all from different scattered settlements.
I believe there is no more suitable task for you. Therefore, I am assigning you to return to your respective clans and inform the elders of this news.
Then, the elders will lead the clansmen here."
"Understood!"
Everyone responded in unison, their faces filled with joy and happiness.
"Alright, the journey is long, and there can be no delay. You should leave soon and return swiftly."
"Yes."
After the instructions were given, the individuals departed together. Xue Ruyi also accompanied them on this mission.
Not long after I returned to my room, I heard a knock at the door.
I got up to open it and saw Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang.
Seeing them, I was about seventy percent sure I knew why they were here.
Xue Gucheng was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Muye, you are now at Black Mountain and safe. I think we should go rescue Liu Shinian as soon as possible."
I pondered for a moment, realizing I couldn't leave yet. I had to wait for all the ghosts to gather.
Moreover, they had sacrificed too much for me. If I were to go, I should accompany them. So, I said,
"Please wait a little longer. Give me a few more days. I have some matters to attend to."
Xue Gucheng, however, seemed a bit anxious.
"Then let us go first."
I shook my head slightly, with a hint of worry.
"Your abilities are not to be doubted. However, Beishen is not like other places. It is filled with elite soldiers and strong generals, and the dungeons are heavily guarded.
Rescuing someone is not that simple. Let me think of a plan to rescue them."
Yan Wushuang could tell that I wouldn't give them a satisfactory answer today.
But she still asked,
"Muye, when can you give us an answer?"
They were worried that if this continued, their firm resolve to leave might waver, and it would be agonizing not to follow their true hearts.
I knew their urgency and their concerns, so I said,
"Give me a few days. By then, everything will be arranged."
It seemed there was no room for negotiation, so they had to agree to my terms. They said,
"Alright, then three days. After three days, we will head to Beishen Capital."
"Agreed, three days it is."
Although I agreed, I still felt a sense of unease. I wondered if the clansmen could arrive within three days.
After Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang left, I stayed alone in my room, quietly awaiting the three-day period.
The next morning, Lin'er rushed to find me, holding a letter and looking overjoyed.
As soon as he entered, he exclaimed happily,
"Ghost King, Ghost King, the elder has sent a letter!"
"A letter?"
I suddenly felt confused. They had only left yesterday, so how could there be a reply today?
With a sense of bewilderment, I took the letter from Lin'er and opened it. It read:
Before the elder departed, he had informed us of everything. The elder said he had written his plan in the brocade pouch.
Once the Ghost King is free, he will head to Black Mountain, and that will be the day for our action.
The elder also instructed us to assist the Ghost King well. Once the Ghost King receives this letter, we will summon the clansmen overnight and rush to Black Mountain.
Hei Yi's signature.
Upon reading the letter, I was filled with joy. This way, we could reach Black Mountain quickly and also go to the aid of Liu Shinian after three days.
At this moment, another problem came to mind, and I was unsure what to do. I asked Lin'er,
"This letter has come at a most opportune time. Now, there are some things that need to be arranged, but I'm not sure if I should tell Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang."
Lin'er thought for a moment and then said,
"Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang are here because of the Ghost King. As for whether to tell them or not, it is entirely up to the Ghost King's heart."
Indeed, if it weren't for me, they wouldn't have cooperated with the elder. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have stayed.
Now, what could I possibly hide from them?
I immediately said to Lin'er,
"Then gather everyone in the main hall. Oh, and call Black Wind too."
I observed that young Black Wind had quite some ambition. The fact that he was willing to give up Black Mountain suggested he had his own motives.
I thought his motives were likely similar to ours. If that were the case, then we should all discuss our grand plans together.
Lin'er immediately responded,
"Yes, I'll go now."
After he left, I also proceeded to the main hall of the Bright Moon Palace, the Mingyue Hall.
Upon entering the hall, after a short wait, everyone began to arrive one by one.
Although they said nothing, they all understood. However, I still needed to speak.
"Brother Xue, Sister Yan, Black Wind, since we are now friends and partners, there are some things I should not keep from you.
Currently, our Ghost魅族 clansmen, scattered across various regions, are making their way to Black Mountain. However, Black Mountain is vast, and I am unsure how to settle them."
Black Wind spread his hands, feigning helplessness.
"As long as it is the Ghost King's decision, I support it. However, I usually only care about eating, drinking, and having fun. I am not very familiar with the situation around my mountain.
Therefore, I can't offer any good suggestions."
In reality, Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang had already guessed these matters. But if I didn't mention them, they wouldn't get involved.
However, now that I had spoken, it put them in a difficult position, unsure whether to participate.
So, after a long silence, there was no immediate response.
Thirteenth Mother could see their concern and said,
"The two of you need not worry. Just follow your hearts and do what feels right."
Yan Wushuang thought for a moment and then suddenly let out a laugh, saying helplessly,
"Alas, speaking of which, these matters are not our concern. But since Muye has brought them up, we shall follow our hearts and say what needs to be said."
As she spoke, she took out a draft sketch from her怀 and spread it out. It was a map. She said,
"These past two days, Brother Xue and I had nothing to do, so we walked around. Feeling bored, we casually sketched this map."
Even though she said this, she couldn't help but smile, as if she were doing something very enjoyable.
I slowly walked down the steps and approached them. Thirteenth Mother, Lin'er, and Black Wind also drew closer.
Yan Wushuang explained the information on the map.
"Although Black Mountain is rich in resources, it is surrounded by plains, with only a few interspersed large mountains.
If strong enemies were to attack, they could block the roads in front and cut off supplies from the rear, which is extremely dangerous."
Hearing her words, everyone fell into contemplation. Lin'er, however, quietly noticed the changes in the Xue Dao Shuang Guai.
As they interacted with us, they had been subtly influenced. Usually, they were always clamoring to leave.
But in secret, they were quietly doing useful things. It seemed their hearts were also somewhat inclined towards us.
Thinking of this, Lin'er smiled slightly and spoke.
"When my uncle was alive, he told me some principles of employing risky tactics.
Now is the time to utilize our people. After gathering the clansmen, we can send the young and strong to guard the various passes, disguised as civilians.
The old, weak, and young can remain at the foot of the mountain. Isn't there a large tract of land at the foot of the mountain?
We can clear the land and cultivate it, becoming self-sufficient.
This way, we can solve the population issue and also stabilize Black Mountain."
Upon hearing his suggestion, my mind became clear.
"That's a great idea. Do you all agree with the elder's proposal?"
Everyone also felt that this plan was feasible, so they said,
"We will follow the elder's lead."
Subsequently, the Ghost魅族 forces from the east, west, north, and south vanished overnight from their respective strongholds, especially the Ghost魅族 guarded in the desert regions.
They disappeared overnight right under their noses. This inexplicable disappearance quickly spread to the four cities, drawing their attention.
Meanwhile, on the nearby Chishui River.
A figure clad in blood-red stood by the Chishui River, gazing into the sky in a daze.
Just then, Jin Yu Lan arrived with the gentle breeze and landed behind him. Seeing him staring into the sky, she couldn't help but feel a bit curious.
She also looked up and saw that the vast, star-studded, beautiful night sky was now shrouded in a thick mass of black energy.
That mass of black energy was gradually moving south, indicating that something significant was about to happen.
"It seems she does possess some skill, to be able to gather so many people in such a short time. It's truly admirable," Liu Xiang suddenly exclaimed.
Jin Yu Lan, however, was somewhat worried.
"The remnants of the Ghost魅族 forces in the east, west, north, and south disappeared overnight. It seems she intends to establish herself as queen. What should we do?"
"Doesn't that make it more interesting? I've never encountered an opponent who could match me. After a thousand years of solitude, it's time for me to spread my wings."
"Are you serious?"
"Have you forgotten? We still have a pawn."
"Liu Shinian!"
He immediately guessed it was him.
"Yes, I wonder if she will like the grand gift I've prepared for her."
Liu Xiang smiled slightly and soared into the sky, heading towards Beishen Capital. It seemed this was destined to be another sleepless night.