Chapter 409 - 254: The Undying Deity_2
From the words of the black-robed ghost creature, it seemed that this little ghost did not recognize the sovereign status of Donghuang, and there was no awe in his words, which was very rare amongst ghost creatures.
“My lord jokes, where do I have any injustice?”
Xu Wuding was not foolish. If initially he hadn’t realized, and felt that the sovereign of the Ghost Nation was simply playing with him, by now he was completely aware.
The weapons that the Ghost King had used, the complete Ghost Cultivation Method, if these were not enough to prove anything, there were still the hordes of ghost creatures that attacked from all directions, but were just barely within the limits of what he could handle.
All these signs pointed to one thing: the sovereign who brought him to the darkness really did value him and even exploited his weaknesses to train him in a very special way.
Xu Wuding was never ungrateful. In order to protect the human world behind him, he could abandon his godly identity, even forsaking the incense burning in his honor. He could abandon much, but he did not want to abandon his bottom line.
He would not bow his head to a sovereign of the Ghost Nation. He only regretted that his opponent was not a human ruler. Even if he were a woman, he would gladly die for her.
How stifling were those thirty years of life?
In the northern battlefield, in just a few years of high spirit, everything ended with a reluctant roar.
Even though he ascended the divine altar and became a ghost god, what he faced were still numerous unsolved problems, and the suppression of being subtly ostracized by his peers. How depressing?
In the vast world of humans, there seemed to be no place for him, whether in life or in death. Xu Wuding, who was unable to stretch his spirit before or after death, was forcibly taken to the underworld, where he felt an unprecedentedly carefree feeling.
Such generous treatment, even he, who is stubborn and unaware of change, would inevitably be affected deep down. This was the first time a sovereign paid so much attention to him.
The pity was that this was not the sovereign he wanted to pledge allegiance to. He seemed to have been born in the wrong place and time.
“We’re quite familiar with each other now, Mister Xu. There’s no need to beat around the bush when talking to me. Is that sovereign always calling on you?”
Feng Qing’an’s brows raised lightly, as he chuckled.
He flew down from Youyou’s back, landing on the ground. The towering figure of the ghost god, which had been dozens of feet tall, also transformed into the size of an ordinary person and appeared in front of Feng Qing’an.
“Leading the troops into battle is indeed my desire.”
Xu Wuding did not answer directly, but his meaning was clear. Evidently, the Military Judge had changed a lot since entering the underworld.
“Tsk, weren’t you one to disobey orders?”
Upon hearing this, Feng Qing’an chuckled.
Seeing this familiar Military Judge, his mood indeed improved significantly.
He also knew about the Military Judge’s life before death. Whether in personal bravery or leading troops into battle, he was top-notch. If given the opportunity, he might even become a renowned general.
Incorporating such a heroic figure, who had become a Ghost Hero after death, into his command was far more valuable than having a few Ghost Kings at his disposal.
In the underworld, when a Ghost King leads troops into battle, it’s not really called a battle. It’s just a large, chaotic gathering of ghost creatures charging forward. Barely one in ten Ghost Kings could arrange military formations, let alone understand how to lead troops into battle.
“I have a duty to protect the human world. Even if I’m reluctant, I must follow orders.”
A look of helplessness crossed Xu Wuding’s face. Interest piqued, Feng Qing’an began to probe, and after hearing Xu Wuding’s story, he burst out laughing.
Nobles trick with methods and, although Xu Wuding was not a nobleman, he wasn’t far off. By taking advantage of his belief that he would protect the peace of the human world even at the cost of everything, Donghuang had him firmly under control.
When the Military Judge had gained a foothold in the underworld, the ruler of the You Huang Ghost Country issued a recruiting order to him during an expedition, asking him to join the force.
But the overly rigid Military Judge naturally refused. The second time, however, the messenger sent by the ruler informed him that the Ghost King they planned to subdue was trying to erode the human world and purge thousands of miles with bloodshed.
Upon receiving such news, although still reluctant, the Military Judge couldn’t sit idle. Naturally, he picked up his great sword and followed the military, becoming part of the formation. A battlefield was no place for individual bravery—this applied even to the chaotic formation of ghost creatures.
Once the first time happened, naturally there would be a second time, a third time… Most Ghost Kings within the Netherworld were interested in the live souls of the human world. The likes of Donghuang, who did not share this interest, were extremely rare, like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Therefore, before each expedition of Donghuang, as long as he was told that the Ghost King they were going to subdue was fond of devouring live souls and harmed the common people, he could only prepare his sword and armor, then carry along the ghost creatures he had subdued, and follow them.
“What do you really want with such an unfavorable name and unfavorable speech? You might as well immediately submit to Donghuang, that would be less troublesome. If you are willing to bow your head, the ten thousand Ghost cavalry initially promised to you by Donghuang could, at least, double by now.”
After laughing, Feng Qing’an was having a hard time understanding this creature’s insistence. How many of the Ghost Kings in the Netherworld were not craving human souls? According to the method used by Donghuang, it was nothing more than bullying others. Moreover, after the battle, there was no need to divide the spoils of war.
“A minister does not serve two masters. I have pledged my loyalty to the human race, thus I cannot return to the Netherworld.”
Upon hearing Feng Qing’an’s words, Xu Wuding was still shaking his head in refusal, smiling all the while. No matter how flexible or compromising, some lines he walked he would firmly hold on to, choosing death rather than changing.
“Is that so? What if I need your help?”
Feng Qing’an stroked his beard, asking with a smile.
“Which Ghost King does the Master need to subdue? If they have the history of devouring live souls, I will certainly offer my full help.”
Xu Wuding replied.
The harsh environment of the Netherworld had polished off his edges, causing him to compromise. The favor shown to him by a powerful national ruler had touched his heart. Despite shouting that he would never yield to any master, given the right motivation and an honorable way, he could follow along.
“What I am aiming for is not any specific Ghost King. I want to subdue a Demon Nation. It’s just a bit far away. Along the way, there are many Ghost Nations that need to be defeated one by one in order to arrive.”
“Demon Nation?”
Surprise appeared in Xu Wuding’s eyes.
“In the Netherworld, where does a Demon Nation come from?”
Forget about a Demon Nation. Even in such a harsh environment, having fresh blood would attract countless ghost creatures’ attention and greed.
The blood of Yin Beasts in the Netherworld flows cold and vile, even colder than the Ghost Blood that ghost creatures congeal. It’s such a thing that even ghosts despise.
“Ghost Wolf, I wonder if Mr. Xu has heard of it? It’s a Demon Nation established by the Ghost Wolf.”
“I see, how many Ghost Nations do we need to subdue along the way?”
Even though the target is the Demon Nation, there is no problem with attacking Ghost Nations and annexing Ghost Kings along the way.
“I don’t know.”
Feng Qing’an answered quite simply. He has not explored the way, so how could he know so much.
“In that case, I am willing to lend a hand to the Master.”
Even if he didn’t know much, seeing the standing Undead Nether Phoenix next to him, Xu Wuding immediately made his stance clear.
“If you are alone, even if you add a few special ghost creatures, that won’t be enough. Before leaving, Donghuang told me that there is a Ghost Army here, so I am wondering where your Ghost Army is?”
“Sir, please wait for a moment, allow me to call them.”
As his words fell, the Ghost God in his eyes, once again manifested a towering form. His originally pitch-black eyes quietly turned into a radiant gold. That was the divine glow, the majesty of the diety manifested in this moment.
“Divine being!”
Feng Qing’an watched the Ghost God in surprise when a vein of pure Yang essence appeared in front of his eyes.
At this moment, the youth saw strands of pure incense, coming from the human world, merging into the body of this Ghost god, maintaining a glimmer of divine aura, preventing him from falling into the rank of the Netherworld’s ghost creatures.