The banquet continued until late into the night.
During the few days Liu Shinian and the other two were away, Dao Lang and Fei Xiong helped us clear out the dilapidated houses and rebuild them.
Now, more than half of the frame has been erected, and half of the damaged houses have been repaired.
There is now a place to be set aside for Yue Yao and Tian Long to reside.
Yan Wushuang, as the second-in-command after the Myriad Ghost King, naturally took on her responsibilities, familiarizing herself with the task of leading Yue Yao and Tian Long to their accommodations.
Because I was particularly happy today, I unconsciously drank a few more cups, and my weakness for alcohol began to show.
Now, my head was spinning, and I could only stagger back to my residence. Upon entering my room, I immediately collapsed onto the bed without even closing the door.
Suddenly, an evil gust of wind blew in from outside, closing the door and windows.
Then, a black mist emerged from my body, coiling in mid-air.
This black mist, taking advantage of the absence of others, flew out of the house and darted throughout the entire Mingyue Palace. Faintly, I could hear its subtle joy carried on the wind.
"So comfortable, so exhilarating."
After a brief exploration, it flew back into the room, transforming into a dark shadow that approached my bedside and blew a cold breath at me.
"Achoo!"
A chill swept over me. I rubbed my eyes and woke up from the bed, feeling dizzy and disoriented. I stumbled to the dressing mirror.
At that moment, a ball of black mist suddenly enveloped the entire mirror, and a faint, chaotic voice echoed in my ear.
"This is truly exciting."
"Myriad Ghost King!"
Hearing this voice instantly cleared the drunken haze from my mind.
He chuckled and said.
"It's good of you to still remember me. I must commend you; you are indeed a rare talent. Entrusting the Ghost Race to you was the correct choice."
Seeing him now, I was no longer as afraid as before. I calmly looked at my reflection in the mirror.
Leisurely stroking my cheek, I thanked him.
"I have you to thank for giving me this opportunity to experience a different side of myself."
"You are so much like my former self, a king by birth."
I scoffed and said coldly.
"Your era has ended, and my era… has just begun."
"An ambitious woman skilled in political maneuvering is both loved and feared.
However, I am even more eager for the grand battle between the Ghost Race and the Four Cities.
Having been confined in that dark place for over a thousand years, I have long forgotten the taste of blood. I truly wish to taste what this blood, filled with passion and hatred, is like."
"Rest assured, you will."
"You don't mind if I kill one or two people from Mingyue Palace, do you? I'm feeling peckish."
As he spoke, he flew out of the mirror, hovering above my head like a thick fog.
"Presumptuous!"
I slammed the table and roared.
"This is my territory, not your Myriad Ghost Mountain."
Hearing my words, his interest in me grew. He circled around me.
"You are truly an interesting woman. This is your territory, and you call the shots."
With that, he plunged back into the mirror and disappeared. I picked up the mirror and smashed it to pieces.
After doing this, my head began to ache uncontrollably again. I fumbled my way to the bedside and lay down, falling into a deep sleep.
Liu Shinian, however, couldn't sleep at all that night. The agreement with the Mermaid Tribe leader still echoed in his mind.
After the great battle, he was to return and marry Yue Yao. The thought of this made his head ache, and he could only fly to the rooftop to admire the moon alone.
However, his gaze was drawn to the not-so-tall three-story building.
"Tonight, her window is still not open."
He murmured to himself, with a hint of expectation, yet also not.
On this night, only the bright moon accompanied his worried heart.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, I heard laughter from downstairs. I got out of bed and pushed open the window, seeing Yue Yao and Tian Long chatting in the garden.
"Great Protector, the flowers here are so beautiful. There are several varieties I haven't seen before."
"Princess, you came out this time to see all the ones you haven't seen.
These flowers bloom so vibrantly; the person who planted them must have worked very hard."
"Naturally."
As they were chatting happily, a voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
"Yue Yao, you're awake?"
Yue Yao turned her head and saw Liu Shinian standing behind her. She stood up from the flower path and walked over to him.
Naturally, she linked her arm through his and replied with a smile.
"I've been awake for a while. The flowers here are so beautiful."
Liu Shinian smiled slightly and gestured to the flower path filling the courtyard.
"Which pot do you like? I'll give it to you."
Yue Yao shook her head.
"I want to plant them myself."
Liu Shinian gently touched her hand, feeling pleased.
"Alright, you plant them yourself."
I watched from upstairs for a long time, my mind constantly guessing:
How could Liu Shinian have become so close to this princess he had never met before, in such a short time? Could there be something between them?
Thinking this, I found myself amusing, Liu Shinian had brought her back, so of course, he would treat her well.
I was truly overthinking things. With a slight smile, I stopped dwelling on it.
Recalling seeing the Myriad Ghost King last night, I couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
He hadn't come out or spoken for so long. I wondered what his sudden appearance this time was for.
Although I didn't know what he intended to do, it didn't matter anymore. I sighed and decided to go downstairs for a walk.
Just then, Lin'er appeared from somewhere and called me.
"Ghost King."
I turned around and saw him approach.
"Ghost King, regarding the date for the campaign against the Four Cities..."
"Let's discuss it in the secret chamber."
"Alright."
So, I led him to the secret chamber behind the main hall. To my surprise, the four elders were also there.
"Elders, why are you here?"
I asked, somewhat confused.
Elder Wangu replied.
"The elder notified us to come."
"It seems everyone has been thinking a lot."
"Since we have now formed an alliance, we must quickly decide on the date of attack. I worry that delay will lead to complications."
Elder Hei Yi said.
"This is something I have considered. Although cooperation has been reached, the division of labor is not clear. We need to devise a foolproof plan."
I stated my thoughts.
"The Ghost King is correct. Although we have allied with the Mermaid Tribe and the forces from various mountains,
we haven't made concrete plans yet. Moreover, so many people have their own agendas, and we need to let them simmer.
Let them think things through themselves, otherwise, when the actual battle comes, some might retreat without fighting, reaping the benefits."
Elder Mo Xuefu analyzed.
I nodded. My thoughts were the same.
A rash attack would only leave us vulnerable from all sides and lead to failure. We need a foolproof plan.
"Our main attack will be on Nanhai City, with a feigned attack on Dongyue Town."
I said.
Everyone looked at me with confusion, their eyes filled with doubt. Elder Zhu Liuyun asked.
"Ghost King, why are we doing this?"
I explained.
"Although Nanhai City has been severely weakened, it still has many experts. A direct assault would be impossible to succeed and would only harm us.
If we pretend to attack Dongyue Town and then change course to Nanhai City, they will never expect it, and we can catch them off guard."
"Good idea, good idea."
Everyone applauded, finding it a brilliant strategy.
I continued.
"First, we will send a declaration of war to Dongyue Town, and then spread rumors.
The Lord of Dongyue Town will surely seek help from the other three cities.
At that time, out of obligation, they will send troops to aid Dongyue Town. The other cities will then become vulnerable, and we can quickly advance to Nanhai City and capture it."
"Excellent, this is a great idea. Ghost King, what is this tactic called?"
Elder Mo Xuefu asked curiously.
"This tactic is called 'Catching them off guard, attacking when unprepared'."
Everyone present was impressed by my wisdom and looked at each other.
"I have one more thing to mention."
The four elders stared at me blankly, not knowing what I was about to say.
I smiled slightly and told them.
"We should have our own banner, a banner for the allied army."
The elders looked surprised. They had never considered this before. Elder Hei Yi asked doubtfully.
"Since ancient times, when marching into battle, people have rarely paid attention to the enemy's banner.
They can sense which group belongs to whom just by their attire and demeanor, so the banner doesn't need excessive decoration, does it?"
I shook my head, my thoughts drifting into the distance.
Recalling the bright red banner fluttering in the air, and the dazzling five-pointed star within the red banner, where the red banner and the five-pointed star were, that was home.
Therefore, Black Mountain should also have such a banner. As soon as they see the banner, they should think of home. Where there is a banner, there is peace.
Thinking of this, I revealed a meaningful smile and spoke to them about the importance of the banner.
"I know the customs here, but a banner is indispensable.
It represents not just a group, but the hearts of all allies.
We want every Black Mountain person, every allied person who sees the banner, to feel as if they are seeing the dawn of hope.
And this dawn will forever remain in everyone's minds, becoming eternal hope."
Upon hearing my words, their confused hearts gradually cleared. They understood that this child from the mortal world had her unique perspective on combat.
Lin'er asked.
"Ghost King, what kind of banner do you want to create?"
This idea had been brewing in my heart for a very long time, and it was time to voice it.
"Since we have reached an alliance agreement with the Mermaid Tribe and the twenty-four mountain lords, they should also be represented on this banner.
After thinking about it, I propose using a flat square cloth as the base. At the top of the square cloth will be a fiery red sun. Below the sun will be three stars, and below the three stars will be complete darkness."
Elder Wangu analyzed my idea carefully.
"The passionate sun symbolizes light and hope. The three stars represent Black Mountain, the Mermaid Tribe, and the twenty-four mountain lords. The complete darkness signifies dispelling darkness and welcoming light."
"Elder Wangu is correct. That is exactly my idea."
"I didn't expect the Ghost King to be so thoughtful, having already planned everything. I think this idea is excellent."
Elder Zhu Liuyun agreed.
"However, what should this banner be called?"
Elder Mo Xuefu pondered, feeling that it needed a name, whatever it might be.
I said without hesitation.
"Let's call it the Sun-Chasing Banner."
"Sun-Chasing Banner?"
The elders were surprised but found it very fitting. Wasn't what we were doing now chasing the sun and seeking light? They all agreed.
"This name is good, this name is good."
Thus, the allied army gained its own banner. Later, the "Sun-Chasing Banner" reached the Four Cities.
The resourceful individuals in the Four Cities seized the opportunity to smear Black Mountain, claiming that the Black Mountain Alliance's "Sun-Chasing Banner" was a "Death Banner."
They also fabricated a terrifying prophecy.
"To see the Sun-Chasing Banner is to see the Yellow Springs!"
This indirectly deepened the fear and hatred the people of the Four Cities held for the allied army.
With the banner issue resolved, Lin'er brought up the matter of the battle.
"Ghost King, you mentioned the matter of capturing the Four Cities earlier. I will instruct everyone to proceed with it now."
Saying this, he was about to leave to carry out this task.
"Wait a moment."
I called out to him.
"Elder, I need you to write a letter of challenge to the Lord of Dongyue Town, and then have Xue Ruyi spread the news."
He nodded and then hurried out to carry out the task I had assigned.
Seeing that today's meeting was almost concluded, I turned to the four elders and said.
"Elders, you should also go back and rest."
The elders bowed respectfully.
"Very well, we shall withdraw."
I nodded slightly.
After the elders left, I emerged from the secret chamber. As soon as I exited the main hall, I heard the sounds of hammering and pounding.
I looked to the side and saw Fei Xiong and Dao Lang diligently repairing the houses, with others helping. Only Liu Shinian was nowhere to be seen.
I remembered seeing him this morning. I wondered why he was gone now, so I curiously went downstairs to ask them.
"Why isn't Liu Shinian here?"
"He's sweeping the yard in the back."
Yan Wushuang replied.
That young man, finally doing something.
I looked up at Dao Lang and Fei Xiong on the roof beams. They were each sitting on one side, holding hammers and tapping on wooden planks.
Large beads of sweat, like falling raindrops, splashed onto the wooden planks one after another.
I saw that they had already covered more than half of the roof. In a few more hours, this house would be completed.
Thinking that I had nothing to do at the moment, I kicked off and flew up, landing beside them. I also picked up a tool and started hammering on the house.
Seeing me arrive, their eyes were filled with surprise, as I was usually busy with other matters at this time.
Dao Lang smiled.
"We can handle these tasks. You don't need to help."
I smiled slightly.
"It's alright. I often did this kind of work when I was at home. It's a good opportunity to put it to use."
"Then you must be careful not to slip."
"Don't worry, I won't fall now."
"Hahaha, indeed."
Xue Gucheng carried newly planed wooden planks from a distance and called out to the people on the roof.
"Here, catch!"
He then forcefully lifted the planks on his shoulders and tossed them onto the roof. Fei Xiong turned and caught them with one hand, then distributed them to Dao Lang and me.
I praised him.
"Good skill."
He laughed heartily and teased himself.
"Just a bit fat."
Liu Mei brought a pot of tea to the base of the house and poured tea for everyone who was working hard.
Then, she lightly stepped up and landed on the edge of the eaves, holding up the teapot and calling to us.
"Come, come, have some water and take a break."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and walked with Dao Lang and Fei Xiong to the center. Liu Mei stepped forward and leaped behind us.
From the lid of the teapot, she took out three bowls and distributed them to us, then poured water for each of us.
I looked at the blue sky reflected in the water in the bowl and thoughtfully raised my head to look at the dilapidated Mingyue Palace.
Watching it gradually recover its former glory from the ruins, I felt very gratified.
"It seems that before long, a brand new Mingyue Palace will appear."
I picked up the tea and drank it all in one gulp, then resumed my work until the sun set in the west.