My heart was filled with panic. I rushed into the midst of the corpses and helped Liu Shi Nian up. He coughed a few times and then spat out a mouthful of blood.
"How could this happen? How could this happen?"
Liu Shi Nian, barely clinging to life, carefully explained everything that had just transpired.
"There was, there was a ball of black energy. Mu Ye, you, you must be careful!"
I grabbed Liu Shi Nian's hand with concern and quickly called for the guards.
"Xiao Jiu, come here, quickly take Young Master Liu back to his room."
"Yes."
He hurried over, picked up Liu Shi Nian on his back, and left. I then looked at Xue Gu Cheng and Yan Wu Shuang, helping them up.
Yan Wu Shuang had already lost consciousness. Xue Gu Cheng still had a breath of life. He looked at me, smiled faintly, and spoke intermittently.
"Mu, Mu Ye, it's a pleasure to have met you."
"Don't say these things, don't say these things. Someone, are all the people dead?" I shouted.
Lin Er then ran to call for people. I gently put Xue Gu Cheng and Yan Wu Shuang down and ran to check on Ye Chang Feng.
I helped him up, and he turned to vomit a mouthful of blood. My heart ached, and I apologized to him.
"I've harmed you all. I'm sorry."
He shook his head and smiled knowingly.
"No, it's not, it's not your fault. If, if we can still survive, we'll definitely, definitely be friends with you."
"Okay."
At this moment, Lin Er finally brought the guards over. He said to the people on the ground.
"Carry them all to the side rooms."
"Yes."
A crowd swarmed forward, carrying them all on their backs and heading towards the side courtyard.
After Xiao Jiu took Liu Shi Nian back to the side room, he returned. He, the sole witness present, was still waiting to be questioned by the Ghost King.
When I saw him return, I called him over and asked.
"Xiao Jiu, what exactly is going on?"
He then recounted what Lin Er had told him earlier, word for word.
"Everyone was happily composing poetry and verses here, waiting for the Ghost King's arrival. Who knew that suddenly, a ball of indistinct black energy shot out from the moonlight.
The black energy descended from the sky and attacked everyone without warning. Everyone was already injured and couldn't fight it, being knocked to the ground.
It also burned the sky lanterns we had released and disrupted the wine party."
"What did you say? A ball of black energy?"
My heart wavered, thinking it impossible.
"Yes, I couldn't make out what it was, just vaguely saw a ball of black energy."
"Are you sure you saw correctly?"
He affirmed.
"So many eyes saw it, I definitely didn't see it wrong. If the Ghost King doesn't believe me, he can ask others."
Besides the Myriad Ghost King, who else could be a ball of black energy? He had promised me earlier that he wouldn't harm anyone in Black Mountain. Why did he break his word?
But he wouldn't lie to me, would he? Why would he do this?
I felt a splitting headache, unable to figure it out. Shaking my head, I convinced myself that none of this was real.
Lin Er saw my reaction and guessed that I had already figured out who it was. He cautiously stepped forward, intending to support me, but I refused.
"I'm fine. Go and check on Liu Shi Nian and Xue Gu Cheng. Save them by any means necessary."
"Yes."
With that, I swayed towards the garden and returned to the small building alone.
Xiao Jiu watched my sad and desolate figure with great concern, saying.
"Elder, did we go too far?"
"Don't worry, the Ghost King will be fine. Have someone clean this place up later."
"Yes."
He then also returned to his room alone.
I pushed open the door to the room on the upper floor and saw the Myriad Ghost King floating around inside. I suppressed my anger and asked him.
"Where did you go?"
He replied somewhat guiltily.
"I, I just went out to play for a while."
"Then were you the one causing trouble in the front courtyard?"
He knew I must have seen everything. He had no defense, so he simply snorted coldly.
"So what if it was, so what if it wasn't?"
Hearing his answer, my lingering doubts vanished. I sternly reprimanded him.
"What did you promise me? You wouldn't harm anyone in Black Mountain, and now what? Get out!"
It was the first time he had seen me so angry. It seemed those people were truly important to me.
Even if he explained further, he felt I wouldn't listen. So, in a fit of anger, he flew out the window and flew away.
I sighed, covered my head, came to the bed, and fell asleep.
The Myriad Ghost King flew around and around outside, as if to calm himself down and to wait for me to calm down.
After a long while, seeing that I had fallen asleep, he sheepishly flew back and entered my body.
I slightly opened my eyes, carefully thinking that the Myriad Ghost King, devoted to the Ghost Tribe, would not do something so reckless.
Moreover, everything that happened today seemed prearranged.
If I had to find an explanation for these events, it could only mean that they already knew about the Myriad Ghost King and my strange behavior in the past few days.
It seemed I had to confess to them. And did I really have to continue being the Myriad Ghost King's substitute?
I rested my head on my pillow and thought:
Everyone in this world is unique. The Myriad Ghost King is unique, and so am I.
Since a new world is to be created, it should start anew.
Thinking this, I unknowingly fell asleep.
The next morning, as soon as it was dawn, I notified Lin Er to summon everyone to the main hall.
Lin Er went to the side rooms and saw everyone looking rosy-cheeked and seemingly recovered. He said.
"The Ghost King has summoned all of us to the main hall."
"Then do we still need to pretend?"
Yue Jiu asked.
Lin Er shook his head and replied.
"No need, she already knows."
"Then should we go?"
Fu Zi Mo asked.
"You all come too."
"Okay."
I waited in the main seat of the hall. First, I saw the subordinates of Black Wind, then the four elders.
Then came the capable individuals from various tribes. Finally, Lin Er led Liu Shi Nian and his companions in safely.
They had indeed come for the matter of the Myriad Ghost King. Today, no matter what, I had to give everyone an explanation.
I stood up and faced everyone below, solemnly stating.
"I've called everyone here today not for anything else, but for myself.
I believe you have all noticed my strange behavior these past few days, often talking to myself.
However, it wasn't just me alone, but with another, the true Myriad Ghost King."
Upon hearing this, the entire hall was astonished and disbelieving.
"Today, I want him to clarify to all of us what he intends to do."
I shouted.
"Myriad Ghost King, come out!"
The crowd below fell silent, all staring at me intently. However, the Myriad Ghost King was slow to appear.
If I missed this opportunity, it would be difficult to explain.
With a resolute heart, I stepped aside, drew the long sword from a nearby guard, and was about to commit suicide. Suddenly, a ball of black energy flew out and knocked the sword away.
Everyone in the hall broke out in a cold sweat, filled with terror. Fortunately, the danger was averted.
The Myriad Ghost King drifted in the air for a few circles before slowly descending, transforming into a human form.
He was clad in black armor, with a skull holy sword at his waist.
His illusory face was hidden beneath a cloak, his entire form like a figure shrouded in mist.
"So this is what you look like."
I was also very surprised, seeing his form clearly for the first time.
The people below the steps were equally astonished. Perhaps this was also the first time in a thousand years that he had revealed his true form to the world, allowing people to see his appearance.
He laughed and said.
"It's just an illusion."
The Ghost Tribe members below, except for Black Wind and his followers, as well as Liu Shi Nian and the other thirteen, all knelt on one knee and bowed.
"We, the Ghost Tribe, pay our respects to the Ghost King."
The Myriad Ghost King nodded slightly, very pleased, and raised his hand, saying.
"Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Ghost King."
I said to him.
"Everyone is uneasy about your sudden appearance and needs a resolution."
He pondered for a moment and looked down, seeing a young man standing at the very front, with bright eyes, a calm demeanor, and the wisdom of an elder.
Curious, he pointed at him and asked.
"Who are you?"
Lin Er slowly stepped forward and knelt before him, saying.
"The twenty-ninth generation Elder of the Ghost Tribe, Li Lin Er, pays his respects to the Ghost King."
The Myriad Ghost King then realized.
"Oh, so you are our tribe's elder. No wonder I saw you as mature beyond your years, with a determined gaze. Truly, heroes emerge from youth. Rise."
"Thank you, Ghost King."
The Myriad Ghost King sighed and then slowly explained the reason for his frequent appearances.
"After the great battle a thousand years ago, my physical body was destroyed.
My soul was also trapped in White Bone Cave for over a thousand years, until I met Mu Ye and was able to see the light of day again.
Now, seeing the younger generation with great ambitions, I am very pleased.
I know you are about to attack the Four Cities, and I am both excited and worried.
I wanted to come out and see, but I didn't expect to cause unnecessary panic among everyone."
At this point, everyone understood what was happening and the Myriad Ghost King's intentions.
Tian Long's gaze had not left him since his appearance. He couldn't help but ask.
"Myriad Ghost King, do you remember me?"
The Myriad Ghost King looked at him and laughed.
"Of course, my old friend Tian Long."
This statement further astonished everyone. They couldn't tell that Tian Long was so old, nor did they expect he had met the Myriad Ghost King before.
"I knew you would return."
Tian Long said, full of emotion.
"Thank you. Although the Merfolk Tribe and the Ghost Tribe are different, we share the same plight. What we want is not war, but equal rights to survival.
The future peaceful relationship between the Merfolk Tribe and the Ghost Tribe will depend on you."
"I will certainly do so."
He turned back to me and said.
"Mu Ye, you are a good leader. Because of you, our Ghost Tribe has been able to gather together again from scattered corners.
To plan for the future of the Ghost Tribe together, I represent all our tribesmen in expressing our gratitude to you."
Saying this, he suddenly knelt down and kowtowed to me. The Ghost Tribe members present were also moved and knelt with the Myriad Ghost King to thank me.
What was supposed to be a declaration meeting had turned into a gratitude assembly.
I never expected that the Myriad Ghost King, the supreme ruler of the Ghost Tribe, would kneel to an ordinary woman like me for the sake of his tribesmen.
For a moment, various emotions mingled in my heart, but they were all filled with感动 and affirmation.
I held back the tears of emotion and said to him.
"Get up quickly. This is everyone's collective effort. I also hope to bring everyone a beautiful future."
Hearing my words, he slowly stood up.
I said loudly to everyone in the hall.
"Everyone, please rise! We are already one family. Whether in the future or now, we must move forward together, share life and death! Advance and retreat together!"
At this moment, the hearts of the people were greatly inspired, and they shouted.
"Share life and death! Advance and retreat together!"
Seeing that the time was right, the Myriad Ghost King then said to everyone.
"All family members, friends, I, the Myriad Ghost King, hereby swear that I will not interfere with any of Mu Ye's decisions.
From now on, my essence will transform into her shadow, and my soul will become her demonic power, protecting her until the day I turn to dust."
In front of everyone's eyes, he transformed into a black shadow and hid within my shadow.
I slightly lowered my head and softly said to the Myriad Ghost King.
"Myriad Ghost King, you have been through a lot. From today onwards, you will be my strongest shoulder.
Your form will be my sharpest weapon, and I will carry your wishes forward."
After this matter was resolved, while everyone was present, I brought up my own affairs.
"Everyone, I have one more thing! I have considered it for a long time. Since the Ghost King already exists, and I can no longer be the Myriad Ghost King."
Everyone's expression became solemn, guessing what I was about to say.
I said solemnly.
"From today onwards, I am no longer the Myriad Ghost King, but the Myriad Demon King."
Everyone was taken aback by this sudden title, unable to recover for a long time.
Seeing their lack of reaction, I asked.
"What do you all think of this?"
I had not discussed this matter with anyone, so everyone was unprepared.
Even Lin Er looked confused and asked.
"Myriad Demon King? What does that mean?"
I answered without reservation.
"Myriad Demon means the ruler of the world, the leader of universal harmony."
Only then did everyone understand my unwavering resolve and my confidence in victory.
For a moment, they were astonished, and then after a moment, they all shouted.
"Myriad Demon King! Myriad Demon King! Myriad Demon King!"
"Good, everyone rest well. The day after tomorrow, we will face East Yue Town. Let the Four Cities see our strength.
Let them know how powerful we all are."
"Black Mountain will win! Black Mountain will win!"
Amidst the cheers, Lin Er suddenly knelt forward and confessed.
"Demon King, I have sinned. Please punish me."
I asked him with some confusion.
"What sin have you committed?"
Lin Er said.
"Everything that happened yesterday and last night was my doing. I framed the Ghost King."
Upon hearing him say this, Liu Shi Nian and his companions also knelt down and confessed.
"It's not Elder's fault. We were also involved. If you are to punish, punish us."
I watched them confess to each other and accept punishment together, knowing they had become the best of friends.
I couldn't help but burst into laughter. Then I walked down the steps and helped them up, sighing with emotion.
"It is my good fortune to have gone through life and death with you. This is not your fault.
Thanks to Elder, I was able to strengthen my resolve. Don't think about these things anymore. Let's have a big feast tonight, and then we'll march towards the Four Cities."
"Okay."
"Everyone go back and rest well, then we will break through East Yue Town."
"Okay!!!"
To expand the influence of the Myriad Demon King and this title, Lin Er then summoned the Shadow Guards.
He ordered them to spread the news of the Ghost King being renamed the Myriad Demon King.
Soon, the entire Four Cities would witness the brand new Myriad Ghost King, the reborn Myriad Demon King.