Chapter 53

That night, the city's drill ground was lit with torches. Three corpses were locked in iron cages, struggling to escape the city.

Li Jinglong, Zhang Hao, and a deputy general named Wu Shuang were inspecting the corpses in the drill ground. Many soldiers left the city that night, picked up some weapons, and threw them on the ground.

"How is the old general?" Li Jinglong asked while inspecting the weapons.

"Very bad." Zhang Hao replied, "He's even more ill. Elder, you have to go get the commander's seal. Otherwise, we won't be able to mobilize Liangzhou City's army."

Li Jinglong asked, "Is there no one under the general's command who can hold the commander's seal?"

"General Wang is also ill." Wu Shuang said, "He was sent back to rest."

"What about the next level?" Li Jinglong asked again.

Wu Shuang and Zhang Hao stopped talking.

Li Jinglong understood that Geshu Han was usually extremely cautious. Apart from a trusted aide surnamed Wang, no one else could hold the commander's seal.

"But you can." Zhang Hao said, "You have the crown prince's personal decree, so you can temporarily borrow the commander's seal."

"In the current situation, it's best to bide our time, unless the corpses attack the city." Li Jinglong said carelessly, "Believe me, once we leave the city to fight, we'll only die faster."

Wu Shuang and Zhang Hao looked at each other, and the two no longer insisted.

"Look at this weapon." Li Jinglong raised his saber and pointed it at the fire, indicating for Zhang Hao to look. There was an obvious black mark on it, as if it had been dipped in poison.

Zhang Hao was silent. Li Jinglong said, "Look at these three monsters. The left one's skin is intact, but its color is scorched, like a dried corpse. The middle one's damage is more serious. There's a hole in its abdomen, and many of its internal organs have fallen out. "

"The one on the right is the worst." Li Jinglong raised its arm with his saber. There was almost no flesh left on the hand, revealing the grayish-black bones.

Wu Shuang said, "There are also differences in the armor they wear."

Li Jinglong nodded and said, "The armor worn by those who are in good condition is heavier and more complicated. The worst ones don't have much armor to cover their bodies. Therefore, the Ghoul Army is also divided into three, six, and nine ranks. Below the hundred-commander rank, there are ten-commanders, five-commanders, and ordinary cavalry. "

Everybody was silent. At this time, the city guards fished up undead ghouls, whose bodies were covered in ice shards, from the frozen river. Li Jinglong said, "The undead ghouls' weapons are laced with a strange poison. When we fight again, we must take precautions. Finding its weakness is the second. "

Zhang Hao glanced at the frozen ghoul and said, "Ice?"

"That's right," Li Jinglong replied, "After the cold water is poured on them, the ice will stiffen their bones and affect their movements. There's another move, which is fire. "

Wu Shuang nodded and poured kerosene into the cage, igniting the ghoul. The flames soared into the sky. There was no howl or struggle, and it was quietly burned to ashes. Hongjun couldn't bear to see it, but Li Jinglong said to him, "You have to think of it this way. Even if they go underground, they won't be at peace. Now, they can finally be free."

Hongjun thought about it and agreed. These soldiers, when alive, had fought to protect their home and country. Who would have thought that after death, they would become killers who killed their own people so cruelly.

"And the third?" Zhang Hao muttered.

"Prepare for defense." Li Jinglong said, "I will think of another way to deal with those who have been poisoned."

Zhang Hao and Wu Shuang hurriedly left and ordered people to set up defenses. Li Jinglong and Hongjun stood in the drill ground, observing the remaining two ghouls.

Hongjun looked at the ghouls and then looked at Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong's brows were slightly furrowed, revealing a thoughtful expression. This was one of the things that Hongjun admired the most about him. He simply couldn't understand what Li Jinglong was thinking. From one thing to another, every time he seriously analyzed and didn't show his emotions, Hongjun felt that he was extremely powerful. It was a kind of strength that was restrained, a kind of courage that was fearless even in the face of a mountain of blades and a sea of fire.

Hongjun now completely believed that Li Jinglong could save Mo Rigen and the others. It should be that the moment Geshu Han fell, Li Jinglong realized the problem and verified it step by step. Then, like the Fox Demon case, he finally made a comeback.

Hongjun didn't rush him, nor did he leave. He just accompanied Li Jinglong. After a long time, Li Jinglong suddenly said, "How do you think they recognize their companions?"

Hongjun, "…"

Hongjun thought for a moment and said, "The ghouls are long dead. They shouldn't be able to smell."

"Oh." Li Jinglong said, "Maybe they can see."

Most ghouls didn't have pupils, only turbid white eyeballs. However, those eyeballs kept moving around, so they could most likely see.

"Can they hear?" Hongjun said.

Li Jinglong took an iron basin and knocked it on the back of the ghoul's ear. The sound was loud enough to deafen a person, but the ghoul didn't turn its head. It only focused on hitting the iron cage.

It was obvious that they couldn't hear. Li Jinglong took a torch and waved it in front of the ghoul. The ghoul vigilantly raised its hand and made a chopping motion.

"They can see." Li Jinglong finally said, "They can feel the light."

Hongjun said, "I'm curious. What do you think is going on in their heads?"

"They can't speak." Li Jinglong replied, "Only the heavens know … Let's try again."

Li Jinglong took off his robe. Hongjun said, "What are you doing?"

Li Jinglong motioned for Hongjun to come over and help. He put on the armor of the ghoul that died in battle. It actually fit quite well. Hongjun had seen many Tang Kai. He saw Li Jinglong wearing Han Armor. Although it was rusty iron armor, he still looked heroic and handsome.

Li Jinglong bowed slightly and came to the front of the cage. The ghoul immediately became alert and opened its rotten mouth, revealing its gums.

"We've been recognized." Hongjun said, "How about I try?"

"What if I smear my face?" Li Jinglong said again.

Hongjun: "…"

Hongjun went to find charcoal and smeared Li Jinglong's skin black. Then, he moved the surrounding braziers away. The sky was already dark. Looking at it like this, Li Jinglong really looked like a ghoul.

"I'll go in and take a look." Li Jinglong said.

Hongjun was very nervous. Li Jinglong gently opened the cage door and went in.

The ghoul immediately noticed him. It roared and reached out to grab Li Jinglong's head. Li Jinglong hurriedly said, "Calm down!" Then, he rolled and crawled out.

"Are you going to roll your eyes?" Hongjun said.

"Like this?" Li Jinglong tried to roll his eyes and said, "But I won't be able to see it like this."

Hongjun said, "It's hard to say. What if they can smell?"

Li Jinglong peeled off another ghoul's rotten and smelly clothes and put them on. He tried to roll his eyes and crawled into the cage again.

The ghoul was still kicking the bars of the cage, trying to leave this place. Li Jinglong mimicked him, tilting his head and reaching out a hand. Rolling his eyes, he half-climbed and half-kicked on the bars.

"It looks like it!" Hongjun let out a heartfelt exclamation.

The ghoul turned to look at Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong also rolled his eyes and turned to look at the ghoul.

The man and the ghoul looked at each other. In just a short moment, the ghoul no longer looked at Li Jinglong.

Success!

Li Jinglong tried to stop rolling his eyes, but the ghoul didn't notice. Thus, the two of them could already confirm that the ghoul could see and smell, but it couldn't hear.

"We're leaving late at night." Li Jinglong smelled his arm. It stank.

"I have to go with you." Hongjun said.

"Of course." Li Jinglong said with a smile.

At night, Hongjun first went to visit Mo Rigen. The medicinal soup he prescribed was somewhat useful. At least it warmed his body a little. However, Mo Rigen was almost completely unconscious. As soon as Lu Xu saw Hongjun, he grabbed him tightly, not letting him leave.

"Shh." Hongjun said, "Elder Shi will save him. Don't worry, don't worry."

After Hongjun saw Mo Rigen, he went to see Geshu Han. He saw that Geshu Han was unconscious after taking the medicine, but the old madam had recovered. She held his hand and sat by the couch, softly talking to the Carp Demon.

Hongjun: "!!"

Hongjun was shocked. Just as he was about to explain, the old madam smiled and nodded at him.

The Carp Demon said, "… If I leave Hongjun, I don't know what he'll do. He doesn't know anything."

Hongjun hurriedly said, "Zhao Zilong didn't scare you, did he?"

The old madam smiled and said, "How could that be? I'm already over fifty years old. I've seen what I should and shouldn't see. There are demons out there, right? I'll have to rely on you guys this time. No matter what, I have to be extra careful. "

"That's true." The Carp Demon said, "Our Hongjun even got rid of the demon king. I'm just afraid that Li Jinglong will drag us down …"

Hongjun said, "Be careful, Elder Shi might stew you."

Hongjun went forward to take Geshu Han's pulse. After taking the medicine, his pulse was a little more stable. It was obvious that the medicine was effective. Although it couldn't be cured, the medicine's effect slightly warmed the patient's body.

At this time, Li Jinglong and Zhang Hao were talking in the courtyard. They seemed to be arguing. In the end, Li Jinglong frowned deeply and quickly walked in. He signaled with his eyes that Hongjun should leave.

Zhang Hao said worriedly, "Old General hasn't shown up for a day and a night. The rumors in the city are spreading. We can't suppress it anymore."

"General Zhang." Li Jinglong said in a low voice, "We have to suppress it."

"I'll go with you." The old madam said.

Zhang Hao waved his hand and asked Li Jinglong, "Where are you guys going?"

Li Jinglong only waved his hand and didn't say anything. He signaled Hongjun to move quickly and pointed at the Carp Demon to let it follow.

In the middle of the night, it was quiet outside the city.

The Carp Demon wailed as soon as it touched the snow, "It's so cold!"

"Hurry." Hongjun said, "We're relying on you. Zhao Zilong, didn't you want to save lives and accumulate merit? There are four hundred thousand lives in this city! "

The carp demon stepped back and forth on the snowy ground and said, "Is there a simpler way?"

Li Jinglong: "I'll give you a pair of boots to wear." As he spoke, he took out the boots he bought at the market a few days ago. The Carp Demon put on the boots and said, "It's much warmer, but it's still so cold."

Li Jinglong took out the velvet sheepskin pouch and put it on the carp demon. He opened a few holes on the side so that he could stretch his legs and see the outside. He then tied the opening of the pouch.

Hongjun: "…"

"Wear the sleeves as pants." Li Jinglong fully equipped the Carp Demon. This time, the Carp Demon had no excuse.

"Find the Battle Undead Ghost King." Li Jinglong said, "After you find it, remember its location and come back to tell me. Go."

The Carp Demon could only obediently run out of the snow and look for the Battle Undead Ghost King that Li Jinglong described.

Li Jinglong patiently sat under the city wall and waited. The wind blew again, and Hongjun leaned towards him. Both of them were wearing Han Armor with a pungent smell. The night was extremely cold, so Li Jinglong opened the blanket he brought and wrapped himself and Hongjun together.

Hongjun smiled and looked at him. He remembered the first time he saw Li Jinglong. He was also wearing a full set of armor, but he didn't think that he looked as good as he did now.

"What are you smiling about?" Li Jinglong noticed Hongjun.

Hongjun said, "Nothing. You look good in armor, even though it's rusty."

"That's right." Li Jinglong said casually, "Back in Chang 'an, there were countless girls who were infatuated with your brother's military attire."

"You're getting more and more shameless." Hongjun said.

Li Jinglong laughed.

Hongjun remembered what the Old Madame said. Back then, when she met Geshu Han in military attire, she fell in love at first sight. Perhaps the young Geshu Han and Li Jinglong were similar.

"Then what about me?" Hongjun said.

"You …" Li Jinglong looked at him and said, "You're barely passable. You can be my Deputy General."

Hongjun stretched out a hand from the blanket and said, "Let's fight and see who's the Deputy General."

"It's cold. Don't mess around." Li Jinglong hurriedly pressed his hand down.

Inside the General's Mansion, nearly sixteen hours had passed since Geshu Han and Mo Rigen fainted. Liangzhou was brightly lit at night, but it was deathly silent. In the barracks, the groans of the soldiers became softer and softer.

In the latter half of the night, Mo Rigen's chest became like a bellows, rising and falling with a constant sound. Lu Xu couldn't help but become nervous. He ran out of the room and subconsciously wanted to ask Hongjun for help.

"Hongjun!" Lu Xu shouted.

He searched the entire corridor and hurriedly ran into the main hall. As he ran, he slowed down and stopped.

His face was full of confusion. He saw a figure in the main hall.

"What happened?" The Old Madame sat in front of the bed and held Geshu Han's hand. She turned and asked.

Zhang Hao stood in the hall and said, "The Ghoul Army is about to attack the city. I want to use the Commander's Seal."

"The General hasn't woken up, so I can't give you the Commander's Seal." The Old Madame frowned and said, "Before Li Jinglong left, he said that he would find the antidote tonight."

Zhang Hao replied, "Li Jinglong and Hongjun have already run away. The guards saw him leave the city at night."

Lu Xu hid behind a shelf and looked at Zhang Hao with a face full of confusion.

The Old Madame said, "The General hasn't woken up, so I'm not going anywhere. Zhang Hao, where's Wu Shuang? "

Zhang Hao took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Old Madame, Wu Shuang is also sick. The situation is critical. I need to mobilize the troops and leave the city to fight the enemy as soon as possible."

The hall fell silent. In the end, the Old Madame said, "No."

Zhang Hao's brows furrowed. The Old Madame said, "I believe in Li Jinglong and that child. Just now, I heard that they killed the Demon King in Chang 'an. Extraordinary circumstances will be handled by extraordinary people. You only need to defend your city. You have the authority to defend the city. As long as you don't send out troops, the troops will be at your disposal. Don't think that you can fight against demons with the bodies of mortals. "

Zhang Hao suddenly sneered.

The Old Madame suddenly became alert. She glanced at Zhang Hao and said with a trembling voice, "Zhang Hao, what are you thinking? Do you still want to take it by force? "

Zhang Hao said in a low voice, "Old Madame, I am a demon."

In an instant, Zhang Hao let out a loud roar. His body actually began to emit strange noises like mud as he continuously melted. He spat out a curling black and green breath from his mouth and wrapped around her. At this moment, a mournful scream was heard. The Old Madame was caught unprepared. Before she could even call out, "Someone, come!", she was tightly bound and suffocated.

"Ah —"

No sooner said than done, Lu Xu rushed out from behind the shelf. With a flower vase in his hand, he rushed toward Zhang Hao, whose body was slowly melting like mud.