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墨書 Inktalez
The blood-red sunset stained half the sky, casting a layer of tragic color over everything in Mountain Hollow. The Wanderer gazed from afar, his heart filled with mixed emotions. The once chatty master, full of compassion, now donned golden armor and sat solemnly in the command tent, discussing matters while ships turned to ashes. Seeking scriptures? Ha, that was merely an illusion, a fleeting dream. He recalled his master's resolute gaze and the twinkling starlight as Lady Cui faded away; everything transformed into a helpless sigh. So be it, if this was his master's choice, then let it be.
The next day, the military camp was alive with energy. The sound of war drums echoed, horns blared, and millions of heroes gathered, a sea of black stretching endlessly. Tang Seng, clad in silver armor and riding a tall steed, slowly ascended the command platform amidst the throng of soldiers. His eyes burned with intensity as he surveyed the surroundings, an air of fierce determination emanating from him—where was the trace of the Holy Monk from days gone by?
As night fell, a bright moon hung high in the sky, casting its cool light upon the earth. Tang Seng stood atop the Golden Lock Platform, looking down at the densely packed soldiers below, and a surge of ambition welled up within him. Clearing his throat, he proclaimed loudly: “Tonight’s Night Muster of Generals is unlike any before. At the sound of one bell, it is time for you to prepare your meals; at two bells, you must don your armor and take to the field; at three bells, focus your minds and steady your hearts; at four bells, await your names to be called! Do you understand?”
He then instructed the White Flag: “No soldier shall call me General; instead, refer to me as ‘Elder General’!” Thus, the White Flag, the Young General, went from camp to camp to relay this order.
“Obey the Elder General’s command!” The thunderous roar resounded through the skies and echoed throughout the entire camp. Tang Seng nodded in satisfaction and signaled for his personal guard to ring the first bell.
The heavy tolling of the bell reverberated through the silent night sky, awakening sleeping birds and shattering any remaining illusions of peace among the soldiers. Upon hearing it, they hurriedly prepared their meals. Though they still needed sustenance, they were no longer ordinary civilians but warriors wielding swords; their fates had long been intertwined with this chaotic world.
“The Elder General commands that when names are called, all must stand ready and not act carelessly or wander about!” The Personal Commander’s voice rang out again, reminding the soldiers that a great battle was imminent and that there could be no room for negligence.
Two bell tolls echoed like a giant's heartbeat in the night sky. In the camp, soldiers hurriedly donned their gear.
Tang Seng sat high on the platform; his silver armor glinted coldly in the moonlight. His expression was as frosty as ice, resembling a statue or a slumbering lion ready to pounce at any moment. He gazed at those soldiers below him—once insignificant in his eyes like ants—now armed with swords and clad in armor, transformed into sharp blades in his hands.
“Inspect every waterway and ravine within the camp carefully; anyone suspicious must be executed publicly!” Tang Seng's voice rang out like metal striking stone, particularly clear in the stillness of night.
The Personal Commander took his orders and quickly vanished into the darkness as if swallowed by the endless night. Tang Seng's gaze remained icy as he looked down at those soldiers below him, as if viewing a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter.
His voice resonated once more; each word struck like a hammer against the hearts of the soldiers.
Those who fail to answer the call shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who trespass the Yuanmen shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who falsely report military matters shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who look around nervously shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who are obstinate and self-willed shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who act beyond their rank shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who cause disturbances shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who conceal their abilities shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who impersonate others shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who whisper among themselves shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who bring women into the ranks shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who indulge in wild fantasies shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
Those who are fierce and competitive shall be beheaded as a warning to all!
A string of “beheaded as a warning” echoed like death knells, silencing the soldiers. They understood that the figure before them was no longer the benevolent Holy Monk, but a general wielding the power of life and death, a ruthless demon unflinching in his killings!
The tolling of three bells sounded like the funeral bells from hell, shattering the last shred of hope within the soldiers' hearts. Tang Seng closed his eyes, seemingly gathering strength, or perhaps savoring the calm before the storm.
Half an hour felt like a century for these soldiers. They stood rigidly, not daring to show even the slightest sign of laxity, for they knew that any minor movement could lead to their demise.
The tolling of four bells rang out like the horn of war, tearing through the night sky. The soldiers raised their heads, gazing at Tang Seng on the stage, their eyes filled with fear and reverence.
The banners fluttered like enormous black birds circling in the night sky. Swords and spears glinted coldly under the moonlight, resembling fangs from hell.
“I can no longer show mercy in my army; everyone must do their duty and carefully avoid my sword!” Tang Seng's voice rang out again, laced with mockery and cruelty.
The call of names began; one by one, names were pronounced from Tang Seng's lips. Each name represented a life, a life about to be swept into the whirlpool of war.
Six thousand six hundred fifty names, six thousand six hundred fifty lives—under Tang Seng's call, they converged into an unstoppable torrent, destined for an unknown battlefield to face an uncertain fate.
"General Zhu Wuneng!"
As soon as the name was uttered, a stir erupted among the crowd below. Tang Seng understood immediately that this must be Ba Jie. However, being in a military setting with strict discipline, he could not afford to take this lightly. He deliberately maintained a stern expression and asked sharply, "With such an ugly appearance, are you some mountain demon trying to deceive me?"
With that, he waved his hand and ordered the Young General of the White Flag to take Ba Jie away for execution.
Upon hearing this, Ba Jie was struck with terror. He fell to his knees with a thud, repeatedly banging his head on the ground in desperate pleas for mercy, making a loud noise as if trying to create a hole in the earth. "Elder General, please quell your anger! I beg you to allow me to die with just one word!"
He raised his head, his face filled with fear and regret, tears and snot mingling together, completely devoid of the former grandeur of the Marshal of Heaven. "My surname is Zhu, I am the eighth son in my family. In my early years, I followed Elder Tang to the Western Paradise to seek scriptures."
At this point, he could not help but choke up, as if recalling those unbearable memories. "Unexpectedly, I was foolish and reckless, committing an unforgivable mistake and received a letter of divorce from Elder Tang halfway through our journey! When I returned to Gao Village to see my wife one last time, I found that she had already passed away!"
At this juncture, Ba Jie was sobbing uncontrollably, beating his chest in despair and filled with regret. "Now I have sincerely repented and only wish to return to the journey westward to atone for my sins. By chance, I have encountered you, General. I hope you can spare me for the sake of our past connection and allow me to serve you in your camp. I would gladly risk my life for you!"
Seeing his pitiful state, Tang Seng felt a twinge of compassion but maintained his composure. After a moment of silence, he sighed softly and signaled for the Young General of the White Flag to release Ba Jie.
Ba Jie felt as if he had been granted a reprieve from death; he scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply before Tang Seng, repeatedly expressing gratitude for sparing his life.
"Female General Floral Kui!" Tang Seng continued calling names.
A striking female general clad in silver armor emerged from the ranks on her tall steed, wielding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade. She wore a phoenix-winged helmet and had a handsome face that radiated an air of heroism—truly a woman who did not fall behind her male counterparts!
Indeed:
At eighteen years old, her figure was like fine dough; she breathed in the essence of heaven and earth.
With a Flying Jiao Sword at her waist, she could single-handedly slay any handsome man.
In the crowd, Wu Kong listened intently and observed closely; this woman was indeed formidable. However, he couldn't help but think that her parents must have had limited vision; otherwise, why would they give her such a name?
Tang Seng nodded in satisfaction and continued scanning the ranks below when suddenly his expression changed dramatically. A sharp light flashed in his eyes as he fixed his gaze intently on the soldiers below.
"General Sun Wu Kong!"
As Tang Seng recited this name, it struck like a thunderclap, startling the soldiers below who exchanged bewildered glances. His once-clear eyes now resembled two sharp swords, piercing through the dense crowd beneath him.
Among the throng, The Wanderer felt a tightening in his chest, as if an invisible hand had gripped him, making his breath quicken. For the past three days, he had disguised himself as the Six-Eared Macaque, blending into the military camp, believing he could deceive everyone. Yet, he had been recognized by Tang Seng.
"Reporting to Elder General," The Wanderer stepped out of the ranks but dared not meet Tang Seng's gaze directly. Instead, he lowered his head and spoke with a feigned calmness, "Young General Sun Wu Kong encountered an accident while transporting supplies and has sent his brother Sun Wuhuan to fight in his stead. If there is any violation of military orders, I am willing to accept punishment!"
"Sun Wuhuan?" Tang Seng's voice was devoid of discernible emotion but carried an air of authority. "What is your background? Speak the truth quickly; perhaps I can spare your life!"
The Wanderer cursed inwardly: "This monk is quite cunning. He has clearly recognized me but pretends to be oblivious to trick me!" With a quick thought, he devised a plan and began to dance and sing:
"Once I was a spirit in the mountains,
Impersonating the Great Sage's name,
Now that the Great Sage has long departed,
I have allied myself with his monkeys,
From now on, I shall turn from evil to good,
Harming neither heaven nor man.
Six-Eared Macaque and Sun Wuhuan are both Havoc,
I shall not change my name or my surname!"
His words were a mix of truth and deception, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Upon hearing this, Tang Seng surprisingly smiled and nodded, saying, "Though the Six-Eared Macaque is an enemy of Wu Kong, having turned from evil to good now makes you a true hero!" He then ordered White Flag Young General to bring forth a fine set of iron armor to bestow upon Sun Wuhuan, appointing him as the vanguard for breaking through enemy lines.
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