Chapter 39: Assembly (Release Requesting Subscription, Second Update)

Before dawn broke the next day, Wang Liang was already leading his men toward the rendezvous point.

Though preparations had been underway for several days, Wang Liang’s volunteer force was still not at full strength. Aside from thirty-seven players, there were forty-one others recruited by the players themselves. Including Wang Liang, their number totaled only eighty-nine.

Fortunately, the players were all formidable. The strongest among them had reached level twenty-five, while even the weakest stood at level twenty. Those able to join their ranks were of similar prowess, making their group a truly elite force.

Especially among them were a few—Ghost Without Fear, Brothers Bound by Life and Death—who had been planning to take down bosses for years, gathering a variety of resources and strategies in preparation.

As they set out, confidence radiated from each of them.

And before they even left the city gates, a system prompt flashed before their eyes:

[Notice: You have entered the Regional Campaign Quest Zone. Please select a faction (Attacking: Yanggu County Allied Forces; Defending: Demon Soldiers of Jingyang Hill).]

[Notice: You have chosen to join the Yanggu County Allied Forces, assigned to the Main Volunteer Regiment. You receive a regional campaign buff: All participants’ attack power increased by 15%.]

[Notice: Survivors of the Regional Campaign Quest will receive a blue-grade artifact of their current level. Victors will receive a purple-grade artifact of their current level.]

With such buffs and rewards, everyone smiled with anticipation. Even the weakest among them believed they would not fall in the coming battle.

Their spirits high, they traveled in good cheer. Upon reaching the designated spot, they found the magistrate of Yanggu County had already arranged for porridge to be served.

The porridge was cooked in the great cauldrons used each winter for charity, but since this was a military deployment, not a charity, it was much thicker than usual. Large, head-sized steamed buns had been prepared, and Wang Liang also noticed a cauldron nearby simmering tender pork.

Those who had arrived were already lining up. Each took a massive bowl, filled it with thick porridge, ladled a generous scoop of pork on top, and grabbed two giant buns to eat on the side. Finished, they simply returned the bowl—no other duty required.

Wang Liang observed that all present received the same fare, whether human or ghost, regular soldier or auxiliary. Everyone ate the same food.

Curious, Wang Liang led the players forward to collect their meal. As he watched the servers, he noticed they used two different ladles: an iron one for humans, a bronze one for the spectral soldiers and ghosts. The bowls, too, were coarse earthenware, but as soon as Wang Liang held his, he felt the engraved patterns—a special sigil, likely designed to preserve the spiritual energy of the food.

Wang Liang tasted a spoonful, and a prompt appeared confirming his suspicion.

[You have consumed military rations: Stamina doubled, valor increased, morale surges. Temporary effect: Constitution and Spirit +3, lasts 24 hours.]

He ate in silence, then glanced at Ghost Without Fear. "How about you?"

"These rations work for ghosts as well—similar to incense-infused provisions. They’re excellent," Ghost Without Fear replied, visibly excited by the breakfast.

Wang Liang turned to another player. "What do you think?"

This player—the only one among the thirty-some to serve in logistics—was a chef. According to him, his first newbie reward in the game had been a golden-tier cooking skill, a step above purple. He had followed the culinary path ever since, and though he might not claim the title of God of Cooking, he could easily whip up any dish that granted buffs.

At Wang Liang’s inquiry, the chef—known as The Boss—explained, "The rice is mixed with spirit grain, though only a small amount—about one pound per hundred sacks. The pork is ordinary, but the cooking method is adapted from ancient sacrificial rites. The steamed buns are also prepared for offerings, making them suitable for both humans and ghosts."

His explanation was brief, but everyone understood.

After eating, Wang Liang and his group prepared to assemble at the appointed place, but his attention was drawn to a group nearby preparing sacrificial animals.

The City God was directing several underworld officials. With dawn breaking, Wang Liang noticed that their handling of the offerings seemed peculiar.

He glanced at The Boss. "Are you familiar with the proper preparation of the three sacrificial animals?"

The Boss shook his head. "No, I’ve never done it. This is ancient ritual—it’s not clearly explained in the game."

Wang Liang took a few steps forward, approaching Lord Lu, the City God. "Daoist Lu, are you preparing the three sacrificial animals?"

"Yes," Lord Lu replied. "This is the only way to lure the ghost soldiers out of the demon ridge."

"Is this a sacrifice for the ghost soldiers?" Wang Liang inquired.

"Of course not," replied the City God. "These ghost soldiers are hardly worthy of such an offering. I am preparing to sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. After the rite, the sacrificial animals are intended for passing spirits. As long as we don’t partake, the untouched incense will drift into the demon ridge. Though the ghost soldiers are controlled by the mountain god of Jingyang Hill, the demon tiger grants them no incense. They survive only on blood offerings, which dulls their intellect. When they catch the scent of unclaimed incense, they’ll rush out."

Wang Liang was impressed by this explanation—these City Gods truly understood the intricacies of both the spiritual and human worlds.

Still, he was puzzled. "Daoist Lu, your preparation of the three sacrificial animals seems a bit off. Have the rites been altered?"

"Not at all," Lord Lu replied. "There may be minor omissions, but you know, our goal today is not to honor the heavens, but to draw out the ghost soldiers. If the incense were truly accepted by the heavens, the ghost soldiers wouldn’t emerge."

At this, Wang Liang realized the intention.

He did not notice the flicker of approval in Lord Lu’s eyes.

So, this man truly is an expert, thought Lord Lu. For him to notice such subtle flaws in the ritual, his family must have performed sacrifices themselves. If he offers any suggestions for improvement, I’ll gladly let him take the lead.

At that moment, Wang Liang said, "Daoist Lu, your method of offering the three sacrificial animals is effective, but I have an even better idea."

Just as I expected, Lord Lu thought, outwardly replying, "Oh? Is it an ancient sacrificial method?"

"Not quite," Wang Liang responded. "It’s not a sacrificial method per se, but rather an ancient seasoning for sacrificial meat. I see you want the aroma to penetrate the demon ridge, but just this scent alone won’t suffice. I have here a blend of nine ancient spices, specially prepared to flavor sacrificial meat. Sometimes, it can even attract divine blessings. Using this to lure the ghost soldiers should pose no problem."

"Excellent—let’s use it."