HBWnovel Chapter 14: Strategies to Counter the Raven Envoy
Chapter 14: Strategies to Counter the Raven Envoy
The live stream screen also moved indoors with Dingyou.
The candlelight flickered inside, casting dappled shadows on the walls, as if trembling with apprehension at the impending crisis.
Ding You stepped inside and said urgently, "Sir, the Fiery Crows have surrounded the post station and are coming on strong. Although we are unprepared, we still need to quickly discuss a countermeasure." They were just passing through the post station and did not want to overstep their authority. If the postmaster had a better solution, he would not need to take the lead.
The innkeeper stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his eyes filled with anxiety. "Officer Ding," he said, "these crow demons are no ordinary creatures. I've heard they can bewitch people, instilling fear and rendering them incapable of fighting. Ordinary swords and blades are unlikely to inflict serious damage. Although we've already sent out firecrackers to notify the Celestial Master's Pavilion, it's too late. Does Officer Ding have any solutions? I will certainly do my utmost to help." The innkeeper looked earnestly at Ding You. "I've been working at this inn for nearly ten years and have never encountered any demons before. I have absolutely no experience in dealing with them. I hope Officer Ding can share my burden!"
After listening to the postmaster's words, Ding You's face also turned somber. From encountering the three-tailed cat demon last night to meeting the cold crow ghost messenger tonight, he had encountered two groups of demons in just one day, something he had never experienced in his more than ten years of service.
Yesterday we had the good fortune to encounter the Earthly Fiends, but it seems we'll have to rely on ourselves to resolve this today.
Regardless, he was the official escorting these prisoners. If the demon caused a large number of casualties, he would be held responsible. Therefore, he hardened his gaze and said to the postmaster, "Sir, I just observed the demon circling in the air. Judging from its clones, it should be a newly formed crow. We can have archers ambush it from higher ground around the post station to block its attack with arrows. Then, we can select some brave and careful brothers, armed with longswords, to defend it at close range. After dispersing the clones, we can track down the crow's main body. As long as we can destroy the main body, we can resolve this crisis."
The postmaster shook his head and said, "These crow-like ghosts are incredibly agile; the arrows will likely miss many targets. Besides, this is a post station, and we don't have a large stock of bows and arrows available."
After pondering for a moment, he said, "I remember there is still a lot of tung oil in the post station. We can have someone spread tung oil on the open ground in the post station and then use fire to attack them when they get close. I wonder if that will work?"
“Tung oil will do.” Ding You’s eyes lit up. Tung oil is much more effective than bows and arrows, and it can be considered the nemesis of the Cold Crow Ghost. “Sprinkle some on the ground, and arrange for people to sprinkle it into the air around us. Set it on fire at the same time, and we will surely lure out its true form and destroy it.”
The postmaster thought for a moment and agreed that it was worth a try. "However, these monsters only hover in mid-air. How can we lure them down into the trap?"
Ding You replied without hesitation, “My lord, I will take on the task of luring the enemy. I will lead a few agile brothers, pretend to rush out of the post station and escape from here, and then deliberately return to the post station when we are outnumbered, leading them to the place where the tung oil has been poured. As long as the brothers cooperate well, we will definitely let these ghost messengers taste our power.”
The postmaster looked at Ding You with hesitation: "Chief Ding, this plan is extremely dangerous. The crows haven't even started attacking yet. Could we delay a bit longer and wait for the Celestial Masters from Yunnan County to come and provide support?"
Ding You clasped his hands in a salute: "My lord, this is not the time for hesitation. If we do not fight with all our might, the entire post station may be lost. I will do my utmost to protect the post station with my brothers."
The incessant cawing of the crows deepened the fear in everyone's hearts, and wisps of cold air began to spread up the door lintel. If the crows were to grow stronger by absorbing human lives through the icy curse, then the entire post station would truly be in danger.
The postmaster sighed and patted Ding You on the shoulder: "Then we'll do as you say. I'll organize people in the room to pour tung oil on the open ground from all sides, and prepare ignition materials. Once you lure the crow ghost messengers into the trap, we'll make sure they never return."
Their eyes met, and in the cold night, a resolute force seemed to flow between them. They knew that a thrilling confrontation was about to begin.
The atmosphere in the side hall of the inn was as heavy as the deathly silence before a blizzard.
The constables all had solemn expressions, gripping their weapons, but they could not hide the unease in their eyes.
Ding You surveyed the crowd, then slowly spoke, his voice low yet undeniably firm: "Brothers, the Cold Crow Demons have suddenly attacked, and the post station is in imminent danger. Now that we've donned these uniforms, we are all men who eat the emperor's food and fulfill our duties. How can we be afraid of this little demon?"
He walked steadily and stopped in front of the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the faces of each constable: "I know that we are just ordinary constables, without any Celestial Master skills. This is a perilous situation with a slim chance of survival, but we have nowhere to retreat now. The attack of the Cold Crow Ghost Envoy has begun, and I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out until the Celestial Masters come to our aid. Therefore, we must seize the initiative and strike first."
A young constable said with trembling lips, "Boss Ding, these crow ghosts are incredibly sinister. I've heard they can steal people's souls. Can we really handle them? I don't want to die without knowing why." As he spoke, he rubbed his arms, as the cold air from the crow ghosts' attacks had already begun to seep into the room through the window lattice.
Ding You stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and pointed to the frost on the windows and doors, saying, "Fear is human nature. If we don't fight back, we'll only be waiting to die. The postmaster and I have already devised a plan: to spread tung oil in the open space in the middle of the courtyard to lure those crow demons down, and then burn them with the oil. I've observed that the crow demon is only just formed and not yet a threat; this tung oil should be enough to deal with it. Once we find its true form, eliminating it won't be a problem."
Ding You became more and more determined as he spoke, "I, Ding You, am willing to take the lead and be the one to lure the enemy. But my strength is limited, and I need my brothers to stand shoulder to shoulder with me."
He straightened his back, a burning flame blazing in his eyes: "We must face this together. Only through mutual trust and cooperation can we overcome this challenge. Today, as long as we work together, we will surely show this monster that we humans are not to be trifled with!"
The expressions in everyone's eyes gradually changed, slowly shifting from initial fear to determination.
At this moment, an experienced old constable stepped forward and shouted, "Boss Ding, if you're not afraid, what are we old bones afraid of? Count me in! I've been through thick and thin for so many years, and I've experienced my share of dangers. Today, I'll give these ghosts a run for their money!"
"Yes, I'll go too! Ding, you've always treated us well. If I back down now, would I still be a man?" A burly constable shouted, brandishing his long sword.
“We can’t let Ding Tou’er take the risk alone! I may not be very capable, but I can always do my part by following everyone!” A thin but determined-looking constable chimed in.
A chorus of responses echoed through the side hall, and the constables gripped their weapons tightly, their morale soaring like a blazing fire.
Looking at his group of passionate brothers, Ding You was filled with emotion and satisfaction: "Good! Brothers, let's go and meet those crow demons, and make sure they don't return!"