Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8491: Punishment (1)

Xu Gang was no idiot. He could tell things were turning sour. Without delay, he bellowed, “What are you all standing around for? Quick, stop them! If the boss comes back and sees this, we'll all be in deep trouble!” He understood well that the folks encircling him matched his power level. A direct clash with him would likely end in a stalemate. With this many ganging up on him now, victory was out of reach. His only hope was to rally the group and have them unite to subdue these troublemakers.

Much to Xu Gang's shock, nobody moved against the attackers. Instead, upon his shout, several drew their weapons and closed in on him. His expression twisted in disbelief at the sight. He never imagined his own comrades would turn on him like this.

Just then, Gu Mengfei yelled, “Attack now! No waiting for Zou Xiao's return, or it'll be over for us.” With that, he lunged forward toward Xu Gang. His companions followed suit, charging at Xu Gang while brandishing their Dharma artifacts, poised to strike.

“Sigh~!” A drawn-out sigh echoed through the air. Though soft, it reached every ear. All movement halted as they heard it. They gazed upward and spotted Zhao Hai seated in mid-air, his face icy as he observed them.

A chill ran down everyone's spine, cold sweat beading on their skin. Gu Mengfei snapped out of it first. He called out, “Go! Seize Xu Gang. He plotted to snatch the Yin Wind Ghost Flag while the boss was away.” Then he dashed at Xu Gang.

The rest paused briefly, but soon grasped Gu Mengfei's intent. Horror gripped them, yet they surged toward Xu Gang as well. Overwhelmed by the barrage of locking auras, Xu Gang stood speechless, his cheeks flushed crimson and eyes blazing with fury. He hadn't anticipated such blatant lies from them.

In that instant, Gu Mengfei twisted away and reached the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. He seized it firmly and yanked it free. Glancing up at Zhao Hai hovering above, he smirked, “Zou Xiao, you never saw this coming, huh? With the flag under my control now, what can you possibly do? Best you give up peacefully, and I'll let you live. Refuse, and I'll ensure your end is utter annihilation.”

Zhao Hai eyed Gu Mengfei and shook his head faintly. In a grave tone, he replied, “I must admit, your plot caught me off guard, but it's pointless. Without some assurance, do you think I'd leave the Yin Wind Ghost Flag exposed? You don't seriously believe holding it lets you wield it, do you? That's far too simplistic.”

Gu Mengfei's face froze at Zhao Hai's words. He hastily sent his spiritual sense into the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. Suddenly, a dark thread emerged from it and coiled around him, rendering him immobile.

Alarm surged through Gu Mengfei at the discovery. This turn of events was beyond his expectations. His features contorted. Then Zhao Hai's voice rang out: “Collect!” With the command, an immense pull tugged at Gu Mengfei via the black thread, dragging him straight toward the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. A swirling black void materialized on the flag's surface. Terror overtook Gu Mengfei; he knew absorption into that whirl would spell his doom, extinguishing both body and soul.

He thrashed desperately, but to no effect. Bound as he was, escape proved impossible. In the end, Gu Mengfei was hauled into the dark vortex, his final cry echoing before silence claimed him.

Those who had sided with Gu Mengfei stared in呆滞. They couldn't fathom that Gu Mengfei, flag in hand, would perish first. This shattered their last illusions of success. Panic-stricken shouts erupted as they scattered in all directions, hoping to divide Zhao Hai's focus and flee alive.

Yet in that very moment, innumerable black threads burst from the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. They streaked behind the fugitives, ensnaring each one. Wild struggles and pleas for Zhao Hai's mercy filled the air, but fell on deaf ears. One after another, they were drawn into the Yin Wind Ghost Flag.

Once all had vanished inside the flag, Zhao Hai floated down from above. He regarded the hovering banner and gave a nod. “Impressive work—devouring so much vitality at once. Sated now, are you?” The Yin Wind Ghost Flag remained still, devoid of response.

A grin crossed Zhao Hai's lips as he faced the dumbfounded Xu Gang. He clapped the man's shoulder and declared, “Xu Gang, you've done well. Starting today, you're the second-in-command of the Ghostwind Bandits.” Zhao Hai approved of Xu Gang's loyalty. The unexpected support warmed him, prompting this well-earned promotion.

Xu Gang recovered his wits, elation flooding him at Zhao Hai's words. He bowed deeply and exclaimed, “Thank you, boss! Thank you, boss!” Zhao Hai chuckled, giving his shoulder another pat. Gradually, his demeanor hardened. He shifted his gaze to the remaining group.

Zhao Hai's piercing stare sent shivers to their cores. Fear gripped them utterly. Earlier inaction stemmed from believing Zhao Hai gone and Gu Mengfei's coup victorious. They'd aimed for neutrality, avoiding enmity regardless of outcome. Now realization dawned: they'd alienated both sides. Regret gnawed at them for not joining Xu Gang against Gu Mengfei; such allegiance might have elevated their status.

Addressing the assembly sternly, Zhao Hai intoned, “I recall forcing you into the Ghostwind Bandits initially, but consider this: how have I treated you? Lately, I've claimed none of the loot from raids, handing it all to you. Yet you still reject me as leader. Very well, if I'm no boss to you, courtesy from me ends here. This time, you held back, so death isn't your fate—but punishment is inevitable. Without some torment, you'll never grasp the folly of betraying certain individuals.” He gestured sharply, summoning hordes of ghost soldiers that lunged and restrained all but himself and Xu Gang. Panic seized the captives as dark flames erupted from the specters, searing their very essences. Agonized wails escaped amid the soul-rending torment.

They writhed fiercely, desperate to break free and tumble away, only to discover the ghost soldiers' unyielding grip. Motion was denied them. The ebony fires raged on, amplifying their howls and the excruciating agony.

Not until a full hour passed did the ghost soldiers release their hold. Drenched in perspiration and utterly spent, the group collapsed to the ground, mouths agape, heaving like stranded fish. The soul-deep ache lingered, haunting their every thought.

“On your feet—stop faking demise. Care to relive that sensation?” Zhao Hai's icy command cut through the air. His words jolted them upright, scrambling to stand in submission. Truth be told, none craved a repeat of that infernal torment; it was horrifying beyond measure.

Surveying their ashen visages, Zhao Hai sneered. “Heed this warning well. Next offense, expect no mercy from me. One chance I grant, but not endless forgiveness. Etch it in your minds, lest my blade finds your throats unawares.”

“Yes, boss—we swear it won't happen again!” came the chorus. Fear had truly ensnared them. Zhao Hai's techniques terrified. Only now did they note he'd inflicted mere suffering, no lasting harm. Their forms had mended fully, unscathed. Relief washed over them.

Relief aside, their reverence for Zhao Hai deepened. His ruthless methods instilled profound dread. The array of potent abilities he commanded defied their wildest guesses, leaving them petrified. Unharmed or not, the ordeal of agony and spectral bondage was one they'd shun forever. Thus, obedience now defined them.

Zhao Hai regarded them with a smile. “Good, that's more like it. Now, everyone rest up. I've spotted an island ahead—we strike tonight. As your penalty, slack off in the raid, and you'll claim no share of the spoils today.”