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

Xu Gang was no idiot. He could tell the circumstances were dire. Without delay, he bellowed, "What are you all standing around for? Quick, halt them! If the boss comes back and sees this, we'll all be in deep trouble!" He understood perfectly that the folks encircling him matched his power level. A direct clash with them would likely leave him at a disadvantage. With such a large group ganging up on him, victory was out of reach. His only option was to rally the others and unite them against these troublemakers.

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

Just then, Gu Mengfei yelled, "Strike now! Don't hold out for Zou Xiao's return, or we'll miss our shot." With that, he dashed forward, lunging straight at Xu Gang. His companions followed suit, charging toward 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. The group halted abruptly at the sound, their gazes lifting skyward. There sat Zhao Hai, legs crossed in mid-air, staring down at them with an icy gaze.

A wave of terror gripped everyone, sending chills down their spines and sweat beading on their brows. Gu Mengfei snapped out of it first. He roared, "Attack! Seize Xu Gang. He plotted to snatch the Yin Wind Ghost Flag while the boss was away." Then he leaped at Xu Gang once more.

The rest paused briefly, but comprehension dawned quickly. Horror filled their eyes as they too surged toward Xu Gang. Overwhelmed by the barrage of locking auras, Xu Gang couldn't utter a word, his face flushing crimson and his eyes blazing with fury. He hadn't anticipated such blatant lies from them.

In that instant, Gu Mengfei twisted mid-air and bolted to the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. He seized the pole and yanked it free with a mighty tug. Glancing up at Zhao Hai hovering above, he burst into laughter. "Zou Xiao, you never saw this coming, huh? With the flag under my control, what power do you hold over me? Best you yield peacefully, and I'll let you live. Refuse, and you'll perish without a grave."

Zhao Hai regarded 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, would I have left the Yin Wind Ghost Flag exposed? Do you truly believe possession alone lets you wield it? How overly trusting you are."

Gu Mengfei's face froze at Zhao Hai's words. He hastily scanned the flag with his spiritual sense. Suddenly, a dark thread emerged from it, coiling around him and rendering him immobile.

Alarm surged through Gu Mengfei at the discovery. This turn of events was beyond his wildest thoughts. His features contorted in panic. Then Zhao Hai's voice rang out: "Collect!" As the command fell, an immense pull yanked at Gu Mengfei via the black thread, dragging him toward the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. A swirling black vortex materialized on its surface. Dread consumed Gu Mengfei; he knew absorption into that void meant total annihilation of body and soul.

He thrashed desperately, but escape proved futile. Bound tight, freedom was a distant dream. In the end, Gu Mengfei vanished into the vortex with a final, piercing shriek, silenced forever.

Gu Mengfei's followers stood dumbfounded. The idea that their leader, flag in hand, would fall first shattered their resolve completely. Panic erupted as they cried out and scattered in all directions, hoping to divide Zhao Hai's focus and slip away alive.

Yet in that very moment, innumerable black threads erupted from the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. They streaked behind the fleeing men, ensnaring them swiftly. Wild struggles and pleas for Zhao Hai's mercy filled the air, but fell on deaf ears. One after another, they were hauled into the flag's depths.

Once the last traitor vanished inside, Zhao Hai floated down from above. He eyed the hovering flag and gave a nod. "Impressive work—devouring all that vitality at once. Sated now, are you?" The Yin Wind Ghost Flag remained still, devoid of response.

A grin crossed Zhao Hai's face as he faced the dazed Xu Gang. Clapping a hand on his shoulder, he declared, "Xu Gang, you've done well. Effective immediately, you're the second-in-command of the Ghostwind Bandits." Zhao Hai approved of Xu Gang's loyalty. The man's defense in his absence was unexpected and appreciated, earning him this promotion as just reward.

Xu Gang blinked back to reality, elation flooding him at Zhao Hai's announcement. He dropped to one knee, voicing his gratitude: "Thank you, boss! Thank you, boss!" Zhao Hai chuckled, giving his shoulder another pat. Gradually, his demeanor hardened into stern resolve. He pivoted to survey the remaining group.

Zhao Hai's piercing stare sent shivers to their cores. Fear gripped them utterly. Their earlier inaction stemmed from assuming Zhao Hai had departed and Gu Mengfei's coup had triumphed. They saw themselves as bystanders, safe regardless of the outcome. Now, regret gnawed at them for not siding with Xu Gang against the rebels. Had they acted, leadership might have been theirs.

Addressing the assembly in a solemn baritone, Zhao Hai stated, "I recall coercing you into the Ghostwind Bandits initially, but consider my treatment since. From recent hauls, I claimed nothing, handing all spoils to you. Yet even now, you reject me as your leader. Very well, if I hold no authority in your eyes, courtesy from me ends. This time, you refrained from treason, sparing you execution, though discipline remains. Without consequence, you'll never grasp the peril of betrayal." His hand flicked, summoning spectral warriors that swarmed and restrained all but him and Xu Gang. Startled gasps rose, but then dark flames ignited from the ghosts, searing their very essences. Agonized wails escaped as soul-deep torment overwhelmed them.

They writhed in vain, attempting to flee the blaze, only to find the ghostly grips unyielding. Motionless, they endured the escalating inferno, their howls growing ever more desperate amid the mounting agony.

An hour passed before the spectral forces released them. Drenched in perspiration and utterly spent, they collapsed, mouths agape, heaving like stranded fish. The soul-scorching echo lingered, haunting their every breath.

"On your feet—enough feigning demise. Care to relive that torment?" Zhao Hai's frosty command cut through. They jolted upright, scrambling to obey, pale and compliant. Truth be told, none craved a repeat of that searing nightmare; it terrified them beyond measure.

Observing their ashen visages, Zhao Hai sneered softly. "Heed this warning well. Next offense, expect no mercy. One opportunity I grant, but not endless forgiveness. Etch it deep, lest my edge finds your throat unawares."

"Yes, boss—we swear it won't happen again!" The chorus rang out. Fear had truly taken hold. Zhao Hai's ruthless tactics chilled them. Only now did they note he'd inflicted suffering without lasting harm; vitality returned, bodies unscathed. Relief washed over them.

Though eased, their reverence for Zhao Hai deepened into outright dread. His arsenal of potent abilities surpassed their wildest fears. Unharmed yet, they recoiled from any desire to endure such agony or ghostly bonds anew. Honesty now defined them all.

Zhao Hai scanned them with a smile. "Good—that's more like it. Now, rest up, everyone. I've spotted an island ahead; tonight's our raid. As penalty, slack off in the assault, and you'll claim no share of the loot."