Chapter 115: A Beast in Human Guise

Mu Kun, mentioned by Bai Qi, is a descendant of Mu Ying from the Ming Dynasty. From Bai Qi's account, he gained a rough understanding of Mu Kun's situation.

Mu Kun died of illness at the age of thirty-eight, but from the time he inherited his title at sixteen until his death, he spent his life suppressing rebellions. His posthumous title was "Zhuang Xiang," which, according to Ming Dynasty posthumous naming customs, means "majestic but not fierce, meritorious in affairs." Thus, it was unsurprising that he was appointed as a Yin General.

The Mu family had guarded Yunnan for generations and maintained excellent relations with Siam, one of the fifteen "unconquered nations" of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming had waged wars against Annam and Pagan but never against Siam; they had even attacked Pagan several times to assist Siam. It was no surprise that Mu Kun's family was familiar with the dark arts practiced in Siam.

However, Yang Meng was already worried. "He's now imprisoned in the Great Heat and Great Agony Hell, while I am in the mortal realm. How can I rescue him?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Qi's eyes gleamed. "Great Emperor! If you were still at the Eastern Peak Palace, it might be impossible to save him, but now that you are in the mortal realm, it's definitely possible! After all, the Eastern Peak Emperor is the foundation of the underworld. The news of the new Eastern Peak Emperor's ascension and presence in the mortal realm has spread throughout the underworld. No one understands how you managed it, so no one dares to act rashly. Everyone must show you respect because they want to know how you crossed the two realms! If you command me to go to the underworld, I will definitely find a way to bring Mu Kun back!"

Yang Meng scratched his head. "What should I do? Like in the books, do I have to give you a token? I don't even have a great seal before the Eastern Peak Emperor!"

Bai Qi hurriedly said, "Everyone already knows you summoned me to the mortal realm last time. Now, the underworld is a one-way path—no one can come here except you. So, I will go down, find Mu Kun, and mark him. Then, you can summon him directly!"

Yang Meng nodded. "Alright, then go!"

Bai Qi bowed and vanished. Not long after, Yang Meng felt a stir in his mind, uttered a soul-summoning chant, and a stranger appeared before him—no need to ask, it was Mu Kun.

But unlike what Yang Meng imagined, Mu Kun almost clung to his leg, weeping bitterly.

He wore the standard crimson robe of a Ming dynasty military officer, adorned with lion motifs. The Ming dynasty was known for civil officials’ robes decorated with birds and military officials’ robes with beasts. To praise these officials, people coined the phrase "clothed beast," which was originally a compliment but later turned derogatory due to late Ming corruption.

Now, Mu Kun’s official attire was tattered, and his disheveled hair and wretched appearance showed he had suffered greatly below.

“What are you, a grown man, crying for?” Yang Meng was irritated. “You’re a ghost general! Show some pride!”

Mu Kun sobbed, “Your Majesty, it’s not that I lack pride. The Great Heat and Great Agony Hell is truly inhumane… or rather, unfit even for ghosts! I was once the warden of the Black Rope Hell under the Three Yama Kings, serving under King Song Diwang. But due to discord between King Dushiwang and King Song Diwang, and the gods’ conflicts, little ghosts suffered. In the end, King Dushiwang, to spite King Song Diwang, accused me of unfilial conduct and sent me to the Great Heat and Great Agony Hell. I've been imprisoned there for three hundred years! Great Emperor, you must know, this hell has sixteen smaller hells, each filled with endless torment! And the terrifying thing is, I’d rather endure eternal punishment there than leave.”

“Why?” Yang Meng asked in confusion.

Mu Kun explained, “If I leave the Great Heat and Great Agony Hell, I must go to the Wheel of Reincarnation and become an animal. Now that the immortals and mortals are separated, even if I become an animal, it will be in the underworld! King Song Diwang has left me no way out! I thank you, Great Emperor, for rescuing me from the flames. Mu Kun is willing to serve you wholeheartedly!”

Yang Meng sighed. “Isn’t that still like being an animal? Alright, I don’t need you to be a beast of burden. Just tell me if you know anything about ‘raising little ghosts’ or the so-called ‘sorcerers’.”

Mu Kun stood silent for a long moment. When Yang Meng called him twice, he came to his senses. “Forgive me, Great Emperor. I just thought of an old acquaintance. I do know quite a bit about what you mentioned.”

Yang Meng exhaled deeply. “Start telling me.”

Mu Kun nodded. “I just recalled an old friend related to this matter. It's a long story; please allow me to explain slowly.”

Yang Meng sat down and lit a cigarette. “Take your time.”

Mu Kun was startled watching Yang Meng light the cigarette, staring fixedly at the lighter in his hand. What kind of treasure was that? It created fire without any visible magic. And what was the thing in his mouth? Was he cultivating at all times? How could he blow smoke in and out like that?

Wasn’t this the breathing technique of the dragon clan? Could the new emperor be connected to the dragons?

This new emperor was truly remarkable!

Composing himself, Mu Kun continued, “My old friend is named Kunping. He was a fierce general during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in Siam. Siam and Pagan were often at war, with Pagan generally dominant until the Ayutthaya period reversed the tide. Siam and our country were always on good terms, often seeking our aid against Pagan. I met Kunping then. He was not just a fierce warrior but also a sorcerer.

Once, after capturing a city in Pagan, the city lord married his daughter to Kunping, who then stayed to govern the city.”

Hearing this, Yang Meng had a thought: Kunping must have practiced both martial and mystical arts, though to what extent was unknown.

True heroes appear everywhere, and geniuses abound!

Unaware of Yang Meng’s thoughts, Mu Kun continued, “But this was the city lord’s ploy to make Kunping lower his guard and then kill him. He feigned the perfect father-in-law; his daughter even became pregnant by Kunping. When he believed Kunping was relaxed, he planned to poison his food.”

“But Kunping saw through this plot. He killed his wife, extracted the unborn child, and took it to a temple. There, he wrapped the child in scriptures, chanted sutras while burning it, turning the child into a mummified spirit. After the ritual, the child became a spiritual entity. Kunping named it ‘Kuman Thong.’”

Yang Meng suddenly slapped his forehead. “I knew that name sounded familiar! I remember now—it’s that notorious womanizer!”

Back when he was with Wang Xinran, she was fascinated by astrology and Buddha amulets. She once joked about getting him a Buddha amulet called the ‘General Kunping’ amulet—a traditional Siamese talisman said to enhance one's romantic luck.

Legend has it Kunping had incredible charm; women were captivated by him. Polygamy was common in Siam, and men with many wives were said to be ‘Kunping incarnate.’”

“A womanizer? Great Emperor, what does that mean?” Mu Kun blinked in confusion.

Yang Meng explained, “It means he had many wives.”

Mu Kun nodded. “Indeed. During our campaigns in Pagan, he had several wives with him. He even gave me two concubines. The Ming army forbade bringing women on campaigns, so thanks to Kunping, I didn’t starve to death… Hmm? Isn’t that normal? Why does the Great Emperor seem displeased?”

Yang Meng gaped, unsure how to respond. Promoting ‘women’s liberation’ to a Ming general? Best not bother. “Continue.”

Mu Kun nodded. “Since then, Kunping was undefeated. People said he had three treasures: the Cloud-colored Horse, the Precious Sword, and the Kuman Thong. These were said to be the source of his victories.”

“Three treasures?” Yang Meng’s interest peaked. After acquiring Yi Di’s wine gourd, he was always alert upon hearing the word ‘treasure.’

Mu Kun smiled. “Great Emperor, those are just rumors. The ‘Cloud-colored Horse’ and ‘Precious Sword’ were gifts from me—a white Dian horse and a wild goose feather saber. The southern barbarians had no fine goods, so they treasured these. But the Kuman Thong was a real treasure. Before battles, Kunping would communicate with it, foreseeing the course of war and thus escaping many dangers. But the Kuman Thong was not a ‘raised little ghost!’”

“What’s that?” Yang Meng was taken aback. “Isn’t that the same thing? That’s terrifying enough.”

Mu Kun nodded. “In the southern barbarian countries, including Yunnan, witchcraft is widespread, though names differ. The Yunnan ‘witchcraft’ spells are all called ‘sorcerers.’ They began imitating Kunping’s creation of Kuman Thong, making it a trend. In Siam, high monks are called ‘Luang Phor’; their creation is called ‘Luang Phor Kuman Thong.’ Folk sorcerers are called ‘Ajarn,’ who make ‘Ajarn Kuman Thong.’ Ajarns are divided into black and white sects. Both Luang Phor and white Ajarns create Kuman Thong to pacify children’s souls and protect homes. But black Ajarns use any means, including evil magic, to trap dead children’s souls forcibly, creating ‘raised little ghosts.’”

At this, Lv Liling’s eyes widened. “My daughter’s soul was taken by such people! Why would they target my daughter?”

Mu Kun frowned. “Wait! You said sorcerers have come to our land?”

“Yes! What’s wrong with that?” Lv Liling’s eyes were wide open.

Mu Kun inhaled sharply. “That’s a big problem! A very big problem!”