Lu Wuming's communication with the ghost tribes was much easier than he had imagined. After all, they were a group of ghosts who could surrender, and loyalty was not their strong suit. So, when Lu Wuming told them that they would be spared if they became his death warriors, the ghosts immediately chose to obey.
This was exactly what Liu Buli wanted. He taught Lu Wuming the prepared contract spells, allowing him to form a contract with the ghosts.
Once it was confirmed that all the ghosts here had to obey Lu Wuming unconditionally, Liu Buli nodded with satisfaction. He said, "These few ghosts are your subordinates now. However, if they stay here, it will eventually lead to trouble. So, they must leave and go to where they belong."
Lu Wuming's eyes immediately lit up. He had initially refused this because he thought that taking in subordinates would interfere with the private world he shared with his master. But if they didn't have to stay by his master's side, then forming a contract and taking them as subordinates didn't seem like a bad thing.
With this thought, Lu Wuming relayed Liu Buli's instructions to the ghosts. After he finished, they were actually quite happy. They were accustomed to living in the ghost city and had no fondness for the human world with its changing day and night and seasons. Now, not only had they saved their lives, but they could also return to the ghost city to continue their original lives. This was something they had never even dared to dream of.
"However, it's not just about them going back. They will also have to investigate matters for us once they return," Liu Buli said, patting Lu Wuming's shoulder. He continued, "Go and ask them how likely it is for them to come into contact with the high-ranking officials in the ghost city or to learn about the Ghost King's movements. We don't need specifics, but at the very least, if the Ghost King plans to leave the ghost city, they need to notify us immediately."
Lu Wuming obediently acknowledged and conveyed Liu Buli's intentions to the ghosts. Their response was also much better than expected. As Liu Buli had predicted, given their status, they indeed had no opportunity to interact with the Ghost King on a daily basis. However, as the most powerful being in the ghost city, the Ghost King's aura could permeate the entire city. Because of this, if he were to leave, everyone in the ghost city would notice. Therefore, they could fulfill Liu Buli's request.
Liu Buli was very satisfied with this. After some thought, he added a few more instructions: "Unless absolutely necessary, they must remain in the ghost city and not come to the human world without reason. However, once summoned by Wuming, they must report immediately. Otherwise, according to the contracts I just taught you, even if they are thousands of miles away, if you chant the incantation, their bodies will explode. I believe even ghosts can die completely this way, right?" After all, not all ghosts were like Lu Wuming. Lu Wuming's recovery ability was astonishing, even among ghosts.
Lu Wuming relayed Liu Buli's words to the ghosts again. Listening to the monsters' guttural responses, Liu Buli suddenly noticed that while their eyes showed respect when looking at Lu Wuming, they were clearly filled with fear when looking at him. Liu Buli touched his face. He thought he was quite good-looking, whether from a human or a ghost's perspective. Even if not everyone liked him, he shouldn't be this terrifying.
Thinking this, Liu Buli patted Lu Wuming's shoulder and asked, "Wuming, are they very afraid of me? Master hasn't done anything to warrant their fear, has he? I'm just making a deal with them. Logically, they should be grateful to me for giving them a chance to live, shouldn't they?"
Lu Wuming relayed Liu Buli's doubts to the ghosts verbatim. He quickly reached a conclusion and turned back to Liu Buli, saying, "Master, they say you are the most terrifying human they have ever seen. Because ordinary humans, when encountering ghosts, simply fight them. In the end, whether they live or die is determined by strength. But you are the first person to threaten them with contracts and such, so they can't help but feel you are quite terrifying."
After speaking, Lu Wuming paused and then asked Liu Buli, "Master, are you unhappy with their attitude towards you? If so, tell me, and I will make sure they can never open their eyes again."
Liu Buli quickly waved his hand to stop him. He smiled and said, "I was just curious, not displeased. Also, from today onwards, these ghosts are your subordinates. As a qualified leader, you shouldn't always harm your subordinates like this. There must be clear rewards and punishments. If they haven't done anything wrong, you cannot resort to violence against them, understand?"
Lu Wuming did not understand. He only knew that if anyone did something that displeased his master, no matter who they were, they deserved to die.
Liu Buli looked at his expression and knew his explanation was futile. He changed the subject and said, "Forget it. Remind them one last time that they cannot tell any other ghosts about the contract between us or what happened in the human world. If they let slip, the contract will be voided immediately. The specific consequence will be their death by explosion, no different from me directly attacking them. If they don't want to face that, they'd better keep their mouths shut. An honest disposition is the prerequisite for a long life; they need to understand this principle."
After relaying all these words, Liu Buli felt there were no other issues. He waved his hand, signaling the ghosts to leave, and finally announced, "Go through the dark paths and do not let anyone discover your presence. Otherwise, if you are killed by other cultivators, that will be the end of your fate."
As soon as he finished speaking, the ghosts disappeared from their original positions.
After everyone had left, Lu Wuming looked at Liu Buli and said earnestly, "Master, you are indeed quite terrifying when dealing with others."