Chapter 1647

Yang Yu added a piece of firewood to the fire, "According to the living townsfolk, at night many walking corpses appear in the city; they chase and bite any living person they see, eating their hearts, and whose hearts are eaten also become walking corpses, repeating the cycle."

"Where are the walking corpses during the day?" Chang Wuming asked. "With so many walking corpses, there must be a hiding place."

"It's said to be in the southern part of the city," Yang Yu recalled the townsfolk's stammering words, barely extracting the key information.

"River Plain City used to be a military training ground; there was a drill field in the south, now occupied by those walking corpses and the strange people controlling them."

Xu Qie yawned, pulled her cloak tighter, drowsy enough to bring tears to her eyes; the hawthorn candy in her mouth turned sour, she ate it, her brows furrowed, she handed the remainder to Jing Xingcan, leaning against Gong Shiyue, half-asleep.

"So the person controlling the walking corpses is very likely the Lord of the Myriad Ghost Heart we're seeking," Gong Shiyue guessed.

"Get some sleep first," Yang Yu stoked the fire higher, "I and Lao Si will take turns keeping watch; you all rest quickly."

Jing Xingcan took a bite of hawthorn, stuffed the uneaten part into his bosom, "Tomorrow I'll give it to Xiao Chen to eat, this thing is really sour."

Good brothers, we must share the sour and the bitter!

He lay back, patted Chang Wuming's reliable shoulder, and fell asleep with hawthorn candy in his mouth.

Chang Wuming's mouth twitched slightly, but in the end he didn't move, maintaining this pose with eyes closed to rest.

The night was tranquil; this place, still over ten li from the city, was safe.

Yang Yu idly played with the firewood, when suddenly he heard low growls coming and going, and he alertly looked toward the source.

That plain had no grass; looking over, there was nothing; where could the sound come from?

Yang Yu opened the fan in his hand, fanned a few clusters of flames that rose into the air, lighting the road toward that place; he exchanged a glance with the now-awake Chang Wuming and nodded in understanding.

Chang Wuming slowly leaned Jing Xingcan's head against the other side of the tree trunk, then swiftly got up, grabbed his dagger, and stood guard on this side.

Yang Yu walked toward the place where the strange sounds came from.

Hoh……

A gust of wind blew past from behind Yang Yu; he became alert, turned sideways, and heard the strange low growl again.

But it didn't seem to come from beside him, but rather…

Yang Yu frowned, squatted down and pressed his ear lightly to the ground; sure enough, the sound came from underground!

The low growl, the sound of slow shuffling, and the clanking of iron chains.

He tentatively tapped the ground with his hand; the soil was thick, with some distance to what lay below.

Suddenly, a dirty claw flashed toward Yang Yu's side!

Whoosh—

In the instant Yang Yu dodged, Chang Wuming's dagger flew from his hand, still imbued with spiritual energy, and stabbed straight into that hand.

Yang Yu stepped back a few paces, formed a seal, and met the next surprise attack with his palm.

That strange creature was utterly slain, collapsed unable to rise, its form hunched yet agile, arms like claws.

Walking corpse……

Yang Yu's tone grew grave: "How could this thing appear in a place over ten li outside Chuan Yuan City?"

He gave Chang Wuming a gesture indicating he was fine, then continued toward the place where it had burst out.

On a small earthen slope about two li away, Yang Yu discovered that someone had camped there again.

"Not good." Yang Yu recognized the distinctive wheel tracks, and secretly felt alarmed.

——

"The court's people have already entered the city ahead of us, and the team is still led by palace personnel."

The next day, the Seven Sons regrouped, and Yang Yu immediately told Rong Zixu of last night's discovery.

Coincidentally, they also brought along some not-so-good news.

Jin Chen chewed on hawthorn candy, arms crossed leaning against the tree trunk, and said: "Along the way we heard rumors that this time the team is led by a prince, and they have hired a reputedly powerful Daoist cultivator as an aide."

Gong Siming, hearing this, said with interest: "If that's the case, we don't need to find excuses to sneak into the city; we can just storm right in."

Exactly what I had in mind.

Jin Chen tossed the unfinished snack's oil-paper bag back to Jing Xingcan.

"It's so sour, not tasty." Jin Chen spat out the hawthorn pit.

Jing Xingcan laughed heartily, delighted.

Jin Chen turned and went to Rong Zixu to act coquettish; their kisses lessened the sourness, and he kept licking until Rong Zixu's lips glistened and his breath grew ragged before stopping.

Jing Xingcan jumped up and down in anger.

How could this be!

Rong Zixu helplessly pinched Jin Chen's ear, saying, "All right, let's get down to business."

Oh. Jin Chen embraced him from behind at the waist, listening as he and Yang Yu discussed.

After the time it takes to finish half a cup of tea, the seven mounted and rode straight into Chuan Yuan City.

The portraits of the Heaven's Mandate Seven Sons had spread throughout Jiangnan; they intended to reveal their identities on this trip, none wearing masks. The originally panicked commoners recognized them, instantly became delighted, and followed them in the streets shouting that the immortals had come to save them.

Immortal… immortal, save us!

We don't want to die, we don't want to become monsters!

Whoosh! Yang Yu slowed his pace and shouted loudly, "We're here to kill the ghosts—hurry back inside, don't come out for these few days!"

Remember, don't open the door for anyone! Yang Yu advised.

Good! Good! We'll listen to the immortals!

Yang Yu saw that they had all returned home, then flicked the reins to catch up with his fellow disciples.

The Seven Sons went straight to the southern drill ground of the city.

As expected, the banner symbolizing the court stood there, and the drill ground had been taken over.

So it turns out the seven immortals have arrived here.

Perhaps they had anticipated their arrival, for the officials waiting outside showed no surprise, smiling as they ushered them in.

The Crown Prince, sympathetic to the people's sentiments, hearing that chaos frequently arises here, has come to suppress it.

Jin Chen: "Yo, it turns out chaos is born in this world."

At this time, to stick a foot in sideways, even a fool can see what the court's lot are thinking.

The official choked, gave an embarrassed smile, and said: "We've arrived, the seven immortals may go in."

They entered a room; in the center lay several not-yet-dead walking corpses, bound by spirit-infused ropes, constantly struggling.

Beside them stood a few soldiers; the Crown Prince and the black-clad middle-aged man at his side were speaking, and upon hearing the report, they all turned toward the door.

Rong Zixu slightly bowed and clasped his hands, "Greetings, Crown Prince."

It turns out the immortals have arrived; please come in quickly.

The Crown Prince's eyes flashed with astonishment; indeed, he hadn't expected that these immortals, now famed across the world, would be so young.

This is the master specially invited by our palace to assist; now that the immortals have arrived, it's perfect to join forces and resolve the chaos in this city.

The Daoist said, "My humble name is Xuanjin; I have long heard of your great names, and now I am fortunate to meet you." The middle-aged man bore a semblance of immortal wind and dao bones.

Xuanjin...

Rong Zixu silently recited that name, feeling that this person seemed somewhat familiar, yet he really couldn't recall when he had seen him.

That name is also quite unfamiliar.

Jin Chen took his hand and gave it a squeeze, "Senior Brother, what are you thinking about?"

It's nothing; perhaps I overthought it.

Yang Yu also withdrew his thoughtful gaze, leaned close to Rong Zixu and whispered, "Senior Brother, they clearly intend to seize the Wan Gui Xin; if the court controls it, will there still be peace in the world? What should we do?"

The seven, having received heavenly mandate, entered Tianming Mountain to cultivate; their purpose is to purify the Wan Gui Xin, suppress evil ghosts and fiends when spiritual energy revives, until humanity on the continent can match fierce ghosts and monsters.

But if the court obtains it, where will the innocent common folk have any good days to live?

"Remain steadfast in one's original heart." Rong Zixu said.

Tianming Mountain can oppose imperial authority, but it cannot fail to fulfill its heavenly mandate.