Chapter 504: Ancient Clan

Here they come!

Li Yan gripped the Soul-Collecting Talisman and carefully concealed his aura.

This demonic aura was also unusual compared to the few he had encountered before.

The others either hid or caused chaos, but all scurried about randomly, making it extremely difficult to track them down.

But Zuo Shouquan had become a local tyrant.

Li Yan was also curious about what kind of being this fellow was.

Huh~

A chilling wind howled, and thick mist gradually rose from the village.

It was born purely from yin-sha energy.

In remote wilderness and forests, such phenomena occasionally appeared, capable of attracting nearby lonely spirits and manifesting illusions like ghostly mazes.

But this village's mist was unusually dense.

In the blink of an eye, the fog filled his vision, blurring everything, with faint, strange sounds drifting in.

Li Yan chanted a spell and unleashed his full spiritual power.

He sharply turned his head toward the village's west side, where a heavy stench of corpse energy surged, accompanied by chaotic footsteps.

Countless of them—at least several hundred.

Moreover, faint tiger roars echoed in his ears.

Inside the village ancestral hall, the Du family had also heard the commotion.

They trembled as if facing their mortal enemy, pressing their foreheads to the ground and kowtowing repeatedly before the deity statue, mumbling incantations under their breath.

But the cold-faced death disciples paid no attention.

While the Du family kowtowed, they bowed their heads and worked diligently.

Two large carts carried nothing but offerings—even ritual bronze bells and musical instruments, all arranged according to the most solemn "Grand Sacrifice" rites.

Afterward, they took out segments of blood-stained red ropes from their chests and tied them around the necks of the unconscious coachmen.

Li Yan had naturally noticed all of this.

He wasn't in a hurry; he quietly suppressed his aura and waited.

These unfortunate coachmen were clearly living sacrifices offered by the Du family to the demonic god—perfect bait to lure the demon out, so he could immediately use the Soul-Collecting Talisman to bind it.

But after waiting a while, Li Yan sensed something was wrong.

The corpse energy surging from outside the village grew heavier, and the chaotic, dense footsteps drew nearer.

Soon, they saw what these things looked like.

They were headless corpses—clothing disheveled, skin rotting—like an army marching stiffly toward the ancestral hall.

Walking corpses!

Walking corpses were corpses capable of movement.

Among common folk, during funerals, corpses sometimes rose suddenly from their coffins due to a clash with yin energy—this was called "corpse rising."

It startled people, causing panic.

After rising, most would lie back down, but some wandered aimlessly around the house.

Especially places familiar from life.

This was caused by posthumous obsession merging with yin-sha energy.

Compared to zombies, walking corpses were far less dangerous; two or three ordinary villagers could subdue them.

But these before him were clearly different.

Not only were they terrifyingly numerous, but their yin qi was thick—only slightly weaker than zombies—and their movements were surprisingly agile.

This was precisely Zuo Shouquan's ability: collecting soul-bound corpses.

A flood of soul-bound walking corpses surged into the ancestral hall.

Not only the Du family, but even the death disciples knelt on the ground, foreheads pressed to the floor, eyes tightly shut, as if afraid of violating some taboo.

Thud! Thud!

Heavy footsteps sounded right beside them.

The stench carried by the corpse energy made them nauseous, yet none dared open their eyes.

Then, the headless walking corpses formed groups of four, each grabbing a coachman's limbs and dragging them toward the opposite stage.

Li Yan was utterly baffled.

The demonic god hadn't even appeared yet, but the theatrics were already grand.

Does the demon require a performance

to enjoy the offering?

Gong qiang! Gong qiang!

Before Li Yan could react, a dim yellow glow flickered on the stage opposite, accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums.

Several indistinct figures, dressed in opera costumes, moved back and forth on the stage—as if an actual opera troupe had been summoned.

Of course, Li Yan saw through the trick at a glance.

It was pure illusion.

Only because the yin-sha energy was so thick did it appear startlingly real.

Then, the coachmen were lifted onto the stage, while the headless walking corpses stood below like an audience.

The scene before him was truly bizarre.

Li Yan had a faint suspicion forming in his mind.

Opera was originally meant to entertain the gods.

The Du family's ritual had triggered such an anomaly.

It seemed the demonic god's appearance would most likely be on the stage.

Thinking this, Li Yan narrowed his eyes and activated the Mystic Water Technique again, circling around the stage from the side under the concealment of the Dragon-Snake Talisman.

But before he could get close, his face darkened.

As the gongs and drums sounded, several members of the Du family stirred—they slowly rose and together carried the massive iron basin toward the stage.

Others held curved blades.

As they drew nearer, the headless corpses below the stage turned.

But these Du family members now had no fear in their eyes—only blank confusion, utterly lost to themselves.

Worshiping Zuo Shouquan and practicing the "Decapitated Immortality Scripture," their greatest side effect was becoming the demonic god's soul-bound corpses.

They appeared free, but were in truth already puppets.

They were coming to kill and offer sacrifices.

The demonic god would not appear.

Li Yan made his judgment—his eyes flared with murderous intent.

The best method had been to wait for the demonic god to appear and use the Soul-Collecting Talisman to suppress it, eliminating the source—then these ghosts and ghouls would vanish.

But now, he had no choice but to force it out.

Clang!

Without hesitation, as the Du family stepped onto the stage, Li Yan drew his blade and leapt onto the stage in a flash.

A slash of blade-light—blood exploded.

Two middle-aged Du men hadn't even reacted before their heads flew off, rolling on the ground with fear and confusion in their eyes.

The Du family had sent five people.

Three middle-aged men, two elders.

After the two behind were killed, the remaining three spun around, faces twisted, eyes faintly glowing red.

Black smoke seeped from their necks as their heads slowly rose.

This was the "Decapitated Immortality Scripture"—discreet in daily life, nearly undetectable as sorcery; once decapitated, they became like flying-head demons, capable of wielding all manner of dark arts.

Especially their curses, which targeted the soul directly and were extremely potent.

Li Yan wouldn't give them time.

Two Soul-Cutting Flying Daggers shot out—puff! puff! both pierced the hearts of the bodies lying on the ground.

Their weakness was not the head.

Even if the head was destroyed, they would still transform into malevolent entities and continue their mischief.

Piercing the heart caused both heads to drop to the ground.

Meanwhile, Li Yan leapt forward, his Right Hand—Dust-Cutting Blade—swung in a circle and stabbed downward.

"Wait!"

The last elder seemed to regain a sliver of clarity; his head bobbed up and down as he gritted his teeth: "This is the sacred ground of our Ancestral God! You've disrupted the ritual—you'll bring divine retribution! Spare me, flee now!"

As he spoke, the headless corpses below surged wildly, and the Du family's death disciples charged out of the ancestral hall with swords drawn.

The elder was Du Sanye.

He was cunning—his soft words were meant to use the chaos of the corpse horde to drive Li Yan away.

After all, speaking harshly now risked provoking Li Yan into a suicidal strike.

"Hahaha!"

Li Yan saw right through his scheme—his eyes flashed with killing intent as he laughed: "I fear he'll come—but he won't leave!"

With that, he drove his right hand forward with full force. "No—!"

Du's third master let out a piercing scream and suddenly opened his mouth to bite Li Yan.

Unfortunately, halfway through its flight, its heart was pierced, the head fell to the ground, smoke billowed from its seven orifices, and its eyes gradually lost their luster.

【102】 Too bad—he flew halfway before his heart was pierced; his severed head fell to the ground, smoke spewing from all seven orifices, his eyes gradually losing their luster.

At this moment, Li Yan had no time to care.

【103】 But Li Yan had no time to care.

The zombies below the stage had completely erupted.

【104】 The corpses below the stage had fully erupted.

Those in front had already climbed onto the stage, while those behind crammed together, their yin-evil energy forming black smoke as they leapt up with a hissing sound.

【105】 The front ones had already climbed onto the stage; the ones behind crushed together, their yin-sha energy forming black smoke as they leapt up with swift hisses.

"Hmph!"

【106】 "Hmph!"

Li Yan let out a cold snort and plunged into battle.

【107】 Li Yan let out a cold snort and unleashed his full fury.

First, there were still many coachmen and drivers on the stage—those who could be saved, he would save.

【108】 First, there were still many coachmen and grooms on the stage—he could save them if he could.

Second, this was the perfect chance to force the demon god to reveal itself.

【109】 Second, it was the perfect chance to force the demon god out.

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【110】 =9+book_bar

Faced with these evil entities, the Soul-Grabbing Chain unleashed its full power.

【111】 Faced with these evil entities, the Soul-Grabbing Chain unleashed its divine might.

What are called walking corpses are merely fragments of lingering spirits fueled by dark yin energy, and the soul-reeling chain is their exact antithesis.

【112】 The so-called walking corpses were merely fragments of stubborn spiritual essence, animated by yin-sha energy—the Soul-Grabbing Chain was their natural nemesis.

Whoosh!

【113】 Clatter-clatter!

Chains clattered as the two Soul-Grabbing Chains darted up and down.

【114】 Chains clattered as the two Soul-Grabbing Chains darted up and down.

The faint essence within each zombie was easily snatched out.

【115】 The faint spiritual core within each corpse was easily snatched out.

Since it was intangible, one could only see that whenever a zombie approached, black smoke would spew from its body and it would collapse to the ground.

【116】 Since it was formless, one could only see that whenever a corpse drew near, its body would spew black smoke and collapse to the ground.

Meanwhile, Li Yan also wielded thunder magic, his Duan Chen Blade slashing left, right, and upward, his left fist crackling with lightning.

【117】 Li Yan also wielded Thunder Art—his Broken-Dust Blade swept left, slashed right, and chopped upward, while his left fist crackled with lightning.

Soon, piles of mangled corpses surrounded him.

【118】 Soon, corpses piled up around him.

But even though each zombie fell to a single blow, more and more kept surging onto the stage—two fists cannot fend off four hands.

【119】 But even if one blow could obliterate each corpse, more kept surging onto the stage—two fists could not fend off four hands.

Amidst flashes of blade light, Li Yan gradually retreated.

【120】 Amid flashing blade-light, Li Yan slowly retreated.

Shhh-shhh-shhh!

【121】 Shhh-shhh-shhh!

Several arrows whistled through the air.

【122】 Several sharp arrows whistled toward him.

It was the Du family's assassins, seeing the crowd of corpses below, who had climbed onto the stage's eave brackets, hooked their legs around them, and began shooting arrows.

【123】 It was the Du family's death-servants—seeing the corpses below crowding together, they climbed onto the bracket arms flanking the stage, hooked their legs around them, and drew their bows.

Li Yan didn't understand what kind of brainwashing these assassins had undergone—they still relentlessly pursued the Du family even after their deaths.

【124】 Li Yan didn't know what kind of brainwashing these death-servants had endured, but even after the Du family's deaths, they still refused to relent.

But now, there was no time to ponder such things.

【125】 But now, he had no time to ponder it.

Li Yan casually drew the flintlock pistol from his waist, didn't aim at anyone, but fired straight at the stage's central beam.

【126】 Li Yan casually drew his flintlock pistol from his waist, didn't aim at any individual, but fired at the stage's main beam.

Boom!

【127】 Boom!

A thunderous explosion sent splinters flying.

【128】 A deafening crash sent splinters flying.

The beam was severed midways; combined with the assassins' weight, the brackets groaned and tilted, tiles clattering down.

【129】 The beam was severed mid-length; with the death-servants' weight, the bracket arms groaned and tilted, tiles clattering down.

With his divine powers, he easily located the stage's weakest point—this was child's play.

【130】 With his spiritual power, he could easily locate the stage's weak points—this was child's play.

The assassins lost their balance and helplessly jumped down, landing directly into the throng of corpses.

【131】 The death-servants lost their balance and helplessly leapt down, landing straight into the thronging corpse tide.

They were not demon worshippers and were immediately attacked; despite their fierce resistance, they were torn open by countless muddy hands.

【132】 They were not demon-worshippers—immediately attacked by the corpses, they fought desperately, yet were ripped open by muddy hands.

Falling stones and tiles slightly slowed the zombie tide.

【133】 Falling stones and tiles slightly eased the corpse tide's advance.

At that moment, Li Yan suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

【134】 At that moment, Li Yan's heart lurched.

He sensed he was being watched by something, while a series of tiger roars echoed in his ears.

【135】 He felt as if something was watching him, while a series of tiger roars echoed in his ears.

The tiger roars carried an eerie, terrifying power.

【136】 The tiger roars carried an eerie, paralyzing force.

Li Yan felt as if he were a frog frozen by a venomous snake—his heart pounded, his body grew cold, and his mind went numb, unable to move.

【137】 Li Yan felt like a frog pinned by a venomous snake—his heart pounded, his body chilled, his mind numbed, unable to move.

It was a curse!

【138】 It was a curse!

Fortunately, the zombies, upon hearing the tiger roars, also ceased their attacks and knelt on the ground, as if awaiting something.

【139】 Fortunately, the walking corpses, hearing the roars, ceased their attacks and lay prostrate, as if awaiting something.

In the distance, thick mist churned, and a towering shadow emerged, one hand holding a blade, the other gripping a severed head.

【140】 Far away, thick mist churned, and a towering shadow emerged—one hand holding a blade, the other gripping a severed head.

The black figure's features were indistinct, but its eyes glowed red.

【141】 The shadow's form was indistinct, its eyes glowing red.

The Soul Ledger grew hotter and clearly indicated its location.

【142】 The Soul-Grabbing Register grew hotter, its direction unmistakable.

Li Yan had been waiting for this moment—he no longer hesitated, activated his Great Luo Divine Body to dispel the curse, and raised the Soul Ledger, chanting: "Heaven has its order, Earth has its law; the Underworld claims souls, mortals must retreat!"

【143】 Li Yan had waited for this moment—he no longer hesitated, activated his Great Luo Divine Body to break the curse, and raised the Soul-Grabbing Register, shouting: "Heaven has its order, Earth its law; the Nether Bureau seizes souls—mortals, stand aside!"

"Roar!"

【144】 "Roar!"

The distant tiger roars returned, filled with fury and panic.

【145】 The distant tiger roars erupted again, filled with rage and panic.

The mist churned violently as the black figure turned and fled.

【146】 The mist churned violently; the shadow turned and fled.

But it was already too late.

【147】 But it was too late.

The instant Li Yan finished chanting, darkness instantly swallowed everything.

【148】 The instant Li Yan finished the incantation, darkness swallowed everything.

The clinking of chains, the clatter of armor, the scrape of blades and spears…

【149】 Chains clinking, armor clanking, blades scraping…

All manner of sounds echoed around Li Yan.

【150】 All manner of sounds rang in Li Yan's ears.

Then, the darkness rapidly faded.

【151】 Then, the darkness vanished swiftly.

Li Yan stared in disbelief toward the distance.

【152】 Li Yan was startled, gazing into the distance.

The Underworld troops had already vanished—indicating the enemy had fled swiftly; he had never encountered such a situation before.

【153】 The Nether Bureau's troops had already withdrawn—meaning the target fled swiftly. He had never encountered this before.

Whoosh!

【154】 Clatter-clatter!

The zombies surrounding the stage had gone mad.

【155】 The walking corpses around the stage went mad.

Ignoring Li Yan entirely, they surged forward in rolling black smoke, racing frantically toward the eastern village entrance—as if rushing to save their master.

【156】 Ignoring Li Yan, they surged forth in rolling black smoke, racing frantically toward the eastern village entrance—as if rushing to save their master.

But after running less than a hundred meters, the zombies collapsed one by one, black smoke billowing from their bodies; the dense yin-evil energy even froze the ground beneath them in thick white frost.

【157】 But after running less than a hundred paces, the corpses collapsed one by one, spewing thick black smoke; the potent yin-sha energy even froze the ground beneath them in thick white frost.

At the same time, a divine aura appeared within the Soul Ledger.

【158】 At the same time, a divine aura appeared within the Soul-Grabbing Register.

Captured?!

【159】 Taken away?!

Li Yan was first stunned, then slowly shook his head.

【160】 Li Yan was stunned, then gave a slight shake of his head.

Living Yin Officials were merely Underworld spies—once the target was confirmed, the Underworld troops would immediately apprehend them.

【161】 Living Yin Officials were merely Nether Bureau scouts—once the target was confirmed, the Nether Bureau's troops would apprehend them themselves.

He hadn't even seen the process.

【162】 He hadn't even seen the process.

Still, many questions lingered in his mind.

【163】 Still, many questions lingered in his mind.

Li Yan leapt down from the stage and followed the direction the zombies had come, tracking their scent.

【164】 Li Yan leapt down from the stage and followed the direction the corpses had come, tracking by scent.

The demon god's hiding place was unexpectedly far away.

【165】 The demon god's hiding place was unexpected.

It was a remote quarry, far from the village.

【166】 It was a quarry far from the village.

This quarry was peculiar.

【167】 The quarry was strange.

The exposed rocks outside were mixed with countless pebbles, undulating and winding.

【168】 The exposed rocks outside were mixed with pebbles, winding and undulating.

From afar, they resembled the scales of a giant dragon.

【169】 From afar, they resembled the scales of a great dragon.

Li Yan recalled Du Yuan Guang's words.

【170】 Li Yan recalled Du Yuan Guang's words.

This village was called Shilong Village, named so because its unique terrain was believed to be an exposed dragon vein.

【171】 This village was called Stone Dragon Village—its peculiar terrain was believed to expose a dragon vein.

It was the excavation of stone from the mountain that awakened the demon god Zuo Shouquan.

【172】 It was the mining and quarrying that had awakened the demon god Zuo Shouquan.

This demon god must have escaped from the Underworld in ancient times—why had it hidden here?

【173】 This demon god had escaped from the Underworld in ancient times—why had he hidden here?

Li Yan carefully followed the scent and indeed discovered a cavern exposed by a rockslide.

【174】 Li Yan carefully followed the scent and indeed found a cave exposed by a rockslide.

The ground was littered with footprints, confirming the zombies had been hiding here.

【175】 The ground was littered with footprints—proof the corpses had been hiding here.

Inside the cavern, frost blanketed everything—the unmistakable sign of Underworld troops passing through.

【176】 Inside the cave, frost blanketed the air—the unmistakable sign of Nether Troops passing through.

Li Yan pressed deeper into the cavern.

【177】 Li Yan pressed deeper into the cave.

Soon, he found countless skulls, all disheveled, faces black and grotesque, fangs protruding.

【178】 Soon, he found countless skulls—hair wild, faces black and grotesque, fangs protruding.

The deeper he went, the more skulls piled up—mountainous heaps.

【179】 The deeper he went, the more there were—piled like mountains.

Some even showed signs of petrification.

【180】 Some even showed signs of petrification.

Seeing this, Li Yan couldn't help but shudder in relief.

【181】 Seeing this, Li Yan felt a chill of dread.

He vaguely realized this demon god was far more powerful than he'd imagined—what he'd faced outside the stage had merely been its wandering spirit killing.

【182】 He vaguely realized this demon god was far stronger than he'd imagined—earlier, on the stage, it had merely been a wandering yin spirit killing.

Further inside, the scene changed.

【183】 Further inside, the scene changed.

The cavern walls bore signs of human carving, and countless skulls were impaled with copper spikes inscribed with talismanic runes.

【184】 The cave walls bore signs of human carving, and countless skulls were impaled with copper spikes inscribed with talismanic patterns, nailed densely to the walls.

This place had once been sealed!

【185】 This had been sealed by someone!

Seeing this, Li Yan immediately understood.

【186】 Seeing this, Li Yan instantly understood.

After learning Zhao Changsheng's origins, he had specifically gathered intelligence on the matter.

【187】 Since learning Zhao Changsheng's origins, he had gathered relevant intelligence.

He came from the Jiangzuo heretical Zhu family.

【188】 He came from the Jiangzuo heretical sect, the Zhu family.

The Zhu family had deep ties with the Flying-Head Tribe.

【189】 The Zhu family had deep ties to the Flying-Head Man tribe.

During the Three Kingdoms era, Wu general Zhu Huan discovered a maidservant in his household was a Flying-Head Liao—capable of detaching her head to kill.

【190】 During the Three Kingdoms era, Wu general Zhu Huan discovered a maidservant in his household was a Flying-Head Liao —capable of detaching her head to kill.

He captured the woman, merely boasting about the novelty.

【191】 He captured her, but only bragged about it as a curiosity.

But some Zhu family members became intrigued, using the search for the Flying-Head Liao as an opportunity to study dark arts and became the foremost heretics of their time.

【192】 But some Zhu family members took interest, using the search for Flying-Head Liao to study dark arts and became the leading heretics of their time.

The infamous "Beast Creation" technique originated from the Jiangzuo Zhu family.

【193】 The infamous Beast-Creation Art originated from the Jiangzuo Zhu family.

According to Li Yan's gathered intelligence:

【194】 According to Li Yan's gathered intelligence:

The Flying-Head Liao tribe has been recorded since the Qin and Han dynasties, once rampant in the Baiyue regions, and later likely sailed overseas with sorcerers to Japan, becoming one of its famed yokai.

【195】 The Flying-Head Liao tribe was recorded since Qin and Han times, once rampant in the Baiyue lands, later likely sailing overseas with sorcerers to Japan, becoming one of its famed yokai.

During the Tang dynasty, this exotic tribe reemerged for a time, then mysteriously vanished again.

【196】 During the Tang dynasty, this alien tribe reemerged for a time, then vanished without cause.

By the Northern Song dynasty, historians compiling the official history "New Book of Tang" clearly defined the habitat of the Tang-era "Luo-tou" people, roughly in today's Chongqing region, then called "Nanping Liao."

【197】 By the Northern Song, historians of the New Book of Tang had clearly defined the Tang-era Head-Dropping tribe's habitat—roughly modern Chongqing, then called "Nanping Liao."

Could this be the mysteriously vanished Flying-Head Liao tribe?

【198】 Could this be the mysteriously vanished Flying-Head Liao tribe?

(End of Chapter)

【199】 (End of Chapter)