Chapter 133

The daylight gradually faded.

Three figures hid within the dense forest atop the hill, watching from afar as the flying horse and its escort of mounted soldiers left the inn.

He Can crouched behind a bush, shielding his hand from the rain curtain, and asked:

"Have we been discovered?"

Zhang Chu's eyes were like those facing a great enemy, constantly scanning left and right, as if worried Xie Jinhuan would suddenly appear out of nowhere:

"They didn't enter the inn; they probably just wanted to cross the hill at night and rest in the town. But why go to Hongzhang County?"

Wei Yunya leaned on his Soul-Guiding Banner, standing beside them, his body wrapped in black mist, almost blending into the night:

"Wherever we go, they go. This boy's actions are indeed swift as a thunderbolt; Ye Shirong was exposed only yesterday, and today he's already here, running around more diligently than any of us."

He Can shrugged slightly: "This fellow has always been like this; we're used to it. Who told you to mess with his father?"

Zhang Chu frowned: "Since Xie Jinhuan has figured out the attack happened in Hongzhang County, the imperial court must know as well..."

"This boy likely just found some clues through the Juan Sect files and came to verify. If he were certain we attacked the stone quarry in Hongzhang County, he wouldn't have brought only these small fry."

Wei Yunya scanned the distant figures, fell silent for a moment, then added:

"Fortunately, the sect has learned its lesson this time, preparing multiple hiding spots like a cunning rabbit. As long as this boy dies here, the imperial court's attention will inevitably focus on Hongzhang County, allowing us to use a feint to the east and strike to the west."

"Does Third Master mean you will eliminate Xie Jinhuan?"

He Can glanced at him a few times with some suspicion:

"To speak bluntly, this fellow is quite sinister. He brought quite a few people on this journey; if Third Master capsizes in a gutter and dies here at Tieji Ridge..."

"Extraordinary people must have extraordinary qualities; I will naturally be careful."

While Wei Yunya spoke, he raised his Soul-Guiding Banner, pointing it at a mountain sparrow sheltering from the rain in the bushes; black smoke drifted out from the banner.

Whoosh~

"Chirp chirp~"

The sparrow was wrapped in black mist, thrashing in its nest, but within moments it flipped back up, its pupils glowing with a faint red light, before diving into the forest and vanishing.

Seeing Wei Yunya had already prepared to capsize, He Can couldn't even mock him anymore, raising his empty hands:

"The enemy across has great numbers, and I have no magical artifacts. Third Master, why not lend me the banner? I know how to use this."

"?"

Wei Yunya was too lazy to bother responding; his form turned into a wisp of black smoke, silently drifting down the hill:

"I have already stationed dozens of people in Hongzhang County in advance. You two go notify everyone to withdraw first, and leave some 'clues' behind to confuse the imperial court's gaze."

"Understood! Take care, Third Master!"

He Can stood up and ran.

Zhang Chu said no more, lifted his blade, and vanished into the rain curtain...

——

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

Seven fast horses trod over the muddy ground; as they entered Tieji Ridge, not a shred of light remained around them. Even the pouring rain was somewhat dampened by the tree canopy blocking the sky, the "crackling" crisp sounds suppressing all other noises.

Xie Jinhuan, unable to see the road, naturally slowed his horse, raising his palm to slightly gather Qi:

Clip-clop, clip-clop~

Faint electric arcs flickered in his palm, brightening and dimming; the road remained unclear, but the atmosphere grew even more eerie and sinister.

?

Linghu Qingmo, walking beside him, shook his head inwardly at the sight; his left hand rose, and blinding electric arcs bloomed in his palm, illuminating the area within two zhang.

Crackling~

Yang Dabiao, as a crude martial artist, looked on with genuine envy:

"Speaking of which, the Hidden Immortal Sect also belongs to the Daoist path, yet your thunder technique, Jinhuan, is truly a bit... um..."

Liu Qingzhi added, "It can replace a flint and tinderbox to start a fire and light a pipe at any time; it's not without use."

Xie Jinhuan was not using a Daoist thunder technique but a self-created miscellaneous thunder art; hearing this, he responded with mock seriousness:

"My master dabbled in a hundred schools; seeing my talent for martial arts was not bad, he taught me martial skills. Fearing I would seek too much and master nothing, he never transmitted the thunder technique to me."

"Oh..."

The many Wu Zu suddenly understood.

Using the 'Mo Mo Brand Electric Bat' for light, Xie Jinhuan had intended to spur his horse to cross the hill quickly, rest in Hongzhang County early, and return to his room to discuss thunder techniques with Mo Mo.

But halfway up the hill, the red-clad ghost that had been following like a shadow suddenly appeared beside him:

"There's an ambush."

Xie Jinhuan frowned, immediately raising his hand to rein in his horse; the group stopped amidst the leafy forest.

Meiqiu, hiding under the cloak, seeing work had arrived, spread her wings without command and flew into the air.

Seeing this, Linghu Qingmo activated his Qi, causing the lightning in his palm to turn into daylight; like a flash grenade, it instantly illuminated the hundred zhang of forest around them.

Crackling——

Xie Jinhuan squinted slightly, carefully scanning the surrounding forest, but found nothing unusual; for safety's sake, he waved his hand:

"Withdraw."

Yang Dabiao, seeing this, lifted his blade and turned his horse's head; two Constables took round shields and Qi-Breaking Crossbows from their horse sides, shifting the rear formation to the front.

Liu Qingzhi and his partner removed the Qilin masks from their horse sides, donned them on their heads, and held long spears to guard the flanks.

Xie Jinhuan drew his Tian Gang Mace to watch the rear, while Linghu Qingmo held a magic sword in the middle, his left hand's flashlight beam shining, incantations and seals ready to unleash.

A Daoist adept who knows thunder techniques, guarded by six martial artists equipped with standard gear like Qi-Breaking Crossbows, Immortal-Binding Ropes, and Ink-Qilin Light Armor; any normal demon or evil path would likely turn and flee upon seeing this, never thinking of biting into such a hard bone.

But the approaching people clearly had no intention of retreating in the face of difficulty.

The seven formed a circular formation; having withdrawn no more than three zhang outward, amidst the forest where only the sound of heavy rain had existed, a strange noise suddenly erupted:

"Hahahaha~~~"

"Wuwuwu……"

A chilling, eerie blend of weeping and laughter drifted closer, echoing through the dense forest with the wind!

The voice was indistinguishably male or female, surrounding them from all sides like ten thousand ghosts wailing; ghostly shadows began to emerge in the woods, as if hundreds or even thousands of dead souls surged from every direction.

Yang Dabiao, seeing this overwhelming spectacle, turned pale at once, thinking, "My life is over." The strange weeping and laughter entered his ears; even though he forced himself to concentrate, a deep tremor of fear and dread still pulsed within his soul. The two Constables, gripping their weapons, both trembled slightly, their faces drained of color.

The two Wu Zu were elite soldiers of Wang Fu and did not lose their composure, but their warhorses began to grow restless and agitated.

Tap-tap…

Linghu Qingmo realized the enemy was using demonic ghostly techniques; he immediately drew his ritual sword and silently recited the Purify Heaven and Earth Spell. Lightning flared along the blade's surface, but the gap in cultivation was too great—he could not dispel the overwhelming wailing.

Xie Jinhuan, merely by observing this scene, knew the opponent was far stronger than Tai Shu Dan. He drew Zhenglun Sword and feigned recitation:

"Five stars guard the colors, light illuminates Xuanming. Ten thousand gods and saints, protect my true spirit…"

Zilala…

Zhenglun Sword was encircled by sparks, its display modest—but its faint sword hum echoed like a Qilin lifting its gaze, a Green Dragon peering forward!

In an instant, the overwhelming wailing ceased. The drifting shadows in the dim forest vanished like mist. Even the forest's sinister atmosphere grew peaceful.

?!

Linghu Qingmo stared in shock, glancing at his own sword, then at Xie Jinhuan's, filled with confusion:

"You… you're sure this is an imitation?"

Xie Jinhuan maintained a serious demeanor as he lied:

"This is the exorcism spell my master taught me. The effect is the same no matter what artifact you use."

"Is that so?"

Several Wu Zu were puzzled, but as long as the ghosts were subdued, it didn't matter.

The group had intended to continue retreating, but from deep within the forest came a withered voice:

"Your depth of knowledge is truly impressive. But unfortunately, what I know extends far beyond this."

As he spoke, something massive stirred silently in the forest's depths.

Huh-huh~

The group gazed afar and saw a dark cloud appear dozens of zhang away, rolling like a black tide across the woodland, a torrent of sinister yin energy rushing toward them!

Linghu Qingmo sensed the terrifying yin energy and his cheeks instantly paled:

"Is this a demonic daoist, a ghost cultivator?"

Liu Qingzhi and others stared in shock:

"It seems so."

Xie Jinhuan, having figured out the opponent's path, was also taken aback.

Demonic daoists split into two major sects—body cultivators and ghost cultivators.

Body cultivators, as the name implies, plunder life essence to nourish their limbs until their flesh transforms into a demon; once their body is shattered, they die.

Ghost cultivators do not raise minor ghosts—they nourish themselves, plundering life essence to fortify their soul, capable of reincarnating through borrowed shells. They are exceedingly difficult to utterly destroy. The Corpse Ancestor is their archetype: rare, but always high-ranking demonic daoists with vast resources.

Xie Jinhuan's Zhenglun Sword could suppress their ghost-controlling arts, but the ghost cultivator's strength lay in wielding powerful soul energy to command the Five Elements spells. To win, one must either endure the spells and smash their body, or drive them off.

Ye Hongshang now appeared at his side, shouldering her red umbrella like a strategist, offering analysis:

"This man has entered Rank 1. He's likely a minor leader of Mingshen Sect. We have no chance in a normal fight. Let Seeing Mo Mo stop resisting—I'll possess her and teach her how to fight."

Xie Jinhuan knew this foul thing was hard to kill; he turned his head and ordered:

"You form a formation to protect Qingmo. I'll charge and force his position—use thunder art to strike him down."

Liu Qingzhi and the others had dismounted. Now two Constables held round shields to guard the front, two Wu Zu held spears flanking the sides, Yang Dabiao gripped his great blade and moved freely around Linghu Qingmo, ready to intercept hidden arrows if needed.

Huh-huh~

At that moment, the black mist churned violently, quickly coalescing into a human face two meters across, its eyes formed of oily green ghostfire:

"Relying on this girl alone, you won't be able to touch me."

Xie Jinhuan held Zhenglun Sword, gazing at the terrifying ghostly face:

"I've killed many of you Mingshen Sect members. Three years ago—what really happened to my father? Tell me first."

Wei Yunya, holding the Soul-Guiding Banner, stepped forward slowly through the mist; the massive ghostly face advanced with him:

"Your father may have seen something he shouldn't have. I sent someone to silence him—but he never returned. Actually, I'd rather ask you: what really happened three years ago?"

Xie Jinhuan felt the ghost's words were likely true; a flicker of doubt crossed his mind, but he said nothing more, turning instead:

"Qingmo, I'm about to use the Wind Spirit Valley's secret Summoning Spirit technique. You must cooperate—don't resist."

Summoning Spirit technique?

To cast it on a teammate?

Isn't that the exclusive skill of the female priestesses of the Zhuji lineage?

Linghu Qingmo was bewildered, but solemnly nodded.

Xie Jinhuan held Zhenglun Sword upright before him and recited with solemn pretense:

"In chaos's first division, Xuan became Huang; opening heaven and earth, yin and yang were established…"

Wei Yunya halted his steps at the sound; even the towering ghostly face before him showed a flicker of confusion.

After all, these rhyming lines sounded unmistakably like the shamanic chants of the Northern Zhou Zhuji lineage…

Could this boy truly be Empress Guo's favorite…

(End of Chapter)