Chapter 154

When Liu Junyan mentioned the Yin Corpse troops, I also thought these Yin Corpses should be death-row prisoners from the prison; the blood mist above the prison couldn't have come from nowhere.

But Hui Moqiong's following remark really caught us off guard.

I asked: "What does it mean to all enter the Buddha?"

Death-row prisoners must have committed unforgivable grave sins; after death, they actually could still enter the Buddha?

Hui Moqiong, somewhat agitated, tugged at his messy hair and said: "Ah, this young master I can't describe that eerie scene; you go up and see for yourselves, I'll handle the situation at the mountain's base."

"Xiao Jiu, you also stay down the mountain," Liu Junyan said, "I'll go up and take a look; from the very beginning I've said our goal is just to get what we want, and not to lightly move the Formation Array."

I shook my head: "I'm going with you."

Liu Junyan is a person who values promises; he promised Guo Zaimin that he would protect Guo Zhen's life.

So no matter how strange the situation above, he will save Guo Zhen.

Just as Liu Junyan was about to refuse, I said again: "Tonight all sorts of demons and monsters gather in the town; do you think staying down the mountain would be safe for me?"

Having said that, I didn't give him a chance to speak, and headed straight up the mountain.

Behind him, Hui Moqiong said: "This time I'm on Xiao Jiu's side; there are enough people down the mountain for now, no need to keep everyone behind."

Liu Junyan quickly caught up, he took my hand and, as we walked, cautioned: "Xiao Jiu, I told you before, formations like the Qiongqi Evil Array are never just one; pulling one thread moves the whole body; we can't swallow it whole, so at a critical moment, if you can retreat, retreat immediately—understand?"

"Understood," I said, "you know I value my life; if there's real danger, I'll definitely run faster than anyone."

Liu Junyan glanced at me helplessly, then concealed us in the darkness and quietly approached the temple.

The bull-like, tiger-like roars continued, the ground trembled more violently, and in the originally pitch-black sky the blood mist grew denser and more substantial, filling the air with a faint scent of blood.

At a distance of about a hundred meters from the temple, we saw those unusual things.

Normally, at this distance in the night, especially with thin mist, we shouldn't be able to see those Yin Corpses.

But those Yin Corpses were enveloped in a thin layer of golden light, which coated their silhouettes making them especially distinct in the darkness.

Their hands and feet were all bound in chains, heads bowed, a single palm placed before the chest, like devout monks praying.

Indeed, as Hui Moqiong said, these death-row prisoners, without exception, all emitted a Buddha-like aura.

No, that's wrong.

Buddha-nature! It's all an illusion!

That layer of golden light on them is clearly the same as the golden light that once covered Bull-Tiger Mountain after the bronze bell rang.

That is the Merit Light emitted by the Golden Scale.

And that Golden Scale has been tainted by Dragon Qi!

"It's a formation," Liu Junyan suddenly lowered his voice, "a brute-force attack would likely jostle two major formations at once; we must find the Zhènyǎn, then silently break this Yin Corpse Formation Array."

I glanced again at the direction of the Yin Corpse Formation Array and guessed: "If the Zhènyǎn isn't on a certain bronze bell in the temple, then it must be related to the Golden Scale."

Liu Junyan nodded: "Your thought coincides with mine, Xiao Jiu..."

He was about to say more when a troop suddenly emerged not far ahead and charged straight at the Yin Corpse Formation Array.

Uh-oh.

The next moment, that squad of about ten people, upon nearing the Yin Corpse Formation Array, saw a burst of golden light erupt around it, directly blasting those ten-odd individuals away.

Those ten-odd people's abilities clearly didn't match their bravery; after landing they all vomited blood, lay on the ground wailing, unable to get up.

They didn't even manage to touch a Yin Corpse!

At this moment, Hui Moqiong's side appeared bold yet meticulous; he sensed something wrong, immediately withdrew, avoiding a reckless attack lest he alert the enemy.

This wave just fell, and the next wave surged forth.

Thus three consecutive waves of people were utterly defeated, unable to break through at all.

But every minute of delay is fatal for Guo Zhen.

And for the false ascetics in the temple, it's a good thing.

Once he recovers, he will strike the bronze bell, cast a spell to manipulate the Dragon-Locking Formation Array, and the current predicament will be instantly suppressed.

We can't wait any longer.

"Xiao Jiu, hide yourself," Liu Junyan said, "I'm going to break the Formation Array."

I instinctively grabbed his arm: "Be careful!"

Liu Junyan gave me a reassuring look, then headed toward the Yin Corpse Formation Array.

As he walked, he began forming hand seals.

I guessed he would start with the Golden Scale, after all it originally belonged to him and is very likely the Zhènyǎn.

I kept my eyes on Liu Junyan's back; if the Formation Array loosened even a bit, I would immediately rush forward to lend him a hand.

But just then, a familiar voice sounded not far behind me: "Yo, isn't this the little wildcat? Hiding here like a timid turtle."

I instantly clenched my fists.

I had thought I'd soon meet Feng Lishu, but I didn't expect it to happen under these circumstances.

She was not far from me; when she called out "little wildcat," the character on my right cheek already began to throb faintly.

I must seal her mouth in the instant I turn, or I'll lose the initiative.

Once she acts against me, I'll be suppressed and unable to lift my head.

At this distance, with the mantis poised to bite my Mìngmén from behind, I can't swing a punch at her mouth; I'll have to meet her head-on.

Thinking thus, the instant I turned, I had already summoned Feng Wu, aimed at Feng Lishu's mouth, and drawn the bow to full.

At that moment, Feng Lishu was indeed forming hand seals.

Fortunately my reaction was quick; this arrow shot should temporarily interrupt her spellcasting.

I had thought victory was mine, but just then another familiar voice suddenly rang out: "Ah Shu, be careful!"

As Hu Yulin's voice reached me, the fan in his hand was already swinging toward my bow-drawing hand.

The fan unfolded, the hidden blade in its ribs slicing through the night, a chilling glint.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye; a sharp blade pierced straight into the back of my hand.

I hissed, the excruciating pain making my hand go limp instantly, and the fan returned to Hu Yulin's grasp.

Hu Yulin had already come to Feng Lishu's side, worrying: "Ah Shu, are you alright?"

He glanced at me in an instant, about to speak, but his gaze stuck on the Feng Wu I was holding in my hand.

I could feel his whole body shudder violently, his eyes filled with disbelief.

At that moment I had no time to read Hu Yulin's ever‑changing expression; gritting my teeth against the pain, I drew the bow to full again, still aiming at Feng Lishu's mouth…