Chapter 67: Forbidden Technique (II)

As dusk fell over Songyi City, within the Xing Family estate, the servants of Xing Jinglong wore nervous expressions.

The manager looked at the returning servant and asked anxiously, "Still no word from the young master?"

That morning, Xing Jinglong had hurried out, saying he had important business to attend to, yet he still had not returned. Even Zhao Wude and Qiao Quan, who had accompanied him, were nowhere to be seen.

"No. Neither the members of the Wuding Gang nor the ten elite City Guards who went with them have come back either," replied the servant, shaking his head.

"Damn it! Come, we must find Young Master Jing'an and report this matter at once," said the manager through clenched teeth.

Once darkness fell, the outside of the city became even more dangerous. Even if the young master had simply lost track of time, with Lord Zhao Wude present, he would certainly have been reminded.

The manager hurried out and made his way to the Xing Family's martial training ground.

Xing Jing'an possessed impressive martial talent. Before the age of thirty, he had already reached the peak of the Organ Forging Realm, and after several years of tempering himself within the City Guard, he now had hope of breaking through to the Blood Qi Realm. He was a martial fanatic, and aside from work matters, he spent nearly all his time training in the Xing Family's martial training ground.

When the manager entered, he saw Xing Jing'an wholly absorbed in his practice. In the past, he would never have dared to disturb him, but with Xing Jinglong's safety at stake, he had no choice.

He stepped forward respectfully and said, "Young Master Jing'an, something has happened. This morning, Young Master Jinglong went out with Lord Zhao Wude and Lord Qiao Quan, and none of them has returned."

"

Hm?

"

Xing Jing'an halted his practice, a hint of displeasure showing at the interruption.

But upon hearing that his younger brother, Xing Jinglong, might be in trouble, his brows furrowed as he asked, "Where did Jinglong go? What business was he handling?"

"Young master, according to a report from the Wuding Gang, Lin Zheyu of the Feihong Gang left the city. Since he once had a grudge with you, the young master led men to pursue him. But until now, the young master has not returned, nor has any message arrived," said the manager.

"Lin Zheyu?"

Xing Jing'an frowned. He had some impression of that name. According to Xing Jinglong and their cousin, Xing Penghai, this youth, in less than three months, had advanced from a complete novice who had never trained before to the Bone Forging Realm.

His natural talent and comprehension were remarkable. If captured, secret methods could be used to force out his potential and raise him as a death warrior. This outing of Xing Jinglong's was most likely for that very purpose.

"Has Lin Zheyu returned?" asked Xing Jing'an.

"No, he has not," replied the manager.

"This is troublesome. By right, with Zhao Wude and Qiao Quan both involved, they should have captured him quickly," said Xing Jing'an gravely as his eyes grew solemn. He dressed quickly and hurried out.

Hyah!

He mounted his horse and galloped straight toward the city gate.

***

The moon hung bright among sparse stars, and the cold wind howled. From the nighttime forest came waves of beastly roars. Suddenly, a troop of thirty soldiers rode in, torches raised.

Hyah, hyah!

The soldiers spurred their mounts, galloping with full force into the forest.

Zhao Wude was known for his caution, always keeping a hidden hand. Had Lin Zheyu's strength not been so utterly beyond expectation, he would never have fallen so quickly. When he left the city, he habitually left markers along the route with a distinctive scent that could linger in the wild for two days. They could be used for tracking, leaving marks, and many other purposes.

Huff.

The man at the head pulled the reins and stopped in front of a patch of bushes. This was the place where Lin Zheyu had originally dumped the bodies. There were no corpses left, only bloodstains on the ground and armor and clothing torn to rags by biting.

Xing Penghai glared at the blood and the shredded scraps on the ground and cursed aloud. "Damn it!"

Standing beside him, Xing Jing'an was silent, quietly staring at the garments on the ground that were all torn into pieces and impossible to tell whose they had been.

"What do you make of this?" asked Xing Jing'an with a calm face, a trace of grim ruthlessness hidden deep in his eyes.

Xing Penghai shook his head, his face extremely sullen as he said, "Perhaps those rivals of ours struck; our actions were too conspicuous, and thus we have been retaliated against."

"Yes, that is indeed possible." Xing Jing'an nodded and said, "Report it to Uncle when we return and let him and the others decide."

"Xing Ling, give the orders. Have the city scouts report the movements of the major factions today, and keep tabs on that brat from the Feihong Gang to see whether he is dead. If he returns, report to me immediately," Xing Penghai ordered.

"Yes, Young Master."

***

Near Lion Valley, at a military encampment.

Lin Zheyu and Han Mo sat before a campfire, roasting wild game.

"Senior brother, have you ever seen a living corpse? On the way here, I heard people say that living corpses had appeared in Beast Roar Mountain, and quite a few people were killed," said Lin Zheyu.

"Living corpses appeared again in Beast Roar Mountain?" asked Han Mo in surprise, clearly unaware of this news.

"Yes, I heard they only showed up recently. Senior brother, do you know anything about living corpses? Could you explain them to me?" asked Lin Zheyu curiously.

"There's nothing I can't tell you. Living corpses are just what common folk call them. They're also known as yaos and demons!" said Han Mo, taking a sip of tea.

Yaos and demons?

Lin Zheyu froze at the words.

So that's what yaos and demons are?

Liang Song had once mentioned yaos and demons to him, but he had never connected them to living corpses.

"Yes, living corpses are basically yaos and demons. These people once cultivated forbidden arts while alive, and their bodies were corroded by sinister, baleful Yin qi until they fell into a state of false death. They were then buried in places saturated with baleful Yin qi, where special formations were set. After decades or even centuries of false death, they revive, gaining an effect akin to immortality.

"Like all yaos and demons, they lose their sense of self from cultivating forbidden techniques, turning into bloodthirsty, savage creatures without reason who only know slaughter," Han Mo explained. As a Centurion of the City Guard, he had some knowledge of yaos and demons.

"Forbidden techniques? Are they secret arts of immortality and cultivation?" asked Lin Zheyu curiously, seizing upon the key point in Han Mo's words.

Liang Song had once said that some people, in pursuit of cultivation and immortality, ended up turning themselves into demons.

"Immortality? There is no such thing as immortality." Han Mo shook his head and said, "Those so-called secret arts of immortality, when cultivated to the end, only turn people into yaos and demons.

"I don't know the exact details, however. This is only what I've heard from the lords. When I was still just a common soldier, I once had the fortune of joining the lords in slaying a yao, or what you call a living corpse. It took tremendous effort before we finally succeeded.

"Such creatures have copper skin and iron bones and are impervious to blades and spears. Only the concentrated killing intent formed by military formations can suppress them. If you ever encounter a yao or demon, or even hear of one appearing somewhere, don't get curious and go take a look. Run away immediately.

"Only warriors of the Blood Qi Realm can stand against yaos and demons. Even then, if they haven't reached the third transformation of blood qi, they can only barely protect themselves," said Han Mo with a grave expression.

Back when he fought a yao, he was only a small soldier, an unremarkable part of the formation. The only thing he could do was contribute his essence, qi, spirit, and killing intent. That battle had left an indelible mark on him.

"

Mm.

" Zheyu nodded.

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Sizzle. Crackle.

The campfire burned, twigs crackling as the roasting meat sizzled with hot oil, filling the air with an enticing fragrance.

"Senior brother, will you be able to return before the New Year?" asked Lin Zheyu while taking a bite of the fragrant roast meat.

"I'll be heading back in two more days," replied Han Mo.

The day after tomorrow would be New Year's Eve, just in time to return for the reunion dinner.

He looked at Lin Zheyu and said, "Come to my house for the reunion dinner. With more people, it'll be lively and feel like the New Year."

Han Mo knew that Lin Zheyu had no family in Songyi City and would likely feel lonely during the New Year.

"Alright," said Lin Zheyu, nodding and agreeing.