Chapter 1: The Haunted Yōlin (Part 1)

  Although the Corpse Ghost showed deference to Ding Ling, its cold and ruthless aura still made him feel somewhat apprehensive.

  Duties extend far without seeking gain, sufficient wisdom ensures Shu's safety. Gallant and brave in battle against the Jin invaders, with a raised sword the enemy's soul is shattered.

  Ding Ling's mind involuntarily conjured up this evaluation of Wu Zhen by the people at that time.

  At this moment, Ding Lingxiu discovered that the demonic energy in front of him was not only extremely powerful and fierce, but also no longer as sinister and evil as the demonic energy emitted by the Corpse Eater Ghost. Instead, it seemed to be manipulated by a strong consciousness, just like the evil thoughts that everyone has in their hearts, which some people can control with their own consciousness.

  As expected, Wu Jing's primordial spirit was sharp and resolute, and even after a hundred years, he still had the majestic bearing of a great general.

  The Corpse Ghost seemed to have noticed Ding Ling's worry and nodded his hands, saying with a solemn expression:

  "Don't worry, young master. The reason I struck with such ferocity was to catch the enemy off guard and not give them a chance to defend themselves. I owe my return to the sacred realm and my escape from evil to you, young master. How could I dare betray you?"

  The voice of the ghoulish corpse was sonorous and powerful, but his face had no expression, as if the baptism of time made this Zhongxing general more worldly.

  Some words don't need fancy rhetoric for people to believe them. Some words, no matter how eloquently spoken, are still nakedly hypocritical.

  Ding Lingxiu firmly believed in the loyalty of the ghost general in front of him, gave a trustworthy smile to the Corpse Eater, and sincerely praised:

  "General Wu, I know your intention. You have been through hundreds of battles and naturally have much more combat experience than me. What surprises me is that you've been possessed by evil spirits for so long, yet your precious sword remains sharp and your skills haven't diminished from years past."

  Wu Jing still had no expression on his face, but he straightened up his tall and sturdy body and replied in a loud and clear voice:

  "You overpraise me, young master."

  Ding Lingxiu nodded and muttered:

  "General Wu, since we're being honest with each other, I'll speak the truth, but without any intention of blaming you. After all, I didn't make myself clear earlier," Ding Lingxu said, pausing for a moment before looking at the Corpse Eater and continuing: "As a righteous demon hunter from a prestigious sect, not one of those extremist demon hunters who think that hatred can be repaid with more hatred in the name of justice. I actually wanted to spare this monster's life and subdue it using the Qinglong Baigui Diagram. Because I believe that the world doesn't have to be about endless revenge, and even if it is, it's only because people's evil thoughts haven't been reduced. What I want is for all demons and monsters to return to their true nature, for their grievances to be soothed, and for their wounded souls to be comforted. Although evil won't disappear just because of one person's words, I still hope to do my part in changing the world as much as possible. What I want isn't destruction, but redemption - just like you."

  The Corpse Demon was moved by Ding Lingyu's sincere words, and his stern face was filled with admiration. His bright red eyes also flashed with excitement as he clasped his fists in respect and said to Ding Lingyu:

  "The young master is deeply aware of the great righteousness, I will throw myself at his feet, I will strictly follow his teachings, and wish the master to achieve his grand ambitions."

  Ding Lingxiu smiled and said:

  "After all, I still have to thank General Zhang for his help and for patiently listening to my chatter. I'm deeply grateful."

  He took out another pack of cigarettes from his bag, lit it with a snap, and the flame burst forth, revealing a red glow at the tip. Ding Lingxiu took a drag on the cigarette and handed one to the Corpse Eater:

  "Want one?"

  The Corpse Demon was stunned, staring at Ding Lingyu in surprise:

  "Young master, may I ask what is this thing?"

  Ding Lingxiu suddenly remembered that Wu Jing's generation should not have had cigarettes yet, and what he did was really a bit mischievous.

  Ding Lingxiu scratched his head and smiled in response:

  "Hey, something that makes you feel as comfortable as a god."

  The ghoul waved its hand and replied with a serious expression:

  "Thank you, young master, but I'm afraid I don't have the good fortune to enjoy it."

  Ding Lingxiu looked at him and said:

  "All right, it's better that way. You go back first then, and I'll bring some of the best wine another day to share with you."

  At the mention of fine wine, the ghouls' expression slightly lit up with excitement, and they clasped their fists together saying:

  "Alright, it's settled then, young master. I'll take my leave now and will surely get drunk with you again tomorrow."

  Ding Lingxiu used his slender fingers to pinch the cigarette, and the Corpse Eater transformed into a crimson mist in the swirling smoke, merging into the Hundred Ghosts Painting.

  Ding Lingxiu gazed at the gathering of eerie aura in the Hundred Ghosts Painting, seemingly lost in thought.

  In the blink of an eye, the enemy is killed without a trace.

  Don't ask for reasons, don't seek explanations.

  All he had to do was complete his master's command, perhaps this was the stubborn loyalty of that era, or perhaps it was the foolish faith of that era. And today, people have become eager for quick success and instant benefits, deceiving each other, is this really what they call progress? As time passes, the heroic spirit of this generation seems to remain unchanged, this chivalrous spirit, regardless of right or wrong, is worthy of respect.

  Ding Lingxiu was puffing on his cigarette, feeling that his thoughts were very profound, when he suddenly discovered the cruel scene at his feet made his hair stand on end:

  Just now still jumping and leaping, the quail is now bloody and mangled, half of its skull is gone, instead it was squeezed out from the flesh by that kick when the ghouls fell down earlier. The entire face is twisted and tightly squeezed onto this flat piece of flesh. Eyeballs are hanging outside, the eerie blood has flowed through the gaps everywhere, forming a terrifying pattern.

  This kind of demon that was directly annihilated at the level of a demonic fiend would have its demonic energy vanish into thin air the moment its body died. At this time, Ding Ling had already lost all sense of Qi Tui's presence.

  Ding Lingxiu had originally wanted to pray for Quan Ti's blessing, allowing her grudge to rest in peace. However, he hadn't expected that even this opportunity would be lost, and naturally, he wouldn't bother with those superficial acts anymore.

  He held the cigarette in his mouth, rummaging through the haunted house for half a day, wanting to find a container that could hold the cuckoo's blood. After turning over boxes and cabinets for a long time, he finally found an iron drink can similar to a portable wine package. Ding Lingxiu was a bit thirsty, thinking of drinking it all at once, but to be on the safe side, he poured the drink inside onto the ground. Then he extracted blood from the cuckoo's body that had been split in two.

  Before, when Ding Lingxiu needed to collect the blood of the cuckoo, he would always look for one that had just died, and then collect it, because he couldn't bear to take life. Often, in order to get a cuckoo's corpse, Ding Lingxiu would have to wait by the cuckoo's nest for several months. That's why Ding Lingxiu treasured blood like gold, and didn't dare waste even a bit. Last time when Xia Xianyao chased him and he spilled some, it pained him to death.

  But this opportunity was rare, and this time there was a corpse of the King of Turtledove right in front of him. Although he couldn't subdue it, which was somewhat regrettable, at least it wasn't a complete loss. Since things had already happened, one should look on the bright side, Ding Lingxiu firmly believed this. He filled a jar to the brim with King of Turtledove blood and carefully placed it in his backpack, feeling half-joyful and half-worried.

  After finishing the Du Juan blood, he extinguished the cigarette butt and walked slowly towards Guo Mohan.

  As he drew closer, he heard the even breathing sound and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Apparently, Guo Mohan was still alive, just fainted. The nearby Jiao Nang, although his demonic powers were scattered, also had no major problems.

  Ding Lingxiu gazed at Guo Mohan, and despite his arms still aching in pain, he couldn't help but feel the desires that all men have.

  Guo Mohan's pink hair clip seemed to have fallen off in the battle, and her beautiful raven-black hair was completely spread out on the ground under the dim light, soft and scattered. Her captivating cold eyes were now completely closed, with long eyelashes trembling slightly, and her lips moved as if she were murmuring or struggling. Under her high and delicate nose was her lovely small mouth, although her lips were a bit pale and there was a thread of blood at the corner of her mouth, but this stunning beauty's sleeping posture still made any man blush and heartbeat, and Ding Lingxiu naturally wouldn't be an exception.

  What's more, Guo Mohan was disheveled at the moment, and this half-concealed posture was actually the most seductive. Her snow-white collar was half-open due to the intense battle with Huang Niu Jing earlier, revealing her fair chest and the jade rabbit in front of it.

  Ding Lingxiu suppressed his evil thoughts, swallowed hard, and slowly turned around to walk towards Huang Niu Jing.

  Because next is what he must do.

  Only the four violent dragon leeches on Huang Niu's body seemed to have sucked blood to the limit, and they didn't even move anymore. They just hung satisfactorily in front of Huang Niu's chest, like four blood-red sausages.

  Huang Niu Jing's face had turned deathly pale, his two large bull eyes had rolled back, and he was lying motionless on the ground in a big character shape. The weak demonic aura all over his body was faint, apparently, it wouldn't be long before his primordial spirit would collapse.

  Ding Lingxiu looked at him and felt a little sympathy, but this thought flashed by in an instant. He remembered his father's words again:

  "Our line of work is cruel, it's for survival."

  He took out a lighter and scorched the tail of the violent leech, this terrifying large worm suddenly convulsed, loosening its sharp teeth that were firmly biting on Huang Niu's wound, rolling off and falling down.

  The same method was used and the other three also fell down.

  The wound had already been gnawed through by these terrifying flesh worms, even exposing the white bones inside.

  Ding Lingxu took out the Hundred Ghosts Diagram, preparing to subdue the Yellow Ox Demon.

  At this time, his mobile phone rang.

  He took out his phone and looked at the caller ID, but was stunned for a moment. Why would it be him? How could he have called me on his own initiative?

  The contact's name is: Guage