160: Corpse Demon Sect again

The next three days of travel were quite peaceful. The intelligence Qin Feng received daily gradually began to involve more details about the Medicine King Valley and some seemingly unrelated gossip, giving him a more comprehensive understanding of the behemoth he was about to face.

[White Intelligence: The Medicine King Valley is not a monolith internally, vaguely divided into the “Reclusive Faction” and the “Emergent Faction.” The Reclusive Faction advocates strictly adhering to ancestral teachings, avoiding external affairs, and focusing on researching the Dao of Medicine; the Emergent Faction believes the Dao of Medicine should benefit the world and that they should appropriately interact with the outside world to gain resources and influence. The philosophies of the two factions often clash.]

[White Intelligence: The only gateway for the Medicine King Valley's external communication is “Xixia Town,” located on the outskirts of the Misty Mountain Range. This town is managed by the Medicine King Valley's Outer Sect Disciples and some affiliated Families.]

[White Intelligence: Although Xixia Town is small, it is quite prosperous. External merchant teams frequently travel there to trade common Medicinal Pills and medicinal ingredients flowing out of the Medicine King Valley for daily necessities, rare metals, and other Cultivation resources.]

[Yellow Intelligence: The Mayor of Xixia Town is one of the Medicine King Valley's Outer Sect Elders. His cultivation is Mid-stage Martial King, and he is primarily responsible for external liaison and town defense. He is one of the core figures of the “Emergent Faction.”]

This information revolved in Qin Feng's mind. The division between the Reclusive and Emergent Factions might provide a loophole for negotiation. Xixia Town, as the gateway, was their first stop within the Medicine King Valley's territory, and the attitude of that Outer Sect Elder was crucial.

The carriage traveled along a slightly rugged mountain road. The woods on both sides deepened, already showing the atmosphere of a desolate wilderness. According to the intelligence estimate, they would approach the outskirts of the Misty Mountain Range in another two or three days.

Just as he was pondering, a piercing cry for help suddenly came from the bend in the road ahead:

“Help me—!!”

They saw a ragged, blood-stained middle-aged man staggering frantically toward the carriage, clutching a little girl, about seven or eight years old, who was unconscious and pale blue. His eyes were filled with despair.

About ten Zhang behind them, two 'people' with stiff yet incredibly swift movements, whose skin was a strange bluish-black and whose eye sockets flickered with faint green flames, were chasing them, roaring and extending sharp claws tipped with long, black fingernails! Their appearance was identical to the Bronze Corpses they had seen previously at Luofeng Slope!

Further back, a figure dressed in a black robe and holding a Soul Summoning Banner followed unhurriedly, emitting a sinister “hehe” laugh. His aura was clearly that of a Grand Martial Master Realm.

The Corpse Demon Sect again!

“Stop the carriage!” Qin Feng shouted, and Xia Ya immediately pulled hard on the reins.

Without needing to say more, Qin Feng's figure floated up from the carriage shafts like a wisp of smoke, drawing a line with a finger in mid-air!

Whoosh—!

A solidified Finger Wind, carrying Hunyuan Sword Qi, shot through the air. It arrived later but struck first, precisely sweeping across the necks of the two Bronze Corpses.

There was no earth-shattering noise. The charging movements of the two Bronze Corpses suddenly froze. The next moment, their heads rolled to the ground with a rumble, the green flames in their eye sockets instantly extinguished, and their headless torsos swayed, fell to the ground, and remained motionless.

The black-robed Cultivator's laughter abruptly stopped. He looked in terror at the instantly killed Bronze Corpses, then at Qin Feng, who lightly landed. Sensing the unfathomable aura emanating from Qin Feng, he was immediately Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering and turned to flee into the forest.

“Sister Xue,” Qin Feng said calmly.

A black figure darted out from the carriage roof like a phantom. Almost simultaneously with the black-robed Cultivator turning around, a cold gleam flashed past the back of his neck.

The black-robed Cultivator stumbled forward a few steps, then collapsed dejectedly, blood gushing out. The Soul Summoning Banner in his hand also rolled to the side.

In a flash of lightning, the pursuers were all annihilated.

The middle-aged man clutching the girl collapsed in front of the carriage, exhausted, kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down his face: “Th-thank you, Benefactors! This is a life-saving kindness!”

Qin Feng stepped forward, transferring a gentle stream of True Qi into the man's body to stabilize his chaotic breathing. He asked in a deep voice, “What happened? Where are you from? Why is the Corpse Demon Sect chasing you?”

The man caught his breath and urgently said, “I am the Village Chief of Green Ox Village, twenty Li ahead! Those damned Devil Heads suddenly rushed into the village this morning, killing everyone they saw, and using Evil Methods to turn the dead into those monsters! They... they are slaughtering the village!”

He tightly hugged the little girl, his Granddaughter, who had a weak breath, sobbing uncontrollably: “There are... there are still many people in the village who haven't escaped! I beg you, Benefactors, heroes, please save the villagers of Green Ox Village! I will kowtow to you!” As he spoke, he prepared to heavily knock his head on the ground.

Qin Feng quickly supported him, exchanging glances with Ji Ruxue, Xia Ya, and Xiao Chun, who had gotten off the carriage upon hearing the commotion.

Village slaughter! The Corpse Demon Sect again! These inhumane Evil Cultivators are like maggots clinging to bones!

“Village Chief, please get up first.” Qin Feng's tone was decisive. “Which direction is Green Ox Village? Lead the way!”

“Big Brother Qin!” Xiao Chun looked at the girl, whose face was pale blue and clearly suffering from Corpse Poison, and quickly said, “This child has been poisoned, she must be treated first!”

Qin Feng nodded: “Xiao Chun, you immediately detoxify the child. Village Chief, point the way. Xia Ya, protect Xiao Chun and the Village Chief's Granddaughter and follow shortly. Sister Xue, let's go ahead!”

“Yes!” Xia Ya responded without hesitation, instantly entering combat stance, holding her shield to protect Xiao Chun.

Ji Ruxue said nothing more, her figure already darting out alongside Qin Feng.

The Village Chief pointed in a direction, tears streaming down his face: “Just over there, you can see the village once you cross that small hill ahead!”

Qin Feng and Ji Ruxue exchanged glances, their Movement Techniques fully deployed. Like two streaks of wind, they sped toward Green Ox Village.

Twenty Li of road, for two Martial Kings, was reached in the blink of an eye. Before they even crossed the hill, the heavy smell of blood and charring smoke drifted over with the wind, mixed with tragic wails, monstrous roars, and arrogant, sinister laughter.

The two swept over the hilltop and looked down.

The small village, originally peaceful in the mountain hollow, had now turned into a purgatory. Fires raged in multiple houses, sending up thick black smoke. Dozens of stiff-moving Zombies roamed the village, pouncing and biting. Seven or eight black-robed Cultivators were scattered around; some shook bells to control the Corpse Horde, while others personally attacked, chasing down fleeing villagers. The leader among them, whose aura had reached the Early Stage Martial King Realm, was cackling strangely as he sent a resisting villager Martial Artist flying back, spitting blood, with a single palm strike.

On the open ground in the village, dozens of villagers' corpses lay fallen, some of which were twisting eerily, seemingly about to “awaken” and join the Corpse Horde.

“Three black-robed Cultivators: one Early Stage Martial King, two Peak Grand Martial Masters, and the rest are Martial Masters. Approximately sixty Zombies, mostly ordinary Walking Corpses, including five Bronze Corpses,” Ji Ruxue instantly reported the enemy count, her voice chillingly cold.

Killing intent boiled in Qin Feng's eyes. These Corpse Demon Sect Cultivators treat human lives like grass, their actions are utterly outrageous!

“Capture the king first to capture the bandits! Leave that Martial King to me. Quickly kill the remaining black-robed Cultivators and Bronze Corpses!” Qin Feng shouted. The ink plum sword was already in his hand, Hunyuan True Qi infused into it, causing the blade to hum clearly.

“Understood!” Ji Ruxue's figure instantly seemed to melt into the shadows and vanished.

The next moment, Qin Feng transformed into a streak of sword light, like a falling meteor, carrying unparalleled killing intent, and charged straight at the Corpse Demon Sect Martial King who was currently slaughtering the villagers!

The despairing night sky over Green Ox Village was suddenly torn apart by a brilliant streak of sword light!