Chapter Ninety-One: The Return of the Ghostly Soldiers

When Wan’er said this, I felt a pang in my heart. I didn’t care much when others criticized me—I’d grown numb to it—but when it was Shangguan Wan’er and Wei Qi, their words stung deeply.

"Wan’er, what do you know?" Her comment made me feel I’d gone too far, but I stubbornly tried to defend myself.

"Brother, what do you mean I don’t understand? I know you care deeply for Sister Wang Ying, but what difference does that make? It’s not like we haven’t tried everything to find her. We’ve all done our best. Besides, there’s always tomorrow—plenty of chances ahead! Who knows, maybe one day Sister Wang Ying will come back. But look at yourself now—if she saw you like this, do you think she’d feel any better?" Wang Ying chimed in from the side.

"I… I…" For a moment, I was at a loss for words. It did seem like I’d made a mistake.

"Brother, pull yourself together. Clean yourself up and get ready to save that little girl—she’s a life in need of your help," Wan’er squatted down, shaking my arm gently.

"I…"

"Come on, I’ll go with you. What’s love compared to this? I haven’t seen Ziyi in two thousand years, but I’ve managed to survive! Stand up. Be strong," Shangguan Wan’er pulled me to my feet.

I suddenly woke up. Yes! How could I sink so low? How could I treat life as a joke? I was sure Wang Ying was watching over me from somewhere nearby. I had to save that girl. I stood up, ready to leave.

Wan’er grabbed me; "No need to rush out like that! Wash your face, shave, tidy your hair, and change your clothes first." That girl forced me onto the sofa, fetched a basin of water, and handed me a towel.

While I washed my face, Shangguan Wan’er brought me my razor and a clean set of clothes, then went out to call Wei Qi.

By the time Wei Qi arrived at my house, I’d cleaned up. Seeing the change in me, he happily threw his arm around my shoulder, saying, "Good man, well done."

Shangguan Wan’er insisted on coming along, and I couldn’t stop her. Fine, let her come—she was now doubly protected; apart from her body being cold, she was no different from anyone else.

Wei Qi drove straight toward the town of Shili Pu, Yishui. On the way, he called Li Danian, who said he and several other yin-yang masters were at Chen Hao’s house.

Wei Qi told me that Li Danian was especially pleased to hear I was coming.

It was already late at night when we arrived at Yueyue’s home. The scene was chaotic—everything was a mess, as if a storm had passed through. Yueyue was tied to the sofa. She was nothing like when I’d seen her a few days ago—her face was no longer pale but flushed pink, her eyes had turned red, and between her brows a vermilion mole had faintly appeared. Her hair floated unnaturally, drifting in all directions. Her gaze was fierce and sinister. When she moved her lips, two sharp canine teeth showed, and her bound hands had changed too—her nails were long and pointed.

It seemed Li Danian was right; the girl was on the verge of mastering the Yin-Absorbing Art. I felt ashamed for arriving too late.

When Li Danian saw me, he pulled me aside. "Dachuan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that."

"Master, you’re my elder. When it comes to matters of right and wrong, you could scold or even strike me, and it’d be justified," I replied, blushing with shame.

"Dachuan, let’s not dwell on that. The situation is dire. She’s only one step away from fully mastering the Yin-Absorbing Art. If we don’t put an end to this tonight, we’ll lose her for good."

"Master, tell me what I must do." I had steeled myself—if it cost me my life, I would still save Yueyue. After all, Wang Ying was no longer at my side.

Li Danian lowered his head and sighed softly, "The energy has already entered her bloodstream—it’s very difficult now. The most effective way is for you two to share a bed; your essence and blood would enter her body, dispelling her yin energy."

This troubled me greatly. Even though Wang Ying was gone, I couldn’t bear to betray her. Besides, Yueyue was just a fifteen-year-old girl. Regardless of the reason, I’d have to answer for what I did. I’d never thought of this before.

"Master, is there any other way?" I asked.

"There is, but it will harm you," Li Danian hesitated.

"Tell me, Master. I can handle it."

"You could transfuse your blood into her. That would have the same effect."

"I’m willing. Get a doctor. Let’s do it now." It was so simple—of all things, I had plenty of blood to spare. Someone who relies on blood to nourish spirits shouldn’t fear losing a little.

"Dachuan, you might have to lose quite a lot, and your blood is precious—it regenerates slowly. It could cause you harm. Perhaps I should try to persuade her parents to let you two share a bed?"

Li Danian was right—sharing a bed would be easy and even somewhat pleasurable for me. But it was immoral. It wouldn’t be fair to anyone.

"Master, just get someone to draw my blood. I can take it." My mind was made up. If I lost a little, so be it—as long as Yueyue could survive.

Li Danian nodded and patted me on the shoulder. "Dachuan, I have faith in you."

Soon a doctor was found, and my blood was slowly drawn. No wonder Li Danian hesitated—it was a lot, a full thousand cc.

"Brother, are you okay?" Shangguan Wan’er stood by my side, holding my hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Wan’er, I’m fine. I’m strong," I said, my heart softening at the sight of her ready tears.

"All of you, listen! Let me go right now, or I’ll bite you all to death!" As the doctor transfused my blood into Yueyue, the girl flew into a rage. Her hair stood on end, her eyes turning almost completely crimson.

Bang!

Just then, the door burst open. A line of soldiers stood in the doorway.

"Yin soldiers?" Before I could see clearly, Wei Qi spoke. When I looked closely, I saw it was indeed a troop of yin soldiers, dozens of them.

"Li Danian, Wang Dachuan, you dare interfere with the cultivation of the pure yin maiden? Come out and die!" The yin soldiers parted, and Zhao Laosao stepped forward.

Wasn’t that brute dead? How was he alive again? What was happening?

"Zhao Laosao, aren’t you dead?" Wei Qi asked first.

"Not so easily! I’m a first-class general of the yin spirits," Zhao Laosao replied, shaking himself and darting inside in a flash. With a thud, the doctor transfusing blood to Yueyue was split in two by a single blow. He moved so fast I couldn’t even see it.

After just a few days, Zhao Laosao had become this powerful? I’d clearly seen him die in the Underworld City, yet here he was, alive and now a general among the yin soldiers. Damn!

Zhao Laosao grabbed Yueyue’s hand and darted off, disappearing after a few leaps.

"After them! No matter what, we can’t let Yueyue return to the graveyard tonight. If she completes her cultivation, no human will be able to stop her," Li Danian called out, and the yin-yang masters with him charged outside, but the yin soldiers blocked their way.

Li Danian and the others were indeed powerful—their spells and tools were impressive—but there were too many yin soldiers. They simply couldn’t handle them all. Even if they could defeat them given enough time, they would lose the chance—what mattered now was catching Zhao Laosao as quickly as possible to stop Yueyue from mastering the Yin-Absorbing Art.

"Master Li, everyone, step aside. I’ll use the Thunderbolt Palm on them," I said, struggling to get to my feet.

"Brother, are you sure you can do it?" Shangguan Wan’er hurriedly supported me.

"I must. If I can’t do it now, all will be lost." Time was too tight; I had no choice.

Li Danian, Wei Qi, and the others quickly stepped back. I gathered all my remaining strength, channeling it into my palm, and struck out with everything I had.

With a deafening boom, most of the yin soldiers in the courtyard were blasted away—some reduced to dust. Seeing the scene, I felt a wave of relief; despite my blood loss, I could still use the Thunderbolt Palm.

But before I could even finish the thought, a wave of nausea swept over me, my body went limp, and I collapsed to my knees. A metallic taste filled my throat, and, unable to stop myself, I spat out a mouthful of blood.