Chapter Forty-Three: Zombies

Three days later, at night, the sky was shrouded in darkness, with neither stars nor moon.

Li Yang sat cross-legged in a concealed corner not far from Master Ren’s residence; this was already his third consecutive night posted here. Though he was well-versed in the plot, sometimes even the smallest error could turn the story upside down. For the sake of his plans, such a significant matter could not tolerate even a hint of negligence.

Li Yang had coveted the Ren family’s influence for quite some time. The Ren clan was a prominent family in Guangdong, with numerous branches and business ventures spread across the land. Master Ren of Ren Town was but a minor branch. If he could save Master Ren’s life tonight, and leverage his connections to open up networks, it would be best to secure a share in their affairs.

Most importantly, Master Ren had only one daughter. If Li Yang could obtain the Ren family’s wealth and connections, it would be of immense benefit for his cultivation ahead. On the path of cultivation, wealth, methods, land, and companions are all indispensable—especially in this era when spiritual energy is scarce; resources are a vital part of the journey.

“Thump, thump, thump…”

It was nearly midnight when, suddenly, a dense fog rose out of nowhere, and from the nearby street came a dull, rhythmic thudding, like muffled drums. Li Yang peered into the mist.

He saw a shadow, clad in a Qing dynasty robe, emerging from the fog, moving steadily toward the Ren family’s manor.

Seeing this, Li Yang quickly held his breath, suppressed all his energy, and silently followed, keeping to the shadows. Sure enough, as they reached the outer wall of the Ren residence, the shadow halted, its decaying nose twitching twice before it leapt, clearing the two-meter-high wall in a single bound.

“Crash… Ah!”

“Help…”

Li Yang, not far behind, vaulted over the wall as well. He arrived just in time to see the shadow burst through the study’s glass window, cornering Master Ren against the wall. In his heart, Li Yang thought: This is my chance!

“Wretched creature, cease your insolence!”

With a thunderous shout, Li Yang darted into the study like a swift stallion, a mere blur. His hands swept out and gripped the shadow, hurling it out in an instant.

“Master Ren! Are you alright?” Li Yang turned back to the panic-stricken Master Ren and asked gently.

“Th-thank you, Master. What… what is that…” Master Ren, relieved yet trembling, pointed with a shaking finger at the zombie outside the door. Though he had traveled widely and seen much in his lifetime, he had never encountered such a terrifying ordeal.

“I warned you days ago—there was something wrong with Old Master Ren’s corpse. If not dealt with promptly, disaster would follow. If I hadn’t come tonight on a whim, things might have gone terribly awry.” Li Yang sighed, gazing at the zombie outside.

“But… but didn’t Uncle Nine say there was nothing to worry about?” Master Ren’s face was filled with suspicion and confusion.

“One’s life and livelihood cannot be entrusted to others. Uncle Nine is indeed highly skilled, but even masters slip, and horses stumble. Especially when dealing with evil spirits—such matters are no trifling affair; a single mistake can bring calamity beyond imagining!” Li Yang said solemnly, watching the shadow beyond the door.

“You’re right, Master. I was indeed reckless,” Master Ren replied, still shaken. Thinking how close he had come to death, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

“Roar…”

At that moment, the shadow, sprawled on the ground, rose again. Sensing the blazing vitality emanating from Li Yang, it bellowed fiercely, spun around, and tried to flee through the door.

“Wretched thing… such intelligence! If you escape today, you’ll bring harm to the region. Submit to your fate now!”

“Cluck, cluck, cluck…”

Seeing Old Master Ren’s corpse attempt to flee, Li Yang couldn’t help but marvel at the zombie’s potential. Ordinary zombies could never possess such wit.

With a wave, the Furious Phoenix Chicken soared into the air, crowing loudly. Its comb, like a fiery lotus, blazed brilliantly in the night sky, drawing all eyes.

“Splutter, splutter…”

“Roar!!”

A golden-red wave of purifying light radiated from the chicken’s comb. In an instant, Old Master Ren’s corpse seemed scorched by the sun, emitting foul, white smoke and a series of agonized shrieks.

“This creature’s vitality is truly tenacious,” Li Yang murmured, frowning as he watched Old Master Ren continue to struggle despite being struck by the purifying light.

After three years of cultivation, the Furious Phoenix Chicken was now far beyond its former self. Its purifying light could sweep away a hundred evils; any ordinary ghost of a century would be reduced to ashes if struck. Yet Old Master Ren’s corpse, only recently transformed into a zombie, was still moving after being struck, a testament to its unusual vitality.

“Hmph! However skilled or fortunate you may be, you cannot withstand my powers. Who says divine abilities cannot overcome fate? Tonight, I’ll shatter this misconception!” Li Yang snorted coldly, glanced at the pitch-black sky, and bit his finger. Instantly, a drop of thick, magma-like blood radiated scorching heat in the blackness.

“Go…”

“Roar…”

With a flick, the blood flew from Li Yang’s fingertip, landing directly on Old Master Ren’s brow and boring a pea-sized black hole. Old Master Ren howled in agony and collapsed.

“Cluck, cluck, cluck!!!” Seeing the corpse fall, the Furious Phoenix Chicken soared up, inhaled deeply, and the corpse’s grayish-yellow, earth-tainted death aura rose and was swallowed into its belly.

After a satisfied burp, the Furious Phoenix Chicken’s form shrank rapidly in midair, landing on Li Yang’s shoulder, eyes narrowed in utter contentment.

“Thank goodness you arrived in time, Master; otherwise, I might have ended up joining my father. Such a life-saving grace cannot be repaid. I will visit you soon with proper thanks,” Master Ren said gratefully, watching as Old Master Ren’s corpse faded into dust on the wind.

“You’re too kind, Master Ren. Tonight was a fortunate coincidence—fate decreed your survival. Since the danger has passed and it’s late, I’ll take my leave and not disturb your rest.” With a polite bow, Li Yang departed with a calm air. With a few swift movements, he vanished from Master Ren’s sight.

“A true expert—so young, too. And he said he wasn’t a Daoist…” Master Ren stroked his short beard, deep in thought as he watched Li Yang disappear.

…

Meanwhile, by the time Li Yang returned to the manor, dawn was approaching. He refrained from disturbing Lady He and Jin Ling, scaled the wall into the courtyard, sat cross-legged on the platform, summoned the Furious Phoenix Chicken, and began to help it digest the corpse aura within.