Chapter 177: Again Encountering the Five-Star Wanted Criminal

Chen Xiuyuan asked, "I've heard of the Huajian Sect. It was once the largest sect in the Northern Deserts but was wiped out overnight. Decades have passed, and few people still remember the Huajian Sect, nor does anyone know how it was truly destroyed back then. Was it perhaps because of the Zombie Art?"

Yu Chi Feng nodded slightly and said, "The Zombie Art is very powerful, but its drawbacks are too obvious. Practitioners become neither human nor ghost. Most crucially, they need to constantly consume living human blood to dispel the cold poison, and the deeper their cultivation, the more human blood they require.

Back then, after He Changqing began cultivating the secret manual, the Northern Deserts plunged into chaos, with lives being destroyed. Initially, no one noticed, until several village massacres occurred, which finally alerted various factions, prompting them to start investigating.

At that time, no one suspected He Changqing because he was a grandmaster of his generation and the leader of the Northern Deserts martial arts world. The major sects and the Six Doors actively investigated the culprits, but since He Changqing himself was leading the investigation, how could there be any results? The matter dragged on for a full year, and the Six Doors even offered a reward of ten thousand taels of silver."

Chen Xiuyuan said, "I actually saw mention of this in the Six Doors' records. It was the biggest wanted criminal case in the Northern Deserts in the past fifty years, and the criminal was dubbed 'The Zombie'."

Yu Chi Feng nodded, "Yes, 'The Zombie'. At the time, no one knew about the Ice Soul Golden Body martial art. It was just that the victims' bodies looked as if they had been drained of blood by a legendary zombie, so the culprit was named 'The Zombie'.

It wasn't until over a year later that Bai Qiliao, the former sect leader of Qiongshan, the old sect leader, traced 'The Zombie' to He Changqing. He secretly informed the major sects, and at that time, a total of seventy-eight martial arts masters gathered. I also participated then."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuyuan frowned and asked, "So, you wiped out the entire Huajian Sect?"

Yu Chi Feng shook his head, "No, we didn't destroy the sect. At the time, to prevent any leaks, the seventy-eight of us met in secret. But we never imagined that He Changqing had already reached the final stage of the Zombie Art, progressing from a Silver Zombie to the perfected Golden Zombie realm. To further his cultivation, he massacred his entire family, leaving no one alive.

When we arrived, bodies were strewn everywhere, and He Changqing was in a state of transformation. He went berserk the moment he saw us. Including Sect Leader Bai, who gathered us, there were seventy-nine of us attacking He Changqing.

At that time, He Changqing was far more powerful than these Dragon-Tiger Twins. Out of the seventy-nine of us, only a dozen survived to finally kill him. Afterward, in a secret chamber within the Huajian Sect, we found some of He Changqing's notes on the Zombie Art, which was how we learned about the cultivation method.

At the time, we unanimously agreed that the Zombie Art was an affront to heaven and earth, so we burned it on the spot, unread by anyone. That's why I say this Zombie Art should not exist in this world."

Chen Xiuyuan asked, "Are you certain it was completely destroyed?"

"Yes," Yu Chi Feng replied, "I can confirm it. When we entered the secret chamber, we were all together. The manual was in a box; no one opened it when it was taken out; it was immediately burned. Afterward, we even set fire to the entire building.

Very few in the martial arts world know about this incident because out of the seventy-nine people who went, only seventeen returned alive. It was also after that battle that the Northern Deserts martial arts world entered a period of decline, as many sects' unique skills could not be passed down in time.

Speaking of which, the current rampant evil practices in the Northern Deserts are largely due to that battle, where many righteous masters were killed or wounded. Even I, who was once unremarkable in the Northern Deserts martial arts world, can now be called a respected veteran!"

At this, Yu Chi Feng chuckled self-deprecatingly. Evidently, he was still affected by the fact that he had brought so many disciples to corner the Dragon-Tiger Twins, only to nearly be wiped out himself.

Chen Xiuyuan asked, puzzled, "Then, if what you say is true, the Zombie Art should be completely lost. Why do these Dragon-Tiger Twins still possess it?"

Yu Chi Feng shook his head, "That's also what puzzles me."

Gu Chutong asked, "Then, have there been any other incidents of people being drained of blood in the Northern Deserts martial arts world over the years?"

Yu Chi Feng shook his head, "I'm not sure. To be honest, ever since that battle, the Northern Deserts martial arts world has been in disarray. It was only a few years ago, after the old sect leader Bai Qiliao stepped down and passed on his position, that he had free time and traveled around, mediating between various factions. Only then did the Northern Deserts become slightly more peaceful. There were fewer battles between major sects. Before, not only were evil practices rampant, but even righteous sects fought among themselves daily.

Under such circumstances, each major sect looked after its own affairs. How would they notice if someone in the martial arts world was being drained of blood? Unless there were massacres of entire villages or clans. But even with village massacres, very little could be done. Take these Dragon-Tiger Twins, for example; they committed many village massacres, but they always covered their tracks. If you weren't looking for signs of blood-draining, you wouldn't notice the issue at all. It's not like the old days, when the martial arts world was peaceful, and everyone would notice even the slightest disturbance."

Chen Xiuyuan said, "There are three possibilities. First, although you destroyed the Zombie Art manual back then, He Changqing might have left copies elsewhere. Second, He Changqing might have had disciples who survived the catastrophe. Third, He Changqing didn't die and is still alive. Of course, the third possibility is the least likely."

For a moment, some nodded in agreement with Chen Xiuyuan's words, while others pondered.

Yu Chi Feng said, "The third is impossible, because I personally witnessed He Changqing being killed, and we ourselves burned his body."

"Brother, which possibility do you think it is?" Gu Chutong asked.

Gu Mo subtly replied, "The third one."

"Huh? Why?"

Gu Chutong was very puzzled by Gu Mo's answer because the third possibility seemed extremely remote, almost zero, to all of them.

Gu Mo didn't answer. He didn't know how to explain, because he had received a system notification:

New target detected.Wanted Target: The ZombieMission Level: Five-starMission Reward: Max-level Eight Heavenly Blades

This mission was not simple; it was the third five-star mission Gu Mo had encountered, and its reward was extraordinary. It was a versatile and incredibly dominant blade technique. Each of the eight 'jue' contained ten blades, totaling eighty blades, and all eight were profoundly mysterious.

Beyond the eight 'jue', there was one ultimate blade—a legendary, supreme heavenly blade that could shock heaven and earth and make ghosts weep. Whoever witnessed it was doomed to die.

Regarding why the Zombie Art still existed, those present didn't debate the matter much. Furthermore, Yu Chi Feng had sustained considerable injuries and lacked the energy for further small talk.

Chen Xiuyuan immediately arranged for people to clear the battlefield.

The bodies of the Dragon-Tiger Twins certainly had to be taken back for accountability. Additionally, the situation in Dawang Village needed to be thoroughly investigated.

Gu Mo did not participate in the subsequent matters. He simply led his horse out of Dawang Village, though Gu Chutong went to help.

But it wasn't long before Gu Chutong ran out, vomiting wildly.

Not only Gu Chutong, but several Six Doors constables also ran out, gagging and throwing up loudly.

In truth, both Gu Chutong and the constables were experienced and often involved in battles, having witnessed many gory scenes. Yet, they were still shocked by the horrific state of Dawang Village.

"Brother..."Gu Chutong gently patted his chest and said, "I probably won't be able to eat for days. It's so disgusting, you have no idea what was in there... Ugh..."

Gu Chutong went to vomit again, then said, "There was human head soup in the large pot, human skin blankets on the beds, hair and fingers scattered everywhere, and pregnant women's bellies had been ripped open..."

"Alright, alright," Gu Mo waved his hand. "If you keep describing it, you'll just think about it again and you'll be throwing up bile soon."

Gu Chutong took a sip of water, rinsed his mouth, spat it out, and said, "I just suddenly feel that those two guys died too easily. Could humans really do such things?"

Gu Mo gently patted Gu Chutong's shoulder and said, "Some people are merely beasts in human skin. This world is vast, and there are many people. Heinous acts are countless; there's nothing you can imagine that hasn't been done."

Gu Chutong wiped his mouth and said, "Brother, let's go back. I need a few days to recover. I really shouldn't have gone in."

Gu Mo nodded, "Let's go to Changling County. It's a good opportunity; I need to ask Brother Zhuo to investigate He Changqing."

"Brother, do you really think He Changqing isn't dead?" Gu Chutong asked, surprised.

Gu Mo slowly said, "Regardless of whether He Changqing is dead or not, it's pretty much confirmed that these Dragon-Tiger Twins cultivated the Zombie Art. No one can guarantee that no one else besides them has also practiced it. There's a high probability someone is behind them.

Didn't Yu Shijiu say that he fought the Dragon-Tiger Twins a year ago, and back then they only had great strength but didn't know the Zombie Art? This means they achieved this level of Zombie Art cultivation within this past year. Without assistance, with just a manual, such a specialized martial art would be difficult to even begin practicing in ten years.

Furthermore, we need to ask Brother Zhuo to investigate whether there have been any blood-draining incidents in the Northern Deserts over the years, besides these Dragon-Tiger Twins. All in all, we have to investigate, don't we?"

"That's true."

The Dawang Village incident took a long time to process. Chen Xiuyuan, along with the Six Doors constables, dug many graves and buried the bodies of the tragically deceased villagers before taking the Dragon-Tiger Twins' bodies and leaving.

That day, they first returned to Hanyadu Town, then set off the next morning to return to Changling County.

Early in the morning, the Six Doors team was busy packing their belongings, preparing to depart.

In the courtyard, Gu Chutong, carrying his satchel, asked, "Shijiu, are you really not coming with us to Changling County?"

Yu Shijiu subtly shook his head.

Gu Chutong said, "Actually, it doesn't matter if you don't join the Six Doors. I can tell my brother quite admires you and is willing to guide you. Why don't you just come with us?"

Yu Shijiu's eyes lit up, but after a moment of contemplation, he still shook his head slightly, saying dejectedly, "Sister Chutong, I can't leave this desert."

Gu Chutong asked, puzzled, "Can't leave? Why? Didn't you say you have no family? Is there anything else keeping you here?"

Yu Shijiu subtly shook his head again, remaining silent.

Just then, the Six Doors team outside had finished getting ready. Gu Mo called out, "Let's go, Chutong."

Gu Chutong looked at Yu Shijiu, saw he was unmoved, and without another word, shouldered his satchel and exited.

Yu Shijiu stood up and walked to the courtyard gate, staring intently at Gu Mo, who was on horseback.

Gu Mo suddenly turned his head, smiled faintly, unfastened the longsword from his waist, tossed it to Yu Shijiu, and said, "Brother Yu, this sword is for you, a memento.In truth, you have already found your path. It's just that you are still somewhat muddled. I hope this sword can help you cut through the confusion ahead, and I hope that the next time we meet, you will have clearly seen your path."

Yu Shijiu caught the longsword Gu Mo threw. The moment he grasped it, he sensed a powerful sword intent.

By the time he looked up, Gu Mo and his group had already ridden far away.

Vast yellow sand stretched endlessly as the red sun began to rise.

"Brother, what is Shijiu's sword path?"

"Following his heart."

"Then why did you say he was muddled?"

"Because his inner self is bound by something. So, he can't follow his heart; he has found his path, but he hasn't been able to truly step onto it."