Corpse Retriever.

Chapter 351

"Mulan shyly bowed and greeted Marshal He, 'Listen carefully!'"

As the lion hummed, he used a file to trim the leopard's nails.

Grandpa came down from upstairs, carrying a knife, a bow, a sword, and a gun on his back, with a row of throwing knives and two short blades hanging from his waist.

Having come from the Yu family's orphanage, how could she possibly be involved in a fight?

Although she has been studying and practicing diligently for decades, the constraints imposed by the bloodline of the demon beasts are far greater than those imposed on humans.

When the village needs to use force to do something, it is usually left to Lion and Leopard, while Grandpa is only responsible for daily management and planning.

Grandpa knew he wasn't talented in this area, but he had many hands and feet, so he tried to equip himself with as many weapons as possible.

Lion: "Grandpa, why don't you just..."

Grandpa: "Come on, let's go home!"

Lion wanted to dissuade him, but ultimately didn't say it.

Go home, to the Yu family, the place where they were born, and also the place they cherished as their final resting place.

Leopard stood up from Lion's lap, shook his body, and pressed his front paws to the floor, rubbing them back and forth to get used to the sharpness of his claws.

The lion stretched out a big yawn, tilted its head back, and opened its mouth. Considering that there were many important people in the village now, and fearing that it might disturb them, the lion did not roar.

Then, the two people and the leopard walked from the second floor to the first floor.

But on the ground floor, there was nowhere for them to land.

The lizards that were originally attached to the surrounding walls are now spread out on the ground, and their color has changed from blue to black with red edges. As they move rhythmically, it looks like black flames are burning fiercely.

Yu Dibei sat on the bench in the very center of the "flame".

The little yellow dog, lying in the young man's arms, turned over and looked towards the stairwell after hearing the noise.

In the past, the animals in the village would naturally feel awe and respect when they saw these three, including the little yellow dog.

But now, the little yellow dog's gaze towards them was very calm.

Instead, the three of them, still standing on the stairs, felt a terrifying, invisible pressure.

Grandpa couldn't stand up and collapsed to the ground, his eighteen kinds of weapons scattering everywhere with a clatter.

The leopard's limbs were trembling, while the lion was gripping the stair railing with both hands.

Grandpa's appeal to the youth:
"Dibei..."

The little yellow dog looked up and barked, "Woof!"

Yu Dibei slowly raised his head, his eyes were black, revealing a heart-wrenching despair.

Grandpa felt as if everything around him had disappeared, leaving only himself and the young man in front of him. A similar feeling also occurred to Lion and Leopard.

The northern landscape before them felt completely unfamiliar to the three old men.

Although Yu Dibei was already very strong, Lion Master and Leopard Master no longer dared to spar with him. Moreover, according to the Yu family tradition, his strength could increase even more after the Qili ceremony...

But where does this terrifying pressure come from?

Yu Dibei spoke up: "You, stay."

After saying that, Yu Dibei stood up, picked up the little yellow dog, and walked out of the wooden house. Wherever he went, the lizards on the ground parted to make way for him, as if the tide were receding.

Grandpa, Lion, and Leopard suddenly felt a sense of relief. Grandpa stood up and subconsciously wanted to walk down the stairs, but as soon as this intention appeared, the eyes of the lizards on the ground collectively turned red, and there was a faint but real fire ready to be lit.

This means that if they dare to try to leave, they and the house will be instantly burned to ashes.

The problem is that in the past, these lizards could only be used to decorate walls and released periodically to solve the village's mosquito problem; they simply did not have this ability.

Lion pointed at the group of lizards on the ground and said in disbelief:
"Their...bloodline...has changed."

……

"Wang~"

After leaving the wooden house, the little yellow dog barked softly once more.

The blackness in the young man's eyes faded, and he lowered his head somewhat blankly, looking at the little yellow dog in his arms. After a moment, the young man smiled.

“That’s great. Grandpa said they’re not going. They’re too old, it must be too dangerous there, and the village can’t do without them.”

The little yellow dog laughed too, its tail wagging happily.

Ming Yuwan led a group of people from the alliance towards this place.

After she was made Dragon King by Yu Dibei, the people in this alliance naturally took her as their leader.

Seeing Yu Dibei standing there with his dog, Ming Yuwan asked:
Where are Grandpa and the others?

Yu Dibei: "Grandpa said they're not going anymore."

Ming Yuwan frowned upon hearing this. Her grandfather and the others came from the Yu family. Even if they were low-level demon beasts and didn't know many of the Yu family's secrets, they were still familiar with the terrain and could act as guides.

Of course, everyone knows that given their advanced age and limited strength, they would most likely not survive entering the Yu family, which is currently in a complex situation.

Ming Yuwan: "They really aren't coming with us?"

That shouldn't be the case. Those three demonic beasts have deep feelings for the Yu family. Shouldn't they die in the Yu family even if it means their own death? Why have they suddenly become afraid of death?
Yu Dibei: "Yes, Grandpa said that the Yu family was very important in the past, but the Yu family will be even more important in the future."

This reason is reasonable and wise, but everyone present has extensive experience in navigating the river. How could they be so easily fooled?

"I'll go see what's going on."

The scarred man bypassed Yu Dibei, intending to go inside the wooden house.

Yu Dibei stepped aside, blocking the scarred man's path, and asked:
"Don't you trust what I say?"

The scarred man's gaze narrowed slightly.

Ming Yuwan said, "Alright, it's right that Grandpa and the others didn't go. We'll still need their help to rebuild the Yu family."

The problem was obvious, but Ming Yuwan was unwilling to break off relations at this time.

The scarred man smiled at Yu Dibei and stepped back.

Ming Yuwan looked at Yu Dibei and asked, "How are you? Are you nervous?"

Yu Dibei shook his head: "I also think I should be nervous, but I don't seem to be."

Ming Yuwan reached out and patted the young man on the shoulder, praising him, "Those who achieve great things need composure. You are very good."

A look of confusion crossed Yu Dibei's eyes: "Is that so..."

Ming Yuwan addressed the crowd:

"Let's go!"

There were twelve people when they arrived, and thirteen people plus a dog when they left.

After stepping out of the formation, a group of people immediately surrounded them outside the bridge arch; these were the team members they had previously arranged to stay outside.

The Liang sisters, Xu Ming, and Chen Jing quickly stood beside Zhao Yi.

Then, Yu Dibei, who was supposed to go to Ming Yuwan's team, went to Zhao Yi's side instead.

Zhao Yi, without any hesitation, enthusiastically began to introduce them.

"Come here, brother, these are your two sisters-in-law."

Hello, sisters-in-law.

The Liang sisters really liked being called "sister-in-law" and responded very enthusiastically.

Chen Jing: "Hello, Brother Yu Dibei."

Yu Dibei: "Hello."

The little yellow dog in the young man's arms opened its eyes, glanced at Chen Jing, and then looked at Zhao Yi beside it. Their eyes met, because Zhao Yi was also looking at it.

The little yellow dog stuck out its tongue, panted a few times, then curled up again and buried its head in the young man's arms.

Ming Yuwan's gaze swept over, and when she saw Yu Dibei standing next to Zhao Yi and his group, a surge of anger rose within her, and her voice rose accordingly:
"Yu Dibei!"

Yu Dibei turned around and walked towards Ming Yuwan.

Ming Yuwan tried hard to control her emotions, and finally managed to soften her tone for the rest of the conversation:

"Come on, let me introduce you..."

Ming Yuwan's team consisted of three people, two men and one woman, all of whom possessed extraordinary qualities. At this moment, they were all looking at Yu Dibei with scrutinizing eyes. Although they would respond, this feeling was significantly different from that they had with Brother Zhao earlier.

After meeting Li Zhuiyuan, Zhao Yi went back and began to work on building a positive atmosphere within his team.

The effect was remarkable. After Lao Tiantou stayed in Nantong and could no longer follow Zhao Yi across the river, Zhao Yi successfully turned 50% of the team members into his partners, thus transforming team conflicts into internal family conflicts.

Each team traveling along the river is making final preparations and packing up.

This is a tacit understanding among everyone: since the elders have already broken into the Yu family, why not let them fight a little longer?

Firstly, it's about eliminating as many threats as possible in advance. Secondly, if the two sides happen to meet along the way, it could be quite difficult to handle. They are nominally separated from each other, so it's easier to keep a distance in daily life. But in a real fight, the younger generation will subconsciously gravitate towards the elders, and the elders will instinctively protect the younger generation. Zhao Yi walked to Ming Yuwan's side, spread his hands out to her, making no attempt to hide them.

The "Soul-Burning and Heart-Cleansing Technique" was already given to me when I was in the village. What I need now is the "Wind and Rain Manifesto".

Everyone was very close together, and even if they didn't look in this direction, they could clearly sense what was happening here.

This clandestine transaction was made public by Zhao Yi.

Everyone likes the feeling of being chosen by destiny, and being selected by the Yu family's successor and worshipped as the Dragon King is a sacred thing that can make Ming Yuwan famous and further enhance the legitimacy of the Ming family.

But once it's exposed like this, the effect is gone. All that halo and legitimacy is just a matter of who pays the highest bidder.

Ming Yuwan took the scroll from one of her female subordinates and handed it to Zhao Yi, her displeasure barely concealed.

"Brother Zhao, you're really in a hurry."

Zhao Yi took the scroll in his hand and explained, "As you know, my Zhao family is gone. I'm really poor now. Thank you, haha."

What I was thinking was: I've been waiting for you for so long since you came out, why the hell didn't you just give it to me willingly?!

If we don't ask for it in front of everyone now, are we going to wait until this wave is over?

I want to kill you, and I'm sure you want to kill me too. Why don't you take a feng shui tool from me first? Or are you going to keep it in your hands so you can use it to mess with me?

Mingyu pointed at Zhao Yi and said to Yu Dibei:
"Your good brother sold you to me for such a small thing."

Clearly, Ming Yuwan had been observing Zhao Yi's introduction all along.

Zhao Yi poked Yu Dibei's chest with the scroll and said with a smile:
"Don't listen to this aunt's nonsense."

Ming Yuwan: "What, it's all so obvious, and you still want to deny it? Di Bei, I'll teach you today how to not dream of calling anyone 'brother' on the river..."

Zhao Yi: "This is just a bonus. The most important thing was handed over in the village. Don't worry, my little brother is worth a lot of money. How could I sell you cheaply? That would be betraying our friendship!"

Yu Dibei nodded and said, "That's good, that's good."

Ming Yuwan's breathing became rapid.

Zhao Yi reached out and hooked his arm around Yu Dibei's neck, whispering instructions:
"This aunt is very strong, and she will protect your safety, but she is going through menopause and is prone to emotional outbursts."

Therefore, there's no guarantee that she won't act impulsively and fall into some trap, ruining herself and her team.

Remember, in case of an accident...

Yu Dibei: "I'll run right here to Brother Zhao."

Zhao Yi was stunned for a moment, then slapped Yu Dibei on the back of the head three times and cursed:
"What are you thinking about!"

Once you're in the Yu family, you'll be the biggest surprise, okay? And you still came here to see me?

Zhao Yi pointed to the groups of people in the surrounding teams and shouted:

"Go to them. Don't worry, they have a long history and have connections with your Yu family ancestors. They definitely won't want to see your talented only son die out. They will surely lend you a hand."

Remember, whatever you do, don't come looking for me. I want to live; I'm still dreaming of becoming the Dragon King. Don't bring danger here and get buried with me.

Yu Dibei: "Okay, I've got it!"

The crowd wasn't surprised by what Zhao Yi said; what surprised them was the arrogance he was displaying.

This was quite different from the calm and humble demeanor Zhao Yi had displayed throughout his journey from Jiujiang to Luoyang.

Although everyone knew in their hearts that Zhao Yi was pretending, how could someone who could do so many things and be famous in the martial arts world be kind and gentle?

Now, Zhao Yi doesn't want to pretend anymore.

This means that this wave has entered a new phase.

Even after being thoroughly cleaned up by the elders, the Yu family remains a place where danger and opportunity coexist, and a testing ground for the power struggles of all.

The alliance was thus broken, and from then on, they were each other's enemies.

Zhao Yi walked towards his team, continuing to shout as he went:
"Later, everyone must follow our Miss Ming closely. With the heir of the Yu family in her hands, she naturally has a huge advantage. If I were her, the moment I entered the Yu family, I would immediately leave you all behind, eat the meat myself, and not even leave you a drop of soup, haha!"

No one is a fool who will be easily swayed and believed by a few words, but the problem is, what Zhao Yi said was the truth.

During previous internal discussions among the various teams, a consensus was reached that they must keep a close eye on Ming Yuwan's team.

After the Dragon King worship ceremony, everyone centered around Ming Yuwan, not to fawn over her, but because they were afraid she would run away.

Ming Yuwan's face had darkened.

She took a deep breath, her gaze suddenly changed, as if she were a different person, then she tossed her head and her gaze returned. After these simple actions, her emotions calmed down.

"damn it……"

She had been wary that Zhao Yi might secretly release the peach blossom scent when he was close to her, but to her surprise, Zhao Yi actually walked over with the scent of peach blossoms emanating from him.

He's really willing to go to such lengths to let himself lose control of his emotions.

Tao Zhuming raised his hand and shouted in this direction:

"Yu Dibei, if you encounter any danger after entering the Yu family, you can come to me, and I will protect you!"

The Five Elements also raised their hands and shouted in the same manner:
"It's the same here. Between the two of us, whoever lives closer, you should go to them!"

As members of the same Dragon King's faction, they were willing to make this promise.

Yu Dibei bowed to them to express his gratitude.

After straightening up, Yu Dibei touched his pocket and found a handful of pills that Brother Zhao had secretly slipped into it.

The little yellow dog brought its nose to the pill, sniffed it, then yawned, closed its eyes, and went to sleep.

Ming Yuwan did not call for departure again. As she marched, all the teams followed closely behind and broke camp.

Zhao Yi's team followed at the very back.

While others were thinking about how to continue clinging to Ming Yuwan after entering the Yu family, he was thinking about how to quickly shake her off.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the elders from various families have already stormed into the Yu family and are likely to sweep through with ease; the real old dogs of the Yu family haven't gone home yet!

Zhao Yi reached out and patted Chen Jing's head, then said to those around him:

"Remember, after we enter the Yu family, what we need to do is help A-Jing collect the corpses of demonic beasts. The higher the grade, the better. There must be a lot of powerful demonic beasts that have just been killed in the Yu family right now."

Ah Jing, you only have one task: eat, eat as much as you can. Even if your belly bursts, I'll tear off a dragon skin to mend it for you!

Chen Jing was an investment Zhao Yi had made long ago, investing a great deal of effort and resources in order to enable Chen Jing to achieve a leap forward in this wave.

If Chen Jing can grow to be as fat as Run Sheng in one go and become the cornerstone of his team, then Zhao Yi will have made a huge profit from this wave!
"Okay, Yi-ge, I'll try my best to eat!"

Chen Jing raised his fist, forcefully indicating his affirmation. His sleeve revealed the talisman pasted on his body and the chains binding him inside his clothes.

If A Jing consumes too much, she is prone to going into qi deviation. This was arranged in advance so that it would be easier to suppress her after she went into qi deviation, and then she could continue to consume.

Zhao Yi wouldn't have been so extreme before, but Xu Ming and Chen Jing told him about what happened at the Guanjiangshou Temple after they returned.

At this point, not going to extremes would be a disservice to myself, and even more so to Chen Jing.

Don't be afraid of going astray in your cultivation.
Anyway, the guy surnamed Li is involved in this wave!
……

Li Zhuiyuan stood at the entrance of the three-story wooden house, looking at the group of wary lizards inside.

Chen Xiyuan: "Has the anomaly already occurred?"

Li Zhuiyuan nodded.

The boy didn't try to break the monster formation because there was no need. If he did, the three inside would definitely run to the Yu family.

When the group reached the village entrance, Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.

Boy: "Let's wait a bit longer, we might run into someone if we go out now."

Chen Xiyuan: "They've been gone for a long time, haven't they gone far yet?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "They will deliberately delay the process."

Just then, a group of squirrels emerged from the nearby orchard in neat rows.

Lin Shuyou smiled somewhat embarrassedly and walked out.

The squirrels stood in front of Ayou, ready to be inspected. The last squirrel carried a book and presented it to him.

"Ok?"

Lin Shuyou picked up the book and handed it to Li Zhuiyuan.

The cover was blank. The boy opened the book, and the ink inside was still wet. The first page at the top read "The Soul-Burning and Heart-Cleansing Mantra".

Zhao Yi,

How could they not know who would be so naive as to train squirrels here?

---

There's another chapter during the day to make up for today's word count.

(End of this chapter)