Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 350 Skeleton Ghost King
As the sun set, Huangfu Yi followed Old Man Feng out of the camp. Along the way, other vassal soldiers and scouts who were on night patrol duty that night came to join them. There were a total of fourteen men in each patrol. They went out of the south gate together, and the iron gate of the city gate slowly closed behind them.

This group of soldiers all looked unremarkable, like lazy, seasoned veterans. Their gray Lingwu army cloaks were tied haphazardly around their bodies, as if they had just woken up and come out wrapped in a dirty bed sheet.

However, upon closer inspection, these soldiers, though dressed slovenly in felt and fur like nomads, were actually tall, strong, and fully armored warriors. From head to toe, hands, feet, shoulders, and neck, they were covered in chainmail plates and metal plates. They possessed bows, crossbows, halberds, spears, swords, hammers, axes, and all sorts of other weapons—truly a complete and fully armed force. Forget about who these mismatched pieces came from or how many years ago they might have been heirlooms. Just tell me if they're made of iron.

The soldiers, all familiar with each other, chattered amongst themselves and reached a consensus: they would first take advantage of the early hour to check out the seal on the furthest ancient battlefield, the mass grave, to avoid being surrounded by zombies and ghosts. Afterwards, they would wander around the west and north of the city, return to camp to report, and then, taking advantage of the city's newly opened brothels, rush in for a quick fling.

Huangfu Yi, whose family had a tradition of military science, naturally understood that those who could become eagle scouts were undoubtedly elite soldiers from the Lingwu Army. However, those who landed such a thankless job likely had some minor flaws or temperaments that displeased their superiors, preventing them from acting arrogantly in the personal guard. They could only endure the hardships of patrolling the border in dangerous areas day and night.

So Huangfu Yi didn't cause any trouble and simply followed Old Feng's orders. He carried a bow and a sword and followed at the back of the column. After all, he would eventually have to go south to seek immortality and visit the Dao, so he naturally took this opportunity to memorize the terrain along the way.

Just as Old Feng said, in this chaotic world with demons running rampant, and in the middle of the night, there was hardly anyone around. If it weren't for the old Taoist's orders and the superiors' pressure, these soldiers would rather hide in the city drinking and eating meat. Who would have the time to patrol every night?

Therefore, none of the sentries paid any attention to this newcomer along the way. They were all in a hurry and just wanted to get by as quickly as possible.

Huangfu Yi, having been tempered in the icy wilderness and amidst the demonic beast tides, knew how dangerous the human world could be. He kept his eyes and ears open at all times, nocking the bowstring of the talisman arrow he had just drawn with a breath of true energy, ready for any eventuality. He was not only wary of the unseen demons, but also of the visible people.

Unfortunately, although he was skilled in archery, ordinary arrows could not harm demons in the slightest. He needed to use the sword talisman techniques he had comprehended from the immortal sword formation to enhance his abilities.

However, the breathing techniques of the Huangfu family were passed down from the military and were specifically used to strengthen muscles and bones and facilitate the exertion of power; they were not, after all, authentic esoteric qi cultivation methods. Therefore, although Huangfu Yi had been practicing breathing techniques since he was six years old, which amounted to ten years of arduous training, he could only exhale three breaths of true qi at a time. Once he exhausted his qi, he needed to recover for two hours; forcing himself to use it too much would damage his lungs and harm his body.

The talismans he had accumulated over the years had long been used up during the battle against the wolf demon. In just a short while, Huangfu Yi had prepared two talisman arrows and one sword talisman. Now that the battle was over, he was naturally extra careful and focused on recovering his Qi and regulating his breathing, fearing that any mishap would result in another sneak attack by the demon.

However, what they feared most came to pass. A group of night patrol soldiers, carrying torches, traveled under the starlight. They had just passed through the mass graves and found the large rock that suppressed the Skeleton King when they saw the flickering lights and colorful ghost fire in the distance. A figure was already standing in front of the boulder.

Upon closer inspection, it was a man dressed in red, wearing a golden turban, and grinning broadly, holding a skull in his hands and touching it. There was also a pit on the ground, the soil still fresh, clearly just dug.

The soldiers weren't stupid either. In the pitch black, what normal person would stand in a grave mound and examine a skull? Without being ordered, they all raised their swords, bows, and crossbows, cursing and swearing as they surrounded them.

"What kind of monster are you! How dare you rob a tomb! State your name!"

"Are you blind? Wearing red! You must be from the Demonic Sect!"

"Nonsense! We, the members of the Demonic Sect, are already dead!"

"Don't panic! Don't scare yourself. Maybe she's just a bit flashy and likes wearing red!"

"Oh, isn't that green...?"

The man ignored them, clearly not taking the group of soldiers seriously, and turned to leave with the skull in his hands.

"Is that the Ghost King?"

Upon hearing Huangfu Yi's question, Old Feng glanced at the talismans that had already been removed and torn from the boulder, nodded with a grim face, and said sternly,
"Send a message to the real person!"

"Bang!" "Whoosh—!"

At that moment, a warrior drew his bow and released an arrow—a single arrow that pierced the clouds! The whistle was sharp and fierce, like the cry of an eagle, soaring straight into the sky and exploding with a deafening roar, releasing a brilliant golden streak across the heavens!
"what!!"

However, at that moment, the man in red suddenly screamed. The soldiers turned to look and saw that the man had been shot in the hand with an arrow!
Taking advantage of the moment when the soldiers around him drew their bows, Huangfu Yi suddenly fired a hidden arrow! Using the sound of whistling arrows in the sky as cover, the arrow pierced through the man's palm and struck the skull between the eyebrows! Then, with a "boom!", it turned into a fireball and was ignited!
"Aaaaaah!!"

The man in red was burning and in pain. He frantically shook his hand, pulled out the arrow, threw the skull away, turned his head to look at the soldiers behind him, and instantly a murderous aura rose on his face. His face convulsed and contorted, and his skin seemed to burst like a balloon! He ripped open the red clothes!

"Ow—!"

A tiger's roar echoed across the mountain ridge! The man tore off his clothes, pounced on the spot, and instantly transformed into a giant tiger with piercing eyes and a white forehead!
This ferocious tiger was a full two zhang long and could use demonic magic to transform into human form; it was clearly already a demon! Its roar shook the earth and mountains, and dimmed the sun and moon! With a single leap, it covered three zhang in an instant! With a single swipe of its claw, a gust of wind swept across the ground!
With a loud "bang!", the soldier holding the shield was sent flying, and a slap almost sent him and his armor crashing into the ground!

"I'm fine! I'm fine!"

"Damn! It's a big worm!"

"Damn, that scared the hell out of me!"

"Great! Tiger bone is an aphrodisiac!"

"Skin it alive! Pull out its tendons!"

Who would have thought that these soldiers, who were just moments before trembling with fear, unsure whether their opponent was human or demon, or what their methods were? But now, upon seeing this creature, they transformed into tigers, their eyes lighting up, advancing instead of retreating, displaying unparalleled ferocity! Howling, they pounced in unison!

"Crane Wings!"

Old Feng roared, and the men instantly formed a battle formation. Four short-armored soldiers with swords and shields stood in front, four long-armored soldiers flanked from the sides, and six ranged attackers sniped from both flanks! In an instant, powerful crossbows and bows fired a barrage of arrows, and swords, spears, clubs, halberds, and blades slashed down!

This demonic tiger, being so enormous, was naturally quite capable. Its armor was like steel, and it possessed superhuman strength. Its aggression stemmed from its insatiable hunger; it was simply fearless. But this beast never expected these vassal soldiers to be so formidable, each one clad in sturdy armor and possessing superhuman strength!
It then lunged, slashed, and twisted, unleashing its three-pronged attack, but failed to knock down a single one! Instead, it had been struck in the face by six or seven arrows, each aimed straight for the bird's eye, leaving its face covered in blood and unable to open its eyes!
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"

Old Feng suddenly roared repeatedly.

"Rat-a-tat-tat!"

The soldiers roared in unison and charged forward!

"Ouch——!!"

Then a scream rang out, and the tiger demon was suddenly attacked by four shields, who beat him wildly on the head with knives, spears, clubs, and swords! Suddenly, a long spear thrust out from behind and pierced through his anus, impaling him on the ground!
"Ah ...

The tiger demon screamed in agony, struggling desperately, but with its injuries, it had no chance of survival! Caught off guard, it was pounced upon by a group of burly men who had unleashed the full power of the Gang Fist, and forced to the ground! A barrage of punches shattered its bones, hacked at its flesh, ripped its internal organs apart, and sent blood gushing from its mouth and nose! It was beaten to death on the spot!

Huangfu Yi, the new recruit, was somewhat surprised as he watched from behind.

These soldiers from Lingwu seem pretty strong, huh? He thought he'd have to fight demons all by himself again...

"You idiot!"

Who would have thought that Old Feng, disregarding the tiger demon's brutal dismemberment, skinning, bone-ripping, and heart-ripping, would turn around and curse him?

"Why are you making such a fuss! You think your arrows are fast? What kind of hero are you trying to be!"
If that beast knew even a little bit of magic, we would all be dead here!

Why risk your life like that? You think there's a reward for it?!

"Its hand was injured by the Taoist talisman. It probably injured its essence by forcibly removing the immortal's talisman seal. That's why it borrowed the ghost king's yin energy to heal itself."

Huangfu Yi answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, casually pointing to the burial mound.
"Besides, they've already been resurrected, why not just wait to die?"

So everyone turned their heads and saw that the fireball that had been ignited by the Dao Flame had been extinguished at some point.

From the pile of withered bones, Hisoka made a sound, and a gigantic white skeletal centipede formed from a mass of human bones crawled out! Countless skeletal arms reached out, picking up skulls from the ground and placing them on its shoulders. Suddenly, two will-o'-the-wisps, like eyeballs, lit up within the skulls!
In an instant, the wind and clouds changed color, a chilling aura rose, and the temperature plummeted! Dark clouds were swept up by the eerie wind, rapidly gathering towards the skull. Clearly, this demonic entity was frantically gathering its energy! Borrowing the corpse energy and death energy of this chaotic graveyard, it was violently resurrecting!
Old Feng acted decisively, drew his knife, and shouted loudly.

"Fish scales!"

The archers on both flanks immediately formed ranks and retreated behind the shield bearers, stacking themselves in layers and pushing forward towards the skeleton ghost king. As they pushed, they muttered under their breath, "Hmm, it's eerie and looks terrifying. Could it be infected with corpse poison?"

"Tch, what's there to be afraid of? We killed them when they were alive, so let's kill them again!"

"That's true..."

"How do you defeat the Skeleton King? He's got no health or flesh..."

"Let's switch to a hammer and smash it. Look at all the dog bite marks on your legs."

"That's true..."

Huangfu Yi also spoke loudly.
"Everyone! When the demons, who have been suppressed for so long, break their seal, their power will be at its weakest! And their calamity will be at its strongest!"
"If we don't seize this opportunity to annihilate this fiend, it will be too late once it recovers its strength!"

Old Feng roared.
"Shut up, all of you! Fourteen Li, get to it! If you're so capable, shoot him with another arrow!"

Huangfu Yi frowned as he stared at the unharmed skull, drew his sword, and said in a low voice,

"The Crimson Fire Arrows are probably useless. I need to rush up and use the sword talisman to cut it down!"

Old Feng shouted.
"Okay! Send him up! Vroom vroom!"

"Rat-a-tat-tat!"

The soldiers flexed their biceps and unleashed their Fourteen-Force Fist! They charged forward in unison, their steps coordinated, pounding on the scattered, broken bones like the rhythm of drums! Like thunderous roars!
"what--!"

A foul wind howled, piercing through the bones, and the giant skeletal centipede let out a shrill, terrifying scream! It lunged forward, swinging its bony arms wildly at the crowd!

"Bang! Bang! Clang! Clang!"

The bone clubs, swung wildly like battering rams, pounded down relentlessly, clattering against shields and halberds, and making the armor and helmets of the soldiers clang loudly!
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"

However, the fourteen men who activated their powerful fist techniques, relying on their strong shields and thick armor, maintained their steady pace and undiminished speed! They charged forward like a Taiwan Railway train, crashing and crushing everything in their path!

"Rat-a-tat-tat!" "Bang! Bang! Bang!" "Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Charge into battle! Undeterred and fearless! In front, swordsmen, shields, and spearmen blocked and deflected the flying bone clubs, while behind, the archers and crossbowmen had already switched to their iron whips and copper hammers, smashing and pounding the bones!

This Skeleton Ghost King may have had some skill back then, but he was killed by the enlightened sword immortal and his body was completely destroyed. After being sealed for many years, he could only use the human bones around him as a support in his haste. How could he be a match for this group of heavily armored soldiers?

After all, bone is bone and iron is iron. You'll know which is harder and which is stronger once you touch them!

"Thud! Thud! Thud! Crash!"

"what--!"

"boom!"

Amidst a shriek, the skeletal centipede was directly confronted by the vassal army, protected by their protective aura, their bodies radiating bloodlust, and their killing intent soaring to the heavens! Broken bones and severed limbs flew towards its face! With a single impact, it was sent flying backward, tumbling to the ground!
"on!"

"Hiss—ha—"

Without Old Feng shouting, Huangfu Yi had already ascended to heaven, stepping on the shoulder armor and shields of his comrades-in-arms, and charged straight out!

Like a hawk taking flight, like a leopard pouncing, the fully armored youth suddenly burst forth, his figure as fast as a bolt of lightning, stirring up a gust of iron wind!
In the blink of an eye, Huangfu Yi leaped up and rushed onto the skeleton without the slightest hesitation, breaking through the formation and charging straight at the demon leader!

He slapped the sword talisman onto the iron-clad broadsword, then exhaled a breath of true qi! Instantly, the blade shone brightly, and a sword shadow materialized!

"Golden essence pierces the heavens, filth turns to ash! Crimson script and jade characters burn away evil! Jade Light Sword that shatters evil! Slash!!"

"what--!"

With a single slash, the Demon-Slaying Sword cuts through! The sword light falls to the ground, vanquishing all evil! Demons and monsters, reduced to ashes!
Clean and efficient, a clean cut!

Skeleton Demon! Slash!

"boom!"

The eerie winds and ghostly energy suddenly dissipated, and the mighty Skeleton Ghost King, resurrected with a clang, was actually defeated by a small infantry squad! Slaughter! Annihilate!

"...Huh? That's how you killed him?"

"It seems pretty simple."

"If I had known this dog was so weak, I would have just wiped it out. Why bother coming all this way every day..."

"Idiot, if we kill it, we'll just have to patrol even further away!"

"Well, that's true..."

"Shut up, everyone!"

Old Feng stopped the group of talkative scoundrels and glared at Huangfu Yi.
"Nobody told us to come and slay demons! We can just bury our heads back in there!"

"Everyone, take a bone back and hand it in! Anyone who talks nonsense, I'll tear their mouth apart!"

"okay!"

"It still has to be Boss Feng."

Huangfu Yi had nothing to say.

That's just how things are these days. If it doesn't concern you, just stay out of it. If there's no money to reward you, then get the hell out of my way. That's the Celestial Army for you.

These iron-willed men, having withstood the demonic tides and calamities for sixty years on the borderlands, had honed their skills to perfection. The guardian celestial soldiers, tempered by their powerful fist techniques, possessed abundant blood and energy, their killing intent soaring to the heavens, specializing in vanquishing demons and evil spirits, and excelling at slaying gods and ghosts. Even the techniques they employed—their armor, sharp weapons, and powerful fist techniques—were all specially designed by the Celestial Venerable for the purpose of exterminating demons and monsters.

Therefore, the guardian immortal soldiers are naturally able to overcome many demons, gods and monsters; otherwise, why would they be sent to guard the nine borders and govern the twelve kingdoms?
Unfortunately, the celestial palace is now corrupt and its people are scattered. Everyone is thinking about becoming kings and conquering the world. No one remembers the celestial venerable's instructions or cares about the peace of the world anymore...

"Hey! What are you all standing there for! Get moving!"

"Here."

Huangfu Yi shook his head, looked at the broken sword in his hand that could not withstand the power of the Yao Guang sword and shattered all over the ground, and could only sigh. He bent down to pick up a bone, picked up the broken sword and caught up with the group.

(End of this chapter)