Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

Just as Cao Xiong had predicted.

The next afternoon, Wei Qiang led the officers and soldiers of the Guobei County Hundred Household Office to Xiahe Village.

Cao Xiong came out of the village from Zhu He's home to greet him.

"This humble official pays his respects to the centurion!"

"Um!"

Wearing a jet-black chainmail, Wei Qiang exuded an imposing aura, but Cao Xiong felt that the sense of oppression Wei Qiang exerted on him had weakened considerably.

Cao Xiong wasn't sure if this was due to the effect of the entry or because of his increased strength.

What Cao Xiong didn't know was that Wei Qiang, who seemed to be sitting calmly on his horse, had actually noticed Cao Xiong's change.

"How did Cao Xiong get stronger again?"

Wei Qiang was surprised. A martial artist of sixty years old should have his blood and qi declining and his bones aging, but Cao Xiong seemed to be rejuvenated.

However, Wei Qiang only sighed for a moment; his mind was entirely focused on the horde of corpses. According to the information Cao Xiong had relayed, there were hundreds of corpse monsters in that ancient tomb.

This is a great military achievement!

"Commander Cao, this time the entire centurion's unit has mobilized, even bringing out twenty muskets and gunpowder from the warehouse."

Upon hearing Wei Qiang's words, Cao Xiong looked at the soldiers behind Wei Qiang.

Indeed, quite a few people carried muskets on their backs.

The musket was the most powerful weapon of the Ming Dynasty. More than three hundred years ago, it was the power of the musket that enabled the Ming Dynasty to overthrow the previous dynasty.

The main body of the musket consisted of a thick iron pipe and a wooden stock. It was loaded with gunpowder, iron shot, and lead bullets, and was ignited with a match cord, making it incredibly powerful.

Let alone a martial artist in the Skin Tempering or Bone Forging Realm, even a martial artist in the Tendon Refining Realm would lose half their life if hit by a musket.

With muskets in hand, Cao Xiong was confident that this siege of the ancient tomb would be a sure success.

"Baihu, even the weakest of the corpse monsters in the ancient tomb is comparable to a martial artist in the early stage of the Skin Tempering Realm."

Wei Qiang frowned. "I didn't expect there to be so many corpse monsters in Guobei County. Commander Cao, you did a good job this time."

"It's all what I should do!"

Cao Xiong remained calm and composed, responding with neither arrogance nor servility.

Wei Qiang stopped looking at Cao Xiong and instead addressed the people behind him, "Everyone, rest where you are and replenish your strength. We'll set off in an hour."

Cao Xiong arrived at the First Banner's encampment. He had barely sat down when Wang Er sneaked over, looking around furtively as he went.

What's wrong with you?

Cao Xiong asked with some doubt,

"Uncle Cao, that scoundrel Fang Zheng has proposed to gather all the muskets together and form a musket squad."

"Not only did Wei Baihu agree, but he also handed over all the muskets to the Second General's men and appointed Fang Zheng as the temporary person in charge."

"Our entire regiment doesn't have a single musket."

Cao Xiong's face remained calm, making it impossible for anyone to discern his inner thoughts.

"I see."

"Wang Er, go and call Yu Tong and the other junior officers over. I have something to say to them."

"Yes, sir!"

Before long, five junior officers, including Yu Tong and Qiu Ming, gathered around Cao Xiong.

Next, Cao Xiong told the group all the characteristics of the corpse monster that he had summarized.

This includes the strength and weaknesses of the corpse monster, as well as its characteristic of relying mainly on sound to determine direction.

Then have a few more people relay these messages to all the officers and soldiers of the First Banner.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn is over quickly.

Cao Xiong and Xue Ding rode side by side behind Wei Qiang, followed by the musket team led by Fang Zheng.

Upon arriving at their destination, Cao Xiong led Wei Qiang, Xue Ding, and Fang Zheng to the back of the ancient tomb.

"Tch~"

"Commander Cao, are you kidding? This is just an ordinary grave. Are you sure there are hundreds of zombie monsters inside?"

Fang Zheng looked in the direction Cao Xiong was pointing and couldn't help but laugh.

"Fang Xiaoqi, as the vanguard this time, why don't you go down and verify it yourself? Please."

Faced with Fangzheng's questioning, Cao Xiong did not argue.

"Hmph~"

After being rebuffed, Fang Zheng fell silent.

In the end, Wei Qiang made the final decision.

"Men, blow this hole open!"

As soon as Wei Qiang finished speaking, the soldiers who had already prepared the gunpowder rushed to the side of the ancient tomb.

Three gunpowder barrels were thrown into the cave, and two more were placed around the entrance.

The gunpowder was ignited only after everyone had retreated more than 200 meters away.

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, thick black smoke billowed into the air. After the smoke cleared, the ancient tomb had completely disappeared, leaving only a large crater and an entrance that had been enlarged several times over.

"Enter!"

Wei Qiang raised his arm and led the charge into the ancient tomb.

Following closely behind was the musket team led by Fang Zheng.

Cao Xiong glanced at his junior officers and waited for them to nod before entering the ancient tomb.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Roar~"

When Cao Xiong entered the passage of the ancient tomb, he heard only dense gunfire and roars coming from inside.

Cao Xiong quickly moved through the passage.

"Sword Drawing Technique~"

Cao Xiong leaped down from the passage and stepped into the area where the giant coffin was placed.

[Slay one early-stage Spirit Awakening Realm Corpse Monster, Shard +0.1]

Cao Xiong looked around.

One of the centurions, Wei Qiang, stepped into the center of the arena alone and was attacked by three corpse monsters wearing tattered armor. For a time, the fight was fierce and evenly matched.

"These corpse monsters are indeed powerful."

Cao Xiong was glad that he hadn't acted rashly and come in alone.

Otherwise, he would probably have become one of the many corpse monsters.

On the other side, Fang Zheng led a group of soldiers to occupy an area and protected the musket team to the rear for easier firing.

After a moment's thought, Cao Xiong chose an area furthest from the musket team to harvest ordinary corpse monsters.

The battle lasted for almost the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before it ended.

At this point, most of the zombie monsters had been eliminated, with only a dozen or so remaining near the giant coffin.

These corpse monsters remained firmly around the giant coffin, never leaving it and never allowing anyone to approach.

"A stubborn resistance!"

Wei Qiang's voice was filled with intense killing intent, and his chainmail was scratched with claw marks of varying depths.

"Cao Xiong, Xue Ding, Fang Zheng, follow me."

"Roar~"

Just then, a roar suddenly came from inside the silent giant coffin.

"Bang!"

The lid of the giant coffin flew into the sky and landed to the side.

A monstrous corpse dressed in the official robes of a previous dynasty stood upright from the giant coffin.

Unlike other corpse monsters, its body is not shriveled, but plump.

The skin exposed to the air was as pale as that of someone who had just died.

Its eyes are an eerie green, and two fangs protrude from the sides of its mouth, pressed tightly against its chin.

"The meat smells so good! You've disturbed my peaceful cultivation, you deserve to die!"

The Corpse King inside the giant coffin looked at the numerous soldiers, his eyes blazing with intense desire.

Faced with this sudden and dramatic change, everyone was caught off guard.

The Corpse King moved with incredible speed, instantly appearing beside the nearest soldier, leaving only a blurry shadow in its original position.

In the blink of an eye, four or five people were drained of their life force by the Corpse King and turned into dried corpses.

"It's the Corpse King! Musketeers, fire!"

Wei Qiang was somewhat dazed and quickly ordered the musket team to open fire.

"Bang bang bang~"

The muskets fired indiscriminately, killing even the soldiers near the Corpse King.

After several rounds of firing, the ammunition was almost exhausted, and the Corpse King was in a sorry state, his body covered with holes from the musket fire.

"Cease fire!"

Wei Qiang frowned; this zombie king was far more powerful than he had imagined.

After ordering the musketeers to stop, Wei Qiang turned to look at Cao Xiong, Fang Zheng, and Xue Ding.

"Gentlemen, it's our turn to make a move."

"kill!"