Ark Undead

Chen straightened up and bowed to the leader according to the etiquette of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Don't be so formal, let's chat casually."

The leader patted Chen on the shoulder as he walked, his tone relaxed.

Chen nodded, and was no longer too nervous, following the captain all the way.

"How have you been getting used to your work as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard lately? How are you getting along with everyone?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the work of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is very honorable, and the brothers and sisters are all very warm and kind. I feel that I have adapted quite well."

This is the truth. Chen genuinely felt that being a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and secretly protecting the Great Yan was something to be very proud of.

She was still thinking that if she had the chance to return to Lungmen, she would also try to establish such a department, independent of the Guard Bureau, under the command of only a few key people, with no need for too many people, just elites.

"Well, it's fine."

The team leader nodded, and then the tone shifted abruptly.

"If you were asked to draw your sword against your comrade, could you bring yourself to do it?"

Chen stumbled and almost knelt down; she hadn't expected the captain to make such a joke at this moment.

"Captain, this..."

"I'm not joking."

The captain's voice suddenly became solemn.

"Not only our Embroidered Uniform Guard, but also these soldiers of the Great Yan army who are accompanying us—they are also citizens of Great Yan. There will be about two thousand of them entering the Ten Thousand Demon Cave with us. If anyone undergoes a demonic transformation, you must cut off their head immediately. Can you do that?"

Chen opened her mouth, her mind blank for a moment, filled with confusion and bewilderment.

This is a normal reaction; it occurs when a person is briefly exposed to something they cannot understand.

The captain's gaze remained fixed on Chen, and the tension and anticipation in his eyes gradually brought Chen back to his senses.

"This is no longer a simple hunt, but also about eliminating the influence of the demonic seed and killing some monsters transformed from evil people and beasts."

“This is a battlefield, Chen Huijie. You were once a superintendent in Lungmen Police Department, and in terms of rank, you were my equal. I know you can understand what this situation is like.”

The captain's gaze remained fixed on Chen, and the tension and anticipation in his eyes gradually brought Chen back to his senses.

"The duty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is to eliminate all demons and demonic creatures that appear on the territory of Great Yan. Even if they were originally citizens of Great Yan, it is the same."

"The Cave of Ten Thousand Demons is a place where demons gather. If we fight there, we will have to bear the risk of becoming demonized. Neither you nor I can avoid it."

"Now, answer me again. Chen Huijie, if I asked you to draw your sword against your comrade, could you do it?"

Chen pursed her lips and nodded emphatically.

"can."

"The sound is too soft, I can't hear it."

"can!"

Chen shouted out.

A slight smile appeared on the captain's lips as he patted Chen on the shoulder.

"Very good, very energetic! Since you're so energetic, I'll give you a task."

"Yes!"

Without a second thought, Chen agreed.

"All members of our Embroidered Uniform Guard will be on the battlefield, serving as 'executioners,' bringing to an end the lives of demonized soldiers loyal to our Great Yan. But the Embroidered Uniform Guard is still missing someone—someone to execute ourselves."

The captain looked at Chen.

“I originally thought I could hold on for a while longer and be competent in this position. But these past few days I’ve felt my health deteriorating, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold on until the end. So, this responsibility is being handed over to you.”

"But?!"

Chen's eyes widened. Her strength was nothing compared to this captain's. But why did the captain trust her so much that she could survive to the end?

The captain shook his head, telling Chen not to refuse, and reached out to pat the scabbard on Chen's side.

Chen looked down and saw the fiery red Chixiao.

She realized something.

“I don’t want to become a mindless demon. If that happens, I will have no face to face my dead brothers.”

The captain said in a low voice.

"Don't hold back."

...

After marching for less than an hour, the group stopped at the watchtower closest to the Demon Cave.

Along the way, all the soldiers at the fifty watchtowers have been replaced. The soldiers who have been replaced will travel north with the army after this fire-worship ceremony and continue to garrison near the Great Wall.

The Cave of Ten Thousand Demons may not seem large, just a small hill, but this hill has a gloomy atmosphere.

The broken sword blade, fragments of damaged armor, and overturned soil were mixed together, showing no signs of life. You could even see a faint, dark black viscous liquid seeping out from the cracks in the soil.

"How long has it been since the last fire-worshiping ceremony?"

He dismounted from his horse and came to the side of the immortals and Li Qing.

"Forty-nine years."

Li Qing stared at the Ten Thousand Demon Cave in front of him and took a deep breath.

"Last time, it was the same spot, the same angle. Only I was much further back."

As he spoke, Li Qing turned to look at his son, Li Mo.

Li Mo realized that it was time, so he dismounted, went to his father's side, and knelt down with his head bowed.

"General."

"Li Mo, according to His Majesty's decree, after I leave, you will be the next Commander-in-Chief of the Great Yan. I ask you, do you know your responsibilities?"

"Yes, General, I will keep your instructions in mind."

"Alright, get up and receive the talisman."

Li Qing lightly jumped off his horse and stood in front of Li Mo.

Li Mo stood up, but bent down and raised his hands above his head.

The old general took out a roll of golden cloth from the leather strap hanging on the back of his horse.

Li Qing unfolded the cloth and read aloud.

"From this day forward, Li Mo will succeed as the commander-in-chief of the Great Yan and lead the Yumen to travel between the northern Great Wall and the southernmost Ten Thousand Demon Cave. There must be no slackening."

"Li Mo accepts the imperial decree."

Li Qing pulled out a military token from his lower back. It was a dragon token carved from a single piece of Originium-like material. Upon closer inspection, it even resembled the appearance of an ancestor like Wei Yanwu.

Li Qing placed the military tally in Li Mo's hand.

Under the watchful eyes of the immortals, the military tally was handed over.

At that very moment, a bright white light shone from Li Qing's heart, traveling along his arm to his fingertips and into the military talisman.

Li Mo, who received the military tally, absorbed all the shimmering white light according to the tally.

Li Qing's face visibly turned pale, then grew increasingly dull, and even his armor began to glow with a luminous white light, helping him suppress the abyssal aura within him.

"Soul splitting".

Onstan recognized this step.

"Yes, but the abyss, I haven't crossed it."

Even the immortals understood.

"It must be because of the military tally; I wonder what material it's made of."

The soul-splitting ceremony ended after only a few words were exchanged between Onstan and the Undead.

Li Mo's face was rosy, while Li Qing could barely stand.

Li Mo reached out and supported Li Qing to prevent him from falling to the ground.

"Ha...hoo...I can hear you..."

Li Qing muttered a few words to himself, then patted Li Mo's arm, which was supporting him, signaling him to let go.

Li Mo reluctantly let go of his father's arms.

He knew that once he let go, he would never be able to see his father again.

"My Lord General, do you think... am I good enough to be used as firewood?"

Li Qing looked at the immortal beside him.

The immortal nodded.

"Calculate."

"Hey, that's good."

Li Qing turned around, trembling as he drew his longsword from his waist, facing the Ten Thousand Demon Cave.

Even though his body was withered and emaciated, his eyes shone with boundless pride.

The soldiers who followed into the cave also gripped their weapons tightly.

"Let's go. The brothers can't wait any longer."

Li Qing murmured softly.

In his ears, the fallen soldiers were calling his name.

"Fellow soldiers, don't worry, Li Qing is on his way."

314. Towards the final game, towards the ideal.

The space inside the Cave of Ten Thousand Demons was terrifying; the earth was so vast that it made one wonder who could possess the power to excavate such a massive space.