Chapter 116: I Am Ji Huo, Marshal of the Flying Bear Army

Ji Huo was still riding with the Flying Bear Army, hastening towards the capital. From a distance, Lu Deshui gazed at the capital beneath the flashes of lightning and booming thunder, cautioning, “Marshal! The sky above the capital is thick with black clouds, thunder flashing and rainstorm raging—not the weather for battle.”

Ji Huo laughed heartily, “Then we’ll fight until the skies clear!”

Amidst the dark clouds, a small black dot rapidly expanded—it was a black dragon rolling through the stormy heavens, swimming towards them. Lu Deshui, startled, kicked his legs and leapt from his horse onto the mount of Lü Shui beside him, instinctively wrapping his arms around Lü Shui’s waist.

Both men were towering figures, standing eight feet tall with equally broad waists, and sitting so closely together instantly felt cramped.

“You’re pressing against me,” Lü Shui remarked calmly.

“Don’t dawdle, keep riding,” Lu Deshui urged.

The black dragon descended from the sky, alighting upon the vacant saddle and transforming into the form of Xia Ningshang. She galloped alongside Ji Huo, riding side by side.

She spoke swiftly: “Before the Grand Tutor died, he regained consciousness briefly and used arcane arts to communicate with heaven and earth, causing heavy rain to fall over the capital. Those still alive inside the city have now awakened; chaos has erupted within.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “But your father likely hasn’t woken. He was implanted with a demon fetus by a great demon himself. The degree of infection varies; he won’t recover so easily.”

Ji Huo gave a faint, hoarse laugh, then mused, “Those still alive in the capital are mostly capable individuals. If they can hold off the undead army, at least causing chaos among them, that’s already a great help to us.”

“As for my old man, I never expected him to wake up. Honestly, I wanted to spar with him properly... I’ve never truly faced a grandmaster in combat.”

Xia Ningshang counseled, “I know you’re strong, much stronger now, but your father has long been a renowned grandmaster—not some half-step grandmaster like Jian Chi. Don’t underestimate him.”

Ji Huo looked at her and smiled, “Well, I still have you.”

Xia Ningshang turned her head away, casually remarking, “I never said I’d go with you to die.”

***

Not far from the Duke of the Nation’s estate was a delicate little courtyard.

The courtyard appeared simple yet elegant, with few commoners nearby. It exuded a refined aura, unmistakably the residence of a recluse hiding in plain sight.

At this moment, the owner of the courtyard was locked inside a woodshed, tightly bound by the legendary Turtle Shell Binding Technique. A handprint marked his face, and a rag of unknown origin was stuffed into his mouth.

As thunder rumbled in the sky, Mr. Wen’s head throbbed fiercely. He opened his eyes as the purple haze in them rapidly faded.

After a brief moment of daze, he was fully awake. A flicker of shock, fear, and lingering dread flashed across his gaze before settling into calm resolve.

“Wuu wuu wuu...” Mr. Wen whimpered, struggling to loosen his bonds but to no avail. Ji Junhong had clearly used expertly applied restraints to prevent his escape upon awakening.

“Wuu wuu wuu...”

Now, his master must be fighting for all the people under heaven!

Right now, he must be fighting alone, without a single helper.

Only my poor master is bearing everything on his own!

Master, I’m crying for you... wuu wuu wuu!

I must get out to help him—even if it’s just to cheer him on!

After several futile attempts, Mr. Wen could only wriggle like a grub toward the door, banging his head against the wall, hoping to attract the attention of passersby to rescue him.

After several blows, his head began to spin slightly.

Suddenly, he realized, why not turn around and kick with his feet?

So, he tried to flip over 180 degrees, using his rear end to push off the ground.

Though Mr. Wen had plenty of flesh there, and a fairly firm backside, flipping on such a hard surface caused him sharp pain, gritting his teeth through it.

Just as he was about to kick the door, he heard the faint sound of footsteps nearby.

“Wuu wuu wuu!”

His eyes widened instantly, hope shining bright. He kicked the wooden door furiously, trying to catch the attention of whoever was outside.

Indeed, the footsteps gradually approached.

“Wuu wuu wuu (I’m here! Help!)” Mr. Wen whimpered, kicking even more excitedly.

Then, the footsteps stopped at the door.

Why aren’t they moving?

Mr. Wen prepared to kick again.

Suddenly, the door creaked open slightly.

Through the crack appeared a face covered in rotting flesh, with one eyeball dangling by sinews.

Damn!

Mr. Wen’s heart skipped a beat; his legs trembled as he recoiled, his heart pounding wildly.

The lone remaining eye of the living dead scanned through the gap, then fixed on Mr. Wen with a spark of excitement. It suddenly pushed the door wide open.

The door rattled with the sound of iron chains.

The gaze of man and corpse alike fell upon the doorframe, revealing the door was bound by iron chains with a palm-sized padlock.

The master even thoughtfully locked the door... truly, I’m crying for him!

The living dead tried to push again, but the door wouldn’t budge. It stretched out a hand, covered in pustules, trying to claw through the crack.

Too short!

Frustrated, it growled, repeatedly scraping with its hands, but its claws were too short to reach.

Mr. Wen’s pounding heart slowly calmed. He exhaled, wearing a relieved expression, almost breaking into a mocking smile—but then it froze.

Another rotting head protruded from the crack.

Two heads.

Three heads.

Four.

...

At the city wall of the capital.

The sound of disciplined, orderly trampling echoed from afar; even from a great distance it was audible, and the earth seemed to tremble beneath the weight.

Ji Xiaoxiong’s face was as cold as still water, his eyes crackling with thunder, as though the lightning itself might drip from them. The sky’s lightning seemed drawn to him, converging into a vortex above this spot, thunder roaring continuously.

At last, amid the weaving flashes of lightning, a fierce army emerged from the darkness, breaking through the sheets of rain, appearing within the sight of thirty thousand demon soldiers.

At the forefront of this army were two figures: one dressed in black finery, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, his black hair flowing untamed, giving a rebellious air.

Beside him was a woman in a purple gown, delicate and alluring. Though a woman, she rode with a speed and grace matching the black-clad man.

Ji Xiaoxiong’s eyes lowered slightly. Though he had long anticipated this moment, truly seeing Ji Huo arrive at the city gates with the Flying Bear Army stirred a subtle sense of loss within him.

Suddenly, Ji Xiaoxiong lifted his leg to stand on the wall. With a single stomp, the force reverberated from the rampart to the ground.

The earth trembled instantly.

“Who goes there?” Ji Xiaoxiong bellowed.

Ji Huo pulled his reins, halting not far from the city wall. The Flying Bear Army behind him stopped simultaneously, backs straightened, motionless and silent.

Raindrops beat against their armor like waves crashing against steadfast reefs, sending up sprays of water.

“I am Ji Huo, Marshal of the Flying Bear Army,” Ji Huo called out boldly, staring at the imposing figure on the wall whose presence was so overwhelming it sent shivers down the spine.