Chapter 37: Prison Cage Part 1

A short while earlier, outside Gumo City, two galloping horses proceeded unhurriedly along the road. Chaosheng and Wu Yingzong rode together, full of curiosity as they occasionally glanced back at Zheng Yong trailing behind them.

Zheng Yong remained utterly silent the whole way until they reached a certain stretch of road. Suddenly, he said, “If you have something to say, say it now. You’re not Xiao Kun. Are you planning to make your move here?”

Wu Yingzong slowed his horse and turned back with a puzzled expression. “Lord Zheng, what do you mean?”

Zheng Yong had never actually seen Xiao Kun; his words were merely a bluff. But upon seeing Wu Yingzong’s reaction, his suspicions deepened even further.

Wu Yingzong reined in his horse and said, “You’re quite clever, but you’ve still fallen into Lord Xiao’s trap.”

The moment Zheng Yong heard this, he knew Wu Yingzong was about to act. Though he was a zombie, his movements were extraordinarily agile. He immediately leaped off his mount—without knowing the extent of his opponent’s cultivation base, it was always better to disengage early.

Yet Wu Yingzong merely made a gesture from horseback, activating the talismanic runes he had previously set along both sides of the road. A beam of golden light rose from the ground, forming a hemispherical barrier that enclosed a space dozens of zhang in radius, trapping Zheng Yong inside!

Zheng Yong remained calm and composed. He said in a deep voice, “As expected. From the moment we met, you two had other intentions.”

Wu Yingzong dismounted, radiating a powerful aura. The horse sensed the suppression from this high-rank Yao Clan member and turned to flee.

Wu Yingzong said gravely, “Though I know you’ll resist stubbornly, I still have to say it: Zheng Yong, have you thought this through?”

As his words fell, Wu Yingzong assumed a horse stance, readying his fists and feet as he faced Zheng Yong.

How handsome! Chaosheng thought to himself. He retreated to the edge of the golden circle, waiting for Wu Yingzong to weaken this War Dead Corpse Ghost before making his move.

Zheng Yong let out a cold laugh. “Who sent you? You’re not Xiao Kun!”

Wu Yingzong’s aura loomed like towering mountains. “This is your last chance. We’re all from the Yao Clan—don’t say I ignored our kinship.”

Zheng Yong also assumed a fighting stance. He assessed Wu Yingzong’s strength and figured that as long as Xiang Xian wasn’t present, he could still put up a fight. As for that “Yelu Yari” behind him, he seemed utterly unskilled.

“Since you’re from the Yao Clan,” Zheng Yong said, “why side with humans as their running dogs?!”

“It’s merely a matter of good and evil in the Dao,” Wu Yingzong replied. “Since you refuse to surrender, let’s settle this with our skills.”

Zheng Yong moved first, transforming into a whirlwind as he charged. Wu Yingzong didn’t even shift into his ape form; his fists and feet clashed directly with Zheng Yong. It was Chaosheng’s first time seeing Wu Yingzong fight with martial arts—his form was exceedingly elegant, his martial robes fluttering, and his Ape Fist blended ferocity with softness, rigid yet flexible.

Chaosheng couldn’t help but cheer, but Wu Yingzong whipped his head back sharply, fearing an ambush on him. Realizing he’d disrupted the fight, Chaosheng hurriedly covered his mouth.

This allowed Zheng Yong to spot Wu Yingzong’s weakness. He darted under Wu Yingzong’s ribs, aiming to seize Chaosheng as a hostage.

Wu Yingzong was already in a foul mood. He grabbed Zheng Yong’s ankle with one hand and executed a spinning throw, slamming him to the ground!

As Chaosheng reached to shake the Demon-Suppressing Banner, Wu Yingzong raised a hand to signal it was fine. Zheng Yong crashed to the ground with the sound of breaking bones, yet he slowly crawled back up, twisting his crooked neck back into place. His limbs fully regenerated, and his body emitted a fierce corpse stench.

Zheng Yong let out a eerie, bizarre laugh. “And what are you?”

Wu Yingzong resumed his stance, facing Zheng Yong. The two clashed once more! Chaosheng could already tell that Zheng Yong was no match for Wu Yingzong, whether in cultivation base or martial skill, so he sat to the side and watched the fight leisurely.

Zheng Yong had truly touched Wu Yingzong’s sore spot. He became a punching bag under the barrage of fists and feet—only able to block, with no chance to counter. As they brushed past each other, Wu Yingzong landed a backhand palm strike squarely on Zheng Yong’s back. Zheng Yong spewed out decayed black poisonous water mixed with entrails. Wu Yingzong immediately shouted, “Now! Quick!”

Chaosheng grabbed one corner of the Demon-Suppressing Banner and shook it toward Zheng Yong. Rolling red clouds surged forth, but Zheng Yong was prepared and retreated sharply. Chaosheng caught nothing.

Chaosheng said at once, “Oh no… sorry.”

Wu Yingzong replied, “Again. It’s fine.”

“Okay… got it,” Chaosheng said.

Chaosheng entered the fray, and Zheng Yong finally understood their true goal. He roared and began to flee. Wu Yingzong charged from behind, delivering a knee strike that pinned him to the ground. Decayed entrails accompanied by black water spewed from Zheng Yong’s mouth in a foul stench.

Chaosheng shook out the red cloth a second time. Wu Yingzong leaped back, but Zheng Yong twisted his head violently, propping himself up on his hands and savagely biting Wu Yingzong’s thigh.

Chaosheng was utterly terrified and cried out.

Wu Yingzong executed an aerial spin kick, lifting Zheng Yong—who refused to let go—with one leg and flinging him away. He simultaneously crouched to dodge the oncoming red clouds, avoiding being caught in the Demon-Suppressing Banner himself.

Wu Yingzong shouted, “Quick!”

Chaosheng, mimicking Xiang Xian, chanted, “Capture Demon!”

The Demon-Suppressing Banner enveloped Zheng Yong. He wailed incessantly, trying several times to escape, but Chaosheng yanked hard. Finally, the red cloth contracted, drawing him into the banner.

After capturing the demon, Chaosheng’s first action was to rush to Wu Yingzong. Anxiously, he asked, “Are you okay?!”

A chunk of flesh had been bitten from Wu Yingzong’s thigh where Zheng Yong had clamped down. “It’s nothing,” he said.