Wayfarer

Chapter 712: The Zombie King

The zombies looked much like those in the zombie movies that Xiao Nanfeng had seen in his past life. However, these were far more nimble and agile. Those they bit would undergo the same transformation as black smoke poured out from them.

Rather than assist them, Xiao Nanfeng stayed hidden in the vicinity as he observed what was going on.

Just then, a huge commotion came from the Tigerbane Cave in the distance.

A beam of golden light flashed by as a giant black dog spirit was sent flying. The black dog was injured all over, but it firmly held onto a golden bamboo slip in its mouth.

"Black Dog?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed in shock.

Zombies emerged from the cave, black smoke roiling from them. They all gave off the aura of True Immortals. They soared into the air and headed straight for Black Dog.

Black Dog turned to run, but one zombie was faster than he was. It flashed right before him and held up a palm, sending Black Dog flying.

Black Dog refused to let go of the golden bamboo slip in his mouth. Before he could steady himself, however, another zombie sent him flying. There were dozens of zombies at this level of cultivation. Black Dog was able to defend himself against one, but not a whole horde of them. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his injuries worsening by the second.

"If Black Dog is here, doesn't that mean Yang Chuan is, too?" Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

He rushed out into the battlefield.

On his request, Yang Chuan had helped the Demon Child become the Mountain Lord of Taiyi Peak. Although he had told Yang Chuan a little about the black coffin in the Southeastern Aquatic Palace in compensation, on balance he still owed Yang Chuan at least a little. Black Dog was Yang Chuan's subordinate, and he could hardly just watch on as Black Dog perished. What was more, he was hoping to get some information about Wolfsbane Cave from Black Dog.

By then, Black Dog had been pressed down by a horde of zombies. One of them had revealed blood-red fangs and was just about to bite down on Black Dog's exposed neck when Xiao Nanfeng suddenly appeared and sent the zombie flying with a punch. The other zombies reacted belatedly and began to attack Xiao Nanfeng.

"Hegemon's Fist!"

Fists surrounded Xiao Nanfeng, forcing the zombies to retreat as he pulled Black Dog away.

Xiao Nanfeng didn't fear these True Immortal zombies, but he could sense that even stronger zombies seemed to be located within Tigerbane Cave. He didn't want to drag out the fight at all.

With a whoosh, he flew straight toward the horizon. The horde of zombies chased after him for some time before abruptly stopping and turning back.

He continued flying with Black Dog until they found a secluded valley at which to stop.

As they landed, Black Dog transformed back into human form. He gaped at Xiao Nanfeng. "You're Martial Aspect Xiao, aren't you?"

"You can tell?" Xiao Nanfeng took off his hat and smiled.

"Few but Martial Aspect Xiao would have been able to master Hegemon's Fist to such an extent, and I could smell some unusual smells that I associate with your body," Black Dog explained. He bowed gratefully. "Thank you for your assistance, Martial Aspect Xiao."

"What were you doing in that zombie cave?"

Black Dog glanced at the golden bamboo slip in his hand. He exhaled in relief. "I went to steal this treasure. Fortunately, there were a group of people who had just attacked the cave and attracted the attention of the bulk of the zombies. I snuck in and was fortunately successful."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng eyed the golden bamboo slip curiously.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, I apologize for always troubling you, but I'm out of options. My master, Southern Aspect Yang, has been trapped by a certain zombie. I came to steal this treasure to rescue him. Since you're a Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court as well, would you be willing to rescue my master?" Black Dog asked.

"Has something happened to Yang Chuan?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"He encountered a zombie king who's extremely difficult to deal with. He's trapped in combat right now," Black Dog explained.

"Come on. We'll speak as we move. Let's go have a look. If I can help him, I will, but if I can't, don't blame me."

"I understand. Thank you, Martial Aspect Xiao!" Black Dog repeated.

Black Dog led the way as the two cultivators flew off in a certain direction.

"What's going on within this hidden realm?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"This hidden realm is full of zombies. They're guarding a variety of treasures, but trying to claim or steal those treasures is exceedingly difficult. Though some have succeeded, the majority have been caught and zombified."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded with a frown. He had seen how strong the zombies here were, too. "Just how many zombie caves are there around here? Are you aware of their names and locations?"

He only wanted to know about Wolfsbane Cave, where his master was located, but it would be dangerous to ask that outright.

"We followed our master in here and learned of the locations of a few zombie caves. Each of us were responsible for investigating a different part of the hidden realm, and I only know a limited quantity of information. Master will know much more than I do," Black Dog replied.

Xiao Nanfeng understood that Black Dog was trying to get him to rescue Yang Chuan at any cost.

He nodded and allowed Black Dog to lead him toward a gigantic valley.

Rather than rush in, they flew halfway up a mountain and hid in the forests there as they studied the valley down below.

A huge formation had been erected within the valley. Within it, Yang Chuan was using a folding fan to take on a zombie with a huge polearm. The fan and polearm clashed in frightening shockwaves of force. Neither seemed to be able to overwhelm the other immediately.

"That's the zombie king. It has the strength of a Boundless Immortal. If Master and the zombie king were to fight more seriously, they could easily destroy that valley and everything surrounding it," Black Dog stated.

Xiao Nanfeng glanced over. Indeed, the zombie king was obviously a strong foe. Though there were clouds of fog surrounding it, it clearly wore an emperor's crown and was dressed accordingly.

With a roar, the zombie king's aura magnified again. Afar, Xiao Nanfeng watched on tensely.

There were other zombies in the valley as well. They seemed to be activating a golden bamboo scroll. Countless golden characters emerged from the slips and flooded toward Yang Chuan with astounding force.

If Yang Chuan weren't being attacked by the zombie king, he wouldn't have feared the power of the golden bamboo scroll. At the moment, however, the mounting pressure was distorting his qi barrier and starting to overwhelm him. His face flushed in agony.

"What is that golden bamboo scroll? It's incredibly strong!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"It's a Boundless Immortal relic of fearsome strength. My master would have been able to take on the zombie king alone, but not with that golden bamboo scroll around as well. I don't know how long he'll be able to withstand their assault."

"How about the others in your retinue? You surely couldn't have come alone!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"A number were bitten by zombies and became zombies themselves. The remaining scattered in an attempt to get help. There are far too many zombies, you see, and we can't help Master at all even if we remain here," Black Dog explained.

"Oh?"

"My nose is particularly sensitive. While passing by Tigerbane Cave, I sensed a significant quantity of treasure in the vicinity, including this bamboo slip I stole. This is why I braved that zombie den. I'm sure that this is the key to freeing Master. Martial Aspect Xiao, would you be able to help?" Black Dog asked with anticipation.

He knew that he wouldn't be able to save Yang Chuan himself, not even with this relic in his possession. He could only hope that Xiao Nanfeng would be willing to help.

Xiao Nanfeng inspected the bamboo slip and had a look at it. "Considering its shape, it looks to be part of that Boundless Immortal relic."

"I think so too. I tried to attune to it on the way here, but I was completely unable to succeed," Black Dog replied.

"Let me try."

"Please!" Black Dog watched on expectantly.

Xiao Nanfeng held the bamboo slip in his hand and attempted to attune to it. To his surprise, the bamboo slip vibrated and repelled his qi.

"Interesting. As expected of a portion of a Boundless Immortal relic. I might be able to attune to it given enough time, but not in the short term."

"What do we do, then?" Black Dog fretted.

Xiao Nanfeng was silent for a moment. In the end, he decided to help. "Head to the other end of the valley and make a commotion to attract the zombies' attention. I'll attempt to rescue Southern Aspect Yang."

"You're willing to help, Martial Aspect Xiao? Thank you, thank you!" Black Dog exclaimed.

"If I succeed, there will be chaos. We'll meet up in the valley where we rested prior to coming here," Xiao Nanfeng told him.

"Understood! I'll be heading to the other end of the valley now, then."

Black Dog rushed toward the other end of the valley, detouring around the formation within which Yang Chuan and the zombie king were fighting. Along the way, with a loud shout, he sent a series of huge boulders flying toward the zombies in the distance.

The zombies turned toward Black Dog.

"Black Dog, you're no match for them. Leave!" Yang Chuan roared.

Black Dog ignored his master's command as he continued to taunt the zombies, enraging them until they began heading in his direction.

Meanwhile, opposite them, Xiao Nanfeng activated his candleflame powers. A portal of red light formed between him and the golden bamboo scroll. He reached out for the scroll.

The golden scroll, viewing him as a threat, immediately released a burst of golden light that knocked Xiao Nanfeng's grasping hand away.

"Damn it," Xiao Nanfeng cursed.

He stabbed at the golden light with the golden bamboo slip in his hand. As expected, the light didn't reject the unconventional weapon. Xiao Nanfeng thrust forward with it until the scroll began to vibrate madly, forming a golden storm that knocked all the zombies in the vicinity flying.

Xiao Nanfeng intended on using the golden bamboo slip to nudge the entire scroll toward him, but the scroll was more powerful than he anticipated. It attracted the bamboo slip to itself so strongly that Xiao Nanfeng's body almost went flying into the portal, forcing him to release the slip.

The slip reunited with the golden bamboo scroll, making it whole once more.

The golden scroll radiated intense light from within. It seemed to reject any attempt to control it, and it stopped suppressing Yang Chuan.

Yang Chuan's eyes brightened. He shouted, "Break!"

A fearsome wave of energy knocked the zombie king aside and rushed down the valley. Even the mountains in the vicinity rumbled.

"Black Dog, let's go!" Yang Chuan shouted, flying straight for his subordinate.

The zombie king caught the golden scroll in the air, then chased after Yang Chuan and Black Dog with his zombie subordinates. Some discovered Xiao Nanfeng and went after him instead.

Xiao Nanfeng hastily retreated.