The Ghost General's Battle

After Bai Youqian left, Zhu Shian stood alone outside the Daoist Temple for a long time. After much thought, she let out a cold laugh—fine, let it be.

Since it was dark and hard to descend the mountain, she stayed overnight at the temple. In the morning, before leaving, she handed Zhang Xuanqing a book of Talismans: 'This book isn't from my Zhu Family; I got it elsewhere.

The Talismans in it are simple, suitable for beginners. Teach Zhang Jie to practice with this first.' Zhang Xuanqing took the book, his hands trembling with excitement: 'Do you mean you're willing to take Zhang Jie as your closed-door disciple?' 'Let him learn first; we'll talk about the rest later.' Zhu Shian left, and Zhang Xuanqing chased after her to the door, feeling that since she'd relented, she must have some intention—but the more such a moment, the less one should rush.

Zhang Xuanqing laughed out loud, clutching the Talisman book as he ran into the room to drag Zhang Jie out of bed: 'Little one, don't sleep anymore! Get up and work hard!' Zhang Jie was pulled up groggily, mumbling, 'Master Advisor, I still want to sleep.' 'Hey, you can't sleep now.

Your future master has gone down the mountain; you should get up and work too.' 'Just a little longer.' Zhang Xuanqing fetched a wet cloth to wipe Zhang Jie's face; the cold water jolted him awake. Zhang Xuanqing smiled: 'Your future master left you homework.

If you do it well, maybe next time she comes up the mountain, she'll take you as a disciple.' Having been reminded daily by his Master Advisor, Zhang Jie knew being Zhu Shian's disciple was a good thing. He scrambled up: 'Master Advisor, what are we learning?' 'Learning to draw Talismans.

From today, we'll formally learn how to be a proper member of the Xuan Sect.' 'Okay.' Zhang Xuanqing pinched his cheek and chuckled: 'Let's eat first. After breakfast, we'll start.' 'Has Zhu Shian left?' 'Yes.' 'Did she have breakfast?' 'Oh, you're not even a disciple yet, and you're already worried if your future master is hungry?' Zhang Xuanqing teased him: 'Unbelievable.

If such a filial and obedient disciple ran off, Zhu Shian would regret it so much she'd stomp her feet.' Zhang Jie laughed, tugging Zhang Xuanqing's sleeve as he bounced along. Zhu Shian had no appetite for breakfast.

After descending the mountain and returning home, she went straight to find Ye Dan. Ye Dan hadn't needed Acupuncture for a few days; she'd been soaking in medicinal baths daily to nurture her body, and with the Zhu Family's good meals, she'd grown noticeably stronger, her face regaining its glow.

'Zhu Master, you're back.' 'I'm back.' Ye Dan was picking vegetables with Zhu Fengqin and quickly greeted Zhu Shian as she entered. Zhu Shian smiled and nodded: 'How have you been feeling these days?' 'Very well.

My legs have strength, I don't sweat at night, and my palms and soles aren't cold anymore. I sleep through till dawn.' 'Let me check your pulse.' 'Please.' Zhu Shian took her pulse, then said: 'You're recovering well.

If you want to leave now, you can.' 'I was thinking of waiting for you to return to discuss it.' The Action Team was short-handed, and feeling recovered, Ye Dan thought it was time to go back. She'd planned to wait until the Zhu Family Medical Hall opened on the eighth to bring it up, but Zhu Master mentioned it first today.

Zhu Shian sat down and said: 'I've heard some news—not sure if it's accurate.' 'Go ahead.' Seeing Zhu Shian's grave expression, Ye Dan stopped picking vegetables, sat up straight, and listened intently. 'Today is the Ghost Festival.

Tonight, and possibly the next two days, there might be large-scale Yin Soldiers Crossing in some places.' 'Yin Soldiers Crossing?' 'Yes. Places where Yin Soldiers Crossing occurs usually have two causes: timing and geography.

Timing, like today, when the Ghost Festival opens the gates of the Underworld; geography refers to ancient battlefields or naturally formed Wind-Swept Acupoint Evil, like the Mountain Valley in Zhenshan County, which attracts Yin Soldiers to pass through.' Ye Dan wasn't a member of the Xuan Sect and hadn't been with the Action Team long; this was her first time hearing of it, and she was nervous: 'What should we do?

Will it harm the people?' 'Don't be too tense. Places that form natural Feng Shui patterns like Wind-Swept Acupoint Evil, or sites of large-scale battles, are mostly in sparsely populated areas.

Even if Yin Qi breeds, it won't clash with people. Besides, the living and the dead walk different paths. As long as people avoid it, it's not a big deal.' 'Not entirely—some ancient cities are perennial battlegrounds with dense populations.' Ye Dan was very worried.

'With dense populations, there's even less to worry about. Yin Soldiers won't go where human vitality is strong.' After Zhu Shian's explanation, Ye Dan finally relaxed.

She said: 'Places prone to Yin Soldiers Crossing aren't all deep mountains and old forests. To be safe, I want to contact the Action Team as soon as possible to make some preparations.' Zhu Shian had told her this precisely for that reason—to keep the Action Team informed.

Ye Dan took her credentials to the police station and used their phone to call the Action Team. The headquarters took her report seriously, and the news of Yin Soldiers Crossing spread quickly to all regional branches.

The branch heads then relayed the information to their field operatives by various means. Before noon, the Southwest Action Team received a call from headquarters.

Li Qingyuan, who was recovering from injuries sustained during the Xiong Mountain incident, was at the Southwest branch and took the call himself. After hanging up, he asked his disciple Li Mingzhao: 'Do you know how many ancient battlefields or Yin Sha Feng Shui sites with supernatural incidents are in our jurisdiction?' 'Diaoyu Mountain, Song Mountain, Qingchuan Tiankeng, Yixiantian Gorge... about seven or eight recorded in total.' 'How many are in densely populated areas?' 'Most are in the wilderness; few are near dense populations.' 'Contact all our operatives in the Southwest region as soon as possible.

Tell them to monitor these sites closely. If there are residents nearby, reassure them and instruct everyone to close their doors and windows these two nights and not go out.

If they encounter Yin Soldiers Crossing, they must not panic.' Li Mingzhao was puzzled: 'Yin Soldiers Crossing has happened before. Why is this time so important that headquarters called specially?' 'Probably because it's different.

In the past, occurrences were sporadic and small-scale. This time, it's a large-scale event across multiple areas, so headquarters is taking it seriously.' 'How did headquarters get the news?' 'I don't know.

Stop asking and get to work.' 'Alright, I'm on it.' After reporting to headquarters, Ye Dan returned to the Zhu Family main residence. Without even time for lunch, she packed her things and prepared to leave.

Zhu Fengqin couldn't let her go hungry; she quickly boiled three eggs, still hot from the pot, and packed them in a bag for the road. From the journey from Shanghai to Zhenshan County to her stay at the Zhu Family, Zhu Fengqin had come to see Ye Dan as a junior.

Worried about the young woman traveling alone and neglecting her health, she kept fussing as she saw her off: 'You're young—don't take your health lightly. Take good care of yourself and don't get hurt again.' 'I will, as much as I can.

Thank you for your care all these days.' 'Care? You helped me plenty. Ah, go on. I won't see you far. Come visit the Zhu Family again when you have time.' Zhu Shian and Zhu Fengqin personally saw Ye Dan to the gate.

Ye Dan felt reluctant; she let go of Zhu Fengqin's hand and smiled: 'Zhu Master, Aunt Feng, see you next time.' Zhu Shian nodded: 'Farewell.' Zhu Fengqin waved: 'Alright, go. Be safe on the road.' She then turned to Zhu Changfang: 'Make sure she gets on the boat.

She's not from here and doesn't know which boat goes where.' 'Don't worry, Aunt Feng. I'll see Comrade Ye onto the boat.' 'Come back soon after.

The midday sun is scorching.' 'I know.' Ye Dan left with Zhu Changfang. Zhu Fengqin couldn't help but take a few steps after them, watching until they turned at the Sanqing Lane Archway before turning back with a sigh.

'An'an, will Ye Dan never face life-threatening trouble again?' 'Hard to say. But her fate is good—she can resolve problems.

Her face shows longevity; she won't die young.' Speaking of Ye Dan's face, Zhu Shian added: 'Her Eight Characters show official and seal stars supporting each other, with noble help. Barring accidents, she'll rise to high positions.' 'Oh, she'll be a big official!' 'At least not a small one.' Zhu Fengqin was delighted: 'Being an official is good.

Rarely do we hear of women becoming high officials. If Ye Dan does, I'll be happy for her.' She half-closed the gate and continued: 'Ye Dan has a good temperament, gets along with everyone, works diligently, and was a soldier.

If she becomes an official, she'll be a good one.' Thinking of Ye Dan, she mused: 'Isn't it strange? Ye Dan says she's from Foshan, Guangdong.

She started martial arts as soon as she could walk, then followed her father into the army. She was doing well in the military—why did she join the Action Team?

And you say she'll become a high official? That doesn't line up.' Zhu Shian said nothing. Zhu Fengqin rambled on: 'This must be what the ancestors call fate.

What's fated to come will come; what's not, don't force. Ye Dan was destined to be an official. She took a detour, but fate still put her on her path.' She grabbed Zhu Shian: 'Can reading the Eight Characters show a person's whole life?' 'No.' 'That doesn't match what you said about Ye Dan.' Zhu Shian smiled: 'The Heavenly Dao has its numbers, but humans are living beings with emotions.

Life is long, with many paths. Taking a wrong turn is normal. Or maybe it's not a wrong turn—if it's the path you want, even a detour is the right road.' Zhu Shian believed Ye Dan could succeed.

The Eight Characters were just one factor; others included her own ambitions, resilient nature, past experiences, current position, and opportunities. In supernatural novels, authors often describe powerful characters as transcending the Three Realms and Six Paths of Reincarnation to show their might.

But in truth, whether it's the Heavenly Dao that even gods, ghosts, and demons can't control, or the Mandate Of Heaven ordinary people face, both have immense inertia. Only those with firm resolve and wisdom can break free from fate's bonds.

Members of the Xuan Sect are already anomalies among humans; through Cultivation, they can glimpse some heavenly secrets, but it's hard to see their own fate. Take herself and the Taiyi Sect—she still doesn't know if, in others' eyes, her emergence as a brilliant Xuan Sect prodigy and the Taiyi Sect's rise as the foremost sect were natural occurrences or if the world's Heavenly Dao created them to deal with the chaos of gods and demons when the Heavenly Path closes.

A thousand years ago, the geniuses of the Taiyi Sect at the peak of the Xuan Sect didn't know, and she, reborn with past-life wisdom, still doesn't. Zhu Fengqin smiled at Zhu Shian: 'See?

You understand. Paths are made by walking. Whether it's the right road or a detour, the path you want is a good one.' Zhu Shian sensed a deeper meaning in her words.

Zhu Fengqin looked at her with concern: 'I noticed you were unhappy when you came back this morning. Why? Can you tell me?' 'I'm not unhappy.' 'I raised you.

Do you think I don't know when you're unhappy?' Zhu Fengqin clutched her chest, frowning and shaking her head: 'Children grow up and disdain us old folks. They won't even share their thoughts.' Zhu Shian laughed despite herself: 'Fine, I am a bit unhappy.' 'Why?

Tell Aunt Feng.' Zhu Shian led her into the courtyard, and they sat down. After a long pause, she said: 'I just feel that Heaven and Earth are ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs.' 'What nonsense is that?

Don't be pedantic. Speak plainly.' Zhu Fengqin wouldn't accept such talk. Zhu Shian rephrased: 'I think life is hard. Like ants crawling in the grass looking for food, suddenly crushed to death for no reason, with no one to complain to and nowhere to seek justice.' Hearing this, Zhu Fengqin understood.

She sighed: 'It's all fate.' At those words, Zhu Shian laughed bitterly—perfect. Today's most hated word had appeared. Zhu Fengqin patted her knee: 'Enough of that useless talk.

I just picked some long beans and a basket of greens. How do you want them cooked?' 'I want long bean rice with meat.' 'Fresh meat?

Not now. I have two pieces of cured meat. How about I cut one and make cured meat long bean rice?' 'Fine. I also want rice soup, thick rice soup.' 'Alright, Aunt Feng will make it for you.

Just wait.' 'Mm.' Zhu Fengqin went to the back storeroom and brought out a piece of cured meat. Soon, the kitchen in the backyard filled with the aroma of cooking cured meat, a smell that always brought comfort.

Zhu Shian went to lie on a lounge chair under the tree outside the kitchen, half-closing her eyes to rest while waiting for food. Little White wandered over from somewhere, draped itself over a branch to bask in the sun, making the thin branch sway.

The September sun was fierce; even under the tree, it wasn't cool. Soon, Zhu Shian was drenched in sweat. Sweating was good—it opened the pores and felt refreshing.

She was almost asleep when Little White fell from the branch into her arms. Fearing a scolding, it slithered away in a flash.

Zhu Fengqin called from the kitchen: 'An'an, food's ready! Come get the dishes.' 'Coming.' Today's cured meat long bean rice was exactly to Zhu Shian's taste.

The cured meat was diced and stir-fried until translucent, its oily sheen coating the slightly chewy rice, with soft long beans adding texture. Each bite was deeply satisfying.

After a mouthful of rice, she sipped the slightly warm rice soup, and most of her earlier discontent evaporated. 'Good, right?' 'Delicious.' Zhu Fengqin smiled: 'I told you cured meat is better than fresh.

But you love fresh meat. Compared to cured, fresh is too bland.' 'I still prefer fresh—braised pork, steamed pork, stir-fried pork—all good.' 'No way now.

We're out of meat coupons.' After eating, Zhu Shian wiped her mouth, full of confidence: 'Wait. Once the Medical Hall opens, we won't lack meat.' 'Then you'd better treat patients well.

Earn money and coupons, and Aunt Feng will buy you whatever you want.' The Medical Hall opened on the eighth, and it was still three days away. After the meal, Zhu Fengqin didn't ask Zhu Shian to help with the dishes, telling her to attend to her own affairs.

Zhu Shian did have things to do. She told Zhu Fengqin: 'Aunt Feng, some clan members will come by this afternoon. Tell them to keep an eye on the children these days and not let them out after sunset.' 'I know.

It's the Ghost Festival. Even without your reminder, every family will watch their kids.' 'Mm.' The residents of Zhenshan County were more vigilant than Zhu Shian expected.

Before sunset, people from various workplaces hurried home after work. Some parents, worried their children might linger outside, even went to pick them up from school.

Usually, after school and work, the County Hospital would be busy in the evening. Today, it wasn't—no patients came. The few inpatients who weren't critically ill were taken home by their families.

With no patients, off-duty doctors and nurses left early. Zhu Changming walked home from the County Hospital, meeting only a few pedestrians.

By the time he reached Sanqing Lane, it was a bit livelier, but still quieter than usual. Zhang Hui was surprised to see him back so soon: 'I was about to bike over to find you.' 'Find me for what?

I'm grown—I won't get lost.' 'You don't understand. The eldest girl said these days are unsettled. Don't go out after dark.' Zhu Changming chuckled, pointing at their home: 'Even if it's unsettled outside, Sanqing Lane is safe.' 'True, but caution never hurts.' Zhu Changfang, who had personally seen ghosts stopped outside the Sanqing Lane Archway, wasn't afraid at all.

She cooked dinner at her usual time, telling Xu Zhong, who had come home early: 'Sanqing Lane is a treasure. It's like the circle the Monkey King drew in Journey to the West—safe as long as you stay inside.' Xu Tang and Xu Mei heard this and surrounded Zhu Changfang: 'Mom, we want comic books.

Buy us one.' 'Can't now. Kang Kang's family has one. Go borrow it.' 'But we want our own.' 'Wait until next month when I get my wages.

I'll buy you one.' 'Really?' Zhu Changfang pointed at the dirty clothes soaking in the yard: 'Wash and hang those, and my word is true.' 'Okay! Mom, remember to buy us comic books next month.' 'I keep my word.' The sisters obediently ran off to work.

Xu Zhong rarely joked: 'Having a job makes a difference.' Zhu Changfang's lips curled up: 'I was just as assertive without a job. Got a problem with that?' Xu Zhong looked at her, smiling silently.

She was the backbone of their home. He had no objections; he'd listen to whatever she said. Xu Tang ran back in: 'Mom, the soap's gone.' 'In the cabinet in the main hall.

Go get it.' 'Okay.' Xu Tang ran off again. The families in Sanqing Lane were more relaxed than others outside, but they didn't dawdle.

After dinner and chores, they turned off the lights and went to sleep once it was dark. After dark, Zhu Shian finally went out.

She carried a large backpack filled with folded gold and silver ingots, Incense, Candles, and Spirit Money. In her hand, she held a Paper Horse and a Paper Figurine.

The moment she stepped out, Little White slipped out after her, moving fast—but not following her; instead, it slithered toward Zhu Changming's house. Just as Zhu Shian left Sanqing Lane, she heard a soft, milky howl.

Turning, she saw Little White's tail coiled around a little black dog's neck, its snake head resting on the dog's head, pressing it down. 'At your age, you're bullying a puppy?' Little White's Spirit Body emerged, and it argued: 'I'm not heavy.

My body weighs less than a corncob. It can carry me.' 'Lazy to the bone.' Zhu Shian hadn't been wrong earlier—this little black dog was truly a spirit-sensitive Xuan Dog.

With no time to fuss over a snake and a dog, she headed north from North Street toward the northeast of the county. Outside the city, she smelled Incense, Candles, and Spirit Money, guessing someone had made offerings earlier and gone home after dark.

Unafraid of the dark or ghosts, she chose a spot to light the incense. Bai Youqian appeared. Seeing the unburned Paper Horse and Paper Figurine, he beamed: 'This Paper Horse is so majestic!

And this Paper Figurine—tall and handsome, perfect for me.' Zhu Shian took a stack of yellow paper, lit it, burned a pile of spirit money, then all the gold and silver ingots, and finally the Paper Horse and Paper Figurine. As the flames consumed the paper, a group of wandering ghosts gathered.

Bai Youqian threw out his soul-locking chain in silent threat. When the last ember died, Bai Youqian's head shrank, his body elongated, and his soul turned into a wisp of smoke that drifted into the Paper Figurine.

He leaped up, mounted the tall horse, pulled the reins, and the horse reared, forelegs high, neighing as if to gallop. 'Heavenly Master Zhu, your handmade paper offerings are nothing like the ordinary ones.

They fit my soul like a shed snake's skin—as if I was born looking like this.' Bai Youqian laughed heartily, the muscles around his mouth pulling, his brows lifting—so vivid he seemed alive. The horse beneath him was the same: every hair distinct, its eyes large and glossy.

Who wouldn't love it? Zhu Shian smiled: 'I haven't made these in years. Seems my skills haven't faded.' Bai Youqian trotted a small circle and laughed: 'Your craftsmanship is unmatched.

The things you burn to the Underworld are fought over by old ghosts. Even our Qiye once begged for a mule from your master.' 'Oh?

I'm glad Qiye liked it.' An open secret: legend says Xie Bian raised a mule in his first life. The mule was entirely black, except for its four hooves and tail, which were white.

Xie Bian loved that mule dearly. When he died of illness, he forbade his family from selling it for meat and gave it a grand burial.

When Zhu Shian made offerings to the Taiyi Sect, she crafted a paper mule in the likeness of Xie Bian's beloved pet and burned it, specifically to catch his attention. And now, the bait had paid off.

Last time, she only heard that the Underworld's Ghost Generals were using the gold and silver she burned to reward minor ghosts. Now, she heard that Qiye had asked her master for a mule—a sign of change in the Underworld.

For her and the Taiyi Sect's departed souls, it was a good change. Perhaps this was also a message Qiye wanted Bai Youqian to pass to her.

The night grew darker, and the mountain wind picked up, whipping Zhu Shian's hair wildly, sending chills through her scalp. Bai Youqian's expression shifted: 'Heavenly Master Zhu, it's late.

This old ghost must go.' He tugged the reins, and the Paper Horse broke into a run. 'Owoo, owoo~' Zhu Shian looked down at the little black dog at her feet, ignoring whether it understood: 'Want to come watch the excitement?' As soon as Bai Youqian left, Little White's soul emerged: 'Master, what excitement?' 'Let's go see the Yin Soldiers Crossing.' Legend says the world was once chaos, until a celestial god split heaven and earth, creating the sky, the earth, and the Underworld.

Immortals, mortals, and ghosts each walked their own path, never intersecting. But never intersecting was impossible—how else would the Three Realms cycle through Reincarnation, and this world function?

Yet ultimately, the Heavenly Dao demands each walk their own path, so they must—at least on the surface. Zhu Shian stood alone outside the Three Pure Ones Taiji Magic Array, watching the ghosts in the Mountain Valley either fighting in chaos, with bones flying, or forming battle formations and charging recklessly, led by a Ghost General...

The valley was in turmoil, Yin Qi rampaging. This naturally formed Wind-Swept Acupoint Evil, an extreme Yin site, was perfect for them.

She wondered if, after a few such grand spectacles, this extreme Yin Feng Shui formation would be completely destroyed. But that would be fine too.

A Ghost General in a cinnabar-red helmet spotted Zhu Shian outside the Magic Array. His ghostly eyes widened, black blood oozing from them, his shifting gaze seeming to want to ensnare her soul.

That this Ghost General could see through the array was impressive, but trying to capture her soul? Was he overestimating himself?

Zhu Shian found it amusing. The smile on her lips enraged the Ghost General. He raised his red-tasseled spear and commanded all ghost soldiers to charge toward her.

'Boom! Boom! Boom!' The rhythmic stomping sounded like a thousand troops bearing down. Even with the array between them, Zhu Shian felt the pressure.

But that was all. Little White, coiled around the little black dog, was terrified. Its tail wrapped around the dog's head, urging it to flee.

The little black dog didn't want to go, but it was no match for Little White and was dragged away. Zhu Shian's gaze sharpened like a blade.

Come on—perfect. She wanted to test the results of her recent Cultivation! She took down the Peach Wood Sword and Soul-Suppressing Handbell from her waist.

With the sword in her right hand and the bell in her left, she tore open a corner of the Magic Array and charged in. Five Thunders Talisman cleared the way!

Spiritual Energy channeled the power of heaven and earth, and several Five Thunders Talismans blasted a path through the countless Yin Soldiers. The Soul-Suppressing Handbell pressed down!

As it rang, all Yin Soldiers halted in their tracks. The Peach Wood Sword bore witness! This was the sword she'd retrieved from Yuntai Temple—her treasure from her past life, a gift from her master when she was accepted as a disciple.

The power of a thousand-year lightning-struck tree: one swing sent the Ghost General retreating. Zhu Shian wouldn't let him flee.

She kicked off the rubble and charged, slashing, chopping, thrusting, and sweeping—one strike after another, giving him no chance to escape, until she shattered his soul. Then she used the Five Thunders Talisman to blast a path and fled back outside the array.

Zhu Shian threw back her head and laughed. What a thrill! With the Ghost General's soul destroyed and no orders given, the Yin Soldiers fell back into chaos, their Yin Qi noticeably weaker.

The bells of Wangyun Temple echoed over Zhenshan County. Mingjue Grand Master and the Xuan Sect practitioners staying at the temple were terrified by the surge of Yin Qi.

'The Yin Qi from the valley seems weaker now.' 'The Magic Array flashed again. Did someone go in or come out?' 'Oh, this is nerve-wracking.

If the array breaks, how will we handle it?' Mingjue Grand Master calmed them: 'It won't break. Trust Zhu Shian's skill.' 'Then why did the array flash twice?' 'I suspect Zhu Shian entered and then exited.' 'Mingjue Grand Master, don't say that lightly.' The surge of Yin Qi had been no joke—even the Mother-Child Bell at Wangyun Temple couldn't suppress it.

Could Zhu Shian really enter the valley as if it were empty? Mingjue Grand Master couldn't explain further. He could only say: 'The array is fine.

Otherwise, the Yin Qi wouldn't have subsided so quickly.' 'Well, as long as the array holds.' Everyone knew there was a Magic Array in the valley, but few had seen it. The Three Pure Ones Taiji Magic Array had flashed twice, its faint light stark against the pitch-black night, visible from the mountain.

'What kind of year is this? The valley keeps causing trouble. I think the Action Team should set up a permanent post here to monitor it, so we can respond in time.' If the Action Team had enough personnel to station at every sensitive site, its members wouldn't be scattered across the country, and the branches wouldn't be nominal.

Ding Mao, though a member of the Southwest Action Team, was currently on a mission with the Central Action Team. They were deep in the Dragon God Mountain in Hubei, watching a Yin Soldiers Crossing up close.

Yin Qi filled the entire valley; those with weaker Cultivation could barely endure. Ding Mao's Cultivation was strong enough to handle the scene, and he even had the leisure to identify which dynasty the Yin Soldiers belonged to.

Opinions varied, but Ding Mao thought they looked like Qin Dynasty soldiers. Li Qingyuan stood atop the Qingchuan Tiankeng in the Southwest, keeping watch all night with a few team members.

Only at dawn, when the Yin Soldiers dispersed, did they dare descend to inspect. Zhu Shian, ever carefree, had returned after destroying a Ghost General in the valley and fallen straight asleep, her earlier gloom gone.

When she woke, the fierce September sun hung high, burning away any lurking Yin evil.