CHAPTER 421: CHAPTER 421: 4 SCATTERED STRIKES

Destructive Hands Breaking Flowers!

Lu Zheng finished off the female ghost, directly obliterating her soul.

After the female ghost was defeated without any resistance, another Ghost Child shrieked in fear and, disregarding the fact that it had not fully acquired the Refining Yang and Returning to Yin technique, turned into a black smoke and attempted to flee.

"Heh heh!"

"You can’t escape now!"

Duan River and Zhan Yue transformed into two afterimages, blocking the black smoke at every turn.

"No!" the Ghost Child shrieked, reverting to human form, and knelt to kowtow at Lu Zheng who had already approached.

"Immortal Master, spare me! Immortal Master, spare me! This little ghost was only greedy for a moment, never having harmed a mortal life before!"

"Is that so?" Lu Zheng stood not far from the Ghost Child, with an indifferent expression, "If you truly had no such intentions, why didn’t you leave immediately after entering the abandoned house and discovering the effects of this secret technique?"

"The little ghost was just curious for a moment, without considering everything thoroughly. I am willing to swear, to swear I will never practice on living people again!"

Lu Zheng chuckled softly, not believing the Ghost Child’s oath.

However, he did not need Lu Zheng’s consent. Before he could respond, the Ghost Child suddenly raised its head, and two black shadows like swords shot from its eyes, aiming straight for Lu Zheng’s eyes.

Another spiritual attack!

Lu Zheng snorted coldly, his gaze sharpened, "Golden Palace Heart Sword, slash!"

"Ah!!!"

The Ghost Child wailed, instinctively turning back into black smoke.

But Lu Zheng would not give him another chance.

"Supreme Decree, Flying Cloud Breaks Evil, quick!"

With the Flying Cloud Evil-breaking Curse, the black smoke dissipated, and the soul was obliterated.

With the two Fierce Ghosts gone, Lu Zheng once again performed the technique to summon clouds and gather Qi, completely eradicating the Yin Qi surrounding the abandoned house.

Until the next day at the break of dawn, a beam of golden light and purple Qi descended, combining with Lu Zheng’s cloud technique to finally cleanse all the Yin Qi lingering around the abandoned house. The spirit seals, due to their rootless nature, also dissipated entirely.

"Finally done."

Lu Zheng stood at the entrance of the abandoned house, facing the rising sun, muttering to himself, "However, new problems have arisen..."

Glancing back at the thoroughly explored yet revealing nothing abandoned house, Lu Zheng shook his head and turned to leave.

...

Shaotong Mountain, White Cloud Temple.

"So, that’s how it was..."

Of course, he had to report this to his sect first.

Yuan Jing, "..."

Daoist Mingzhang, "..."

Neither of them expected that the Black Wheel King had left behind such a contingency.

Fortunately, the Black Wheel King assumed Duan River and Zhan Yue were dead, allowing Lu Zheng to discover that abandoned house the next day; otherwise, the fragmented secret of Refining Yang and Returning to Yin might have spread to numerous ghosts.

And with such a secret technique, could those ghosts really resist the temptation to absorb Yang Qi from the living?

Daoist Mingzhang felt somewhat embarrassed, he couldn’t help but sigh, "I was careless for a moment!"

Lu Zheng, "..."

Yuan Jing, "..."

"I never thought that even though the Black Wheel King still had undying Yin Soul Origin, why would he want to broadcast this secret widely?" Yuan Jing couldn’t help but ask.

After all, Mingzhang was experienced as a Daoist and immediately inquired, "Did he pass on an incomplete technique?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "It’s incomplete!"

Daoist Mingzhang’s eyes flashed, "It might not only be incomplete, but could even contain some hindrances."

After a pause, Daoist Mingzhang continued, "However, I fear that within Dingshan County and Tonglin County, many ghosts lingering in the mortal world outside the Netherworld have received this technique.

The abandoned house was the center of this matter. Those ghosts are not foolish and may not stay to cause chaos in the two counties. Therefore, notify the Anomaly Suppression Bureau as soon as possible, and spread the news to all counties, reporting any issues immediately."

Lu Zheng nodded, "I’ll go."

"I shall go, as it was my negligence that left loose ends," said Daoist Mingzhang, "You and Yuan Jing should visit the rural village areas around the two counties. Should you encounter any ghosts practicing this secret technique and absorbing Yang Qi, transcend them all."

Lu Zheng and Yuan Jing bowed in unison, "Yes!"

...

Peach Blossom Plain, Taohua Village.

"Alright, I think I understand how Daoist Yuan Jing’s personality was formed." Shen Ying poured Lu Zheng a cup of tea and said softly.

"Ahem!" Lu Zheng coughed dryly.

"Alright, alright, Daoist Mingzhang is Lu Lang’s master, I get it," Shen Ying smiled, handing Lu Zheng the teacup, "But Lu Lang will be quite busy now."

"It’s fine, it’s mainly the Anomaly Suppression Bureau taking the lead," Lu Zheng said, "And the county’s officials will spread the message. As long as the villagers report inexplicable weakness among the populace, it shall be noted."

"Though surely some will be overlooked."

Lu Zheng nodded, "That’s why we need to conduct inspections everywhere."

"Will the Anomaly Suppression Bureau also take action?" Shen Ying asked softly.

"That depends on how busy they are." Lu Zheng was uncertain as well.

"In that case, we’ll have the Eighteen Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens assist. They’ve been in seclusion for quite a while and should get some fresh air." Shen Ying suggested.

"Will this not interrupt their cultivation?"

"They’ve already passed the most crucial stage, and without tasks, it’s why they’ve stayed in retreat, continuing their cultivation," Shen Ying laughed.

Lu Zheng nodded, then frowned, "But the strength of those ghosts is unknown, and I’m afraid the Eighteen Celestial Maidens may not be sufficient..."

"It’s fine, let them work in groups of three. Even encountering older spirits, they should manage to protect themselves and retreat if needed. If the enemy is formidable, the maidens will inform us rather than engage," Shen Ying said.

Only then did Lu Zheng agree, "Thank you, my lady."

Shen Ying leaned in, her voice tender as water, "As husband and wife, there’s no need for such politeness, Lu Lang."

...

After spending a night at Taohua Village, Lu Zheng returned to Tonglin County to inform Liu Qingyan.

"If Qingyan encounters cases where vitality diminishes and Yang Qi depletes, it might be the work of ghosts," Lu Zheng said, "At that time, inform me. If I’m not around, just notify the Peach Blossom Forest."

Liu Qingyan pouted, "Does Lu Lang underestimate Qingyan’s abilities?"

"Absolutely not! Of course, I hold them in high regard!" Lu Zheng laughed in comfort, brushing Liu Qingyan gently, a hand drawing an arc, "However, I still wish Qingyan would aim the Little Cyan Hill Enchanting God Technique at me instead."

Liu Qingyan’s demeanor faltered, her body softened under Lu Zheng’s touch.

"Lu Lang~"

"No taking risks, okay?"

"Okay~"

"Come, let me inspect and see how your cultivation of the Little Cyan Hill Enchanting God Technique is going."

"Lu Lang, this secret technique is the Qingqiu clan’s proper defense technique."

"Exactly! But besides for defense, the scripture doesn’t say it can’t be used elsewhere, and matters of human relations, how are they improper?"

"But, uh—"