CHAPTER 494: 345

Given the current turn of events, the phonograph should have been smashed by now.

But the Lost Soul didn’t smash the phonograph; it hit the phonograph’s switch instead.

CRACKLE... POP... The phonograph emitted static.

In the room, all the Grieving Cultivator’s Lost Souls froze.

Elder Yao’s heart tightened. He didn’t know what he was about to hear. He didn’t know what the Marshal would say to him.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG... The sound of gongs and drums burst forth.

The multitude of Deathgate Star’s Clones were terrified by this noise.

Could this phonograph be a Magical Treasure?

Deathgate Star immediately manipulated the Clones to destroy the phonograph. However, once the singing started, Deathgate Star’s true soul became unstable. He and his true body were forced back several meters.

"This letter’s arrival is most opportune,

Heaven aids Huang Zhong in his glorious task,

Standing at the camp gate, I call the muster,

All my warriors, hear the decree!"

It was "Stable Military Mountain."

Elder Yao’s eyes widened.

It was the Marshal! It was her!

Back when they went to war, "Stable Military Mountain" was the song she sang to the soldiers.

She still remembers me, this old fellow!

Two of Deathgate Star’s Clones charged towards the phonograph again.

His true body was hiding beside the vat of alcohol.

According to Deathgate Star’s prediction, Elder Yao would rush towards the vat of alcohol at all costs. Then, once Deathgate Star destroyed the phonograph, he would use his true body to deal with Elder Yao—a sure win.

But to his surprise, Elder Yao didn’t head for the vat; he protected the phonograph with all his might.

Deathgate Star was secretly alarmed. This old fellow is an Alcohol Cultivator; alcohol is what he needs most right now. Could this phonograph be more important than alcohol to him?

Then I definitely can’t let it remain.

Deathgate Star dispatched five more Clones to besiege Elder Yao.

In the struggle, a Clone sent Elder Yao sprawling, knocking over the table behind him.

The table knocked over the cabinet, which then crashed right onto the vat of alcohol.

Luck is truly an unpredictable thing.

Logically, this was the height of misfortune.

But unexpectedly, Elder Yao was knocked down and the vat shattered. An entire vat of alcohol, every drop of it, splashed all over Elder Yao.

Deathgate Star was startled, sensing that something was amiss.

Could this old man have gotten lucky?

At the peak of the Deathgate Formation’s power, how could he possibly be lucky?

「...」

HUFF... HUFF...

Inside the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

HUFF... HUFF...

The Portable Residence panted along with Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng rubbed his thighs. "One foot in, one foot out—this digging is exhausting!"

The walls trembled, and Li Banfeng heard the voice of the Portable Residence, "Four iron rails, constantly shifting back and forth—you think I’m not tired?"

Looking at the blood-stained earth in the burlap bag, Li Banfeng suddenly burst into loud laughter, "BWAHAHAHA!"

The whistle sounded, and the Portable Residence seemed to join in Li Banfeng’s laughter.

HUFF... HUFF...

His wife cheered relentlessly, and the sound of drums thundered nonstop.

The Deathgate Formation—broken!

「...」

BOOM! BOOM! BOOOOM!

In Elder Yao’s courtyard, the baleful qi dissipated with the sound of war drums.

The phonograph was still playing "Stable Military Mountain."

The drumming was loud, shaking Deathgate Star to his core.

Each word struck fear into the horde of Lost Souls, making them cower and shrink back.

"On the first drum, prepare the rations!"

The liquor that had pooled on the ground vanished, gulped down by Elder Yao, mud, sand, and all.

"On the second drum, tighten your battle robes!"

Elder Yao stood up, straightened his clothes, and the Four-Sided Banners flew up, reinserting themselves onto his back.

"On the third drum, draw your blades!"

The Three-pointed Double-edged Sword returned to Elder Yao’s palm.

"On the fourth drum, engage the enemy!"

Deathgate Star summoned the Lost Souls to stop Elder Yao. However, amidst the phonograph’s song, the Lost Souls had already lost their ability to move.

Elder Yao wielded his long sword. Where the blade swept, a mist of alcohol billowed out, enveloping the room.

Over a hundred Lost Souls turned to ash in an instant.

Perhaps because of his leg injury, or perhaps because he was drunk, Elder Yao staggered towards Deathgate Star. With a flash of his blade and a whisper of wind, Deathgate Star was sliced in two.

It was a Clone.Where was the real body? Elder Yao couldn’t see clearly.

"What does it matter if I can’t see clearly? I’ll just cut them all down!" Elder Yao laughed. The alcohol mist instantly covered the entire courtyard. The pungent alcohol stung Deathgate Star’s eyes, making it impossible for him to open them.

Amidst the flurry of sword light, over ten Clones were reduced to severed limbs and scattered remains on the ground.

With the Deathgate Formation broken, the baleful qi was gradually overwhelmed by the alcohol fumes. Seeing the situation turn sour, Deathgate Star controlled a Clone to fly out of the courtyard.

Elder Yao threw his Three-pointed Double-edged Sword; the long sword pursued the Clone.

Taking advantage of the moment, Deathgate Star’s true body tried to escape. Its movements caused a slight breeze, stirring the alcohol mist.

The Supporting Banners on his back quivered in the mist, allowing Elder Yao to pinpoint Deathgate Star’s location.

"Scoundrel, where do you think you’re going!" Elder Yao reached into the mist and seized Deathgate Star’s head.

Once your head is caught, escaping becomes much harder!

Deathgate Star transformed his baleful qi into a Short Knife, stabbing and slashing at Elder Yao’s arm.

Elder Yao seemed impervious to pain, grabbing Deathgate Star’s head and charging forward.

Deathgate Star commanded his remaining Clones to besiege Elder Yao.

His Four-Sided Banners whirled, helping Elder Yao parry the attacks.

They blocked what they could and endured what they couldn’t!

Elder Yao paid no heed to the wounds he sustained; gripping Deathgate Star’s head, he just kept charging.

Deathgate Star pulled Elder Yao into a dreamscape.

The dream distorted Elder Yao’s steps, but he continued to charge forward.

Was he dreaming or awake?

Deathgate Star couldn’t tell. Elder Yao himself couldn’t be bothered to distinguish.

What did it matter if he was awake?

What did it matter if he was dreaming?

Just keep charging forward!

After destroying the Clone it pursued, the Three-pointed Double-edged Sword flew back, waiting for Elder Yao in the courtyard.

"Rewards for all who advance! For those who retreat, the blade is swift! All my officers, return to camp with your General!"

The old General roared, holding Deathgate Star’s head and skewering it onto his blade!

In Medicine King Valley, the baleful qi dispersed.

Deathgate Star wailed incessantly.