Chapter 36: Under the Moonlight

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Hastening your death!”

Mockery and sarcastic remarks came from that shadow. It ignored Zhou Heng’s slash.

After all, it was merely a saber in the hands of a ninth-class martial artist. It would have no impact!

The moment Zhou Heng’s slash touched that shadow’s so-called sword, the black spike stretching out from that shadow found itself being skewered like a tofu!

“You are delivering Eighth-Class Solo Nine Swords—Broken Sword Style against the enemy and have perfectly defused the enemy, Seal Wraith’s attack. The level of proficiency increased by 15.”

Indeed, it was the same Seal Wraith who had escaped earlier!

Zhou Heng narrowed his eyes. At the same time, he shifted the tip of his saber to one side and slashed at it!

The power of the sword was transformed into the power of a saber!

A section of that black spike was instantly chopped off.

“How’s that possible?!”

Voices filled with disbelief came from that shadow. It was full of shock.

Ghosts had sharp senses. They could judge the level of Zhou Heng’s qi and blood circulation with precision.

‘He’s only a ninth-class martial artist at a novice level!

‘Perhaps he had some internal qi!’

Generally speaking, a martial artist at his level could not possibly inflict such damage to him.

“What’s happening?!”

“Nothing’s impossible!”

Zhou Heng replied nonchalantly. He moved his hand and delivered twelve consecutive slashes.

All of them struck that shadow on the ground.

So, this was a one-point increase in agility!

The effects of an additional foundation attribute were indeed terrifying.

A normal ninth-class martial artist would never be able to deliver that slash at such speeds.

Even this was not considered an easy task for an eighth-class martial artist.

Nonetheless, Zhou Heng was able to deliver it effortlessly. He delivered twelve slashes within the blink of an eye. He actually delivered the complete set of Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique!

Thump!

Thump! Thump!

The force executed from Zhou Heng’s saber was terrifying. Not only was each slash delivered as sharp as a razor, but they carried power that split mountains. Every blow struck the shadow at full force!

The flat road was torn open. The ground ten feet around them had been plowed. Even the bricks were crushed, pieces flying everywhere. They were covered with many slashes, most pieces disintegrating into powder.

It was the power of a two-point increase in might!

With such terrifying power, coupled with Zhou Heng’s special attribute of special attack against Yin Spirits, he simply shook the Seal Wraith out of its shadow form.

The ghost left its shadow form and converged into a human form, taking the appearance of Shopkeeper Qian.

So, the Seal Wraith was actually Shopkeeper Qian!

In other words, the ghost had possessed the body of Shopkeeper Qian!

Despite being thrown out of its shadow form, the Seal Wraith did not seem to panic at all. Instead, its facial expression seemed to be ecstatic. His gaze was fixated on Zhou Heng. He was drooling.

“Hahaha! Supreme Yang Divine Soul! You’re indeed a Supreme Yang Divine Soul. No wonder you’re able to break my shadow form into pieces by using that strange secret skill last time! That’s great! That’s great!

“Kid, you’re mine!”

It lunged toward Zhou Heng while laughing maniacally. Both his hands turned into sabers. Without knowing what kind of martial art it was performing, its body erupted an extremely gloomy and cold aura.

Hoo! Hoo!

The cold wind blew against them. The Seal Wraith’s palms were lit up with pitch-black, gloomy cold flames. His two palms made of flesh actually looked like two long and pitch-black flaming sabers. It slashed at Zhou Heng!

Clank!

Zhou Heng lifted his saber to defuse its attack. His hands stung. The steel saber in his palm trembled violently, emitting an ear-piercing sorrowful hum. He could feel that he was not merely parrying flesh. Instead, he was clashing against two giant sabers weighing several thousands catties!

If not for the foundational attribute of a two-point increase in mighty power, he suspected that he might even have been knocked out the moment he came into contact with that pair of fleshy palms.

What terrifying power!

If an ordinary ninth-class martial artist were to face such an attack, he would be injured if the attack grazed him. If he were hit, he would die!

However, thanks to his special attack against Yin Spirits, even the Seal Wraith itself was harmed by Zhou Heng when he defused its attack.

The pitch-black flames on its palms were instantly put out the moment they contacted the tip of the saber. Although its terrifying force struck the saber, it had also caused his ten fingers to be sliced off.

But such an injury was completely negligible to the ghost.

The moment the Seal Wraith realized that the blow was in vain, it immediately retreated and distanced itself from Zhou Heng. It shook both of its hands, and the ten fingers grew back.

At the same time, the ten fingers that had been chopped off all turned into shadows, slithering on the ground to return to its feet, becoming whole with him again.

“That’s interesting.” The Seal Wraith looked at Zhou Heng skittishly. He grinned as he said, “The spoilers to the end of this story are coming up. I have to leave now! Zhou Heng, mark my words. You’re mine sooner or later. Hahahaha!”

Thump!

Zhou Heng swung with his saber again, producing flashes of sword lightning, but to no avail.

At that moment, the Seal Wraith transformed into shadow once again. It wandered to the dark side of the wall at lightning speed and was ready to flee.

“Monster, do not run!”

Just then, a somber cry came from high above the sky, followed by a monstrous ball of fire falling from the sky!

The bright light and blazing heat caused Zhou Heng’s expression to change slightly. Immediately, he leaped to a high building located not far away from him.

Thump!

He only heard the explosion of a deafening roar. Zhou Heng felt even the ground quaking.

After that fireball struck the ground, it was instantly transformed into a long and thick flaming serpent. It went after the direction of the Seal Wraith.

The flaming serpent whirled and flew at great speed. Its crimson light illuminated the night, reflecting Zhou Heng’s eyes with a fiery light.

The flames dissipated after a few moments. Burnt marks resulting from the scorching of fire were left on the road and on both sides of the walls.

As he saw such a powerful scene, Zhou Heng was dumbfounded and fell speechless.

‘Is this also a type of martial art?!

‘That was simply magic, right?!’

Just then, he had a sixth sense. He lifted his head and looked up. A figure hovered in midair.

‘He’s flying in the sky!

‘He’s a sixth-class martial artist!’

The person in the sky also noticed Zhou Heng.

He descended.

Little did he expect it to be Butler Wang, who was always beside Liu Changsheng.

He was actually a sixth-class expert.

“Mr. Zhou, did you just fight that monster?” Butler Wong landed next to Zhou Heng. He looked disgruntled. He said, “That monster is most bizarre. Just now, I executed a secret skill by casting flames on him, but I actually failed to burn it.”

Sixth-class martial arts were usually the dividing line between the external heritage and mysterious non-heritage from the great sects or prestigious families. Therefore, they were known as the secret sixth-class.

Ever since the birth of sixth-class martial arts, they possessed the great power to harness nature and the power to mobilize the vitality of heaven and earth, just like the legendary immortal magician. Therefore, they were also often known as secret skills.

“Were those flames that came from Incoming Joy Restaurant just now some kind of secret skill cast by you, Butler Wang?” Zhou Heng frowned.

“Mr. Zhou, don’t worry. Before this, I was casting the spell outside the inn in order to pursue that thing. There are no casualties inside the inn.” Butler Wang could see Zhou Heng’s concern, so he explained it to him.

“So, that’s it,” Zhou Heng heaved a sigh of relief. He asked again, “What’s that all about? Why did you have an encounter with that… monster, Butler Wang?”

Judging from Butler Wang’s behavior just now, he should have been unaware of the existence of ghosts. As such, Zhou Heng used “monster” as a substitution word for ghosts.

“That monster was so daring. It actually attacked Young Master Liu,” Butler Wang’s expression was dark. He continued, “Although it took the form of Qian Buduo, it definitely was not the original Qian Buduo. Previously, I’ve beaten him to death thrice. Every single time it was able to rise from death. That’s indeed a devil.”

“Young Master Liu was attacked by that monster? How is he now?” Zhou Heng was shocked when he heard his words.

‘What is that ghost trying to do?

‘It even attacked Liu Changsheng, could it simply be seeking revenge?

‘Or were there any other ulterior motives?’

“The young master had a protective chinese talisman. He was only lightly injured.” Butler Wang continued in a low voice, “However, the monster’s tricks are indeed peculiar. At the level of the seventh-class, it actually transformed itself into a shadow form and blinded my senses. I had been completely unaware of it when it sneaked in.

“As far as I’m concerned, none of the martial arts from any sects are able to produce such an effect. Could it have possessed some unknown and mysterious power?”

‘That’s because it’s not a human at all! Even that bizarre power might not be a type of martial art…’ Zhou Heng was more or less convinced that Butler Wang did not know about the existence of ghosts.

He was a little surprised about this.

‘A sixth-class expert from the prestigious Five Elements Clan actually does not know about the existence of the ghosts.

‘I’m afraid this is not just something that can be done by the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian.

‘Unless this organization is already taking control of the world from the shadows.

‘Even the top management level from the Five Elements Clan must have extended a certain degree of cooperation.

‘Only full cooperation being given from the levels of top to bottom in order would achieve such a degree of effectiveness.

‘But why would they need to hide the matter to this extent?

‘If the ghosts are made known to the public, what are the drawbacks?’

“That’s weird, when I delivered my secret skills, it should have caused a certain degree of uproar. Why is there not even a person coming out to check on it?” Butler Wang looked around. He felt odd.

“Indeed, it’s a bit strange.” Zhou Heng noticed the same too.

“I shielded the perception of the people nearby by using my secret skills.” A low voice was heard. A middle-aged man dressed in a basalt-colored official robe with a black gauze hat flew over to them.

It was Wu Zhongshan, the mayor from the Yellow Wood City. He was also a sixth-class expert.

“Greetings, Lord Mayor.” Zhou Heng gestured to make an obeisance to pay his respects.

“Greetings, Lord Mayor. I’m Wang Lang from Five Elements Clan.” Butler Wang also made an obeisance to him.

“I’ve arranged Meng Xing to handle the aftermath of this event.” Wu Zhongshan nodded lightly. He continued, “The two of you need not worry about it.”

“How are you going to handle that monster?” Wang Lang frowned and he said, “You cannot just leave that evil creature wandering around.”

“Please be rest-assured that I’ve appointed an expert who will exterminate that monster, Butler Wang.” Wu Zhongshan smiled as he said, “The two of you also need not worry that it might jump out to attack again. Please go home first. I’ll send someone for you if there’s anything.”

“I’ll bid farewell then.” Zhou Heng nodded as he said. He turned his body and left.

It seemed like the mayor was going to seek help from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian. Since experts were coming over to handle this, he did not have to be involved in it.

‘I wonder if Cheng Jiangjian is coming this round?’

‘If she’s coming, I’ll have to ask her about chinese talismans and Supreme Yang Divine Soul.

‘Hum, and also return three thousand taels of silver to her.

‘It’s a pity though.’

After Zhou Heng departed, Wang Lang asked Wu Zhongshan, “Lord Mayor, are the experts you’ve appointed from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian?”

“That’s right.” The mayor of Yellow Wood City did not conceal the fact from him. He nodded, and smiled as he said, “It seems like Butler Wang is very knowledgeable.”

“I’ve only heard of it,” Wang Lang smiled as he said, “The members from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian adopted the ancient star god as their code names. All of them wear masks, act secretively and possess special techniques.

“It’s said that they are good at solving various evil things. That monster just fit the word “evil” perfectly.

“Moreover, there’s an order from my clan.

“If we were to run into any members from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian and they are in need of our help, we must give assistance.

“That’s why I would like to seek confirmation with you pertaining to the matter just now, Lord Mayor.

“Please excuse me now. If there are any orders, do not hesitate to inform me, Lord Mayor.”

After finishing his words, the sixth-class martial artist leapt up into the sky and disappeared into the night.

Wu Zhongshan looked at Wang Lang’s silhouette as he left. His expression turned grave.

Five Elements Clan was the world’s prestigious sect. There was more than one Deva in it!

It was surprising that the sect actually gave such an order to its experts.

This suggested that other sects of the same level were likely to follow suit. This meant that the authority of the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian was further expanded.

Likewise, it also suggested that there was a probability that the threats from the ghosts and evil creatures were greater than before!

As he thought of this, he could not help but look in the direction where Zhou Heng had left.

Just then, Zhou Heng was on the way home.

Initially, he wanted to visit Yu He. The moment he recalled that he could be the reason that had attracted that ghost and also had confirmed that Yu He was safe, he put away that thought.

It was a quiet night. The streets were deserted.

As Zhou Heng was walking, he sensed a figure momentarily shading him from the silver moonlight. Soon, he saw a silhouette descending from the moonlight.

She was wearing a mask with a white background. Gold patterns were drawn on it, depicting a face that seemed to come from a wealthy family. She was dressed in all white and landed before Zhou Heng.

A soft and pleasant voice came from her.

“Mr. Zhou, can I be a guest at your house again?”