Before Xu Qing could speak, the Golden Simurgh had already raised its neck, and with the ease of slurping noodles, swallowed the insect.
After consuming the bone-eating insects, the not yet sated Golden Simurgh lowered its head and pecked several times in succession. Unlike its earlier futile attempts, this time it easily extracted silkworm-sized eggs from the Eight Banner Marshal's bones with each peck.
When the last egg was swallowed into its crop, the Golden Simurgh, like a heartless lover pulling up his pants and denying responsibility, jumped off the Eight Banner Marshal and strolled over to Xu Qing without a backward glance.
Though the appetizer wasn't much, it was genuinely appetite-boosting.
The Golden Simurgh now truly believed Xu Qing's offer to treat it to a meal.
Xu Qing opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
He hadn't expected that just after leaving the graveyard, a quick meal would be delivered to his doorstep.
The Eight Banner Marshal twisted his neck, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
But in the next moment, his face darkened and he said, "During my battles in the mortal world, Nan Cuo was known for using such despicable, underhanded methods. Now, after all these years, in the Netherworld Ghost Realm, the Yin Erosion King is still the same, playing childish tricks, truly laughable!"
The Eight Banner Marshal had died from the Yin Erosion King's Curse during his southward campaigns in life.
Thus, he loathed insects beyond measure. Now transformed into a skeletal Yin Ghost, he thought he would no longer fall prey to them, only to find that this world still had insects that could constrain Yin Ghosts.
"Putting aside personal grievances, what does the Marshal think of the Yin Erosion King's insect techniques?"
"For instance, could a Ghost Cultivator like the Duoe Ghost King, whose bones are like diamond jade, handle it?"
Aside from the Duoe Ghost King, Xu Qing hadn't interacted with other 'overlords' dominating different regions of the Ancient Yin River Dao, so his old neighbor, the Duoe Ghost King, naturally became the measure for gauging other neighbors' strengths.
The Eight Banner Marshal pondered for a moment, ghost flames flickering as he said, "In terms of using insects, Nan Cuo is the best in the mortal world."
"And over the centuries, among them, the Great Witch Yin Erosion Bhuna is the most esteemed in using insects."
"As for the Duoe Ghost King... although he has fought against me, he has never shown his true strength. However, in my view, Duoe Ghost King is the most deeply hidden and the most advanced Ghost Cultivator within the Yin River; otherwise, how could he have survived in the Yin River for a millennium?"
"But it seems that I have been narrow-minded and underestimated this Yin River."
Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and said, "What makes you say that, Marshal?"
The usually fearless Eight Banner Marshal even showed some apprehension.
"Lord Xu has been secluded for a long time and might not know that the Duoe Ghost King has already been removed by a master!"
"My scouts discovered from rumors at the Withered Bone Post Station that the master who slew the Ghost King is a righteous Taoist cultivator from the mortal world, whose cultivation is profound, perhaps nearing the Primordial Spirit stage."
"..."
"Is it that formidable?"
"Very formidable! The current situation of the Yin River is full of unpredictable changes, and the purpose of that master is still unknown. In the future, Lord Xu should stay in the camp unless necessary, to avoid any unforeseen events!"
"That's really frightening!"
"No need to panic, Lord Xu. With me and the soldiers here, I assure your safety!"
Xu Qing breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the Yin Erosion King was not that insurmountable.
He glanced at the Golden Chicken beside him; the Golden Simurgh, now having a proper meal, looked much more revitalized.
Xu Qing felt that with this meal providing a foundation, he could at least get the Golden Chicken to willingly follow him for another three years.
"Right, the Marshal hadn't yet thanked Lord Xu."
Roughly the size of the Duoe Ghost King, the Eight Banner Marshal stood and gave Xu Qing a deep bow.
Xu Qing nonchalantly accepted on behalf of the Golden Simurgh.
The gratitude was not excessive.
Without the Golden Simurgh that naturally restrained insects, these bugs, feeding on the host's strength and continually growing stronger, would eventually hollow out the Eight Banner Marshal and simultaneously erode away Dayong's fortunes connected to the Yin River.
And for an insect unbeknownst to the Eight Banner Marshal, its origin must be extraordinary. Who knows what price the Yin Erosion King paid to achieve this, but it was unfortunate to encounter the Golden Simurgh...
After the gesture, the Eight Banner Marshal laughed, "I was wondering the other day why the Yin Erosion King suddenly became so brave as to dare engage me closely and fight for his life. Turns out, he wanted to plant insects on me."
Beside him, upon hearing this, the Golden Simurgh suddenly got excited and started cawing at the Eight Banner Marshal.
"Does this chicken think the insects on me are not cleared yet?"
The Eight Banner Marshal was full of doubt.
"Not that." Xu Qing glanced at the Golden Simurgh and calmly said, "The chicken wants the Marshal to put in more effort and engage in close combat with the Yin Erosion King, so it can continuously feast on the insects."
The Golden Simurgh looked at the Eight Banner Marshal with anticipation, as if gazing at its food dish.
"..."
The Eight Banner Marshal looked at the chicken and the young man, both salivating over him, not knowing what to say.
It was understandable for chickens to eat insects, but Xu Qing's intention...
The Eight Banner Marshal shook his head. As long as Xu Qing was willing to stand by Dayong's side and oppose the Yin Erosion King, they were allies. Future motives were irrelevant at this point in time.
"By the way, Lord Xu, regarding the chicken you raised..."
The Eight Banner Marshal suppressed his thoughts and inquired about the origin of the Golden Simurgh.
Xu Qing smiled, sensing the Eight Banner Marshal's intentions and the Yin Erosion King's methods.
"Is the Marshal thinking of using the Golden Chicken's ability to counter the Yin Erosion King's insects?"
"If I could gain such assistance, that would be wonderful!"
The Eight Banner Marshal straightforwardly expressed his intention.
Xu Qing feigned hesitation, then nodded and agreed, "I can lend a helping hand to the Marshal, but I must make it clear, this Golden Chicken is something I keep for a friend, and its safety must be guaranteed..."
"I understand, as long as Lord Xu is willing to lend a hand, I am already deeply grateful."
"Having known the Marshal for many years, if not true friends, we are at least friends, and lending a small aid between friends is nothing major."
Xu Qing had planned to use the Golden Simurgh as an ace to counter the Yin Erosion King.
The Yin Erosion King's true form was a synthesis of the bodies of the Dual Appraiser King and the Yin Erosion Bhuna after their death.
The two were merged, with the King being adept at slaughter and Bhuna being skilled in controlling insects. Together, they had overcome the weak point of close combat for Gu Masters, while enhancing the Dual Appraiser King's tactics on the battlefield.
This troublesome variation allowed the Yin Erosion King to contend against the Eight Banner Marshal for centuries without defeat.
Xu Qing had already intended to seek cooperation with the Eight Banner Marshal.
The ghost soldiers of the Yin Erosion King had great use for him, especially upon learning that refining the remaining main bone required two corpses not inferior to the Duoe Ghost King, Xu Qing was even more interested in the Yin Erosion King's corpse.
Now, before he could approach, the Eight Banner Marshal was already requesting cooperation, fitting perfectly into Xu Qing's plans.
"By the way, Lord Xu, the Marshal has not seen General Zuo for a long time. Is he safe?"
"Safe! Very safe!"
Xu Qing replied with assurance, giving a definite answer.
Zuo Zixiong was now lying in the Eternal Coffin, sleeping like a child, how could he not be safe!
"Lord Xu is indeed trustworthy!"
"Ah, we're all neighbors, it's what should be done."
"Neighbors, you say?" The Eight Banner Marshal asked.
Xu Qing smiled, "As the saying goes, separated by life and death, the mortal world and the Yin River are unreachable by mortals, but they have always been neighbors."
"Profound, that statement is truly profound."
"I used to think the mortal world was becoming more distant, but now, Lord Xu's words have lifted the fog for me, making me feel much relieved."
The Eight Banner Marshal was overjoyed, not knowing the last neighbor Xu Qing regarded thus had already turned into a pile of withered bones.
Not having ventured out for three years, Xu Qing expected the Duoe Ghost King's disappearance to greatly impact the Yin River, but found that the entire Ancient Yin River Dao's structure hadn't changed much.
Aside from the Ghost King Mausoleum, the only change that caught Xu Qing's attention was that no one dared to recklessly claim it after learning the Ghost King's defeat, even with the Ghost King backed by the Ghost Law.
"""