The Demon Exorcism True Monarch advised several times, fearing that he might go astray.
However, Xu Qing said:
"In these chaotic times, how can there be unbroken eggs? If I do not practice the techniques of the left-hand path, it's like a lamp in the dark, a good tree in a forest of withered wood, attracting all sorts of evil winds."
"Moreover, hasn't the True Monarch ever practiced ghost law divine techniques?"
"Only by blending with the dust can one survive in this filthy world."
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch finally replied with just one sentence: "I hope you are not just going with the flow..."
Xu Qing ran back and forth, during which the Demon Exorcism True Monarch wanted to teach him the Ghost-slaying Sword technique, but when he saw the Profound Lady Sword technique performed by Xu Qing, the True Monarch was speechless.
"Who taught you this sword technique?"
"An old, shameless monkey."
"Old monkey?" The Demon Exorcism True Monarch was puzzled.
"It's a white ape guarding the Celestial Scripture, calling himself Lord Yuan. This sword technique was learned at a great cost from him."
At this point, Xu Qing suddenly asked the man in the red robe, "The old vixen in the White Cloud Cave is my enemy. Can the True Monarch eliminate that Fox Demon before dealing with the Ghost Law?"
"Lord Yuan, so it was him..."
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch said in realization: "Lord Yuan is a disciple under the Profound Lady of the Nine Heavens. Why would he teach you such a sword technique and divine method for no reason? Could it be that he wants you to eliminate the Heavenly Fox in White Cloud Cave for him?"
"Exactly! That Heavenly Fox was subdued by the Celestial Emperor in White Cloud Cave, how did you become enemies with it? I think Lord Yuan has personal motives, using you as a pawn against that Heavenly Fox, is that right?"
Xu Qing glanced at the Demon Exorcism True Monarch, sarcastically said: "This talk, it sounds like some True Monarch also wants to use me to deal with the Ghost Law, do you call that having personal motives?"
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch laughed awkwardly: "You can't confuse things like this. You care about the safety of the Jin Sect, dealing with the Ghost Law is protecting the Jin Sect, how can this be considered mutual exploitation between us? We share the same goals."
"Share the same goals?"
Xu Qing clicked his tongue and said: "Then that's good, True Monarch, do me a favor, eliminate that Heavenly Fox, so I can wholeheartedly deal with the Ghost Law."
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch shook his head and said: "That Heavenly Fox practices the Nine Heavens secret techniques, divine techniques of Earth Fiend, it is not afraid of ordinary ghost law divine techniques, its daoist skills are not weaker than mine, besides, currently, White Cloud Cave is still sealed by the Celestial Emperor, to eliminate it, the restriction must first be broken."
"But if the restriction is broken and I fail to eradicate the Heavenly Fox, and it escapes instead..."
Xu Qing sneered: "You immortals always leave a mess, claiming it's destiny, waiting for someone destined to clear it up."
"Isn't this just fooling idiots? Do the destined people deserve to be played by you?"
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch's face flushed with embarrassment, he grumbled: "I have no such intentions, if there was someone else to use, why would I make things difficult for you?"
"Moreover, even if you insist on leaving now, could I forcefully keep you?"
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch went to his divine altar, looked up at the deity statue once worshiped by the world, and continued:
"But I know, you will not give up the Jin Sect. After this matter, I do not know how to thank you. If possible, after I return to the Nihility, all those external artifacts will be given to you!"
Xu Qing understood what the Demon Exorcism True Monarch meant, it was none other than the divine inheritance, those artifacts belonging to the Demon Exorcism True Monarch.
"I can't use your Ghost-slaying artifacts, at most I'll keep them for you, and return them when your calamity and difficulties are over."
Xu Qing spoke honestly, his zombie form was not very afraid of ghosts, and he killed humans humanely, ensuring a whole corpse was left intact. If these items were given to someone devoted to subduing demons and exorcising ghosts, they might be useful, but for him, they are of little significance.
Meanwhile, as they spoke, outside the Bone Shrine, there suddenly came one explosion after another, the Ghost Soldiers of the Withered Bone Inn scattered like birds and beasts.
Hearing the commotion from afar, Xu Qing furrowed his brow.
"It's the location of the Eight Banner Marshals' tombs, this commotion... could it be that the Yin Erosion Dharma King has come attacking?"
Without further delay, Xu Qing collected the ripe fruit of the Fierce General, then dutifully returned to the battle formation.
At this moment, the Evil Qi by the Eight Banner Marshals' tombs soared to the sky.
Both military formations brimmed with killing intent.
Xu Qing gazed around, seeing the skeleton cavalry under the Eight Banner Marshals forming a strict battle formation.
The Eight Banner Marshals wore a helmet, donned heavy armor, rode a skeletal steed, with a great dragon of fortune coiling above their backs, standing lance in hand at the forefront of the formation.
Directly opposite, within the Witch Soldiers' camp.
The dual-gender, two-headed, four-armed Yin-Eroding Lord hovered amid the shadowy clouds, overlooking the Golden Armored Marshal before them.
The male aspect of the lord, with bristling beard and furious eyes, clutched in one hand a spiked iron club laden with 'Bone Relieving Devices,' while wielding a giant axe forged from Primordial Essence Stone in the other, exuding the weighty aura unique to the Wilderness with every move.
The female aspect, known as Yin Eroding Crone, appeared as a beautiful woman with a skeletal face. In one hand, she shook an insect-drum flute, summoning clouds of poisonous insects that bore her aloft on the 'clouds';
With the other hand, she held the Yin-Eroding Banner, and with a tremor of her skeletal palm, a black and red moon composed of insects rose skyward.
If one didn't look closely, it would seem as if a round moon emerged through shadowy clouds driven by a shadowy wind.
In reality, it was a cloud of insects and moon, covering the sky over the Shadow River.
Xu Qing entered the formation, only to find numerous Skull Ghost Soldiers' corpses strewn about, evident that both armies had clashed already.
The whereabouts of the Golden Simurgh were unknown, yet as soon as he saw Xu Qing, he scrambled forward, rolling and crawling like he'd met a savior.
Judging by his still-haunted expression, it was clear he had been thoroughly frightened by the battle's tumult.
The Golden Simurgh kept muttering, eager to escape with Xu Qing!
"Look at you, scared silly, a banquet's been laid before you, and you're thinking of running?"
"A banquet? Where?"
Xu Qing lifted his chin, eyes settled on the shadowy clouds above the formation.
"See those shameless creatures cavorting in broad daylight? They're your chefs; if you want endless bugs to eat, go find them!"
————————————
Xu Qing looked out, seeing the sternly arrayed Skull Cavalry under the Eight Banner Marshals.
The Eight Banner Marshals, helmeted and clad in heavy armor, rode skeletal steeds with a serpentine dragon of fortune coiled above, standing tall at the formation's front.
Directly opposite, within the Witch Soldiers' camp.
The dual-gender, two-headed, four-armed Yin-Eroding Lord hovered amid the shadowy clouds, overlooking the Golden Armored Marshal before them.
The male aspect of the lord, with bristling beard and furious eyes, clutched in one hand a spiked iron club laden with 'Bone Relieving Devices,' while wielding a giant axe forged from Primordial Essence Stone in the other, exuding the weighty aura unique to the Wilderness with every move.
The female aspect, known as Yin Eroding Crone, appeared as a beautiful woman with a skeletal face. In one hand, she shook an insect-drum flute, summoning clouds of poisonous insects that bore her aloft on the 'clouds';
With the other hand, she held the Yin-Eroding Banner, and with a tremor of her skeletal palm, a black and red moon composed of insects rose skyward.
If one didn't look closely, it would seem as if a round moon emerged through shadowy clouds driven by a shadowy wind.
In reality, it was a cloud of insects and moon, covering the sky over the Shadow River.
Xu Qing entered the formation, only to find numerous Skull Ghost Soldiers' corpses strewn about, evident that both armies had clashed already.
The whereabouts of the Golden Simurgh were unknown, yet as soon as he saw Xu Qing, he scrambled forward, rolling and crawling like he'd met a savior.
Judging by his still-haunted expression, it was clear he had been thoroughly frightened by the battle's tumult.
The Golden Simurgh kept muttering, eager to escape with Xu Qing!
"Look at you, scared silly, a banquet's been laid before you, and you're thinking of running?"
"A banquet? Where?"
Xu Qing lifted his chin, eyes settled on the shadowy clouds above the formation.
"See those shameless creatures cavorting in broad daylight? They're your chefs; if you want endless bugs to eat, go find them!" The Golden Simurgh kept muttering, eager to escape with Xu Qing!
"Look at you, scared silly, a banquet's been laid before you, and you're thinking of running?"
"A banquet? Where?"
Xu Qing lifted his chin, eyes settled on the shadowy clouds above the formation.
"See those shameless creatures cavorting in broad daylight? They're your chefs; if you want endless bugs to eat, go find them!"