Chapter 248: Changes, Injuries

There were only ten minutes left, and if the task wasn’t completed, people would be killed!

Shui Miao’s expression naturally turned tense and conflicted. Time now felt like a cruel punishment, inflicting invisible suffering.

Seeing Shui Miao’s anxiety, Baiyang was clearly very pleased with himself.

Hei Sheyao (Black Snake Demon) also began to feel uneasy. He had never encountered such a choice before and couldn’t help but worry about how his master would ultimately decide.

After about a minute of tension, Shui Miao suddenly gently closed his eyes and stood completely still.

Though appearing calm on the surface, Shui Miao’s mind was racing, desperately seeking a solution.

“The best strategy is to capture the bandit king first—kill Baiyang, and the problem will be completely resolved.”

From observing the ghost soldiers, it was clear they were acting under duress. If Baiyang were eliminated, they likely wouldn’t harm Hu Yao Qimei (the seventh fox demoness) or Jin Chanzi (Golden Toad).

But how could he kill Baiyang?

Using Shi Ling (Soul Devouring)?

Or perhaps one of the five elemental energies of Yin and Yang?

Shui Miao did not possess profound knowledge of spells and understood that a direct confrontation was impossible. His only option was to adopt a strategy of numbing Baiyang’s vigilance and launching a surprise attack, which might provide a better chance of achieving victory.

Clever tactics were the only viable choice.

After a moment of contemplation, Shui Miao used mental telepathy to contact Bai Feng (White Phoenix) within the Shengyuan Ring, hoping to hear her opinion.

Upon learning the situation, Bai Feng was also at a loss, mainly because of the extremely limited time.

Still, she offered a suggestion: Shui Miao could use a surprise attack by combining Yin and Water elemental immortal energies to freeze the ghost soldiers. Alternatively, he could directly attack Baiyang while she emerged from the Shengyuan Ring to rescue everyone. However, neither of these options was ideal.

Time ticked away second by second.

Just as Shui Miao was growing anxious, Hei Sheyao suddenly sent him a telepathic message: “Master, Yin Shen taught me a secret technique. Let me deal with him later while you go save the others.”

“What secret technique?” Shui Miao’s heart stirred. “He’s the City God—he can’t be underestimated.”

“It’s called the Hypnotic Art, a spiritual technique. I can’t guarantee complete success, but I can definitely confuse him for a few seconds.” Originally, Hei Sheyao had intended to wait and see what Shui Miao decided, but seeing Shui Miao standing motionless with his eyes closed, he finally couldn’t hold back any longer and revealed the secret technique Yin Shen had taught him.

“The Hypnotic Art!”

Shui Miao immediately communicated with Bai Feng via telepathy again, aligning their plans for a joint counterattack.

At this moment, Baiyang finally spoke: “Closing your eyes won’t help. Now, you only have one minute left. When the time’s up, if you’re still hiding your eyes, they’ll have to watch helplessly as they die forever—no reincarnation, just complete annihilation.”

“Baiyang, you win!”

Suddenly opening his eyes, Shui Miao looked at Baiyang and knelt directly in front of him. “I surrender. Please kill me, but spare them—they’re innocent.” He deliberately lowered his head, slumping onto the ground like a completely defeated and pitiful figure.

This was a deliberate ploy to lull his opponent into complacency, creating an opportunity to strike when least expected and eliminate him decisively.

“Master, how can you kneel before such a despicable coward!?” Hei Sheyao suddenly shouted hysterically, pointing at Baiyang: “You insignificant City God, don’t push your luck too far!”

“Oh, so I’m pushing my luck? What can you do about it?”

Baiyang sneered, pointing at Shui Miao and saying to Hei Sheyao: “See this? Your master has already knelt. You should kneel before me too.”

“In your dreams!”

Hei Sheyao immediately activated the Hypnotic Art. Unexpectedly, a jade pendant on the City God’s body emitted a green light, turning the technique back on Hei Sheyao and confusing him instead!

Several ghost soldiers rushed forward and seized Hei Sheyao.

“…”

Plans often couldn’t keep up with changes. Shui Miao gritted his teeth—Hei Sheyao had truly proven himself more of a liability than a help.

“Hahahaha!”

Baiyang laughed loudly. “What a joke! You actually thought such a pathetic move could work on me? Do you really think I’m some weak scholar?”

Suddenly, Baiyang’s laughter stopped. “Shui Miao, since you’ve knelt before me, I’m not heartless. Now I’ll offer you a choice: if you want to save those three, you must take a knife and flay yourself alive, slice by slice!”

Baiyang’s cruelty knew no bounds—it was nothing short of beastly behavior.

As the City God, he should have been a just and impartial guardian of the region.

One of the more senior ghost soldiers couldn’t stand it anymore. An elderly one finally spoke up: “My Lord, you are the City God himself! By doing this, you’ve already violated the laws of the Underworld. Might I ask you to consider my humble suggestion and let this matter end here?”

The old ghost soldier was clearly trying to persuade the City God to calm down and avoid further mistakes.

“Whoosh!”

Baiyang suddenly turned around, glaring fiercely at the old ghost soldier and shouting: “Consider your suggestion? Do you even know who you are? My senior master is dead, and you think one suggestion will make everything okay?”

“My Lord, Elder Cai only has your best interests at heart.”

“That’s right, my Lord. Elder Cai has worked with us for many years—he’s a man of good intentions. My Lord, you shouldn’t speak of him like that.”

“Please, my Lord, reconsider and don’t compound your mistakes!”

…

The ghost soldiers began to speak up, all supporting Elder Cai.

Elder Cai had always led by virtue and was deeply respected among the ghost soldiers.

“Exactly!”

Seeing everyone speak up, the leader of the ghost soldiers—who had also been unhappy about Elder Cai being insulted—finally added his voice: “My Lord, this is a personal matter of yours. You shouldn’t drag us all into it. We have the right not to participate in actions that violate the Underworld’s laws. Now, if there’s no official business, we’ll take our leave.”

With the leader’s words, the ghost soldiers who had held blades to Jin Chanzi and Hu Yao Qimei’s necks also released them.

This was the opportunity!

At this moment, Shui Miao seized the chance and suddenly stood up: “Baiyang, you claim I killed your senior master, that evil Black Mountain Old Mother. Now you want revenge. Fine then, please act like a real man and face me in a fair duel. Don’t use your authority to scheme, don’t bully others with your power, and don’t gang up on me. Those are all cowardly, womanish tactics. If you defeat me, I’ll accept whatever punishment you choose. But if I win or kill you, then you must accept your fate.”

Shui Miao’s timing in challenging Baiyang was perfect.

Baiyang had originally only wanted to torment Shui Miao but hadn’t expected to accidentally insult Elder Cai and provoke widespread anger.

Now that Shui Miao had issued a challenge, he had no choice but to accept.

“Hmph! Arrogant! Absolutely arrogant beyond belief!” Baiyang turned sharply, shouting at Shui Miao: “You’re practically asking for death! Do you really think I didn’t kill you earlier because I was afraid of you? Do you really think you’re so powerful? Don’t you know that all three of you used underhanded tricks to kill my senior master? What a joke! You call me unmanly, say I’m afraid to face you one-on-one? Fine! I’ll grant your wish and duel you, so you can learn just how strong I really am!”

“Whoosh!”

With a wave of his hand, Baiyang transformed the long sword in his hand into a folding fan.

Shui Miao calmly stepped back a few paces and closed his eyes, using his spiritual sense.

Seeing this, the ghost soldiers all retreated—they knew that the long sword Baiyang carried was a powerful soul weapon. One slash could scatter a soul, and no one could withstand it. Another known fact was that Baiyang had a habit before killing someone: he liked to transform his sword into a folding fan, deliberately underestimating his opponent.

But to Baiyang’s surprise, Shui Miao had closed his eyes.

“Hmph!”

Baiyang narrowed his eyes, about to wave the fan to test Shui Miao with sword qi, when suddenly Shui Miao’s body erupted with a massive surge of immortal energy.

“Hmph! Petty tricks! You actually think you can form a protective barrier with immortal energy? Do you think my sword is just for show?”

“Xiu!”

The moment Baiyang swung the fan, Shui Miao also raised his curved blade and slashed directly at Baiyang.

The clash of sword qi and blade energy sent a howling wind through the air.

But in Baiyang’s eyes, Shui Miao’s speed was far too slow.

Before Shui Miao’s blade could land, Baiyang had already flashed behind him and thrust his sword toward Shui Miao’s back: “Kid, you’re really too weak. Dueling you is an insult to me.”

The folding fan instantly transformed back into a sword, piercing straight into Shui Miao’s dantian (energy core)!

…

All the ghost soldiers, Hei Sheyao, Hu Yao Qimei, and Jin Chanzi froze in horror. They couldn’t believe it—Shui Miao had been killed so quickly!

But then something strange happened…

Baiyang’s sword emitted an unusual white light. A surge of scorching Yang-type immortal energy surged through the blade, forcing Baiyang to retreat!

This was the first time Baiyang had ever lost control of his sword.

Struck by pure Yang energy, the sword’s Yin power was severely damaged, its spiritual essence extinguished.

Shui Miao mentally pulled the sword from his body and quickly stored it inside the Shengyuan Ring. Bai Feng immediately flew out, dispersing the soul within the sword and claiming it for herself.

“How is this possible? What’s wrong with your dantian?” Baiyang had expected victory, but the outcome was the opposite. Not only had he failed to kill Shui Miao, but he had also lost his sword. He couldn’t understand it. He had never seen a dantian like Shui Miao’s—one that, even after being pierced, could emit such pure Yang energy. It was simply unbelievable! Could he be an immortal from the Upper Realm? Was he truly the disciple of that Ling Shuai (Spirit Commander)? Could it be that he had been pretending to be weak to lure him into a trap?

Unable to comprehend Shui Miao, Baiyang’s arrogant expression finally began to fade.

Seeing this, the ghost soldiers were even more shocked. They recognized pure Yang energy and immediately concluded that Shui Miao must be someone of great importance. Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare to challenge the City God or kill his senior master. The slow way he had attacked earlier might very well have been part of a clever deception.

“Release them!”

The leader of the ghost soldiers, a wise man, immediately ordered his subordinates to let the captives go.

Some ghost soldiers hesitated—they couldn’t release the prisoners without Baiyang’s command.

At this moment, Elder Cai sighed and said: “Lord Bai has committed a grave mistake. He can no longer serve as the City God. As ghost soldiers of the Underworld, we must abide by the Underworld’s laws. We cannot follow our superior’s rash decisions and commit crimes ourselves. Xiao Lu, Xiao Hu, release them.”

Elder Cai’s words were like a wake-up call, making the ghost soldiers realize what they should and shouldn’t do.

After regaining their senses, the ghost soldiers quickly released the captives.

As soon as Hei Sheyao was freed, he immediately flashed to Baiyang’s front, risking his life to engage him in a fierce struggle, refusing to let go.

Hu Yao Qimei and Jin Chanzi also rushed forward, grabbing Baiyang’s legs and arms.

“Get off me!”

Baiyang violently shook his body, sending Hei Sheyao, Hu Yao Qimei, and Jin Chanzi flying.

At this moment, Shui Miao, already injured from the dantian wound, slowly turned around, opened his eyes, and waved at Hei Sheyao: “Don’t come any closer. Let me duel him alone.”

A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of Shui Miao’s mouth.

“He’s injured!!”

“So he wasn’t pretending to be weak after all!?”

“He’s doomed… his dantian has been destroyed…”

The ghost soldiers whispered among themselves, now convinced that Shui Miao wasn’t faking weakness.

“Haha! Brat, I’m going to see just what secrets you’re hiding inside that body of yours!”

Seeing Shui Miao injured, Baiyang was overjoyed. He immediately summoned a large amount of black qi and forced it violently into Shui Miao’s seven orifices…

“No good! We’re finished! Baiyang is trying to extract his soul!”

Elder Cai couldn’t help but feel anxious for Shui Miao—truthfully, he had long disliked Baiyang.

“Ai!” The leader of the ghost soldiers sighed heavily. “Lord Bai is too ruthless. Even with immortal energy, it’s hard to resist his soul-extraction technique. If this Shui Miao survives, he must be someone extraordinary—his patron must be at least a Great Immortal of the Golden Immortality.”

“This is your own doing!”

Suddenly, Shui Miao let out a painful scream, his expression contorted with agony. Then he collapsed limply to the ground, and a thick black mist slowly seeped out from his skin…