Chapter 188: Demonslaying Hand!
Lin Mu took a step forward, a trace of cold light flashing through his calm eyes.
ROAR!
The monster seemed to realize Lin Mu was tough to deal with, and it instinctively retreated two steps.
"It... It’s actually afraid?" A hint of shock appeared in Huang Ning’s eyes, and she felt a twinge of regret. If I had treated Lin Mu better initially, perhaps I could have recruited him. That would have been greatly advantageous. Although she thought this, Huang Ning still didn’t believe Lin Mu was truly that strong. After all, even Master Feng was no match for the monster; it’s not likely Lin Mu could be stronger than Master Feng.
TAP.
Lin Mu took another step, a hint of mockery touching his lips. "So, you know fear now?"
ROAR!
Evidently provoked, the monster let out a low growl and charged directly at Lin Mu.
PFFT!
Before it could get close, the monster abruptly opened its mouth and spewed out a green mist.
Corpse Qi!
"That won’t work on me." Lin Mu shook his head slightly as a powerful aura burst forth from him, spreading out in all directions. Instantly, the Corpse Qi was forced back.
Simultaneously, Lin Mu took a step and vanished, reappearing a moment later at the monster’s side.
BOOM!
A fist radiating power descended, smashing fiercely onto the monster’s head.
ROAR!
With a miserable scream, the monster’s body flew through the air and crashed into the wall.
Huang Ning and Master Feng were struck dumb. Lin Mu... he’s so strong!
Without giving them time to think, Lin Mu appeared before the monster once again, his foot stomping down toward its head.
"Courting death!" the monster uttered in a hoarse voice, slapping a palm on the ground to flip its body over and kick at Lin Mu. However, its movements were stiff and clumsy, which slowed it down considerably.
CRACK!
A crisp snap echoed out as Lin Mu’s kick connected with the monster’s leg, breaking it.
The sole remaining bodyguard swallowed hard, his eyes filled with terror. How much strength would it take to do that?
Of everyone present, perhaps only Master Feng saw the truth. A Martial Arts Grandmaster, with the strength of a thousand pounds! He was even more shocked than before. And he’s so young! A Martial Arts Grandmaster under the age of thirty is practically unheard of, whether on the Mainland or overseas.
The monster’s leg was broken, but the Corpse Qi around it only grew denser. It glared at Lin Mu and said solemnly, "Who are you? Why must you interfere in this matter?"
Lin Mu tilted his head and looked at the monster. "It doesn’t matter who I am. Since I’ve already intervened, I’m not about to stop halfway."
"Boy, don’t push your luck! Do you really think I can’t handle you?" The voice was now laced with anger and murderous intent.
Lin Mu replied indifferently, "Heh, a petty Corpse Control Technique. I don’t even take it seriously."
Master Feng was startled. "Corpse Control Technique? There’s someone else here?"
Huang Ning asked, "Master Feng, what is the Corpse Control Technique?"
A hint of fear crept into Master Feng’s voice as he explained, "The so-called Corpse Control Technique is a sinister method from the heterodox arts. Practitioners of this technique seek out suitable corpses and refine them with secret rituals, allowing them to control the bodies at will."
His voice trembled as he continued, "Such methods defy the natural order and are not tolerated by the righteous path. However, their techniques are so bizarre and well-hidden that they have been impossible to completely eradicate."
Master Feng gave a bitter smile. "The sand-like spots on your body are the result of one of these people refining your ancestor into a zombie. It destroyed your family’s Feng Shui, and the curse manifested on you."
Huang Ning’s face turned deathly pale. So that’s the real reason for the spots on my body... It’s that complicated.
"Then... is there any way to save me?" Huang Ning asked fearfully.
"Yes!" Master Feng looked at Lin Mu. "It’s just as this... young friend said. If we kill the person controlling the corpse, the curse can be resolved."
"Hmph, I’m surprised you know so much!" A sinister voice suddenly emanated from the monster’s mouth. It was different from the previous hoarse growl—this voice was indifferent, merciless, and terrifyingly eerie. It was the voice of the one controlling the corpse.
"But so what? You can’t even deal with this thing, let alone find me," the puppeteer proclaimed, his voice growing agitated. "Even if you do find me, my divine arts will be complete by then. I won’t even spare a glance for ants like you."
A smirk touched Lin Mu’s lips as he looked at the monster. "You’ve been hiding and showing your tail for this long just to buy time, haven’t you? But it’s all just a waste."
As his words fell, a piercing aura erupted from his body. This aura was even more powerful and alarming than any he had previously released.
"This youth is truly an unparalleled prodigy! To possess such a cultivation level at his age!" Master Feng marveled, then added with puzzlement, "But why have I never heard of such a figure in the Martial Arts World?"
Huang Ning commented, "No matter how strong he is, he can’t compare to you, Master Feng."
Master Feng gave a wry smile, but his expression was serious. "The world is vast and the Great Dao is boundless. You must remember that there is always a heaven beyond the heavens, and always someone stronger."
Huang Ning pursed her lips, unconvinced.
Lin Mu spread his arms, his Spiritual Energy surging within him as he regarded the monster with utter calm. It’s just a beast controlled by someone else. Even if it managed to cultivate a sliver of consciousness before, it’s nothing more than a puppet now.
Lin Mu muttered, "The time is about right," raising his palm toward the monster.
Sensing something, the monster suddenly became agitated. It spread its large hands as a rolling mist billowed from its body—the entirety of the Corpse Qi it had cultivated. Combined with its pitch-black armor, it looked just like a Demon General.
ROAR!
The monster roared as the nails on its ten fingers grew wildly, becoming sharp and pointed. Its mouth stretched open impossibly wide, revealing two terrifying fangs.
"A Zombie!" Huang Ning cried out in alarm, retreating frantically.
Master Feng watched the zombie with extreme vigilance.
The monster had finally revealed its true form: a zombie that had been cultivating for over two hundred years.
"Logically, to become a sentient zombie, you’d not only need exceptionally favorable conditions but also arrangements made in your lifetime," Lin Mu said. "Unfortunately for you, while your plan was good, you never expected someone to usurp your nest, break your Feng Shui Great Array, seize your cultivation site, and ultimately turn you into their puppet. A truly pitiful fate. Instead of living in such agony, it would be better to find release."
As his words ended, a blinding light burst forth from his palm.
The Twelve Forms of Slaying Gods and Demons and Punishing Immortals, Fourth Form—Demonslaying Hand