Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Dan Xin Chapter 19, Part 3

Wei Wuxian quickly folded the two pieces of paper and tucked them back into his robe, exclaiming in surprise, "Am I seeing this right? You still have your spiritual power! Congrats. But may I ask, if you weren’t plotting something sinister, why would you hide the fact that you haven’t lost your spiritual power?"

These two pieces of paper were naturally not the torn pages of the *Luan Po Chao* supposedly found at Jin Lingtai, but rather the strange melodies that Jin Guangyao had played, which Lan Wangji had handwritten in the forbidden book room. At that time, Lan Wangji had kept a copy for Lan Xichen to compare and examine, while Wei Wuxian had casually taken the copies he and Lan Wangji had made and kept them on his person. He had just used them to deceive Su She, making him anxious and suspicious. Combined with Wei Wuxian’s earlier deliberate taunts and repeated provocations, Su She had indeed become flustered. In the end, without Wei Wuxian needing to remind him, Lan Wangji suddenly tested Su She, and his true state was revealed.

Everyone quickly moved aside. In truth, it wasn’t necessary, as Lan Wangji’s movements were as relentless as Wei Wuxian’s words, leaving Su She no room to breathe. Su She had no choice but to fight with all his might to avoid being overwhelmed. He staggered back to the steps and looked down to see the red spell array beneath his feet. Lan Wangji’s expression turned stern, and Wei Wuxian thought, *This is bad! He’s going to wreck the newly repaired array!*

Sure enough, Su She bit his tongue, spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground, and the dense bloodstains covered the faint red traces. Lan Wangji could no longer afford to engage with him. He drew a line on the edge of Bichen’s blade with his left hand, attempting to redraw the array. Su She took the opportunity to pull out a talisman and threw it to the ground, causing a burst of blue flames and smoke to rise.

A teleportation talisman!

The grave digger in the Chang family cemetery of Liyang was familiar with the Gusu Lan Family’s sword techniques, and Su Minshan, being a former disciple of the Lan family, fit this description. The masked figure who had appeared multiple times was none other than Su She!

Wei Wuxian crouched beside Lan Wangji and asked, "How’s it looking?"

Lan Wangji used his bleeding finger to trace a pattern on the ground for a while, then shook his head. The fresh blood had completely covered and destroyed the original spell seal, making it impossible to repair. Wei Wuxian took his hand and wiped away the blood and ash with his own sleeve, saying, "If it’s no use, don’t waste your time drawing it."

The array was on the verge of collapse, teetering on the edge. The disciples of the Suling Su family looked bewildered, clearly unaware that Su She had been playing the wrong melody and had not told them how to avoid losing their spiritual power. In other words, in the original plan, these disciples of the Suling Su family were meant to die along with everyone else. Fearing that others might seek revenge, they huddled together. However, the Burial Mounds were already filled with panic, and few had the energy to seek retribution. Several family heads grabbed their sons and instructed, "When the corpses rush in, protect yourself and find a way to escape. No matter what, you must survive! Understand?!"

Jin Ling felt a pang of bitterness upon hearing this, but deep down, he also hoped his uncle would say something similar. After waiting for a long time without any response, he couldn’t help but stare at him intently. He stared so hard that Jiang Cheng finally turned his gaze back, his gloomy expression slightly lifting, but he frowned and asked, "What’s wrong with your eyes?"

"..." Jin Ling replied with some displeasure, "Nothing!"

Wei Wuxian tore off a clean piece of his sleeve to clean and bandage Lan Wangji’s wounded hand when suddenly a figure rushed from behind, slashing at them with a sword. Lan Wangji extended his right hand and flicked his finger, producing a metallic clang as he deflected the reckless blade with his bare hand. Wei Wuxian took a closer look and said, "Why is it you again?"

The person was sent stumbling back several steps by the force of the flick and fell to the ground. It was Yi Weichun. His eyes were bloodshot as he gripped his sword and shouted, "Wei Wuxian, I don’t believe a single word you just said!"

Wei Wuxian replied, "The truth is out, and Su She has already drawn his sword and fled. What else don’t you believe?"

Yi Weichun swung his sword again, roaring, "I don’t believe it! I won’t believe anything you say!"

Hatred can blind a person, making them refuse to acknowledge anything that might benefit their enemy.

At that moment, several terrified screams came from the front: "It’s broken!"

"The array is broken!"

"They’re rushing in!"

Wen Ning used his bare hands to fling aside a row of ragged fierce corpses, but he was only one person. Without the protection of the blood array, the Burial Mounds could not withstand the onslaught of the surging tide of corpses. The stench of decay and the roars of the dead instantly filled the vast cave!

Jin Ling had never seen so many fierce corpses up close before and couldn’t help but shudder, gripping the hilt of Suihua tightly. Suddenly, someone pried open his palm and placed something cold in it. He looked down in shock and exclaimed, "Uncle?"

Jiang Cheng, leaning on the powerless Three Poisons, stood up unsteadily and said, "If you dare lose Purple Lightning, you’ll regret it!"

Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, and others stepped forward with their swords, saying, "Ghost General! We’ll help you!"

The Ouyang family head, unable to stop his son and unable to stand, roared, "Zizhen, come back!"

Ouyang Zizhen swung his sword with all his might and turned his head to say, "Dad, don’t worry! I’ll protect you!"

But as he turned, a withered claw reached for his throat. The Ouyang family head’s heart nearly stopped, and he screamed, "Zizhen!!!"

At the critical moment, a sword blade severed the withered claw. Lan Qiren grabbed Ouyang Zizhen and threw him back into the crowd, then led a group of Gusu Lan Family swordsmen into the fray. Having rested for a while, his stamina had recovered somewhat, and his sword techniques were sharp and fierce, leaving many in awe. Lan Sizhui wielded his sword like the wind when suddenly he heard a metallic clang behind him. Someone had blocked an attack aimed at his back. Lan Sizhui exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Jin, why are you here too?"

It turned out that Jin Ling, seeing his peers rushing forward, couldn’t hold back any longer. Taking advantage of Jiang Cheng’s momentary distraction, he slipped the Purple Lightning ring back into place and darted out of the crowd, charging to the most dangerous area near the cave entrance. Jiang Cheng tried to chase after him but stumbled a few steps, barely managing to slash a few times with his sword, feeling as though Three Poisons weighed a thousand pounds. Two female corpses lunged at him from either side, and Jiang Cheng cursed, raising his sword to fight again. But another pair of hands tore the two corpses to shreds, saying, "Family Head Jiang..."

Jiang Cheng, hearing this voice, flew into a rage and kicked Wen Ning away, shouting, "Get the hell away from me!" Then he roared, "Jin Ling!!!"

Lan Jingyi shivered and said, "You should go back! Your uncle is about to eat someone alive!"

Jin Ling ignored Jiang Cheng's roar, which was more terrifying than the fierce corpses themselves, and retorted, "You go back!"

Ouyang Zizhen, who had just been grabbed by his father, charged forward again with his sword, exclaiming, "Wow, I never knew Lan Qiren could use a sword, and he's so good at it!"

Lan Jingyi shouted, "Of course! Who do you think taught Hanguang Jun and Lord Ze Wu their swordsmanship before they turned sixteen?"

The Ouyang family head, gritting his teeth and swinging his sword, roared at the others still frozen in shock inside the Burial Mounds, "What are you waiting for? If you don't fight, you're as good as dead! These youngsters are fighting, and you're just sitting there doing nothing?"

Inspired by the youths fiercely battling, more and more people drew their swords, joining the fight with their dwindling spiritual and physical strength. Gradually, the tightly packed horde of corpses outside the cave was pushed back, forming a loose line, and after about half an hour, they were scattered in small groups. The tide was actually beginning to turn!

When Lan Wangji sliced the last charging fierce corpse in half with his sword, the Burial Mounds were already piled high with corpses, and the ground was soaked in blood.

Everyone was covered in a crust of black blood, their chests filled with the choking stench of blood. After such a grueling battle, many had collapsed to the ground, unable to get up, indistinguishable from the corpses. Only a few family heads and the more energetic youths could still barely stand with their swords.

Lan Jingyi stared blankly, his face pale, and said, "I... I've never killed so many walking corpses... I alone must have killed at least thirty, no, forty of them..."

Ouyang Zizhen said, "Me... too..."

After speaking, the youths, as if by some unspoken agreement, collapsed to the ground with a thud, too exhausted to get up again.

Jiang Cheng struggled over to Jin Ling, grabbed him, and asked, "Are you hurt?"

Jin Ling, breathing heavily with a metallic taste in his mouth, replied, "No, I..."

Jiang Cheng immediately slapped him to the ground, scolding, "No?! If you're not hurt, I'll make sure you get hurt to teach you a lesson! You little brat, do you think my words just go in one ear and out the other?"

However, after delivering that slap, he couldn't stand either and sat down heavily, gasping for breath as his gaze drifted to the two figures standing closest to the entrance of the Burial Mounds.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were both in a state of disarray. Wei Wuxian, dressed in black, didn't look too bad, but Lan Wangji's white robes were stained with varying shades of black and red, a horrifying sight. The only clean thing on him was the forehead ribbon, which held significant meaning. Bichen, held firmly in his hand, still maintained a steady flow of spiritual energy.

This was the first time anyone had seen Hanguang Jun in such a disheveled state, but at this moment, everyone was too preoccupied with their own struggles. Someone muttered, "Is it... over...?"

Hearing this voice, everyone thought it was a miracle that Nie Huaisang had survived such a battle and still sounded so energetic. No one had the strength to answer him, and Nie Huaisang nearly wept with joy, "Thank heavens, these walking corpses are finally all dead! We've survived a great calamity, escaped disaster, truly our ancestors are watching over us!"

Inspired by his emotions, several youths began to cheer, and soon more and more joined in. Amid the cheers, someone from the Gusu Lan Family exclaimed softly, "Sir!"

Lan Qiren's voice followed, "No need to help me!"

Lan Wangji looked over and saw Lan Qiren coughing up more blood, waving his hand, and sitting cross-legged on the ground to meditate.

Lan Wangji quickly approached, taking Lan Qiren's pulse for a moment, and was about to transfer spiritual energy when Lan Qiren said, "Don't! My spiritual energy hasn't recovered yet. It would be like pouring water into a bottomless pit, utterly futile."

Lan Wangji withdrew his hand and stood up. Several advisors habitually asked, "Hanguang Jun, what should we do?"

After asking, they realized it was inappropriate. However, Lan Qiren, with his eyes closed, seemed to pay no attention. Lan Wangji said, "Rest for a moment, assess the casualties. Treat the injured without delay."

His commanding presence always carried great authority within the Gusu Lan Family, and several disciples, as if reassured, responded in unison, "Yes!" Their breaths even seemed steadier. However, before they could act, Wei Wuxian suddenly said, "Quiet."

His expression was grave, and everyone immediately fell silent. Those who had been cheering and celebrating one by one quieted down, uneasily staring at him. The entire Burial Mounds fell into complete silence, save for the faint sound of breathing.

In the silence, another sound grew increasingly clear.

It was the sound of footsteps, crushing dry leaves and twigs, coming from outside the Burial Mounds.

And it wasn't the footsteps of a single person, but countless, endless footsteps.

Now, the people inside the Burial Mounds didn't dare to breathe. Countless terrified eyes turned toward the cave entrance. In the dark forest outside, something was slowly moving, writhing, a gray and black mass that was hard to make out. But as the dragging footsteps grew louder, the moving figures became clearer, until their pale faces, emaciated hands, and yellowed fangs were fully visible.

A new wave of corpses.

And this time, there were even more than before!

The people inside the Burial Mounds had just glimpsed a sliver of hope, but in the next moment, a crushing wave of despair swept through the entire cave, casting a dark shadow over everyone's spirits. Even the hearts of Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui, and the other youths were completely consumed by this chilling sense of hopelessness, their limbs stiffening. Some fainted from the crushing despair, while others wept weakly, their breaths shallow. But no one had the strength to pick up their swords and fight.

Even with Wen Ning standing at the entrance again, how long could he hold them off alone?

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian called out, "Hanguang Jun!"

Lan Wangji turned to look at him. Wei Wuxian took a deep breath and said, "I want to do something."

His words drew the attention of everyone else. Wei Wuxian continued, "Will you accompany me?"

Lan Wangji stared at him intently, his words firm and unwavering: "I will."

Wei Wuxian smiled, then removed his black outer robe.

Beneath it was a layer of white clothing, already half-stained with blood, but that didn't stop him from lifting his bloodied hand and drawing patterns on it.

As the patterns became clearer, the looks of those watching grew increasingly incredulous, as if they were staring at something terrifying and unnatural. Fang Mengchen stood up abruptly, his face filled with shock, and exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

Wei Wuxian ignored him and continued drawing.

When he finally stopped, what he wore was no longer a white robe, but a flag.

A Zhaoyin Flag—one that would attract all evil spirits and malevolent beings to a single person!

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stood together, and Wei Wuxian beckoned to Lan Sizhui and the others. The younger generation gathered around, but when Jin Ling tried to rise, Jiang Cheng pushed him back down.

Wei Wuxian said, "When the second wave of walking corpses breaks in, I'll lead them to the blood pool. Hanguang Jun will handle the killing. Here," he patted his chest, "is the target. They won't pay attention to you. Don't linger in battle—just run."

Lan Sizhui, unusually loud, protested, "This can't be! This absolutely can't happen!"

The Ouyang family head had already given up trying to restrain his son. Ouyang Zizhen declared, "Senior Wei, we want to fight the walking corpses too! I can kill a hundred more!"

Lan Jingyi, meanwhile, had already started taking off his clothes: "I'll draw a flag on myself too!"

Wei Wuxian, both amused and exasperated, quickly stopped him, saying, "Enough, stop messing around. One target is enough. Hanguang Jun and I will handle the walking corpses. The rest of you, don't cause trouble."

Inside the Burial Mounds, no one knew how to react to this situation.

Everyone knew what the Zhaoyin Flag was for. But even if someone were willing to use their own flesh and blood to attract the oncoming horde of walking corpses to ensure the safety of others, that person should never have been Wei Wuxian!

Lan Sizhui and the others were about to protest again, but Lan Wangji said firmly, "Listen to him."

Then, he turned to Lan Qiren and bowed deeply. Lan Qiren opened his eyes but remained silent. Lan Sizhui cried out, "Master Lan! Hanguang Jun, he... he..."

Lan Qiren replied calmly, "This is as it should be."

Lan Sizhui tried to argue, "But...!!" Wei Wuxian shouted, "Wen Ning! Clear the way!"

The black patterns on Wen Ning's neck suddenly surged and spread, covering almost half his face. He let out a long howl and charged through the densely packed walking corpses, carving a path.

With the barrier gone, the second wave of walking corpses finally entered the Burial Mounds.

Wei Wuxian pushed Lan Sizhui and said, "Go!"