Several corpse cultivators commanded an iron corpse and about ten walking corpses, besieging them from all directions.
Bai Zisheng guarded the rear, swinging his long spear, fending off the zombies.
Mo Hua and Bai Zixi, each using spells and sword qi to restrain, the three of them did not fancy the fight, retreating while battling.
Later, other cultivators came to aid them, and after fighting a chaotic battle for two hours, they finally escaped from the corpse mine and withdrew to a cave where they had set up camp.
Inside the cave, Yang Jiashan, Young Master Yun, a withered old man, a middle-aged cultivator, and the other cultivators were all inside, discussing the eradication of the corpse mine.
On the way there, Mo Hua had already asked and understood the situation.
He learned that it was the Taoist Court that had ordered the suppression of the corpse mine and the eradication of the Corpse King, which was why so many cultivators had gathered.
Therefore, seeing so many people didnât surprise him.
A Taoist Soldier took Mo Hua and the other two to Yang Jiashan.
Yang Jiashan, upon seeing Mo Hua and learning of his identity, was clearly surprised.
He had heard from Bai Zisheng that it was his "Junior Disciple" who had obtained the information on the corpse mine and relayed it out.
Since he was a Junior Disciple, he was naturally expected to be young.
But he never could have imagined he would be this young.
Mo Huaâs tender face still held traces of childishness.
He looked not much older than those newly initiated disciples in his Clanâs cultivation enlightenment.
Could such a child have been used by Lu Chengyun? Could he have been confined to the corpse mine?
And was he able to gather intelligence while inside and then send it out from the heavily guarded corpse mine?
How did he achieve this?
Yang Jiashanâs eyebrows knitted into the character "ć·".
The other cultivators, upon seeing Mo Hua, also had complex expressions, unsure of what to say.
The cave became momentarily silent...
However, Mo Hua was looking at Yang Jiashan, looking here and there, finding him somewhat familiar, and couldnât help but ask:
"Commander, do you know an uncle named Yang Jiyong?"
Yang Jiashan was taken aback, "You know my fifth brother?"
Mo Hua nodded, "A little acquainted. Uncle Yang even told me to visit the Yang Family when I have time..." Discover more stories at empire
Yang Jiashan frowned, muttering "Mo Hua" twice, then suddenly his eyes brightened as he said:
"Mo Hua! I knew this name sounded familiar. Before the yearâs end, my fifth brother mentioned meeting a very talented Junior Formation Master..."
Very talented...
Yang Jiashan thought again.
Back then, his fifth brother had said something different.
With a serious face and taking the matter seriously, he said that he had met a Junior Formation Master with "terrifying talent"...
When he asked how the talent was terrifying, he didnât elaborate, only saying that he had to keep it confidential.
Yang Jiashan didnât take it to heart then.
Yang Jiyong and he were equally matched in Formation knowledge; what distinction could he make about whose talents were superior? So at the time, he only listened casually to Yang Jiyongâs words and didnât pay much attention.
Upon arriving in South Yue City, hearing the name Mo Hua struck him as familiar.
Now that Mo Hua mentioned Yang Jiyong, he suddenly remembered.
Yang Jiashanâs attitude immediately warmed.
Although he couldnât discern the degree of talent in Formation, he remembered his fifth brother also saying that upon meeting this Junior Formation Master, he should say thanks on his behalf and treat him well, and it would be best if he could persuade him to join the Yang Family.
His fifth brother had a somewhat foul temper and a bit of pride, but he was generous in spirit and valued loyalty. It wasnât often he praised someone so highly.
If this young cultivator was held in high esteem by his fifth brother, regardless of anything else, at least his character must be excellent.
Moreover, being so young and already a Formation Master.
Even if his talent wasnât considered "terrifying", it was certainly quite remarkable.
On top of that, he risked his life to gather information about the corpse mine, which was a great help.
Yang Jiashan immediately said amicably:
"Iâm sorry for the fright youâve experienced, young friend. I will have someone prepare some drinks and Spiritual Meat. Eat your fill and have a good rest."
Mo Hua smiled, "Thank you, Commander!"
Yang Jiashan waved his hand, "No need for such formalities. Youâre familiar with my fifth brother, just call me Uncle Yang."
Following his cues, Mo Hua cheerfully called out:
"Uncle Yang!"
Yang Jiashan nodded with a smile.
The others looked on, somewhat stupefied.
How had they established a relationship so quickly without many words spoken...?
He entered as "Leader Yang," and in less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, he became "Uncle Yang"...
The normally right-angled and stern-faced Yang Jiashan was now all smiles, as if basking in the spring breeze.
The incongruence was as stark as could be.
Just who was this young cultivator?
The others whispered to each other.
Then Yang Jiashan said to Mo Hua: "You go rest with your older brother and sister first; we still have matters to discuss here..."
Mo Hua nodded, "All right, then I wonât disturb you any further, Uncle Yang."
Yang Jiashan gave a slight nod.
Mo Hua bowed and took his leave.
Yang Jiashan watched Mo Hua leave with a kind expression, then turned back, his face becoming serious again as he said to the people:
"Letâs continue..."
A deputy commander-like Taoist Soldier continued the earlier discussion:
"...The zombies are being refined in greater numbers, and we are understaffed. We canât sustain this attrition, we need to find a way to break the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses..."
"Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses?"
Just as he reached the doorway, Mo Huaâs ears perked up, hearing these words and momentarily froze.
The deputy commander had lowered his voice, but due to Mo Huaâs peak Thirteen Stripes Divine Sense, even though the voice wasnât loud, he still overheard it.
Mo Hua hesitated for a moment, then turned back and asked:
"Uncle Yang, are you discussing the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses?"
Yang Jiashanâs expression was one of astonishment as he asked:
"Young friend, do you know about the âFormation of Ten Thousand Corpsesâ?"
Mo Hua nodded his head.
Yang Jiashan was taken aback, then he remembered that Mo Hua was the one who sent out the intelligence, so it wasnât odd that he knew about the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses.
"So, are you familiar with this Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses?"
Yang Jiashan asked with a glint of hope in his eyes, anticipating an affirmative answer.
Mo Hua hesitated slightly, then slowly said:
"Iâm fairly... familiar with it."
How could he say that the central Formation eye of the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses was crafted by him...