Chapter 229
Chapter 229
While the two spoke, Ox-Head and Horse-Face stopped walking ahead.
The two underworld bailiffs turned around, all four of their eyes blazing like raging flames.
The dense fog on the Yellow Springs Road could not obstruct their vision in the slightest.
“Hm?! Underworld travelers!”
“Blood baleful aura guides their way-a human wu-shaman art. Azure light covers their bodies-hidden virtue protects them…
“Interesting. Most interesting!”
As Ox-Head and Horse-Face spoke, they shook the steel pitchforks in their hands and strode toward Hua Jiunan and the others while driving an evil soul before them.
Eighth Master Chang was alarmed. He was about to speed away when Hua Jiunan stopped him.
There was only one road between the Yin and Yang Realms.
Forcing their way along the Yellow Springs Road past two great underworld bailiffs would be far too difficult!
Hua Jiunan simply jumped down from Eighth Master Chang’s back and bowed to Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
“This junior greets the two lords.”
Naturally, Chen Daji and Zhao Fei stayed close behind Hua Jiunan and imitated him by cupping their fists.
Horse-Face had a bold and unrestrained temperament. He smiled genially at Hua Jiunan.
“Not bad, not bad. It has been a long time since I saw someone attain such cultivation at your age.
“Most remarkable of all is your boundless hidden virtue. Your future will surely be extraordinary!”
Ox-Head was steady and stern, never given to smiles.
His eyes, burning with red flame, swept over every member of the group.
Anyone caught in his gaze immediately suffered the illusion of being consumed by fire.
“For the living to perform Guoyin is a grave offense. You should be punished!
“Since all of you are good people, we will count this as an innocent mistake for now. Leave at once!”
His mother’s safety was at stake. Hua Jiunan could not possibly slink away like this.
He cupped his fists and bowed again. Concealing nothing, he explained the entire cause of their journey in full.
Lying before righteous deities of the Underworld Court would have been utterly pointless.
After hearing him, Horse-Face carefully looked Hua Jiunan over again.
“The dead soul you seek-is she the one the Valiant General carried away some time ago?!”
Ox-Head shook his steel pitchfork, making it vibrate with a low hum.
“How dare you behave so brazenly, Daoist!
“You actually intend to help a wanted fugitive escape the Underworld Court. Do you truly think I am made of clay?!”
The atmosphere grew tense.
Young Monk Wuxin, who had been hiding behind Hua Jiunan, timidly poked out his small head.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha.
“Brother, I’m scared…”
The moment they saw Wuxin, Ox-Head and Horse-Face jumped in fright.
Gripping their weapons tightly, the two stood shoulder to shoulder as though facing a mortal enemy.
“A corpse-liberated Ghost Immortal!
“Little monk, the Underworld Court is no Buddhist sanctuary of the West. You will not be permitted to run wild here!
“If your actions draw the great lords into battle, they will destroy your soul in an instant!”
Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Hua Jiunan tried to explain, but Chen Daji beat him to it.
He dragged Young Monk Wuxin back behind Hua Jiunan and complained softly,
“Bald Brother, being ugly isn’t your fault, but coming out and scaring people is!
“Look how badly you frightened Brother Ox and Brother Horse. They nearly jumped out of their skins…
“Listen to me and hurry up and apologize to the two brothers!”
Wuxin was as innocent and simple-minded as a child.
Although his eyes brimmed with aggrieved tears, he still pressed his palms together and bowed respectfully to Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha.
“This young monk was at fault for frightening the honored ghost guards. I hope you will forgive me.”
Ignoring everyone else’s reaction, Chen Daji took out some spicy strips and began “feeding” Young Monk Wuxin.
“Be good, Bald Brother. A good child admits his mistakes and fixes them.
“Once we return to the mortal world, I’ll have Grandmother find you a pretty little ghost girl so the two of you can play at being sweethearts.”
The scene left Ox-Head and Horse-Face utterly astonished.
First because of Wuxin’s attitude toward Chen Daji;
And second because of the blood-red longbow strapped to Chen Daji’s back.
Horse-Face asked uncertainly,
“The Celestial Wolf Bow?!
“May I ask if we stand before the Young General?!”
The question left Chen Daji bewildered. For a moment, he had no idea how to answer.
Steady as ever, Ox-Head thought briefly and understood the key. He secretly told Horse-Face,
“Don’t ask. The mystery of the womb is still obstructing him, and his divine soul has not awakened.
“Protected by the Celestial Wolf Bow and possessing such a temperament, he must be the Young General!”
Horse-Face considered it briefly, then accepted Ox-Head’s reasoning. He said softly,
“When the Young General lived on Celestial Wolf Mountain, he befriended heroes from every corner regardless of rank or status. He often invited brothers like us to drink wine and eat meat.
“He even gifted us many weapons and suits of armor.
“Now that he is helping someone perform Guoyin, shouldn’t we lend him a hand?!”
Ox-Head nodded deeply.
“Well said, worthy brother!
“Those above are turning a blind eye to the affair of the Valiant Great General as well.
“There is truly no need for us brothers to make an enemy of the Young General over this.”