Chapter 123: The Yellow Sand

Everyone gazed at the tightly shut doors, standing in silence.

"Very well, everyone. Until the eldest young master emerges, we must hold this position. Do not let any of the living dead from outside disturb him!" Mr. Wen shouted aloud.

"Understood!" the group replied in a low, unified voice.

They gathered around the light of the hearth, backs pressed against the vermilion palace walls, using this as a stronghold to defend against the endless waves of the living dead. Influenced by the demons, the living dead continued to congregate, though martial artists were also arriving in rapid succession. It was destined to be a grueling battle, one that seemed to have no end in sight. They were facing an army of six hundred thousand living dead within the capital.

...

At the city walls, many of the Flying Bear soldiers were already scaling the ramparts. After all, for these transformed soldiers, the concept of siege ladders was unnecessary; they climbed just like geckos. Against these ferocious Flying Bear soldiers, the thirty thousand demon garrison troops were no match. In their transformed state, the two-to-three-meter-tall, blood-red flying bears could typically take down an opponent with a single punch. Had the demon troops not been controlled and devoid of thought, they would have fled long ago.

At that moment, Zhu Pei was the only obstacle to the Flying Bear soldiers on the wall. His broadsword danced, occasionally kicking away any Flying Bear soldiers who managed to climb up. Many had already been sent plummeting, but this only incited their ferocity, causing more and more of them to surge toward the wall.

"Something feels off."

Xia Ningshang watched Zhu Pei on the wall and leaned toward Ji Huo, puzzled. "That commander gives me a strange feeling. His movements don't seem like those of someone under control. His defensive actions are perfectly timed, often blocking the Flying Bear soldiers' advance with maximum efficiency. Do you know that commander?"

Ji Huo was also observing Zhu Pei. He could clearly see the man's eyes—calm, cold, and devoid of any fluctuation, as if... he were holding a winning hand.

"I haven't been in the capital long enough to know him," Ji Huo replied, turning back to ask, "Do you recognize that commander?"

Lu Deshui and Lu Shui were still squeezed onto the same horse, having not participated in the siege. The two stared at Zhu Pei for a long time before looking at each other with astonishment. "Wait, this is strange! The previous commander of the city garrison was not this person!"

"Never seen him before."

Ji Huo narrowed his eyes and ordered, "Tell them all to fall back!"

"Understood!" the other commanders responded without hesitation.

Xia Ningshang realized the implication and asked, "Do you suspect he is intentionally luring the Flying Bear soldiers up to unleash a killing blow?"

"Yes!"

Ji Huo prepared to leap toward the wall. At this point, he had to intervene; if he could kill Zhu Pei in one strike, all the better. If not, he would at least disrupt him and prevent him from launching his lethal move. Before he could move, however, the sound of a dragon's roar erupted beside him. Xia Ningshang pulled him into the swirling energy of her Black Dragon Spear, and the two transformed into a black dragon, rapidly soaring toward the walls.

"Roar!"

With the dragon's roar echoing, the black dragon, over ten meters long, surged toward the Flying Bear soldiers. Zhu Pei, who had been slaughtering relentlessly, suddenly turned around. The broadsword in his hand transformed into a massive, dark, spiked club, which he swung violently at the black dragon!

"Boom!"

The black dragon shattered instantly. The shockwave left the surrounding demon troops unsteady, and many Flying Bear soldiers were knocked off the wall. Just then, the bugle for retreat sounded. The Flying Bear soldiers, whose eyes were bloodshot from the slaughter, hesitated for a moment before relying on their blood-red giant bear forms—which possessed astonishing defensive capabilities—to leap off the wall without hesitation. In an instant, they fell like dumplings, a series of red shapes tumbling down from the ramparts.

Zhu Pei's expression changed, and as he tried to retract his spiked club, he found that Ji Huo had gripped it firmly, refusing to let go no matter how hard he pulled.

*How much strength does this human have?* Zhu Pei felt a jolt of shock.

Xia Ningshang emerged from behind Ji Huo, her Demon Dragon Spear flickering as she thrust it forward. Zhu Pei felt a surge of alarm; he could sense a terrifying devouring power emanating from the spear. If he were struck by that, even he would not be able to withstand it. He tilted his head slightly to dodge the tip, but the spear's momentum suddenly morphed into a black dragon that lunged back to bite at his throat.

"Boom!"

The sheer force of the spear blast sent Zhu Pei flying, smashing through a stone pedestal. Ji Huo's eyes lit up. He tossed the spiked club aside, channeled a bolt of heavenly lightning, and unleashed a Thunderous Ferocious Bear Fist!

Amidst the billowing smoke, Zhu Pei's screams echoed incessantly. Then, two crimson eyes suddenly emerged from the dust, radiating a vicious aura. A massive black shadow shot out, targeting Xia Ningshang.

"Boom!"

The shadow threw a punch, but Ji Huo immediately shielded Xia Ningshang, meeting the blow with a punch of his own. Violent energy swept across all directions, and the wind howled.

A trace of horror flashed in the shadow's eyes: *No! How much strength do you actually have? Are you even human?*

Ji Huo did not retreat a single step, his posture immovable. He grinned and said, "I was wondering why your aura felt familiar. So, it was you."

"You've seen me?" Zhu Pei, his eyes blood-red, stared at the short human before him and asked in a slurred voice. Two thick tusks had grown from his mouth, causing him to spray saliva as he spoke.

Zhu Pei’s appearance had changed drastically; he stood over five meters tall, covered in hard black fur, with muscles like prison bars and massive fists. His feet had even transformed into ladder-like structures. This was clearly a wild boar demon.

"When I arrived at the capital, I encountered a great demon traveling toward the city. Only now do I realize it was your aura," Ji Huo sneered. "You all clearly plotted this attempt to seize the throne long ago. I just didn't realize demons were working together."

Zhu Pei snorted, "There is much you do not know!"

He prepared to strike, but Xia Ningshang attacked from the side, and the two humans and the demon were soon locked in a fierce melee.

Delayed by this, many Flying Bear soldiers managed to retreat from the walls. Zhu Pei grew anxious, a flicker of ruthlessness appearing in his eyes as he took a step back. He opened his wide mouth, and a glimmer of yellow light appeared within. With a forceful blast, he unleashed a torrent of yellow sand.

The sand seemed to possess a life of its own; at first, it was a mere wisp, but it soon expanded into countless yellow, phoenix-like dust particles. The resulting sandstorm instantly swept the remaining Flying Bear soldiers off the wall. Those caught in the swirling yellow sand were shredded into meat paste in an instant! Fortunately, most of the Flying Bear soldiers had already retreated, keeping casualties low.

Seeing the sand rushing toward him, Ji Huo threw a punch, carving a massive hole through the storm with his violent energy. However, the gap was sealed shut by the sand a second later. The sand stung as it struck Ji Huo, and with each passing moment, the pain grew more intense.

"Careful!"

Xia Ningshang had only been grazed by the sand, yet a small cut appeared on her body. Her expression shifted, and she grabbed Ji Huo, the two transforming into a black dragon and flying toward the Flying Bear soldiers' position. The violent sandstorm swirled around them, blowing the black dragon back and forth, making it difficult to maintain their form. Seeing this, Ji Huo unleashed a barrage of punches to disperse the dust, allowing the black dragon to barely land back among the Flying Bear soldiers outside the city.

Looking back, those Flying Bear soldiers who had not escaped were already consumed by the yellow sand. Even their energy-manifested forms could not withstand the erosion.

At that moment, the city walls outside the capital were enveloped by five towering sandstorms, forming a tornado-like barrier that tightly guarded the city.

"Ji Huo! Even with your superior martial prowess, you cannot break my Great Yellow Sand Formation!" Zhu Pei stood upon a stone pedestal, holding his spiked club, his massive demonic body radiating an oppressive aura as he laughed uproariously.