Chapter 12: The Assault on Mount Mao (Part Two)

At the foot of Mount Maoshan, in a clearing nestled within the eastern woods, dozens of massive white tents had appeared. Each tent bore two large black characters, marking them as belonging to the Ghost Realm.

Inside the tallest tent at the center, Jiang Xiaofei fixed his gaze on the Ghost King seated at the head of the assembly and asked, "Did you not notice that a Maoshan disciple just discovered our whereabouts? And yet you set up camp here so brazenly—aren’t you afraid Maoshan will close the net around us?"

“You worry too much, brother-in-law,” the Ghost King replied with a faint smile. “Those Maoshan Taoists may put on a fearless front, but in truth, they are nothing but cowards. Now that the forces of the Ghost Realm have descended in full, assembled at the foot of their mountain, do you think they dare engage us head-on? Should they come down, not a single one will return alive.” Her gaze then shifted to the two men seated at her right. “Protector Shan, Protector Ye, receive your orders.”

“At your command,” the two Protectors replied respectfully, rising from their seats.

Looking at them, the Ghost King spoke calmly, “The two of you will each lead eight hundred Earthshade Ghosts to attack the east and west gates of Maoshan. Do you have confidence in your success?”

“We guarantee the mission will be accomplished.”

“Very well.” Satisfied with their confidence, the Ghost King nodded, motioning for them to sit. She then turned to Jiang Xiaofei with a smile. “Brother-in-law, you’ll accompany me in assaulting the main gate.”

“Very well,” Jiang Xiaofei agreed with a nod.

After he assented, the Ghost King looked to Yan Xuanfei. “Once the mountain’s protective formation is breached, slip inside amid the chaos and rescue Mo Yi.”

“Yes,” Yan Xuanfei replied.

A cold glint flashed in the Ghost King’s eyes as she declared in a low voice, “We move at once—follow the plan.”

...

Within an elegant pavilion atop Maoshan, Ye Jian was playing chess with Qin Shan when a young man’s panicked voice reached their ears.

“Master! Something terrible has happened! The Ghost Realm forces are attacking our mountain!”

Ye Jian frowned in annoyance as the young man burst in. “Ye Qiuchen, you again?”

“Master, I wish I didn’t have to disturb you, but this is urgent!” Ye Qiuchen pleaded.

Ye Jian’s voice grew cold. “The Ghost Realm is invading, and you didn’t think to have your fellow disciples meet them? You bother me over such a trivial matter—I’ve had enough of this.”

“Master, I sent three thousand disciples down the mountain to meet the enemy, but we suffered heavy losses. We couldn’t hold them back.”

Ye Jian’s frown deepened. “How many are there?”

“There’s just over a thousand of them,” Ye Qiuchen replied.

At this, Ye Jian’s anger exploded. “What use are you lot? Just over a thousand, and you’re routed? All my years feeding you Maoshan disciples for nothing!”

Sensing his master’s fury, Ye Qiuchen stammered, “Please, Master, let me explain. Naturally, a thousand of them would not be a match for our disciples. We’d nearly crippled them, but somehow, after taking some sort of pill, their wounds healed instantly. They attacked in waves, and we were overwhelmed.”

Ye Jian’s brow furrowed. “That’s unnatural…”

“There’s more,” Ye Qiuchen continued. “One of them was even sliced in two—and after taking a strange pill, his body mended right before our eyes.”

“How is that possible?” Ye Jian exclaimed, shocked. Qin Shan beside him was equally incredulous, but then as if recalling something, he said, “Could there be a Ghost Physician among the Ghost Realm’s ranks?”

“A Ghost Physician?” Ye Jian’s expression changed. He turned to the young man. “Quick, have all disciples withdraw to the mountain’s protective array. With the barrier in place, they won’t be able to get up the mountain.”

“Yes, Master, I’ll see to it at once.” With that, Ye Qiuchen hurried off.

After the young man had gone, Ye Jian looked to Qin Shan. “Qin Master, do you think this Ghost Physician could be that Underworld Ghost Immortal?”

“The Ghost Immortal and the Ghost King are sisters. I’d wager it’s her. You’d best prepare, Ye Jian—if the Ghost Realm breaches your gates, your reputation will suffer.”

Ye Jian’s face darkened with concern. “If the Ghost Immortal truly assists them, we’re in dire straits.”

Meanwhile, at the foot of Maoshan, groups of disciples stood ready, peachwood swords in hand, warily facing the many black-robed figures before them. In the latest assault by the Ghost Realm, they had lost another seven or eight brethren.

“Disciples of Maoshan, if you wish to avoid further casualties, step aside. If I must act, not one of you will survive,” the Ghost King declared from above, surveying the Maoshan disciples with icy disdain.

“Ghost King, Maoshan has always kept to itself. Why attack us and take our disciples’ lives?” an elderly Maoshan priest called out.

“Indeed, what’s the point of all this bloodshed?” Jiang Xiaofei chimed in, finding the old priest’s words reasonable.

The Ghost King ignored Jiang Xiaofei, her gaze fixed coldly on the elder. “We may have kept our peace, but you dared imprison my beloved disciple, showing utter contempt for me and declaring war on the Ghost Realm. Today, I have come to wage war and demand her return.”

“So it’s for this. If you withdraw, we will release your disciple,” the old priest replied.

The Ghost King snorted. “You’re merely a gatekeeper elder. Do you speak for all of Maoshan? Let Ye Jian beg me in person.”

...

“The sect master is busy and would never stoop to handle such trifles himself. Ghost King, why make trouble for a humble priest?” the old man replied.

“Hmph!” The Ghost King sneered. “I think Ye Jian simply dares not show his face.”

At this, the old priest bristled. “Ghost King, do not go too far. Maoshan does not fear the Ghost Realm. If war breaks out, it will be your side that perishes first.”

“Orders from the master: retreat to the mountain’s protective formation!” At that moment, a young man’s voice echoed down from the mountainside.

Hearing their senior brother’s voice, the Maoshan disciples immediately retreated behind the mountain gate.

“Master, now that they’ve withdrawn, what should we do?” a black-robed subordinate asked the Ghost King.

A glint flashed in the Ghost King’s eyes. “We break their formation and storm the gates.”

“You wish to break their barrier?” Jiang Xiaofei interjected. “It’s said this formation was left by Maoshan’s founder to ward off invaders. With it, the sect should be secure for generations. Even a peak Transforming Heaven cultivator cannot breach it. The stronger the assault, the stronger the array becomes. Even several cultivators at that level working together couldn’t destroy it. Are you confident you can break through?”

The Ghost King gave a cold laugh. “It’s just a formation—nothing special.”

“I advise you not to act rashly,” Jiang Xiaofei said with a helpless smile. But in the next instant, he stared in shock.

The Ghost King waved her jade hand, and a vast, boundless qi of ghosts surged from her sleeve, coalescing into a monstrous, chilling skull of ghostly energy.

The skull howled with a bone-chilling scream as it hurtled at the protective formation.

Thunderous booms shook the air. The moment the ghostly skull struck, a deafening crash resounded, and before their eyes, cracks began to form in the once-impenetrable barrier under the relentless assault of the ghostly energy.

Staring at the crumbling formation, Jiang Xiaofei was stunned. “When did Maoshan’s barrier become so feeble? And what is that technique—the sheer power is astounding!”

“Ten Thousand Ghosts Devour the Body,” the Ghost King replied with a proud smile. “It was created for the sole purpose of breaking this very formation.”