Han Zhong’s expression changed drastically.
He had never expected that Horse Face of Death… would actually be here?
According to the Clear Sun Sect’s intelligence, Horse Face of Death was supposed to be at a crucial stage of spiritual root advancement—and still lacking a Third-Grade Spirit Herb…
That was precisely why the sect had set up this elaborate trap.
But instead of targeting the herb convoy, he came to kill a mere Qi Refining Fifth Layer talisman master like Li An?
Han Zhong couldn't make sense of it.
But the Bone Banner in his opponent’s hand was undeniable proof.
The mask could be removed, the face altered—but that Bone Banner?
Everyone knew it was Horse Face of Death’s life-bound magic treasure.
With the banner here, there was no doubt about his identity.
Han Zhong stepped forward, standing in front of Jing Ao, and shouted, “Activate the formation—trap him!”
From the moment he realized it was Horse Face of Death, Han Zhong gave up hope of slaying him.
Based on sect research, Horse Face of Death’s strength was suspected to have reached late Foundation Establishment. If ambushed, even a Fake Core expert could be endangered.
Those below mid-Foundation Establishment?
No chance of victory!
Trapping him would already be a success!
At the same time, Han Zhong drew his sword. The blade shimmered like water as it slashed forward.
Horse Face of Death sneered and met the strike head-on with his Bone Banner. The clash of two Second-Grade Artifacts sent shockwaves outward. The entire talisman shop trembled as if struck by an earthquake—roof tiles fell in sheets, and cracks formed along the courtyard walls.
Jing Ao, in a panic, retrieved the jade talisman and crushed it with all his strength—
Snap!
As it shattered, faint ripples of a formation spread around the talisman shop…
But that was all—no spiritual pressure, no energy surge, nothing.
“Something’s wrong… This talisman—it’s a fake?!”
Jing Ao’s face turned pale.
He whipped his head toward the garden, glaring at the unconscious Li An.
If he could, he would tear him limb from limb on the spot!
But it was too late—Horse Face of Death had already advanced, pressing Han Zhong into retreat.
“Fellow Daoist Yu Xiong! Hurry! The real Horse Face of Death is here!”
Han Zhong shouted toward the sky as he fought.
Above the market
Yu Xiong was still guarding against the external attacks, frowning slightly.
The masked demonic cultivator outside was indeed at Foundation Establishment, but… didn’t seem as fearsome as the real Horse Face of Death.
In fact, even while maintaining the grand array, Yu Xiong felt he was holding back with ease…
Then Han Zhong’s shout echoed up from below—and his heart skipped a beat.
Horse Face of Death got inside?!
How?!
“Take over the array!”
He grabbed a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator and handed over command, then dashed toward the talisman shop.
Inside the market, already tense cultivators and merchants panicked at the news.
“What?! Horse Face of Death is inside?!”
“Run! Run!”
“The market's been breached from within! We’re all dead! Get out of here!”
In an instant, the entire market exploded into chaos.
Especially near the talisman shop, cultivators scrambled in sheer terror.
Everyone surged toward the gates in a desperate attempt to escape.
Even with demonic cultivators outside, anywhere was better than staying inside with Horse Face of Death!
His notoriety was too deeply etched in everyone’s minds.
Wherever he passed, slaughter followed.
Countless cultivation clans had been wiped out by him—he was a name of extinction.
“Don’t leave! You’ll disrupt the grand array!”
“If the gates open, the defensive array will be compromised!”
Many Clear Sun Sect disciples tried to stop them, but the human tide was unstoppable.
The city gates were forced open, and large numbers of people fled.
Outside the gates, the waiting demonic cultivators grinned savagely—and began to massacre the fleeing cultivators.
A bloodbath erupted.
Back inside the talisman shop
“Horse Face of Death…”
Yu Xiong arrived, his voice trembling slightly. He immediately drew his artifact and struck from the side.
“Don’t fear him! Stall him! Elder Li Yuan is on his way—we just need to hold out!”
Han Zhong shouted, layers of light bursting from his body—Second-Grade Talismans, artifacts, all unleashed at once. Facing Horse Face of Death, he dared not hold back.
“I’ll kill every last one of you today!”
Horse Face of Death roared like a madman. Waves of demonic qi exploded outward. His Bone Banner emitted a terrifying pressure, tearing through everything. The talisman shop and surrounding buildings were leveled, one after another.
“Is he crazy?!”
Han Zhong’s expression turned grim. Horse Face of Death… was clearly going all in.
Once discovered, wasn’t he supposed to escape immediately?
Why was he now fighting to the death?
A late-Foundation Establishment cultivator going all out—Han Zhong and Yu Xiong stood no chance.
“Yu Xiong, block him! I’ll kill him!”
Han Zhong suddenly moved to Yu Xiong’s side.
Yu Xiong’s artifacts were far inferior. His face turned green, but he could only wield a Second-Grade Saber and push forward desperately.
Horse Face of Death roared again, his Bone Banner piercing through and shattering Yu Xiong’s weapon.
“No!”
Yu Xiong turned to flee—
But someone slapped him from behind, sending him flying toward Horse Face of Death.
Han Zhong!
Yu Xiong’s eyes filled with terror. He never imagined… he would die by his own comrade’s hand.
“Jie jie jie—”
Horse Face of Death laughed maniacally and stabbed the Bone Banner into Yu Xiong’s body.
But at that moment—
A talisman on Yu Xiong’s chest exploded.
BOOM!
A wave of true fire erupted. Horse Face of Death’s expression changed dramatically. He tried to dodge—but the flames ignited his entire body.
“A Third-Grade Talisman?!”
Horse Face of Death staggered back, trying desperately to extinguish the fire.
Han Zhong, seeing this, was both shocked and ecstatic.
He hadn’t expected it to work—his plan had merely been a last-ditch effort before fleeing!
“Horse Face of Death! Today is your doom!”
He raised his spiritual sword and charged.
The flames burned violently. Horse Face of Death howled in pain, backing away in panic. Even his Bone Banner was thrown aside as he flailed to douse the fire.
Han Zhong pressed the attack, forcing him further back.
“Die!”
He thrust with all his might—and his sword pierced Horse Face of Death’s chest.
“You…”
Horse Face of Death suddenly exploded with terrifying killing intent. He stepped forward, grabbed Han Zhong’s shoulder, and—bit into his neck!
“AAAHHH—”
Han Zhong hadn’t expected such a vicious counterattack.
He stabbed again and again in panic, his sword riddling Horse Face of Death’s body.
But still—the demonic cultivator bit through his throat.
Finally, Horse Face of Death released him.
Han Zhong collapsed in a heap—his head severed from his body.
Horse Face of Death had performed a literal decapitation with his teeth.
He gasped heavily. His body was charred, his chest hollowed out. He tried to stagger away…
But then—
BOOM!
A surge of formation power burst forth!
Foundation Establishment-level force descended like thunder, crashing down toward Horse Face of Death!
His face twisted in horror as he looked back—
From the shattered garden ruins…
Li An had risen, his face pale but eyes like a wolf—locked firmly onto Horse Face of Death!
In his hand, a jade talisman had just been shattered—
(End of Chapter)