At the entrance to the crematorium stood a middle-aged man, his water boots splashing, clad in a straw raincoat and wearing a bamboo hat.
A horse lantern and a copper gong were fastened to his waist, while in his other hand, he carried a long horse-chopping saber.
Clang!!
"The weather is dry and the flames are rampant, beware of fire!"
Clang!!
"The dead reflect on themselves, the living step aside!"
His voice, hoarse from shouting, pierced the sky, dispelling malevolent spirits and driving away all ghosts!
Xu Zhiping's voice was resonant, like the tolling of an ancient thousand-year-old bell, more reassuring than Xu Qian's calls.
It felt as though in the terrifying night, as long as he was present, there was no need for fear.
"Master!"
Xu Qian's face was filled with ecstatic joy. It was a pity that his severe injuries prevented him from getting up to greet him.
Although he didn't know where Xu Zhiping had been all these years or why he had appeared at this particular time, Xu Zhiping's arrival undoubtedly strengthened Yan Shouyi's hand!
With every strike of the copper gong, the spectral energy in the sky trembled a bit more.
From within the ghostly miasma, Yan Shouyi vaguely saw a spectral figure clutching its head, enduring immense pain!
"Yu Jinhong, I've found you!"
Yan Shouyi's gaze sharpened. He immediately ordered Sanyuan to charge into the ghostly miasma with him!
Sanyuan didn't hesitate!
The man and the bird plunged into the spectral energy. The surroundings instantly turned pitch black, and all sound ceased, as if they had entered another world.
Yan Shouyi, holding his Zanpakuto, scanned his surroundings, trying to locate Yu Jinhong's true form. However, the surrounding ghostly miasma obscured his vision, making it utterly dark, and he couldn't find Yu Jinhong at all!
Just as Yan Shouyi felt lost, the sound of the copper gong rang out again!
The spectral energy seemed to be illuminated by a bright lamp. In that instant, Yan Shouyi spotted Yu Jinhong covering his ears!
Yan Shouyi and Xu Zhiping, in this way, cooperated silently across the distance!
"Yu Jinhong!"
Yan Shouyi grunted, leaped from Sanyuan's back, raised his Zanpakuto high, and struck fiercely at Yu Jinhong!
Yu Jinhong's face contorted in shock. He used both hands to block!
The immense force directly propelled Yan Shouyi and Yu Jinhong out of the spectral energy, and they fell heavily to the ground!
Yu Jinhong knelt on the ground. Yan Shouyi, holding his Zanpakuto, suppressed him with an overwhelming presence!
"You brat... you..."
"Five Thunder Orthodox Method!"
Yan Shouyi had no intention of listening to Yu Jinhong's nonsense. In an instant, he unleashed the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. Silver-white lightning snakes flashed around him, conducting along his arms to the Zanpakuto!
"Ah!!!"
Yu Jinhong let out a pained scream. The combined force of the copper gong and the Five Thunder Orthodox Method fiercely whipped at Yu Jinhong's soul, preventing him from even breaking free from the Zanpakuto!
Seeing this, Xu Zhiping drew his horse-chopping saber!
Yan Shouyi understood and used all his strength to pin Yu Jinhong down!
Meanwhile, Xu Zhiping behind him quickly charged forward, his long horse-chopping saber piercing directly through Yu Jinhong's chest!
Yu Jinhong's expression changed. He released his hands from blocking the Zanpakuto and instinctively grabbed the horse-chopping saber protruding from his chest.
"Die, Yu Jinhong!"
Yan Shouyi's killing intent flared. With a turn, the Zanpakuto in his hand unleashed terrifying power, instantly severing Yu Jinhong's head from his body!
Yu Jinhong is dead!
Another Ghost King added to Yan Shouyi's kill count!
Yan Shouyi's and Yu Jinhong's heads landed simultaneously.
The round head rolled a few times on the ground before coming to a stop, directly facing Xu Zhiping behind it.
Yu Jinhong's eyes were vacant. He asked weakly, "I never expected you to still be alive..."
Xu Zhiping silently withdrew his horse-chopping saber and sheathed it.
He said coldly, "I've always been in Qiantang."
"Then why have you never appeared?"
"I am within your Yu family."
Xu Zhiping turned around and said, "I was born and raised in Qiantang, but I knew that we were powerless to oppose your Ghost King family back then. So, I abandoned my disciples, went into hiding, and infiltrated your Yu family to work. I have been in hiding for two full years, and finally, I have waited for my opportunity..."
Yu Jinhong's eyes widened. "So, my eldest brother's dragon脉 was cut by you!?"
"Naturally, it was me," Xu Zhiping readily admitted.
No one knew the hardships Xu Zhiping had endured over these two years. To avoid revealing himself, he had even neglected Xu Qian.
Like Shen Shuzhen, he was protecting the people of Qiantang in his own way.
And today, it was finally Xu Zhiping's day to emerge!
Xu Zhiping appraised Yan Shouyi and praised, "Yin Tang and Liu yatou spoke highly of you in front of me. Seeing you now, you are indeed extraordinary. You are truly a descendant of the Yan family."
Yan Shouyi was slightly surprised. Xu Zhiping's praise wasn't for him as a descendant of Lu Ban, but as a descendant of the Yan family.
This indicated that Xu Zhiping likely knew his elders.
However, Yan Shouyi had no time to dwell on this matter at the moment.
He offered Xu Zhiping a humble smile and then stepped on Yu Jinhong's head.
With a slight exertion of force, Yu Jinhong's soul was scattered!
Xu Zhiping narrowed his eyes upon seeing this and remarked, "Your resolute demeanor is exactly like your father's."
"You flatter me, Senior," Yan Shouyi said, pointing towards Wei Qin. "There's still one over there."
With Yu Jinbo cast into hell and Yu Jinhong's soul dispersed, only Wei Qin remained of the three Ghost Kings who had arrived with such ferocity!
And Wei Qin now had to face Yan Shouyi, Xu Zhiping, Shen Chun, Yao Yuming... and everyone at the crematorium!
Upon discovering Yu Jinhong's death, Wei Qin was filled with dread.
He understood that the tide had turned against him, but he also knew that Yan Shouyi and the others would not let him go.
Therefore, Wei Qin had no intention of surrendering; instead, he turned and fled!
As long as he could escape Qiantang, there might still be a slim chance of survival!
But how could they let Wei Qin escape? Wouldn't that leave a future hidden danger?
Yao Yuming unleashed his Ghost King techniques, directly restraining Wei Qin's movements. Xu Zhiping followed closely, his copper gong continuously ringing, disorienting Wei Qin and making him dizzy!
Yan Shouyi, wielding his Zanpakuto, repeated his previous action, instantly severing Wei Qin's head!
Wei Qin is dead!
No matter how powerful a Ghost King was, when alone, they would always show a flaw!
Wei Qin's head fell to the ground. He understood that he had no escape, but he remained somewhat resolute. He did not beg for mercy but closed his eyes, awaiting the moment his soul would be scattered.
The crowd landed. Yan Shouyi looked at Wei Qin's head and asked Xu Zhiping beside him:
"Senior Xu, please handle Wei Qin."
Xu Zhiping stroked his stubble, then suddenly removed the horse lantern from his waist and captured Wei Qin's soul within it.
Yan Shouyi looked puzzled. "What are you doing?"
Xu Zhiping then stuffed the horse lantern into Yan Shouyi's arms and said indifferently:
"You have helped the people of Qiantang, and we have no way to repay you. This horse lantern is an heirloom from my ancestors, accompanying me through countless streets and alleys for over a hundred thousand li. Today, I will give it to you as a token of my gratitude."
Xu Zhiping's style of action was decisive, and even when giving gifts, he did so so straightforwardly.
Although Yan Shouyi didn't know the exact use of this horse lantern, seeing it absorb Wei Qin's soul, he surmised it was no ordinary magical artifact.
He hesitated, believing such a treasure should be passed on by Xu Zhiping to Xu Qian instead.
Seeing Yan Shouyi's hesitation, Xu Zhiping said directly:
"That boy Xu Qian already has another horse lantern passed down from my ancestor, so you need not worry. Among the younger generation I have met, you are the only one qualified to wield this horse lantern."