Rat in Yellow Wind Ridge, rising from plundering entries

Chapter 19 The Scorpion Demon, The Thousand-Year Corpse King, and Bestowing Traits Upon a Lesser Demon!

“Fortune is rare indeed—sometimes even harder to obtain than merit.”

Yellow Wind King was delighted as he merged with the Minor Fortune trait. Instantly, he felt an inexplicable shift in his fate, as if his luck had subtly improved.

“So, the great king is the rightful owner of this cave. I was unaware—please forgive me!”

The Scorpion Demon, writhing in pain, finally regained its senses. Recognizing its adversary, it proved to be quick-witted. Seeing the inscription Rat Hole Cave, it suddenly understood and flipped over to kowtow in submission.

Yellow Wind King studied the creature. A mere scorpion that had attained sentience and happened to possess fortune—it had survived earlier simply because fate had not yet abandoned it.

“Stand up. The interior is filthy, so you will serve as my mount.”

“Yes, my king!”

The Scorpion Demon crouched down and revealed its true form—a massive black-purple demon scorpion, roughly the size of a tabletop. It carried Yellow Wind King into the cave. Upon learning they were heading deeper inside, it quickly protested, “Great King, you may not be aware, but I only dare to roam the outer layers. The deeper areas are a labyrinth, infested with zombies, shadow demons, and malicious ghosts—it’s truly perilous!”

“Zombies and shadow demons?”

Yellow Wind King was intrigued.

“Yes,” the Scorpion Demon confirmed. “I suspect that something has gone wrong underground, causing a connection to the underworld. That’s why these dark creatures have emerged into the mortal realm.”

“No matter. With me here, there’s nothing to fear!”

With this reassurance, the Scorpion Demon braced itself and pressed forward. Following Yellow Wind King’s guidance, they navigated the labyrinthine passages with ease, encountering no major obstacles until they arrived at his dwelling. However, standing guard at the entrance were two zombies.

[Species: Ghost – Zombie].

[Realm: Transforming Qi – Humanoid Form].

[Traits: Iron Skin (Blue), Bloodthirsty (Blue), Corpse Poison (Blue), Basic Blade Technique (White)].

The second zombie had identical first three traits, but its final trait was Proficient Swordsmanship (Blue). Sensing the presence of a living being, the zombies shrieked and lunged forward.

Yellow Wind King swiftly decapitated them with two precise spear strikes and stormed into his residence—only to find that it had been taken over by a Thousand-Year Corpse King, along with a horde of zombies and shadow demons.

[Species: Ghost – Zombie].

[Realm: Qi Refinement – Corpse Core].

[Traits: Bronze Skin and Iron Bones (Purple), Grandmaster of Blade Techniques (Purple), Battlefield Command (Red), Corpse Demon Poison (Red)…].

The Corpse King was clad in armor, its body towering and muscular. With a feral roar, it commanded the surrounding undead to form ranks, assembling them into an eerie army. Yellow Wind King nocked an arrow and methodically shot down the approaching undead, maintaining his distance.

Furious, the Corpse King swung its massive blade, sending a fierce arc of saber energy slashing toward him. Yellow Wind King met it with his spear, engaging in a fierce duel. Though formidable, the Corpse King ultimately fell, its head severed by a decisive strike.

[You have defeated the Thousand-Year Corpse King and randomly obtained its trait: Battlefield Command (Red). Would you like to merge it?].

[Battlefield Command (Red): You excel in military strategy, directing troops as if they were extensions of your own limbs. When leading in battle, morale soars.].

“This is excellent!”

Yellow Wind King was elated.

He chose to merge the trait, and at that moment, a vast battlefield unfolded in his mind—generals marshaling their troops, regiments marching in formation, encampments being established—all appearing with extraordinary clarity.

At Fangcun Mountain, he had studied military texts, but now, every lesson became deeply ingrained. The experience was both strange and exhilarating.

“Great King, help me!”

The Scorpion Demon called out—it had been locked in combat with a shadow demon and was losing due to its injuries. Yellow Wind King intervened, swiftly subduing the shadow demon.

“Mighty King!”

The Scorpion Demon cheered, waving its pincers in triumph. Meanwhile, the shadow demon knelt, begging for mercy. Shadow demons were creatures born from the accumulation of underworld energy and death aura. A few of them developed intelligence.

Yellow Wind King questioned the shadow demon about the situation. It turned out that the death of the Dragon Vein had repercussions in the underworld as well. The spiritual and underworld energies of Yellow Wind Ridge had overlapped and fractured, creating numerous rifts between the two realms.

A surge of ghostly entities had climbed through these fissures. Though the underworld forces had swiftly responded, some ghosts still managed to remain in the mortal world.

Furthermore, the leaked underworld aura had seeped into underground caves and dark rivers, altering the subterranean landscape and fostering the birth of new shadow creatures. For instance, Flowing Sands Nation had been completely overtaken by a newly ascended Ghost King.

Yellow Wind King surveyed his surroundings. Not only was there ghostly energy from the underworld, but also residual grievances from the slain Dragon Vein, which had altered the entire environment.

Returning to his home, he noticed that some furniture—tables and chairs—had started moving on their own, tainted by underworld energy. Over time, they could potentially evolve into spirit entities like table demons or broom demons…

This place is no longer habitable.

Nor can I leave it unchecked. If this corruption spreads, Yellow Wind Ridge will become a ghostly wasteland.

Yellow Wind King pondered.

Could it be that letting Golden-Winged Great Peng slay the Dragon Vein had been a ploy to unleash this catastrophe?

“Did the Yellow Wind Demon come here for this very reason? The Buddhist teachings of Spirit Mountain often deal with ghostly entities, and every exorcism brings them merit.”

It wasn’t impossible. Many immortals and Buddhas in Journey to the West were unscrupulous, treating all beings as mere pawns to exploit for their gain. Yellow Wind King glanced at the Scorpion Demon, who was keeping watch over the subdued shadow demon. Perhaps he could entrust the cave’s guardianship to it—but its strength was too weak.

Suddenly, he recalled that he could bestow his acquired traits onto others—and retrieve them at will. This made for a perfect method to cultivate subordinates. Should any of them rebel, he could simply revoke their traits, crippling them in an instant. This unseen leash ensured they would always be under his control.

“Let’s give it a try!”

Yellow Wind King called the Scorpion Demon over.

“Great King?”

The Scorpion Demon crawled before him, looking up in confusion.

Yellow Wind King said, “You did well by not fleeing earlier.”

The Scorpion Demon hastily responded, “Encountering the Great King is my fortune. How could I ever think of running away?”

The statement was half flattery, half sincere. The vast mountains were teeming with lesser demons, yet few ever reached the rank of Demon King. Such beings were rarities—one in ten thousand.

Most lesser demons remained insignificant throughout their lives or perished prematurely. Their best bet was to serve a Demon General or Demon King.

Yellow Wind King smirked.

“Good. I appreciate subordinates who are both sensible and loyal.”

“I will grant you an opportunity—but in exchange, you must guard this cave. If anything happens, inform me immediately.”

The Scorpion Demon was ecstatic.

“Thank you, Great King! I gladly accept!”

“Very well.”

Yellow Wind King instructed, “Come closer.”

The Scorpion Demon obediently approached. In truth, Yellow Wind King could transfer or retract traits with mere thought. However, he deliberately chose to make it appear more ritualistic. From his recent battles, he had collected over ten ordinary traits.

[Iron Skin (Blue), Bloodthirsty (Blue), Corpse Poison (Blue), Hardened Bones (Blue), Underworld Wind (White), Intimidation (White)…].

None of these interested him personally. However, for a lesser demon, they represented a significant transformation—an invaluable boon. He selected Iron Skin (Blue), Hardened Bones (Blue), and Corpse Poison (Blue).

[Would you like to bestow these traits upon the Scorpion Demon?].

“Yes!”