Chapter 51: The Follower of the Undying King – 1

“Not bad, not bad. You know how to slap unjust racial labels on people you dislike,” Yang Zicang praised.
The people on the ground scrambled up and ran off in all directions. Though taken down in one move, they believed the Chief would deal with any demon.
Because the Chief was the Earthly Walker of the Undying King. He had the gaze and protection of the Undying King, possessed miraculous power, and could seal demons into weapons.
This guy was as good as dead!
“Keep boasting, since soon you won’t have the chance. The Undying King will seal you into the Holy Sword and use your strength to destroy your kind!”
“Is that so? I can hardly wait.”
Yang Zicang released his arms, letting those spears clatter to the ground, and in an instant, his body turned into a whirlwind, vanishing from the spot.
Since practicing martial arts, his speed had increased; though he had not mastered qinggong (the art of lightness), the model’s multiplied acceleration ability almost made him into a legendary figure capable of scaling walls and running a thousand li a day.
The old man named Subarna was the best runner in the city, far faster than any young man. As he sprinted at top speed down the long street, a figure suddenly appeared beside him.
“Are you going to the temple to call for help?”
“Ah!”
The old man was startled.
That demon had actually caught up to him! And judging by his tone, it was as if he was taking a leisurely stroll.
Then the old man suddenly felt his soles dangling in the air, his running steps no longer touching the ground.
“Too slow.”
Yang Zicang lifted him and dashed into the distance at high speed.
This place was built bit by bit over time; he could find the so-called temple even with his eyes closed, and that stone castle’s foundation was laid by him himself.
The two of them swept like a whirlwind into the stone hall. After a brief shudder, Yang Zicang darted around momentarily before appearing in front of Zaguda, who was resting with his eyes closed.
Amidst the screams of a few maidservants, the bewildered Subarna was thrown to the ground.
“Are you the captain of this generation?”
YangZicang looked at the old man, who raised his eyes to meet his gaze.
Captain?
This archaic title… Zaguda was stunned for two seconds before coming to his senses.
Facing this suddenly appearing hairless man, his heart shuddered violently, and then he let out a breath that was both regretful and relieved.
He’s not the legendary one who never ages or dies—the age doesn’t match.
Several warriors from various parts of the sanctuary rushed into the hall, brandishing sharp weapons at the strange man who had burst in at high speed.
The Chief restored his authority.
“Who are you?”
“I’ve come on behalf of the Undying King to see how his cleaning team captain is doing. He was rather satisfied that you managed to resolve the birth of the Nightmare back in the last Jiazi cycle, which suggests you’re capable of handling disasters on your own now.”
Hearing “Undying King,” Subarna, who had been about to complain, immediately prostrated himself before the middle-aged man.
With his hands pressed against his forehead to the ground, he dared not entertain a shred of disrespect.
He had no doubt that only a servant of the Undying King would possess the strength to fearlessly defy a Sacred Artifact.
“A messenger from the King…?”
Zaguda shuddered. The Undying King? No, how could this man be a servant of that existence…
The old man struggled to accept this.
If the Undying King were to truly appear, with his youngest son’s poor martial skills, he would certainly never become captain.
Lost in thought, he momentarily forgot to reply to the words of the supreme being before him.
More of those around crouched down, bows lowering their heads, while some warriors hesitated in gripping their long spears, and a few sheathed their weapons.
“All of you, rise; your Undying King detests such formalities, doesn’t he?”
Zaguda’s eyes widened.
He recalled that the previous Chief Follower had indeed said: The Undying King despised excessive ceremony, treating others as friends and kin, without distinctions of rank.
Zaguda stood up, his throat moving, but another emotion rapidly overtook his heart.
“No, you fraud!”
The old man didn’t know how he managed to raise his finger and utter this accusation.
It wasn’t until he heard his own voice that he snapped back to his senses, frightening himself to near death, but since it was done… he could only persist with a strong front, perhaps to withstand the current crisis.
He made a swift decision.
“Unless the Undying King comes in person, no one can pretend to be him! Guards, put this imposter to death!”
Ring!
A small, pale golden disk, carrying a phantom light, arced gracefully through the air, landing steadily on his raised fingertip.
Subna, who happened to look up due to the chief’s accusation, witnessed this and was left breathless with terror.
Such precision was not a skill that humans should possess.
The warriors who were just about to act stirred around them; some attempted to carry out the orders, while others knelt down, lowering their heads.
Yang Zicang said with a faint smile, “You’ve worked hard over the years. This is a reward from the Undying King, bestowed upon you for your excellent handling of the last disaster.”
“This… this is…”
Zaguda felt an intense, strange aura from the exquisite creation on his fingertip.
It seemed not to belong to this world.
The old man carefully covered it with his other hand, as if afraid it might flutter away like a butterfly.
A mysterious voice directly echoed in the leader’s heart.
[You have gained 60N.]
“What?”
The old man stepped back in surprise, staring at the exquisitely patterned gold coin in his hand; it was so beautiful that, at the moment of receiving it, he felt as though he had obtained the most precious and invaluable treasure in the world.
But what did the voice in his heart mean? He raised his eyes to look at the other person opposite him.
The model in Yang Zicang’s mind flickered slightly as he made contact with Mo Li, who was training in martial arts in another city.
{Mr. Yang, have you found someone to practice martial arts?}
[No, but soon. Come on, help me activate that commemorative coin infused with sixty years of lifespan.]
{Alright.}
The people around curiously watched the aged leader pinch the small golden object that emitted a faint white glow.
The white radiance suddenly merged into the leader’s hand.
Then, all the attendants and warriors witnessed a divine miracle that shook the soul! On the aged chief, the sagging and wrinkled skin rapidly plumped up! The chief stared at his hands, which were becoming unfamiliar yet so familiar.
“Ah~”
Zaguda was so startled that he plopped down onto a chair.
He lifted his hands, unconsciously uttering excited cries from his throat.
He felt his heart beat more intensely; he experienced long-lost decades of vitality being reborn, and his back involuntarily straightened.
His eyes blurred.
With a clatter, the weapons were all cast to the ground.
Everyone prostrated themselves. The aged Chief Zaguda had actually regained his youth—something they had never even dared to imagine.
The Undying King could only be the Undying King!
Not only is he himself immortal, but he can also grant immortality to others!
Zaguda wept as he slid off the chair and thumped to his knees, his face covered in snot and tears.
He incessantly knocked his forehead on the ground, expressing the inexpressible gratitude, excitement, and remorse in his heart.
“All of you, rise.”
The crowd looked up, yet none dared to actually stand.
Shubana knelt beside Yang Zicang, palms together and head tilted upward, gazing at this man as if at a deity, with wide, unblinking eyes and slightly parted mouth.
[This man knelt before my authority, having conceived an eternal reverence for me.]
[More were struck by my authority, having conceived an unshakeable veneration for me.]
[The leader of the cleanup team quaked before my miracle and authority, his mind set adrift, my image rooted deep in his heart.]
“Please, please forgive my foolishness.”
The chief spoke aloud, making a young man’s voice as he prostrated on the ground, pressing a coin against his head with both hands.
“It is normal that you do not recognize me. But you should not have attacked your own kind so recklessly.”
“Indeed, indeed, we know of our mistake.”
Only after Yang Zicang’s repeated demands did the people finally rise, but the look in their eyes had already changed.
“Besides this matter, I am here for another, far more important purpose.”
“Please command us, sir. Ah, and how should we address you?”
Zhaguda asked, his voice brimming with agitation. Eager beyond measure, he sought the chance to lend a hand, hoping in some small way to prove his worth.
“You need not know my name. I am but an attendant of the King.”
Turning his head, Yang Zicang looked over these people—especially the robust, strong-bodied boys with blazing eyes gathered among them. They were perfect raw material for the martial arts.
Once, he had thought he might choose a few dozen from this crowd to complete the task flawlessly, even planning itself ambitious. But now, he had changed his mind.
“There are two techniques of martial arts I offer here. You may look upon them. If any of you wishes to learn, tell me on my return tomorrow. Of course, there is a condition: once you start, there is no stopping.”
A sharp-eyed young woman approached, carrying a relatively delicate set of clothing, and knelt down to raise it up.
Zaguda recognized it as his own garment, something he wore only during festivals and rituals.
And the woman holding the clothing was none other than the young wife he had acquired less than two years ago.
“Thank you, but no need.”
The surrounding crowd showed longing expressions upon hearing of the martial arts skills, for these were gifts from a servant of the Undying King.
They couldn’t help but recall ancient legends of the Undying King, who would appear in various places and teach people all sorts of wondrous skills.
This time, he had brought martial arts!
Their breaths grew heavy, and the air was thick with eagerness.
Zaguda knelt again, but this time only on one knee, and said solemnly, “Please, Honorable Messenger, bestow upon me the martial arts. With my new life, I will cultivate and uphold them for the King forever!”
This had been Yang Zicang’s intention all along, since each generation’s Cleanup Team leader was the strongest warrior; besides, with decades of combat experience, Zaguda would find it easier to learn them.
But now, Yang Zicang shook his head.
“You won’t do.”
Zaguda’s body trembled as he looked up.
Had the Undying King discovered his disloyal intentions, and so would no longer grant him new rewards?
“You have already received a blessing. These martial arts, I will give to others.”
Was that really the case? Zaguda quickly suppressed his thoughts.
“In the days to come, you shall not interfere with my movements, nor treat me with any special regard. Just consider me an ordinary person.”
Having said this, Yang Zicang untied the small linen pouch hanging from his waist and placed it in the hands of the woman who was kneeling beside him.