Chapter 74: Who Is the True Corpse Herder

“Get back!” Shang Lu shouted, his voice thunderous. His left hand shot out like lightning, grabbing the constable whose face was twisted in panic and confusion at the sudden turn of events, yanking him forcefully behind him.

The constable flew backward like a kite with its string cut, whistling through the air.

At the same instant, Shang Lu drew his ox-tail saber with his right hand, a cold flash of steel arcing as he brought it down upon the blazing figure hurtling toward him.

There was a deafening explosion.

Shang Lu’s blade struck the burning man with astonishing speed, but the feedback from the blow felt wrong—nothing like striking living flesh. The thought had barely formed when the fiery figure exploded in a violent burst.

In an instant, roaring flames surged forth, like a fire demon baring its jaws, threatening to devour him whole.

Shang Lu pushed off the ground with both feet, employing Tiger Step and Bird’s Flight, retreating at blinding speed.

He was swift, but the flames surged even faster. In the blink of an eye, the fire was upon him, threatening to engulf him.

At the critical moment, the oiled-paper umbrella—home to Mistress San—flew open in front of Shang Lu, shielding him from the surging blaze.

Surviving the ordeal, Shang Lu’s expression was instead one of worry. He hurriedly snatched up the umbrella, examining it carefully. Only after confirming it was undamaged did he relax.

“Mistress San, you’ve saved my life again,” he murmured as he tucked the umbrella away.

Compared to Shang Lu, the other constables and local braves were not so lucky—or rather, they lacked the protection of a ghostly wife.

Several of them were burned or blasted by the flames that erupted from the fire people’s explosions. Now, they rolled on the ground, howling in pain, desperately trying to extinguish the flames on their bodies.

Fortunately, the fire people were themselves reduced to ashes in the explosions, unable to take advantage and attack further. Their comrades, too, rushed to help, smothering the flames and saving their lives.

Shang Lu spotted Captain Niu and was about to confer with him when several figures suddenly burst from the blazing house.

This time, they were not fire people, but living men—or at least, they appeared to be alive.

One among them was tall, his face concealed behind a black mask, and he carried a small child in his grasp.

A dagger was pressed to the child’s throat, its blade drawing blood.

The man's build and attire matched the description the rat demon had given of a corpse handler’s public persona, but Shang Lu saw no signs of “stuffing” on him.

A thought flashed through his mind; he immediately urged his blood, sacrificing to the Liver Spirit, beseeching it to release a wisp of green smoke that fused into his eyes.

A coolness swept his vision, revealing much unseen to the ordinary gaze.

Surrounded by his companions, the masked man glared fiercely about, waving his dagger as he shouted harshly, “Let us go, or I’ll kill the child—”

Before he could finish, a sharp hiss split the air—a powerful arrow flew straight at him.

He had no time to react; the arrow struck him squarely in the forehead, precise and deadly.

It was Captain Niu!

Only Captain Niu in the constabulary possessed such unerring archery.

His arrow was not only accurate, but fiercely powerful, piercing the skull and sending black blood mingled with yellowish brain matter trickling from the wound.

The masked man’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if stunned that these officers would act so ruthlessly, unconcerned for the hostage.

The others, startled for a moment, quickly recovered. One roared and lunged at the officers in a desperate bid, while another tried to snatch the child from their fallen comrade, intending to use him as a shield.

Captain Niu’s bow sang again, loosing several more arrows.

At the same instant Captain Niu fired the first arrow, Shang Lu sprang into action.

He was like a tiger descending from the mountains, charging into the fray.

His ox-tail saber blazed with dazzling light, transforming into a storm of wild and lethal strikes, overwhelming the adversaries as leaves before a tempest.

Though these men seemed sinister, their strength was lacking.

In moments, the group that had fled the burning house was slain, cut down by the combined assault of Shang Lu and Captain Niu.

“Ah, damn, we needed a live one…” Captain Niu frowned as he watched Shang Lu fell the last man.

But he did not rebuke Shang Lu in public, only sighed inwardly.

He strode forward, intent on picking up the child.

The child was clearly terrified, cowering on the ground, trembling and tearful—a sight that tugged at the heart.

Seeing Captain Niu approach, the child seemed to sense safety and trust, reaching out his arms, pleading for rescue and protection.

This moved Captain Niu all the more, quickening his steps.

But before he could lift the child, Shang Lu stepped in first, pressing the bloodstained blade of his ox-tail saber to the child’s neck.

This startled everyone present.

“Brother Shang, what are you doing?” Captain Niu asked in surprise.

Yet he did not scold or stop him. Instead, his eyes narrowed with suspicion and vigilance as he scrutinized the seemingly pitiable child on the ground.

His hand also went to the hilt of his sword.

Though Captain Niu saw nothing amiss with the child, he trusted that Shang Lu would not act without good reason.

As he awaited Shang Lu’s explanation, Captain Niu signaled the startled officers to surround them, ensuring the prisoner could not escape.

The child seemed stunned with fear, then burst into loud, wailing sobs.

But Shang Lu was unmoved, mocking coldly, “Go ahead and cry. Let’s see how long you can keep it up. So, not only can you drive corpse puppets and command paper men, you’re good at sobbing too—did you hone this skill mourning at graves?”

At Shang Lu’s words, Captain Niu was taken aback. He hurriedly asked, “He’s the murderer of Zhang Sheng’s family? The corpse handler we’re after? But he’s just a child—how could he possess such skill, such cruelty?”

Shang Lu snorted, “He only appears to be a child. That doesn’t mean he truly is one.”

Captain Niu studied the child carefully, but no matter how he looked, he saw nothing unusual.

Still, he did not voice his doubts. Instead, he put on an air of having seen through the deception, nodded, and ordered, “He’s no child at all! Bring the iron hooks soaked in filth and menstrual blood, pierce his shoulder blades, break his sea of qi…”

Before Captain Niu could finish, the child’s expression changed drastically.

Gone was the pitiful look, replaced by a face full of malice and wickedness.

He suddenly flung out his right hand, sending several streaks of white light hurtling toward Shang Lu and Captain Niu.