Volume Eight: Infernal Judgment Chapter Eight: The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons

The next day, Yuting arrived swiftly—just an hour after the phone call. “Miss, we’re here.”

“Yao, what did you call me here for?” asked the male immortal.

“Do you know him?” Yaoguang pointed at Gui Xu.

“It’s you! Yao, he was the one who saved me all those years ago. If he hadn’t notified you, my soul would have been scattered on Iron Enclosure Mountain. Benefactor, please accept my bow.” The male immortal, visibly moved, bowed deeply to Gui Xu.

“Please, rise. I can’t accept such a gesture, brother-in-law. I told you we’d meet again, and that when I next saw the honored one, I’d become her brother—and you, her husband. But brother-in-law, I’m sorry. That year, I failed to protect you. When you were taken by Ghost Lord, I was too late to find you. I only managed to track your soul’s path, but couldn’t save your life. You don’t blame me, do you?” Gui Xu said.

“If not for your timely message, I would have been utterly destroyed—there’d be no today.” The male immortal smiled.

“Brother-in-law?!” Everyone paused, then laughed. “That’s a good title. But from now on, you’d better stick to calling him ‘male immortal’—or else your sister won’t be pleased,” Xuan Chen joked.

“Yes, Lord Male Immortal,” Gui Xu replied. “Honored one, forgive me for opening old wounds.”

“No matter,” Yaoguang waved her hand. Truthfully, her heart was elated. The whereabouts of Gui Xu had been a knot in her heart for years; now that knot was untied, and the case had seen a breakthrough. Things were looking up.

“Phoenix, what’s our next move?” Xuan Chen dropped his smile and asked.

Yaoguang swept her hand, and a map appeared before them. “Now, we can confirm that this World-Destroying Array is the Eight Torments and Seven Stars Array. The seven dumping grounds correspond to the positions of the Big Dipper’s stars. Gui Xu says the eighth array eye is at the North Star, so the Eight Torments Soul-Locking Array and the demon’s location are both at the North Star. Following the trajectory of these seven star positions, the North Star should be here.”

Her finger landed on a small island.

“Star Island?!” Xuan Chen exclaimed.

“Yes, Gui Xu said they’re in the mountain—literally inside it. Star Island is a mountain; I suspect it’s hollowed out, with Ghost Sect inside. For the array to unleash its power, its final altar and array eye must be at the summit. So, we’ll split into three teams. First, Yuting and Tian You, take Sister Hu, Bai Long, and other immortals to Star Island to investigate. Report to me immediately, no matter what you find—don’t act rashly. Second, Xuan Chen and Jiang Yun, lead Sky Sword and the special forces to secure the perimeter of Star Island, blocking all routes onto the island. Third, I, Ghost Beard, Huo Mingkun, and Gui Xu will lead the Mang and Huang immortals tonight to clear the array eyes, preventing vengeful spirits from gathering at Star Island. Once we finish with the seven array eyes, we’ll join you to attack Star Island.” Yaoguang laid out the plan.

“No problem. Luckily, Star Island is remote—otherwise, innocent people might get hurt,” Xuan Chen remarked.

“Star Island is deserted. For years, its location at the sea’s center and poor transport kept people away. Who’d have thought it became Ghost Sect’s temporary headquarters? Quite amusing,” Yaoguang said.

“Phoenix, one more thing: if we attack Star Island, how do we get there? It’s surrounded by water, and the only entrance must be guarded by Ghost Sect. If we go by boat, we’ll be spotted easily,” Tian You said.

“If we can’t go by land, we’ll go underwater. Bai Long can help with that. The special forces will guard the only exit,” Yaoguang replied.

“Underwater?” Tian You was bewildered.

“You’ll see soon enough. Now, get ready—we set out at dusk,” Yaoguang commanded.

“Yes,” everyone began preparing.

“Honored one, how will you get me out?” Gui Xu asked.

“Ask your brother-in-law,” Yaoguang teased, in good spirits.

“Hmph.” The male immortal glared at Yaoguang, then said to Gui Xu, “I’ll carry you and use Yao’s invisibility talisman. That’s how we’ll get out.”

“But, Lord Male Immortal, why can I see you? Aren’t you a spirit now?” Gui Xu wondered.

“I can manifest a physical form. But who sees me is up to me,” the male immortal replied. “Also, benefactor, what’s your name?”

“Lord Male Immortal, please don’t call me benefactor—it feels odd. In Ghost Sect, I’m called Gui Xu; my real name is Chen Haixu. Call me whatever you like, just not benefactor—it shortens my life,” Gui Xu said.

“Chen Haixu?!” Yaoguang was surprised. “As far as I know, those who enter Ghost Sect must forget their names and take one starting with ‘Ghost.’ How can you remember your real name?”

“Yes, everyone must drink a potion to forget themselves when joining Ghost Sect. But I had to remember—remembering my name meant remembering hatred. Ghost Sect discovered me because I regained my memory. That hatred couldn’t be hidden. Maybe I was too young and not shrewd enough, so I was found out. But it’s all past. Honored one, when Ghost Sect is destroyed, can I follow you?”

“You may,” Yaoguang nodded.

Gui Xu clasped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you, Honored One.”

“Chen Haixu, Gui Xu died at the seventh array eye. You are Chen Haixu, my brother. Remember that,” Yaoguang said sternly.

“Thank you, Honored One. Chen Haixu will remember your teachings,” Chen Haixu replied.

“Haha, a promising youngster. Excellent, excellent,” Ghost Beard laughed.

“Ancestor, once this is over, will you leave? Master Ghost Hui is gone; aside from the Honored One, you’re my only family left in this world. I’ve searched for you all these years,” said Chen Haixu.

“Hahaha, good child. I’ll grant your wish—I won’t leave. I’ve already agreed with Old Gui Shan to live at his Gui Shan Temple. Visit me anytime,” Ghost Beard chuckled.

“That’s wonderful!” Chen Haixu was overjoyed.

“I see you’re very fond of Ghost Beard, aren’t you?” Yaoguang asked.

“Yes, my master Ghost Hui was a disciple of a disciple’s disciple’s disciple’s disciple’s disciple of the ancestor. When Master Ghost Hui took me in, I stayed by his side. He’d always tell me stories of the ancestor and showed me his portrait. Otherwise, how would I recognize him? During the old siege, Master Ghost Hui was killed by Ghost Lord while covering the police retreat. At the time, I said we’d find you together after Ghost Sect was destroyed. But we never had the chance,” Chen Haixu choked up.

“So that’s why you’re so different. I suppose the secret message method was Master Ghost Hui’s idea?” Yaoguang asked.

“Yes, I was only about twenty then, overlooked and unnoticed. Master Ghost Hui came up with the plan, and I carried it out. Ghost Lord killed his wife and daughter, so he hated Ghost Sect deeply—he joined to seek revenge,” Chen Haixu explained.

“That explains a lot.” Yaoguang nodded. Years of confusion finally cleared.

Unnoticed, night had fallen. At nearly ten o’clock, Yaoguang and her group began their operation.

“Honored one, no one’s here. What if the doctor finds out?” Chen Haixu asked.

“Silly, this is Sky Sword’s special ward. Even if you disappear, no one will ask—everyone knows I took you. But we still need to move quietly, or Doctor Jiang will nag,” Yaoguang said, sticking a talisman to Chen Haixu. He found his body becoming ethereal. The male immortal carried him, and together with the immortals, they slipped out straight to the first array eye.

The woods were eerily silent. Hidden among the trees, they found no one nearby and began their work.

“Haixu, how do we break this array eye?” Mang Immortal asked.

“Simple. Place the corresponding Ghost Spirit Blood Jade in the original array eye, then shatter it with a cleansing talisman. But when you shatter it, the nearby vengeful spirits and ghosts will awaken,” Chen Haixu warned.

“That’s easy. Immortals, prepare the array. Once the eye is broken, those we can release will be released; those we can’t, we’ll disperse,” Yaoguang said.

“Understood,” the immortals replied.

“We act at 11 o’clock sharp,” Chen Haixu said.

“Alright.” They waited in silence for the appointed hour.

“Honored one, look.” Close to eleven, Chen Haixu tapped Yaoguang, pointing to the array eye.

Yaoguang looked and exclaimed, “So many?” She saw countless spirits converging on the array eye, then all moving in one direction. Flying into the clouds, she witnessed a terrifying scene: innumerable vengeful spirits, stretching along the sequence of array eyes, forming the shape of the Big Dipper—with the final destination being Star Island.

Returning to the ground, Yaoguang whispered, “Haixu, you were right.” Checking the time, she said, “Get ready. Let’s begin.”

The immortals silently rose into the night sky, setting their array. The male immortal, carrying Chen Haixu, approached the array eye, placed the Ghost Spirit Blood Jade, and began chanting. Suddenly, a flash of light struck the jade, which immediately disintegrated. At that moment, all spirits controlled by the array awoke and moved toward Chen Haixu—grotesque and menacing, in every form imaginable. The array triggered, trapping them inside. The spirits attacked furiously, but Yaoguang rose, hands clasped, and recited sacred texts. Waves of golden light poured forth, enveloping the array. The spirits, seeing the light, paused, their once venomous eyes now filled with longing. Seeing this, Yaoguang intensified her chanting. The golden light washed over the spirits, their colors faded until they vanished. Yaoguang returned to the ground.

“Young one, your powers have grown. Your sacred texts for release are getting more skilled,” Mang Immortal joked.

“Enough teasing, let’s hurry—there are seven array eyes. If we don’t move quickly, dawn will break. The third and fourth are in the sea,” Yaoguang said, already heading for the second array.

They repeated the process, taking the second array eye with ease, then the fifth, sixth, and finally the seventh.

Yaoguang looked at the seventh array eye and at Chen Haixu, about to place the Ghost Spirit Blood Jade when Chen Haixu stopped her. “Honored one, this one is different. Let me do it.”

Chen Haixu climbed down from the male immortal’s back, sat beside the array eye, and reached into a tunnel, searching for something.

“What are you looking for?” Yaoguang asked.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Chen Haixu smiled mysteriously, then pulled out a nail.

“What’s that?” Yaoguang asked.

“It’s the Spirit-Fixing Needle. If we kill or release all the vengeful spirits, and none head for the North Star, Ghost Sect will notice. This needle keeps the spirits moving toward the North Star even after the array eye is destroyed—but they’re no longer the original vengeful spirits,” Chen Haixu explained.

“You’ll see soon.” With another secretive smile, he placed his Ghost Spirit Blood Jade in the array eye, performed a ritual, and after a long while, picked up the jade again. “This time, Ghost Sect will lose more than they gain.”

Yaoguang had no idea what he was up to, but watched as the spirits continued toward Star Island.

“Honored one, let’s head underwater—two more array eyes await,” Chen Haixu said.

Yaoguang nodded, performed a spell, and soared to the sea, vanishing beneath the horizon. Soon, a giant shell emerged from the water. As it approached, Yaoguang and her group entered, and the shell carried them into the deep. At the entrance to the Dragon Palace, the Dragon King and Bai Long awaited.

“Honored one, you’re here,” the Dragon King greeted.

“Thank you for your support, Dragon King,” Yaoguang replied courteously.

“Haixu, how do we deal with the sea’s vengeful spirits?” Yaoguang asked.

“Honored one, the underwater array eyes aren’t for attracting vengeful spirits, but for gathering spiritual energy. Activating the Eight Torments and Seven Stars Array needs not just resentment and sacrifice, but spiritual energy. Purify the Ghost Spirit Blood Jade and sink it into the array eye—then there’ll be no energy for the final array eye,” Chen Haixu said.

“I know what to do,” Bai Long replied, taking the purified jade from Yaoguang and diving deep. After a long while, he returned. “It’s done.”

“Let’s regroup with Xuan Chen,” Yaoguang said.

“Honored one, we’ll wait for your signal in the shallows,” Bai Long replied.

“Alright,” Yaoguang said, entering the shell. It carried them ashore and vanished. Yaoguang and her group approached Star Island’s entrance, spotting Tian You and Xuan Chen.

“How’s it going?” Yaoguang whispered.

“There are layers of guards at the entrance. Occasionally, light shines from the mountaintop,” Xuan Chen reported.

“Haixu was right—the altar and eighth array eye are at the summit,” Yaoguang said, issuing a command. All immortals returned. “Report your findings.”

“There’s indeed an altar at the summit. The guards are so tight I couldn’t get close,” Sister Hu said.

“There’s powerful baleful energy up there. I traced it—it’s from countless vengeful spirits,” the Chang family brother said. “I transformed into a serpent and entered Star Island via the sea. The mountain really is hollow, and many people are inside discussing matters. I observed the island—there’s a blind spot perfect for ambush and array-setting, but we must approach from the sea.”

“Excellent work, Chang family brother. Here’s the plan: immortals split into two teams. One follows you to set arrays on the island, using your secret path for ambush. Male immortal, Mang family patriarch, Huang family matriarch, Sister Hu, you’ll attack from the main entrance with me. Once we begin the frontal assault, the second team will infiltrate the cavern—secure everyone inside. Those setting arrays must be cautious. Don’t alarm the summit. Once the arrays are set, report back, and we’ll launch the main attack,” Yaoguang commanded.

They lay in ambush at the entry’s edge, watching waves of vengeful spirits march onto Star Island, passing through the woods unnoticed—as if their minds were controlled.

Chen Haixu gazed at his Spirit-Fixing Needle and Blood Jade, grinning. Yaoguang glanced at him, puzzled. He flashed her a broad, gleaming smile.

“What’s with this kid?” Xuan Chen asked Yaoguang with a look.

Yaoguang shook her head, indicating she didn’t know either. Xuan Chen shrugged helplessly.

Meanwhile, the first team of immortals, escorted by Bai Long, entered Star Island from underwater and, guided by Chang Immortal, selected array eyes. Bai Long and his aquatic kin lurked beneath Star Island, while Yaoguang and her team waited for the arrays to be set.

The story continues.