Chapter Sixty: The Image of a Tyrant

Corpse Night was sent flying by Zhang Kui’s sweeping kick, blood spilling from his mouth as he stared at Zhang Kui with bitter resentment.

“What are you looking at? I told you, we’re here to take your life. You ought to be prepared for that.” Zhang Kui regarded Corpse Night with disdain.

A mere shaman at the True Immortal level, acting so arrogantly—how was Zhang Kui supposed to maintain his own reputation? He waited until Corpse Night was about to complete his curse before delivering the fatal blow; cruel, yes, but meant to drive him to despair.

“You—!” Corpse Night was so enraged he could barely speak. Fear gnawed at him. Zhang Kui had managed to strike him with a lethal attack without him noticing—a feat that meant Zhang Kui’s power was formidable. Not just formidable, but exceedingly so; shamans were renowned for their keen spiritual senses, and few at the same level could hide from them. That meant Zhang Kui was at least a Golden Immortal.

How could Corpse Night not be terrified? The strongest high priest of their tribe was only a Golden Immortal, and now immobilized to keep Wen Zhong contained. Yet here was a random rescuer for Wen Zhong, already at the Golden Immortal level. Was the foundation of the Shang dynasty truly this deep?

He suddenly recalled the previous conversation between Wen Zhong and the high priest—the Human Sovereign had arrived as well? If that were true, then having a Golden Immortal present was hardly surprising.

“Who is the Human Sovereign?” Corpse Night asked Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui raised an eyebrow, mocking him, “You’ve ended up like this—just wait quietly for death. What does the Human Sovereign have to do with you?”

“Then do you dare kill me?” Corpse Night seemed to have figured something out and taunted Zhang Kui.

If Zhang Kui could kill him, he would have done so already. The only reason he hadn’t was likely due to orders from the Human Sovereign—Corpse Night’s confidence rested on this.

Zhang Kui glared viciously at Corpse Night. Of course, he wanted to kill him, but he dared not disobey the king’s command.

At that moment, Nezha finished off the last puppet and flew over, addressing Zhang Kui with excitement, “General Zhang, from now on you’re my good brother!”

“Don’t. I haven’t sunk so low as to be brother to a child,” Zhang Kui replied, unmoved.

“You gave all the enemies to me. Thanks!” Nezha didn’t mind Zhang Kui treating him as a child; after all, Zhang Kui had allowed him to deal with all the foes, which was the greatest kindness he could offer. Perhaps this was the business logic of an unremarkable young prodigy in combat.

“It’s fine, as long as you enjoyed yourself.” Zhang Kui responded with a forced smile, his mood soured by Corpse Night’s earlier antics.

“Who is the Human Sovereign? You haven’t answered my question.” Corpse Night pressed.

Zhang Kui ignored him, but Nezha thought it amusing to tease Corpse Night. He smiled, “I am the Human Sovereign.”

“Nonsense! How could the Human Sovereign be a child?” Corpse Night retorted angrily, realizing Nezha was mocking him.

“Who says the Human Sovereign can’t be a child?” Nezha retorted cheerfully.

Zhang Kui looked at Nezha strangely. To claim the title of Human Sovereign was a grave taboo; had it been anyone else, Zhang Kui would have struck them down instantly.

“I advise you to take back what you just said,” Zhang Kui warned coldly.

“Which part?” Nezha asked, confused.

“Calling yourself the Human Sovereign—that’s a capital offense. Be careful you don’t bring disaster upon yourself,” Zhang Kui cautioned.

“It doesn’t matter. Your king won’t mind me saying it; I’m just a child, after all,” Nezha waved dismissively.

Zhang Kui frowned at Nezha; now he acknowledged he was a child?

Corpse Night, furious at their banter, roared at Nezha, “You’re clearly lying to me!”

“So what if I am? What can you do about it?” Nezha replied with a mischievous grin.

Corpse Night coughed up another mouthful of blood in rage. Nezha laughed heartily at the scene, gleefully watching Corpse Night’s misery.

At that moment, Jiang Yuan appeared just in time, for if he delayed any longer, Corpse Night might have been angered to death by Nezha.

“Were you looking for me?” Jiang Yuan asked, towering over Corpse Night.

Character: Corpse Night
Title: Second Elder of the Death Shaman Tribe
Realm: True Immortal
Possessions: Shaman Staff, Tribal Secret Scroll
Cultivation Technique: Soul-Capturing Witchcraft
Loyalty: 0
Favorability: 0
Tyrant Points Obtainable: 180

Jiang Yuan’s tone was cold, tinged with anger—this useless creature hadn’t even managed to cast a curse. All those Tyrant Points wasted, three Supreme Exorcism Pills bought and now useless. His protagonist aura hadn’t manifested, and worst of all, the system had profited off him.

The more Jiang Yuan thought about it, the angrier he became. He wished he could kill Corpse Night right now.

“You’re the Human Sovereign? Want to rescue Wen Zhong?” Corpse Night eyed Jiang Yuan confidently, as if holding leverage over him.

“Oh? And how do you propose I do that?” Jiang Yuan saw through Corpse Night’s intentions—he wanted to use Wen Zhong’s whereabouts to coerce him.

“Kneel, beg me, heal my wounds, and I’ll take you to Wen Zhong. Otherwise, prepare to collect Wen Zhong’s remains!” Corpse Night threatened.

Jiang Yuan’s gaze was icy as he stared at Corpse Night. “If the Grand Tutor dies, I’ll collect his body myself. But have you thought about who will collect yours when you’re dead?”

Corpse Night was stunned; he hadn’t considered that Jiang Yuan might kill him, given he held information they sought.

“If you kill me, you’ll never know where Wen Zhong is. Even if you find him eventually, it’ll take time, and by then he’ll be dead,” Corpse Night reminded.

A blade of lightning appeared in Jiang Yuan’s hand as he looked at Corpse Night dangerously. “That’s why I’m giving you a chance to live. If you don’t want it, then you can die.”

“I’ll ask one last time: the Grand Tutor’s whereabouts—will you tell me or not?”

Jiang Yuan’s voice was calm, but beneath it was a brewing storm. He had resolved that if Corpse Night uttered even half a refusal, he’d immediately behead him.

Corpse Night’s heart trembled. He’d thought his leverage would allow him to bargain with the Human Sovereign, but his opponent cared nothing for his bargaining chip. Jiang Yuan appeared calm, but Corpse Night knew if he didn’t seize this chance, Jiang Yuan’s sword would surely fall.

To Corpse Night, Jiang Yuan now seemed like a beast ready to devour him. One misstep, and he’d be doomed.

After some deliberation, Corpse Night decided to take one final gamble. He asked, surprised, “Do you really not care if Wen Zhong lives or dies? He’s your Grand Tutor.”

“Is that your final word?” Jiang Yuan asked, unmoved.

Corpse Night shook his head and looked at Jiang Yuan seriously. “If I tell you the location of the high priest and Wen Zhong, will I live?”

“You will,” Jiang Yuan nodded.

“Swear it on Heaven’s Mandate,” Corpse Night demanded in disbelief.

“I am the Human Sovereign. I don’t need to swear on Heaven’s Mandate. My word is law, and I don’t have time to waste here. Last chance—will you tell me or not?” Jiang Yuan’s impatience was clear.

Corpse Night stared at Jiang Yuan for a while, then said, “I trust you. The high priest and Wen Zhong are deep within the Death Shaman Tribe. Fly in this direction for some distance, and you’ll find them. They’re currently enveloped by a formation. You can’t see inside from outside, nor locate the formation. Without the token, you can’t enter or exit. The formation’s core is held by the high priest.”

Jiang Yuan extended his hand to Corpse Night. “Give me the token.”

Corpse Night smiled bitterly. “The token that allows entry was just destroyed by your subordinate.”

The token was the staff Corpse Night had used to cast his curse moments ago.

Jiang Yuan turned to Zhang Kui, who hurriedly pleaded, “I am at fault, Your Majesty, for ruining your plan to rescue Grand Tutor Wen!”

“No matter,” Jiang Yuan shook his head indifferently.

He turned back to Corpse Night. “Is there anything else I should know? What realm is your high priest?”

“The high priest is at the Golden Immortal level,” Corpse Night betrayed his own tribe without hesitation.

“And your chief elder?” Jiang Yuan had learned from the system interface that Corpse Night was only the second elder.

Corpse Night looked at Jiang Yuan in surprise; he hadn’t revealed his identity, so how did Jiang Yuan know he wasn’t the chief elder? Nevertheless, he answered truthfully.

“The chief elder was sacrificed by the high priest, at the peak of True Immortal. To deal with Wen Zhong, he had to be given up.” There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

No wonder he felt no loyalty to the tribe; such a tribe hardly deserved his allegiance.

Jiang Yuan nodded, saying no more.

“Have you finished asking questions?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yuan replied.

“May I leave?” Corpse Night tested.

Jiang Yuan nodded. “I’ll see you off.”

He slowly raised his lightning sword and struck down toward Corpse Night.

Corpse Night’s anger erupted. Facing Jiang Yuan’s descending blade, he cried out in despair, “Curse you, Human Sovereign! You dare break your word! I curse you to die miserably and never find peace!”

“Ding! Host’s deceitful conduct matches tyrant behavior. Reward: 20 Tyrant Points. Current Tyrant Points: 519!”

“Ding! Corpse Night slain. Reward: 180 Tyrant Points. Current Tyrant Points: 699!”

Hearing the system’s double notification, Jiang Yuan felt a surge of satisfaction. How could he possibly let Corpse Night go? Those 180 Tyrant Points were like jewels lying in the street, begging to be claimed. Corpse Night wasn’t human, so Jiang Yuan felt no guilt in killing him.

Nezha applauded from the side, while Zhang Kui’s expression was one of utter relief—Corpse Night’s earlier taunts had infuriated him.

No one thought Jiang Yuan’s broken promise was a fault; it was as if this was simply his nature. Perhaps Jiang Yuan was steadily establishing the image of a tyrant in their hearts.