PCJ – Chapter 435 He is the One Who Inherits the Dao

“I’ll cultivate however I want. It’s my path to follow, not the Dao that follows me,” Zhang Jiaohua said dismissively.

Chen Dianzi had no words in response. “Forget it, I’m too lazy to argue with a little brat like you. I don’t even know if we’ll make it back alive. Little brat, you better think carefully. I’ve made enough money, married the most beautiful woman in Meizi’ao, and have two daughters. You, on the other hand, haven’t even tasted what it’s like to be alive.”

“Don’t worry, I definitely won’t die,” Zhang Jiaohua said nonchalantly.

“Do whatever you want. I’ve warned you. If you’re scared now, you can leave immediately, run far away with your parents, maybe you can save your life,” Chen Dianzi said.

The Mountain Leopard burst in from outside, followed by twenty-four mountain-destroying dogs and a large group of chasing dogs. Fat Cat also rushed in, leading a large group of black cats. Fat Monkey charged in next, bringing a crowd of macaques. The entire tomb was packed to the brim.

Chen Dianzi was completely stunned. “What are you doing? Filming an animal documentary?”

Zhang Jiaohua laughed. “No matter how powerful that Corpse King is, we’ll tear it apart, piece by piece!”

“But this tomb is so small, how can all these animals even move around?” Chen Dianzi smiled bitterly.

“Don’t worry, they’re not stupid. They’ll take turns attacking,” Zhang Jiaohua said, unconcerned.

“Fine, do whatever you want.” Chen Dianzi realized there was no convincing Zhang Jiaohua and decided to let him do as he pleased.

As Zhang Jiaohua and Chen Dianzi walked deeper into the tomb, Zhu Qiuyou and the other police officers escorted the crew members out of the tomb.

Luo Changjun, Luo Changhai, and Shang Jiuyuan, leading a team of armed police, also arrived at Luoa Ridge.

“Xiao Zhu, is everyone from the crew out?” Luo Changjun asked.

“They’re all out, but Jiaohua and Chen Shunsheng haven’t come out. We wanted to stay down there with them, but Jiaohua wouldn’t let us. He said we wouldn’t be of any help,” Zhu Qiuyou said, looking uneasy under Luo Changjun’s gaze.

Luo Changjun became anxious. “The situation down there is so serious, why didn’t you make him come up immediately?”

“I told him, but he refused to come up. By the way, Boss He and Boss Long, along with their people, are still inside,” Zhu Qiuyou replied.

“The situation is urgent. Xiao Zhu, Comrade Shang, you stay above and maintain order. Also, check if Zhang Jiaohua can come up. You must ensure his safety,” Luo Changjun instructed.

“County Chief Luo, what are you planning to do?” Shang Jiuyuan asked worriedly.

“I’m going down to take a look. Zhang Jiaohua is too dangerous down there,” Luo Changjun said, preparing to head out.

Luo Changhai and his team followed behind Luo Changjun.

Zhang Jiaohua and Chen Dianzi, led by the Mountain Leopard, advanced quickly. The tomb was eerily quiet; even the smallest sound echoed loudly through the cavern.

“Wait a minute, this isn’t right. How could they all be so silent?” Chen Dianzi suddenly pulled Zhang Jiaohua back.

“Do you really need to ask? Not one of them escaped. Didn’t I tell you already?” Zhang Jiaohua had learned from Fat Cat about what had happened inside.

“Ah!” Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream came from ahead.

Zhang Jiaohua and Chen Dianzi exchanged a serious glance. The tomb was just ahead.

“Be careful! If anything seems off, run quickly! I can try to protect you,” Chen Dianzi said.

Zhang Jiaohua looked up at Chen Dianzi, who smiled.

“What are you looking at?” Chen Dianzi laughed.

“I… I won’t be a coward!” Zhang Jiaohua said stubbornly.

The Mountain Leopard suddenly stopped, and Zhang Jiaohua and Chen Dianzi also slowed down.

Aside from the earlier scream, the tomb was silent. The only sound was the footsteps of Zhang Jiaohua, Chen Dianzi, and the animals.

“There!” Zhang Jiaohua shone his flashlight in the direction indicated by the Mountain Leopard and saw a head and a hand pushing out of a gap in the main tomb. It seemed to be struggling to squeeze out. Blood spread across the floor like a venomous snake, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.

“The people inside must be dead. What about that thing?” Chen Dianzi shone his flashlight into the main tomb.

He heard an eerie laugh.

A pale face suddenly appeared from the gap, its eyes terrifying. The gaze was like two sharp swords, piercing straight into the soul.

“That’s the Corpse King! Jiaohua, you should run!” Chen Dianzi’s heart sank. This was something he couldn’t handle!

Zhang Jiaohua, however, did not react, staring at the face in the tomb in shock.

“Jiaohua, what’s wrong with you? I said run!” Chen Dianzi pushed Zhang Jiaohua.

Chen Dianzi thought Zhang Jiaohua had been scared, but in reality, Zhang Jiaohua was stunned by the sudden turn of events. He recognized the face in the tomb—it was Cheng Dao!

When Zhang Jiaohua was seven, he had a recurring dream where he transformed into Cheng Dao. He remembered Cheng Dao’s appearance very well. For years, Zhang Jiaohua had wondered why he had those dreams and why they felt so real, as though he had truly lived through them. He had heard of reincarnation and believed Cheng Dao might be his past life.

Now, seeing Cheng Dao turned into a Corpse King, Zhang Jiaohua couldn’t understand what had happened to him. The old Daoist hadn’t died, so how did Cheng Dao become the Corpse King? Seeing Cheng Dao, Zhang Jiaohua felt like he was looking at himself.

“Jiaohua! What’s wrong with you?” Chen Dianzi asked urgently.

“He… he… he’s Chengdao!” Zhang Jiaohua pointed at Cheng Dao, confused.

“Chengdao? How do you know him? Do you know him?” Chen Dianzi’s face changed several times.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded, still bewildered. “It’s Cheng Dao, but how did he become the Corpse King?”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Corpse King, seeing the two living people outside, became enraged and began pounding the stone door. The entire tomb shook, and occasionally, dirt and rocks fell from the ceiling.

“Stop thinking so much! Run!” Chen Dianzi tried to drag Zhang Jiaohua away. He never expected the Corpse King to be this powerful. If they stayed, they would only die. The only option was to blow the place up and bury the Corpse King forever!

But Zhang Jiaohua refused to leave.

“What are you doing? We can’t do anything to this Corpse King, we’ll just die for nothing. We need to hurry and inform the authorities to blow this place up and bury the Corpse King here forever!” Chen Dianzi shouted, increasingly anxious.