Startled Crowd

In the dim mountain forest, faintly lit by the dawn, a cold, damp mist hung in the air from last night's rain.

The sky was cloudless today. Normally, by this time, scavengers would be gathering on the path, waiting for their meal. But now, they were all lying silently in the woods, not daring to move an inch.

This was because several people were standing rigidly on the corpse transport path, each one incredibly tense, their magic power fluctuating and intertwining as it spread outwards.

It was the Corpse Transporters!

Quite a few of them had come, working together to deliver a corpse here. However, they didn't dare to step into the barren land, so they remained in a stalemate.

Until now, the time had finally come.

"Quick, quick, quick!"

The burly man in the lead shouted in a gruff voice.

The Corpse Transporters didn't dare to hesitate. Grasping the thick hemp ropes in their hands, they gave a mighty pull. Amidst the rumbling sound, they moved a flatbed cart.

The cart itself was nothing special. It would normally have been pulled by a Green-skinned Water Buffalo, but fearing unforeseen accidents, they had switched to human power.

On the cart was a Corpse Bag, wrapping the body. However, its bulging shape seemed somewhat strange, as if the person inside were still alive, desperately stretching their limbs and struggling to break free.

As the cart moved closer to the burial ground, the Corpse Bag swayed back and forth, making everyone's nerves taut and causing cold sweat to break out.

The leader even began to channel his magic, his magic power surging wildly. It was clearly a bluff, a show of bravado born of fear, an attempt to intimidate the corpse. But the more they looked, the more uneasy they felt.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, the cart was finally dragged into the barren land.

No accidents occurred, and they breathed a collective sigh of relief. Some individuals even collapsed onto the ground.

The leader reined in his magic and was about to say something.

But at that moment.

Rumble~

The familiar sound of cartwheels turning startled them, and they whipped their heads towards the cart in the barren land.

They were almost scared to death, filled with horror and dread!

However, the cart was perfectly fine, it hadn't moved at all.

This was even more terrifying!

The cart hadn't moved at all, so why was there still the sound of wheels turning?!

It was uncanny!

Everyone turned pale with shock, their legs trembling. They stared at the cart, at the Corpse Bag, swallowing nervously, their bodies shaking uncontrollably.

What should they do?

What on earth should they do?!

Ah...

"Boss, I've brought the people!"

The voice from behind them startled everyone present, making them jump up as if ready to scramble and flee in all directions.

They couldn't count on anyone else to save them!

At a time like this, you didn't need to run faster than the supernatural, just faster than your companions!

In short, just first... Huh? Wait a minute!

After taking just two steps, the Corpse Transporters, who had after all dealt with corpses for years, didn't get far before they came to their senses.

So, they quickly shuffled back to their original positions, casting looks of dissatisfaction and resentment towards the ox-drawn cart that now appeared from the depths of the dim path.

Xu Ran was on it, cracking his whip to urge the ox on.

This Green-skinned Water Buffalo also let out a simple, honest moo when it arrived, as if it were relieved, implying "Stop hitting me, I'll behave."

Xu Ran indeed stopped hitting it.

Because they had arrived.

Du En and the others dismounted and walked towards the rapidly gathering Corpse Transporters.

The leader was Li Yue, the boss of this small group of Corpse Transporters. He was burly, strong, and had a stern face. At this moment, still shaken by the fright, he was sweating profusely and his face was pale.

However, seeing Du En leading his team over, he forced himself to maintain his authority. After all, he had been doing this for decades, his Cultivation Level was Mid-stage Qi Refining, a true Senior!

"Little Du, it's good that you've arrived."

He said this, not giving Du En a chance to reply. Without looking back, he pointed at the cart in the barren land and said, "The corpse is placed there. The task of burying it now falls to you. Do a good job, and we'll be leaving."

He said this with an air of unquestionable authority and wanted to leave quickly, to get away from this place they hadn't visited in a long time, and from that particularly uncanny and terrifying corpse.

The others felt the same way, all eager to retreat.

Du En glanced into the barren land and, at this moment, stepped sideways to block their path.

"What do you think you're doing?! Let me tell you! This task was assigned by the Foreman. Although he's not your Foreman, as Corpse Buriers, you still have to do this job properly. Don't try to shirk your responsibilities!"

Li Yue reacted like a startled cat, becoming hysterical. Wei Ming and Ning Caize felt a chill in their hearts.

Even Li Yue, this Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator and a true veteran in corpse affairs, was so terrified and panicked. Just how terrifying must this urgent corpse from this morning be?!

The Corpse Buriers felt uneasy. Du En blinked, remaining calm and collected. "Don't you need to retrieve that corpse bag? I remember it was used last time, the Foreman's Magic Tool."

"Don't tell me... huh? Cough!"

His excited words cut off abruptly, and Li Yue couldn't help but blush in embarrassment.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he looked at the culprit who had startled them and made him so flustered – Xu Ran.

Huh? What does this have to do with me?

Struck by the hostile gaze, Xu Ran felt utterly bewildered.

Didn't you, the boss, tell me to call Du En and the others over?

Why are you looking at me like I'm to blame now?

"Cough! Ah Ran, you did a good job this time, actually bringing the entire Corpse Burial team!"

"Uh, well, it wasn't exactly..."

"No need to be modest. If I say you did, you did. Also, you know how to retrieve and recycle these Magic Tool Corpse Bags. Since the capable should shoulder more, you stay here and recycle it!"

He said this with no room for argument. Ignoring the stunned Xu Ran, Li Yue waved his hand grandly. The Corpse Transporters immediately worked together, turning the ox cart around. He then snatched a whip, mounted it, and fiercely whipped the ox's backside, fleeing the scene in a panicked rush.

"My ox..."

Xu Ran helplessly raised his hand, his face a picture of misery.

The Corpse Buriers looked at each other, dumbfounded.

They had always known the Corpse Transporter boss wasn't a good person, but they never expected him to be this inhuman, shifting blame and fleeing in one seamless act. Moreover, his attitude towards Du En just now was genuine, filling them with utter disgust!

"What kind of corpse is it that has you all wanting to bolt?"

Du En signaled for the others to put the spare tools back in their usual spot, while he picked up two shovels, tossing one to the bewildered Xu Ran.

Since we're here, let's work together!

Though Xu Ran was a bit dazed, he still raised his hand to catch the shovel. His face was full of lingering fear as he stammered, "You'll find out soon enough. I can only say, be mentally prepared."

"Tsk! Little Xu, you're being so cryptic. Are you saying it could be as disgusting as that Powdered Corpse?"

Ning Caize's hand, gripping the shovel, began to sweat nervously. He couldn't help but interject.

The mention of that corpse alone made the faces of the other three change again.

They, along with Du En, had personally encountered that corpse and unanimously agreed it was the most disgusting, most nauseating corpse they had ever seen!