Beginning with the Ubume Bird

Chapter 74: Chapter 28 Niutou Chantan, Nine-Winged Sudu

This was a village so desolate that no human footprints could be found—charred, collapsed walls, and bloodstains visible everywhere indicated something dreadful had occurred here.

When Li Yan stepped into what was known as Shuanghua Square Village, he immediately saw the massive monster seated amidst the ruinous dwelling’s remains, the Niutou Chantan.

Niutou Chantan doesn’t refer to a bull’s head, but rather a type of sandalwood material.

Over ten meters tall, with the texture of a tree, the giant’s amber patterns were streaked with blood-red lines; its limbs and torso were robust and twisted into shape by interweaving branches. Atop the wrinkled, golden rings of its head was a sprout, green and dewy, swaying in the wind. Its traditionally imposing and majestic body was now covered in bloody flesh, looking particularly fierce and terrifying.

“Scram!” The voice, like a muffled thunder, spooked the horses into restlessness.

Niutou Chantan

Status: Lightly injured

A Wild God formed by the incense offerings of the people; possesses the strength of Vajra.

Threat: Purple-Red (can match the extreme)

Unfazed, Li Yan said, “We are soldiers of the Ming Country, following the order of your King, to incorporate you into our army to eradicate the Japanese pirates. Here are the seal and the documents.”

Li Yan had prepared for the other party’s resistance, but to his surprise, the fierce-looking Niutou Chantan’s bloodshot eyes cleared upon hearing the words ‘Ming Country.’

“Let me have a look.”

The Niutou Chantan swept its large hand, and Li Yan placed the letter in its palm; the sandalwood giant stared at the fiery-red seal on the document for a while before exhaling deeply.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“So you are the Chief Banner, Li Yan, mentioned in the letter?”

“Correct.”

“You’ve got guts, but a Chief Banner Officer is too junior. If you want me to obey, you need to be at least a Centurion.”

Li Yan couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this. He wasn’t afraid of it making demands; he feared there would be no way to communicate.

“Want to meet someone with a higher rank? Fine.”

Li Yan walked up to the Niutou Chantan, looking up at it.

“If you knock me down, you’ll meet a higher official.”

Standing up, the Niutou Chantan said, “I’m afraid I’ll kill you by accident, and the Ming imperial court will blame me.”

“They won’t, I assure you.”

Li Yan removed his armor and drew the Ring Dragon Sword.

“Come on!”

The Niutou Chantan, perched upon the collapsed beam, was silent for a moment before it suddenly slammed down its fist!

Li Yan raised his eyes; the dark fist came crashing down like a cloud engulfing the sky, causing a tingling sensation across his skull,

Mud splattered, dust filled the air, and the ground shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

The Niutou Chantan’s gaze shifted as it quickly slapped its hand toward its own back.

“Karla~”

A slash appeared on the Niutou Chantan’s calf, and Li Yan flew backward, dodging its palm. He sprinted forward and leaped high into the air, plunging the Ring Dragon Stab into the Niutou Chantan’s lower back. A yellow palm whistled toward him. Li Yan, flexing his arms, nimbly twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the swinging arm of the Niutou Chantan. The harsh friction noise continued incessantly as Li Yan, holding the long sword, slid from its lower back to the right thigh, leaving a scar approximately seven meters long on its body.

“Cease!”

The Niutou Chantan called out in a muffled, breathless voice.

Li Yan withdrew the Ring Dragon Sword.

“How about that?”

The Niutou Chantan turned around and took two clomping steps back, its wheel-sized eyes fixated on Li Yan: “They say that the high officials of the court aren’t necessarily good fighters, and good fighters don’t necessarily become high officials. Now I believe it.”

“You care a lot about the imperial court, huh?”

Li Yan asked casually.

The Niutou Chantan cracked open its large mouth, laughing out loud and shaking the snowflakes from the trees.

“We who are born wild, who dares claim that they don’t care about the imperial court’s acknowledgment?”

Li Yan grunted in acknowledgment. He said no more.

“I didn’t expect it to go this smoothly.”

Diao Xiayan’s expression was particularly relaxed.

“He intentionally lost to me, just to kiss up. These so-called ghosts and wild gods have even more schemes than humans,”

Li Yan whispered to Diao.

“Who’s next?”

Yu Shu also came over, and Li Yan wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but Yu Shu’s tone seemed somewhat disappointed.

“In the birch forest to the east of Pyongyang City, the Nine-Winged Sudu.”

…

A crow with blood-red pupils watched the unwelcome intruders, screeching sharply as it flew up the tree trunk, its black feathers drifting down.

The colossal Niutou Chantanner walked at the forefront, each step sinking into the thick mud.

The robust branches crisscrossed and entangled, hiding the sky, and the ghastly red sunset had not a trace of warmth.

Frozen corpses hung from the branches, with tattered swords, armor, wheels, and banners strewn about; the blood had long since frozen into red ice layers, and a faint scent of blood permeated the air.

“I think we’re in for a fight here, what do you say?”

Wang Sheng spoke to himself, cradling his sword’s scabbard.

“Cough cough~”

Diao Xiayan glared at Wang Sheng.

The Niutou Chantanner suddenly halted, raising its head sharply as three feather-like swords lunged at its eyes. The Niutou Chantanner swiftly closed its eyelids, and a series of clinking metal collisions echoed. The feathers fell to the ground. Then, a woman’s sharp, shrill laughter rang out.

“Old wood, you’re not welcome here. Take your people and get out!”

“Sudu, these are envoys from the Ming Country,”

the Niutou Chantanner spoke hoarsely.

“The old lady doesn’t care whose envoys they are. If they take another step forward, I’ll hang them all on these trees~”

The voice echoed in layers upon layers.

A gust of wind swept up and with it, a whirl of withered black leaves danced chaotically, sweeping in from all directions. The Niutou Chantanner shielded the others, but still a massive black storm slipped through the cracks, racing towards them. Little Fei pinched a talisman paper between his fingers, pointing three fingers upward.

“Halt!”

The talisman paper quickly burned to ashes, and the storm came to an abrupt stop, leaving the Niutou Chantanner covered in rotting leaves.

The figure gently floated down, dark claws grasping tightly to a branch. Nine grey wings folded layer by layer, the creature’s lower body was a single bird’s claw, while its upper half was surprisingly that of a beautiful woman, the curves hidden only slightly by the black feathers, making her appear bizarre and seductive.

Sudu’s gaze fixed on Fei, her bright red tongue licking her lips.

“This little lad is really handsome~”

The Taoist boy shrank his neck, with only the talisman paper in his arms offering some sense of security.

Nine-Winged Sudu

Status: Intact

An evil bird revered by the Mahan People as a worshipful totem.

Threat: Violet red (comparable to the limit)

“Sudu, are you not aware of the current situation?”

“I’m very clear on it~”

The Nine-Winged Sudu sneered coldly, “I have no interest in the King of Joseon’s investiture. When the old lady was nourished by the Mahan tribes, this elm bumpkin didn’t even know where it was. Even if the Japanese pirates occupied Joseon, I would still live my own life. As for the Ming Country? Heaven and earth are vast, I couldn’t care less about their demise!”

“Sigh~” Yu Shu sighed for no apparent reason, “Such a good attitude, what a pity~”

Li Yan gestured for the Niutou Chantanner to come back and didn’t bother to retrieve the Joseon’s seal or letters; it was clear this wicked bird wouldn’t be swayed by such things.

He clutched his chest and slowly approached the Nine-Winged Sudu.

“Hey, mortal, if you take one more step, I will make sure your body parts will be separated.”

The Nine-Winged Sudu frowned. If it wasn’t necessary, he didn’t want to provoke the Ming Army any more than he wanted to provoke the Japanese pirates.

“You didn’t hear…”

Li Yan lifted his head, his gaze cold and commanding as it met that of the wicked bird.

The Nine-Winged Sudu’s voice faltered, a chill running down its spine, every single feather bristling on end!