Ji En's suspicion was soon confirmed.
The next night, while the two corpses "stood guard" around him, the bandits returned, following his trail!
They spotted Ji En—and also the terrifying zombies. Shouts of fear rang out; none dared step forward.
"Who has a bow?" someone cried.
"Careful! Don't get too close!"
Amid the chaos, one of them yanked a bamboo tube open. A flare shrieked skyward, bursting in a thunderous bloom that lit the night as bright as day.
Ji En's heart sank. They were calling for reinforcements!
Sure enough, from the southern horizon came a piercing bird cry. A giant flying beast swept closer, its shadow blotting the stars. A figure leapt gracefully from its back, landing light as a feather, and strode directly toward Ji En's hiding place.
"No need to panic."
The voice was young, calm, but carried a note of superiority.
Holding his breath, Ji En glimpsed the man's robes—Daoist garb. He was from the Soul-Suppressing Alliance.
The young cultivator wheeled sharply, chanting:
"Heaven and Earth's true breath, thunder, lightning, wind, and fire—Bind!"
His hands moved with deadly speed. Two yellow talismans struck the corpses' foreheads. Instantly, they froze, stiff and still as carved statues.
The bandits dismounted, crowding around with obsequious greetings:
"Master Feng! Master Feng!"
The Daoist—Feng Tianyu—ignored their fawning. His gaze swept coldly across the trees.
"Where is he?"
"Just now, he was in that tree… but the corpses blocked us…"
"No need." Feng Tianyu cut them off. "I came from the south. I saw a riderless horse. If what you say is true, then he is hiding within three li of this forest."
Ji En's heart leapt into his throat.
Feng Tianyu turned slowly, hawk-like eyes narrowing as they fell directly on Ji En's thicket. A cold smile touched his lips.
"Come out."