After igniting the coffin.
Chen Nan stood behind the coffin, beckoning to the green-eyed zombie through the flames. He mimicked Shen Teng, exuding arrogance, "You... come here!"
Chen Nan never fought battles unprepared.
He had brought a jar of kerosene.
Although he knew Yuan Zun would surely appear.
He didn't know who the enemy was.
But one thing was obvious.
The other party was after this corpse.
Therefore.
To be safe.
The best course of action was to burn the corpse with fire before the enemy approached it.
The green-eyed zombie roared and lunged towards Chen Nan.
"Go!"
Yuan Zun formed a hand seal and controlled the Yin Messenger Token, striking the zombie heavily on the back of its head.
A dull thud echoed, knocking the green-eyed zombie to the ground.
He then produced a sharp long sword.
He himself dared not engage in close combat with the green-eyed zombie.
But now was an opportunity.
If the long sword could be plunged into its heart, it might be killed.
Just as he was about to strike the green-eyed zombie.
The green-eyed zombie leaped up and quickly vanished into the rainy night.
"Sir, shall we pursue?" Shadow appeared behind Yuan Zun like a ghost.
Yuan Zun shook his head. "No need. Pursuing would only increase casualties."
With their strength, they couldn't deal with that green-eyed zombie.
He then looked at Chen Nan. "Let's go, talk in the front hall."
Chen Nan, enduring the pain of his injuries, followed Yuan Zun to the front.
He first changed into clean clothes, then sat on a stool.
He had been attacked twice by the green-eyed zombie.
Though he had the long saber as a buffer, he had still suffered considerable impact.
Fortunately, his strength had improved somewhat.
Had it been before, he would have died on the spot.
"What did you find out?" Yuan Zun looked at Chen Nan.
He knew.
Chen Nan must have found useful clues.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so well-prepared tonight.
"The corpse I burned earlier was the hundredth unjustly deceased."
"They all died at midnight."
Yuan Zun's pupils trembled violently upon hearing this. He seemed to have realized something, his expression becoming grave. "Fortunately, you burned that corpse today. Otherwise, the repercussions would be endless, and Tongcheng could very well turn into a living hell."
Chen Nan asked with full curiosity. "Why do you say that?"
Yuan Zun inquired, "Do you know how zombies are formed?"
Chen Nan replied, "Born of resentment."
Yuan Zun nodded slightly. "You are correct. Zombies are born from powerful resentment. Generally, a zombie's level is determined by its innate condition."
"In layman's terms, the resentment at the moment of death determines the zombie's level after corpse transformation."
"Almost no zombie can improve its level on its own."
Chen Nan frowned.
He keenly caught the word 'almost'.
It was obvious.
The previous zombie was not as simple as he had imagined.
Yuan Zun continued, "In the Underworld, there is an extremely sinister technique called the Hundred Corpse Soul Refining Art."
"The meaning is simple: absorb the corpse qi and resentment from a hundred corpses to enhance one's cultivation."
"As long as this technique can be successfully cultivated, one's strength will definitely break through a realm."
"You can imagine."
"If that green-eyed zombie had its strength increased by a realm."
"Who could then contend against it?"
Chen Nan's heart was turbulent.
Even as a sixth-level Yin Messenger, Yuan Zun was only on par with that green-eyed zombie thanks to the Yin Messenger Token.
If it were allowed to break through to the next realm.
Even Yuan Zun would not be a match for that green-eyed zombie.
It would be impossible to resist.
The entire Tongcheng would face an unprecedented catastrophe.
"Although I don't know why that zombie knows the Hundred Corpse Soul Refining Art, you have severely wounded it by destroying the hundredth corpse today, invisibly," Yuan Zun said with a hint of a relieved smile. "The Hundred Corpse Soul Refining Art is indeed terrifying, but there can be no mistakes during cultivation."
"If I'm not mistaken, that green-eyed zombie's strength will regress."
"However."
"It will definitely try to cultivate again."
Chen Nan grinned. "It won't have a chance to cultivate again."
Yuan Zun looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Chen Nan stated, "That green-eyed zombie is merely a pawn in someone else's hand."
"What?" Yuan Zun's face turned ashen. "You're not joking? Impossible, impossible. That green-eyed zombie's power is so terrifying, who could control it?"
Zombies are born of resentment, beings that have transcended the three realms and the five elements, immortal and indestructible.
Yuan Zun could not believe that someone could control that green-eyed zombie.
Chen Nan looked outside. "The rain has stopped!"
Yuan Zun asked, "And then?"
Chen Nan replied, "Perhaps we can pay a visit to the Zhang family."
"Oh, speaking of the Zhang family, you might not know, it's the Zhang family that developed the rat poison."
"Nowadays, the government spends twenty thousand taels of silver every year to purchase rat poison from them."
Yuan Zun understood.
He had seen records of the Zhang family in the county gazette.
"You suspect the Zhang family is the mastermind?"
Chen Nan answered, "It's not a suspicion, but absolute proof."
Yuan Zun said calmly, "Then let's go to the Zhang family!"
Under the shroud of night.
A carriage traveled through the quiet streets of Tongcheng.
Upon arriving at the Zhang family's entrance,
Chen Nan, dragging his weary body, alighted from the carriage.
Yuan Zun, however, remained in the carriage, not disembarking.
After all, his status was noble.
He would not appear unless it was a special occasion.
However.
Six constables followed Chen Nan.
Even Shadow was concealed, watching.
If there were any danger, he would sense it and act immediately.
Knock, knock, knock!
Chen Nan knocked on the Zhang family's gate.
A moment later.
An impatient voice from inside replied, "Who is it, knocking so late at night? Don't people need to sleep?"
Despite his words.
The steward still opened the door.
Seeing Chen Nan in his constable uniform, his demeanor immediately livened up, and he politely asked, "What business does this officer have, knocking so late at night?"
Chen Nan replied, "I wish to see the esteemed Mr. Zhang."
The steward appeared hesitant. "Reporting to Officer, my master has already slept. If you have urgent business, perhaps you could return after dawn?"
Chen Nan narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing within them. "What if I wish to see him right now?"
The steward also lost his patience and scoffed, "Why are you so stubborn? I've already told you, my master is asleep."
Although Chen Nan was wearing official attire.
The Zhang family did business with the government.
They were not afraid of Chen Nan at all.
At this moment.
Zhang Mingquan's voice rang out, "Fourth Uncle, let Constable Chen in!"
Upon hearing this, the steward invited Chen Nan into the Zhang family.
Under the night sky.
The reception hall of the Zhang family was brightly lit.
Zhang Mingquan, clad in an elegant white brocade robe, resembled a dashing young master.
Seeing Chen Nan, he managed a strained smile. "This day has come sooner than I expected."
Chen Nan frowned. "You knew I would come?"
Zhang Mingquan replied, "The moment you verified that rat poison, I knew you would investigate me."
"Especially yesterday morning when you pretended to patrol the Zhang residence and dine nearby, it solidified my suspicions."
A shiver ran down Chen Nan's spine.
He cautiously scanned his surroundings, his right hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his saber. "Since you knew I would come, I presume you've set up a net here?"