From Under One Person: Sincere Journey Through the Heavens

Boom!

A violent explosion erupted in the courtyard of the county government office, sending up a plume of white smoke, and the head of the corpse demon shattered in the explosion.

"do you died?"

As the smoke cleared, Ren Wei poked his head out and looked at the headless corpse demon lying on the ground. He finally relaxed.

"He's not dead!"

Jiang Liu grabbed Ren Wei, who was about to shoot the headless corpse demon with the gun hanging at his waist, and said seriously, "It was only severely injured!"

He could sense that the corpse demon's aura had weakened somewhat, but it hadn't completely disappeared—

This proves that his previous judgment was correct.

The core of the Corpse Demon isn't even in its head!

Losing one's head is like a superhuman losing an arm; it will reduce the superhuman's strength and may even temporarily prevent them from circulating their Qi, but it will definitely not lead to death.

at this time.

Li Muxuan had already landed from mid-air, and Ren Jiating and Lin Jiu had already walked in from outside the door.

Jiang Liu immediately went over to remind him, saying, "Uncle Jiu, I'm sure of it. The core of the Corpse Demon is not in its head, but in its body. The true body of the Corpse Gu is very likely located in the five internal organs or the spine."

Looking at the headless corpse demon, but with fine white threads wriggling along its neck and spine, Lin Jiu had to admit it.

This thing is definitely not dead!

"Ren Wei, go get the kerosene. We have to burn this thing before it recovers!" Lin Jiu shouted to Ren Wei.

"what?"

Ren Wei was taken aback, then nodded vigorously and ran to the back.

"The corpse gu that has become a demon doesn't feel like an insect; it's more like a fungus." Looking at the wriggling threads, Jiang Liu recalled the white mycelium he had seen under the withered leaves, which was 99% similar to the threads of this corpse gu.

Perhaps, after the corpse worm completes its transformation, it forms something similar to the human nervous system, replacing the nerves originally in the corpse.

However, the corpse gu is ultimately different from humans. Its main body does not occupy the head, but is integrated into the spine or internal organs.

"Mycelium?"

Lin Jiu also thought of this, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and said, "It does seem so, and the reason why the corpse demon can defy common sense is probably because of these silk threads that can control the movement of the human body."

"The kerosene has arrived!"

Ren Wei ran back, carrying a bucket of kerosene, and poured it on the corpse demon's body.

Seeing this, Jiang Liu didn't hesitate. He released his Heart Monkey and spewed out a mouthful of Heart Fire Qi to ignite it!

Fire Qi is not an actual flame, but combustible materials can burn once they reach a certain temperature.

Bear!

Amidst the raging flames, the headless corpse demon thrashed about on all fours, even managing to stand up with a stomp of its legs.

His limbs trembled wildly and his whole body was ablaze, just like the legendary great witch Xing Tian. Although he had no head, his ferocity was not diminished in the slightest!

"Brother Jiang, look at its feet!"

Lu Jin noticed that the floor tiles under the corpse demon's feet seemed to have melted, creating patterns like water ripples, and exclaimed in surprise.

"It's about to use the techniques of an Earth Immortal!"

If it's buried in the ground, the fire will go out!

Without saying a word, Jiang Liu used his "Reversal of Eight Directions" technique to bind the man's waist and pull him hard.

Lu Jin and Li Muxuan were the same.

Because the corpse demon had lost its head, its Qi circulation was obstructed, and its whole body was attacked by flames, so its strength was much less than before.

Moreover, supernatural abilities can also play a significant role in its effectiveness.

Lin Jiu and Ren Jiating also rushed to the prison behind the county government office, found the chains, put them on the corpse demon, and dragged it along to prevent it from sinking into the ground.

Five minutes later, the corpse demon stopped struggling, and the aura emanating from its body gradually diminished. The relatively active biomagnetism unique to living things was slowly calming down in Jiang Liu's perception, becoming a stable state similar to that of an inanimate object.

Corpse Demon!

He's finally dead!

Jiang Liu released his grip, dispelling the magnetic field around him.

Lu Jin and Li Muxuan were also panting.

Lin Jiu and Ren Jiating also loosened their grip on the iron chains, collapsed to the ground, and gasped for breath.

Snapped!

The corpse demon crashed to the ground, turning into dust like a piece of brittle coal.

"They're finally dead!"

Jiang Liu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed a bead the size of a fingernail among the charred carbon blocks and powder.

With a wave of his hand, the magnetism was activated, and he took the bead into his hand. The bead was perfectly round and opaque, but its surface had a layer of transparent glaze-like substance. Under the light of the nearby fire, it had a faint seven-colored halo.

"Is this the inner core of a corpse demon?"

Lin Jiu recalled the limited information about corpse demons in the Shangqing Temple of Maoshan and exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect there really is such a thing!"

At this point, Lin Jiu suddenly realized, slapped his forehead, and said, "I didn't even think of that!"

Since it has become a demon, it must be based on the five internal organs. The essence of the Corpse Gu lies in the five internal organs, not the head! If it were in the head, it would not be a Corpse Demon, but a Corpse Immortal!

That feng shui master ultimately took a shortcut; a true inner elixir wouldn't be condensed into this shape resembling an outer elixir... However, judging from the refining method used on this tangible inner elixir, it doesn't seem to have fully applied alchemical techniques. Looking at its seven-colored halo, it seems to have also incorporated Buddhist relic-making methods.”

"Tsk, now that you mention it, it really does resemble the exquisite inner core of Kui Mulang's relic."

Li Muxuan looked amused and said to Jiang Liu, "Why don't you give it a try and see if this thing has any medicinal effects?"

In fact, Jiang Liu was indeed curious and infused a wisp of Qi into this "exquisite inner elixir of the relic".

Instantly.

The inner elixir emitted a unique fragrance. Anyone who smelled it felt their Qi circulate throughout their body, regulating their internal organs and calming their six bowels, making everyone's fatigue seem to disappear completely.

"I see!"

Lin Jiu sighed, "It can help stabilize the five internal organs and regulate the six viscera! It has no direct benefit to cultivation, but it can prevent people from going astray in cultivation. Moreover, most human diseases are caused by external evils invading the five internal organs and six viscera. Holding this pill will surely prevent all diseases. In fact, this pill originated from a corpse demon, so it probably also has the function of preventing poisoning."

In short, this exquisite inner core of the relic is not the crystallization of the corpse demon's cultivation, but a kind of auxiliary treasure that is nurtured during its growth process, similar to a magic weapon, but also different.

Jiang Liu handed the pill to Lin Jiu.

"No, you keep it."

There was indeed a hint of greed in Lin Jiu's eyes, but he quickly dismissed it and laughed, "You contributed the most in dealing with the corpse demon, so this treasure is naturally yours. Besides, I'm almost fifty years old, and even with the exquisite inner core of the relic, I can't improve my cultivation quickly. It's best for you, a young man, to have it."

"If that's the case, it would be hypocritical of me to refuse again." Jiang Liu smiled and swallowed the exquisite inner core of the relic.

The Relic's Exquisite Inner Elixir is not made of herbs or wood. Once swallowed, it cannot be digested or absorbed. However, as the Qi of the River circulates naturally, this elixir quietly floats in the stomach, enveloped by the Qi of the five internal organs, spinning rapidly, which in turn strengthens the five internal organs.

As the five energies circulated, his body was slowly becoming stronger, his bone marrow was trembling slightly, and his blood and qi were three times stronger than before.

Although this tangible elixir is a heterodox method, the process of refining it also strengthens one's internal organs, muscles, bones, and flesh! Even heterodox methods can lead to enlightenment! The Bodhi Patriarch in Journey to the West was right!

Jiang Liu seemed to be deep in thought, and he had some ideas about cultivating the true, formless Golden Core Saint Embryo in the future.

But for now, he still needs to further improve the system of circulating Qi.

Afterwards, Lin Jiu collected the black residue from the corpse demon, saying that the corpse poison would dissipate after being burned with fire, and the remaining charcoal residue would actually be a good medicinal material.

But in the end, it was handed over to Ren Jiating.

The relic and the exquisite inner core are one thing, but the black residue left behind by this corpse demon is the corpse of Old Master Ren. If it is used to make medicine, that would be too outrageous.

Let Ren Jiating and Ren Tingting bury the ashes left after cremating Old Master Ren's body together with him.

On a side note.

Mr. Ren's body was cremated.

After all, the incident of Grandpa Ren's "corpse turning into a zombie" left Ren Jiating and Ren Tingting with lingering fears, and cremation was the most reassuring option.

After this ordeal, Ren Tingting took off her Western-style dress and put on a traditional Chinese jacket and skirt. She also hoped to become Uncle Jiu's apprentice and learn the skills of the Maoshan Shangqing sect.

Seeing her sincerity, Lin Jiu agreed. Moreover, he was even more pleased to find that Ren Tingting's aptitude was comparable to that of her older sister, Ren Jiating.

At least he now has a reasonably qualified apprentice!

but.

With Ren Fa's death, the Ren family's business plummeted. Even though Xiu Huabai knew some business acumen, she faced difficulties as a newcomer to Renjia Town and a woman.

The fact that things are still going well now is mainly due to the significant commotion caused by Old Master Ren's "corpse transformation," which has led to increased respect for Lin Jiu among the ordinary people and wealthy merchants in the town.

Ordinary people fear the power of superhumans, but fortunately, Lin Jiu comes from Maoshan Shangqing, and superhumans related to Buddhism and Taoism are more approachable to ordinary people... Well, "approachable" is not accurate, it should be "admired," after all, praying to gods and Buddhas is the spiritual sustenance of most ordinary people in this era.

It was precisely because Ren Tingting became Lin Jiu's apprentice that businesses with business ties to the Ren family were willing to continue their dealings with them, and death is an inevitable end for everyone.

Even though Lin Jiu ran a mortuary, people of all social classes, whether ordinary or wealthy, still had to maintain a good public relationship with him in order to ensure a peaceful afterlife.

However, the Ren family cannot simply sit idly by and live off their wealth; they must find new industries.

So, while Jiang Liu was staying at the mortuary and watching Lin Jiu paint the Twenty-Eight Mansions, Ren Tingting, after temporarily settling things at home, went with Ren Jiating and Xiu Huabai to ask him questions.

"My family doesn't run a business."

Jiang Liu was speechless.

Although he and Wang Yaozu did run a magic troupe and recruited eight apprentices, could the Ren family really switch to running a troupe that performs magic shows?

Certainly not!

Otherwise, Ren Tingting would have already discussed it with Ren Jiating!

“Brother Jiang, I know you’re quick-witted, just share your own opinion. Lu Jin and Li Muxuan, you two can also speak up.”

Ren Jiating smiled, "More people always mean more solutions."

How about selling rouge?

Lu Jin recalled the scene of Ren Tingting buying rouge and tentatively said, "Sister Tingting seems to know a lot about rouge."

"Well, that's true, but rouge has a limited audience."