My Cell Prison-Chapter 1198 - 1197 Black Corpse Collection

A zombie girl dressed in a pale cheongsam, her hair styled in a bun, wearing a pair of embroidered shoes, had a talisman paper affixed to her forehead; she was a reception maid of the "Book House."

Compared to other zombies,

this girl had skin that was almost human-like, minor decay pits filled with white foundation, and her slender figure conformed to the contemporary aesthetic standards, she could fetch a good price as a corpse servant in the market.

Since Zhang Xiliang exuded the aura of a green zombie, he was immediately recognized as a potential customer.

Just as some high-end store salesgirls might assess a customer’s potential to spend based on their watches and shoes, it was the same principle.

A soft, gentle voice came from beneath the talisman paper on her lips:

"May I ask what type of books the honored customer requires?"

As a green zombie, Zhang Xiliang did not respond directly but instead turned his gaze towards Han Dong, who was still considered a white zombie.

"Mr. Han, you speak."

"There are no specific categories required, but I would like to see any ’Corpse Collection’ that could help an individual reach the Black Stiff Rank..."

"’Black Corpse Collection’?

Since such collections are expensive and are also among the highest category of books permitted for sale, they are stored in the Black Book Room at the back courtyard.

Due to their value and expense, our book house has special regulations.

Two forms of verification are needed, one is to confirm that you have no criminal records with the Ministry of Punishment, and the other is to provide ten barrels of heavy oil as a deposit."

"Agreed."

Zhang Xiliang immediately produced ten Oil Coupons, each prominently marked with the character for "heavy."

"There are no issues with your identities, please follow me to the Black Book Room... There might be other customers inside, please keep quiet during your visit.

I also need to explain the reading rules to you.

Each volume of the Black Corpse Collection is written by a master, and they are placed under a partial seal until purchased. You are only allowed to peruse the introduction and the first page to understand the basic information of the collection and decide whether or not to make a purchase.

If you attempt to forcibly flip through or break the seal, the Ministry of Punishment will handle it directly.

Any damage to the books, under any circumstances, must be compensated for in full."

The zombie maid explained as she hopped forward on her embroidered shoes.

Upon entering through the main entrance, a myriad of books surrounded the three-story building, densely arranged... There were quite a few people reading here; all the books placed in the hall were common Corpse Collections (the highest level allowed an individual to practice up to a green zombie), freely available for browsing, but cultivation inside the store was prohibited.

Under the guidance of the zombie maid, they followed the corridor deep into the mansion to the "Black Book Room."

It looked like a normal-sized treehouse, illuminated inside by fluorescent rocks to prevent fire hazards.

Unlike the densely packed collections in the hall, the bookshelves in the Black Book Room were spaced out with a series of books, probably less than fifty in total.

Seeing these black-bound books, Zhang Xiliang’s eyes couldn’t help but gleam with a greedy expression; this was completely inconsistent with his green zombie and slightly monstrous nature... considering he had been a white zombie just a few days before.

Han Dong, however, was quite calm.

However, besides the black-covered books, Han Dong was more intrigued by a ’customer’ who was choosing books.

He wore a black-and-white mysterious crown, black-and-white Taoist robe, and shoes for all directions.

Around his waist hung a talisman for Demonic Suppression, and he carried a Blackwood Longsword on his back.

This external dress was reminiscent of an exorcising Taoist master from Han Dong’s understanding, yet the color scheme seemed deathly.

Moreover, the customer’s eyes were completely replaced by machinery, constructing a special mechanical vision system in an embedded form.

His right hand’s fingers were also replaced with machinery.

Most importantly, and what concerned Han Dong the most... the aura emanated from this person wasn’t that of a zombie, but indeed that of a human.

As Han Dong and Zhang Xiliang stepped into the Black Book Room,

the person also glanced over.

He paid no attention to Han Dong but focused all the mechanical eyes’ attention on Zhang Xiliang, seemingly catching some trace of monstrosity, then revealed a mysterious smile and continued reading the books.

"Zhang Xiliang, who is this person? You only need to think of your response in your consciousness, and I will receive it here."

The first time he experienced consciousness transmission, Zhang Xiliang was also surprised.

"Mr. Han, this man is a Special Licensed Taoist Master from the imperial court!

Because they, as humans, possess great strength and can perform extraordinarily when dealing with monsters, they ultimately received the emperor’s approval. Such people are not affected by the ’Decree of Corpse Transformation.’

Living in the Corpse Country under a human identity, they naturally must also pledge loyalty to the imperial court.

The Ministry of War has a special department for Taoist Masters.

Aside from dealing with monsters, they also handle ’compulsory demonic exorcisms’ of some criminal elements within the Corpse Country. For instance, Xiao Ji, the ’Limb Blade’ whom Mr. Han had previously killed, was pursued not only by the Ministry of Punishment but was also targeted by the Taoist Masters."

"Special Licensed Taoist Master... interesting.

Since this person is not a zombie, why has he come here to buy the ’Corpse Collection’?"

"In addition to being proficient in powerful talisman and spell laws, Taoist Masters can also finely control and physically enhance zombies.

These high-ranking, Black Stiff Rank Taoist Masters roam different regions of the Corpse Country, seeking zombies with significant potential to bring under their command for Raising Corpse, and even some wanted criminals are brought under their control through talismans for brainwashing and control, becoming absolute war machines.

He is probably here to purchase books for his Corpse Servants."

"I see... no wonder he looked at you strangely; he probably took an interest in you."

Zhang Xiliang was suddenly startled and hastily responded, "My loyalty lies solely with Mr. Han, even if invited by a Taoist Master, I would not be tempted."

"Fine, just browse freely."

Han Dong knew virtually nothing about the ’Corpse Collection’ and was presently immersed in it.

It has to be said, these higher-level ’Black Corpse Collection,’ whether in terms of textual description or the depth of cultivation reached, are far superior to the ’Detoxification Heart Sutra’ that Zhang Xiliang had.

Naturally, the descriptions of forming essence pills also unavoidably involve the Door of Truth.

Unfortunately, browsing was restricted, allowing only the viewing of an introduction and part of the first page.

Just browsing a few Black Corpse Collections enormously astounded Han Dong.

"Unbroken Corpse Sutras" - Lin Qiong, current Grand Commander authored

This sutra is limited to those with a special physique, twice the physical strength of a common zombie, or those with iron or bone mass for cultivation.

It helps zombies gather Blackening Pills, and upon completion, they can reach an indestructible body.

Price: Eighty barrels of heavy oil

"Thunder Collection" - Sima Chengtai, defending General (deceased)

This sutra is limited to those inclined to the Metal element, having a significant chance of death during cultivation, but upon completion, they can condense thunder to protect their body, also can be attached to weapons, yielding enormous lethal power (has certain restraining effects against monsters).

Price: One hundred barrels of heavy oil

"Flower Bird Textile Sutra" - ?? (Author requested anonymity)

This sutra is limited to female cultivators, assisting zombies in gathering Blackening Pills (related introduction information is hidden).

Price: Fifty barrels of heavy oil

...

After browsing several Corpse Collections, Han Dong found that this kind of high-grade Corpse Collection typically required individual qualifications, he was somewhat interested but it was not suitable.

Until Han Dong unwittingly took a special Corpse Collection from the bottom shelf of the bookcase.

Compared to other collections, it was much thicker, even three times thicker than some collections... Moreover, this Corpse Collection imposed no restrictions on cultivators in its introduction page.

"Floating Corpse Internal Classic" - Du Zhijing, former Cabinet Grand Academician authored

All Corpse Handlers can benefit from cultivation, and starting earlier is better.

It can greatly assist zombies in gathering Blackening Pills and upon completion, they can float in the sky and burrow in the ground, transforming strength into force.

Price: One hundred thirty barrels of heavy oil.