As [Goblin Zombie] was reduced to ashes by Big Guoba's heavenly fire, Hu Tao lost 3800 Life Points.
Even so, the soul of [Goblin Zombie] did not vanish completely.
Hu Tao pointed to her [Goblin Zombie] and declared:
"[Goblin Zombie]'s effect activates! When [Goblin Zombie] is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add 1 Zombie monster with 1200 or less DEF from my Deck to my hand!"
As the effect resolved, [Goblin Zombie]'s soul dispersed, leaving behind a golden treasure chest in front of Hu Tao. With a creak and a resonant hum, the chest slowly opened, revealing a card.
"I choose to add [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3] to my hand!"
With [Goblin Zombie]'s effect successful, Hu Tao added [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3] to her hand. Her turn officially began. This was, essentially, her last turn.
Two cards in hand, one Set card, and two monsters on the field:
[Zombie Master] Level ?│?│Zombie│2300 ATK
[Breaker the Magical Warrior] Level ?│?│Spellcaster│1600 ATK
On Xiangling's field stood the Stove God with 5400 ATK, unaffected by any effects. Even if Hu Tao drew a Spell capable of destroying a monster, it would be useless. Because [Jueyun Guoba] was among the tributes, the Stove God had become invincible. The only way to defeat him was with a monster whose ATK exceeded his own.
However, Hu Tao was not using her Skull Servant deck this time, and she had no way to build a monster stronger than 5400 ATK. Even if she could, it was too late—she had only 200 LP left. One more hit and she would lose.
Still… Hu Tao had hope.
She lowered her gaze and said:
"Your bonds with Guoba, with your father, and with everyone at Wanmin Restaurant are indeed strong… but I won't give up so easily!"
As a devoted reader of the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, Hu Tao knew well—no matter how dire the situation, one must always face the opponent with composure. Shrinking back in fear accomplished nothing. To win, you had to step forward with courage.
"I'll bet everything on this draw—the bond between me and my Deck! My turn! Draw!!"
Hu Tao looked at the card in her hand, and her face lit up with delight.
[Peachbranch Fire Scales] (Spell Card)
This was the very program she and Xinyan had performed together at last year's Lantern Rite! Xinyan rapped her accompaniment, while Hu Tao went: yo! yo! yo!!!
Rock 'n' roll originated in Fontaine and was a rising art in Liyue Harbor, with Xinyan as its pioneering practitioner. Every night, she strapped on her handmade instrument, mounted her handmade stage, and performed songs of her own composition for all who came to listen. As for Hu Tao—she liked digging graves at night. In that sense, the two shared some hobbies.
Seeing Hu Tao's expression brighten, the spectators began to speculate.
"Why is Master Hu so happy—could she have drawn King of the Skull Servants?!"
"Could be!"
"Wait, I get it! Xiangling still has [Culinary Apprentice] with 1000 ATK on the field, and she only has 2400 LP left. If Master Hu summons a Skull King with 3400 ATK, she could win by inflicting battle damage through that monster!"
"Right! If she drew Skull King, and used Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to send two Skull Servants to the Graveyard, then somehow sent another one or the Skull King itself… that would make three, then add 500 ATK from Wangsheng. That's 3500 ATK Skull King!"
"Wow, that's true!"
But Xiangling confidently interjected:
"[Demon God of the Stove – Marchosius] has another effect! As long as he's on the field, the opponent must attack him. They cannot attack other monsters!"
When Xiangling explained this, the customers grew worried for Hu Tao once more.
"So he has that effect too… truly a guardian god."
"You have to attack that taunting servant first…"
"Oh no… then how can Master Hu win?"
"Well, she's still smiling. She must have a plan!"
Amid the crowd's curiosity, Hu Tao acted.
"I Normal Summon [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3]!"
[Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3] Level 3│WATER│Zombie│1000 ATK / 1000 DEF
A dazed purple-haired girl holding a coin sword appeared on Hu Tao's field. Her pink-purple eyes glimmered with wisdom. She wore a domed hat with a yellow talisman affixed to her forehead, and a coin-shaped hairpin held back a few strands of hair on the left.
It was none other than Qiqi of Bubu Pharmacy.
Qiqi spoke slowly, softly:
"Are… are you hurt? I… I'll get you some medicine…"
She turned to see that it was Hu Tao who had summoned her, and immediately froze in fear, hiding behind [Zombie Master]. Though not truly Qiqi, even this form feared Hu Tao, worrying about being exorcised. Hu Tao's smile only made her tremble more. She wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go.
The white spiritual energy of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor surrounded Qiqi, flowing into her body. Receiving the energy, she felt much more at ease—her ATK rose by 500. And because she was a Zombie, another Exorcism Counter appeared on the Funeral Parlor.
Now, Hu Tao's Wangsheng Funeral Parlor held four Exorcism Counters.
Raising her hand with confidence in her eyes and voice, Hu Tao declared:
"I activate my Trap Card! [March of the Spirits]!"
This had been her Set card from the previous turn. With its activation, a group of spirits rose from the earth under Hu Tao's command.
"Special Summon 1 [Lost Ghostling] Level 1│DARK│Zombie│500 ATK / 500 DEF!"
A black wisp of a ghost appeared on her field.
The audience stared blankly as Hu Tao summoned the tiny black [Lost Ghostling].
"A Trap Card… just to summon a weak little spirit with 500 ATK and DEF? What's the point of that?"
"Yeah, it's cute, but that's about it."
Hu Tao shook her head and laughed:
"It's far from over… if it were just one spirit, it wouldn't be a true [March of the Spirits]!"
Hands on her hips, she continued:
"When [March of the Spirits] activates, I remove all Exorcism Counters on the field. For each removed counter, I Special Summon an additional [Lost Ghostling]! I remove four Exorcism Counters—so I summon four more [Lost Ghostlings]!"
"I'll summon one to my field, and three to Xiangling's field!"
Since each side can only control five monsters, and Hu Tao already had four, only one more could appear on her side.
[Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3] ATK: 1500
[Zombie Master] ATK: 2300
[Breaker the Magical Warrior] ATK: 1600
[Lost Ghostling] ATK: 1000
The four additional [Lost Ghostlings] thus filled one more of Hu Tao's Monster Zones and three of Xiangling's.
Now Hu Tao's field was packed full. Her move puzzled the crowd.
"Huh… what's she doing?"
"She just summoned a bunch of little spirits."
"And even put some on Xiangling's field!?"
"Still, that can't beat the Stove God…"
"If the Stove God didn't have that taunt effect, Hu Tao could've won by hitting Xiangling's Ghostlings for damage… but with him there, she has to attack him!"
Amid their doubts, Hu Tao continued:
"I activate [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3]'s effect!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]