Nightmare Apostle

Listening to his uncle’s plan for him, Yang Xiao envisioned his bright future ahead. A good man ought to be like this!

Once the recent matters are handled, I should also make a trip to the Esoteric Sect. My year-long agreement with the Cannibal Buddha is almost up.

Sutana definitely misses me—or maybe she misses the Mirror Ghost.

Now, I am already an Upper Ghost Level Apostle. Such strength is sufficient to mingle as a Candidate Elder even in a powerful group like the Esoteric Sect. I wonder how delighted Elder Sheng will be when he sees me.

During this period away from the Esoteric Sect, Yang Xiao never considered himself slack; he’s always worked hard to survive and live up to everyone’s expectations.

After bidding farewell to Professor Cui, Yang Xiao took the elevator to the underground prison, gathered everyone, and began discussing merits and rewards.

Previously, Yang Xiao had an agreement with them, and this time he came to fulfill his promise by awarding them merit points.

To show his approachability, Yang Xiao even visited each of their residences, asking if there were any life difficulties he could help solve.

After dispersal, Yang Xiao used the Soul-Capturing Mirror to appear in Ku Daoist’s courtyard.

Seeing Yang Xiao suddenly appear, Ku Daoist, who was tuning the radio to a Chinese opera, was startled but quickly rose, warmly welcoming and respectfully saying, "Netherworld Emperor Captain, what brings you here?"

Yang Xiao didn’t pay him any heed and walked over to the bamboo chair Ku Daoist had just been sitting in. In front was a chilled watermelon, all sent by people Yang Xiao arranged.

Yang Xiao picked up a piece and took a bite; to his surprise, it was quite sweet.

As the atmosphere was right, Yang Xiao discarded the watermelon rind and wiped his hands with a wet napkin from the table. Casting a sideways glance at Ku Daoist waiting on the side, he spoke subtly, "Ku Daoist, don’t you have anything to say to me?"

"Netherworld Emperor Captain, you may direct me as you wish. I... I don’t understand," Ku Daoist feigned innocence and pitifulness.

Seeing the old fellow stubborn as a mule, Yang Xiao decided to bare the truth, "Ku Daoist, I asked people from Huai Shuo Public Office. They told me they only found a Magic Artifact on Xuansha Taoist’s corpse. The token that can summon Yin Thunder is missing. Can you explain where the token went?"

"What token, I... I don’t know!" Ku Daoist feigned ignorance, "Could it have been quietly taken by someone? Captain, you know, there were so many people there, chaotic, lots of hands involved."

Knowing the old fellow was putting on an act, Yang Xiao didn’t waste words, directly unleashing a sizeable threat, gifting Ku Daoist a relaxed smile, "Good, since you didn’t take it, I’m relieved. It’s nothing much—Wu Qingcang asked me to inquire about it."

"I’ll go back and tell him, Ku Daoist said he didn’t take it. If Wu Qingcang doesn’t believe, tell him to come search himself. We have reason, nothing to fear!"

"Alright, go back to your watermelon and opera. I won’t disturb you anymore." Yang Xiao smiled, patting Ku Daoist’s shoulder, then turned to leave without further ado.

In the next second, Ku Daoist exclaimed "Ah!", suddenly slapping his forehead as if he remembered something, "Wait, Netherworld Emperor Captain, please don’t leave. That... that Five Thunder Token, I think I recall!"

"You surely didn’t take it; you have reason, so why fear. When I return, I’ll inform Wu Qingcang to think for himself." Yang Xiao, head turned, strode outside.

"Netherworld Emperor Captain, hold on, the token is here!" In the next moment, Ku Daoist summoned the newly refined puppet and lifted the Funeral Guanyin’s skirt, revealing a black token with peculiar designs.

Seeing Yang Xiao’s gaze become subtle, Ku Daoist’s face could barely hold, yet he maintained calm in explanation, "Netherworld Emperor Captain, don’t misunderstand me, it’s not out of fear for Wu Qingcang. I... I really just remembered."

"I forgot to mention, my puppet can automatically pick up ownerless Resentful Eye, hahaha, a misunderstanding arose!" Ku Daoist laughed to lighten the atmosphere.

But it would have been better not to laugh; the scene became more awkward because Yang Xiao didn’t join in.

After a few laughs, Ku Daoist restrained himself. He knew well enough that Wu Qingcang was not to be trifled with, but the young man before him was no less daunting, certainly competent to handle him.

Furthermore, Wu Qingcang’s actions are always clean and swift; this young man, however, bears evil magic tools, striking ruthlessly and viciously—more challenging than their renowned Evil Cultivators.

Ultimately, unable to bear the pressure from the other party, Ku Daoist knelt directly, desperately pleading, "Netherworld Emperor Captain, considering my devoted service to you, please... have mercy, grant me another chance; I won’t dare again!"

Seeing the intimidation fulfilled its purpose, Yang Xiao chose not to press further.

Regardless, Ku Daoist assisted him significantly, taught him corpse refining, explained ancient books; in these battles, Ku Daoist was a main force, though these were simply trades, Yang Xiao somewhat acknowledged him.

If it were someone else, Yang Xiao would have sent them off to reincarnation with a single strike by now.

Daring to intercept his possessions, truly living too long, all these years he’s been the one snatching from others, yet someone audaciously dared rob a piece from his grasp—utterly unforgivable!

Ku Daoist, at his advanced age, kneeling pitifully, Yang Xiao scolded him briefly, allowing him to stand.

At this moment, Ku Daoist, who narrowly escaped a calamity, respectfully presented the Five Thunder Token to Yang Xiao with both hands, his attitude growing increasingly deferential.

"Netherworld Emperor Captain, this token is a valuable item, a treasure of our Taoist Sect. It was stolen by Xuansha when he betrayed the sect. Later, to escape the Taoist Sect’s pursuit, he turned to the Bone Painting Tower, where he allegedly gained the favor of an influential person and secured a decent position." Knowing this was a chance to make amends, Ku Daoist withheld nothing in his words to Yang Xiao.

"What do you know about this Five Thunder...Five Thunder..."

"Five Thunder Token." Ku Daoist kindly reminded.

Yang Xiao scrutinized the token in his hand. The first impression was its heft, unlike ordinary wood, and it was etched with thunder patterns, remarkably intricate.

"How much do you know about this Five Thunder Token?" Yang Xiao asked curiously.

"Not much, I’ve only heard bits about it, but for those of the Corpse Refining Lineage, it’s undoubtedly a valuable treasure," Ku Daoist affirmed.

Yang Xiao had already witnessed this in battle without needing it to be said.

The situation was critical. Ku Daoist, One-Eyed Monk, and Chen Nang, the three strongest members of the team aside from himself, barely managed to hold their ground against Xuansha Taoist.

He saw clearly at the time that the trio’s hold was at its limits; if prolonged, they would surely be defeated.

This was even without Xuansha using his trump card; if he fought them with the same methods he used against Wu Qingcang, Yang Xiao might not be seeing Ku Daoist now.

The power of the Yin Thunders was terrifying; Yang Xiao felt that if he were hit, at the very least, he’d be gravely injured.

Finding no useful clues from Ku Daoist, he simply pocketed the Five Thunder Token for the time being, intending to ask Dean Sheng at the Esoteric Sect or Beiyu Ye at Dragon Tiger Mountain in the future.

Seeing Yang Xiao put away the token, a trace of regret flashed in Ku Daoist’s eyes. The token was a valuable item; its benefits in corpse refining were on par with the Corpse-controlling Bell in his hand. If both were his, his corpse refining skills would greatly improve.

But unfortunately, he knew he had no such opportunity. Once something reached the hands of the Netherworld Emperor, even the King of Heaven couldn’t reclaim it. This man was petty.

Ku Daoist’s little thoughts couldn’t escape Yang Xiao’s watchful eyes. "Ku Daoist, I took this treasure, and you seem... not too happy?"

"No, no, I’m more than happy. As the saying goes, a good horse deserves a good saddle, and a treasured blade befits a hero. Your acquisition of this token is truly fitting, perfectly fitting!" Ku Daoist quickly flattered, prioritizing life over treasure; living was all that counted.

The next second, something flew towards him. Ku Daoist instinctively reached out and found it to be an old-covered ancient book.

"Nine Nether Corpse Scripture," seeing the words on the book cover, Ku Daoist’s pupils shrank suddenly.

"Ku Daoist, don’t say the Netherworld Emperor takes things for free. As per the usual rules, I’ll lend you this book for a month as a reward for handing over the magic artifact. After a month, you must translate the book’s contents and explain them to me." Yang Xiao always practiced fairness; this book was also retrieved from the secret chamber and was one of the Sect Master’s collections.

Ku Daoist couldn’t put it down upon seeing the book, thanking Yang Xiao repeatedly. This book, like the previous Corpse Supplement and Life Cutting Scripture, was a well-kept secret of the Bone Painting Tower, unexpectedly now in the hands of this Netherworld Emperor.

Ku Daoist now had a fair guess that the expert who broke into the Bone Painting Tower’s treasure trove a decade ago and stole treasures was inextricably linked to the young man before him, likely a skilled elder from his family.

The Bone Painting Tower is among the Ten Great Sects, incomparable to ordinary forces in heritage and power. Stealing from such a place required more than mere skill.

At least Wu Qingcang couldn’t manage it, indicating that someone truly influential backed the Netherworld Emperor.

Ku Daoist had always been curious what kind of family could raise such a person. Those elders were truly lacking in virtue.

Now, it seemed those elders also stole; one generation was not as good as the next—this closed the logical loop, a true hereditary trait.

"Ku Daoist, what are you thinking?" Yang Xiao felt the man’s gaze was a bit odd.

"No...nothing. I was just thinking how generous and gracious the Netherworld Emperor Captain is, benevolent and righteous, a paragon for us all!" Ku Daoist shamelessly gave a thumbs up, uttering hypocritical words without a change of expression.

Yang Xiao suspected the man was indirectly insulting him, but without proof and unable to refute, he let it slide.

Overall, he was rather satisfied with today’s gains. He only lent out a book, receiving the Taoist Sect’s Five Thunder Token in return. Additionally, Ku Daoist now had to explain the Bone Painting Tower’s secret manual to him, making it a substantial profit.

After leaving Ku Daoist’s courtyard, Yang Xiao hummed a tune as he strolled leisurely to Chen Nang’s residence.

Compared to Ku Daoist’s spacious courtyard, Chen Nang’s place was much simpler, generally laid out as a two-bedroom, one-living room.

He had a very important matter to handle there today; he planned to make a transaction with Chen Nang.

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