Nightmare Apostle

"Naturally, once I’ve got what I want, not releasing people would ruin my reputation. I not only let them go secretly, but also killed all those captured evil cultivators. Now, the Southern Border Liu Family can be completely at ease." Fu Qingzhu explained.

"Clean and neat, but you really have guts." Yang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief for his good friend upon hearing this.

If he takes someone’s benefits but doesn’t deliver, then Fu Qingzhu must be crazy. The Southern Border Liu Family is not someone he can afford to offend.

"Fortune is sought amidst danger, I understand these rules." Fu Qingzhu proudly raised his cup, and the two clinked glasses lightly.

Though the process of this matter was quite thrilling, it indeed helped Fu Qingzhu solve a big problem. Otherwise, with his previous level of consumption, he would have died from the backlash of the magic artifact in three or four years. That Bone Fan isn’t that easy to control.

"By the way, these are for you." Fu Qingzhu took out some prepared books from his leather bag, along with a very small but exquisite lacquered wooden box painted with a phoenix.

No need to ask, these three books are the secrets given to Fu Qingzhu by the Liu Family, and without even opening the wooden box, Yang Xiao could smell the scent of elixir as soon as it was taken out.

These are life-saving treasures for Fu Qingzhu, and he’s willing to share them with Yang Xiao, which moved Yang Xiao deeply.

Fu Qingzhu is full of calculations, ruthless enough to make the older generation tremble in fear, but he never schemes against himself.

"I’ve tried this elixir, it’s quite effective. You use your abilities more than I do, so you should keep them." Fu Qingzhu advised.

Yang Xiao felt a bit embarrassed to say he had plenty of better elixirs, any of which were far more valuable.

"Good buddy, I appreciate the sentiment. You probably have backups of these books, so I’ll keep them. You should take these elixirs back for yourself. Our Provincial Bureau is quite generous in this regard." Yang Xiao patted his waist bag.

"If it’s public funds, then forget it. You might as well use them." Hearing Yang Xiao say this, Fu Qingzhu didn’t hesitate, directly taking them back, as he didn’t have enough for himself.

After eating and drinking, Yang Xiao took Fu Qingzhu into his Mirror World and brought out the corpse of the Great Protector.

Nowadays, Fu Qingzhu is considered someone who’s seen big scenes, but upon seeing the corpse, he almost threw up.

It was too disgusting; the corpse is almost entirely rotted, with a strong corpse stench straight to the skull, leaving only a head barely recognizable.

Near the head were black herbs and large grains of coarse salt, like pickled vegetables, which help prevent further decay effectively.

In Yang Xiao’s Mirror World, corpses and food don’t spoil, but the Great Protector was different; he suffered a backlash from his abilities, which was due to his own reasons.

"Hey buddy, what level of power did this guy have?" Fu Qingzhu asked, holding his nose, clearly repulsed by the corpse.

"Average power, just... half-step to the Netherworld Realm." Yang Xiao instinctively boasted, Fu Qingzhu had just put on airs, and he wouldn’t accept that, wanting to show off a bit himself.

Sure enough, his words had an instant effect, startling Fu Qingzhu: "Half-step to the Netherworld Realm, is... is this true?"

"Of course, when have I ever lied to you? Half-step to the Netherworld Realm, genuine!" Yang Xiao was very pleased with Fu Qingzhu’s reaction.

"Oh my goodness, you managed to kill someone of this caliber, did you poison him?" Fu Qingzhu asked curiously.

As a brother, he knew Yang Xiao’s methods. He never engaged head-on if he could sneak attack, never snuck if he could poison, always seeking to exchange the smallest loss for the greatest gain. Cleanliness of means was irrelevant; as long as it worked, it was fine.

"What poison? What do you think of me, Yang Xiao? I faced him directly and took him down."

Yang Xiao defended himself, "He ambushed me, but I was a step ahead and dealt with him and another half-step Netherworld Realm at the same time."

"Besides them, there were about 7 or 8 Ghost-level Apostles, and the core force of Withered Bone Pavilion was almost captured by us, except for the patron."

"Amazing!" Fu Qingzhu gave a thumbs up, without a doubt, the corpse of the Withered Bone Pavilion’s Great Protector was right there. Submitting this to the Provincial Federation, not only could he make up for any faults, but he might even gain significant credit.

This Withered Bone Pavilion he knew well; its name was notorious, even among evil cultivators, and it had a lot of blood debts in its hands, having enmity with the United Federation.

Years ago, Withered Bone Pavilion abducted the president of a city union, made him into a human bomb, and sent him back. It exploded in the Federation building, killing dozens on the spot.

This event angered the Federation’s top management, who issued a Bounty Order immediately. For someone at the Guardian Level no less, even a regular cadre could exchange for credit.

Now he has the corpse of the Pavilion’s Great Protector, a big shot second only to the patron, a master of half-step Netherworld Realm. His credit was immense, and though Fu Qingzhu was satisfied, he still felt guilty toward Yang Xiao.

After all, this corpse was a credit, no matter who took it, and he had robbed Yang Xiao of his credit.

Seeing Fu Qingzhu’s hesitation, Yang Xiao generously waved his hand, "Between us, let’s not talk about these things. I’m glad to have helped you, but remember the lesson learned, think thrice before acting next time, don’t go snatching any credit blindly."

"Also, consult Director Nalan more often on major matters. Director Nolan is old Jianghu, more prudent than both of us." Yang Xiao advised.

"Understood." Fu Qingzhu agreed.

"You always say that." Seeing Fu Qingzhu’s straightforward agreement, Yang Xiao felt more uneasy.

"This time is different. This time I truly understand. Next time I won’t cause you any trouble." Fu Qingzhu promised.

Due to the corpse deteriorating too extensively for transport, Yang Xiao accompanied Fu Qingzhu to the United Federation, packaged the corpse properly, stored it in the underground freezer, and discussed with Fu Qingzhu how to report this matter upward.

After all, the Federation is not foolish; they wouldn’t believe Fu Qingzhu alone could kill someone of this level.

If they did, it would be more troublesome. Next time, if another half-step Netherworld Realm came, specifically asking Fu Qingzhu to take care of it, would he go or not?

The two discussed for half an hour, confirming everything made sense before Yang Xiao planned to leave. It was getting too late, he needed to rest, and soon he would return to Qinglan City, setting out to the Esoteric Sect to meet with the High Priest and Elder Sheng, which was crucial for his future.

And just as Yang Xiao bid farewell and walked a few steps away, he stopped and turned back with a subtle expression: "What’s this, good buddy, have your wings hardened, and you want to spar with me again?"

At that very moment, Yang Xiao keenly sensed a fluctuation of spiritual power on Fu Qingzhu, who seemed eager.

"Good buddy, don’t misunderstand, I just want to know how big the gap is between us now." Fu Qingzhu said.

Not long before Yang Xiao left Rongcheng for his position in Qinglan City, he had sparred with Fu Qingzhu once. Only one move was needed to restrain him, though at that time Fu Qingzhu was at Fierce Grade, and hadn’t explored the Bone Fan to its current extent.

Honestly, Yang Xiao was curious too about Fu Qingzhu’s current ability, anticipating some surprises from him.

"Good buddy, I know I’m not your match, so I won’t hold back, but please don’t underestimate me, or... you’ll surely regret it." Fu Qingzhu drew the Bone Fan with an unprecedented serious expression.

"Alright, I accept your challenge." Yang Xiao turned around and nodded.

In the next second, without giving Yang Xiao time to prepare, Fu Qingzhu suddenly shot out, with spiritual power enhancement breaking through mid-stage Ghost Level, a Hanging Rope dropped in the darkness above, instantly locking Yang Xiao’s throat and lifting him off the ground.

At this moment, the ability of the Bone Fan was activated, with the Southern Border Liu Family’s assistance, Fu Qingzhu had rapidly advanced in his development of the Bone Fan’s power. A figure appeared on the fan’s surface while he stood motionless.

The figure had its back turned, slightly distorted and blurry, and a purple dagger emerged in Fu Qingzhu’s left hand, stabbing toward the figure on the fan, with a clean and swift technique.

But just as the dagger was about to hit the figure, the figure suddenly shook, causing Fu Qingzhu’s strike to miss, only tearing the garment.

Meanwhile, the "Yang Xiao" hoisted by the Hanging Rope remained unscathed, still struggling mid-air, exaggeratedly portraying pain, with overtly fake acting.

"Clap"

"Clap"

"Clap"

The sound of clapping came from deep within the darkness, as Yang Xiao slowly walked out from Fu Qingzhu’s blind spot, his complete garment now torn by a blade.

"Well done, no wonder you could take down two Ghost-level Apostles. Good buddy, now you’re qualified to make me use full force."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!