Wayfarer

Chapter 457: The Netherworld Popes Request

Chapter 457: The Netherworld Pope's Request

Within the sea of blood-colored clouds, a huge face formed of bloody mist stared at Xiao Nanfeng.

"What curious cursed spiritual power emanates from you. No wonder I passed over you that day," the Netherworld Pope murmured.

"A month ago, when we first arrived at the Netherworld Palace, you must have taken advantage of that whirlwind to catch Blue Lantern and Ye Dafu's group. However, thinking that I was a cursed effigy, you tossed me aside?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"That's right, but perhaps this was better, after all. Otherwise, how would I have learned of your abilities? You managed to upend the entire Netherworld Palace in little more than a month. Impressive, impressive!" the Netherworld Pope praised.

"How do you know about what I've done, Senior?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"Look over there."

A Heaven's Hand entered the sea of blood-colored clouds. It unclenched, releasing an ox-headed humanoid.

The ox-headed humanoid glanced warily around himself. "Where am I?"

The Netherworld Pope's huge face suddenly manifested before the cursed effigy. His frightening aura caused the unfortunate cursed effigy to fall to the ground.

"Do you remember me, the pope?" the Netherworld Pope demanded.

The ox-headed humanoid blanched, then trembled violently as he knelt. "Spare me, Pope! I didn't know you were still alive. Please, spare me!"

"What's going on in the capital of Chou? Tell me everything!"

"Yes! My king—no, the Ox Yanluo—was killed by the Tiger Yanluo and Peach Buddha. They divided the Ox Yanluo in half, then began to fight each other. The fighting extended all the way into the capital of Chou. The Peach Buddha, realizing that it was no match for the Tiger Yanluo, unearthed the Ox Yanluo's Yanluo Court and caused a Heaven's Hand to attack the Tiger Yanluo. The Tiger Yanluo grabbed the Ox Yanluo's Yanluo Court before the Heaven's Hand caught them both, while the Peach Buddha took the opportunity to run. Then, the Tiger Yanluo freed himself, and the Heaven's Hand has been attacking us cursed effigies since. Everyone else is dead, and only I was brought here and saved."

The Netherworld Pope nodded in satisfaction.

Another Heaven's Hand caught the ox-headed humanoid in its clutches.

"Please, Pope, spare me! I was forced to succumb. I'm loyal to you, Pope!" the ox-headed humanoid screamed.

With a tremendous grinding sound, the ox-headed humanoid was smashed into powder. The Heaven's Hand retreated from the sea of blood-colored clouds and vanished from sight.

"So you can interrogate ordinary cursed effigies as to my actions, Senior. No wonder you're aware of what I've been doing," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"You headed to Chen and destroyed what lay within, then repeated the same thing in Wu and Mao. At the mouth of the abyss, you toyed with the remaining Yanluo Lords before causing the Ox Yanluo's death at Chou. Xiao Nanfeng, despite being weak in terms of cultivation, you were able to scheme against and kill almost all the Yanluo Lords. Isn't that impressive?" The Netherworld Pope smiled in satisfaction.

"You overpraise me, Senior. I had no choice but to do so to guarantee my survival. Might I ask why you've sought me out?" Xiao Nanfeng asked carefully.

The Netherworld Pope's praise didn't get to his head; rather, it only made him more wary.

"So that's what happened."

"Xiao Nanfeng, are you willing to avenge me and kill the Tiger Yanluo and Peach Buddha?" the Netherworld Pope asked again.

"Senior, your enemies are my enemies, and I naturally intend to take them down. However, I am no match for them alone, and my plans have always involved turning them against each other. If I am to strike, Senior, I will need your assistance."

"That's only natural. The Heaven's Hands shall be yours to manipulate."

"Truly? Thank you, Senior!" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up.

"As long as you avenge me, I will reward you handsomely."

"Since we're allies now, Senior, would you be willing to free my subordinates? I'll need them to carry out my plan."

Blue Lantern and Ye Dafu's group eyed the Netherworld Pope expectantly, but he fell silent. Xiao Nanfeng inwardly tensed. Could the Netherworld Pope be planning to cross him?

"Senior, with the mouth to the abyss closed, you don't have to worry that we'll run. We're allies, and if I am to take on the Tiger Yanluo and the Peach Buddha for you, surely you ought to free my subordinates? They're my forces to begin with."

The Netherworld Pope said, "I can return them to you, but you must return my Yanluo Courts to me as well."

"It's settled." Xiao Nanfeng agreed immediately.

He retrieved the Divine Seal of Dazheng. With a wave of his hand, four Yanluo Courts floated into the sea of blood-colored clouds.

The Netherworld Pope smiled in satisfaction. "You are generous to your subordinates. Do you know what these Yanluo Courts mean to me?"

"I don't need to; this arrangement benefits us both. Please free my subordinates and unshackle them from their status as cursed slaves."

The Netherworld Pope seemed a little unwilling, but he was the one who had brought up this offer to begin with. If he didn't comply, how would he be able to enlist Xiao Nanfeng's assistance?

He had considered forging Xiao Nanfeng into a cursed slave himself, but the auras of the cursed effigies emanating from him forced him to reconsider. Before his objectives were accomplished, he didn't want to threaten his relationship with Xiao Nanfeng.

"Very well!"

As a gust of wind blew by, Blue Lantern and Ye Dafu's group trembled. A burst of red fog emerged from their mindscapes, then dissipated into the air.

They immediately felt far more relaxed than before.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the cultivators cried out gratefully.

Xiao Nanfeng was rather taken aback. This was the first time Blue Lantern had formally addressed him as majesty, a blessing indeed.