Chapter 1687: Chapter 975: Ghost Coffin
The mission in Nanzhe Province concluded, and Yang Xiao finally let out a sigh of relief. It was his first battle leading the special action team, and it was beautifully completed, which was a satisfactory account for not only himself but also Hong Anguo and Wu Qingcang.
The harvest was bountiful. Not only did he obtain the second Human Skin Map, but he also established a connection with Deputy Captain Zheng Mingde and the second law enforcement team under the Nanzhe Province Office, thus having a network in Nanzhe Province for the future.
It was late at night when Yang Xiao quietly left the villa using the ability of the Soul-Capturing Mirror and hurried to the agreed location with Zheng Mingde. It was a freezer truck disguised to transport refrigerated goods. Here, Yang Xiao received the corpse of the Funeral Guanyin, along with the Mourning Stick sealed in the Silver Metal Box.
Zheng Mingde’s subordinates were very cautious and only handed over the items after repeatedly confirming Yang Xiao’s identity.
Such an exchange naturally involved no formal procedures, or it would leave traces for tracking. Everyone in this line of work clearly knew what could and couldn’t be done.
"Mr. Chen, do you need me to arrange another vehicle to transport the goods to the designated place?" Mr. Chen was Yang Xiao’s code name. The person didn’t see Yang Xiao driving, and it was clearly unrealistic for Yang Xiao to take a corpse and a sealed Magic Artifact box alone without attracting attention.
"No need, I have other arrangements. You can go back." Yang Xiao had the Mirror Secret Room in the Soul-Capturing Mirror, which was spacious enough to fit not only these items but a few more people as well.
Upon hearing this, the other party didn’t hesitate and drove away immediately, and Yang Xiao promptly stored both the corpse and the Magic Artifact Box in the Mirror Secret Room.
After careful examination, he confirmed that the corpse of the Funeral Guanyin was in good preservation, with the head and limbs intact. There was a fresh needle mark left on the vein of the right arm, indicating death by injection.
Compared to the heinous acts committed by the deceased, this manner of death was a lenient end, but Yang Xiao knew well that Captain Zheng must have been involved, ensuring the corpse remained intact, as the Patrol Defense Office was hardly this merciful to Evil Cultivators.
After confirming that the corpse and the Magic Artifact were as expected, Yang Xiao went back home to sleep, awakening the next day to work, demonstrating enthusiasm and ambition.
But at around 3 PM, Yang Xiao called Professor Cui, who was responsible for the experimental base, under the pretense of needing to review some experimental data. He then drove to the experimental base.
Upon arrival, he took the elevator down to the secret base hidden deep beneath the experimental base. Here, he once again saw Ku Daoist, the One-eyed Monk, and others. Yang Xiao’s visit this time was to fulfill his promise.
In short, it was just four words: Acknowledge contributions and grant rewards.
"Ku Daoist, here is what you wanted." Yang Xiao tossed the box onto the ground.
Ku Daoist immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, opened the box for inspection, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Yang Xiao upon confirming its contents.
These two items were of substantial use to him, and the preservation state of the corpse was far better than he expected, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful refinement.
"Gentlemen, the promised Magic Artifacts have been delivered to you. I, Netherworld Emperor Captain, never break my word." Yang Xiao looked around at the assembly, earnestly stating, "Do you all remember what I said?"
"Hai... Hai Hai..." the Sick Ghost struggled to speak, "You mentioned granting us freedom, but only in exchange for missions or... or Merit Points."
"Those who successfully complete ten missions can leave, or by accumulating enough Merit Points, one may challenge you. In a one-on-one scenario, surviving twenty moves against you secures their freedom. If two team up, they must defeat you." The night watchman methodically supplemented.
"Correct, very well. Some of you have already completed a mission. Ku Daoist, Trickster, Prisoner, all three of you performed commendably in the mission and, in my opinion, are qualified." Yang Xiao said generously.
"It’s all thanks to the superb command of Netherworld Emperor Captain," Trickster said in a high-pitched tone to flatter.
"Hmm, follow me in order, Ku Daoist, you’re first." Yang Xiao raised his hand, instantly pulling Ku Daoist into the Mirror World.
This was the first time Ku Daoist had entered Yang Xiao’s Mirror World, looking around curiously. This realm felt entirely different from anything he had experienced before. Here, it seemed like everything was "dead"; time appeared halted, leaving behind only silent desolation.
"Is this your Space-type Magic Artifact, Netherworld Emperor?" Ku Daoist breathed out slowly and nodded, "Remarkable indeed."
"Ku Daoist, I have always conducted my duties with fairness. You contributed significantly in this mission, single-handedly stalling and defeating the strongest opponent, Funeral Guanyin. Your effort merits 5 Merit Points, but since you requested Funeral Guanyin’s corpse, creating a favor I owe to the Nanzhe Province Public Office, 2 points will be deducted, leaving you with 3 Merit Points. Any objections?" Yang Xiao, priding himself on his fairness and justice, had promised the Mourning Stick for free, ensuring that the three survivors of the mission each received something, but the corpse was another matter entirely, requiring separate pricing.
"The fairness of Netherworld Emperor Captain earns my admiration and naturally... naturally, no objections." Ku Daoist verbally acknowledged.
"Good, if there’s any dissatisfaction or if you think my actions are inappropriate, feel free to speak out. I am constantly open and broad-minded, which you all understand well." Yang Xiao remarked with an unchanged expression.
At this moment, Ku Daoist had mentally vented his frustrations on Yang Xiao’s ancestral grave several times. When the Desire Demon was slain, Yang Xiao’s narrative was quite different.
