Chapter 182

I don't know how Little Black and the others are doing.

After parting with Gai Jiuyou, Yang Zhu began to deduce the Big Black Dog's whereabouts.

They're not peaceful; while you were in seclusion in the Black Sea, they dug up the Vermilion Bird Sect Ancestor's Tomb and even killed several Supreme Elders...

The Yaochi Saintess smiled and told Yang Zhu what she knew.

That's right; with these two troublemakers' natures, staying docile would be the bad thing.

Moreover, after the Big Black Dog obtained an intact holy weapon, nobody dared to underestimate him; he grew arrogant to the point of wanting to lift his head to the heavens.

For a time, the Big Black Dog's antics left Central Province in turmoil; at the mere mention of 'dog,' people turned pale, avoided him like snakes and scorpions, and were terrified to the extreme.

These two troublemakers are utterly depraved, and with a Sacred Body Dao Embryo backing them, even the four great dynasties merely turn a blind eye, paying them no heed.

Just the Great Xia Dynasty and the Jiu Li Dynasty alone both intend to win over Yang Zhu, and they certainly won't move to suppress him.

"Southern region of Central Province."

After Yang Zhu roughly locked onto the location, he raised his hand and a domain gate instantly opened; the two began to cross southward.

……

In the Southern Region, within some ancient ruins, the Big Black Dog and Duan De were wantonly looting treasures, having a grand time.

"You dead dog, how's my skill, Daoist Priest? I said this is a saint's relic!"

Duan Hefted a tombstone up and down, pondered a moment, then took it away, all the while not forgetting to boast about himself.

"You damned fatty, you're getting cocky; without this Emperor's formation expertise, how could you have entered so easily?"

The Big Black Dog scoffed; in formation mastery, his talent was already outstanding, and after grasping the Word Formation Secret, he progressed even further.

In the void, a domain gate unfolded, and Yang Zhu and the Yaochi Saintess stepped out.

"Imperial Son!"

The Big Black Dog stared for a moment, then, realizing, his face lit with excitement; he turned into a streak of black light and instantly darted to Yang Zhu's side, his expression fervent.

Only before Yang Zhu does the Black Emperor restrain all ferocity, becoming obedient and well-behaved; at this moment he wears a pure gaze, staring straight at Yang Zhu.

"Little Black, you haven't been causing less trouble, have you?"

Yang Zhu gently stroked the Big Black Dog's glossy black fur, doting on him; his palm glowed with a halo, making the fur ever more sleek and lustrous.

"Hehe..."

Upon hearing that, the Big Black Dog said nothing, merely grinning widely and laughing foolishly, having already given his answer.

"Forget it; let them cause trouble. Whoever dares to hurt you, I'll kill them."

After all, he is my and my father's pet, so Yang Zhu naturally sides with the Black Emperor.

"Brother Yang, you've kept poor Daoist in the dark."

The unscrupulous Daoist came over, wearing a bitter smile; he already knew Yang Zhu's identity.

As it turned out, those two troublemakers once pulled off a big job; afterward, to celebrate, they feasted on delicacies and fine wine, and when the Big Black Dog got drunk, he blabbed the whole thing with a slip of the tongue.

"Mainly, your identity is somewhat special..."

Saying this, Yang Zhu patted Duan De's shoulder: "Daoist Priest, if you have deep ties to the Netherworld, what would you do?"

"Netherworld? What... Netherworld, poor Daoist... I don't really understand what you mean."

Hearing that, Duan De's body stiffened, his eyes twitched uncontrollably, and a flicker of panic flashed in his gaze.

"The Netherworld and my lineage are mortal enemies; once I attain perfection, I will take a few imperial weapons and first raze the Netherworld."

Yang Zhu spoke lightly, yet his jet-black eyes were extraordinarily firm, exuding a compelling pressure. If his Sacred Body Dao Embryo reaches completion, the first thing he will strike is the Netherworld, for his grandparents were done in by them.

"Brother Yang, you know I've always borne you no ill will! If you're going to raze the Netherworld, don't drag me along—it truly has nothing to do with me..."

Duan De jumped up in anxiety, cold sweat soaking half his body; he hurriedly explained, trying to sever the connection, nearly bursting into tears.

As far as he knows, Yang Zhu commands at least four imperial weapons; once he attains perfection, adding the Hun Dun Chi and Hun Dun Heavenly Blade, even counting on one hand the extreme Dao imperial weapons would be insufficient.

Six imperial weapons, moreover, are under the supreme control of the Wushi Imperial Son—let alone flattening the Netherworld, even piercing the vast cosmos, Duan De harbors no doubt! Moreover, even if Yang Zhu used no weapons at all, Duan De with a hundred lives wouldn't survive; just imagining that scene makes his scalp tingle and his flesh creep.

"Haha, I know this truly isn't your fault; if you were really my enemy, I wouldn't have befriended you."

Yang Zhu chuckled; this move was firstly to probe Duan De indirectly, to see if he was gradually recovering his past-life memories, and secondly just to tease him...

As he said, if Duan De were truly his ultimate nemesis, he would never have befriended him from the start but would have slain him on the spot.

"I knew Brother Yang wouldn't strike at me; just now you scared the living daylights out of me..."

The unscrupulous Daoist wiped away cold sweat, drew a deep breath, and instantly felt relieved.

After all this time together, he actually doesn't believe Yang Zhu would strike at him.

For some reason, he inexplicably recalled the image of Yang Zhu chasing and killing him, and a wave of fear and dread overcame him.

There's nothing to be done; that scene was too terrifying...

"What are you two talking about? This Emperor can't understand a word."

The Big Black Dog looked at the two conversing, utterly bewildered, his huge head inching closer.

"Scram, it's none of your business!"

Duan De rolled his eyes irritably, then recovered his usual grin, rubbing his plump white hands as he asked.

"Brother Yang, after you came out, did you go to the other two Dao Platforms?"

That day, after leaving the Black Sea, he and the Big Black Dog went to the other two Dao Platforms, trying to open them, but both attempts ended in failure.

Having obtained the black gourd, their archaeological endeavors became ever more facile, which made Duan De salivate; he wanted to wheedle the gourd into his own hands.

But the Big Black Dog is exceedingly shrewd; how could he let him succeed? He guards against him more strictly than a thief.

Once, Duan De took advantage of the Big Black Dog's sleep, trying to hide the gourd, but the very next moment he was caught red-handed.

After that day, Duan De was chased and bitten by the Big Black Dog for a month before it ceased.

During that time, Duan De bled daily, his body covered in wounds, painfully squealing; he was pursued for hundreds of thousands of li, and his Daoist robes were ruined beyond count.

In the end, Duan De endured the pain and gave the Big Black Dog many treasures, finally ending this feud.

(Duan De: Fortunately, Dao Ye's life is tough!) "It's gone, but the rest are all damaged."

Yang Zhu took out the Bagua Furnace and the God-Beating Whip; seeing this, Duan De's eyes shone brightly, and he could hardly keep from drooling.

"This Bagua Furnace is not bad; I'll take this one!"

The unscrupulous Daoist rubbed it over and over; the Bagua Furnace was made of bronze cast through sacrificial refining, engraved with many runes, ancient and majestic, a great weapon against evil spirits! For him who loves archaeology, its value is immeasurable! "Are these enough?"

Duan De was very satisfied and immediately took out several items to exchange.

Golden Crow-shaped ancient jade, a sheet of paper covered in mud, head-sized stone material, and a damaged half stone carving.

Yang Zhu nodded; these objects seemed ordinary, but they actually had significant backgrounds, worth studying.

(End of chapter)