Nightmare Apostle

Chapter 1816: Chapter 1037: Secrets (Part 2)

"This is too difficult..." Yang Xiao sighed and slowly shook his head.

"Indeed, it’s too difficult." Jiushan Cangxuan also shook his head, then suddenly seemed to think of something, smiled wryly, "When people get old, they talk too much. Why am I saying all this to a junior like you? It would only add to your troubles. But... Yang Xiao, you are very much like I was when I was young. If you continue to walk resolutely on the path you have chosen, there will definitely be a time in the future when your name becomes known throughout the world of martial arts."

Jiushan Cangxuan looked at Yang Xiao as if he were examining a younger family member, "Not bad, Yang Xiao, it seems you’ve gained a lot from this Secret Realm journey. Now you are just half a step away from becoming a true Upper Ghost-level Apostle."

Upon awakening, Yang Xiao immediately noticed the changes in his own spiritual power. Before entering the Secret Realm, he had just stepped into the Mid-stage Ghost Level not long ago. But after coming out, he had faintly touched upon the threshold of the Upper Ghost Level. Such progress is nothing short of astonishing.

It must be noted that it was only a few months ago that he had just broken through to the Mid-stage Ghost Level. The Secret Realms of the Yi Sect and the Ju Mountain Family provided him with great assistance.

Yang Xiao could almost confirm that after another round of tempering in the Nightmare World, he would be able to break through this threshold and become a genuine Upper Ghost-level Apostle.

The next time he saw Elder Sheng again, he would certainly give him a surprise.

Saving the world seemed too far away for the current Yang Xiao; what he was thinking about right now was how to survive. His enemies were numerous, and increasing his strength was an urgent task. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

He needed to retrieve the Ghost Lantern handle from the Master of Bone Pavilion, guard against the Yu Yan Sect Master stealing his Soul-Capturing Mirror, and assist Elder Sheng in reclaiming Yiling Academy. The Dharma Sect of Yin Temple also had a grudge against him...

Of course, these were not the most critical issues. He still had to deal with the increasingly obnoxious Opera Robe Ghost—a character that had become even more active.

This Secret Realm journey, Tong Han not only resolved the backlash caused by that ring, but also experienced an increase in spiritual power, finally breaking through that threshold. He was now a genuine Ghost-level Apostle.

In the following days, Yang Xiao spent his time recuperating. Jiushan Cangxuan would occasionally call him over to check on his physical condition and teach him some new things, which greatly benefited Yang Xiao.

Meanwhile, the Ju Mountain Family prepared a disciple induction ceremony for Tong Han. The scene wasn’t particularly grand, but it was very ceremonious. Considering Tong Han’s status, the ceremony was conducted according to the customs from Yang Xiao’s side. Tong Han knelt and offered tea to Jiushan Jinglan, who was seated in the main position, took a sip, and nodded in acknowledgment of accepting this disciple.

The ceremony invited only a few guests, held in a private room deep within the Ju Mountain Family’s mansion, ensuring utmost confidentiality. Yet, all five top experts of the Ju Mountain Family were present, giving full respect to Tong Han and Yang Xiao.

With the ceremony complete, Tong Han officially became Jiushan Jinglan’s Inner Chamber Disciple, and Yang Xiao was happy that his good brother had found such a substantial backing.

Time flew by, and during this period, Yang Xiao’s body gradually recovered. However, he was confused because he hadn’t seen Jiu Shan Sha Yue during this time, nor had Beiyu Ye, as though they had vanished from the world.

Taking advantage of Tong Han visiting him, Yang Xiao asked about the two, but Tong Han hadn’t seen them either.

Connecting to what Jiushan Cangxuan had initially said to him, Yang Xiao speculated that the two were likely together, either crafting a powerful puppet or... completing a mission together.

But Yang Xiao was merely curious and had no intention of delving deeper into it, as it was a private matter of the Jiushan Family, which he shouldn’t meddle in.

What he truly cared about was that Jiu Shan Sha Yue had promised to help him investigate Sato Shouta’s family.

The next day, when Yang Xiao met Jiushan Cangxuan again, he requested the Jiusan Family Master to assist him in finding Sato Shouta’s family.

"Yang Xiao, take this." Jiushan Cangxuan pushed a paper bag placed on the table towards him.

Yang Xiao took it and opened it to find the address of Sato Shouta’s family and some photos, including Sato Shouta’s own grave.

As he examined the information, Yang Xiao realized that the situation was far more severe than he had anticipated. Next to Sato Shouta’s tombstone, there was another gravestone with the likeness of a dignified middle-aged man.

The man named Sato Kojiro was exactly the father Sato Shouta had been so proud of.

The data revealed that Sato Shouta had gone missing seven years ago. After his disappearance, his father Sato Kojiro spent vast amounts of time and money to find his son, which led to neglecting the company, causing it to collapse due to poor management, leaving Sato Kojiro heartbroken and eventually leading to his death.

Though Sato Shouta’s mother was still alive, the trauma had taken a toll on her mental health.

"Senior Jiu Shan, I wish to personally visit Sato Shouta’s mother and hope you can facilitate this." Yang Xiao requested Jiushan Cangxuan.

"Of course, now that your health has mostly recovered, you may depart whenever you wish," Jiushan Cangxuan agreed.

Thus, with Jiushan Cangxuan’s arrangements, Yang Xiao prepared quickly and set out during the night. Sato Shouta’s family wasn’t located in the Shikoku Region, but across the sea in Kyushu Kagoshima.

Kyushu wasn’t the territory of the Ju Mountain Family, meaning they couldn’t operate as ostentatiously as they did within Shikoku. The Ju Mountain Family arranged for two companions to accompany Yang Xiao, and the three of them set off on a commercial flight, soon landing at an airport within Kyushu.

Much to Yang Xiao’s relief, there was an airport in Kagoshima. After landing, a car picked them up and headed towards the city center.

Driving the car was a woman, seemingly in her thirties, dressed in a beige trench coat and wearing black sunglasses. She was tall and fair-skinned, with dark red wavy hair, giving the impression of not being purely Japanese, possibly a crossbreed with Western Europeans.

The woman drove them to a villa, settled Yang Xiao’s two companions there, and then set off with Yang Xiao alone.

"Special Envoy, please forgive the discretion. This isn’t Shikoku Island, so a lower profile is advisable. Moreover... things have been unstable here lately," the woman mentioned, focusing on driving.

"Is there a particular situation recently?" Yang Xiao asked out of curiosity.

"Traces of Ghost Sect Apostle activities have been detected here recently. It’s the Kah Party folk, not easy to handle," the woman replied.

"Have you engaged with them?" Yang Xiao furrowed his brows. He had encountered the Kah Party ninjas before and knew they were a tough crowd.

"Yes, we took out one of their contact stations but found no big fish. There’s intelligence indicating that their Kah Party headquarters have taken notice of this place," the woman’s driving demeanor was impressive, "Considering the late hour, it’s not convenient tonight. I’ll take you to a specially arranged safe house to rest. Rest assured, it’s absolutely safe there."

"What’s our plan thereafter?" Yang Xiao inquired, acknowledging the territory was theirs and not wanting to cause trouble.

"Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to see the woman, and in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Qing Mountain Cemetery outside the city. The person you’re seeking is buried there, but I’ve checked—it’s a cenotaph without ashes," the woman elaborated, "Though the person went missing, investigations suggest they perished being caught up in the Nightmare World."

"If there’s nothing else, I’d suggest you leave by tomorrow night, don’t linger here. The family is very concerned about your safety," the woman added.

"Understood, I won’t cause you any trouble," Yang Xiao nodded. fгeewebnovёl.com

Turning his head, Yang Xiao gazed out the window. It was now late at night, the sky was dark and rainy, the temperature chilly. This scene couldn’t help but remind Yang Xiao of the scenery within the Ghost Dream of the Secret Realm. And here, beneath his feet, was the place where Sato Shouta had lived.

"Mr. Sato, I’m here..." Yang Xiao murmured quietly, leaning against the car window.