Netherworld Heavenly King and Netherworld Divine Son

The three of them, along with Bruno the Dragon-Qilin, sat on the boat as it turned and sailed into the endless darkness.

"Brother Tanner, do you really have the title 'Heavenly King'?" Bruno asked curiously.

Tanner Shue snorted, nervously glancing around, refusing to speak.

Cyrus Qi was now completely sober, sitting uneasily between Bruno and Tanner, as nervous as a bride waiting for her groom on their wedding night. He said, "Not many people know the title 'Left Adjutant of the Pioneer Heaven Court,' but plenty have heard of the 'Netherworld Heavenly King.'"

Quinn Shepherd’s curiosity was piqued. "What's the origin of the title 'Netherworld Heavenly King'? Does it have anything to do with the Netherworld Black Emperor?" he asked.

Cyrus Qi’s expression flickered. He glanced at Tanner, saw him cowering in the boat, trembling even more than himself, and finally relaxed. He said, "I once heard the Red Empress mention the title 'Netherworld Heavenly King.' Back then, she wanted me to go to Nether City to study its arts and warned me about all sorts of taboos—especially never to mention the Netherworld Heavenly King by name."

Quinn glanced at Tanner in surprise. "Why is that?" he asked.

"The Black Emperor and the Netherworld Heavenly King are enemies."

Cyrus Qi calmed himself and said, "The title 'Netherworld Heavenly King' was actually conferred by Tu Bo. According to the Red Empress, Brother Tanner’s mastery of soul arts was so high he could freely enter and leave Youdu, earning great fame there. Tu Bo favored him and formally named him the Netherworld Heavenly King. The Red Empress said Tu Bo’s intentions weren’t entirely pure—he wanted to provoke rivalry between the Netherworld Heavenly King and the Black Emperor."

The old Underworld Courier said, "Don’t think so poorly of Tu Bo. He simply saw both Tanner and the Black Emperor as masters of the Youdu divine arts system, each with the potential for greatness. Of course, there was a bit of provocation mixed in."

Cyrus Qi said, "After that, the disciples of the Black Emperor’s line came looking for trouble with the Netherworld Heavenly King, and Brother Tanner killed quite a few of them."

Tanner couldn’t hide his pride. He grinned, "I am a Heavenly King, after all—on par with the Black Emperor himself. How could I possibly be inferior to his disciples?"

Quinn Shepherd looked at Tanner with a strange expression. Who would have thought this incorrigible drunk was so famous—renowned as the equal of Prince Umbral, the Black Emperor?

"Tanner killed nearly all of the Black Emperor’s disciples—even his chief disciple fell to the Netherworld Heavenly King. So the Black Emperor came in person to settle the score."

Cyrus Qi hesitated. "The Red Empress said Brother Tanner was defeated, but the Black Emperor couldn’t kill him—he still managed to escape."

Tanner beamed and chuckled, "I couldn’t beat him, but I’m still a Heavenly King. Killing me isn’t so easy."

"But after that, Brother Tanner fell out with Tu Bo," Cyrus Qi continued.

Tanner’s face turned ashen as he slumped on the little boat, looking miserable. "What could I do? The Pioneer Emperor put the Imperial Gate Divine Saber in my hands and told me to chop Tu Bo. How could I dare? Then the Pioneer Emperor gave me a mountain of fine wine—and it really was good wine. After I drank, I’d have dared to chop anyone, even the Pioneer Emperor! So off I went, saber in hand, charging into Youdu. I only sobered up when Tu Bo caught me..."

Quinn Shepherd’s expression grew even stranger.

Tanner looked timid enough, but his love for wine was legendary—timid when sober, fearless when drunk.

Before drinking, he was a field mouse; after drinking, he was as fierce as a tiger. That was the real Tanner Shue.

The old Underworld Courier didn’t steer the boat toward Saint-King Tianqi’s manor in Tu Bo’s horn, but instead guided them downward, straight toward Tu Bo’s true body beneath the Nine-Bend Horns.

Tanner’s face went pale, and he kept glancing nervously at Quinn Shepherd.

Quinn stammered, "We’re probably going to see Tu Bo’s true form. Don’t be scared, don’t be scared..."

Gradually, they could see Tu Bo’s enormous eyes. The closer they got, the larger those three eyes became. As for Tu Bo’s full form, it was impossible to make out.

Quinn also saw that Tu Bo’s skin was home to countless ghosts—like endless continents, each teeming with spectral life. Some built magnificent cities, others waged wars that shook the heavens and earth, all on Tu Bo’s body. Yet none of it could harm him in the slightest.

He saw enormous demon-beasts trudging along, palaces chained to their backs. The demon-beasts moved with great effort, step by step across Tu Bo’s flesh.

"Those grand halls are home to powerful divine Primordial Spirits. The demon-beasts are their mounts, subdued and tamed to carry them around."

Tanner said, "Anyone with any status in Youdu keeps a demon-beast or two for mounts. When they visit friends, they ride those beasts, their palaces chained to their backs—imposing and grand. Back in the old days, when I was mixing it up in Youdu, I was just as impressive."

The old Underworld Courier chuckled, "After you meet Tu Bo, Heavenly King, you can be that impressive again."

Tanner stopped talking, his face full of misery.

Quinn Shepherd tried to comfort him. "Don’t worry, he’s just trying to scare you. Tu Bo has a big heart—he won’t do anything to you."

The old Underworld Courier sneered, "You’re no different. Don’t think Tu Bo doesn’t know—someone stole his power not long ago, and that was you, wasn’t it? Tu Bo keeps a record of your misdeeds."

Quinn laughed, "Lord Prefect, I only did it to save Lady Umbral. Lady Umbral rules over broken souls—she takes care of those whose souls are shattered; whole souls belong to Tu Bo. I couldn’t let her die for nothing, so I borrowed a bit of Tu Bo’s and Heaven Duke’s power without asking. Heaven Duke even praised me for doing the right thing."

"Heaven Duke said that?" the old Underworld Courier asked, intrigued.

Quinn replied seriously, "Of course! Heaven Duke is wise and just—he supported my actions wholeheartedly. He even said Tu Bo would understand and approve. You think Tu Bo is holding a grudge, but you must be mistaken. I’d rather not disturb him now that I’m back in Youdu. Why not just send us home quietly?"

"We’ve already arrived."

The old Underworld Courier was as calm as ever, ignoring Quinn’s earnest face. The boat drifted steadily toward Tu Bo’s third eye. Soon, the eye faded from view, replaced by endless red light.

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The boat sailed into the red light. Quinn looked back, shivering slightly. Through Tu Bo’s eye, he saw countless worlds and the souls of every living thing within them—all reflected before his eyes!

"Such vast power..."

Deep within the red light was a circular platform, hundreds of yards wide, crowned by a palace. The boat landed on the platform and came to a stop.

Quinn and the others disembarked. Tanner nearly collapsed to the ground. Just then, a gentle voice laughed, "Tu Bo has guests—since that’s the case, I won’t intrude. I’ll visit another day. Farewell."

Quinn paused at the sound, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

The old Underworld Courier moored the boat. "Wait for the guest to leave, then we’ll go in," he said.

After a moment, Quinn saw a tall, elegant man step out of the palace. The man was strikingly handsome, with an indescribable aura—just seeing him felt like basking in the spring wind, impossible not to like.

Once, Quinn had imagined that if the Apothecary from Oldridge Village still had his face, he would look just like this.

Tanner’s expression changed. He snorted coldly.

The handsome man approached, greeting the old Underworld Courier. "Lord Prefect."

The old Underworld Courier returned the salute but said nothing.

The handsome man glanced at Tanner and paused, then smiled. "So, it’s the Heavenly King. You’re still alive, I see."

Tanner straightened up, all weakness gone. His ram horns gleamed coldly as he replied, "Thanks for your concern, but I’m not dead yet!"

The handsome man looked around with a smile. "Yan Shaoqing trapped you in the Imperial Gate Divine Saber, so escaping was impressive enough. But you chopped off Tu Bo’s horn—whether you survive that is another matter. By the way, I knew you loved wine, so I told Yan Shaoqing to bring you some. How did it taste?"

Tanner’s goatee bristled with fury.

The handsome man smiled faintly. "This is Youdu. Don’t get reckless. Oh, that’s right—you’ve already been reckless once. Cyrus, what brings you here?"

Cyrus Qi’s face changed slightly. He stepped out from behind Bruno the Dragon-Qilin and bowed. "Greetings, Master!"

The handsome man looked him over and frowned. "You’re just a primordial spirit now. Where’s your physical body?"

Cyrus Qi looked ashamed. "I was sucked into the Imperial Gate Divine Saber—my body is still in the Great Ruins of the lower realm."

Quinn Shepherd’s heart skipped a beat. Now he knew exactly who the handsome man was.

"The Nether Emperor—Prince Umbral, the Black Emperor!"

His aura fluctuated for a moment, but he quickly suppressed it. He thought, "Prince Umbral has come to Youdu to see Tu Bo—could it be about reviving Lady Umbral? I used Tu Bo’s power to bring her back—he surely knows."

Prince Umbral seemed to sense the disturbance and looked his way, praising, "Your primordial spirit is steady—a fine young man. Tanner, is this your disciple?"

Tanner chuckled. "None of your business."

Prince Umbral smiled warmly at Quinn. "There’s no future following this rebel. If you get the chance, come to the Netherworld and join me. I admire young men like you."

Quinn was flustered, glancing between Tanner and Prince Umbral, at a loss for words.

Prince Umbral strode away, saying, "Cyrus, since Tu Bo wishes to see you all, I won’t force you to leave. Once you’re done here, return to the living world and reclaim your body. Leave as soon as you can—your senior brothers have already begun their tribulations. I came to discuss with Tu Bo how to handle the souls of the billions who recently died in the lower realm."

"Yes, Master." Cyrus Qi bowed deeply and only straightened after Prince Umbral had gone.

Quinn narrowed his eyes. Prince Umbral’s presence was overwhelming—he had dominated Tanner from start to finish. Truly a formidable figure.

Cyrus Qi gave him a sidelong glance. "My master didn’t recognize you."

"Thank you," Quinn said, bowing.

Cyrus started to say something, then sighed. "We were supposed to be rivals, but somehow we ended up sworn brothers. I can’t betray you now, even if I wanted to. How did this happen?"

He looked dazed and lost.

Tanner asked curiously, "Quinn, what did you do? Why can’t you reveal your identity in front of the Black Emperor?"

Quinn sighed. "It’s a long story."

Tanner’s eyes widened, his curiosity growing.

The old Underworld Courier stepped forward. "Let’s go in. Don’t keep Tu Bo waiting."

Tanner immediately collapsed again, like a goat struck dead, sprawled on the ground. Quinn grabbed his horns and dragged him all the way into the great hall.

Tu Bo was right in front of them—probably just an avatar—wreathed in flames, with a tiger’s head, ox horns, and a human body, flipping through a towering stack of documents.

"Lord Prefect, did you add the charge of stealing my power to his record?" Tu Bo asked without looking up.

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