"Young Master Chen, why have you returned?"
As soon as Chen Nan appeared, Su Daji's voice rang out.
"I borrowed some magical treasures, so I wanted to try," Chen Nan said.
He was lying.
The reason for this was simply to earn the favor of these great demons.
Yes.
If he had removed the divine talisman with a wave of his hand, these great demons would not have given it any thought.
It was like finding someone's lost wallet on the street.
Picking it up and returning it would surely elicit thanks.
But that would be all.
However, if one were to save a dying person from a traffic accident, that person would undoubtedly remember it.
They would be grateful for their benefactor's kindness their entire lives.
It was roughly the same principle.
"You all, step back!"
Upon hearing Chen Nan's voice, the ten great demons inside retreated to the rear, their eyes filled with nervousness.
They were unsure if Chen Nan could remove the divine talisman on the stone door.
The next moment, a rumbling sound emanated from the stone door.
Terrifying energy spread, causing the ten great demons to feel a tremor in their hearts.
After an unknown amount of time, a blinding golden light suddenly erupted from the door crack.
Immediately after, their eyes lit up as they sensed the power of the divine talisman had vanished.
Without hesitation, the ten great demons immediately broke open the stone door.
What greeted them was Chen Nan, covered in blood and appearing extremely weak.
They had not expected Chen Nan to be so heavily injured.
"Esteemed sirs, I have fulfilled my promise. You are now free to leave..." Chen Nan coughed up blood, appearing as though he could die at any moment.
King Kong Que, Kong Xuan, who was in the form of a middle-aged man, spoke with immense respect: "Young Master Chen has removed the divine talisman today and saved our lives. We will never forget this great kindness. Should you encounter any trouble in the future, you may command my Peacock clan." With that, he produced a cyan feather.
The Great Azure Ox spat out a silver bracelet: "This is a gift to repay your kindness. If you meet my master in the future, I will certainly speak highly of you to him."
"Thank you, elder!" Chen Nan thanked them weakly.
An ordinary person would have been overjoyed.
After all, the Great Azure Ox's master was Yuanshi Tianzun, a quasi-saint.
But Chen Nan was the hope of the Three Realms!
Even if the Great Azure Ox praised Chen Nan to the heavens, it would not bring him any greater benefits.
Subsequently, the other great demons also presented Chen Nan with some treasures to express their gratitude before departing.
"I truly never expected to obtain so many treasures!" Chen Nan rejoiced. Although he had become the Lord of the Underworld, one thing was evident. These treasures were from the Investiture of the Gods period. While not divine artifacts, they were rare and precious magical items.
"They have all left, and it is time for me to depart as well!"
Just as Chen Nan was about to leave, a robust figure appeared before him.
It was Ma Shan, one of the ten great demons.
Those familiar with the Investiture of the Gods would know him well. Legend had it that Ma Shan was the lamp wick of Daoist Randeng's Glazed Lamp that had gained sentience. He descended to aid Yin Jiao. His greatest characteristic was his resilience and toughness, as even Jiang Ziya's Samadhi True Fire could not kill him. It was only when Yang Jian exposed his true nature with the Demon-Slaying Mirror that Randeng intervened and took the troublesome lamp wick away. He later converted to Buddhism. The Buddha, in his effort to expel dissidents, suppressed all those unorthodox Buddhist demons in this very place.
Chen Nan politely asked, "Elder Ma, why have you returned?"
"Did you leave something behind in this prison?"
Ma Shan grinned with an ill intentioned smile: "Young friend Chen, you have obtained quite a few treasures just now. My cultivation is still lacking, so I wish to borrow your magical treasures for a while. What do you say?"
"Ah?"
Chen Nan was completely stunned. Borrow his magical treasures?
Seeing Chen Nan hesitate, Ma Shan's eyes widened: "What, you are unwilling?"
Chen Nan quickly replied, "Please calm your anger, elder. I did not hear clearly. Did you say 'borrow' or 'rob'?"
Ma Shan revealed a knowing smile: "The meaning is pretty much the same, why be so particular?"
Chen Nan also smiled: "So, elder, you intend to rob me of my magical treasures?"
"If you don't want to die, hand them over quickly!" Ma Shan lost his patience.
Chen Nan laughed in anger: "Have you forgotten? It was I who removed the divine talisman and saved you all?"
Ma Shan said coldly, "Precisely because you saved us, I haven't killed you directly."
"Elder, you seem rather ungrateful!" Chen Nan stood up weakly, a bitter smile on his face. "Are you not afraid of heavenly retribution for acting this way?"
"I do not wish to waste words. If you do not hand over those magical treasures, I will take your life now!" A cold killing intent flickered in Ma Shan's eyes.
"I truly did not expect that I would save such an ungrateful wretch!" Chen Nan sighed. "I should not have rescued you."
Ma Shan: "In this world, is there so much 'if only'?"
Chen Nan shrugged unapologetically: "You speak the truth. Indeed, there is not so much 'if only' in this world. I shall give you these four words as well."
"What do you mean?" Ma Shan's gaze turned wary. "Also, why are you not panicked seeing me return? Do you have some other trick up your sleeve?"
"Impossible. You are severely injured and cannot possibly have any other means."
Chen Nan reached out across the space, and Ma Shan's face immediately turned pale.
His body uncontrollably floated upwards.
He struggled incessantly, but all his efforts were in vain.
This filled his heart with endless fear, as he had no idea how Chen Nan's strength was so formidable.
"I must congratulate you, you are the only one who knows my identity!" Chen Nan's injuries instantly healed.
Ma Shan's scalp tingled: "Your previous injuries were all a ruse?"
"Why did you do that?"
"Is deceiving people fun?"
"Also, who exactly are you?"
Chen Nan: "You may call me the Lord of the Underworld!"
As he spoke, Ma Shan let out a piercing scream.
His body rapidly began to grow younger.
From a middle-aged man, he became a young man.
From a young man, he became a child.
Finally, he transformed into an infant.
"Elder Chen, I was wrong, please spare me!" Ma Shan's mind shattered, and he pleaded incessantly.
He had only intended to return to borrow a few magical treasures.
He never imagined Chen Nan's strength was so terrifying.
He did not believe Chen Nan was the ruler of the Underworld.
However, apart from a ruler of a realm, who else could control time and make someone regress to youth?
This was something he had never dreamed of.
If only...
At this moment, a strong sense of regret and bitterness welled up within him.
As he had said before, in this world, was there so much 'if only'?
"Die!"
Chen Nan said indifferently.
Ma Shan then vanished from existence.
Chen Nan returned to his residence in Fengdu City.
He was going to bid farewell to the Lu sisters and return to the mortal realm!