Mother Pope, I'm Here to Claim the Reward You Promised Me Three Years Ago

As the lamps were lit for the evening, lights came on in every branch hall of Spirit Hall.

Papal Hall.

Bibi Dong, the Pope, sat upright on the jade Pope's throne, dressed in a red gown.

At that moment, she felt both flustered and a little excited.

The little boy who used to cling to her leg had returned today after three years of training in the Star Dou Forest.

To her, this was something to be very happy about.

But after returning to Spirit Hall today, he had said only a few words to her, then bathed, changed, and headed to the Worship Hall.

Lin Tian's actions couldn't help but leave the peerless Pope feeling a little disappointed.

Had he forgotten about her?

"Your Holiness, our informants in Nuoding City, Heaven Dou Empire, have spotted Tang Hao. Should we..."

Pope Bibi Dong, lost in her memories, was suddenly pulled back to reality by a voice.

In the hall, a Platinum Bishop who had finished his report looked at her expectantly, waiting for Her Holiness to give an order.

But after calling her several times, he saw that Her Holiness's cheeks were flushed, as if she were daydreaming about love.

Of course, the Platinum Bishop could only keep such thoughts to himself. He wouldn't dare ask Bibi Dong whether she was lovesick in the middle of handling official business!

If he said that to her face, Her Holiness would slap him dead!

"Bishop Sakes, Tang Hao killed the former Pope, so he is an enemy of Spirit Hall. Now Grand Elder Qian Daoliu has ordered the entire continent to hunt him down."

"Pass the word along. Every branch hall of Spirit Hall must intensify its pursuit of Tang Hao. If anyone finds a trace of him, report it immediately."

"If the information proves accurate, I'll petition Grand Elder to grant a special reward to the Soul Master who provided it!"

After speaking, Bibi Dong looked at Bishop Sakes, who seemed somewhat bewildered, and added:

"Bishop Sakes, are you dissatisfied with my instructions?"

Seeing the strange looks from the bishops and elders in the Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong, who had been resting her chin in her hand as she pondered, snapped out of her earlier daydreaming.

Bibi Dong's seemingly casual question immediately made everyone tense.

They all knew that anyone who angered Her Holiness would pay dearly.

Especially Bishop Sals, who had interrupted Her Holiness's thoughts earlier. Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he regretted speaking up.

Whether Tang Hao lived or died didn't matter. He just hoped the other man wouldn't drag him down with him.

If his words had upset Her Holiness and she sent him to preach in the Extreme North, he'd be utterly finished!

The Extreme North was buried beneath snow and ice all year round. Forget preaching—just making it there alive would take tremendous luck.

For Bishop Sals, it was a forbidden place he absolutely couldn't risk going to.

"Your Holiness, your arrangements are excellent. I have nothing more to report. I've already submitted all the information I had!"

Bishop Sakes's voice trembled as he hurriedly declared that his report was complete. He didn't dare provoke the peerless Pope.

As the Pope of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong's imposing presence was simply too terrifying.

To be on the safe side, he'd best say no more.

The other bishops and elders in the hall looked at Bishop Sakes as if he were an idiot. Anyone with eyes could see that Her Holiness had something on her mind, yet this fool had gone on and on reporting official business.

If he didn't get punished, it would hardly make sense.

Meanwhile, all Bibi Dong could think about on the Pope's throne was her three-year pact with Lin Tian for tonight.

That boy had grown strong and vigorous during his training in the Star Dou Forest. Bibi Dong worried that her body might not be able to take it tonight.

After all, youth had the advantage, and young lovers were a widow's weakness!

There was nothing she could do. She had made the promise, so now he would have to claim it.

"All right, today's meeting is over. You may all leave!"

Hearing Her Holiness dismiss them, Bishop Sals finally let out the breath he'd been holding all evening.

As long as she didn't send him to preach in the Extreme North, everything else was fine.

The other bishops who wanted to report matters could see that Her Holiness was in a bad mood today. None of them dared risk provoking her.

If something went wrong with official business, Spirit Hall would bear the burden!

But if something happened to them, it would be their own heads on the line.

As Her Holiness waved them away, everyone present breathed a long sigh of relief.

Judging by Her Holiness's state today, she was probably lovesick!

But they only dared think such things to themselves. None of them would dare spread rumors.

"Elders Ghost and Chrysanthemum, you may leave as well. I'd like to be alone for a while."

After the bishops and elders had left the Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong raised a delicate hand and dismissed Ghost and Chrysanthemum.

"We will obey, Your Holiness!"

The two elders exchanged a glance and said nothing, simply bowing before they withdrew.

They had noticed long ago that Her Holiness had a lot on her mind today.

If their guess was right, it had something to do with the Holy Son.

Whatever happened, they hoped Her Holiness and the Holy Son would have a happy ending!

After bowing, Ghost and Chrysanthemum transformed into streaks of light and vanished outside Pope Palace in the blink of an eye.

Inside the hall, Bibi Dong rested her chin in her hands and gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling windows at Spirit Hall.

Every branch hall was brightly lit, yet a thread of melancholy had crept into her heart.

She wondered whether that boy still thought of her after three years.

At the thought, a blush spread across Bibi Dong's pretty cheeks once more. Only after a long while did she begin walking toward the Pope's Bedchamber.

What was coming would come.

It would be even better if that little rascal had forgotten her. Then she wouldn't have to fulfill her promise from their three-year pact.

Whenever she remembered what she'd said three years ago, the blush on Bibi Dong's lovely face refused to fade.

The reward had demanded far too great a sacrifice from her.

Fortunately, she hadn't given him the full reward back then. Otherwise, she would have lost out badly.

Feeling melancholy, Bibi Dong returned to her Pope's Bedchamber, a little dejected.

Looking at the empty bedchamber, Bibi Dong felt nothing but disappointment.

It seemed he had completely forgotten her during those three years. And yet, when they'd met that morning, he'd spoken as if every word came straight from the heart.

Men really couldn't be relied on!

But just as Bibi Dong entered the bedchamber, a pair of warm hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her into an embrace.

Feeling the familiar aura emanating from him, Bibi Dong realized that the little rascal she had waited three years for had arrived in her bedroom long ago.

"Mother Pope, I'm here to claim the reward you promised me three years ago!"