Cathulhu Online, MUNYA!

Chapter 163 – Cat Dad Prepares for Audience

Xiaomao shook his head. He suspected as much, but he didn’t know that the famous princess was an apostle of Pangu. Now, he realized that he might have offended her and the emperor by ruining the Pangu Church.

‘They hid it well. I thought the emperor and the princess were not a part of the Pangu Church. But why did Bush Cox investigate the church when the royalties were on Pangu’s side?’

Something didn’t make sense here.

Before the regression, the Pangu Church dictated the Yuan Emperor and controlled the Yuan Empire. They even waged war against non-believers, player guilds, and other hostile NPCs that didn’t submit to the church.

But here, Xiaomao discovered the truth that Princess Yuan Hua was a member of the Pangu Faction from the very beginning.

Xiaomao was confused, but he blamed himself for not learning more of the game world’s lore before the regression. The new info surprised him, and it disrupted his future plans.

‘But if Bush Cox worked for Yuan Emperor, then the emperor might not know about Yuan Hua’s status as an apostle of Pangu. Is that the case?’

He came up with the hypothesis. Then, he looked at Mimir.

“Does the emperor know about his sister’s faction?”

“Probably not. He’s obsessed with glory and wealth to the point that he delegates all domestic tasks to the princess, but he still has several loyal retainers by his side. As far as I know, the thief guild is still working under him.”

“Cool. Do you know an agent by the name Bush Cox, munya?”

Mimir chuckled, “Is that a real name? For real?”

“I don’t know. He said that was his name, munya.”

“He probably got bullied when he was young. Anyway, I don’t know the guy.”

Xiaomao was disappointed. He wished that the wise archbishop knew every character in the game so that he could simply ask Mimir whenever he wanted to learn more about other NPCs.

“By the way, what’s next?” Mimir smiled at Xiaomao.

“What happened to Zhao Fei, munya?”

“He escaped. Sorry that I failed you.”

“Err…”

Xiaomao didn’t expect that Mimir would apologize. He thought that the old man would be more dignified or prideful. However, he seemed polite and humble despite his age and level.

“I’m planning to take a short break here until sunrise. Then, I’ll report to the emperor, munya,” Xiaomao changed the subject.

“Good. Let’s rest and wait for that silly lion.”

Xiaomao’s crew got in the cabin and rested for the day.

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7 AM

Xiaomao gathered his crew to discuss the backup plan during the audience with the emperor. Mimir was also among them as he was interested in what Xiaomao was planning. Vice versa, Xiaomao also needed Mimir’s wisdom.

When all members, except Taotie, were on the deck, Xiaomao told them what he had thought after a night of rest.

“I’m sure that the cultists can recognize me. If they see me in the palace, they will surely find fault with me and have me arrested, munya. What do you think, senior Mimir?”

Mimir glanced in the direction of the castle. His eyes gleamed for a moment before he beamed Xiaomao with a bright smile.

“That won’t be a problem. I don’t detect any Zhao Fei’s men in there.”

“Are you sure, munya?” Xiaomao was surprised.

“Positive. However, their royal guards will surely recognize me if I go with you, and it might jeopardize your plan. Therefore, I can’t go to the castle with you.”

Xiaomao understood Mimir. After all, Yuan Hua and Mimir were both apostles, and they might know each other. If she found him, she and her goons might start a fight, and Xiaomao would get caught up in the crossfire.

“Of course, I can’t ask senior to go with me. So, for now, I’ll bring the strongest members here as my escort, munya!”

Hearing that Xiaomao wanted to bring the strongest escorts, Shepherd puffed his chest.

“Lucky and John. You two come with me. As for the rest, stay in the ship, munya!”

Shepherd was crestfallen. He looked at Lucky and rechecked her level.

When Shepherd saw Lucky and John’s current level, he pouted and pointed at his level as well.

Xiaomao saw Shepherd’s reaction. His sight followed Shepherd’s finger.

<strong>Shepherd, Level 200</strong>

“Huh? Since when?!”

Shepherd smacked his chest with his fist, mimicking Peter and Andrew’s body language.

Xiaomao tilted his head, unable to understand. Then, he turned to Magdalene.

“What’s he saying, munya?”

<Magdalene translates his words for you. He said that he worked hard, and you should be relying on him.>

“Are you sure?”

<Magdalene wants you to examine his status.>

Xiaomao shrugged. He opened Shepherd’s status menu and viewed his progress.

.

<strong>Name:</strong> Shepherd

<strong>Rarity:</strong> Super Rare

<strong>Race:</strong> High Human

<strong>Relationship:</strong> Engaged (Magdalene, the World Tree Fairy)

<strong>Classes:</strong> Fisherman, Apprentice Archmage

<strong>Class Skills and Spells:</strong> Fishing Spot Finder, Eight Element Mastery, Eight Element Manipulation, Nature Magic Mastery, Water Bullet, Cleansing Water, Bog Trap, Water Gathering, and 20 others.

<strong>Racial Skills:</strong> Entity’s Luck, Joshua’s Karma<strong></strong>

<strong>Learned Skills (0/10):</strong> None

<strong>Learned Spells:</strong> <strong>(10/20):</strong> Chain Lightning, Earth Binding, Earth Armor, Hell Flame, Firewall, Tidal Wave, Weapon Summoning, Shadow Teleportation, Holy Light, Mass Heal.

<strong>Titles:</strong> Joshua’s Doppelgänger, and three others.

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<strong>LEVEL:</strong> 200/500

<strong>Status Attributes</strong>

STR: 1,991

DEX: 1,398

AGI: 1,283

VIT: 1,958

INT: 2,727

WIS: 1,129

LUCK: 1,100

Allocable Status Points: 0

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<strong>Spiritual Roots</strong>

Fire: 2,000

Water: 3,000

Wind: 3,000

Metal: 2,000

Wood: 2,000

Lightning: 2,000

Darkness: 2,000

Light: 3,000

Allocable Status Points: 0

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This guy had been grinding! Moreover, his stats surpassed Xiaomao!

“HOW THE HELL?!”

The stats surpassed local boss monsters at the same level by miles. Moreover, this wasn’t the status of a level-200 character even if it was super rare!

Magdalene grinned and smacked her chest with pride.

<Magdalene wants you to worship her.>

Xiaomao stared at Magdalene in astonishment. He had the urge to kowtow to her for real.

However, Mimir revealed the truth.

“I sense blessing magic from an entity. He seems to be under the protection of a god or an immortal like me. I think he gains power from external sources as well.”

“Hoh?”

Indeed, there were strange titles and other skills that Xiaomao hadn’t checked yet. Moreover, Shepherd had this weird racial skill “Entity Luck” which was hidden before when Xiaomao created his character.

Xiaomao raised his brows and smiled at Magdalene. He rechecked her level.

<strong>Magdalene, the World Tree Fairy, Level 1,038</strong>

She was not even level 1,000 when she first engaged to Shepherd. But now, her level reached four digits. It was obvious that they had been grinding levels behind the scene.

“I won’t question you how you got those stats, munya. But since you’re so strong, I’ll give the spirit stones to someone who needs them. Andrew, take these.”

Xiaomao passed the last batch of 100 spirit stones to Andrew. The dwarf took it in glee and gave him a thumbs up.

“You know what to do. Stay in the ship and cultivate in your free time, munya!”

Andrew nodded. He took the bag of spirit stones and rushed to his cabin.

Meanwhile, Shepherd looked at Xiaomao with his puppy eyes, wanting to tag along. On the other hand, Lucky frowned and clicked her tongue, not wanting this man to ruin her date with Xiaomao.

“Alright, alright. You win, Shepherd. You come along with me and Lucky, munya! I’ll only be two of you since we might have to fight our way out.”

Shepherd was overjoyed. However, he pointed at Magdalene and gesture if she could tag along.

“Magdalene can come, too.”

Magdalene’s mouth curved up into a smug smile. She nodded in approval.

<Magdalene assure you that nothing can go wrong with her around.>

Xiaomao sighed. He turned his attention to the meeting and proceeded with his agenda.

“Alright. Even though I pick Lucky and Shepherd to come along, that doesn’t mean that you have nothing to do on the ship, munya. Listen carefully and take notes…”

The meeting lasted 30 minutes as Xiaomao gave everyone a task to do, including Mimir.

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8 AM

Shepherd walked in front of the party as he had the best appearance among them. Both Lucky and Shepherd wore cosmetic cash-shop clothes, hiding his bone armor set underneath.

Lucky had a Valkyrie-like cosmetic armor. Even her bone axe was hidden.

As for Shepherd, he wore a suit like a gentleman. He also had a cane and a tall black hat, replacing the outward appearance of his weapon and headwear.

Xiaomao remained as usual – A catopus with a golden crown and bone earrings. With these two additional pieces of equipment, his combat prowess rivaled both Lucky and Shepherd.

Still, Xiaomao continued to hide his golden name for safety. He didn’t want to attract too much attention at the moment.

Walking for 10 minutes, the group reached the front of the castle. Then, Lucky walked toward the level-200 late-middle-aged guards in front of the castle gate.

“I’m here with Xiaomao. We’re here to answer the summon.”

Lucky showed the guard Xiaomao’s wanted poster and the announcement leaflet that asked Xiaomao to visit the capital city.

The guard stared at Lucky’s gears for a moment. Seeing that her clothes hid most of her skin, they clicked their tongues in disappointment. But when they saw the levels of Shepherd and Lucky, they were taken aback.

“L-Level 200?!”

The guards in front of the castle were level 200 as well. However, they understood how painful it was to reach this far. Only when they looked at their names and levels, they finally noticed the catopus on Lucky’s shoulder.

They compared the portrait and Xiaomao’s appearance. However, they frowned.

“Reveal your name, Sir Xiaomao.”

Xiaomao pursed his lips. Though reluctant, he canceled the chameleon skill and revealed his gold name.

Seeing Xiaomao’s name, the guard opened the gate for them to enter.