Chapter 034: Hatred of Solomon

But in reality, through the contract, Wang Bo could sense that Lady Gremory was still alive and well.

However, as to where she was, Wang Bo was not entirely sure.

Moreover, based on the news Wang Bo had gathered, everything in Chang'an was normal and had not suffered a devastating blow, which indicated that Lady Gremory had indeed not started a war with Mephisto in Chang'an.

As for where the two had started their battle, Wang Bo was also unclear.

There was only one thing he could do now.

Wait.

Fortunately, Wang Bo still had Qin Liangyu by his side. With her company, Wang Bo did not appear overly anxious; instead, he remained steady, silently awaiting Lady Gremory's return.

But what Wang Bo did not expect was that on the afternoon of the third day, instead of Lady Gremory, an imperial edict arrived.

A eunuch came to his door and proclaimed the edict issued by Li Longji.

The content of the edict was simple: it invited Wang Bo to come to Chang'an, saying that Yang Yuhuan was very fond of the gift he had given her at the Extreme Joy Banquet, and had spoken many good words about him before Li Longji.

Li Longji was overjoyed and wanted to reward An Lushan in person.

The eunuch who announced the edict was all smiles, congratulating Wang Bo, repeatedly claiming that he had never seen a general so favored by the emperor's grace.

The implication was simple: Wang Bo was about to receive a promotion and a title.

Upon hearing this, Wang Bo couldn't help but find it both amusing and frustrating. He really didn't want to go to Chang'an right now—it was not a good place.

Especially now!

Heaven knew where Lady Gremory was battling Mephisto, or if they had even fought at all.

If they hadn't fought, and he went to Chang'an, he would be falling right into Mephisto's hands.

So Wang Bo instinctively wanted to refuse.

But just then, Lady Gremory's voice came through the contract: "Come to Chang'an and help me."

Wang Bo was startled and asked through the contract, "Where are you now?"

"I'm in Chang'an... the palace..." Suddenly, Lady Gremory's voice became intermittent, as if disturbed by something.

After a moment, it cut off completely.

No matter how much Wang Bo asked, there was no response.

Wang Bo fell into thought. The imperial edict inviting him to Chang'an, and Lady Gremory suddenly asking him to come at this very moment—could it be a coincidence?

If not, was there some conspiracy behind it?

Should he go to Chang'an or not?

To be honest, he was still a bit intimidated by Mephisto. He was just an ordinary person, wasn't he? Why did he have to face a demon lord of hell in this world?

It wasn't scientific, nor was it magical.

With two big shots clashing, he, a small fry, might get crushed to pieces if he squeezed in.

Wang Bo didn't want to court death.

The eunuch who had delivered the edict saw Wang Bo's silence and broke out in a cold sweat. Before he came, High Attendant Gao had instructed him to trick An Lushan into coming to Chang'an by any means necessary.

If he failed, he would face certain death upon his return.

Thus, Wang Bo's silence put immense pressure on him. The eunuch wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, wanting to urge him but afraid that showing too much eagerness would make An Lushan see through his scheme.

He could only hold his breath and wait for Wang Bo's response.

Qin Liangyu, having spent these days with Wang Bo, had a general understanding of his character. Knowing that Wang Bo was caught in a dilemma, she stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, you still have me."

These words instantly jolted Wang Bo awake.

That's right, he wasn't alone; he had Qin Liangyu by his side.

If Qin Liangyu wasn't enough, he also knew how to summon other demons.

Since one Lady Gremory wasn't a match for Mephisto, he would summon the seventy-two pillar demons. He believed that if these demons united, defeating Mephisto wouldn't be too difficult.

Of course, Wang Bo also knew that with his magical power, he couldn't possibly summon all seventy-two pillar demons to the human world.

After all, just one Lady Gremory had consumed thousands of years of his lifespan.

Although Wang Bo had indeed gained immortality, this power was not infinite. If too much life force was drawn, Wang Bo would die.

Even with the Twelve Trials allowing him to resurrect, that was not a reason for Wang Bo to disregard his life force.

After all, the Twelve Trials were not omnipotent and were insufficient to help Wang Bo summon all seventy-two pillar demons to the human world.

It wasn't scientific, nor was it magical.

So, to be safe, Wang Bo decided to summon a more powerful demon.

Having made up his mind, Wang Bo said with a smile to the eunuch who had delivered the edict, "Eunuch, please wait a moment. I'll prepare now and set off with you for Chang'an shortly."

The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief, a bright smile spreading across his face. "Then I shall await General An here."

Wang Bo nodded and took Qin Liangyu to prepare.

He first ordered someone to prepare a carriage, then took Qin Liangyu into the desert, where he once again drew a magic circle, ready to summon a new demon.

This time, Wang Bo planned to summon the chief of the seventy-two pillar demons.

Bael!

This Bael was no ordinary figure. He was the first of King Solomon's seventy-two pillars, one of the Four Crown Princes, the king of hell commanding sixty-six legions of infernal spirits, and the ruler of the eastern regions of hell.

In Semitic languages, 'Bael' means 'lord.' Originally a symbol of power, dominion, law, justice, and decisiveness, Bael somehow fell and became the king of hell.

This time, Wang Bo went to great lengths to summon Bael.

Besides his surging magical power, Wang Bo was unsparing with his life force, converting it into magical energy and pouring it into the magic circle.

After consuming another several thousand years of life force, Bael finally responded to Wang Bo's summoning.

The magic circle emitted a dazzling light, and a black cat appeared within it.

Wang Bo was not surprised. According to the Key of Solomon, Bael appears in various forms, sometimes as a human, sometimes changing into other shapes. His voice is harsh.

In legends, his image is that of a man holding a great hammer in his right hand, emitting lightning bolts from his left, wearing a conical crown with two horns, and riding upon thunder.

Of course, Bael had also appeared in forms such as a frog or a cat.

The black cat before him was very likely Bael.

Wang Bo said, "Great lord of hell, ruler of the eastern hell, Bael, I need your help."

The black cat lifted its head, glanced at Wang Bo haughtily, and spoke its first words.

"I hate Solomon!"