Chapter 251 - 184: Hostage Exchange

"Boxi, I’ll follow you in secret. I doubt that kid will be able to spot me!"

Behind Yuwen Boxi, the brocade-robed elder, a Fourth Grade Realm cultivator, spoke in a low voice.

This man’s name was Kang Shixiang. He was Yuwen Boxi’s older cousin and had joined the Xuanhuang Sect as a child. He was now one of the sect’s Law Enforcement Elders.

He was exceptionally close with Yuwen Boxi, not just because of their blood ties, but because they had roamed the Jianghu together in their youth, getting into all sorts of outrageous mischief.

They even used disguises to pose as infamous womanizers, becoming kindred spirits in debauchery.

Hearing this, Yuwen Boxi mused for a moment before saying, "Big Brother, we can’t afford to underestimate this kid any longer. For him to capture my son alive in the prefectural city... he’s clearly very resourceful."

But Kang Shixiang disagreed, letting out a light snort. "He was sent running with his tail between his legs by a single Sword Nine strike from that useless glory hound, Zhao Ke. Heh, you’re thinking far too highly of this boy!"

A flash of irritation went through Yuwen Boxi, but he managed to suppress it, holding his tongue.

’For Zheng’Er’s safety, it’s best we do as this kid says for now. Once we’ve rescued Zheng’Er, hmph...’ Yuwen Boxi’s eyes narrowed, and the killing intent radiating from him became almost palpable.

But he was genuinely terrified. If anything happened to Yuwen Zheng, killing Zou Feng a hundred times over wouldn’t mean a damn thing.

Kang Shixiang couldn’t help but sigh, seeing how much Yuwen Boxi had aged since learning of Yuwen Zheng’s capture.

He immediately dropped his insistence. "Very well," he sighed. "I’ll wait here for now. It won’t take long to catch up after our worthy nephew is safely returned."

As they were speaking, Bian Yixia, who had been unconscious, suddenly stirred and awoke.

Thus, she overheard their entire conversation.

She couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a snort of laughter.

Everyone, Yuwen Boxi included, turned to her with stony expressions.

Although Bian Yixia had been immobilized by a special Restriction, it did nothing to dampen her good mood.

"Ah, my apologies. It was just too funny. I simply couldn’t hold it in..."

Yuwen Boxi chose to ignore her, but Kang Shixiang was clearly displeased. "After Zheng’Er is back, I’ll make sure you and that Zou Feng learn the true meaning of... cruelty!"

"I’ll return that sentiment right back at you. I suggest you kill me right now. Otherwise, give me another year or two of cultivation, and your entire family will learn the true meaning of cruelty!"

It might have sounded like Bian Yixia was just making empty threats, but she wasn’t bluffing.

Deng Guangxin, the former Gang Leader of the Black Flood Dragon Gang, had meticulously schemed for years just to meet the incredibly stringent cultivation requirements for the Six Harmonies Reincarnation Skill.

He had been on the verge of reaping the fruits of his labor when Zou Feng’s interference allowed Bian Yixia to snatch it all away.

So, although Bian Yixia was only at the Sixth Grade for now, her future cultivation path was already paved and clear.

Thanks to the unique nature of the Six Harmonies Reincarnation Skill, her advancement to the High Grades was only a matter of time.

Indeed, Yuwen Boxi had only managed to succeed by striking during this window of opportunity, before she could fully develop her power.

Glaring at Bian Yixia one more time, Yuwen Boxi still paid her boasts no mind.

’After all, there’s no point arguing with a dead woman.’

’Utterly foolish. Does she really think she’ll be able to run free after she’s been traded back?’

The Restriction Kang Shixiang had placed on her using a Secret Skill of the Xuanhuang Sect was undetectable on the surface. Even an inspection with Gang Qi would reveal nothing unusual.

Unless a High Grade Martial Artist intervened, Bian Yixia’s body would explode within three days, killing her instantly.

The force of the explosion would even be equivalent to a High Grade Martial Artist’s Big Move, wiping out anyone and everyone in the vicinity.

’How laughable. This foolish woman actually thinks she has a future?’

’Perhaps they wouldn’t even need to wait for the Restriction to activate. The moment Yuwen Zheng was back, they would launch a full-scale retaliation.’

’As for those they’d temporarily let go, not a single one would escape, even if it meant turning all of Qifeng Mountain upside down to find them!’

With that, Yuwen Boxi wasted no more words. He flicked the reins, and the Demon Horse beneath him let out a long neigh, lifting its powerful forelegs.

With every step it took, a fiery Qi Force would erupt from the soles of its four hooves.

As it ran, it looked as if it were treading on four fiery clouds—a truly spectacular sight.

In reality, riding this Demon Horse to the rendezvous was one of Yuwen Boxi’s little ploys.

He and Zou Feng had agreed via Communication Jade Talisman that he must come to the meeting alone, without any backup.

But they never said anything about not riding a horse.

And once the hostage exchange was complete, the combat prowess this Demon Horse could unleash was no less than that of a Sixth Grade Gang Qi Realm Martial Artist.

If Yuwen Boxi were to fight atop this horse, his own combat strength would increase by at least twenty percent.

Furthermore, if Zou Feng tried to escape, it would be a fool’s errand.

Whether in speed or stamina, a Fifth Grade Martial Artist like Zou Feng could run himself to exhaustion and still be no match for the Fire Cloud Horse, a descendant of an Ancient Exotic Beast.

All things considered, Yuwen Boxi truly didn’t believe anything could go wrong with him attending the meeting "alone."

He admitted that the General Leader of the Hongxing Gang was resourceful, but the depth of his own backing as the Governor of Jiangnan was something the boy couldn’t possibly fathom.

For the moment, Yuwen Boxi did not let the Fire Cloud Horse gallop at full speed.

He needed to use the journey to center himself, continuously Gathering Strength to ensure that when he did strike, it would be a Thunderous Strike.

He was now treating Zou Feng with the caution he would reserve for an opponent of the same Realm.

About fifteen minutes later, a Forest Sea of colossal, cloud-piercing trees came into view.

At the edge of the Forest Sea, wreathed in Black Fog, a man exuding a sinister aura sat leaning against a tree branch.