“Kidnapped?” Qian Ye’s voice rose, “You’re the Xue family. Who would dare to kidnap someone from your clan? Or are you trying to deceive me so easily?”
Xue Haiyang forced a bitter smile, “If it didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have believed it myself. Here’s what happened: when we invited Elder Cui, everything went smoothly, no one was hurt, and his equipment really broadened my horizons. Such a man, related to you, I didn’t think I could guarantee his safety here, so I dispatched my strongest men, along with Elder Cui, to travel with a regular merchant caravan, intending to send him to our main house.”
“And then?” Qian Ye knew that Xue Haiyang’s approach was prudent. Even if they hadn’t sent him at that time, after learning about Qian Ye’s achievements in the Black Forest, he would have tried every means to send Cui Yuanhai away.
“Then, the caravan was ambushed halfway, leaving no survivors.”
Qian Ye frowned, “Who did it?”
The entire caravan was wiped out, and for the Xue family, which had a presence throughout the Neutral Zone, it would be impossible to say they found no clues.
Xue Haiyang was still hesitating, but the subtle movement of the blood-sucking blade at his throat made him speak the truth: “The remaining clues pointed to the Blood Throne, and I suspect the Spider Emperor and the Moonlight White Devil were behind it.”
Qian Ye remained silent, deep in thought.
Xue Haiyang’s suspicion was not without reason. The Blood Throne was the stronghold of the blood race in the Neutral Zone. Unlike other mixed forces, the higher echelons of the Blood Throne were mostly high-ranking bloods, and the one on the throne had long been known to possess the strength of a Grand Duke, though there were rumors he had already ascended to a Prince. However, what mattered most was that one of the top ten guns in the world, the Fragmented Time, was in his hands. With such a gun, he could even rival the Emperors and Dukes. Even Zhang Buzhou, by comparison, seemed weaker.
But the territories of the Blood Throne were mostly in the core of the Neutral Zone, with little interest in the desolate Eastern Sea. The Spider Emperor and the Moonlight White Devil, on the other hand, both bordered Harbor City, especially the Spider Emperor, who had always been at odds with the Wolf King, vying for control over Harbor City.
As for the Moonlight White Devil, it was a haven for all kinds of deviants and evil, even in the lawless Neutral Zone, their reputation was notoriously bad. This kind of force was filled with the most lawless and unruly criminals, causing headaches for anyone. Their actions were unpredictable, capable of doing anything.
Only such a powerful force could have silently annihilated a crucial caravan of the Xue family, leaving no survivors.
“Were there any remains of Cui Yuanhai?”
“No.” Xue Haiyang’s words gave Qian Ye a glimmer of hope.
Seeing he couldn’t get any more information, Qian Ye sneered, “Your Xue family is bold. Last time, I let you off, and now, instead of showing gratitude, you dare to detain my people. How do you plan to settle this account?”
Xue Haiyang’s face changed several times before he sighed, “Our foundation is on the Wolf King’s territory. We can’t afford to offend him for you and risk the entire family.”
Qian Ye said indifferently, “Offending me may not be a better choice than offending the Wolf King.”
Looking at Qian Ye’s calm face, Xue Haiyang suddenly remembered his record of slaughter in the Black Forest, involuntarily shivering. But he was experienced, and managed to stay composed, saying, “We didn’t mean to harm Elder Cui. We treated him with courtesy, and he suffered no hardship. This ambush on the caravan affected us the most; we are also victims.”
Qian Ye remained silent, just watching Xue Haiyang.
Xue Haiyang knew he couldn’t bluff his way through, gritting his teeth, “This time, we were indeed in the wrong. On behalf of the Xue family, I am willing to compensate for our mistake!”
“Compensation?! Haha.” Qian Ye sneered, “Not to mention the relationship between the old man and me, how do you plan to compensate for a master capable of making seventh-level original force firearms and special bullets?”
Xue Haiyang’s face instantly changed, “S, seventh-level?”
“Yes.”
Xue Haiyang’s expression fluctuated, regretting, “I should have known. Damn! That device wasn’t meant for mid-level firearms! Why didn’t I think more!”
He steadied himself, gritting his teeth, “There must be an insider in the family who recognized that device. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so coincidental that that specific caravan was ambushed! Only a few could know this, and I have a good idea who it is!”
“Bring that person to me, I want to see him personally.” Qian Ye signaled Yeying to retract the blood-sucking blade. Once Qian Ye saw the person, he would make sure to get the truth.
Finally, Xue Haiyang stood up, first knocking out the woman on the bed, then dressing himself. He called out through the door, “Someone, call Xing San to the side hall, I have something to ask him.”
The guard outside responded, “Sir, Captain Xue left yesterday, saying he had a secret mission and would be gone for a few days.”
Xue Haiyang’s face turned ugly, snorting heavily, “All of you, leave!”
When he turned back, he saw Qian Ye’s frosty face, his heart skipping a beat.
“Mr. Xue, do you think I’m so easy to deal with? Think, why did I act like that in the Black Forest?”
In the Black Forest, hundreds of mercenaries and assassins were turned into hanging corpses, becoming a local spectacle. Many were well-known figures. Xue Haiyang wasn’t stupid; he understood Qian Ye’s intention, reluctantly saying, “To establish authority.”
“Glad you understand.” Qian Ye also intended to use the Xue family to establish his authority.
Realizing this, Xue Haiyang immediately said, “My Xue family will give you a proper explanation. I will do my best to track down Elder Cui, and notify you as soon as I have any news. In addition, here is a small token of our respect, please accept it. I only have this much on hand, but I will gather resources to compensate.”
Xue Haiyang took out an exquisite wooden box from a hidden compartment, holding it out to Qian Ye. Qian Ye opened it, finding it filled with high-quality black crystals, worth at least 50,000 gold coins.
“The Xue family is quite wealthy, but this is not enough.”
“Of course not, the bigger part is yet to come.” Xue Haiyang’s face was grim.
Qian Ye nodded, signaling Yeying. She ran her finger over the blood-sucking blade, and it immediately emitted a strange dark red glow, plunging into Xue Haiyang’s abdomen!
She moved like lightning, and at the same moment, Xue Haiyang felt a terrifying aura rise from Qian Ye, paralyzing him, forcing him to watch as the blade pierced his body.
After the blade entered his abdomen, Yeying pulled it out, not pressing further. But though the blade left his body, Xue Haiyang felt a fiery force lingering within him, dividing into several strands, infiltrating his limbs and organs, lying dormant.
Xue Haiyang cried out, “Blood poison! The ancient clan’s blood poison!”
He was knowledgeable enough to recognize it, but this made him turn pale, looking at Yeying as if she were a devil.
Ordinary blood poisons could be neutralized, but the ancient clan’s blood poison, based on bloodline power, was many times stronger. Once it activated, even with higher original force, Xue Haiyang would be powerless.
When and if the poison could be removed depended on the controller.
In an instant, Xue Haiyang seemed to age ten years, collapsing into the chair.
Qian Ye showed no sympathy, coldly, “Mr. Xue, I await the compensation. Additionally, there may be some things I need your help with. I hope you won’t refuse.”
Xue Haiyang numbly nodded, watching Qian Ye and Yeying leave.
Under the night sky, the two walked swiftly, Yeying whispered, “Elder Cui isn’t a bargaining chip for compensation.”
Qian Ye sighed, “I know. This is just to make the Xue family pay in advance. If they don’t feel the pain, they won’t take us seriously. After we find the old man, hmm!”
Despite the late hour, Harbor City still bustled with activity. Many taverns were open, full of people. Some were drunk, boasting about their day’s earnings. This was a unique feature of Harbor City, where earthquakes brought wealth to its inhabitants.
Qian Ye and Yeying appeared at a tavern in a dim alley. The tavern’s entrance was shadowed, giving it a sinister feel. Even during the city’s revelry, this place was eerily quiet.
Qian Ye looked at a rusty iron pot hanging above the entrance, then entered with Yeying.
Inside, a few tables were occupied, some patrons were passed out, others whispering conspiratorially. The waiters, all muscular men, exuded a menacing aura. Behind the bar, a man supported himself on the counter, eagle-eyed, scanning the room. His arms were covered in tattoos, in rare dark red and purple-black.
Qian Ye and Yeying chose a table, their eyes pausing on the man behind the bar. They realized the tattoos were made with blood—human and bloods’ blood.
A muscular man approached, gruffly, “What do you want?”
Qian Ye placed two gold coins on the table, “The most expensive drink, two cups.”
The man snatched the coins, sneering, “Sorry, two coins only buy one cup!”
“I heard it was one coin per cup,” Qian Ye said.
“Prices have gone up.”
“When?”
“Just now!”
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