Chapter 252: Chapter 184: Hostage Exchange (2)

“Fath—er—”

Beneath the tree, although Yuwen Zheng wasn’t tied up, he was clearly limp and dejected. His eyes had lost the spirit befitting a Quasi-Martial Champion Scholar.

However, upon spotting Yuwen Boxi in the distance, Yuwen Zheng’s spirits instantly lifted, and he let out a cry that was both joyful and indignant.

Yuwen Boxi could be indifferent to anyone else, but this son was his absolute weak spot.

After all, even if he were to father a hundred more sons, it was unlikely another one would become a Martial Champion Scholar.

As for Yuwen Shuo, who was long dead?

Honestly, while Yuwen Boxi was furious, his quest for revenge—settling scores with the Jianghu influences in Yuan Guang County—was more about saving face.

A gang from a small county town dared to make a move against his, Yuwen Boxi’s, son. How was that any different from spitting in his face?

However, if he had known this would result in Yuwen Zheng getting captured as well, Yuwen Boxi would be lying to himself if he said he didn’t feel a shred of regret.

Fortunately, it was now confirmed that Yuwen Zheng was still alive. Things hadn’t reached the worst-case scenario…

Looking again at Zou Feng, who was sitting on a tree branch, a cold glint flashed in Yuwen Boxi’s eyes.

Bian Yixia, draped over the saddle, forced herself to turn her head and look at Zou Feng.

Just by seeing Zou Feng’s Gang Qi swirling around him, constantly changing shape and extending several yards, Bian Yixia determined that he had indeed reached the Fifth Grade Realm.

Although she was happy for Zou Feng, Bian Yixia couldn’t help but feel a sense of annoyance.

’After all, my own Realm has fallen behind. How are we supposed to have enjoyable spars in the future?’

“You… are Zou Feng?”

At a distance of about twenty yards, Yuwen Boxi pulled the reins, bringing his Fire Cloud Horse to a halt.

Zou Feng temporarily ignored Yuwen Boxi.

Instead, he looked at Bian Yixia and said, “Miss, are you alright?”

Although moving was extremely difficult for Bian Yixia, she had no trouble speaking. She immediately replied, “I have some minor injuries, and I can’t move!”

“As for whether these old bastards poisoned me or used some other method that will cause my sudden death later, that’s unclear.”

“But given the despicable and shameless nature of these old villains, they probably did.”

“Who knows? The moment I’m exchanged, I might suddenly explode into a pile of gore. You should be mentally prepared!”

She had always been one to speak her mind, stating even such a gruesome possibility with complete frankness.

Yuwen Boxi, on the other hand, couldn’t maintain his composure. Yuwen Zheng was still in Zou Feng’s hands; he couldn’t very well admit to any foul play right now.

“Nonsense!”

“How could I, a government official, be someone who goes back on their word!”

“Zou Feng, you are free to inspect her. Aside from temporarily immobilizing her, I have used no other methods!”

As he spoke, his expression was one of righteous dignity, showing no visible flaws. He was truly a veteran actor.

“By the way, you haven’t done anything to my son, have you?”

Having made his excuse, he immediately threw the same challenge back at Zou Feng to divert attention.

Before Zou Feng could answer, Yuwen Zheng said miserably, “Father, I… I don’t know… But Zou Feng’s Poison Skills are formidable. I’ve probably been afflicted with some unknown Exotic Poison…”

Before Yuwen Zheng could finish, Zou Feng cut him off, “Nonsense!”

“How could I, a Squad Leader, be someone who goes back on their word?”

“Old bastard, you are free to inspect him. Aside from temporarily immobilizing him, I, this Squad Leader, have used no other methods!”

He was simply repeating Yuwen Boxi’s earlier excuse, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward.

However, both sides were confident that even if the other had done something to the hostage, they could handle it.

’An Exotic Poison? I’m a dignified Fourth Grade expert. Not far from here, there’s an enforcer elder from the Xuanhuang Sect, and I even prepared some special Elixirs in advance.’

’Why wouldn’t I be able to deal with the so-called Exotic Poison of a mere Fifth Grade Poison Cultivator?’

In short, as long as he could get Yuwen Zheng back safely first, everything else could be dealt with later.

Zou Feng was thinking along similar lines.

’My Great Universal Hand can detect and handle the techniques of even a High Grade Martial Artist of the True Qi Realm. There’s no reason it can’t save Bian Yixia.’

“Alright, enough nonsense. Let’s make the exchange!” Yuwen Boxi urged.

As soon as his voice fell, a strange bug appeared by Zou Feng’s side.

Xiaolv had just been sent by Zou Feng to scout the surrounding area. It had now returned to report that there was indeed no one else within a radius of roughly six miles.

To ensure he was attending the meeting alone and not provoking Zou Feng, Yuwen Boxi had instructed Kang Shixiang and the others to wait at a location nearly fifteen miles away.

Of course, for a Gang Qi Realm expert, fifteen miles wasn’t a great distance.

This news further solidified Zou Feng’s resolve to ensure Yuwen Boxi would die here and now.

In truth, the Demon Horse that Yuwen Boxi rode was quite powerful, equivalent to another helper. Zou Feng had seen this long ago.

But it didn’t matter. As a Poison Cultivator, a numerical advantage of lower-level opponents meant nothing to him.

Besides, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t made preparations of his own.

After informing Yuwen Boxi of the transaction location, Zou Feng, who was already nearby, had immediately rushed over to set up a Poison Domain.

Its coverage area was much smaller than the one at the Yuwen Mansion, but its power was not diminished in the slightest.

“Fine. But you, Lord Yuwen, are a Fourth Grade Expert, while I, this Squad Leader, am merely a Fifth Grade. It certainly wouldn’t be wise to just release the hostage directly…”

“Then how do you propose we do this?” Yuwen Boxi said impatiently.

Zou Feng pointed to the Forest Sea behind him. “You come in. We’ll make the exchange in here!”

Yuwen Boxi could, of course, see that a portion of the entrance to the Forest Sea had been poisoned by Zou Feng.

But he also felt it didn’t matter. In any case, getting his son behind him was more important than anything else.

Until they had truly suffered a loss at the hands of an unorthodox Poison Cultivator like Zou Feng, these long-famous experts would never take so-called Exotic Poisons too seriously.

“Fine!”

With that, Yuwen Boxi steered his Fire Cloud Horse and advanced toward the Forest Sea once more.

Meanwhile, Zou Feng remained focused as he jumped down, grabbed Yuwen Zheng, and slowly retreated into the Forest Sea.

After the Poison Domain had formed, even the nearby Demon Beasts had long since fled far away.

Yuwen Boxi’s Gang Qi was a dazzling golden color. As he stepped into the Poison Domain, the surrounding poisonous gas, like a Black Fog, immediately dissolved, unable to get near him at all.

Moreover, he looked relaxed and at ease, clearly stronger than the Gentleman’s Sword, Zhao Ke, who had previously charged into the Poison Domain.

Once Yuwen Boxi had cooperatively entered the Poison Domain, the rest was simple.

Both sides restored their hostage’s ability to move, then released them, letting Bian Yixia and Yuwen Zheng slowly walk toward the other party at the same time.

During this process, however, Yuwen Zheng walked with trepidation, glancing back from time to time, wary of a sudden attack from Zou Feng. It was an agonizing experience for him.

Bian Yixia, on the other hand, was completely unconcerned, striding toward Zou Feng with cheerful steps.

Having not seen him for a while, she suddenly felt that Zou Feng was looking more and more handsome, and she couldn’t resist the urge to give him a bear hug.

With both sides confident in their own abilities, the exchange was actually completed that smoothly.

“Father—”

Finally reaching Yuwen Boxi safely, Yuwen Zheng cried out miserably again, then impatiently scrambled behind him for protection.

Yuwen Boxi paid this no mind, immediately circulating his Gang Qi to check Yuwen Zheng’s condition.

On the other side, Bian Yixia got her wish and gave Zou Feng a big bear hug.

Due to her petite frame, her “bear hug” ended up with her clinging to Zou Feng like a sloth.

Bian Yixia had never been this enthusiastic before, which surprised Zou Feng a little.

However, when the two of them used to spar, they would often go from fighting to wrestling, so this wasn’t their first time in close contact.

Taking this opportunity, Zou Feng also began to check Bian Yixia for any foul play.

He placed the Great Universal Hand Seal on Bian Yixia’s back, and his Gang Qi, which contained a spiritual influence, quickly circulated throughout her body.

Bian Yixia, who immediately sensed what Zou Feng was doing, suddenly whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry about me for now. Yuwen Boxi is about to make his move!”

Zou Feng nodded to show he understood, but his hands didn’t stop. He continued to infuse even more Gang Qi.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep