Chapter 88

Dozens of green threads of spiritual energy, which were about to hit Wu Qi, suddenly stopped, remaining just an inch away from his body, demonstrating Ye Qinglian's remarkable control over spiritual techniques.

"Wu Qi, although I may have offended you just now, I never intended to take your life," Wu Qi said, looking at Shangguan Mingyue.

At this point, he no longer considered the mission, only thinking about staying alive, and his tone inevitably carried a hint of pleading.

"You are right, Mr. Wu," Shangguan Mingyue nodded and said softly, "I am not an unreasonable person. I understand the rules between the major families in the capital, and my Shangguan family will not take your life."

Wu Qi felt a sense of relief, just as he was about to take a breath, the threads of spiritual energy in front of him suddenly lunged forward, piercing into his vital points. The powerful corrosive force instantly invaded his internal organs, rendering him immobile.

"You... you actually..." Wu Qi looked at Shangguan Mingyue with shock and anger.

"Mr. Wu, although my Shangguan family has spared you, this lady is not from my Shangguan family," Shangguan Mingyue sighed and spread her hands in a feigned helpless manner, "Do you not know that the lady beside me is the young miss of the Nangong family? You tried to kill Miss Nangong just now, which must have made this lady unhappy."

"Ha... ha..." Wu Qi tried to curse, but the threads of spiritual energy in his body had already paralyzed his nerves. He opened his mouth but could not utter a sound.

A hint of ferocity flashed in Ye Qinglian's eyes, and she curled her fingers on her right hand, grabbing the air.

The green spiritual energy exploded inside Wu Qi's body, making a series of "crackling" sounds. A stream of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his limbs slowly drooped, the light in his eyes gradually fading.

"Great skills, Sister Qinglian!" Zhong Wen loudly praised.

Ye Qinglian gave him a cold glance and ignored him, but there was no anger in her eyes.

As Wu Qi took his last breath, Sai Baiwei, the only standing member of the Silver Ring Guild, immediately became the target of everyone's attention.

Feeling the gazes from the Shengyu Trading Company, Jin Dao Sect, and Piaohua Palace, the silver-clad steward felt bitter in his mouth and sweat on his forehead. He wanted to turn and run, but his legs felt as heavy as lead, making it difficult to move.

"Steward Sai, how many spirit crystals are you willing to pay for your life this time?" Zhong Wen, who had picked up the golden knife from the ground, smiled and approached Sai Baiwei, making a few gestures with the knife in the air.

Sai Baiwei hurriedly took two steps back, almost falling to the ground.

"Am I that terrifying?" Zhong Wen's face darkened, displeased.

"Sir, after your guidance, I have already seen the light and no longer have any intention of provoking the Shengyu Trading Company and Jin Dao Sect," Sai Baiwei forced a smile, but his expression was more painful than crying, "However, Wu Qi is my superior, and his cultivation is strong. I had no choice but to follow his orders."

"So, you were forced?" Zhong Wen looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"Exactly, as you can see from the battle just now, although I shouted, I did not really attack," Sai Baiwei said with a fawning smile, "I wonder if you can show some leniency and spare my life. I will surely repay you in the future."

"Steward Sai, I would like to forgive you, but today the Silver Ring Guild has offended more than just me," Zhong Wen gestured to the people behind him, "There are also the Shengyu Trading Company, Jin Dao Sect, Nangong family, and Piaohua Palace. I cannot decide alone."

Sai Baiwei did not have much feeling towards the Piaohua Palace and Jin Dao Sect, but when he heard "Nangong family," he broke out in a cold sweat and said in a trembling voice, "Please, sir, show me a way out."

Although he was timid and valued his life, he was not stupid. Seeing that Zhong Wen had not immediately killed him, he knew there was still a chance.

"Miss Shangguan, Old Zheng, I apologize for the trouble just now," Zhong Wen turned to look at them, "What do you think about how to deal with Steward Sai?"

"Thanks to the timely warning from the Shengyu Trading Company, which allowed us to seek refuge here, we will naturally leave the decision to Miss Shangguan," Zheng Gongming, who deeply resented Sai Baiwei, still showed respect and yielded.

Shangguan Mingyue and Nangong Ling exchanged glances, and seeing the latter nod, she stepped forward: "Steward Sai, if your Silver Ring Guild had attacked us, we would have been justified in killing all of you. If you want to live, confess everything you know. If you can provide useful information, I might consider sparing your life."

Sai Baiwei hesitated, glancing at the more than thirty Silver Ring Guild members lying on the ground.

Shangguan Mingyue understood and made a gesture with her right hand. Several Earth Wheel cultivators immediately stepped forward, holding weapons and walking towards the injured on the ground. Wherever they passed, they delivered a final blow to anyone still breathing, ending their lives.

Sai Baiwei sighed in relief and was about to speak when suddenly, one of the bodies on the ground leaped up, landing on his toes like an arrow, and rushed towards the door.

"Trouble!" Sai Baiwei's face changed, thinking of the consequences of the information leaking, his heart sank.

However, Zhong Wen remained calm, showing no signs of worry.

As the person was about to escape through the main door, a dazzling sword light descended from the sky, carrying an overwhelming momentum, piercing through his neck and pinning his entire body to the ground.

Then, Leng Wushuang appeared at the door, standing gracefully.

"Are you relieved now?" Zhong Wen sent a flying kiss to his beloved, then smiled at Sai Baiwei, "Speak, why is the Silver Ring Guild so determined to take Fufeng City?"

"I am just a Second-Ring Steward and do not know much about the specifics," Sai Baiwei finally gave up and honestly confessed, "However, Wu Qi is arrogant and not cautious. He revealed a lot of information in conversation. According to him, the Xiao family has a distinguished guest from a holy land who wants to explore ancient ruins in the Qingyun Mountains."

Hearing this, Zhong Wen's heart stirred, and he looked at Nangong Ling, who was also looking at him.

"Originally, we should have taken Fufeng City last time, but we were stopped by you. The distinguished guest was very unhappy and has already left us to explore the mountains alone," Sai Baiwei continued, "So Wu Qi must occupy Fufeng City before the guest finishes exploring the ruins, turning it into a transportation hub to help the guest secretly transport the treasures found in the ruins."

"Which holy land is the distinguished guest from?" Zhong Wen was almost certain that the "distinguished guest" Sai Baiwei mentioned was the "Mr. Xu" he had killed in Leiyin Valley.

"I don't know," Sai Baiwei shook his head, unwillingly, "At my level, I cannot even meet the distinguished guest. This information was accidentally revealed by Wu Qi, but from his tone, it seems the guest is not from the Wenda Academy."

"Steward Sai, you don't know this, and you don't know that," Shangguan Mingyue threatened, "What use is it to spare your life?"

"I... I know some more secrets," Sai Baiwei, in a desperate bid to survive, said, "Although I don't know the purpose, the Xiao family and the Silver Ring Guild have recently mobilized most of their resources, using illegal means to gather spiritual herbs from all over the country, and even traded with the Fulong Empire."

"What! The Silver Ring Guild dared to collude with the enemy?" Shangguan Mingyue's eyes showed shock, "What does the Xiao family want to do?"

"Steward Sai, this is a serious matter. Do you have any evidence?" Nangong Ling suddenly asked.

"Although my position is low, I am responsible for some practical matters and have some records. However, I did not bring them this time," Sai Baiwei, intimidated by the reputation of the Nangong family, was extremely cautious when facing Nangong Ling.

"Steward Sai, if you return to the Silver Ring Guild, do you have any confidence in protecting your life?" Zhong Wen's eyes twinkled, as if he had an idea.

"If this mission fails and I return, I will likely face severe punishment," Sai Baiwei thought for a moment and answered honestly.

"If I tell you that the distinguished guest from the holy land has already died in the Qingyun Mountains, and the killer is from the Nangong family, would this information buy you a life?" Nangong Ling, a very intelligent person, immediately understood Zhong Wen's intention.

"This... If the information is true, I will likely face some punishment but will probably survive," Sai Baiwei hesitated.

"South Sister, this will affect the Nangong family..." Zhong Wen was somewhat surprised.

"No problem, I have a plan," Nangong Ling smiled, her eyes sparkling.

"Since that's the case, please accompany Steward Sai for a moment. I'll be right back," Zhong Wen ran out of the door without looking back and soon disappeared from the hall.

A moment later, he reappeared in the hall, holding a bottle.

"Steward Sai, please take this restorative pill," Zhong Wen handed a pill with an enticing aroma to Sai Baiwei, his face showing a strange smile, "It has the effect of invigorating the mind and strengthening the body."

Sai Baiwei: "..."

Knowing it was not a good pill, he had no other choice. He took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation, then asked, "Sir, what is this pill?"

Zhong Wen watched his throat closely to confirm that he had swallowed it, then smiled and said, "This is a special poison I made for you, called 'Seven-Day Fragrance.' If you do not take the antidote every seven days, you will emit a fragrance and your body will turn into a pool of perfume, leading to your death."

Hearing this terrifying description, the women present all showed pity, and Sai Baiwei turned pale with fear, stammering, "Sir..."

Zhong Wen then handed him a small bottle, "This is the antidote for two months. Keep it safe. If you do a good job, we will grant you freedom after we defeat the Xiao family."

Defeat the Xiao family, why not defeat the holy land...

Sai Baiwei felt despondent, knowing that his only option was to work for Zhong Wen for the rest of his life. He secretly planned to find a way to analyze the antidote's components while respectfully saying, "Thank you, sir, for sparing my life. I will do my utmost to gather information on the Silver Ring Guild and the Xiao family."

"Please quickly gather evidence of the Silver Ring Guild and the Xiao family colluding with the enemy and other holy lands. When the evidence is solid, I will secretly report to the royal family and destroy the Silver Ring Guild," Shangguan Mingyue said slowly, "At that time, I will give you a position in the Shengyu Trading Company."

"Yes!" Sai Baiwei bowed deeply.