Chapter 82

Bai Cangdong picked up the knife and examined it. It was a Viscount-level golden armament, just like the Black Flame Knife. However, Bai Cangdong and Feng Xian knew that its value could never compare to the Black Flame Knife. But in the face of a Count's forced exchange, the cost of refusal was death. They had no choice but to hand over the Black Flame Knife to the Count.

"Wait a moment. Since you are from Fenghua City, you must be familiar with the bottom of the Abyss. We need to go to the Mud Dragon Pond; you will lead the way," the Count said.

"We haven't been there many times and have never heard of the Mud Dragon Pond," Bai Cangdong replied.

"Why so many excuses? If we tell you to lead the way, you will lead the way," a Viscount who bore a resemblance to the Count said impatiently.

Bai Cangdong had no choice but to lead the way with Feng Xian. He naturally didn't know the path, but Feng Xian did.

The two walked in front. Feng Xian held Bai Cangdong's hand, leaning against him as if she were afraid. With her finger, she wrote in his palm: "We cannot go to the Mud Dragon Pond; it is extremely dangerous. If we go, we will surely die."

Bai Cangdong's expression remained unchanged, but he tightened his grip on Feng Xian's hand and carefully wrote back: "Take a detour."

"Understood."

"What is at the Mud Dragon Pond?"

"A Count-level Undead is in the Mud Dragon Pond."

"Has it been resurrected?"

"We don't know. Every time, the Count goes to the Mud Dragon Pond to slay the Count-level Undead. We don't know when it will be resurrected."

"Try to delay as much as possible. Hu Qianwu and the Knights are in the Abyss. Can we find a way to meet them?"

"I don't know where they are, but I'll try."

The two dared not communicate too much. Feng Xian also dared not lead them on an obvious detour. Their destination was still the Mud Dragon Pond, but when there were multiple paths, they chose the longer ones.

On the way, they encountered many Undead, most of which were Viscount-level. The Count didn't even move, and the other Viscount directly slew all the Undead.

The Viscount's armor was clearly a set, with a purple glow flowing like divine energy. His twin swords were also surrounded by purple light, and every time he drew his sword, there was a sound like the cry of a dragon or the call of a phoenix. The power seemed to surpass the Hell Flame Messenger set and the Eight Eyes Heavenly Lord set.

His innate divine light was also extremely strong, and he had cultivated special martial arts. When he used them, the purple light shot up to the sky, reaching over 200 grids, not weaker than Feng Xian and Mo Sangsheng.

Bai Cangdong felt a bit envious. The Viscount was clearly a junior of the Count, and thus had such luxurious and extravagant equipment. If a regular Viscount had to accumulate it themselves, it would take an unknown number of years to gather just that armor.

As they got closer to the Mud Dragon Pond, they still hadn't encountered Hu Qianwu and the others, and both were very anxious.

"Wait," the Count suddenly called out to Bai Cangdong and Feng Xian.

"What does the Count need?" Bai Cangdong stopped and asked.

"Is there only one way to the Mud Dragon Pond, through the canyon ahead?" the Count asked.

"We can also turn left from the mountain path we passed earlier, cross the stone mountain, and follow the river to reach the Mud Dragon Pond," Feng Xian replied.

The Count frowned slightly. "That would waste a lot of time. Forget it, continue leading the way ahead."

Bai Cangdong and Feng Xian were secretly delighted, knowing that something must happen in the canyon ahead, which might be their chance to escape.

Not long after the four entered the canyon, they saw a group of people hunting a group of Undead called "Rock Horn Beasts." It was Hu Qianwu and his siblings, along with the Knights.

"You two also came to the bottom of the Abyss?" Hu Qianwu was slightly surprised when he saw Bai Cangdong and Feng Xian. When he saw the Count and the Viscount behind Bai Cangdong, he was instantly shocked.

"Count Zixiao, why are you here?" Hu Qianwu hurriedly bowed.

"You are the Hua from the Hundred Flowers Chamber of Commerce..." Count Zixiao seemed to have forgotten Hu Qianwu's name.

"My name is Hu Qianwu," Hu Qianwu quickly replied.

"Ah, how is that boy Mo Sangsheng?" Count Zixiao asked casually.

"Thank you for your concern, Count. Uncle is doing well and often mentions you, regretting that his time in Zixiao City was too short and he couldn't learn more from you."

"Sangsheng is a good boy with high talent. If he focuses on advancing, he might have a chance to become a Count. Unfortunately, he is held back by too many trivial matters, which is a pity."

"It is our Hua family that has held back Uncle," Hu Qianwu paused and then asked, "Count, you must have come here for something important. I won't disturb you further."

"No, I have something to ask for your help," Count Zixiao smiled.

Hu Qianwu's heart tightened, but she still smiled and said, "If the Count has a command, we will do our utmost to comply."

"Count Fenghua is unwell and cannot deal with the Hydrosnake. I happened to pass through Fenghua City and thought of this matter, so I decided to help Count Fenghua eliminate the Hydrosnake. However, I am not familiar with the path, so I need someone to lead the way. You will accompany me."

"Yes, Count, we will comply," Hu Qianwu agreed, but in her heart, she cursed, "Our City Lord of Fenghua City is not dead, yet these people are already eyeing the resources of Fenghua City. How despicable."

She also knew that Count Zixiao wouldn't let them return to inform Count Fenghua, so they had no choice but to lead the way with Bai Cangdong and Feng Xian.

Hu Qianwu walked in front, seemingly intentionally walking beside Bai Cangdong. She said to him, "Your performance that day was truly impressive. I thought no young Viscount in Fenghua City could match my brother, but he was easily defeated by you."

Bai Cangdong didn't know why Hu Qianwu was talking to him, but he knew it wasn't just to praise him. He said, "I was just lucky. Your brother is truly talented. If we fought again, I might not win."

"You are too modest," Hu Qianwu was now beside Bai Cangdong, walking side by side. Using the cover of the crowd behind them, she wrote on his hand, "You should know, we cannot go to the Mud Dragon Pond; otherwise, we will surely die."

Bai Cangdong nodded slightly, while continuing to talk to Hu Qianwu about the duel.

"Count Zixiao won't let us leave, at least not until he kills the Hydrosnake. But if we can't leave, just the aftereffects of the battle between two Counts might kill us all. We must not enter the range of the Mud Dragon Pond. Do you have any ideas?"

Bai Cangdong shook his head slightly. If he and Feng Xian had a plan, they wouldn't have come this far.

"I do have a plan, but it requires your cooperation," Hu Qianwu continued, writing on his hand, "Count Zixiao is powerful, but if he has to deal with the Hydrosnake, he won't be able to protect his son, Viscount Ziguang. If we can capture Viscount Ziguang, we might have a chance to survive."

Bai Cangdong thought for a moment and quietly wrote on Hu Qianwu's hand, "Viscount Ziguang is very strong. We might not be able to capture him easily. Moreover, Count Zixiao must have prepared well, perhaps giving him many life-saving items. This plan is risky."

"We will die here if we don't take the risk. Do you want to die without a fight?"

"What do you plan to do?" Bai Cangdong knew that if they didn't take a chance, they would hardly survive. Entering the battlefield of two Counts was like courting death.

"Forcing Viscount Ziguang to eat the Thousand Mechanism Life-Stealing Pill is not feasible. Even if we capture him and put a knife to his neck, Count Zixiao can kill us all before we can act." Hu Qianwu paused, then continued, "I have a Thousand Mechanism Life-Stealing Pill. If someone swallows it, they will enter a state of apparent death. Without the antidote, they will die after a thousand days. There are few antidotes in the world, and Count Zixiao may not have one. I don't have the antidote with me. If we can make Viscount Ziguang swallow the pill, we might save our lives."

Bai Cangdong didn't answer directly but quietly communicated with Feng Xian, telling her Hu Qianwu's plan.

After learning Hu Qianwu's entire plan, Feng Xian thought for a moment and wrote on Bai Cangdong's hand, "It's risky, but worth a try. Otherwise, as Hu Qianwu said, we will hardly survive in the battlefield of two Counts."

"Since that's the case, let's take the chance," Bai Cangdong nodded slightly to Hu Qianwu, indicating his agreement to participate in her plan.

The three continued to chat casually, waiting for the opportunity. Viscount Ziguang's strength was astonishing, and forcing him to eat the Thousand Mechanism Life-Stealing Pill under Count Zixiao's watch was extremely difficult.

They all knew that it was almost impossible to succeed on the way. The only chance was at the beginning of the battle between Count Zixiao and the Hydrosnake, before they were affected. They had to quickly capture Viscount Ziguang and force Count Zixiao to consider their lives, which was their only hope for survival.

The Mud Dragon Pond was not a real pond but a swamp area, with mud and decaying grass and branches everywhere. Fortunately, everyone was a Viscount-level strong, and they were not afraid of the swamp. Moreover, no Undead dared to enter this area. However, everyone still walked with trepidation, as this was the lair of the Count-level Undead, the Hydrosnake.