Chapter 98

**The Demon's Hand (98)**

Jia Duzhi stepped back after unblocking Dan Aoxian's acupuncture points.

"In a situation where life and death hang in the balance, the most important thing is composure."

Jia Duzhi continued with a serious expression.

"If your mind is swayed by such a minor provocation, you would be short of ten lives in a real life-or-death battle."

Dan Aoxian, who had been lying there with a dazed look, slowly got up after a while.

Dan Aoxian's face was flushed red.

"Why? Do you have something to say?"

Without a word, Dan Aoxian glared at Jia Duzhi and nodded.

"Uncle Jia, you're really cowardly."

"The highest praise, indeed."

"And...?"

"...?"

"Uncle Chao isn't like that."

Jia Duzhi nodded and smiled bitterly at Dan Aoxian's sharp voice.

'What should I do?'

His mouth tasted bitter.

He had managed to earn her hatred before even winning her favor.

Jia Duzhi's mind became complicated.

If he won just two more times, he would complete the ten matches they had initially agreed upon.

Then, he would have no reason to stay by Dan Aoxian's side.

On the other hand, if he deliberately lost to Dan Aoxian, it would create a difficult situation.

If he was deemed useless, Fan Jiwei would surely kick him out, as clear as day.

Unable to do this or that...

It was truly a dilemma.

After much thought, Jia Duzhi finally reached a conclusion.

'I have to buy as much time as possible.'

There was no other way.

Jia Duzhi suddenly felt a piercing gaze from behind and turned his head.

"Hmph."

Fan Jiwei smiled and nodded when their eyes met.

"Good. Keep it up."

Fan Jiwei was secretly pleased that Jia Duzhi had thoroughly insulted Chao Aoliang on his behalf.

On the other hand, Han Xuehua glared at Jia Duzhi.

"Why...?"

In response to Jia Duzhi's cautious question, Han Xuehua's eyes turned cold.

"From now on, no duels without me present."

"Huh?"

Han Xuehua's eyes grew even colder at Jia Duzhi's question.

Realizing the reason late, Jia Duzhi hurriedly nodded.

"No matter what, I won't insult you, Lady!"

Only then did Han Xuehua's eyes soften.

Fan Jiwei chuckled with a mysterious smile at that moment.

"Heh heh. You've opened the door of hardship."

"The door of hardship?"

Jia Duzhi asked, puzzled, but Fan Jiwei only smiled enigmatically.

He didn't need to explain; Jia Duzhi would soon find out.

How long Dan Aoxian's grudge would last.

* * *

Chao Aoliang, leaning against a pavilion pillar, sat leisurely and cleaned his ear with his pinky finger.

"Why is it so itchy?"

He looked around, wondering if someone was cursing him, but there was no one around.

At that moment, the door of the workshop opposite the pavilion opened.

Yan Saren, who had been working inside for two days straight, staggered out with sunken eyes.

"You're lucky."

Seeing Chao Aoliang lounging in the pavilion, Yan Saren scolded him.

"Some of us have been up for days, on the brink of death."

Chao Aoliang laughed and replied.

"I have a good friend."

"..."

"A friend who tells me to do nothing, not to worry, and just rest well."

Yan Saren chuckled, remembering the words he had said a few days ago.

Chao Aoliang asked.

"Did you finish your work?"

Zhang San, who had walked out of the workshop, answered.

"By a hair's breadth."

Yan Saren scowled and shouted.

"Stop taking orders from today! I'm retiring!"

Zhang San smiled.

"I'll prepare a tonic for you tonight."

"No need. How much more abuse do you want me to endure after eating that?"

Watching the two bicker for a while, Chao Aoliang laughed and said.

"Go rest. You both look exhausted."

Yan Saren sighed with a tired face.

"I can't do this anymore. My body can't keep up."

As he staggered toward his quarters, Yan Saren turned to Chao Aoliang.

"If you leave without a word like last time, I'll take care of it. I won't see your face again."

Chao Aoliang nodded and smiled.

After the two figures disappeared, Chao Aoliang slowly stood up.

"I should move soon."

Chao Aoliang's eyes had turned cold.

* * *

That night.

Silhouettes approached the manor under the cover of darkness.

There were ten men, all wearing black nightclothes and masks.

The leader, a one-eyed man, asked his subordinates quietly.

"Have you confirmed Yan Daye's quarters?"

Satisfied with the nods from his subordinates, the one-eyed man, who had led the elite of the Dark Dragon Gang, smiled.

"You two, block the escape route. I and the other two will secure Yan Daye. The rest, stand by. We'll be very busy tonight, so move quickly. After securing Yan Daye, the rest of you head to the village and bring back five children. Understand?"

Despite thorough planning, the deputy leader confirmed the plan again.

At that moment,

"Are these ten all of you?"

The voice that emerged from the darkness startled the Dark Dragon Gang members.

A figure stepped out of the darkness.

'An expert!'

The one-eyed man's single eye widened in shock.

This was an expert of a completely different level, incomparable to him.

The Dark Dragon Gang members felt a chill in their chests.

The figure stood still, emitting a cold gaze.

Yet, they couldn't move a finger.

"Lead me to your leader."

Chao Aoliang began to walk as if on a night stroll.

The black-clad men's gazes were complex as Chao Aoliang walked through their ranks.

Suddenly,

Several daggers flashed silently in the darkness.

"Ugh!"

"Grgh!"

Muffled groans echoed simultaneously.

Seeing his subordinates sprawled on the ground, foaming at the mouth, the one-eyed man shuddered.

He couldn't understand how they had been taken down so quickly.

Chao Aoliang looked at the one-eyed man without a word.

"..."

At that moment, the one-eyed man felt a lightning bolt in his mind.

The sharp gaze pierced his eyes and mind.

"Are you slow?"

"I, I'll lead you!"

A sinister voice, filled with an overwhelming presence, left no room for resistance.

The one-eyed man, sensing Chao Aoliang's intent, began to walk ahead.

The Dark Dragon Gang members, carrying their dead comrades, followed silently, their shoulders slumped.

A short while later.

Guo Yan, the leader of the Dark Dragon Gang, was bewildered.

His subordinates, sent to kidnap Nodaya and the children, had brought an unexpected visitor.

"This is our leader."

Guo Yan stared at the one-eyed man in disbelief.

Who was this person to treat him, the leader, with such respect?

Glaring at the one-eyed man, Guo Yan turned to the elderly figure before him.

'Not good.'

The moment he met the figure's gaze, he felt an immediate sense of danger. But as time passed, his thoughts changed.

'What is this?'

Suddenly, his life from being a salt seller to becoming the leader of the Dark Dragon Gang flashed before his eyes.

He had endured and overcome countless dangers.

But he instinctively felt that this moment was the closest he had ever been to death.

At that moment,

"There's a saying, 'A hundred words are not as good as one sight.'"

Guo Yan tried to dodge as the figure suddenly reached out, but Chao Aoliang's hand was not so easily avoided.

Snap.

In an instant, Chao Aoliang grabbed Guo Yan's wrist and flew away.

Guo Yan, dragged helplessly, regained his senses on a tall tree overlooking the village.

"Can you see?"

"Huh? See what?"

Guo Yan's dazed expression made Chao Aoliang frown.

"The shrine you use as a hideout. The figures hiding at the corners of the square."

Guo Yan still didn't understand, so Chao Aoliang sighed.

Chao Aoliang's figure flickered lightly.

Guo Yan, realizing he was standing in an alley next to the shrine, was speechless.

He had just blinked, and over ten feet had vanished.

Amazed by the incredible technique, Guo Yan was suddenly jolted back to reality.

―This isn't the time to be stunned.

A voice in his ear made Guo Yan snap to attention.

At that moment,

"!"

Guo Yan's eyes widened.

In a dark, secluded alley, a cold sword flash appeared, and a sword suddenly lunged at his chest.

Instinctively, Guo Yan dodged and wrapped the sword with his sleeve, disarming the attacker and delivering a punch.

Crack!

A chilling sound echoed in the night sky.

Thud.

The man who had ambushed Guo Yan fell to the ground.

Seeing the man clutching his chest and spitting blood, Guo Yan frowned.

"Qingcheng's First Hall? Why are they here?"

As he tried to understand the situation, Guo Yan clenched his teeth in anger.

"These bastards?"

Chao Aoliang nodded.

"You've been manipulated from