Chapter 133

Yan Jinghong cried out in his heart that he was wronged. It was clearly that kid who came up with the idea. He didn't agree at first, but the kid insisted on doing it, so he had no choice but to agree.

However, Yan Jinghong knew that even if he denied it, it would be useless. No one would believe that a child under ten years old could come up with such a plan. He was destined to bear the blame for using any means necessary. What else could he say when he was caught in the crossfire?

"Second Master, please calm down. I have never intended to abandon your son. I understand your concerns, and please believe me, I proposed this plan only when I was certain that your son would be safe."

Yan Jinghong pulled out a long, dark tube and introduced it, "This is a newly developed hidden weapon from our country's Mohist Academy of Science, called the Dazzling Bomb. It doesn't require True Qi to activate and can be used by ordinary people. It can burst out with intense light in an instant. Even a Spirit Transformation expert will be temporarily blinded if they are not prepared. There are also some other exquisite and easy-to-use hidden weapons, such as the Peacock Plume, the Sand-Containing Shadow-Shooting, and the Torrential Rain Pear Blossom Needles, which can also be carried on your person for protection."

Si Jingxi concluded, "Time is of the essence. If there are no better suggestions, let's proceed with this plan. Ming'er and Yu'er are twins and look alike, so they should be able to fool the thief for a while. However, you must also make sure he is properly dressed up and there are no more mistakes, otherwise it won't be as simple as just being punished according to family rules."

Everyone replied in unison, "Yes."

Si Jingyue bit her lower lip tightly, looking at Si Ming with great tenderness, her eyes brimming with tears, half regret and half worry.

The gaze was so sincere and piercing that even Si Ming was moved. But at this moment, he could only harden his heart, turn a blind eye, and silently say in his heart: Saving my sister is the only way I can repay her.

In the dense forest, a thin mist swirls, and sunlight, like strands of golden sand, shines through the layers of branches and leaves, dappling the grass.

Smoke curled upwards, carrying the aroma of roasted meat. Yuwen Dongliu, the Eight Asura Sin Lord, who was on the run, looked relaxed as he kept turning the pheasant skewers in his hands, occasionally brushing them with sesame oil and sprinkling them with spices. Contrary to his burly physique, his cooking skills were quite exquisite, comparable to those of a master chef.

Keeping a close eye on the changing heat, Yuwen Dongliu tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Si Jingyu, who was sitting next to him.

Si Jingyu did not refuse. After taking the chicken leg, she blew on it and then tore off pieces of meat with her small hands, carefully tasting them. Even at this moment, she did not forget her manners.

Yuwen Dongliu glanced at the little girl beside him. From the moment she was taken hostage, the girl neither cried nor made a fuss, nor did she try to run away. Instead, she cooperated with his actions. This self-awareness as a hostage rendered his pre-prepared methods of intimidation and torture useless.

"Little girl, you're quite calm. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

Si Jingyu didn't answer, because she couldn't speak with something in her mouth. After swallowing the food, she looked up and said, "You wouldn't do this until you were sure you could escape, or that you couldn't escape."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Dongliu revealed a hint of appreciation. Many adults might not be able to grasp the underlying meaning, yet a child could see it so clearly—this was truly rare.

"However, I suggest you kill me," Si Jingyu suddenly said.

"Oh, why?" Yuwen Dongliu's interest was piqued.

"If you and I both survive today, then I will definitely kill you with my own hands in the future," Si Jingyu said with an extremely serious expression.

Yuwen Dongliu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter as if he had heard the funniest joke, but Si Jingyu showed no anger at all, and just quietly looked at him.

"I'm sorry, I'm not questioning your talent, but you may not have that opportunity anymore. Considering the time frame, it will take you twenty years to catch up with and surpass me. As the common enemy of the Aristocratic Clan, if I'm still alive in twenty years, it must mean I possess extraordinary power that all the Aristocratic Clan fear—but even I myself don't have much confidence in whether I can live another twenty years. In some ways, the power of the aristocratic Aristocratic Clan is more terrifying than that of a nation."

Si Jingyu slowly shook her head and said, "You're wrong."

Yuwen Dongliu countered, "What's wrong? Did you underestimate the power of the Aristocratic Clan, or overestimate them?"

"I got the timing wrong. To surpass you, I only need fifteen years."

Yuwen Dongliu threw his head back and laughed loudly, "Hahahaha, interesting, interesting! You little girl are quite confident. Alright, then I'll wait for you to come back in fifteen years and challenge me."

In a good mood, he took a roasted pheasant, crunched it loudly, and swallowed it whole, bone and all.

Just as he was about to take the second chicken, a strange aura flashed by, his outstretched hand stopped in mid-air, and he sneered, "Looks like there won't be time for this meal."

He concentrated his strength in his palm and threw a punch. Instantly, a hurricane swept across the ground, and the force surged out like a tidal wave. The trees growing in front of him were crushed and snapped in half. Only when a sharp light flashed and the storm of fist force was cut in two did it dissipate.

After the punch, his vision suddenly cleared, and two figures came into view: Yan Jinghong and Si Jingxi.

"Give Yu'er back, and I'll agree to your conditions!"

Yuwen Dongliu reached out and grabbed Si Jingyu, pulling her to his side. He said in a deep voice, "I have a feeling the negotiations have broken down. Otherwise, why would there be a member of the Mohist School by your side?"

Si Jingxi slammed his dragon-headed cane into the ground and said, "Because this old woman is a little worried. What if I let you go, but you break the contract at the last minute? With my abilities, I'm afraid I can't keep you here, so it's safer to have someone act as a guarantor."

"You have security, but I don't. It's better for people to have more trust in each other."

Yan Jinghong found it amusing. "Can a cruel, bloodthirsty, ruthless man who slaughters entire families at the drop of a hat, leaving no one alive, young or old, and using children as hostages, be trusted?"

Yuwen Dongliu declared righteously, "Aristocratic Clan are the cancer of humanity; eliminating them is precisely to make our society a better place."

Si Jingxi said angrily, "After saying such a thing, this old woman finds it hard to believe you'll keep your promise."

Yuwen Dongliu raised Si Jingyu and threatened, "It doesn't matter if the old lady doesn't believe me, as long as your granddaughter is willing to believe me."

Si Jingxi indeed showed a hesitant expression, but Yan Jinghong remained unfazed. He tossed aside the heavy sword case on his back, drew his sword, and with a surge of True Qi, the blade emitted a sharp clang. He solemnly declared, "There is no reason to compromise with bandits in this world. Only by being fearless in the face of sacrifice and using ruthlessness to subdue evil can we prevent such tragedies from happening again."

Si Jingxi's expression changed drastically. "Young Master Yan, this is not what we agreed on before."

Yan Jinghong said ruthlessly, "In times of emergency, we must act expediently and adapt when necessary. The Mohist School will provide appropriate compensation for the sacrifices made by the Si Clan."

Before he finished speaking, One Sword shot out like a startled rainbow, its tip emitting Sword-Ray and a faint sound of thunder, aimed directly at Yuwen Dongliu.

"Do you think I'll fall for such a trick? If you've got the guts, stab this brat to death with One Sword!"

Yuwen Dongliu assumed this was a pre-arranged charade and raised Si Jingyu to block the sword's path. If Yan Jinghong could truly be ruthless, she could then severely injure Yuwen Dongliu after piercing Si Jingyu.

"No!"

Si Jingxi shouted and struck Yan Jinghong on the back with her staff. Although she was over a hundred years old and had a full head of white hair, she suddenly erupted and moved with great agility, like a leopard.

Under Yuwen Dongliu's "you can't fool me" gaze, Yan Jinghong had no choice but to turn around and strike the dragon-headed cane with his One Sword.

With a "crack" sound, the dragon-headed cane shattered, revealing a long black tube hidden inside— Dazzling Bomb. The moment the mechanism was triggered, a blinding light burst forth!

"Damn it, we've fallen for their trap!"

Yuwen Dongliu realized with a start that this was the opponent's true plan, but the speed of light was so fast that he didn't have time to close his eyes. All that was left in front of him was a white blur, and his consciousness was also impacted, causing him to lose focus for a brief period of time.