The Eastern Heretic and the Northern Beggar both frowned. Few people knew better than they how deadly Ouyang Feng's poison was. If Ouyang Feng had not been required to drink the same poisoned wine during the contest, neither of them would have dared touch the Western Venom's concoction. Wu Xuantian's cultivation still fell short of theirs. Agreeing to this contest with the three of them was reckless.
"Kid Wu, the old venom's poison is no joke. You were far too rash!" Hong Qigong's voice suddenly sounded beside Wu Xuantian's ear, though Huang Yaoshi and Ouyang Feng seemed not to react.
He's focused his voice into a thread! The old beggar can do that? Wu Xuantian raised an eyebrow and turned to smile at Hong Qigong. His reaction baffled both Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi. Huang Yaoshi did not know what Hong Qigong had said, but he could see what Hong Qigong had been trying to do. They both began to suspect Wu Xuantian had something up his sleeve, though neither knew what it was.
The four entered the reception hall. After Huang Yaoshi had a mute servant bring a pot of warmed wine, he said to Ouyang Feng, "Brother Feng, please begin."
"Hold on, old venom!" Ouyang Feng had just smiled and was about to act when Hong Qigong raised a hand to stop him.
Ouyang Feng frowned. "What's wrong, old beggar? Are you afraid?"
"Ha!" Hong Qigong gave a scornful laugh. "What a joke. I've roamed the world for decades and never feared a thing! If you dare poison this wine, I dare drink it!"
He turned to Huang Yaoshi. "Besides, Eastern Heretic, I recently got myself a gourd of fine wine. It's every bit as good as yours!" Grinning, Hong Qigong pulled another wine gourd from his robes.