It's fair to say that
Hearing
Xue San and Lü Wuji were merely collaborators; he had zero interest in Lü Wuji's ambitions. He felt that keeping a live hostage was a security risk for their operation.
If it was a risk, it needed to be eliminated.
"Lü Wuji, you seem to be mistaken. This Xue Tong was captured by people from my Shadow Pursuit Gate. How we handle him is our business. On what grounds do you want to keep him?" Xue San sneered lightly.
Lü Wuji quickly said, "When you kill or capture people, isn't it always about money? Leave this Xue Tong to me. I'm willing to pay a fee."
Lü Wuji knew he couldn't outmuscle Xue San. Buying convenience with money was the best way to avoid trouble.
"A fee?" Xue San's expression softened considerably. "How much are you willing to pay?"
Lü Wuji gritted his teeth. "Xue Tong is only a True Qi Master. At most, I'll pay the standard rate for killing a True Qi Master. How does that sound?"
"Do you think Xue Tong is only worth the price of one True Qi Master?" Xue San smiled leisurely.
"Then what do you want?" Lü Wuji felt frustrated.
"One price. The fee for killing a first-level Spirit Realm expert. Take it or leave it. Otherwise, I'll kill Xue Tong right now."
Lü Wuji knew the other party was making an outrageous demand, but he had no choice. He clenched his teeth. "Fine. I agree to your terms."
Xue San smiled with satisfaction. "A smart man, indeed. But if you want to buy Xue Tong's life, you have to take him away. Leaving him here is a risk for us. And for risks, I'll need to charge you an additional fee."
The Shadow Pursuit Gate was truly an organization that haggled over every coin.
"Don't worry about it. I'll take this Xue Tong away!" Lü Wuji said. Even though he knew taking Xue Tong away carried certain risks.
But Lü Wuji knew even better that Xue San was a money-grubbing vampire, insatiably greedy. Who knew how much he'd demand in risk fees?
Xue San laughed. "In that case, you can take the person now. Also, don't come running over here for no reason in the future. When we need your cooperation, we'll notify you. Your job is to provide all necessary convenience."
Lü Wuji was unhappy with Xue San's attitude, but he had to swallow his pride. "Providing convenience is no problem. However, I hope your Shadow Pursuit Gate won't be too scared of
A glint of killing intent flashed across Xue San's face.
If anyone else had said that, they would probably be dead on the spot.
However, Xue San knew that for the Shadow Pursuit Gate to operate in the Tiangui Kingdom, they couldn't do without Lü Wuji's assistance.
"Take Xue Tong and get out," Xue San said expressionlessly.
Lü Wuji gave a sly chuckle and walked toward the place where Xue Tong was held. Entering the inner room, Lü Wuji's steps faltered, and a look of utter disbelief appeared in his eyes.
"Where is he?"
The room where Xue Tong had been held was empty. Not only was there no person, there wasn't even a ghost of a shadow.
Xue San thought Lü Wuji was trying some trick. He was about to flare up when he suddenly tensed, realizing he truly couldn't hear Xue Tong's breathing.
He had been talking to Lü Wuji and hadn't paid attention to the inner room. He never imagined Xue Tong could vanish into thin air!
That inner room had no windows and strong defenses, with guards stationed outside. Xue Tong was injured and shackled. Even a healthy, unshackled Xue Tong couldn't pass through walls!
And the walls of the inner room were perfectly intact. Passing through the wall was clearly impossible.
Lü Wuji stared at Xue San, his face full of suspicion.
He clearly suspected that this was Xue San's doing, putting on this show to extort him.
Xue San snorted coldly, completely ignoring Lü Wuji's suspicion. He walked into the inner room, scanned it, and then headed straight for a pile of straw.
This straw had been placed there for Xue Tong to lie on.
Xue San swept his sleeve, and the straw immediately flew to both sides. With the straw cleared, a hole was revealed in the ground.
A hole just big enough for one person to enter or exit!
Not only was Lü Wuji dumbfounded, but even Xue San, a trained killer, was completely stunned. How could there be a tunnel here all of a sudden?
When was this tunnel dug? To think it had appeared right under his, Xue San's, territory without anyone noticing!
In an instant, Xue San felt a chill run down his spine.
And Lü Wuji broke out in a cold sweat, a sense of crisis suddenly gripping his heart.
"Xue San, you... you let Xue Tong escape?" Lü Wuji's face turned ashen. He knew all too well what it meant once Xue Tong got away—for him, Lü Wuji, and even for his uncle,