Chapter 42: Planting Poison

“Could it be that you want something from the Black Wind Stronghold’s leader?”

Mo Lin, who had originally planned to kill the man in front of him and seize the dagger for himself, was stunned when he heard this sentence.

He examined the man before him.

Hmm, just like the sentry said, his figure was indeed slim.

And he was quite clever too.

In such a short time, he had actually guessed Mo Lin’s purpose in sneaking into the Black Wind Stronghold.

A murderous glint flashed in Mo Lin’s snake pupils:

Someone this smart would cause trouble—he could not be left alive!

Xu Jiaren saw Mo Lin spit out his forked tongue, the killing intent in his serpent eyes intensifying, and his heart sank.

He had guessed the python demon’s intentions correctly, but he had misjudged its temperament. Now it only wanted to kill him more.

Instinctively, Xu Jiaren summoned his “Kouque.” In the next instant—

Clang!

Mo Lin’s tail struck fiercely against Xu Jiaren’s “Kouque.”

A tremendous force surged from the weapon. With Xu Jiaren’s strength, he could not hold it at all, and he was flung hard across the room.

His body slammed against the wall, then slid weakly down, collapsing onto the wedding bed.

Xu Jiaren only felt a sweetness rise in his throat, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.

This python demon truly wanted to kill him!

But Mo Lin did not escape unscathed either.

He glanced at his tail.

There, a rather plain-looking small dagger, with only the two characters “Kouque” carved on its hilt, was deeply embedded at the base of his tail.

Yet, it was already dissolving into mist, dissipating.

Mo Lin tried to hold it in place, but it was futile.

The “Kouque” reappeared once again in Xu Jiaren’s hand on the bed.

Inside the red silk bed curtains, Xu Jiaren’s beauty was not marred by the blood he spat. On the contrary, it carried a sense of tragic allure, like “crimson silk, pale face, and blood like scarlet blossoms.”

What a pity he was a man.

Since the “Kouque” would always return to Xu Jiaren’s hand, if Xu Jiaren were killed, where else could it go?

Mo Lin prepared to strike again.

Even if Xu Jiaren held a divine weapon, its master was still just a useless mortal.

Within three moves, Mo Lin could kill him.

“Wait! Python demon! There’s nothing you seek in this room!”

A voice, lowered for fear of being overheard, entered Mo Lin’s inner ear. His movements paused, and he turned his gaze toward Xu Jiaren.

There was hope!

Xu Jiaren endured the tightness in his chest and spoke:

“I’m guessing you came for something belonging to the Black Wind Stronghold’s leader, didn’t you?”

Afraid that Mo Lin might lash out again without giving him even a chance to speak, Xu Jiaren dared not delay and quickly continued:

“But you’re mistaken!”

“The leader didn’t place anything valuable in this room. This room was prepared for…”

He faltered.

Mo Lin’s forked tongue flickered.

Xu Jiaren’s face reddened as he continued:

“This was prepared as my bridal chamber…”

When he finished softly, he hurriedly added:

“So if you’re looking for the leader’s belongings, you’ve come to the wrong place!”

“The place where the leader hides things is extremely secretive. Even most within the stronghold don’t know the location.”

“But I know! I can take you there!”

Mo Lin fixed his gaze on him.

“Even those in the stronghold don’t know the place. How could you, someone brought here by force, possibly know?”

He finally spoke!

A great demon!

From his fluent speech and the strength Mo Lin had just displayed, Xu Jiaren immediately judged that he was at least a Profound Demon!

Though the danger had escalated, Profound Demons had awakened intelligence—he could reason with this python demon!

And if this python truly was a Profound Demon, perhaps he could even make use of it…

Xu Jiaren calculated swiftly in his mind, though none of it showed on his face, as he explained:

“You know I was brought here by force, so naturally I tried to escape.”

“The ‘Kouque’ in my hand is my innate life-bound weapon. Even if I die, no one else can use it. I can store it inside my body at will. Even the stronghold’s leader can’t take it from me.”

“I used it to try to escape, but unfortunately, I was discovered by the leader.”

“But precisely because I broke into the leader’s treasure vault, I know where it is!”

Mo Lin narrowed his eyes.

These words seemed to explain why Xu Jiaren knew of a place unknown even to others in the stronghold.

But in truth, it was also a veiled warning to Mo Lin—not to covet his “Kouque.” It was useless. Better to focus on the leader’s treasure vault.

Mo Lin remained silent, because Xu Jiaren went on:

“I know the way!”

“I won’t cause you any trouble!”

“I was kidnapped here by the leader of the Black Wind Stronghold. I bear him a grudge. I’d be glad if you gave him some trouble.”

“So don’t kill me yet. Bringing me along won’t harm you in any way!”

Xu Jiaren was truly clever.

He laid out his usefulness and position clearly, and made no demands of Mo Lin—not even begging for his life afterward.

Clearly, his meaning was that Mo Lin could decide everything, at any time—including taking his life.

He had almost completely framed it from Mo Lin’s perspective, analyzing profit and loss.

If he had entered court as an official, he would have made a fine persuader and diplomat.

Unfortunately, Mo Lin knew one crucial truth:

Often, it was not what someone said that mattered, but what they left unsaid.

Xu Jiaren had not asked for or bargained for any benefit for himself.

That, conversely, meant his real demand could not be spoken—

For instance, to survive or even escape from the Black Wind Stronghold, he might well betray Mo Lin at the crucial moment, causing an uproar so the stronghold’s men discovered Mo Lin stealing.

While they fought, Xu Jiaren could slip away alone.

If it were someone else, perhaps there’d be no way to restrain him.

But Mo Lin was a snake. And what was one of a snake’s greatest abilities?

Mo Lin slithered onto the bed, coiling his body tightly around Xu Jiaren again and again.

Xu Jiaren could sense that Mo Lin held no intent to kill him.

Besides, if a Profound Demon truly wished to kill him, then even holding the “Kouque,” Xu Jiaren would have little power to resist.

So Xu Jiaren wisely allowed Mo Lin to move about him freely.

Of course, he was still nervous. After all, having one’s life and death wholly in another’s hands was never pleasant.

Mo Lin came close, then lightly bit his wrist.

Xu Jiaren felt a strange sensation spread from his wrist. Lifting it, he saw two puncture marks.

Around the wounds, faint streaks of bluish-purple spread along his blood vessels, climbing toward his arm and shoulder.

Mo Lin withdrew, speaking slowly:

“When you lead the way, don’t try any tricks against me.”

“I’ve planted snake venom in you. If you harbor thoughts of harming me, in two hours, this venom will claim your life.”

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