bullyxtreme Chapter 217 Struggle, Choice!
Chapter 217 Struggle, Choice!
"boom!!!"
The two heavy sandalwood doors of the sleeping quarters suddenly shattered into countless wood chips and fragments, which shot inward!
A sharp and incomparable sword intent, almost tangible, instantly filled the entire room, shattering the previous lewd atmosphere!
Amidst the flying splinters of wood, a tall, pine-like figure stepped inside.
The newcomer was dressed in the robes of a core disciple of the Xuantian Sect, with a stern face, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes, and held an ancient-looking black and gold battle sword.
The sword was not yet drawn, but its soaring intent had already sliced through the air, sending chills down one's spine.
He simply stood there, like an insurmountable mountain, imposing and powerful. His eyes flashed with cold light, making people afraid to look directly at him!
He was none other than Shen Ming, a true disciple of the Xuantian Sect.
His gaze swept across the room like lightning, and when he saw Li Nanzhi on the bed, fully clothed but gagged and bound, his tense heartstrings relaxed slightly, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He dared not imagine what kind of upheaval would occur in the imperial city if this jewel of the Prince Rui's mansion were humiliated here, and the entire dynasty's structure would likely be shaken.
"Damn it, who's got the guts to ruin my plans?!"
The good thing was abruptly interrupted, and Qi Xinghai's face instantly turned ashen. He turned around abruptly, ready to shout and curse.
But the moment he saw who it was, his pupils contracted sharply, and his expression changed slightly: "Shen Ming?!"
"It's you!"
Shen Ming also recognized the other party at the same time, and his eyes instantly turned sharp as knives, revealing a murderous intent!
Their eyes met in mid-air, one dark and ruthless, the other cold and icy, and the atmosphere instantly became tense!
"You remnant of the demon race, you fled from your sect and disappeared for many days, so you were hiding in this wormhole in the imperial city!"
Shen Ming's voice was icy, containing suppressed anger, "It seems that the missing children and civilians in the imperial city are inextricably linked to your demon race!"
The information about Qi Xinghai from the wanted poster issued by the sect was already imprinted in his mind. Now that he had met his enemy, he was extremely hostile.
"So what?"
Qi Xinghai readily admitted it. Seeing the anger on Shen Ming's face, he curled his lips into a mocking sneer, "What, are you angry? Want to kill me?"
He shrugged, confidently stating, "We are both at the mid-stage of the Martial King realm. If we were to truly fight to the death, the outcome would be uncertain."
"Besides, once my father deals with that little bastard Li Wudao, you'll be next! If you know what's good for you, get out of here now, and you might live a little longer!"
Cheng Yuanliang is also in the capital?!
Upon hearing this, Shen Ming's expression changed slightly, and he secretly sensed something was wrong.
Cheng Yuanliang was once the head of the Lieyang Peak of the Xuantian Sect. His cultivation was unfathomable. If he was indeed hiding in the imperial city and had already made a move against Li Wudao, the consequences would be dire!
"Now you know fear?" Qi Xinghai enjoyed Shen Ming's solemn expression at that moment.
The feeling of having his opponent's fate in his own hands gave him immense pleasure. He clicked his tongue and said, "If I'm not mistaken, that kid Li Wudao should be dead as dead as can be by now, his body probably already cold!"
"Nonsense!" Shen Ming frowned and said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Li is a peerless hero with unparalleled talent and long-lasting fortune. How could he possibly fall into the hands of you cowardly rats!"
"Hehehe..." Qi Xinghai let out a series of sneers, shaking his head and swaying his body, his tone carrying a complex yet delighted sigh:
"I have to admit, that kid Li Wudao is indeed the most talented person I've ever seen among his peers. He's a monster, and no one can surpass him!"
"What a pity! Faced with a carefully laid deadly situation, no matter how brilliant he was, he could only die in despair, his journey cut short!"
Seeing Shen Ming's uncertain expression, seemingly half-believing and half-doubting, he threw out another heavy blow, sneering:
"I know that kid has the strength to fight beyond his level; he might be hard to beat within the Martial King realm. But—can he defeat a Martial Venerable?!"
what? !
Shen Ming's face paled, and his breath caught in his throat.
Wasn't Cheng Yuanliang supposed to be at the peak of the Martial King realm? Could he have broken through so quickly?
Or is there... another powerful demonic warrior here?
He couldn't tell whether Qi Xinghai's words were true or false, but judging from the confidence and arrogance that came from the other party's bones, it didn't seem fake at all.
Instantly, a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head. Shen Ming felt uneasy, as if the sky above him was about to collapse.
If Li Wudao truly perishes...
The chain reaction that would trigger would be unimaginable!
Leaving aside the impact on him personally and on this mission, it is an immeasurable loss for the Xuantian Sect alone!
The death of a peerless genius who was likely to lead the sect to glory will surely enrage the sect leader and could cause a huge upheaval throughout the Eastern Wilderness!
Li Nanzhi, whose mouth was gagged, was struck dumb upon hearing the news that her cousin Li Wudao might be dead.
Her beautiful eyes instantly lost all their luster, overwhelmed by endless sorrow and despair. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls, soaking the handkerchief on her cheek.
"What are you crying about in broad daylight? Shut the hell up!"
Qi Xinghai was annoyed by her crying and glared at her fiercely.
He raised his hand and delivered a slap, leaving five clear red finger marks on the girl's fair and delicate cheek.
Shen Ming frowned deeply, his anger rising within him.
He stepped forward, sword in hand, a deep hum emanating from the black-gold blade. He said in a deep voice, "Release her, and I'll turn and leave. I won't interfere in your affairs!"
"Young Master Shen, it seems you haven't grasped the current situation yet."
Qi Xinghai gave a cold laugh, his tone carrying an undisguised threat and enticement, and said:
"There's an old saying, 'A wise man submits to circumstances.' Leave now before my father returns, and I can pretend you were never here."
"Otherwise, not only will you be buried here today, but the entire Shen family behind you will also be buried with you!"
He held up three fingers, his tone chilling: "I'll give you three breaths to consider. The consequences are yours to bear!"
Hearing this blatant threat, Shen Ming gripped the black-gold battle blade tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, his face dark and uncertain, his heart caught in an unprecedented struggle.
Judging from the current situation, Qi Xinghai's words are probably true. Cheng Yuanliang is very likely in the capital and has set up a trap to kill Li Wudao.
If that's the case, with a Martial Venerable expert lurking nearby, the entire imperial city will become a hunting ground for the demons, at their mercy!
"Damn it!"
He was both anxious and furious. Even if he sent the message back to the sect immediately, by the time the sect's reinforcements arrived, everything would have already been settled, and it would be too late!
His gaze fell once more on Li Nanzhi, who lay on the bed, her face pale, her eyes vacant, and tears streaming down her face. His eyes were filled with hesitation and struggle.
How to do?
Forcibly rescuing someone could very well drag oneself and the entire Shen family into an abyss of no return, and might even result in the loss of everyone involved instead of saving the person.
Not save him? His pride and ambition as a core disciple of the Xuantian Sect wouldn't allow it!
She felt ashamed of failing Li Wudao's expectations, and she couldn't bear to see such an innocent young girl fall into the clutches of the demons and suffer endless humiliation.
Conscience, responsibility, fear, the safety of his family... all sorts of emotions clashed fiercely in his heart.
"Three breaths have passed!"
Qi Xinghai, confident of victory, spoke calmly, as if he could already see Shen Ming weighing the pros and cons and retreating in humiliation, "Young Master Shen, state your choice."
In his view, as long as Shen Ming was still clear-headed, there was absolutely no way he would risk his own life and that of his entire clan for a woman he had no connection with.
However, under Qi Xinghai's confident gaze...
Shen Ming took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. His previously hesitant gaze instantly became firm and intense, like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath.
He spoke each word clearly and distinctly, his voice resounding throughout the bedchamber:
"I'll say this one last time—let her go, I'm leaving right now!"
"........."
Qi Xinghai's confident smile froze instantly.
His face darkened visibly, his eyes filled with disbelief, and his voice suddenly rose, filled with the fury of being defied:
"Since you insist on courting death, then you and the Shen family will be buried with you!"
Having said that, he clapped his hands abruptly and shouted, "Guards!"