C29 I'll Trade My Life for Yours

Half an hour later, Qiao Shen had completely assimilated the Blood Lotus Pill, ridding his body of all toxins. He exclaimed joyfully, "Mao, I've done it. The poison has truly been neutralized."

"That's great," Qiao Mao replied with a chuckle, having anticipated this outcome.

"Mao, can you explain what's happening? How did you come by a pill that neutralizes the Black Jade Purple Yin Poison?" Qiao Shen pressed, unable to contain his curiosity. He had resigned himself to his fate earlier that day, only to be miraculously brought back from the brink. How could he possibly remain calm?

Moreover, only a Spirit Flame Master could craft the Blood Lotus Pill, and even the lowest-ranked Grade Nine Spirit Flame Master was exceedingly rare.

Qiao Mao spread his hand to reveal a small flame dancing in his palm. With a smile, he said, "Because I am a Spirit Flame Master."

"You're a Spirit Flame Master?" Qiao Shen was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Haha, excellent. The Qiao family is about to become formidable indeed."

Qiao Mao gave an uneasy smile, wary of further questions from Qiao Shen. He quickly composed himself and said, "I'll fill you in on all this later. Right now, we need to figure out how to escape."

"Indeed, I've already had a brush with death today; I'm not afraid to face it again," Qiao Shen declared confidently.

Yet Qiao Mao swiftly intervened. A fight to the death was not part of his plan.

"Uncle, here's what we'll do," Qiao Mao murmured into Qiao Shen's ear.

Outside Qiao Shen's quarters, two guards noted that Qiao Mao had been inside for quite some time without any sign of activity. One guard scoffed, "The Qin family's people aren't very impressive, are they? He's been in there for half an hour with no commotion."

The other guard let out a cold laugh, "Qiao Shen is not an easy man to handle. Even Qiao Hou couldn't intimidate him; what chance do the Qin family have?"

"Exactly. Otherwise, this would have been resolved long ago. But speaking of Qiao Shen's daughter, she's exceptionally gifted. To think she's become a martial artist at such a young age."

"Not only is she incredibly talented, but her physique is also quite unique," the guard murmured after ensuring they were alone. He leaned in and whispered to his fellow guard, "I've heard Elder Qiao Guang plans to present her to the Nether Clan."

The other guard's face went ashen at the revelation. He hastily clamped a hand over the first guard's mouth, hissing, "Don't speak of such things carelessly. If word gets out, it could spell doom not just for our Qiao family but for the entirety of Martial Sun City."

The mere mention of the Nether Clan was a forbidden subject, and both guards were visibly shaken by the fear it invoked. Yet amidst their trepidation, a furious bellow erupted from Qiao Shen's room.

"Qiao Shen, don't be a fool. Hand over the key to the Qiao Family Ancestral Land, or it's over for you."

The clattering of pots and a barrage of angry shouts followed. The guards exchanged knowing looks and shook their heads, clearly believing Qiao Mao's attempt at persuasion had failed.

As the minutes ticked by, punctuated by bursts of noise, the guards initially commented but eventually lost interest.

Then, suddenly, Qiao Mao burst from Qiao Shen's room, calling out urgently, "Quick, fetch Lord Qiao Hou. Qiao Shen has agreed to surrender the key!"

"He's failed yet again," one guard muttered dismissively, but his skepticism quickly turned to astonishment. "What? Qiao Shen has consented to hand over the Ancestral Land's key? How can that be?"

Not long before, Qiao Shen had been defiant to the point of death, valuing the key over even his own daughter's life.

"Why are you still standing there? Go get Lord Qiao Hou immediately. If you cause any delay, it'll be the end of you," Qiao Mao snapped at the stunned guards.

"Yes, right away," one guard responded, dashing off to summon Lord Qiao Hou. "To think someone from the Qin family actually pulled it off," he marveled.

Meanwhile, the other guard approached Qiao Mao with a mixture of respect and curiosity. "How did you manage it? Please, you must teach me."

"Do you really want to know how I managed it?" Qiao Mao asked coldly. A flicker of murderous intent crossed his mind as he continued, "I could tell you, but your life would be the price."

The guard didn't have time to react before Qiao Mao snapped his neck. The guard was a Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven warrior, but to Qiao Mao, he was as fragile as an ant. Qiao Mao could kill him with ease.

After dispatching the guard, Qiao Mao made his way back to Qiao Shen's room. Soon after, Qiao Hou's boastful voice echoed from outside: "God is on my side!"

Then came a flurry of footsteps. Suddenly, eight people materialized in Qiao Shen's room. Besides two Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven guards, there were four Martial Dao Great Masters. Qiao Hou and another stranger were formidable experts of Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven.

Qiao Mao's brow furrowed as he surveyed the assembled crowd, feeling the weight of their presence. He had been aware of several experts lurking within the estate, but he hadn't anticipated them all converging here at once.

"Qiao Shen, if you're ready to surrender the key, do it now," Qiao Hou demanded as he entered the room. But Qiao Shen lay motionless on the bed, eyes shut, offering no response.

Qiao Hou repeated his demand, but Qiao Shen remained silent. Frustration clouded Qiao Hou's face as he demanded, "Can someone explain what's happening here?"

"Sir, Qiao Shen mentioned he wanted to strike a deal with you. He insisted on having me as his guarantor before he would agree to hand over the key," Qiao Mao spoke up, his head bowed.

Qiao Hou's frown deepened. He had tried negotiating with Qiao Shen on multiple occasions, even resorting to threats involving Qiao Shuang, but to no avail. Why would Qiao Shen consider a mere Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven warrior suitable as a guarantor?

In the Qiao family, a Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven warrior was deemed strong among the household guards, and only those who reached Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven were seen as truly elite. Yet, to Qiao Hou, such a warrior was no more significant than an ant.

"He wants you to be his guarantor?" Qiao Hou asked, his brow still furrowed with skepticism.

Qiao Mao spoke, "Indeed, I once came across a secret method for entering into contracts. I've already formed such a contract with Qiao Shen, and now he holds sway over my life. Should he fail to achieve his desire, he has but to think it, and I would die instantly."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. It was astonishing that someone would so readily entrust their life to another.