C30 It Was Intolerable!

Upon signing the contract, he essentially surrendered his life to another, leaving himself utterly defenseless and without any means to resist. Moreover, if Qiao Shen decided to act on a murderous impulse now, wouldn't that mean instant death?

Qiao Hou and his companions gave Qiao Mao peculiar looks, as if they were staring at a creature from another world.

Catching a glimpse of uncertainty in Qiao Hou's eyes, Qiao Mao inwardly scoffed. Sensing his moment, he pledged his allegiance, "Sir, for the Qiao and Qin families to reign supreme over Martial Sun City, I urge you to act swiftly. My life may be inconsequential, but should Qiao Shen renege on his promise, we would be at a grave disadvantage."

"The Qin family is indeed blessed to have someone as steadfast and dedicated as you," Qiao Hou remarked, clapping Qiao Mao on the shoulder. "Secure the key to the Ancestral Land from Qiao Shen, and I'll grant any request you have, along with a handsome reward."

Qiao Hou could hardly contain his elation. The key he had so desperately sought was now within reach, all thanks to a mere Qin family warrior.

With the key to the Ancestral Land in hand, he could retrieve the Celestial Yin Nether Arts stored within, achieving a monumental feat. He could even claim a prize from the Main Family's masters—a multitude of gains from a single venture.

"God be praised," Qiao Hou murmured, thrilled with anticipation.

"Thank you, my lord," Qiao Mao replied with feigned excitement, bowing respectfully. "The matter is quite straightforward. Qiao Shen has two conditions. The first is the release of his daughter, Qiao Shuang. Should he perish, we are to spare her any harm."

"Qiao Shuang?" Qiao Hou's brow creased ever so slightly. Previously, releasing Qiao Shuang was trivial, but now it posed a challenge.

"Yes, the initial condition is the release of Qiao Shuang," Qiao Mao confirmed. He hadn't anticipated his uncle Qiao Shen's poisoning, which led him to have his mother, Zhen Gui, bring Qiao Shuang back. Currently, Qiao Shuang was undoubtedly in their custody, so securing her safety was his immediate priority.

Qiao Hou hesitated before turning to the stranger at Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven and asked, "Sir, what's your opinion?"

The stranger remained silent but nodded in agreement, secretly sending a message to Qiao Hou, "Once Qiao Shen hands over the key to the Ancestral Land, we can then capture Qiao Shuang without delay."

Realization dawned on Qiao Hou. With the key in hand, he would have no further concerns. Qiao Shuang wouldn't be able to escape either, as the contract's backlash would be lethal for the individual before him, and there was no need to worry about the Qin family turning against him.

Besides, should the Qin family turn on him, he could rely on the Main Family's experts to completely eliminate them.

"That works. And the second condition?" inquired Qiao Hou.

"Sir..." began Qiao Mao, hesitating.

"Haven't I already agreed to your terms? What's the issue now?" Qiao Hou asked, growing impatient.

"Qiao Shen will only reveal the second request after seeing Qiao Shuang," explained Qiao Mao. "It's a matter of life and death for me. I'm asking for your assistance."

"What a nuisance," Qiao Hou grumbled, then commanded, "Bring Qiao Shuang here."

"As you wish," replied the two Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven warriors behind Qiao Hou, who soon returned with Qiao Shuang in tow.

Qiao Shuang was cradled by a warrior, unconscious. Her once fair complexion was now filthy and deathly pale, her aura weak, clearly indicating her recent suffering.

Qiao Mao's heart clenched as he quickly took Qiao Shuang into his arms, thoroughly checking her condition. Once assured she was not in grave danger, he placed her beside Qiao Shen with a sense of relief.

Qiao Shen, lying in bed, opened his eyes, his face alight with emotion. His greatest fear had been leaving Qiao Shuang alone and unprotected after his death. Now, seeing her returned to his side filled him with overwhelming relief.

"Alright, Qiao Shuang is now with you, and we've promised not to harm her further. It's time for you to state your second request," Qiao Hou stated icily.

With an inward sneer, Qiao Mao approached Qiao Hou and said cheerfully, "Sir, there's no need to rush. His second request is for your demise."

Qiao Mao's cultivation burst forth with explosive force as he suddenly launched an attack. Channeling the full might of the Wind Thunder Palm, he struck out at Qiao Hou, who was nearest to him.

"Boom!"

Caught off guard and completely unprepared for Qiao Mao's sudden assault, Qiao Hou was hit squarely by the palm strike. He was sent flying, much like a kite severed from its string.

"Bam!"

Qiao Hou crashed against the wall. A sweet taste filled his throat, followed by a gush of blood that he spat out, turning his face ashen with shock. Meanwhile, the others quickly adopted defensive postures, their expressions grim as they fixed their gaze on Qiao Mao.

"Who are you? How dare you launch a sneak attack on me? You're asking for death!" Qiao Hou, clutching his aching chest with one hand and pointing at Qiao Mao with the other, exclaimed furiously.

Qiao Hou had been convinced he was moments away from obtaining the key, but he hadn't anticipated Qiao Mao's treacherous attack, which left him seething with rage.

Before Qiao Mao could respond, Qiao Shen, who had been reclining on the bed, burst into laughter. "Asking who he is? Haha, Mao, show them exactly who you are."

"Of course, Uncle." Qiao Mao replied with a slight curl of his lips, revealing his true self as he dropped his disguise and his refined eyes came into view. Smiling at Qiao Hou and the others, he asked, "I wonder if you still recognize me?"

"So it's you. What are you doing here?" Qiao Hou's mind reeled as if he had been struck on the head. It was beyond his wildest thoughts that the man before him was Qiao Mao, the very person he had been relentlessly pursuing. He bellowed furiously, "Qiao Mao, you dare to show your face here? You're truly seeking your own demise!"

"You say Qiao Mao is seeking death? I wouldn't be so sure," retorted Qiao Shen, suddenly sitting upright and pulling Qiao Shuang into his embrace. He displayed his Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven cultivation in all its glory, casting a chilling glance over the onlookers. His face twisted into a menacing scowl, he looked every bit the part of a man ready to kill. "Let's see who dares to lay a hand on my nephew."

Qiao Hou exclaimed in astonishment, "Weren't you severely poisoned before? How on earth are you able to stand up?"

He had commanded Pock Face to administer poison to Qiao Shen daily, all the while keeping a covert watch over him. Qiao Hou pondered, "How is it possible for Qiao Shen to be standing up as if nothing happened?"

"It's simply inconceivable..."

Upon hearing Qiao Hou bring up the poisoning, Qiao Shen's gaze turned icy in an instant. Blood smeared his face, yet he seemed indifferent to it, responding with a chilling tone, "Indeed, I was poisoned. However, the King of Hell wasn't ready for me to die, so Mao returned to save me."

While speaking, Qiao Shen cast a glance toward Qiao Mao, his eyes brimming with appreciation. He thought to himself, "Without my nephew, no matter how desperately I fought, death would have been certain."

As Qiao Shen's eyes met Qiao Hou's once more, a profound sense of murderous intent emanated from him. With a voice as cold as ice, Qiao Shen declared, "Qiao Hou, we may share the same family, but you have not only turned your back on our blood ties, you've also conspired with outsiders to slaughter your own kin. Such deeds are utterly unconscionable."

By the end of his speech, Qiao Shen was nearly bellowing, his inner rage seemingly capable of obliterating all in its path. His thunderous voice resonated within the room, lingering long after.