Hu Sixi, who had been so defiant moments ago, immediately caved upon seeing Hu Yuan’s true soul being extracted. "Ten million is not a small sum. I need to report to the sect leader." Hu Sixi's face darkened like the bottom of a pot as he gritted his teeth and said.
I hadn't expected Hu Sixi to agree so readily. I had intended to make things difficult for him, and asking for money was merely a way to test him, to see Hu Yuan's status in the Hu family.
"You have half an hour. If the money isn't here, I'll send this brat away."
Hu Yuan's face immediately turned pale. The pain from having his soul extracted hadn't subsided, and he never wanted to experience that kind of fear again. He cried out to Hu Sixi, "Third Grandfather, agree to it, hurry and agree! Call my dad, tell him to transfer the money quickly… I don't want to die!"
Seeing Hu Yuan crying with snot and tears, Hu Sixi, with a dark expression, took out his phone and dialed a number, briefly explaining the situation.
"Mm… Understood."
After hanging up, Hu Sixi looked at me expressionlessly and said, "The family needs to raise the money. The money will be in your account in an hour. Now you can let him go!"
A smirk played on my lips. "Are you calling yourself foolish or me foolish? Let him go without seeing the money? Do you really think I'm some newbie just starting out? Your Hu family has dominated the north for so many years, and you need an hour to gather ten million? Give you ten minutes. If the money isn't here, don't blame me for being impolite." I said this to Hu Sixi, but my eyes flickered towards Hu Yuan, making the kid tremble, and a smell of urine immediately wafted from him.
Seeing this, Bai Ling'er shot away, "This guy is so disgusting," followed by sounds of retching.
Her action was completely unexpected. I inwardly cursed, thinking that without Bai Ling'er to threaten Hu Yuan, Hu Sixi wouldn't behave. As I instinctively looked towards Hu Sixi, I realized he was no longer in his previous position.
Just as I was preparing to grab Hu Yuan as a hostage, I felt a chill on my neck. Hu Sixi's claw-like hand, resembling a withered branch, had already grasped my throat, and his sinister voice reached my ears.
"Little brat, if you don't want to die now, then behave yourself for this old man."
I let out a wry smile. Moments ago, I was majestically threatening Hu Sixi, but in the blink of an eye, I had become his hostage. Wasn't the speed of this transition too fast?
"Little snake, if you dare move again, let's see who's faster – you or my hand?"
As soon as Hu Sixi finished speaking, I felt my neck tighten, and then I was lifted into the air. With his grip and my own weight, I immediately felt my breathing become difficult, my eyes rolling back.
"No, don't! Don't move, let him go!" Bai Ling'er panicked. She hadn't expected that due to her momentary carelessness, the situation would turn disadvantageous in an instant.
"Third Grandfather, whatever you do, don't let go of this kid. I want to make his life a living hell."
When had Hu Yuan ever endured such humiliation? He was the one who used to beat others until they were covered in their own filth. Today, he was scared into making a fool of himself by someone's words and was even threatened with his life. If this revenge wasn't taken, he swore he wouldn't be human.
Just as I was about to be crushed to death, Hu Sixi finally released his dog-like paw. The moment I landed, I coughed violently and gasped for air. Before I could catch my breath, my head started to ache, my vision shifted sideways, and then various pains surged through my body.
"Little brat, weren't you just so arrogant? You dared to extract my soul? Let's see how I deal with you!" Hu Yuan yelled, while viciously kicking me with his urine-soaked feet.
I could only curl up, covering my head, enduring Hu Yuan's retaliation. The frustration I felt was indescribable. How pathetic!
However, with Hu Sixi present, I could only endure Hu Yuan's revenge. Who could I blame when I couldn't defeat Hu Sixi?
I don't know how many kicks I received, but only when my entire body felt numb did Hu Yuan stop. Panting heavily, he said, "Third Grandfather, let's extract this kid's soul!"
"No. This kid cannot be touched."
"Why? Does this kid have some powerful background?" Hu Yuan looked at Hu Sixi in confusion. In his impression, in this northeastern territory, there was no one his Hu family feared. Even high-ranking officials treated Hu family members with courtesy, because officials were also people who needed good fortune, and who could blame them when the Hu family could control such things?
I, who had been lying on the ground feigning death, perked up my ears upon hearing that my life was not in immediate danger, wanting to know why Hu Sixi disagreed with Hu Yuan killing me.
After all, I had not only beaten Hu Yuan earlier but also extorted ten million from them. Either of these actions was enough to kill me several times over. Would they really let me go so easily?
Hu Sixi offered no explanation. Instead, he kicked me and said, "I know you're faking death, kid. Get up quickly, I have something to ask you."
Seeing that my little trick had been discovered, I had no choice but to get up from the ground. I sat down shamelessly, looked up at Hu Sixi, and said, "Ask whatever you want quickly. After you're done, just send me on my way."
"Little brat, still so arrogant? Do you really think we dare not kill you?"
Hu Yuan was furious and kicked me a few more times. However, this time I didn't fall. The kicks only made my body sway slightly before I steadied myself, looking at Hu Yuan with cold eyes.
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Leave some room for maneuver, and we might meet again."
"Oh ho, you dare to threaten me? You killed my bodyguard and extracted my soul. If I don't deal with you, I won't be named Hu." Saying this, he began chanting a spell, preparing to perform the soul-capturing technique. I watched him coldly, actually hoping he would try to capture my soul.
Before Hu Yuan could cast his spell, Hu Sixi interrupted him. "What nonsense are you spouting? This kid can't be killed. Are you ignoring my words?"
Seeing Hu Sixi on the verge of anger, Hu Yuan called out "Third Grandfather" aggrievedly. Seeing that his face remained stern, he could only stand in place without speaking, but his eyes, filled with anger, kept glancing at me.
"Kid, answer a few questions honestly, and I'll let you go, how about that?"
"Answer questions and you'll let me go? Are you that kind? I killed a watchdog, after all." I asked with suspicion. I didn't believe Hu Sixi would be so kind. These old guys were as cunning as foxes, saying one thing to your face and another behind your back. If I truly believed him, I wouldn't know how I died.
"Hmph, believe it or not, it's up to you. I advise you not to try and provoke me. Answer the questions honestly, and everything will be fine. Otherwise, don't blame this old man for taking action." Hu Sixi's red hair seemed to move without wind, coupled with his white teeth, making him look like an evil spirit returning from hell, quite terrifying.
"A wise man doesn't fight when the situation is unfavorable. Since you want to ask, then ask, but I might not be able to answer."
"Do you recognize this item?"
Looking at the Hu Kui Seal in Hu Sixi's hand, my heart sank. I hadn't expected this old guy to actually retrieve the Hu Kui Seal. It seemed Huang San had likely met a grim fate. Seeing me staring blankly at the Hu Kui Seal, Hu Sixi didn't rush me, just looked down at me from above.
"I recognize it. The Hu Kui Seal."
"Good. You're quite honest."
Hu Sixi put the Hu Kui Seal away and then continued, "Tell me the entire process of how you obtained this item, leaving nothing out."
"This…" My mind raced as I considered how to respond. I knew Hu Sixi must know the function of the Hu Kui Seal, and his objective was undoubtedly the Half-Yin Realm. If I told the truth, this old guy would rush to the Half-Yin Realm immediately and control it for himself.
Seeing my prolonged silence, Hu Sixi didn't urge me. He just looked down at me with a half-smile, seemingly unconcerned about being deceived.
His gaze made me uneasy. After thinking for a moment, I decided to tell the truth, but mix in some lies at key points. That way, he surely wouldn't be able to tell.
"This is a long story, like a child without a mother. It all started a month ago…"