Chapter 319: Ruthless Hand
Celestial King Hall, Outer Hall.
After spending a Daoist Merit, Zhang Yuan sent a token to Liao Chen.
This was one of the special services of the Outer Hall.
The token he received earlier must have been sent by the other party through the Outer Hall.
Because the primary condition for sending a token is aura. Liao Chen wouldn’t possess items sealing Zhang Yuan’s aura, thus unable to directly send him a token.
Besides, Liao Chen is a Martial Artist and doesn’t understand Casting.
Conversely, Zhang Yuan also couldn’t directly reply to Liao Chen.
Liao Chen said in the message that there was an urgent matter to meet about.
The specific content wasn’t written.
And the talisman was delivered to Zhang Yuan’s home yesterday.
At that time, he hadn’t come out of seclusion.
So Zhang Yuan could only go to the Outer Hall and reply to the other party in the same way.
Before long, Liao Chen hurried to the Outer Hall.
Upon seeing Zhang Yuan, he showed a joyful smile and made a fist greeting, saying, "Divine General Zhang!"
Zhang Yuan returned the greeting, explaining, "I was in seclusion yesterday and only saw your talisman today. What is it that you need to see me about?"
Liao Chen glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, "Divine General Zhang, do you still want the Evil Infant? I discovered another Yin Sha Corpse Cave, slightly bigger than the previous one."
Hmm?
Zhang Yuan was slightly taken aback.
The Yin Sha Corpse Cave isn’t like cabbages growing on the ground; its formation conditions are quite stringent.
Is Liao Chen’s luck really so good?
Of course, opportunities often make no sense.
Some people search for a lifetime without encountering rare treasures, while others find Ginseng Spirit Medicine on their first venture into the mountains.
Liao Chen had tasted success previously and had related experience.
Deliberately seeking more results isn’t an unusual matter.
Continuing to collaborate with Zhang Yuan is also justified!
While Zhang Yuan’s thoughts raced, he immediately shook his head and responded, "I don’t need it anymore."
"Ah?"
Zhang Yuan’s response caught Liao Chen completely off guard, so much so that this Outer Hall Guardian was stunned: "No, not needed anymore?"
Clearly anxious, Liao Chen quickly added, "This time, just eighty Daoist Merits!"
Zhang Yuan pondered in silence.
Liao Chen gritted his teeth, "Seventy, not a penny less!"
He was well aware that last time he secured a high price of a hundred Daoist Merits because Zhang Yuan had an urgent need.
This time the situation was evidently different.
Zhang Yuan shook his head, "Protector Liao, I am not deliberately bargaining but genuinely have no use for it."
"Even if it’s useless, it can be exchanged for Daoist Merits!"
Liao Chen said unwillingly, "Divine General Zhang, we’ve worked together once, and I trust your character and strength. We can continue to collaborate in the future."
"How about sixty Daoist Merits?"
His face was full of hope, his eyes even showing a hint of pleading.
Zhang Yuan hesitated for a moment, nodded and said, "Alright, let’s collaborate once more for seventy Daoist Merits."
Liao Chen immediately showed joy: "Generous sir, then we are settled. See you tomorrow morning!"
As if worried Zhang Yuan might change his mind, he quickly bade farewell after speaking.
Zhang Yuan watched him leave in thought.
The next morning, Zhang Yuan arrived at the Celestial King Hall as promised to meet Liao Chen.
Having experience from last time, there was no need for any useless talk; Zhang Yuan followed Liao Chen out of Xia Ruins and ventured into Taiwu Mountain again.
After a swift journey, the two arrived before a dark little valley.
Liao Chen stopped and pointed ahead, saying, "It’s in there, three to four hundred steps in, you’ll see it."
Zhang Yuan nodded.
But instead of rushing forward, he turned to look at Liao Chen: "Protector Liao, I have no vendetta with you, right?"
Liao Chen was stunned, "Ah?"
Zhang Yuan laughed.
Liao Chen became anxious, "Divine General Zhang, what do you mean by this?"
Zhang Yuan turned back to look at the valley and said indifferently, "If there’s no vendetta, why would you lead me here?"
Liao Chen’s expression changed immediately, angrily saying, "Divine General Zhang, I don’t understand what you mean, I simply..."
Clang!
A razor-sharp Sword Aura flashed, and Liao Chen trembled all over, his eyes filled with terror.
The next moment, his head fell silently!
The clean and smooth neck sprayed blood several feet high, the headless body slowly fell.
It was Zhang Yuan who beheaded him with a single strike!
The Outer Hall Guardian’s head rolled a few times on the ground, dead but not at peace!
Liao Chen’s cultivation in Tier Four was not weak, having extensive combat experience from years of adventuring and tasks.
He naturally had means to save his life.
However, Zhang Yuan’s strike was too fast and fierce, and with both being so close, it left Liao Chen no time to dodge or block, his head severed on the spot.
Despite many means, none could be executed now!
Liao Chen was obviously unwilling, his eyes wide, as if speaking his grievances.
But Zhang Yuan felt he hadn’t wronged him.
Yesterday at Celestial King Hall, when Zhang Yuan refused him, Liao Chen had a fleeting moment of guilt.
Though he masked it well, Zhang Yuan’s keen intuition couldn’t be fooled.
Liao Chen was overly eager, which was unnatural.
His using a talisman to contact Zhang Yuan was suspicious, considering it cost a Daoist Merit.
Zhang Yuan wasn’t concerned about one Daoist Merit.
But Liao Chen, who was greedy for Daoist Merits, willingly invested such a high cost, contrary to his character—unless he had ulterior motives!
He could have contacted Zhang Yuan by other means, not so hastily.
The Yin Sha Corpse Cave wouldn’t run away!
Of course, Zhang Yuan couldn’t conclude Liao Chen had malicious intent based on just this.
He simply kept his guard up.
Liao Chen would never know Zhang Yuan had an Extraordinary Scout like the Red-eyed Crow!
He looked down, his gaze focused.
The next instant, Zhang Yuan kicked Liao Chen’s right hand.
The other’s tightly clenched hand opened, revealing a small and delicate metal cylinder rolling out.
Puff!
Triggered by some mechanism, a shower of fine needles suddenly sprayed from the cylinder.
Whizzing and piercing into the earth with considerable force!
Zhang Yuan sneered.
Sure enough, Liao Chen harbored ill intentions, fully prepared to ambush him.
Launching such hidden weapons from close range is incredibly hard to defend against!
Undoubtedly, these needles were coated with poison.
The grasses they hit withered visibly, even releasing a foul odor.
Zhang Yuan stepped back, his gaze returning to the valley, sternly shouting, "At this point, hiding and not emerging, isn’t it shameful?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Taowu Saber he clutched suddenly buzzed violently.
The Profound Soldiers emitted a faint blood glow, conveying its greedy desire for slaughter and blood to Zhang Yuan.
Though refined by Zhang Yuan, the Profound Soldiers’ spirituality instincts remained intact.
The freshly severed head had just triggered its ferocity!