Chapter 394: Xiao Family Visitors!
Zhao Dong slowly turned around, his gaze meeting that of a middle-aged man with an impressive presence.
"Speak. Who sent you?"
"Interesting. You truly are the one who killed the Xiao Family's steward. We hid so well, yet you still found us." The man's gaze held a flicker of admiration before it solidified into a thick, murderous aura. "However, you've offended a power you shouldn't have. No matter how strong you've become, this is where you die!"
"Heh, so it's the Xiao Family," Zhao Dong muttered, his eyes darkening as Spiritual Energy slowly gathered in his right hand.
Although the surrounding thugs were formidable, Zhao Dong paid them no mind. Only the man before him posed a substantial threat. This man is far from ordinary!
"Letting you die knowing the truth is my final show of respect." The man pointed at Zhao Dong and said scornfully, "Now, it's time for you to die."
As he spoke, the surrounding assassins swarmed forward.
"Moths to a flame, overestimating your own strength!"
Zhao Dong stepped forward, his figure like a ghost. He was a hungry wolf plunging into a flock of sheep; with every move, an assassin spat blood and went flying.
"Good lad!" The man's expression changed. A pitch-black dagger appeared in his right hand as he charged directly at Zhao Dong.
In an instant, a sense of mortal danger enveloped him.
Zhao Dong retreated rapidly, but the dagger still slashed across his abdomen.
"You're courting death!" Zhao Dong roared, immediately unleashing the Body Transformation Technique. His muscles bulged, turning blood-red as his aura surged to the heavens. He kicked an assassin out of his way and, like a ravenous wolf, pounced on the leader.
The man, unprepared for Zhao Dong's sudden surge in strength, hurriedly fell back but was still struck square in the chest by Zhao Dong's fist.
SPURT!
A fountain of blood erupted from the man's mouth.
"Is that all?" Zhao Dong sneered. But a moment later, a sharp pain flared from his wound. He quickly looked down to see the gash was already beginning to fester and become inflamed.
"Despicable! You poisoned the dagger?"
"Heh, only the dead are despicable. The living are always kings!" The man wiped the blood from his mouth, preparing to get back up.
Zhao Dong knew he couldn't prolong the fight. He hurriedly used his Spiritual Energy to slow the poison's spread, then threw a handful of pills into his mouth and swallowed.
The power of the pills erupted within him. Zhao Dong's aura soared!
"No! Impossible! How could you..." The man's legs trembled in fright at Zhao Dong's transformation. Before he could finish his sentence, a fist had already pierced through his chest.
SPURT!
Blood sprayed from the wound. The man's bloodshot eyes bulged wide. Even in death, he couldn't believe that this sure-kill situation could have ended this way.
The remaining minions were no match for Zhao Dong. A few quick-witted ones fled, but he shattered the hearts of all the rest.
At the same time, Zhao Dong spat out a mouthful of black blood. He had tried his best to hinder the poison, but the physical exertion made it spread with incredible speed.
He staggered out onto the street, heading for the nearest herb shop he could remember. As the saying goes, a healer cannot heal himself. Zhao Dong's Spiritual Energy could no longer expel the toxin. To survive, he had no choice but to buy herbs.
But as soon as he stepped onto the street, his legs weakened and his vision blurred. His mind felt as muddled as if he'd downed several bottles of strong liquor, and his empty hands felt as if they were holding thousand-pound weights.
Finally, after stumbling another two hundred meters, Zhao Dong collapsed.
THUD!
He lay on the deserted night street. Any passersby simply assumed he was a drunk and paid him no mind.
He lay there for a long time until a white Maserati finally pulled up in front of him.
The car door opened, and a slender woman in black silk stockings and leather boots stepped out. With a look of annoyance, she said coldly, "It's you drunks who stay out all night that are ruining the peace in Provincial City! Get up!"
She kicked Zhao Dong's arm.
But in the next second, she noticed the blood on it.
Her expression changed. She hurriedly helped him up, and upon seeing his face, her elegant brows furrowed deeply.
"Why is it you?"
At the same time, the large patch of blood on Zhao Dong's chest came into view. The woman's brows knitted together as she hesitated.
Ultimately, however, she sighed, lifted Zhao Dong, and placed him in the passenger seat.
The warm air inside the car cleared Zhao Dong's head slightly. Oblivious to who was beside him, he mumbled, "Snow Ganoderma... Deer Tail Grass... Ice Toad... those herbs... they can save me..."
"Snow Ganoderma, Deer Tail Grass, and Ice Toad? Those aren't easy to find." The woman sighed. Gazing at Zhao Dong's miserable state, she slammed on the brakes, spun the car around, and headed in the opposite direction. "You're lucky you ran into me. My family has all of those. It's your lucky day, kid!"
「Ten minutes later.」
The car stopped outside a detached villa.
The woman carried Zhao Dong inside and placed him on the sofa. "Hang in there. I'll go get the herbs for you."
Five minutes later, she returned with various herbs, a clay pot, and an induction cooker.
"I have everything here. Are you still able to concoct the medicine?" she asked doubtfully.
"I can... help me up..."
With the woman's help, Zhao Dong mustered all his strength to sit up. "Help me put the herbs in, then brew them exactly as I say."
"Alright." The woman nodded and began preparing the medicine according to his instructions.
As the aroma of the herbs reached his nose, Zhao Dong's mind cleared a little more. He looked to the side. When he saw the woman's face, he was stunned.
"Leng Yue... you're the one who saved me?"
"Surprised?" Leng Yue said coldly. "Consider yourself lucky it was me."
"Thank... thank you..." Zhao Dong managed a wry smile.
He could never have imagined this. The last time they met, they had been at daggers drawn. Now, she was his savior.
Half an hour later, the medicine was ready. Leng Yue helped Zhao Dong and fed the concoction to him.
The moment the medicine entered his mouth, its potent effect instantly restored control over his body. He quickly sat cross-legged in meditation, manipulating his Spiritual Energy to control the medicinal power and begin expelling the toxins from his body.
The herbs Leng Yue provided were of the highest quality.
Five minutes later, the poison was completely purged.
Feeling his body gradually return to normal, Zhao Dong took a deep breath. That brush with death had been truly terrifying.
Beside him, Leng Yue also let out a sigh of relief when she saw he had recovered.
Zhao Dong stretched his neck and was about to get up and thank her.
But just then, a heat as fierce as a blazing fire suddenly erupted from his Dantian!
The heat was terrifyingly intense. In an instant, his entire body turned beet-red, as if he were being roasted alive.
Zhao Dong was alarmed. How can this be?! He quickly sat cross-legged again, trying to suppress the intense heat with his Spiritual Energy.