Chapter 537 - 48: Kidnapping?

"Before the tournament in Dingyuan City, who even knew who Song Changsheng was? Given his previous status, who would have believed he had any connection to the Young Master of the Wanlong Commerce Association?"

The white-browed youth’s tone was tinged with regret as he spoke. He, who prided himself on being an All-Knowing Sage, had completely overlooked such a promising prospect like Song Changsheng.

Before news of Song Changsheng’s victory in Dingyuan City spread, he hadn’t believed a single word Chi Huo Old Ghost had said.

Later, after he got the news, he launched an in-depth investigation. It was only after discovering that Song Changsheng was actually an Honored Guest Elder of the Wanlong Commerce Association that he realized Chi Huo Old Ghost had been telling the truth. But by then, it was too late. Two "big shots" who should have already left Daqi came knocking.

After asking a few questions, they "invited" him here.

The entire time, his mind was completely blank, because no one had ever dared to treat him this way.

During this time, he often wondered if he would have avoided his current predicament had he just believed Chi Huo Old Ghost and gone with him to meet that Clan Leader Song.

Seeing the white-browed youth fall silent, Chi Huo Old Ghost couldn’t resist a sneer.

Just then, the tightly shut door opened, and a tall, slender figure walked in.

The newcomer was a woman of breathtaking beauty. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, her lips were as red as blood, and with every blink, her phoenix-like eyes seemed capable of hooking one’s very soul.

She wore a blood-red, waist-high dress that half-exposed her ample bosom. Her delicate collarbones were faintly visible beneath the thin gauze, and her slender waist looked as if it could be encircled by a single grasp. The skirt ended just below her knees, revealing a pair of fair, delicate calves.

Like a figure stepping out of a painting, her beauty was soul-stirring.

But the moment she spoke, a murderous aura filled the air.

"Oh, still in the mood to bicker? My brother has already sent a message to your master, arranging to meet him at 5:00 PM today. You’d better pray you’re important enough to him. Otherwise, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death."

The woman extended a slender, pale finger and gently lifted Chi Huo Old Ghost’s chin. Though she was smiling, her touch radiated a suffocating coldness.

"Hmph." Chi Huo Old Ghost angrily turned his head away. "You want to use me to lure the Young Master here?

In your dreams!

I’m just a puppet in the Young Master’s hands. He’ll never show himself. You should give up on that idea right now. No need to wait until 5:00 PM. Just do it now, so I can hurry up and find a good reincarnation."

Watching Chi Huo Old Ghost, who seemed to face death with equanimity, the woman straightened up. The smile on her face gradually vanished as she said coldly, "I never expected someone like you to have a loyal side. That’s rare.

However, I’m curious. If Song Changsheng doesn’t show up by 5:00 PM, will you still be so devoted?"

Chi Huo Old Ghost’s brow twitched, a crack appearing in his mental defenses.

Though it was only for an instant, the woman noticed. A playful smile appeared on her face. "It seems your loyalty isn’t so absolute after all.

Relax, I was just joking with you. Whether your master comes or not, we’ll let you go afterward.

Just stay put and stop shouting. My elder brother may not have let me take your lives, but he’d have no problem with me cutting out your tongue to go with my wine."

With that, ignoring Chi Huo Old Ghost’s ashen face, the woman turned to leave.

Just then, the white-browed youth, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "Lady Blood Princess, since betraying the Holy Sect, you’ve become someone I hardly recognize."

Blood Princess froze for a moment, then replied without turning her head, "Anyone would change after leaving that den of demons. Aren’t you the same, Shen Yin? Oh, my apologies, *Lord* Yinr Sheng."

As her voice faded, the door shut once more, and the murderous aura in the room abruptly vanished.

Chi Huo Old Ghost stared at Shen Yin as if he’d seen a ghost. "You two are in this together?" he exclaimed in shock.

Shen Yin couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Glancing at the blood-red chains wrapped around his body, he said, "Does it look like it?"

Taken aback by the retort, Chi Huo Old Ghost didn’t get angry. Instead, he pressed on, "That woman is called Blood Princess? How come I’ve never heard of anyone like that?"

Shen Yin gave him a faint, unreadable smile. "Are you aware of the Blood Demon Sect’s sneak attack on Luoxia City all those years ago?"

"Of course. The Blood Demon Sect threw nearly everything they had into it, and half of Luoxia City was reduced to rubble. It caused a huge sensation throughout all of Daqi back then." Although Chi Huo Old Ghost had spent his days in brothels during that time, he was still well-informed.

"This Blood Princess was the leader of that operation, the Squad Leader of the Blood Demon Sect’s Bian and Ling branches," Shen Yin said calmly.

"What?!" Chi Huo Old Ghost cried out in shock...

Blood Princess walked into the front courtyard and sat down next to a middle-aged man in a shabby gray robe. "You sent that message to Song Changsheng so brazenly. Aren’t you afraid he’ll report it to Luoxia City?

Given his current relationship with them, all he has to do is ask, and it’ll be hard for us to escape unscathed."

The middle-aged man picked up a gourd, took a swig of strong liquor, and said casually, "This is a show of my sincerity. If he’s a smart man, he won’t make such an unwise choice."

"And how do you know he’s a smart man?" Blood Princess sneered.

The middle-aged man’s hand froze. He took a small sip of the liquor, his face filled with melancholy. "Then I’m afraid we’ll have to have a go at it. If the Great City Lord doesn’t intervene, your brother should have no problem getting you out of here."

"And if he does intervene?"

The man’s expression grew even more melancholic. "Then," he said softly, "we’ll just have to be siblings in our next life."

"Pah! Who said I want to be your sister again in the next life?" Blood Princess spat, showing him no courtesy whatsoever.

Just as the man was about to list the twenty reasons why they should still be siblings in their next life, his eyebrows suddenly shot up. He stood and said, "He actually came this quickly."

Blood Princess’s delicate brows furrowed as she looked toward the closed courtyard gate.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

A hesitant knocking sound echoed.

A calm voice carried into the courtyard.

"Song Changsheng has come as invited. I ask that Your Excellency show yourself."

The middle-aged man’s eyes suddenly sharpened. He sat back down on the stone stool in a domineering fashion, and with a wave of his sleeve, the courtyard gate flew open, revealing Song Changsheng’s upright figure.

The moment the gate opened, Song Changsheng saw the middle-aged man sitting directly opposite him. Their gazes met in midair, and in an instant, Song Changsheng stumbled back several steps.

’Is this... a Pupil Technique?’

Gazing at that ordinary yet world-weary face, Song Changsheng was filled with horror.

In the instant he had met the middle-aged man’s gaze, the man’s eyes had seemed to transform into a bottomless vortex, threatening to tear his Divine Soul right out of him.

If he hadn’t snapped out of it in time, he would probably be a corpse by now.

’A look really can kill!’

From the very first moment, Song Changsheng was at a complete disadvantage. He was certain that the other party was a Purple Mansion Cultivator, and an elite one at that, whose strength far surpassed that of the Thunder King Hall’s Eighth Judgment Envoy.

Among the Purple Mansion Cultivators in Luoxia City, probably only Zhan Tianxia and Bai Zhengchun could match him in a fight.

Though horrified, his expression remained impassive. He cupped his hands slightly and said, "I have come as requested. Might I ask how to address you two Seniors?"

"Soulless. This is my sister, Blood Princess," Soulless introduced.

Song Changsheng mulled over the name "Soulless," finding it vaguely familiar for some reason.

"I recall two Blood Demon Sect villains who ambushed the Luoxia City auction house years ago. They abducted the Bloodline of the Blood Bat Demon King. One was killed on the spot, and the other died at your hands, did he not?"

Soulless nodded, a little surprised. "Correct."

’This is one ruthless character,’ Song Changsheng’s heart sank.

"I have never met you before, Senior. I wonder why you invited me here, and in such a manner.

Also, now that I am here, where is Chi Huo? I would like to see him first," Song Changsheng said in a low voice.

"Don’t be impatient, Clan Leader Song. Your subordinate is fine for now. I have a few questions for you. As long as you provide me with satisfactory answers, I will naturally hand him over," Soulless said calmly.

Hearing this, Song Changsheng instantly grew wary. "Your Excellency, please speak."

...