Chapter 91: Fierce Battle with Poison Eagle

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Upon hearing the name Eagle King Bai Zhanou, Lei Qing understood immediately. Lei Qing had been in the Free Alliance for two or three months, so he had gained some understanding of the distribution of power here.

Actually, even before coming to the Free Alliance, Lei Qing had long heard of the thunderous reputation of Ten Thousand Eagles Stream. This was a dominant, large-scale power with a very illustrious reputation. Its leader, Eagle King Bai Zhanou, was even a Holy Rank powerhouse.

Holy Rank powerhouses were not like common cabbages on the side of the road, found everywhere. In fact, among the eighteen large powers, not every single one possessed a Holy Rank powerhouse.

The Eagle King’s disciple, even if not the most powerful one, certainly could not be a mediocre person. Lei Qing’s gaze gradually focused and became unusually solemn as he said in a low voice: “So it is the Eagle King’s proud disciple. Lei was impolite. I wonder why Brother Zong has come from afar to stop us in this remote corner? May I ask what this is about? Let me state beforehand, the ransom demanded by the Li Chamber of Commerce has long been transferred by me. I fear you will return empty-handed.”

Li Baobao also looked at him with endless worry. Zong Wuji was a Mid-stage Silver powerhouse with a notable reputation. But more of his reputation came not from his strength, but from his ruthlessness.

Poison Eagle, Poison Eagle. Using poison claws was just one part of it; it referred more to his poisonous nature.

“I don’t really care about the ransom or anything like that.” Zong Wuji smiled indifferently, but fixed his falcon-like eyes tightly on Li Baobao and laughed loudly: “I am actually quite curious. Rumor has it that Miss Li was the Young General’s captive. Why does it seem now that is completely not the case?”

“Did Brother Zong travel a thousand miles just to run your mouth?” A coldness showed in Lei Qing’s eyes. This Poison Eagle, Zong Wuji, was indeed terrifying, making him feel immense pressure. But this did not mean that Lei Qing would lose confidence when facing a powerhouse of this level.

Life and death were not a simple comparison of cultivation realms. Factors such as will, temperament, blood, courage, and luck also played a significant role.

Just like Red Tyrannosaurus An Feifei; back then, she was clearly only at High-stage Bronze. But she could make even some Silver-rank powerhouses quite wary of her.

Lei Qing had experienced the feeling of clawing his way back from the death line many times. Although his cultivation was not as strong as Zong Wuji’s, that confidence to face bleak death made him as solid as a rock.

Naturally, it would be best not to come into conflict with Poison Eagle. But from every perspective, this Poison Eagle, Zong Wuji, had certainly not come here for sightseeing.

“Good, good. The Young General has an extraordinary bearing and audacity.” Zong Wuji smiled sinisterly, revealing his dense, sharp teeth: “I appreciate young people like you. To tell you the truth, I was entrusted by President Li Qianlong to come and rescue his precious daughter. I see that your goal of demanding ransom has been achieved, so you should let her leave now, right?”

The nervous Li Baobao immediately breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out her father had entrusted someone to pick her up; she had been worried for nothing.

Although Li Baobao was smart and had a sharp eye for business and intelligence, with quite a bit of talent, she had, after all, experienced too few setbacks. For a moment, she subconsciously feared Poison Eagle Zong Wuji, so she unconsciously thought in a positive direction.

But Lei Qing was different. He knew that Li Qianlong had a high status and position, and merchants valued their reputation the most. Although Ten Thousand Eagles Stream was very powerful, its reputation had always been poor. Even if Li Qianlong entrusted someone to bring Baobao back, he had plenty of capable men under him; why would he find someone with a notorious reputation like Zong Wuji to handle it? That would just tarnish his own reputation. Besides, what if Zong Wuji harbored wolfish ambitions and was momentarily blinded by profit or lust?

In short, Lei Qing knew that if he were in Li Qianlong’s position, even if he wanted to bring Li Baobao back, he would find some mature and steady trusted aides to do it. It wasn’t exactly a glorious matter.

However, he would not say this out loud. Instead, he smiled and cupped his hands: “I see. President Li is truly calculating. Lei made so many arrangements, yet he could still judge my objective from mere clues. He used his strategy like a god to intercept you here. I, Young General Lei Qing, although a newcomer, also cherish my feathers and value my reputation. Since I have taken the Li Family’s ransom, it is impossible that I would not release the person. Please rest assured on this point, Brother Zong.”

“In that case, let’s cut the nonsense. Miss Li, come with me.” A satisfied smile appeared on Zong Wuji’s face, but in those falcon-like eyes, a trace of complacency seemed to flash past.

Li Baobao was somewhat hesitant, wanting to go back but also seeming reluctant to part. She looked at Lei Qing with an expression of wanting to speak but stopping herself.

“Wait.” Lei Qing shouted in a low voice and smiled faintly: “I said just now that I am a man who values his reputation. If I say I will release her in a month, it won’t be more than a month, nor less than a month. That means there are still over ten days left. Ahead lies Tieling City. If Brother Zong has nothing else to do, come and sit with me for a while. Once the time limit is up, I will naturally send Miss Li to the nearest branch of the Li Chamber of Commerce.”

Poison Eagle Zong Wuji’s smile faded as his face gradually darkened. He said in a cold voice: “Kid surnamed Lei, I rarely treat people with such courtesy. Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. If you know what’s good for you, hand over Miss Li quickly. Otherwise, I’ll make a brat like you, who dares to kidnap people’s children, bleed within five steps.”

“How bold!” Lei Qing’s group of Personal Guards raised their weapons one after another and stood in front of Lei Qing. The short-tempered and burly Li Sanba cursed directly: “What kind of trash is this Poison Eagle or Poison Bird, daring to speak to our Young General like that? Careful, or I’ll beat the piss and shit out of you.”

Li Sanba possessed divine strength, and ordinary weapons could not bring his power to its fullest. Because of this, Lei Qing had someone prepare a hundred-and-fifty-jin solid spiked club for him.

That thing was a great weapon of war. When swung with his divine strength, it was like a crazy beast. Ordinary people couldn’t withstand it at all. Some time ago, there were some blind bandits; one High-stage Black Iron bandit was directly smashed by him with a single blow, his weapon and head crushed into pulp. This was what Lei Qing taught him: if you have great strength, you must exert the advantage of great strength. No matter how fancy your moves are, I’ll just smash you with a spiked club.

This also made Li Sanba’s confidence increase greatly, so much so that he dared to shout even at a Silver-rank powerhouse.

“Courting death.” Poison Eagle Zong Wuji was no ordinary person. Since his debut, others either respected or feared him. How could a reckless brat who hadn’t even reached Bronze-rank dare to speak to him like this?

His figure flashed, and the cape on his back rose high, pouncing forward like a giant eagle spreading its wings. Vaguely visible, a pair of blue, poison-coated sharp claws appeared in his hand, cold and menacing.

His speed was extremely fast; even Lei Qing could barely keep up. To prevent Li Sanba from meeting with an unexpected mishap, Lei Qing also swayed and moved forward. “Lian Zhan” danced, blooming seventeen sword glows. The electric light sizzled, forming a gorgeous thunder flower, with the faint sound of rumbling thunder.

This sword strike had already brought his strength and sword momentum to the extreme. Amidst the brilliance, it revealed infinite killing intent. Under constant tempering, Lei Dong’s Fighting Secret Art, “Lightning Flash and Thunder Clap,” had already progressed from small success to great success, increasing its power out of thin air.

“Well struck.” Poison Eagle Zong Wuji was a Mid-stage Silver powerhouse, after all, and a disciple of a Holy Rank powerhouse. His cultivation was powerful and terrifying. Facing Lei Qing’s strong offensive, he was neither startled nor panicked. The two sharp claws in his hands danced continuously, forming a deep blue curtain.

Ding ding ding. A series of rapid sounds of metal clashing rang out.

Lei Qing’s sure-kill move was unexpectedly blocked without missing a beat. His wrist and tiger’s mouth ached faintly from the shock of Zong Wuji’s Fighting Qi power, and he almost couldn’t even hold his sword.

Zong Wuji, however, still had energy to spare. He attacked with a sinister clicking laugh. His blue, glinting claws mercilessly grabbed towards Lei Dong’s chest from a distance. Once grabbed solidly by him, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“Zeng.” The sound of a startled string rang out.

Zuo Qianqian’s Thousand-Mechanism Crossbow shot a sharp arrow, striking towards Zong Wuji’s chest like a meteor. Zuo Qianqian, who had cooperated with Lei Qing for a long time, always knew how to seize the right moment.

Zong Wuji, judging the position by the sound of the wind, sensed that the sharp arrow was no small matter and dared not receive it head-on. He clapped his two claws together, and with a ding amidst sparks, he deflected the sharp arrow.

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