Chapter 306: Xue Bing is Captured
Chapter 306: Xue Bing is Captured
No one dared to believe that the man disguised as a coachman was actually Lu Shaohua, the White-Haired Eagle, one of the Nine Great Catchers of the Six Doors, striking fear into the hearts of countless underworld experts in the southeast region.
"Good, he went just as I expected," Jin Jiuling said with a faint smile. "Lu Xiaofeng is truly a loyal friend."
Lu Shaohua chuckled, "It's all thanks to your ingenious plan, Chief."
Jin Jiuling replied, "While Hua Manlou and Su Shaoying are at the prince's mansion, Ye Gucheng has returned to Baiyun City, and Lu Xiaofeng has gone to the Western Garden. Let's also pay a visit to our old friend."
"Yes!" Lu Shaohua urged his horse to gallop, quickly turning down several alleys before approaching the Snake King's residence from another direction.
Along the way, none of the Snake King's subordinates dared to stop them, and the carriage soon arrived in the backyard of the Snake King's residence.
Jin Jiuling lifted the carriage curtain and slowly ascended the stairs to the small building. Without even knocking, he casually pushed open the door and entered the Snake King's room, a place where no one else was usually allowed to set foot.
"You've come," the Snake King said, his face somewhat gloomy as he looked at Jin Jiuling. "Lu Xiaofeng has already left."
"I'm aware," Jin Jiuling said calmly. "There's no need for you to put on such a resentful act. Lu Xiaofeng is your friend, and he's my friend as well."
The Snake King coldly huffed, "Friend? A friend would steal his woman and send him off to face a formidable enemy?"
Jin Jiuling smiled nonchalantly, "You don't understand. Lu Xiaofeng is the kind of person who's always willing to help his friends. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken your place to deal with Princess Gongsun."
"Will Princess Gongsun die?" the Snake King asked.
"Princess Gongsun is the Embroidery Thief. Who else would die but her? Who would believe her words?" Jin Jiuling laughed. "Moreover, I'm in charge of this case.
"Good!" The Snake King nodded. "I've done everything I promised you. What about your promise to me..."
"When have I ever broken my word?" Jin Jiuling laughed bitterly. "If I had, do you think you'd still be able to hide and retire peacefully in Yangcheng? That person would have killed you long ago."
"Others may not know your secrets, but I do," Jin Jiuling said calmly. "As long as you cooperate with me, you can remain the Snake King of the Yangcheng underworld. Otherwise, I wouldn't even need to deal with you myself. A single word from me, and that person will descend from the Peak of the Holy Mother's Water."
The Snake King fell silent, having nothing more to say.
He opened the cabinet against the wall, and Jin Jiuling's eyes narrowed as he saw a woman sitting inside, her eyes glaring at both the Snake King and Jin Jiuling.
"She's awake?" Jin Jiuling asked in surprise.
"She has decent martial arts skills," the Snake King said, his face darkening.
"It's just as well that she's awake," Jin Jiuling said, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Even if she hadn't woken up here, I would have made sure she did. Otherwise, wouldn't we miss out on some fun?"
A trace of terror flashed in Xue Bing's eyes as she understood the implication in Jin Jiuling's words.
"Don't be afraid. I'm Lu Xiaofeng's friend, Jin Jiuling. You must have heard of me," Jin Jiuling said as he walked towards Xue Bing, a refined smile on his face.
But to Xue Bing, that smile seemed to have come straight from the depths of hell.
"He cares about you deeply. After last night's infiltration of the prince's mansion, he was worried that you'd be anxious, so he hurried off," Jin Jiuling said.
"I heard that you encountered danger and went missing, so I specially asked the Snake King to send out three thousand men to look for you. Meanwhile, I took his place to attend a dangerous meeting," Jin Jiuling smiled.
At that moment, as the Snake King turned his head, Jin Jiuling approached Xue Bing, positioning herself behind the Snake King and in front of Xue Bing.
Jin Jiuling winked at Xue Bing and then turned back, instantly striking the Snake King's pressure points on his back. With a swift reverse grip, she clutched his throat, silencing him.
The Snake King's body stiffened, his face contorting in terror.
He tried to struggle, but the pressure points rendered him powerless; he attempted to call for help, but with his throat constricted, no sound escaped.
"You... what do... you..."
Without glancing at the Snake King, Jin Jiuling continued smiling at Xue Bing. With a slight shake of her left hand, she produced a red satin ribbon from her sleeve and, with a gentle wave, looped it around the Snake King's neck before yanking it tight.
"Ugh... ugh..."
The Snake King's face turned redder, but he couldn't even muster the strength to struggle. Moments later, he became completely still.
Jin Jiuling released her grip, letting the red ribbon remain wrapped around the Snake King's neck. She then patted her hands together and said to Xue Bing, "The Snake King betrayed Lu Xiaofeng and plotted against you. I've avenged you both."
Jin Jiuling's smile remained gentle, but the cruelty and desire in her eyes were now unconcealed. Her gaze upon Xue Bing was as if she were looking at a pitiful, weak, and helpless kitten.
Xue Bing's eyes reflected her panic as her body began to tremble uncontrollably. With her pressure points struck and under the influence of the hallucinogenic powder, she was utterly helpless, and fear was inevitable.
In the next moment, Jin Jiuling picked up Xue Bing, gently closed the cabinet door, and paid no heed to the deceased Snake King. Carrying Xue Bing, she descended the stairs and returned to the black lacquered carriage.
"Let's go back," Jin Jiuling said softly.
With a light flick of the whip, the carriage departed from behind the Snake King's tower and made its way toward the west side of the city. It turned onto a slanted street, passing three calligraphy and painting shops, an engraving shop, and an oil-paper umbrella store before finally stopping outside a mounting shop.
Jin Jiuling placed Xue Bing into a large box inside the carriage, then alighted and carried the box into the mounting shop. She opened a hidden door, passed through a secret passage, and arrived in a small courtyard containing only three to five elegant rooms.
Jin Jiuling entered the central room, set the box down, and placed Xue Bing on the bed before removing her coat.
Xue Bing glared at Jin Jiuling, her eyes conveying a mixture of fear, anger, resentment, and a plea for mercy.
"Where's that tiger-like aura of yours now? You look like a little stray cat abandoned by its owner, begging for its master's grace," Jin Jiuling teased.
"But don't worry, I have something else to take care of first," she continued, smiling. "I'm going to take your clothes to Lu Xiaofeng to give him a hint and direct his attention toward finding your kidnapper. By the time he discovers the culprit and goes after them, I'll be back to keep you company."
"Don't worry, it'll be tonight," Jin Jiuling added, before administering two more acupuncture points on Xue Bing's body and leaving with her clothes. Turning to the two maids waiting in the courtyard, she instructed, "Take good care of her."
With Xue Bing's clothes in hand, Jin Jiuling hurried to the room she had prepared earlier, intending to arrive before Lu Xiaofeng and ensure that his focus remained fixed on Gongsun Daniang.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
