Chapter 4917 — Wounded in Love

Hearing this, Wei Zhao was utterly at a loss for words. Ni Xiaoniu's words were nothing short of an admission that she had caused Chang Laiting's death. What did it mean to be a pig teammate? This was the textbook definition of a pig teammate!

And besides, the other party was an early-stage Xuansheng expert, and she herself was also an early-stage Xuansheng expert. Even if her strength fell somewhat short, it still should not have frightened her to such an extent. Judging by Ni Caiyue's panicked state, she had probably never even exchanged blows with the other side—she had simply fled the moment she saw her opponent.

A dignified early-stage Xuansheng expert, facing an opponent of the same level, had not even the courage to make a probing strike—more precisely, had not even the thought of making a probing strike. If word of this got out, jaws would drop in disbelief!

How on earth had such a third-rate specimen ever succeeded in breaking through to Xuansheng? What did that make of those who had squandered a lifetime of effort only to stall at the peak of Yuanying perfection?

Viewed from this angle, Ni Xiaoniu really was a remarkable oddity.

Just then, another man in gray came swiftly toward them from the distance, calling out loudly, "Lao Li, how goes it?"

The man in black, addressed as Lao Li, answered and pointed his curved blade at Wei Zhao and his companion. "Lao Xiao, this little wench and her lover here seem to have conspired to kill Brother Chang. What do we do?"

"What? Brother Chang was killed by them? That damned adulterous pair!" Lao Xiao's expression changed drastically. To the two of them, Chang Laiting was not only their leading brother but also their backer and umbrella within the academy. If Chang Laiting truly was dead, their future prospects would be none too pleasant—after all, they had thrown their weight around for years and made no shortage of enemies.

"They certainly deserve death! Lao Xiao, you make the call—what do we brothers do next? I'll follow your lead!" Lao Li said at once.

"Need you ask? Of course we kill this adulterous pair and avenge Brother Chang!" A murderous glint flashed in Lao Xiao's eyes.

"Good—one blade each. Your grandfather will send this pair of curs on their way right now!" Lao Li grinned savagely and moved to strike at Wei Zhao and Ni Caiyue.

"Hold on!" Lao Xiao suddenly stretched out a hand to stop him, his eyes leering greedily at Ni Caiyue. "Don't say I never gave you a chance. If you're smart and hand over all the fine things you're carrying, and then you, little wench, obediently submit to me, I might just consider letting you live."

"Ah? I..." Frightened by his gaze, which seemed about to strip the clothes from her body, Ni Caiyue retreated again and again, hastily ducking behind Wei Zhao and pushing him forward.

Wei Zhao shook his head helplessly at the sight. It seemed he would have to take back that earlier assessment—Ni Xiaoniu's loyalty had lasted all of one moment before she turned around and sold him out again.

"Hmph, as for you, pretty boy lover, if you want to live, it depends on what rare treasures you can produce that might catch our fancy. If they're not up to standard, heh heh..." A cold gleam flashed in Lao Xiao's eyes; his meaning was plain enough.

"If they're not up to standard, your grandfather will slice the flesh from your body strip by strip and let you savor the taste of a thousand cuts. I'll have you know, the thing I hate most in this life is pretty boys!" Lao Li stared at Wei Zhao and said viciously.

"Heh heh, from the look of you, seems you've been wounded in love before. What's the matter—a pretty boy stole your woman?" Wei Zhao asked in return, wholly unruffled and not the least bit intimidated.

"What did you say? What did you say, you pretty boy who deserves a thousand cuts?" Lao Li lost control of his emotions at once, looking ready to fly into a rage on the spot.

"So he really was wounded in love..." Wei Zhao was somewhat surprised. That such a hideous, ferocious man had been hurt in love—and deeply, by the look of it, which showed how deeply he had loved—was truly unexpected.

"I'll kill you! Damned pretty boy!" Lao Li was about to vent his fury and cleave Wei Zhao in two with a single stroke, his expert's aura on full display. Though he had not yet reached the level of a three-spirit Xuansheng expert like Chang Laiting, he was plainly a cut above ordinary early-stage Xuansheng experts—no wonder he held Wei Zhao in such contempt.

But before Wei Zhao could make a move, Lao Xiao beside him kicked Lao Li's curved blade aside, his strength clearly a notch above Lao Li's—no wonder Lao Li let him make the decisions.

"Calm down. Let this pretty boy hand over his things first, then you can kill him—no rush!" Lao Xiao snapped coldly, and only then did Lao Li recover, grimly sheathing his long and short curved blades.

"Hey hey, talking like that seems a bit insulting to my intelligence, doesn't it?" Wei Zhao stared at the two of them, his face dark with exasperation. Saying such things right to his face—who the hell would hand anything over? Did these two really think he was as bright as Ni Xiaoniu?

"Haha, I said it before—whether you live or die depends entirely on what rare treasures you can produce. If you can satisfy us, then naturally you won't have to die," Lao Xiao sneered.

"So it all comes down to rare treasures, does it?" Wei Zhao drew the words out with a faint smile, putting on an air of profundity. "You two really have come to the right person. I do happen to have a truly splendid rare treasure right on my person. Do you want it?"

"Heh heh, so you know what's good for you after all, pretty boy. Hurry up and hand it over!" Lao Xiao and Lao Li's eyes lit up at the words, and they urged him on eagerly.

"There, it's on my person. How about you come and get it yourselves? That way I can't seize the chance to run off, right?" Wei Zhao shrugged.

The two exchanged a glance, and Lao Xiao laughed at once. "Fine. Seeing as you're so sensible, if the treasure is decent enough, I'll be merciful and spare your life. Lao Li, search him!"

"Right. You'd better behave yourself, pretty boy—stand still and don't move, don't try any tricks, or your grandfather will hack you to pieces!" Lao Li grinned savagely and came over to search Wei Zhao.

But the moment his hand touched Wei Zhao, his whole body froze stiff, then began convulsing madly like sifting chaff, unable to utter a single word, breakdancing right there on the spot.

"Lao Li, what the hell's gotten into you? Hurry up and search him!" Lao Xiao, standing behind, had not yet grasped the situation. He frowned and urged him on, and seeing that Lao Li still showed no reaction, he impatiently raised a hand and slapped him, cursing, "You idiot, what are you dawdling for..."

But before he could finish, Lao Xiao himself began convulsing madly as well. Alarm and terror flooded his face, and he desperately activated his martial technique, putting all his strength into a kick that sent Lao Li flying while finally extricating himself.

To save himself, Lao Xiao had held nothing back in that kick. Lao Li was sent flying dozens of zhang, coughing blood in utter wretchedness—he had been seriously injured.