Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 353 - 345: Prey Delivered to the Door

The old steward was in a difficult position. If the Family Head could resolve the issue of the Sixth Young Master’s poisoning, he wouldn’t be so anxious.

Now, the Family Head was preoccupied with the poisoning incident and couldn’t attend to other matters.

The Ouyang Family had been prideful in this region for a long time, enjoying smooth sailing for a century because the ancestor held the fort, deterring all challengers.

Therefore, the Ouyang Family members were born with an air of arrogance, and their use of poisonous insects to deal with adversaries made them a formidable force.

They generally did not regard others with importance.

As such, neither the Family Head nor the elders paid attention to the trouble caused by a few insignificant people. Though the Great Elder was aware it was a conspiracy, he didn’t intend to intervene. First, there was the old resentment from competing for the Family Head position, and second, he believed the opponents couldn’t stir up any major waves.

The old steward, however, felt this trouble was unusual.

There was a vague sense of impending doom.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t in power and couldn’t make decisions, so he could only fret on the sidelines.

"Why are you looking so sullen? Hurry up and go."

After dismissing the old steward, the Great Elder looked toward the distant battle with some frustration. As time became more pressing, he pondered whether to call upon the other two ancestors.

The two Void Power ancestors, though of collateral lineage, had reached such a high level that they couldn’t be summoned easily; the cost was considerable.

In his heart, he thought if they acted, these intruders would be wiped out in no time, and there would be no need for all this effort.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the authority to call the two ancestors into action, so he decided to wait and see. After all, any problem wouldn’t be his responsibility.

Without the Family Head Order, the Stone Gate couldn’t be opened from the outside, only from within.

He didn’t specially explain this, believing the old steward would report the matter to the Family Head.

After the encounter last time, Gu Ming had an epiphany on the way back and remembered the opponent’s identity. He specifically investigated and confirmed the opponent was indeed the second-in-command of the Dark Pavilion.

Now, upon meeting again both masked, a glance was enough for them to recognize each other’s identity.

They fought back-to-back in unison.

"Was that Ghost Night Asura just now?"

"Mr. Gu, what business do you have with our Pavilion Master?"

"It’s not advice I seek, but a business deal with the Pavilion Master of the Dark Pavilion."

Swords and blades clashed in a spinning motion, blood met throats.

Both swiftly harvested the heads of the guards who inadvertently presented themselves, quickly facing a Dark Strength Realm expert, cooperating with ease.

Amidst the spare moments, they discussed business.

"If you want the Pavilion Master to act personally, the cost isn’t low."

"Your Pavilion Master can come in person, so there must be something they seek. I’m just aiming to do a little business on the side. We all have common goals, so why be so reserved? Gold and silver are of no lack to the Pavilion Master; how about a favor owed by both Fuxi Castle and the Gu Family to the Dark Pavilion?"

"Mr. Gu, your favor is not something easy to owe. Your purpose is to rescue all the children, right? I’m afraid with just these people and strength, it’s insufficient."

"That’s why we’re seeking your help."

"Lord Yang, what do you think are our chances under the current circumstances?"

In the fight, their numbers dwindled, and even several of the people Han Yi brought along were lost.

Now, forming a circle, only nine of them stood, seven holding a child each.

Of the people Han Yi brought, including himself, there were only four left, while Gu Ming, Yang Zihuan, Ah Li, and two other subordinates survived.

If it weren’t for the opponents considering the children they held and needing them alive, the intruders would have long been wiped out.

"Gu’s action this time is purely coincidental. I believe your Pavilion Master came prepared; can you save these children? If you can save all the better; if not, rescuing a dozen of the smaller ones will suffice."

"Mr. Gu cares so much about these children; do you have an illegitimate child among them?"

Gu Ming was angry: "Commander Han, don’t speak nonsense."

"If Mr. Gu doesn’t speak the truth, it’s hard for us to do our best."

"This matter is of great importance. I hope Commander Han can understand. Gu is willing to offer ten thousand taels of gold as gratitude."

Seeing the other party care so deeply about the children’s lives yet reluctant to reveal their identities suggests the children’s identities are not simple.

However, such a favor is not to be missed out on.

Having joined the battlefield, they were now opposing the Ouyang Family, which wouldn’t be easy to withdraw from, especially with the young master still inside. They had no choice but to maneuver here.

"Mr. Gu, make sure to remember today’s promise."

As Han Yi spoke, he blew the whistle in his hand.

The sharp, loud sound pierced the endless darkness of the sky, bringing a whistling wind from the depths. In the black night, a shadow flashed by with a long cry, breaking the night’s silence, disturbing the swirling snowflakes, and the flickering firelight made it all the more dazzling.

Seizing the opportunity, Han Yi took out a bottle of pills and tossed them to Gu Ming and the others, popping one into his own mouth.

"Antidote, protect the children, cover your noses and mouths."

As he finished speaking, the hawk circling in the sky dropped objects that exploded mid-air, releasing countless powders carried by the cold wind into all directions.

Those from the Ouyang Family who were hit twitched all over, suffered unbearable itching, and felt extreme discomfort.

Unknowingly, they scratched through their clothes and wounded their flesh without realizing it, causing chaos at the scene.

"Unbelievable." The Great Elder’s high-pitched voice rang out, but speaking caused him to inhale a lot of powder, making him itch all over instantly.

Those with high combat power noticed the moment the powder appeared and used Inner Strength to dispel the powder. But with residual powder in the air, they inevitably inhaled some.

Realizing something was wrong, they flew towards a safe zone in the distance to meditate.

The elders also had to meditate and regulate their breathing to try and dissolve the inhaled powder.

Seeing this situation, Gu Ming couldn’t help but exclaim, "The Ghostly Poison Hand truly lives up to its reputation."

The Ghostly Poison Hand Gu Ming referred to was Elder Qi, a famous poison expert in the Jianghu, loyal to the Dark Pavilion. Various forces attempting to poach him all ended up poisoned.

"You’re too kind, Mr. Gu."

Given the current situation, the moments of respite gained allowed them to adjust and recover.

However, Cheng Xiaoxiao, inside the stone cave, wasn’t as fortunate.

The poison only took down the guards delivering the children, having no effect on the two attendants, prompting a confrontation with them, which then alerted the Ouyang Ancestor meditating with focused attention.

His cold eyes, like the vampiric bat in the dark, scrutinized the prey in front of him with interest.

"Boy, endowed with good natural aptitudes, you’ve already reached Void Power at such a young age, with limitless potential. Who would’ve thought after so many years, such a high-quality vessel would be sent here? Hahaha!

The heavens have not treated me poorly, hahahaha!

Once my divine skill is accomplished, there’s hope of returning to the peak, hahahaha!"

"Host, that old monster must be insane; I cannot understand a word he’s saying."