Chapter 474 - 474. Coincidence or Premeditated

Chapter 474: Chapter 474. Coincidence or Premeditated

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

There was no response from inside. Undeterred, Xiao Zeyu pushed the door open, relieved to find it wasn’t locked from the inside.

Entering the room, he found a man lying face down on the floor, surrounded by overturned plates and bowls. Bits of rice and vegetables were strewn about. The man was utterly motionless, leaving Xiao Zeyu uncertain whether he was alive or dead.

“Brother, are you okay?”

He nudged the man and called out loudly.

Receiving no response, Xiao Zeyu checked the man’s wrist for a pulse. What he found was alarming: signs of poisoning. The poison coursing through the man’s veins was unusually potent, reminiscent of the surging Yellow River.

This piqued Xiao Zeyu’s curiosity. Who was this person, and who could have poisoned him so severely?

Xiao Zeyu had an antidote given to him by Su Qing. Encountering someone in such a dire condition, he felt compelled to help. He administered the antidote to the man, lifted him, and placed him on the bed.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the man appeared in his forties. He was thin, with pronounced brow bones and deep-set eyes. Two vertical lines etched between his brows suggested a life filled with worry.

His hands were rough, indicative of manual labor, yet he could afford a room of this quality. This discrepancy raised Xiao Zeyu’s suspicions.

“Ah...”

The man exhaled deeply and slowly opened his eyes. His irises were an unusual yellowish-brown shade, unlike the typical black, suggesting he might not be from the Central Plains.

Understanding the situation, Xiao Zeyu inquired, “Brother, how are you feeling? I just administered an antidote.” Trace the roots of this material to novelb!n•

Most people would express gratitude upon learning they’d been saved, but not this man. He looked at Xiao Zeyu coldly and stated, “I didn’t ask you to save me.”

Xiao Zeyu smiled and responded, “True, you were unconscious. How could you ask? I sensed you were poisoned. Who would be so cruel to do this to you?”

Despite Xiao Zeyu’s amicable demeanor, the man remained guarded. He answered briefly, “I don’t know.”

“Hmph, Qin Tie has no interest in meeting anyone. Don’t waste your time.”

Li Tie scoffed dismissively, his eyes narrowing as he rejected Xiao Zeyu’s request.

“In that case, Mr. Qin Tie, I sincerely seek your assistance. In return, I can help you fully detoxify the poison within you.”

Upon hearing his real name spoken, Qin Tie dropped the act. He now realized Xiao Zeyu was not to be trifled with and felt a flicker of hope.

Gazing intently at Xiao Zeyu, he said, “Since you’ve identified me, yes, I am Qin Tie. If you seek my assistance, there will be a price.”

“And what would that price be?”

Xiao Zeyu had been warned by his Martial Uncle that Qin Tie was eccentric. One would need to meet his terms to gain his cooperation, which could be money or even more elusive. Today, Xiao Zeyu was experiencing this firsthand.

Xiao Zeyu only feared Qin Tie’s refusal to help, not whatever conditions he might set.

“My daughter’s name is Qin Yu-er. She was abducted a year ago. I’ve scoured the Central Plains for any information. I found out the Five Ghosts of Dianxi took her. Just last month, I located their hideout in Miaojia Mountain but was poisoned before I could proceed. I’ve sought the help of reputed martial artists across the Central Plains to rescue her. I’d go through any ordeal for my daughter’s safety.”

Hearing the question from Xiao Zeyu, Qin Tie’s eyes filled with a fiery intensity, his teeth clenched. He candidly shared his desperate search for the notorious Dianxi Five Ghosts.

He then turned his gaze to Xiao Zeyu. Over the past month, he had reached out to renowned martial artists, appealing for their help. Yet, when they heard the name “Five Ghosts of Dianxi,” they backed out, refusing to engage with such dangerous foes.

Having faced many rejections, Qin Tie needed more hope for Xiao Zeyu.

What a turn of events, thought Xiao Zeyu. He was on a quest related to the Dianxi Five Ghosts, and now here was Qin Tie, claiming his daughter was their victim.

Xiao Zeyu studied Qin Tie carefully. He had heard the Five Ghosts were masters of disguise. Could this man before him be genuine or an imposter?

Seeing Xiao Zeyu’s silent scrutiny, Qin Tie sighed, his eyes clouding with resignation and despair.

“Forget it, just forget it. No one in the Central Plains has the courage. They’re all spineless, afraid of their shadows. Leave, I’ll save my daughter myself.”

Xiao Zeyu met Qin Tie’s gaze intently.. Was this an attempt to provoke him?