Chapter 1 The Unexpected Turn

Looking at the foreign gu master collapsed on the ground, begging for mercy, a look of astonishment and disdain flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

He never expected that this notorious poison expert who intimidated the martial world would be such a disappointment!

Disappointed, he withdrew his foot and said coldly, "You are not qualified to negotiate terms with me!"

"Honestly confess everything you know, and I might consider giving you a quick death. Otherwise, don't you like using people to feed poisonous insects?"

"I will let you experience that taste as well. Chop off your limbs and throw you into the Hundred Beast Garden to feed the wolves!"

His calm tone carried a strong aura of threat.

Even without seeing the Central Plains Emperor's expression clearly, the foreign gu master knew that he was not making empty threats and would definitely do as he said!

A chill instantly ran down his spine, but he did not succumb. Instead, he was provoked into ferocity, sizing up Jiang Chen with a ferocious gaze, seeking an opportunity to strike back.

Since he was going to die anyway, dragging an emperor down with him wouldn't be a loss!

His feigned weakness earlier had caused the surrounding guards to lower their guard. As long as he got a little closer... even with his limbs broken, he was confident that he could poison this Central Plains Emperor!

"Ahem, Emperor of the Central Plains, don't you want to know the whereabouts of those missing girls?"

"Kill me, and I guarantee that no one in this world will ever find them again!"

"Then, you will be the indirect murderer who killed them... tsk tsk, a dozen beautiful young women, killed by you like this. Do you still have the face to claim that you are diligent and love your people?"

Hearing this, anger instantly ignited in Jiang Chen's eyes, "You are threatening me?"

The foreign gu master trembled under his gaze, but his tone remained tough, "Threatening? Your men have already crippled me, how dare I threaten you? I'm just making a deal!"

"A dozen lives in exchange for my life, this is a bargain you can't lose."

While haggling, the foreign gu master seemed to have given up resisting, using all his energy to find a way out for himself. His flawless performance concealed the murderous intent rising in his heart from everyone present.

But in reality, from the moment he knew he was exposed, this foreign gu master had been plotting against Jiang Chen!

He understood that only by taking the life of this Central Plains Emperor and creating a huge commotion could he take the opportunity to escape.

Otherwise, death was the only fate awaiting him!

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as the foreign gu master sneered, "Emperor of the Central Plains, haven't you made up your mind yet? Any more delay, and it will be feeding time for my little darlings."

"By then, even gods won't be able to save them!" As he spoke, the foreign gu master circulated his true qi, vibrating the silver bell around his waist. Unheard by human ears, sound waves spread in all directions, summoning the nearby poisonous creatures.

This was his deepest secret. No one knew that the seemingly inconspicuous silver bell around his waist could control poisonous insects.

Perhaps someone as perceptive as Jing Yue could sense the abnormal changes in the surrounding environment.

But her attention was focused on Jiang Chen at this moment, leaving her no time to attend to other matters, and she was thus deceived.

Jiang Chen was even more oblivious. The anger of being threatened by a prisoner had taken over his mind.

The 'darlings' in this dog's mouth must be those disgusting and damned poisonous insects. Those women were ordinary people. If bitten, they would surely die.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen's expression became even more solemn. If it weren't for a shred of rationality, he would have rushed up and taken this dog's life himself!

Taking a deep look at the foreign gu master on the ground, Jiang Chen compromised, "Alright, I agree to your terms."

"As long as you tell me the whereabouts of those women and let me rescue them safely, I can spare your life."

"But you better do as you say, otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Hearing this, the foreign gu master smiled triumphantly, saying with a hint of mockery and flattery, "Your Majesty is so benevolent to your people, it almost moves this outsider."

"However, an emperor like you shouldn't go back on his word, which makes me feel much more secure about this deal..."

Jiang Chen didn't know that the foreign gu master was stalling for time, waiting for the poisonous insects to gather, and he was too lazy to listen to his nonsense, interrupting him, "I don't have time to listen to your drivel, quickly reveal the whereabouts of those women!"

The foreign gu master raised an eerie smile, "Alright, I'll tell you, they, they are in..."

His voice was weak and indistinct.

Jiang Chen subconsciously took a few steps closer, frowning and saying, "What did you say? Speak louder, I can't hear you!"

"This courtyard is already surrounded by the Imperial Guards, I warn you, you better not play any tricks..."

Before he could finish speaking, a strange smell filled the air, a fishy stench mixed with a sweet aroma. Jiang Chen's head throbbed from the strange scent, and an alarm went off in his head. He took a big step back.

At that moment, the foreign gu master on the ground suddenly sprang up, making a strange sound in his throat.

Then, a colorful centipede the length of a forearm crawled out of his mouth, arched its body, and shot towards Jiang Chen like an arrow!

In the rustling wind, the centipede revealed two fangs the length of a little finger, the tips glowing with a deep purple light, emitting a fishy stench.

At the same time, its gorgeous legs also swelled up, and the erected barbs opened, exceptionally sharp.

Even without poison, being grazed by such a ferocious creature would result in half one's skin being torn off, causing fear. Not to mention that it carried a deadly poison!

The sudden change caught everyone off guard. They wanted to save the emperor, but they were too slow and could only watch helplessly as the centipede approached Jiang Chen!

'Shua!'

A blade was drawn!

Knowing that he couldn't dodge in time, Jiang Chen directly drew the saber from his waist, intending to meet the attack head-on.

Although it looked fierce, a beast was still a beast. He didn't believe that he couldn't even deal with such a small insect!

"Zhi zhi!"

A sharp cry rang out, and a fishy wind blew against his face.

Jiang Chen tightened his grip on the hilt of his saber, his eyes fixed on the front, and channeled the internal force of his whole body towards the centipede's abdomen.

'Hua!'

The blade flashed, and the centipede was split in two, cut in half from the middle and falling to the ground.

The spurting purple-black blood splattered on Jiang Chen's body, emitting a strange, fishy, and sweet smell.

Jiang Chen frowned, tore off his sleeve, wiped the black blood from his face, and sneered, "This is your trump card?"

"A little bug that can't even last three breaths, is this your confidence to fight against me? Ridiculous!"

His natal gu worm severely injured, the foreign gu master's face turned pale, and blood overflowed from his mouth, but his smile was triumphant and mad, "Hahaha! Emperor of the Central Plains, you've fallen for my trap!"

"That centipede is a highly poisonous creature. Ordinary people would die of poisoning just by smelling it."

"But you not only smelled it, but also got its blood on you. If you want to live, kneel down and beg me, and treat me as an honored guest. Otherwise, just wait for your death!"