Chapter 1083: Do you dare to enter? (1/2)

Han Yunxi’s group trekked down the mountain unimpeded. From a long distance away, Han Yuxni could already tell there was a circle of poison around Tiger’s Prison to prevent the vipers from coming in. The circle was three-meters away from the front gates, while a large swath of vipers had already died within the ring. However, more and more snakes were pouring in. Thanks to the venom, they couldn’t control themselves from charging forward despite the deaths of their peers.

Because Han Yunxi’s group had taken an antidote, they weren’t targeted by the poison vipers. They simply stood outside the ring of poison and watched the countless snakes pour forth. Besides dead snakes, there was a full five rows of archers standing scattered about the premises, all of them with bows cocked. They formed a dense wall of arrows as they aimed their weapons at the group of five. Heaven knows what would happen if these 10,000 some arrows flew at the same time? The door to Tiger’s Prison was shut tight with no sign of Jun Yixie.

Han Yunxi stood in the center of her group with Long Feiye and Tang Li on her left and Gu Beiyue and Gu Qishao on her right. Despite spotting the archers, they had no fear. Since they chose to break in, they had prepared themselves. Even if there were ten rows of archers instead of give, they wouldn’t even crease their brows!

“Jun Yixie, it hasn’t been long since we last met, but you’re already such a coward? What now, afraid to face this old man?” Gu Qishao shouted loudly.

At this, a single arrow came flying their way. Gu Qishao smirked and only turned his head sideways so the weapon could whistle past his ear.

“You’re afraid to come out, aren’t you? Big bro, let’s kill our way in!” Tang Li said icily as he raised a specially designed crossbow. At this moment, Jun Yixie’s voice spoke from within.

“Long Feiye, Han Yunxi, your lordship’s appointment is for tomorrow night. What now, are you so eager to drink tea with this lord?”

Gu Qishao laughed out loud. “Lord? Hasn’t the Northern Li emperor long removed your status as duke? What now, you still didn’t know?”

“Jun Yixie, if you can still live until tomorrow night, this crown prince doesn’t mind condescending to drink tea with you,” Long Feiye gave a cold snort.

With Gu Qishao and Long Feiye singing their lines, Jun Yixie was rendered both angry and humiliated! He flipped onto the roof and loomed over them.

“Long Feiye, Han Yunxi, if you want Ning Cheng to live until tomorrow night, you better wait well!”

“Where’s Ning Jing? And the child?” Tang Li couldn’t help demanding.

Jun Yixie laughed out loud. “Tang Li, if you kneel down and beg me, I might consider letting you see the baby.”[1]

Tang Li was furious beyond belief. He was about to launch his crossbow when Han Yunxi moved to shoot a needle first! Although Jun Yixie didn’t see the needle, he did sense its poison and hastily got out of the way. When the needle pierced the roof, it broke off one of the roof tiles, leaving him stunned. He never expected Han Yunxi’s internal energy to be so potent!

How long had it been since they last met? Just what had Han Yunxi experienced recently? Wasn’t she a waste at martial arts? If he hadn’t sensed the toxin, he could’ve died with one shot from Han Yunxi!

Han Yunxi said coldly, “Jun Yixie, you have to act the part if you want to negotiate. Let’s take a look at all the hostages first, or else prepare for the consequences!”

Jun Yixie was afraid they’d find out he only had Ning Cheng in his hands. Moreover, not a single Di Clan member was amongst the people here tonight. He had to take precautions in case Han Yunxi and Long Feiye abandoned Ning Cheng in favor of killing him. As things stood, even if he wanted to perish together with the couple, it was possible he couldn’t kill them at all.

“Who wants to negotiate with you?” Jun Yixie sneered.

“Then what do you want?” Tang Li was getting desperate.

Jun Yixie suddenly laughed out loud. “Someone come open the door. The rest of you, make way!”

At his orders, the five rows of archers in front of Tiger’s Prison parted to both sides to make a wide lane, though their arrows were still pointed at the open space. The doors to Tiger’s Prison gradually opened while Jun Yixie descended from the roof to land in the courtyard beyond the gates. His mouth curved in a wicked, insolent smirk as he said, “Long Feiye, Han Yunxi, the hostages are in the room behind me. Do you dare to enter?”

Long Feiye’s group was instantly on guard. At least they could see the archers outside and guard against them, but Heaven knows what kind of traps Jun Yixie had laid within the tiny Tiger’s Prison?

Instead of replying, Long Feiye gave orders. “No one’s allowed to take a single step inside until we see the hostages--especially Tang Li!”

Bai Yuqiao’s letters had said that Ning Jing and Mu Linger lived in the big courtyard right behind Jun Yixie! When Tang Li thought of Ning Jing and the child inside while he was only steps away, his eyes turned misty. Ning Jing had to know he was here, right? Was she holding their child right now and waiting to see him?

Tang Li’s tears didn’t fall, but his heart was about to break into pieces. Still, he steadied himself and said, “This subordinate obeys the order!”

Technically speaking, he was Long Feiye’s subordinate. This was probably the first time he’d say such words to him, however. Whether or not Jun Yixie was willing to talk terms, this scene was already the start of their negotiations. Whoever held out longest would gain the upper hand in the deal. After all, victory and defeat now would affect the safety of themselves as well as the hostages. It would even determine whether the northern expedition could keep going! If they fell into Jun Yixie’s hands, then the expedition would be over.