Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 175 The Conqueror of Youyan
As dusk settled and the crescent moon hung low, a chill settled over the shimmering waters of Crystal Lake. Gongsun Yue and Butterfly Lord's hurried figures appeared particularly forlorn in the cold moonlight. Leaving the cozy cottage of Yan Guiren and Zhu Yi, knowing they were still caught in the turmoil of the martial world and could not rest for a moment, their steps did not falter for even a second.

"Ah Yue, where are we going this time?"

"The Heaven of No Desire".

Gongsun Yue said decisively, "Tan Wuyu would never betray us. We can get clues about our elder brother from him. If all else fails, we can only go to that pawnshop."

“If we really want to make a deal, let me handle it,” Butterfly quickly interjected. “You have to promise me this. Butterfly is an expert in business.”

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Gongsun Yue's eyes—a complex mix of emotions: gratitude, worry, and a hint of hesitation. Then, a relaxed smile appeared on her lips as she said, "Let's discuss this later..." Her voice was soft, yet it concealed her true thoughts.

Just as the two were talking, the surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly, and a murderous intent suddenly rose in the forest, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, sending chills down one's spine. Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue were both seasoned veterans of the martial world, and they keenly sensed the abnormality, immediately stopping in their tracks.

"Ah Yue, be careful." Butterfly Lord's expression was solemn, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. The Butterfly Slash at his waist instantly appeared in his hand, its cold light flashing in the moonlight, pointing directly at the source of the killing intent. He raised his hand and slashed, and the blade energy was seen slashing towards the source, but only a muffled sound was heard.

A moment later, rustling footsteps echoed from the source, as if some enormous creature was moving. The two men stared intently at the direction from which the sound came. A burly figure slowly emerged, its clothes tattered, its form both human and beast, emitting roars filled with wildness and ferocity that sent chills down their spines.

Behind him, a gaunt old man slowly walked out, turning the abacus in his hands. He wore a seemingly kind smile, but his eyes were full of calculation. The abacus in his hands made a crisp sound, which played an ominous tone in the silent night.

"Don't get so agitated, they're not your prey yet," the old man said slowly, his voice low and hoarse.

The burly man beside them seemed to have received some kind of command, and immediately fell silent, standing still and staring fiercely at Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue.

"Butterfly Lord, Gongsun Yue, I am Jia Minggong, it is a pleasure to meet you." After calming Bafang Hengye, the old man looked at Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue leisurely, introduced himself, and spoke in a calm and composed tone, just like old friends meeting.

“Lord Jia Ming.” Upon hearing this, Butterfly Lord’s eyes grew even colder, like a drawn blade. “Lord Jia Ming, the prime minister who sold his life? The big boss of Youyan’s conscripted men.”

He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice filled with wariness and hostility.

"Hahahaha." Jia Minggong was not surprised at all when his identity was exposed. Instead, he laughed loudly, and his laughter echoed in the forest. "As expected of the number one assassin in the Northern Region, you are indeed very knowledgeable."

"Ha." Upon hearing Jia Minggong's words, Butterfly Lord gave a cold laugh, "Well-informed? I wouldn't dare. The number one assassin organization in Jiangnan. They say rivals are enemies. Of course, Butterfly Lord can't ignore it. Enough nonsense. Why are you blocking our way? If you want to kill each other, Butterfly Lord is ready to oblige."

“Eh.” Upon hearing Butterfly Lord’s statement, Jia Minggong shook his head repeatedly and said, “I, Jia, have always believed that harmony brings wealth and have never liked fighting and killing. I have come here this time to extend my sincerest invitation to the two of you to join the Youyan Conquerors.”

"Huh?" Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue were both surprised to hear this. "Now that you two are being hunted down by various forces in the martial arts world and even by forces like the Yiliu Black Cult, Youyan Zhengfu can help you get rid of these troubles. In return, you only need to do a few insignificant little things for Youyan Zhengfu. How about it?" Jia Minggong said to the two with a smile on his face.

Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue had considered that Youyan Zhengfu might have accepted someone else's mission, or that he might want to use Butterfly Lord's orders to promote Youyan Zhengfu's name, but they never expected that Jia Minggong would come here this time to extend an olive branch.

Although this olive branch also carried a great threat, during the time between Jia Minggong's appearance and the conversation between the two sides, Butterfly King had already sensed several intertwined auras lurking in the forest. Jia Minggong's invitation seemed polite, but in reality...

“Threatening Butterfly Lord, you’re really asking for trouble.” Butterfly Lord raised an eyebrow and said arrogantly, “Youyan conscripts are beneath my notice. Put away your abacus.”

"Why are you two so quick to refuse?" Jia Minggong's expression remained unchanged, still bearing a faint smile. "You two are currently trapped with nowhere to turn, and Youyan Zhengfu can provide you with protection. You can also provide assistance with anything you need. It's a win-win situation, so why refuse so hastily?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Master." Gongsun Yue also spoke up at this moment, "But we are both free people and do not wish to be bound by any force, so we apologize."

"This..." Jia Minggong frowned, feigning concern, as if he had encountered something extremely difficult, and asked, "Gentlemen, is there no room for discussion?"

"Stop pretending. If it's a fight, Butterfly Lord is ready to fight." Butterfly Lord said coldly, "Perfect. If I kill you today, my business will be even more secure."

"This..." Jia Minggong sighed upon seeing this situation, shaking his head and lamenting, "Since that's the case, then I can only say that I have no choice but to... offend you if we can't become friends!"

With a single offending word, the previously faint killing intent in the forest suddenly surged, and cold, deadly weapons surrounded Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue from all sides, instantly transforming the Swallowtail Formation into a deadly net.

“Ah Yue, be careful.”

Although he spoke with disdain, Butterfly Lord knew very well that the assassins within Youyan Zhengfu, who could become the number one assassin organization in Jiangnan, must not be simple people. At present, he and Gongsun Yue had not yet fully recovered their strength and injuries, so a fight would be extremely dangerous.

However, at that moment, a palm strike from the sky descended upon the battlefield. Before the killing net could even cover them, the palm strike had already created an opening. Then, a figure quickly swept away Gongsun Yue and Butterfly Lord and disappeared into the night.

"So fast."

Throughout the entire scene, Jia Minggong watched with some surprise, but then gave an order, and the Youyan warrior assassins gave chase.

(End of this chapter)