Chapter 1403: Lan Tiansheng

This move is clearly meant to trap him, to turn him against Xu Kong Wang; the technique looks low‑level, but in fact its effect is huge, especially for Xu Kong Wang, it is advantageous in every way.

Xu Kong Wang is naturally suspicious, doubting everyone around him, let alone this ad‑hoc alliance; he has always doubted them. With Bai Xinlan's move, Xu Kong Wang is resolute that he cannot trust them; once Bai Xinlan and the others die, Xu Kong Wang guarantees he will act against them.

To prove his innocence and to make Bai Xinlan bow, Hei Hu has no choice but to kill the Bai Meng Holy Maiden, as revenge against Bai Xinlan.

Bai Xinlan coldly said, "What's the matter, Hei Hu, the secret was told to you, yet you turn on it—do you want to hoard the secret for yourself?"

"Xu Kong Wang, you chose an impure‑hearted ally; Hei Hu is deeply scheming, has long been dissatisfied with you, he wants to monopolize the secret, then surpass you, replace our positions, and become the Demon Emperor of Mangshan Demon Palace."

"If I were you, I would definitely stop him."

Xu Kong Wang raised his hand and pointed at Hei Hu: "Hei Hu, don't act rashly, better let go, otherwise I can't guarantee what I'll do."

It's obvious that Xu Kong Wang believed Bai Xinlan's words; her words were not without reason, on the contrary, they were very reasonable.

Why is Hei Hu so eager to kill Bai Meng? It's to cover up the truth and then join forces to kill Bai Xinlan, so that only he knows the secret; afterwards, he would claim Bai Xinlan didn't tell him the secret, deceiving himself—doesn't that mean he gains nothing?

In the end, making a wedding dress for Hei Hu?

Xu Kong Wang would never engage in such a loss‑making deal, nor let himself be cheapened for free.

Until the matters inside are resolved, he cannot allow the Bai Meng Holy Maiden to die, nor watch helplessly as Hei Hu kills her; hearing this, Hei Hu stared at Xu Kong Wang in shock and coldly said, "Xu Kong Wang, you don't trust me?"

Xu Kong Wang shook his head: "Hei Hu, I do trust you; we are an alliance, how could I not trust you? It's only Bai Xinlan I don't trust. If you lay down Bai Meng, everything can be settled."

"Now she cannot die; if she dies, Bai Xinlan won't obey obediently."

Hei Hu coldly stared at Xu Kong Wang, snorted, "Hmph, Xu Kong Wang, you're clearly not trusting me. In that case our alliance has no purpose. You, Xu Kong Wang, are naturally suspicious and have never trusted me from the start; then why should I cooperate with you?"

"And you, Bai Xinlan, daring to sow discord between us—you should die, she should die as well."

Hei Hu grew fierce, raised the Bai Meng Holy Maiden again, intending to kill her on the spot as revenge for Bai Xinlan's scheming.

This woman dared to scheme against him; he wants her to know regret.

Bai Xinlan was in no hurry, speaking slowly: "Hei Hu, Xu Kong Wang cannot be trusted. How about this: I'll tell you the secret; the two of us join forces to kill Xu Kong Wang. What he can give you, I can also give you, even more."

"I'll give you even more, a chance for a power surge—how does that sound?"

Xu Kong Wang acted immediately; he must ensure the Bai Meng Holy Maiden is in his hands, as Hei Hu is untrustworthy.

If the two of them form an alliance, isn't that…?

One versus two, the situation flips; Xu Kong Wang doesn't want to face both of them directly. Bai Xinlan is no longer the same as before; her strength is comparable to his. If they join forces, Xu Kong Wang is likely to be left behind.

He must seize the initiative, and the Bai Meng Holy Maiden must be in his grasp, so he can threaten Bai Xinlan and prevent their alliance.

Hei Hu swiftly evaded, but would not hand over the Bai Meng Holy Maiden to him.

Xu Kong Wang, in a hurry, said, "Hei Hu, give me Bai Meng."

Hei Hu shook his head: "Xu Kong Wang Dharma Protector, the Bai Meng Holy Maiden is safer in my hands; you, don't act rashly. I don't trust you now."

"If you kidnap the Bai Meng Holy Maiden and let Bai Xinlan kill me, won't I be finished?"

Given Xu Kong Wang's nature, this is something he could definitely do; he truly is ruthless.

He has always been cruel toward those he doesn't trust.

"Hmph, Hei Hu, have you already betrayed this Dharma Protector?" Xu Kong Wang roared angrily.

Hei Hu shrugged, disdainfully saying, "Xu Kong Wang, you're wrong. I was never yours, nor your subordinate, let alone your slave—how can you speak of betrayal?"

"Between us it's only cooperation. Since you don't trust me, why should I trust you?"

"Bai Xinlan, kill him for me."

Hei Hu pointed at Bai Xinlan, ordering her to kill Xu Kong Wang.

Having seized the initiative, he naturally turned the tables. How Xu Kong Wang should deal with him is clear to Hei Hu, and he, in turn, uses the same tactic against Xu Kong Wang to disgust him.

Even if he can't kill him, he can still disgust him and make him suffer.

Bai Xinlan stepped forward, saying to Xu Kong Wang, "Xu Kong Wang, see? He already intends to kill you. I have no choice but to kill you, so you can't blame me."

She raised her hand and directly performed the Soul‑Separation Technique on Xu Kong Wang.

Xu Kong Wang waved his hand, shattering the move, and turned his attack toward Hei Hu.

"Hei Hu, die for me."

Hei Hu clenched his fist and threw a punch straight at him.

"Bang."

Both stepped back; Hei Hu didn't want a direct clash and threatened, "Bai Xinlan, kill him, or I'll kill Bai Meng."

Bai Xinlan moved leisurely, unceremoniously, "Hmph, Hei Hu, you'd better release Bai Meng, or I won't let you go."

She blocked Xu Kong Wang's path, not allowing him to pass.

Xu Kong Wang shouted angrily, "Hei Hu, you're truly cunning; this time this Dharma Protector has been defeated."

Xu Kong Wang knew he couldn't stay; he had to leave first. Staying would mean facing both of them, and his chances were low.

It's easy to become their enemy; one versus two, the advantage isn't his.

He turned and was about to leave.

Hei Hu acted directly: "Xu Kong Wang, don't run."

Bai Xinlan seized the chance, and the two attacked Xu Kong Wang together.

Xu Kong Wang dodged Hei Hu's attack, then faced Bai Xinlan directly, his hands bound.

The surrounding space suddenly stirred; behind Xu Kong Wang appeared a sharp sword blade.

No, that wasn't a blade—it was a stalk of grass, a blade‑like grass.

A cold glint flashed; the grass, like a blade, instantly pierced Xu Kong Wang's body.

"Splat."

Fresh blood sprayed, and in the void, Lan Tiansheng emerged, smiling faintly: "Finally got it."

"Xu Kong Wang, I've waited for this moment for a long, long time; you finally let your guard down."

"Pfft."

Xu Kong Wang spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, forcefully blasting Bai Xinlan away.

He turned around, fixed his gaze on Lan Tiansheng, his eyes sweeping over Lan Tiansheng and Hei Hu.

In an instant, he understood: this was their scheme, a scheme aimed at him.

"Hei Hu, good at scheming."