Chapter 182: Ao Tian

"Was your father also the Clan Leader?" Gu Yun vaguely felt that these people looking for trouble with Ao Tian must be related to the struggle for the Clan Leader position.

"No, he was the one with the best chance of becoming the Clan Leader."

"And then?" Gu Yun continued to dig for the truth. Ao Tian's expression became increasingly cold, and his dark figure radiated a cold aura and oppressive presence. Gu Yun almost thought he wouldn't answer. After a long time, she heard a deep voice reply calmly, "He fell in love with a woman outside Juling Island. After that woman was killed by his clansmen, he also committed suicide to follow her in death."

He said it very lightly and didn't want to talk more about it. Gu Yun heard the pain he deliberately hid in these simple words. With both parents dead, she guessed he and Ye Mei must have suffered a lot when they were young. There must be a reason why he grew up to have such a personality.

Not wanting to tear open someone's scars again, Gu Yun brought the topic back, "Ao Ji can compete for the Clan Leader position himself. Why must it be you? Can't others do it?"

Gu Yun didn't continue to ask about his background, and Ao Tian was clearly relieved. "Not every Ao family member has silver hair. Only Ao descendants who inherit silver hair are qualified to compete. Ao Ji already lost in the competition ten years ago and is not qualified to participate in this year's competition. And among Ao Ji's branch, besides him, I am the only one who inherited silver hair."

"So, Ao Ji is trying to frame you to force you to return to Juling Island to compete for the Clan Leader position, making it impossible for you to gain a foothold in Qiongyue?"

Ao Tian nodded indifferently. Gu Yun comforted him, "Ye Mei is their most advantageous bargaining chip right now; they won't kill her." If they killed her, they would lose the chip to control Ao Tian. They wouldn't be that stupid.

Ao Tian's expression didn't soften; instead, it became even colder. "You don't understand their methods. Dying in their hands is not the most terrifying thing. If I don't go today, even if I can save her in the end, losing an arm or a leg would be considered lucky."

Gu Yun's heart trembled. How could she have forgotten they were an assassin organization? Besides killing, they must have many ways to torture people. No wonder Ao Tian was in such a rush to go out. If she told Dan Yulan and Su Ling this, would they believe her? Would they help Ao Tian? The answer was unknown. Ao Tian wasn't a fool, and he naturally understood he wouldn't get support from the government, especially after the explosion. Gu Yun had no bargaining chip to persuade him. Only meeting Ao Tian's gaze, she asked, "Are you going to find them now?"

Ao Tian nodded firmly.

If the Ministry of Justice people discovered the abnormality and rushed over later, there would only be more unnecessary casualties. After thinking for a moment, Gu Yun said, "I'll go with you."

"No!" Ao Tian shouted coldly and turned to leave. Gu Yun hurriedly grabbed Ao Tian's wrist even tighter and replied just as firmly, "Then don't even think about going."

Gu Yun gripped very tightly, her fingertips almost sinking into his flesh. Ao Tian frowned, sighed softly, and replied, "Fine, I'll take you with me. Let go of your hand first."

"I don't have Lightness Skill. If I let you go, I won't be able to catch up." Gu Yun didn't trust him. She bent down, pulled out the belt of a yamen runner at her feet, and tied their clasped palms together. Her palm was very hot, and her hand was small and soft. A ripple of palpitation crossed Ao Tian's heart, but a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. She was determined to go with him, and Ao Tian fell into a dilemma.

Confirming it was tied securely, Gu Yun looked at Ao Tian, her mouth curling up slightly, and replied, "Didn't you say there was no time? Whether you want to keep dawdling or leave immediately is up to you!"

Ao Tian's black eyes flickered. A trace of morning light was gradually appearing in the sky; he had no time left! He grabbed Gu Yun's slender waist and ran toward the door. He had no choice; Ye Mei had to be saved, and he wouldn't let her be in any danger!

On the top of the high mountain in the early morning, there was a breathtaking beauty. The morning glow filled the sky, as if it were within reach. The faint fragrance of water mist in the air made people feel refreshed. If it were normal times, Gu Yun would definitely appreciate it well, but at this moment, her mind was entirely focused on the two men in front of her who looked similar but had completely different temperaments.

Ao Ji glanced at Gu Yun beside Ao Tian, a strange light flashing in his eyes. A sinister, cold smile hung on his lips, making people's hair stand on end.

Ao Tian asked coldly, "Where is she?"

Ao Ji crossed his arms over his chest and laughed, "Don't worry, it was hard enough to catch her; I'm not willing to kill her yet." The hoarse voice matched with the triumphant tone made Gu Yun's brows furrow as tightly as Ao Tian's.

"Let her go, and I will return to Juling Island with you." Ao Tian's indifferent voice didn't reveal what he was thinking. Ao Ji suddenly burst into laughter, "Ao Tian, do you think I would believe you? Once I let Ye Mei go, you will hide her well and avoid the competition days, and you will be safe. Is that it?"

The harsh laughter made Ao Tian want to punch Ao Ji in the face, but his fists tightened and tightened, and in the end, he endured it.

Ao Tian gritted his teeth secretly, "What do you want?"

"It's not impossible for me to let her go, as long as you do one thing, I will believe you are sincere about returning to Juling Island with me! Otherwise, I will have to use the Heart-Locking Powder on Ye Mei!" As Ao Ji spoke, he glanced at Gu Yun with snake-like, vicious eyes. Gu Yun raised her head slightly and met his gaze. How many murderous drug lords and assassins had fallen under her hands? Would she be afraid of him?!

Gu Yun's calm and sharp gaze made Ao Ji slightly distracted. Gu Yun felt that Ao Tian beside her was not right. When Ao Ji mentioned the Heart-Locking Powder, Ao Tian's straight back stiffened significantly. Although she didn't know what that thing was, she knew it was definitely not a good thing!

Ao Tian's voice said somewhat urgently, "What thing? Tell me."

Ao Ji raised the corners of his mouth triumphantly. His pale, withered-branch-like hand lifted and slowly pointed at Gu Yun. The harsh voice carried a low laugh as he slowly said, "Kill—her!"

Gu Yun was startled. She didn't expect Ao Ji to make this request, but she didn't have too much fear, perhaps because Ao Tian was standing beside her. Gu Yun stared at Ao Ji defensively, but found that Ao Tian beside her was not right. Turning her head slightly to look, she saw bloodthirsty light erupting from Ao Tian's usually cold and silent eyes. On the back of his tightly clenched fists, veins bulged like vines. His tense body was like a leopard ready to pounce and tear its prey apart at any moment. This was an Ao Tian she had never seen before. Gu Yun couldn't help but hold her breath, and a thin layer of sweat seeped onto her forehead.

"As long as you kill her, I will believe you are sincere about returning to Juling Island, and I can return Ye Mei to you immediately." He had investigated this woman; she was Su Ling's person, and her eldest sister was Lou Xiyan's newlywed beloved wife, while her second sister had just been titled Consort Qing and was pregnant with the dragon seed. If Ao Tian killed her with his own hands, it would be equivalent to offending Su Ling, Lou Xiyan, and Yan Hongtian all at once. Let alone Qiongyue, there would be no place for him within the Six Kingdoms! At that time, he would have to return to Juling Island whether he wanted to or not!

Meeting Ao Tian's cold, cruel, and violent eyes, Ao Ji's heart trembled slightly. He looked exactly like his father! He just wanted to force him to kill the person he loved with his own hands, making him suffer for a lifetime! The more Ao Ji thought about it, the more excited he became. Pointing at Gu Yun, he shouted somewhat crazily, "Kill her! Kill her!"

"Enough!" A roar like a trapped beast echoed on the silent mountain peak. Gu Yun looked at Ao Tian beside her, whose every muscle seemed to be trembling, and a faint sourness and unbearable pain welled up in her heart.

One was his beloved, the other was his closest blood relative. This kind of choice was enough to drive anyone crazy! Ao Ji had a perverted sense of pleasure. He suddenly wasn't in a hurry for Ao Tian to make a decision. This kind of torture should last a little longer. His dark red, thin lips raised a sinister and strange arc, and his hoarse voice laughed with feigned pity, "Don't say your uncle doesn't care about you. I'll give you time to think it over slowly. At the Zi hour tonight, I'll wait for you here. Whether you keep her life or Ye Mei's life, it's all up to you!"

This person was truly sinister! Gu Yun grabbed the Ice Chain in her hand. She would capture him alive right now and see if he could still be so arrogant!

As if he could perceive what Gu Yun was thinking, Ao Ji's cold eyes looked at Gu Yun and he laughed lowly, "By the way, before the Zi hour, I won't go to see Ye Mei. However, I have ordered that if you don't return by the Chou hour, I will chop off one of her hands, and if you don't return by the Yin hour, I will dismantle one of her legs! Ao Tian, take your time to think, no rush, hahahaha!"

Damn it, Gu Yun cursed lowly. Even if she captured him now, it would be useless and would only drive Ye Mei into a desperate situation. Gu Yun's hand tightly gripping the Ice Chain could only let go powerlessly. She watched helplessly as Ao Ji disappeared arrogantly before her eyes, and Ao Tian, who had been tense beside her, suddenly moved and chased in the direction Ao Ji had disappeared.

"Ao Tian!" His tall figure was as fast as a leopard. She had loosened the rope earlier for fear that tying his hand would hurt him when fighting the enemy, and now she couldn't catch up to him at all. Gu Yun's bright eyes flashed, and she shouted at Ao Tian's back, "I have a way to find Ye Mei!"

The clear voice echoed in the valley. Gu Yun stared tightly at the receding back. Fortunately, as she wished, Ao Tian finally stopped his pace, but stood there motionless for a long time. Gu Yun hurriedly caught up, grabbed Ao Tian's wrist again, and said, panting but firmly, "Believe me!"

The warm and soft palm on his wrist made him want to break free, but he couldn't bear to. He was afraid that these hands would become cold and lifeless under his hands. He should stay far away from her, the further the better, but why couldn't his feet move a single step at this moment?

Gu Yun didn't know Ao Tian's tangled and unsolvable mood at this moment. She only believed that until the last moment, she would never give up any hope.

Gu Yun took Ao Tian back to the General's Mansion. Su Ling was not in the mansion. Gu Yun took out a cloth towel from her bosom. It was unclear what was wrapped inside. Ao Tian only saw her hand the cloth towel to a thin, cold-looking man, whispered a few words in his ear, and then went to the Tixing Mansion with him.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 183 =====