Chapter 186: Hostage-Taking

The five people walked into the Great Hall, heading toward Zhu Gaoxu.

Meanwhile, the Embroidered Uniform Guards standing guard outside finally discovered that something was wrong.

It was too quiet!

Previously, not only would that group of martial artists speak loudly about something, but the noisy chatter of others discussing things would also drift out.

But now, it was deathly silent inside; clearly, something was amiss.

Thinking this, Ada and the others standing outside immediately pushed open the temple doors to look inside.

This look was critical; they saw that inside the Great Hall, everyone had collapsed to the ground, motionless.

And among them, five people were standing, walking straight toward Zhu Gaoxu.

Seeing this scene, Ada's eyes widened instantly, and he roared, "Stop right there, you thieves!"

As he spoke, he led the other Embroidered Uniform Guards and charged into the temple courtyard.

Seeing this, the Qishan Five Tigers took two quick steps and walked directly to Zhu Gaoxu's side.

The leader of the five even drew his precious sword directly and held it against Zhu Gaoxu's neck.

"All of you stop, or else I'll slit his throat with one stroke!"

Seeing this, Ada hurriedly raised a hand, signaling the other Embroidered Uniform Guards to stop.

The leader of the group saw that a single word of his had brought the crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards to a halt.

He immediately understood that he had bet correctly.

Looking at Zhu Gaoxu, who was lying on the ground motionless, a glint flashed in the eyes of the few.

They all revealed greedy expressions.

Knowing that the child before them was a big fish, they were likely going to strike it rich this time!

Thinking this, the leader hurriedly gave a wink to the others.

The others clearly understood their leader's intention.

They immediately bent down and lifted Zhu Gaoxu up.

Afterward, the group surrounded Zhu Gaoxu, clearly intending to keep him completely protected within their circle.

Seeing this scene, Ada's brows furrowed tightly.

The remaining Embroidered Uniform Guards outside heard the commotion and all ran inside.

They then drew the Xiuchun Dao at their waists, staring intently at the five people inside the Great Hall.

Outside, the rain was pouring down, and the rainwater lashed against the bodies of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

But at this moment, all the Embroidered Uniform Guards seemed not to notice, gripping their weapons tightly in their hands, their eyes fixed firmly on the Qishan Five Tigers.

And the Qishan Five Tigers stood inside the Great Hall, surrounded by the Embroidered Uniform Guards and martial artists who had been poisoned and collapsed.

Being stared at by the crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards, the Qishan Five Tigers were also under immense pressure.

Beads of cold sweat could not help but break out on their foreheads.

However, after the few looked at Zhu Gaoxu, who was surrounded in the middle, they all felt much more at ease.

At this time, the leader of the group took a deep breath and said to Ada outside, "Have your men all retreat. We also know that the person beside us has an extraordinary status; we only seek wealth, not to take lives."

"If you retreat now and take a message to the master behind you, bring one hundred thousand taels of silver to Qishan in three days to ransom the person, or don't force me to kill the hostage."

As he spoke, the leader of the group grabbed Zhu Gaoxu and lifted him up.

With his sword held against Zhu Gaoxu's neck, he then walked toward the outside.

Ada and the others naturally could not just let these people go.

But they were troubled by the fact that Zhu Gaoxu was in the other party's hands.

Ada and the others dared not step forward easily and could only follow the footsteps of the Qishan Five Tigers, slowly retreating.

Regarding this, the Qishan Five Tigers did not mind at all.

Threatening Zhu Gaoxu with the sword, they just walked forward with large strides.

Soon, the group walked out of the temple.

At this time, the rain had lessened quite a bit, but it was still falling.

In this short while, the rainwater had completely soaked the group.

Even so, the group remained relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside, appearing completely unguarded on the surface.

But in reality, even as the rain poured on them, they did not wipe it away at all, each observing the surrounding Embroidered Uniform Guards.

These Embroidered Uniform Guards surrounded the group, but out of concern for Zhu Gaoxu in the hands of the Qishan Five Tigers, they dared not act rashly.

And the group walked forward with large strides; the Embroidered Uniform Guards could only surround them, not daring to make any further moves.

Just like this, the group walked all the way from the mountainside down to the foot of the mountain.

By this time, the rain had stopped.

The road at the foot of the mountain appeared somewhat muddy due to the rain.

The Qishan Five Tigers, including the Embroidered Uniform Guards, were all covered in mud and water.

Zhu Gaoxu, however, because he had been carried the whole time, remained relatively clean, aside from being a bit damp.

Seeing that they had reached the foot of the mountain and noticing the crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards still surrounding them, a trace of impatience flashed in the eyes of the few.

And at this moment, the leader finally spoke again.

"All of you get out of my way! If you follow me one more step, I don't mind dismantling the parts of this kid first to see!"

Hearing this, Ada raised a hand, signaling the crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards to stop.

Clearly, he was afraid that Zhu Gaoxu would truly be injured.

Seeing that their words were truly effective, a trace of joy flashed in the hearts of the few.

Looking at the Embroidered Uniform Guards surrounding them, the group actually felt a bit more confident.

I saw the eldest one holding Zhu Gaoxu in one arm and a precious sword in the other, charging straight toward the outside.

Those Embroidered Uniform Guards truly did not dare to block them, yielding a path.

Just like that, the Qishan Five Tigers completely ran out of the Embroidered Uniform Guards' encirclement.

Afterwards, the five of them carried Zhu Gaoxu and ran toward the distance at the fastest speed.

Ada still wanted to pursue, but seeing this, the Qishan Five Tigers immediately slashed with their precious sword, cutting off a lock of Zhu Gaoxu's hair.

Seeing this, Ada was greatly alarmed in his heart and did not dare to make another move.