Chapter 792

As your teacher, I don't intend to test your martial skills; although we have martial abilities, in New Elyos we cannot always rely on force to settle matters.

Yixuan picked up the cup of clear tea before him and took a light sip, saying, "Especially you, Xiao Guang—now that you are a Void Hunter, you will inevitably have to deal with those 'big shots' of New Elyos. The generals and strategists aboard the Astral Express are all quite eloquent; you should learn from them as well."

—

"(He's about to leave…quickly think of a solution…just like before, Jiao Qiu, you useless waste…think of a solution, ah…)"

A bead of cold sweat slid down Jiao Qiu's forehead; he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Modu walked toward him with a smile: "Perhaps, the envoy of Yaoqing can make a deal with us for survival, using his identity to help us leave the Astral Express. Am I right, Mr. Jiao Qiu?"

"Hehehe…" Houlei chuckled softly, "In my absence, what pitiful state have you sunk to? You actually haggle with livestock? In my memory, the people of Yaoqing would never discuss such a deal with the descendants of Tulan."

"(I must…let this beast stay…whether for Feixiao or for Yaoqing…)"

As if making up his mind, Jiao Qiu stepped forward: "Deal. I certainly have value in staying alive…my identity, my knowledge of the Astral Express, and, I know many things that even the subordinates of the battle chiefs do not."

Houlei: "Wretched beast, stir your pitiful tongue and shout for your remaining life. Speak."

"I suppose the battle chief doesn't know, the woman who defeated you…Mirror Flow. She has recently returned to Luofu." Jiao Qiu probed, saying, "Your chance for revenge is near at hand."

—

Death God.

Wasn't it agreed not to mention Mirror Flow? Aren't you afraid of provoking Houlei into killing him?

Inoue Orihime never expected Jiao Qiu to fiercely strike Houlei's weak point; didn't he see the note Xueyi gave him? The fourth point clearly forbids mentioning Mirror Flow in his presence.

Ichigo shook his head: "No…at least not for now."

Why?

"Although we know Mirror Flow is no longer on the Astral Express, upon reflection he is actually quite correct." Ichigo pointed at the sky canopy, saying, "He said Mirror Flow returned to Luofu—that's true, but he concealed that she is from the First Brigade and that she had already left the Astral Express."

"Dad, but as long as Houlei casually inquires on the Astral Express, he'll find out." Young Kurosaki Ichiyuu stepped over, took a bite of the apple on the table, and said, "By then he won't fear that Houlei, provoked by deception, will stab him to death?"

Kurosaki Ichigo let out a deep sigh; from Jiao Qiu he saw many shadows of his comrades from Soul Society during the battle against Yhwach.

Just like that Mo Ze, when they learned that Hu Lei had escaped, the two envoys of Yao Qing had already disregarded life and death. Moreover, from the moment he became a hostage, he had no way to live—do you think this kind of Bu Li person Hu Lei would be soft-hearted and lenient?

—

"…"

Upon hearing that familiar woman's name, Houlei's throat began to erupt with a hoarse growl.

"My lord! This slave is spouting nonsense; I have never heard such news! Please allow me to kill him at once!" Modu, seeing the situation turn bad, hurriedly tried to interrupt Jiao Qiu.

"Shut up, Modu! As for you, slave…from now on you must not leave my side. I permit you to speak, then you may speak; I permit you to step, then you may step. Otherwise I will slice you to pieces from head to toe. Do you understand?"

Jiao Qiu nodded.

"My lord——"

Modu still wanted to try to make amends, but Houlei ruthlessly cut him off: "Modu, we must stay here a moment. However, you need not fear. From the moment we step out of the prison, the ones to fear are the Astral Express people. For I will make them understand what true disaster is."

"Now, the offspring of Tulan, follow me!"

—

Naruto.

"Oh?" Hashirama instantly became interested, "This big guy's aura is not bad; he really dares to seek revenge on Mirror Flow. Regardless of whether he can win, this valor is fitting for the title of the progenitor of the Step-Leave people."

"Too bad this brat Modu doesn't make it clear either." Tobirama beside them crossed his arms and gave a cold snort: "Outside there are actually three generals stronger than Mirror Flow. If Houlei were to leave the Prison of the Void…hehe, once the Astral Express mobilizes, he could be captured on the spot."

The problem is he cannot be killed; combined with their disguise techniques, once he returns to the Astral Express, he's like a flea burrowing into a cow—hard to catch. Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes; this is also his greatest worry regarding Houlei's escape this time. If he could openly duel the generals, that would be fine, but if he sneaks into the crowd and creates a murder every now and then…trouble would be great.

Often pain is not feared, but itch is. With the Astral Express's huge population, it's impossible to check everyone; once he kills Jiao Qiu, all the leads will also end here.

"I actually think there's no need to over-worry."

The silent Minato beside them suddenly spoke: "Given Houlei's personality, he could never resign himself to lurking inside the Astral Express, whether it be the generals or Mirror Flow; revenge is one matter, but more important is the 'hunt'—he always sees himself as the hunter, with his own pride; such a person would never be willing to live in the same cage as the 'livestock' he sees."

—

Xing and company continually advanced toward the top of the Prison of the Void, slaying many Step-Leave people who tried to block them along the way; they shouted one after another that they would die ten thousand times for Houlei, launching desperate charges heedless of their lives, and indeed delayed Xing considerably.

The bronze gate of the Prison of the Void had already opened; Houlei had escaped outside, indifferently watching the crowd rushing toward him in frenzy.

Dan Heng's gaze locked on the crack; seeing that he could no longer stop the gate from closing, he surged to the front and hurled his thrown cloud like an arrow——

But he was still a step too late; the bronze gate slammed shut at the last moment, firmly wedging the thrown cloud in the seam.

"…"

Meanwhile, at the Divine Strategy Manor on the other side.

A cloud cavalry soldier rushed in panic, interrupting the conference of the three generals.

"Report! Communications from the Prison of the Void have been cut off; we received a message from a mechanical bird……civilians rioting in the prison, serious criminals……Houlei's whereabouts unknown!"

"Jingyuan's gaze sank, and he immediately asked: 'Envoy of Yaoqing, and what about the nameless guest?'"