223: Chapter 223 Entrapment

In the Tang Family's most Advanced medical room.

Several physicians of the Tang Family had solemn expressions.

An old physician held silver needles in his hand while another middle-aged physician held a medicine bowl. Beside them, two Source Array treatment cabins had already been fully activated.

On the walls around the medical room, green, blue, and white Source Array light patterns lit up alternately.

The medicinal fragrance was so thick it had almost turned into mist.

The Tang Family established itself in the world through poison, but the more one understood poison, the more they understood medicine.

Poison and medicine were, after all, separated by only a fine line.

To extend the life of Old Master Tang over the past few years, the Tang Family had stockpiled a large amount of top-tier medicines.

Some spiritual liquids were useful even to those in the War King Realm.

Normally, even if Tang Fuyuan was injured, he might not be willing to use them directly.

Today, however, they had taken them all out.

"Nine Revolutions Meridian-Sustaining Liquid."

"Black Jade Heart-Protecting Pill."

"Dragon Marrow Blood-Generating Salve."

"Azure Return-to-Source Powder."

"Use them all."

Tang Fuyuan stood nearby, his voice frighteningly deep.

The old physician hesitated for a moment.

"Family Head, the medicinal power of these items is too strong. Student Lu's Realm is still in the Meridian Opening Realm. Could it..."

Tang Fuyuan looked at Lu Cheng.

"Student Lu, can you hold out?"

Lu Cheng leaned back in the treatment cabin, his face still somewhat pale. These medicines were all good stuff!

"It's not a big problem. Bring it on!"

The old physician's gaze looking at him instantly filled with admiration.

Even this was "not a big problem"?

Young people are truly tough.

Soon, the treatment officially began.

Bottle after bottle of medicinal liquid was injected into the Source Array treatment cabin.

The rich medicinal power surged into Lu Cheng's body through his limbs and bones.

At first it was just warm, but soon, it became burning hot.

Like fiery dragons rushing wildly through his meridians!

Lu Cheng's brow furrowed slightly.

"This medicinal effect..."

"Is a bit intense."

The old physician looked tense.

"Student Lu, speak up immediately if you can't hold on."

Just as Lu Cheng was about to speak, the Five Luminaries Sacred Meridians inside his body vibrated simultaneously, and the originally violent medicinal power was gradually incorporated into his circulation.

Then...

Boom!

A resonant sound like the clashing of metal erupted from within Lu Cheng's body.

All the physicians in the medical room looked up at the same time.

Tang Fuyuan's eyes narrowed.

"What's going on?"

Lu Cheng was also stunned for a moment.

In the next instant, the sixth node in his body was blasted open by the medicinal power and Source Power simultaneously.

An extremely sharp golden light lit up all the way from his right arm's meridian to his shoulder bone.

Following closely, faint golden patterns emerged on his left arm, chest, spine, and limbs.

Sharp.

Cold.

Carrying a pure intent of slaughter.

[Sixth Luminary: Gold Luminary Pulse]

[Ability: Slaughter Enhancement; attack penetration and weapon mastery enhanced]

[When punching, Source Power can transform into golden patterns in the arm. The fist force is like metal clashing, greatly increasing armor penetration, source-breaking, and defense penetration capabilities]

The System prompt lit up.

Lu Cheng's eyes brightened bit by bit.

The energy attached to the medicinal effect was too powerful, directly blasting open his sixth meridian.

Lu Cheng raised his hand and saw the golden patterns on his arm flash... Gently clenching his fist, a metallic clanging sound actually echoed in the air.

The protective shield around the treatment cabin was rippled with fine waves by his Fist Intent.

Several Tang Family physicians took a step back simultaneously.

"What sharp Source Power!"

The old physician's eyes widened.

"Did Student Lu just... open another meridian?"

Lu Cheng slowly exhaled a breath, and the Gold Luminary Pulse sank back into his body.

After checking Lu Cheng's condition, the old physician's expression finally relaxed.

"Student Lu's body is indeed perfectly fine."

"On the contrary, his vitality is even more vigorous."

"Most of that medicinal power from earlier... has been absorbed."

Tang Fuyuan was startled in his heart... Most of it was absorbed?

"Those were medicines useful even to the War King Realm!"

Lu Cheng is only in the Meridian Opening Realm; what on earth is his body made of?

At the same time.

In the Tang Family's backyard Forbidden Ground.

A purple-black sea of clouds had already covered half the sky.

Countless poison runes interwoven in the air, circling like poison Dragons.

Old Master Tang, Tang Heqing, stood on the mountain Peak, and the prototype of a Domain composed of poisonous mist slowly emerged behind him.

On the ground, the vegetation alternated between decaying and flourishing.

One moment it was corroded to ash by the poisonous gas.

The next moment, under the influence of the special medicinal power, new sprouts grew again.

This was a phenomenon that could only appear after the Tang Family's poison techniques reached an extremely high level.

Life hidden within poison.

Poison contained within life.

The second stage of War Emperor, Domain Establishment.

Once the Domain is formed, a War Emperor truly possesses the qualification to suppress an entire region.

Boom!

The final purple-black lightning bolt fell from the sky.

Tang Heqing raised his hand and grabbed.

That lightning bolt was actually crushed raw by him.

In the next second, the poisonous mist covering the mountain Peak suddenly shrunk inward, ultimately turning into a faint purple-black halo suspended behind him.

Tang Heqing opened his eyes.

Poison runes swirled in his eyes.

The decaying aura on his body had completely vanished.

Replacing it was a steady, ancient, and extremely dangerous pressure.

On the Tang Family's backyard mountain, all the guards knelt down simultaneously.

"Congratulations to the Old Master on his advancement!"

"Congratulations to the Old Master on establishing his Domain!"

Tang Heqing did not linger.

Stepping out, his figure vanished from the mountain Peak.

A moment later, footsteps approached outside the medical room door.

Tang Fuyuan immediately turned around, and Tang Zhiwei also stood up.

The door opened.

A tall, thin old man walked in.

He wore a gray robe, his hair was graying, and his face still had a bit of post-illness paleness.

But his eyes were extremely bright.

So bright they seemed to contain a sea of poison.

Tang Fuyuan said in a low voice,

"Old Master."

Tang Zhiwei's voice trembled.

"Great-grandfather..."

Tang Heqing raised his hand and rubbed her head.

"Why are you crying?"

"This old man isn't dead yet."

Tang Zhiwei nodded vigorously, but her tears still fell... Over the past few years, the grievances the Tang Family had suffered... were truly more than enough...

Tang Heqing looked at Lu Cheng in the treatment cabin, and his expression instantly became serious.

"I still don't know how to address you, young man."

Lu Cheng sat up.

"Lu Cheng."

Tang Heqing walked right up to him and solemnly cupped his fists.

"Little Brother Lu."

"I, Tang Heqing, will never forget this life-saving favor."

"If not for you today, this old man's life would have sooner or later become a grave-exploding mine for the Tang Family."

"Even if I could blow up a few Qin Family bastards, I wouldn't have been able to protect the Tang Family's future."

Lu Cheng waved his hand.

"You are too polite, Elder."

"We are allies now."

Tang Heqing looked at him, more and more pleased the more he looked.

"Good, what a great ally."

He turned his head to look at Tang Zhiwei.

"Zhiwei, come here."

Tang Zhiwei walked over.

Tang Heqing said with a chuckle,

"This is my great-granddaughter, Tang Zhiwei."

"She has great talent, a sharp mind, and the Thousand-Mechanism Poison Bone. She is the most outstanding junior of this generation in the Tang Family."

"She just has too many little schemes sometimes."

Tang Zhiwei's face flushed red.

"Great-grandfather..."

Tang Heqing glared at her.

"What, did this old man say something wrong?"

"Fuyuan has told me everything that happened these past few days."

"Our Tang Family wronged Little Brother Lu first..."

"But since you were able to talk things through later, at least you people didn't grow brains for nothing."

Tang Heqing looked at Lu Cheng again.

"Little Brother Lu, if Zhiwei was impolite before, this old man apologizes on her behalf."

"But this girl doesn't have a bad heart."

"You should teach her more in the future."

Tang Zhiwei's ears turned red.

"Great-grandfather!"

Lu Cheng gave a dry cough.

"Elder, for things like educating people, it's still more appropriate for the Tang Family to do it themselves."

Tang Heqing laughed heartily.

"Alright, this old man won't force you."

"Young people's matters should be handled by young people themselves."

Saying that, the smile on his face slowly faded.

"However, regarding this matter with the Qin Family, this old man is very furious."

"The Qin Family is powerful, this old man admits that."

"But for them to bully their way onto the Tang Family's head and even try to use our Tang Family's juniors as pawns, they have gone too far."

Just as he finished speaking, Tang Fuyuan's terminal suddenly rang with an urgent notification.

Tang Fuyuan looked down, and his face instantly darkened.

Tang Heqing looked at him.

"Speak."

Tang Fuyuan said,

"We just received news."

"A batch of goods on Southwest Route 3 has been intercepted."

"In addition, several small families who just joined the Alliance received threat letters."

"Someone came to their doors with a War King Realm powerhouse to warn them, demanding they immediately withdraw from the Alliance."

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold.

Tang Zhiwei clenched her fingers.

"So fast?"

Lu Cheng was not surprised.

"The Qin Family will definitely retaliate."

"The Alliance has just been set up, so the first strike will definitely be aimed at the peripheral small families."

Tang Heqing sneered.

"A War King Realm warning?"

"Good."

"This old man wants to see who loves giving warnings so much."

Tang Fuyuan looked at him.

"Old Master, you just made a Breakthrough..."

Tang Heqing interrupted him.

"It's a perfect time to stretch my tendons and bones."

After speaking, he turned directly around.

"Arrange a batch of goods."

"Contact those threatened small families."

"Tell them the Tang Family will conduct a transaction tonight."

"This old man will personally escort it."

Tang Fuyuan's eyes lit up.

This was to establish authority.

The news of the Tang Family's Old Master recovering and advancing had not been spread yet.

The people from the Qin Family's faction acting now would just crash right into him.

Lu Cheng sat by the treatment cabin and rubbed his chin.

"I'll go too."

Tang Heqing looked at Lu Cheng and suddenly smiled.

"Good."

"Since Little Brother Lu wants to watch, this old man will show you the methods of the Tang Family."

...

That night.

The Tang Family quickly contacted several small families to rearrange the transaction routes.

This time, the goods would go through long-distance transport.

A large amount of poison materials, source weapon parts, and potion raw materials departed from the Tang Family, heading towards the edge of the Southwest Wasteland Zone.

The Wasteland Zone was a buffer zone outside of urban surveillance.

It was sparsely populated.

Exotic beasts roamed.

Signals were unstable.

Mercenaries, black markets, and cargo hijackers all liked to operate in this kind of place.

Committing murder, arson, and destroying corpses to eliminate evidence was most convenient here.

Not long after the cargo convoy departed, several gazes hidden in the dark locked onto them.

A scout wearing a gray combat suit lay prone on the hillside. Upon seeing the Tang Family convoy, he immediately opened an encrypted communication.

"Target has departed."

"The Tang Family has made a move."

A deep voice came from the other end of the communication.

"How is the escort force?"

The scout said,

"It looks stronger than before."

"The Tang Family probably guessed we would make a move."

The other end of the communication was silent for a moment.

Then, a voice carrying laughter rang out.

"Having experienced so many dangers, the Tang Family must have a trick up their sleeve."

"Maybe they've sent people to guard it."

Another person said coldly,

"Then we'll beat them at their own game."

"They kidnapped people from the Qin Family before to demand a ransom."

"Today, we'll kidnap the Tang Family's people."

"Let them lose face as well."

The scout hesitated,

"What about Old Master Tang..."

"You're overthinking it."

That voice carried a bit of contempt.

"I've looked into Tang Heqing's situation."

"The poison technique has backfired into his body; he won't last more than a few days."

"Even if he isn't dead, he can only lie there waiting to draw his last breath."

"We are keeping an eye on all the Battle Kings the Tang Family can actually deploy."

The speaker was the leader of one of the top three mercenary groups in the South District, Luo Jue.

Back when he was at the Peak of the Sea Transformation Realm, he already dared to lead a team to hunt down Early Stage Battle King exotic beasts.

Now, he was already a Middle Stage Battle King.

He had over a thousand mercenaries under him and specialized in taking on gray-area missions.

The other voice came from an Elder of the imperial capital's Bai Family, Bai Chengyue.

On the surface, the Bai Family was neutral, but in secret, their interests were deeply tied to the Qin Family.

Since the Southwest Family Alliance had just started, it was inconvenient for the Qin Family to directly make a large-scale move, so the Bai Family and the mercenary group were responsible for beating down the periphery.

Bai Chengyue thought for a moment, then added,

"I'll call another Loose Cultivator friend of mine to come."

"He just became a Battle King, and his strength is decent."

"An extra layer of insurance."

Luo Jue smiled and said,

"Sure."

"Tonight, we'll let the Tang Family know that boarding the wrong ship will only make them die faster."

...

Deep in the Wasteland Zone.

The Tang Family convoy slowly drove onto an abandoned highway.

On both sides were wild grass and scattered rocks.

The night wind blew past, carrying a faint scent of blood.

At the very front of the convoy, the Tang Family escort captain suddenly raised his hand.

"Stop."

All source-energy vehicles stopped simultaneously.

On the road ahead, several figures slowly appeared.

Luo Jue carried a black battleaxe on his shoulder, standing in the middle of the highway.

Bai Chengyue wore a white robe, his expression cold.

On the other side, there was also a Loose Cultivator Battle King wearing a cloak, holding an iron spear in his hand.

Three Battle Kings.

Behind them were also dozens of mercenaries and Bai Family experts.

They looked at the Tang Family's trucks, their eyes revealing Voracity.

These were the very first batch of goods sent out after the Tang Family re-established their channels.

The value was not low.

More importantly, snatching this batch of goods was equivalent to slapping the Tang Family hard in front of all the observing families.

Luo Jue grinned.

"The Tang Family has quite some nerve."

"They actually dared to ship goods."

Bai Chengyue said calmly,

"Take the people."

"Leave the goods."

"Those who resist, cripple them."

As soon as he finished speaking, three Battle King pressures erupted simultaneously.

Just as the mercenaries were about to charge.

In the next second.

The air suddenly fell silent.

Eerily silent.

Everyone's movements froze in place.

Luo Jue's pupils shrank violently.

He found that his body could not move.

His Source Power seemed to be entangled in an invisible poison net.

A sensation of numbness spread through his meridians, flesh, and bones.

Bai Chengyue's face changed drastically.

"A Domain?"

That Loose Cultivator Battle King's voice trembled.

"This is... a War Emperor Domain?!"

Purple-black mist rose silently from both sides of the road.

From within the mist, an old man slowly walked out.

Tang Heqing stood with his hands behind his back, a faint poison Domain unfolding behind him.

Luo Jue, Bai Chengyue, and the Loose Cultivator Battle King instantly had their backs drenched in cold sweat.

Tang Heqing?

How could he be here?

How could he possibly stand up?

The aura on his body... the second stage of War Emperor?!

Tang Heqing looked at the three of them, his tone calm.

"I heard that someone wants to kidnap people from the Tang Family?"

Luo Jue's throat bobbed.

"It's a misunderstanding..."

Tang Heqing pressed his hand down.

Boom!

The three Battle Kings knelt on the ground simultaneously.

Toxins snaked into their bodies through the Domain, paralyzing their meridians and sealing their Source Power.

Their vision went black, and they completely fainted.

...

When they woke up again, they found themselves hung on a high platform.

Below the high platform, a crowd of people had gathered.

Tang Family escorts.

Representatives of several small families.

As well as many media outlets and self-media accounts that had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The live stream room on the Houbo platform had already opened.

The title was extremely eye-catching.

[Old Master Tang of the Tang Family Personally Appears: Southwest Trade Route Safety Statement]

Luo Jue raised his head, his eyes filled with terror.

He saw a familiar face.

Or rather, someone he had seen too many times in photos and videos.

Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng sat beside the high platform, holding a cup of tea in his hand, with Snow Spirit resting on his shoulder.

Seeing that Luo Jue had woken up, he even waved his hand in a very friendly manner.

"Awake?"

Luo Jue: "..."

He suddenly felt like he might still be having a nightmare.

In the center of the high platform, Tang Heqing stood in front of the camera.

The old man's voice was not loud, yet it spread throughout the entire live stream room.

"Recently, the Southwest trade route has not been very stable."

"Some people, under the name of families or mercenaries, intercept goods, threaten, and intimidate small families."

"This is very bad."

"The development of the Dragon Kingdom's martial arts requires order."

"Families can compete, talk about interests, and contest within the rules."

"But if anyone tries to cut off others' livelihoods behind their backs, intercept their goods, or threaten juniors..."

Tang Heqing raised his head and looked at the camera.

"The Tang Family will personally send him up here to catch the breeze."

The camera very sensibly panned to the side.

Luo Jue, Bai Chengyue, and the Loose Cultivator Battle King were hung up neatly by Source-Sealing Locks.

The bullet screen instantly exploded.

[Holy crap, isn't that Luo Jue?]

[The leader of the South District's Black Wolf Mercenary Group?]

[The one next to him looks like an Elder of the imperial capital's Bai Family, right?]

[Old Master Tang? Didn't he go into secluded meditation due to heavy injuries?]

[The Tang Family is straight-up flipping the table!]

Tang Heqing continued,

"After today."

"Any Family, caravan, or adventure squad that joins the Southwest Mutual Assistance Alliance, as long as they act according to the rules, if any blind fool makes a move against them, it is making a move against me, Tang Heqing!"

"Anyone who has an objection can come to Bashu to talk to me."

He paused for a moment, his eyes turning slightly cold.

"Bring enough people."

The live stream room completely exploded.

After speaking, Tang Heqing directly had people take Luo Jue and the other two down.

These people were of high value; at the very least, they could be exchanged for a lot of money just like before.