Chapter 79: Interrogation

The aura emanating from both individuals burst forth simultaneously, pressing against each other and creating waves of sand.

A group of Desert Iron Mercenaries standing not far away were flattened to the ground by the aftermath.

Xiao Ding's eyes flashed with a hint of fear as he realized the identity of the powerful being from the snake people.

Queen Medusa!

She could confront the guardians of the Empire while exuding her charming and seductive aura.

Who else could it be if not Queen Medusa?

At the same time, Xiao Ding became even more worried about Su Yun's situation.

Medusa and Jia Xingtian confronted each other for a long time before finally retracting their auras.

"Queen Medusa, you've crossed the line," said Jia Xingtian with a calm expression, a hint of gloom flashing across his face.

Having sensed Medusa's aura at the border earlier, he had rushed over immediately.

"Hmph, old man, itching for a fight, aren't you?" mocked Queen Medusa with a charming smile on her face.

Jia Xingtian's expression changed, but the fighting spirit within him began to rise.

As peak Dou Emperors, even if his strength was inferior to Queen Medusa's, he could definitely retreat unscathed.

Medusa coldly snorted.

"Enough with the startled kitten act, exploding at a mere word."

Jia Xingtian's expression turned ugly. Throughout the entire periphery of the Empire, the only person who dared to liken him to a startled kitten was Medusa.

But he didn't say anything. Although the fighting spirit around him calmed down, the vigilance in his eyes did not diminish.

From this statement, he understood Medusa's attitude; she had no intention of starting a war.

"In that case, Queen Medusa, it's better for you to return to the heart of the Tagor Desert quickly. The borders of the Empire are not a place to linger," said Jia Xingtian calmly, not letting Medusa's insulting words affect him.

As an almost centenarian old monster, his cultivation of composure was excellent; he wouldn't be provoked by a few words.

Queen Medusa's expression was indifferent, her queenly authority radiating at this moment.

"If you want me to go back, fine, but hand over those humans to me."

Medusa pointed to the Desert Iron Mercenaries not far away.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others' expressions changed drastically, fear evident in their eyes.

Jia Xingtian frowned.

"No!"

Normally, conflicts between the snake people and the Empire were frequent; the snake people often massacred passing caravans, and it was common for humans to buy and sell snake people.

He usually didn't have the energy to deal with these trivial matters.

But handing over people in front of him was out of the question.

He and Queen Medusa represented the Empire and the snake people, respectively, and their nature was completely different from those minor conflicts.

Step back, step back.

Today, cede five cities, tomorrow, ten cities, and then enjoy a night's rest. Look around, and the Qin army is approaching again!

Today, Medusa demanded Dou Masters and Dou Warriors in front of him. Tomorrow, will she demand Dou Grandmasters and Dou Spirits?!

For the sake of the Empire, he could forfeit his dignity, but he couldn't retreat!

Queen Medusa frowned, also understanding what her demands represented, and took a slight step back.

"If you won't give them to me, fine, but I want to ask a few questions now."

Jia Xingtian instinctively wanted to refuse.

At this moment, Queen Medusa's cold voice rang out.

"Old man, don't make me lose my patience!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Xingtian pondered for a moment, seeming to have made a decision.

With a slight wave of his right hand, his internal Dou Qi surged. The massive Dou Qi condensed under Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's feet, transforming the loose sand into solid ground.

Under Jia Xingtian's Dou Qi support, it flew towards him.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's eyes flashed with shock.

A Dou Emperor's strength was terrifying!

Placing them beside him, Jia Xingtian spoke in a gentle tone mixed with the dignity of his high position.

"Don't be afraid. As long as you answer a few questions, you can leave."

Xiao Ding swallowed nervously. As the commander of the Desert Iron Mercenaries, he took a step forward.

"Yes, thank you, sir."

Jia Xingtian nodded.

Xiao Ding looked in the direction of Queen Medusa but didn't dare to meet her gaze, only looking at the endless yellow sand.

Queen Medusa glanced at Jia Xingtian, her voice cold.

"Why were you all gathered around this cave entrance?"

Thoughts raced through Xiao Ding's mind.

In terms of strength, he couldn't compare to his second brother, nor did he possess the talent of Xiao Yan, but he was undoubtedly the smartest one. He was the brains behind the entire Desert Iron Mercenaries.

She didn't get what she wanted.

Through this simple question, Xiao Ding obtained this information.

If Queen Medusa had already obtained what she wanted, she probably would have left already.

Did she encounter the Zhang brothers?

"Speak!"

At this moment, Queen Medusa, seeing Xiao Ding silent for a long time, pressed her aura against him, her voice icy.

Jia Xingtian frowned and waved his hand to dissipate Queen Medusa's pressure.

Xiao Ding snapped out of his daze, prepared to give a thorough answer.

"Previously, someone from our Desert Iron Mercenaries found that this cave location had collapsed, thinking there might be treasure. I gathered my brothers to dig here. We hadn't had a chance to go inside when you arrived."

Xiao Ding looked anxious as he spoke to Queen Medusa.

He couldn't be sure if the Zhang brothers had encountered Queen Medusa.

He couldn't expose his relationship with them.

If they hadn't encountered her and he exposed their relationship, Queen Medusa would know about the Zhang brothers' existence and might disregard Jia Xingtian's presence to search for them, putting them in danger.

And if they had encountered her and he exposed their relationship, Queen Medusa might suspect them and hide the treasure, putting them in danger.

In either case, he just needed to act like he knew nothing.

"Why did it take you so long to answer? Were you trying to deceive me? Speak!"

Queen Medusa's voice was cold, her eyes fixed on Xiao Ding.

Xiao Ding's mind flashed, and he smiled bitterly.

"Hehe, Your Majesty jests. I, a mere Dou Master, tremble in your presence. How could I speak immediately?"

Queen Medusa narrowed her charming eyes, not doubting Xiao Ding's words.

Not just humans, even ordinary members of their snake people clan, were too nervous to speak in front of her.

Queen Medusa asked a few more questions, but Xiao Ding spoke without revealing any information.

Seeing that she couldn't extract any useful information, Queen Medusa coldly snorted, spread her wings of Dou Qi behind her, and flew towards the depths of the Tagor Desert.

Seeing Queen Medusa leave, Xiao Ding breathed a sigh of relief. With his mind relaxed, he almost fell backward, but Xiao Li supported him from behind, preventing him from falling to the ground.

Under the gaze and pressure of a Dou Emperor, keeping hidden information without revealing any clues was difficult for him.

Beside them, Jia Xingtian looked at the cave entrance in silence for a moment before asking the two.

"Did you really not go down?

Queen Medusa has left, you don't need to worry. Tell the truth."

(End of this chapter)