Framing

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and sensing the faint killing intent emanating from Li Yi, Long Ao Tian couldn't help but step back a few paces, then forced a smile and said, "My Lord, I apologize for any offense I may have caused earlier. Our Wan Chao Long family has no past grievances or recent disputes with you. Why must we fight to the death? Perhaps you could show mercy?"

Li Yi chuckled, "We indeed have no grudges, but today I killed Yin Xu in front of you. If this gets out and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group learns of it, it would be a great trouble. Wouldn't it be better if I killed you and arranged the scene to make it seem like you and Yin Xu died together in a mutual kill?"

Long Ao Tian's eyelids twitched, and his smile turned even more bitter. This damned man in black not only wanted to kill him but also set up a feud between the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group and the Long family. What a bastard!

However, Long Ao Tian dared not reveal these thoughts.

He cautiously raised his long sword and swallowed, saying, "My Lord, let's discuss this... To bid on that mid-level Zhuque martial technique today, I have some gold coins on me. How about I give them to you as a... a... greeting gift?"

In the face of death, Long Ao Tian had lost his lazy arrogance. For someone of his status, begging for mercy was something he had rarely done, so his words were inevitably hesitant.

Li Yi looked at the long sword surging with fighting spirit and shook his head imperceptibly, "You should know that you can't stop me."

Seeing Li Yi's gesture, Long Ao Tian felt even more bitter. He knew that this person had no reason to spare him now. The feeling of a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, filled Long Ao Tian with regret. If he hadn't been overconfident, how could he have ended up in such a situation?

Li Yi took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Long Ao Tian. Although he had no grudge against this young master of the Long family, it seemed he had to deal with him now.

Just then, the Serpent Venerable's voice urgently rang out, "Kid, run! The Fighter from the Long family is coming! You're no match for him!"

Li Yi's heart tightened, and his eyes narrowed. Having witnessed a Fighter in action, he knew that he couldn't break through the layer of fighting spirit armor at his current state. He could trample Fighters underfoot with his Phantom Killing technique, but against a Fighter, that level was still something he could only look up to.

But the more pressing the situation, the less he could show any weakness to Long Ao Tian, who might explode and bite back in fear.

Li Yi stepped back imperceptibly, "I might let you go, but there's a condition."

Hearing this, Long Ao Tian felt a surge of hope, but he remained cautious and stepped back, "What is it, My Lord?"

Li Yi snorted but didn't answer. Instead, his gaze fell on Yin Xu's body.

He noticed that the Wolftooth Blade and the martial technique scroll that should have been on Yin Xu were missing, causing him to frown. There was no time to search thoroughly now.

"His hand! The ring!" The Serpent Venerable's voice rapidly echoed in Li Yi's mind.

Li Yi looked down and saw a faintly silver, peculiar ring on Yin Xu's right hand finger. Although he didn't understand its purpose, he still took the ring and tucked it into his chest, asking quietly, "What's this?"

"A storage ring, though a low-level one. Obviously, everything is hidden inside," the Serpent Venerable said disdainfully.

Li Yi smiled. He knew about storage rings, which contained spaces of varying sizes and could store anything but living creatures. The higher the ring's level, the rarer it was. Initially interested in such a thing, Li Yi couldn't obtain it due to his status. Unexpectedly, this robbery for the Wolftooth Blade not only got him the mid-level Zhuque martial technique scroll but also a storage ring.

After securing the storage ring, Li Yi looked up at Long Ao Tian and said lightly, "The condition is simple: remember that I was never here. I'll spare you for the sake of the Long family. But if you can't do this, you understand that I can kill you anytime, anywhere."

Seeing the storage ring disappear into Li Yi's chest, a pained expression flickered across Long Ao Tian's face. He had gone to great lengths, risking offending the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group and using family guards, all for the ring and its contents. But now, it was all in vain. If not for his remaining rationality, Long Ao Tian might have charged to take it back.

Feeling Li Yi's murderous gaze, Long Ao Tian could only nod quickly in agreement.

Seeing his nod, Li Yi didn't bother with further words. He struck Yin Xu's corpse, ensuring he was beyond any hope of revival, then disappeared into the jungle with a cold laugh.

Long Ao Tian stood there, relieved he hadn't acted impulsively. Otherwise, he too might have ended up beyond recognition.

After about ten minutes, several figures swiftly emerged from the jungle and landed beside Long Ao Tian.

Leading them was Fan Nan, followed by two Fighters, all bearing numerous injuries, indicating they had paid a heavy price to eliminate their opponents.

Seeing Long Ao Tian standing and Yin Xu's corpse nearby, a hint of joy appeared in Fan Nan's eyes. He whispered, "Young Master, have you succeeded? We should leave quickly; the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group will soon realize something is amiss."

Long Ao Tian's face was extremely grim. His muscles twitched before he said softly, "Fan Lao, please dispose of Yin Xu's body so the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group finds no trace. You two, go to the family and clear the bodies on the road. Remember, act as if nothing happened today."

The two Fighters dared not ask questions and quickly headed towards Wan Chao City.

Fan Nan paused, looking puzzled at Long Ao Tian, "Young Master, isn't this different from the plan... according to the plan..."

Long Ao Tian shook his head, "There's no plan anymore. We've suffered a big loss this time. Just get rid of Yin Xu's body, Fan Lao. I don't want to gain nothing and end up in trouble."

Realizing Long Ao Tian's condition, Fan Nan asked softly, "What happened, Young Master?"

Long Ao Tian swallowed and pointed at Yin Xu's body, but said nothing.

Fan Nan, puzzled, stepped closer and inspected the body. His face suddenly changed, and he said hoarsely, "All ribs broken, hands crippled, skull shattered... even the freaks in the Martial God Temple wouldn't do more than this. Young Master, who did you encounter? One of the old monsters from the other families?"

Long Ao Tian's face changed, and he finally said coldly, "If it were someone from the Li or Mo families, wouldn't I recognize them? Don't ask what I encountered, or we both might end up..."

Fan Nan's face also changed slightly. As a three-crystal Fighter, he could wield considerable power in Wan Chao City, but he was acutely aware that even in the entire Martial God Continent, let alone the Tianfeng Empire, a Fighter was only a relatively minor figure. If they accidentally encountered some freakishly powerful individual, not to mention his own strength, even the combined power of the Long family might be snuffed out in an instant. After all, this was a world where the strong reigned supreme.

Fan Nan quickly dug a several-meter-deep pit in the ground, then carelessly threw Yin Xu's body into it and covered it up again. He carefully concealed any traces of the fight between Yin Xu and Long Ao Tian, then, with a grim face, hurriedly left the area with Long Ao Tian. They didn't want to stay there a moment longer.

Shortly after, another figure emerged from the bushes - it was Li Yi, who had left earlier. His gaze fell on the spot where Yin Xu's body was concealed. A smile appeared on his face as he said softly, "It seems Long Ao Tian is really scared. I was worried he might speak out about what happened, leading people back to me later."

The Serpent Venerable's voice sounded faintly, "Who knows if he was just putting on a show, suspecting you might be hiding nearby and watching."

"It doesn't matter," Li Yi smiled slightly, "He won't have the chance to tell anyone. I think how to deal with the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group's retaliation is what Long Ao Tian should be worrying about now."

Saying this, Li Yi messed up the arrangements made by Fan Nan and quickly headed towards Wan Chao City.

As for this place, there was no need to make things too obvious. After all, that would seem too much like framing someone. Now, leaving a small flaw, as long as the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group's people weren't too foolish, they would eventually figure out something...