Chapter 2160 - 2133: Cooperation
Upon seeing the Black Shadow’s actions, Tang Wenhu took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "I want you to escort me back to Shu, as long as you agree to this condition, I will agree to cooperate with you."
"That’s impossible."
As soon as Tang Wenhu finished speaking, the Black Shadow mercilessly rejected his request: "I took great risks killing Lu Tianxing for your Tang Family and ensuring your safe departure from Xiangjiang. Escorting you back to Shu is wishful thinking. If you insist on this condition, then I can only say that we won’t be able to collaborate."
Upon hearing the Black Shadow’s unwavering rejection, Tang Wenhu’s face suddenly turned cold, and his gaze began to flicker.
"Tang Wenhu, I advise you not to make a move against me, because you can’t afford the cost of doing so. Although the Tang Family’s poisons and hidden weapons are unparalleled, I doubt you have enough poison on you to kill a master at the Late Stage of Mythical. If you dare to attack, I wouldn’t mind slicing you down; killing you would be as easy and effortless as crushing an ant. Do you believe that?"
After speaking, the Black Shadow’s gaze fell on Tang Wenhu, and a terrifying aura erupted from him, pressing down on Tang Wenhu like a mountain.
In that instant, Tang Wenhu felt a dreadful aura suppressing him. The Black Shadow seemed to transform into an unshakable mountain, and the surrounding space became as hard as steel, crazily pressing against his body, as if intending to crush him into a pulp.
This aura came swiftly and disappeared just as quickly, vanishing without a trace in an instant.
Feeling the aura disappearing from his shoulders, Tang Wenhu collapsed onto the ground uncontrollably, sweating profusely, gasping for air. It was the first time he felt death so close, with half a foot seemingly stepping into the Ghost Gate.
"Tang Wenhu, now you only have two paths before you. Either cooperate with me, kill Lu Tianxing, and I will escort you out of Xiangjiang, and your escape to Shu depends on your skills."
The Black Shadow sat on the sofa, looking at Tang Wenhu, speaking in a detached manner: "The second path is to refuse cooperation. I walk away, and you can try to see if you can break out of this net."
Upon hearing the Black Shadow again, Tang Wenhu’s face grew more sullen. Breaking out of this net, how could that be possible? Even if he broke through, he couldn’t escape Xiangjiang; after all, Xiangjiang is the territory of the Yama Palace, with the Late Stage Mythical expert Ge Cangtian around. Could he truly escape?
Taking a deep breath, Tang Wenhu looked gravely at the Black Shadow, saying in a somber voice: "How can you help me? You should know, among those aiming to destroy me this time is Ge Cangtian, who killed three Peak Mid-stage Mythical masters with three slashes. Ge Cangtian’s strength is undoubtedly at the Late Stage of Mythical. Do you think you can kill Lu Tianxing under Ge Cangtian’s nose?"
"You don’t need to worry about that. If I dare say I can kill Lu Tianxing, I will definitely be able to do it."
The Black Shadow said with ease, "You just need to cooperate with me earnestly tomorrow, and I guarantee you’ll leave Xiangjiang alive. Also, you can contact Tang Fengxing when I escort you out; if he knows you’ve killed Lu Tianxing, he surely won’t let you die outside and will send people to rescue you. Until then, as long as you don’t stupidly get yourself killed, I believe you can hold out until Tang Family’s experts arrive."
The Black Shadow’s demeanor and tone were as if Lu Tianxing had already been successfully assassinated.
Hearing Black Shadow’s words, Tang Wenhu gritted his teeth fiercely: "Alright, I agree, I promise to cooperate with you."
At this moment, Tang Wenhu chose to take a gamble. Staying here meant certain death. Cooperating with the Black Shadow might bring a sliver of hope for survival. As for any future clash between the Tang Family and Lu Family, it has nothing to do with him; as long as he survives and returns to the Tang Family, that’s fine. He could hide his name and travel far, surely there are places where the Lu Family and Tang Family can’t find him.
"But, can you really ensure my safe departure from Xiangjiang?"
"Of course, as long as you obediently follow my arrangement, I can guarantee you leave Xiangjiang safely." The Black Shadow vowed confidently.
"Alright, I’ll cooperate with you. If I, Tang Wenhu, manage to return to Shu alive, the great benevolence of Mr. Black Shadow, I, Tang Wenhu, will never forget. If there’s anything else you need from me, I won’t decline." Tang Wenhu heavily said to the Black Shadow.
He knew very well once Lu Tianxing is dead, the Tang Family and Lu Family would clash with Jiang Liufeng, and at that point, the Tang Family surely couldn’t protect him. The Black Shadow before him is the best choice for backing. Holding onto the Black Shadow’s support, even if the Tang Family is destroyed, he can still live—and quite dashingly, at that. Between loyalty to the Tang Family and survival, Tang Wenhu clearly chose the latter.
"Actions speak louder than words."
After hearing Tang Wenhu’s words, the Black Shadow’s voice turned cold again: "Remember, this plan must succeed, failure is not an option. You know more than I what the consequences of failure entail, so I advise you not to play any tricks; otherwise, the cost won’t be bearable for you."
Stopping here, the Black Shadow continued, "However, if you follow my instructions this time, you will gain far more than you currently have, as long as you work earnestly for me."
"Yes, lord Black Shadow, rest assured. I, Tang Wenhu, will certainly obey orders in the future."
At this moment, Tang Wenhu showed no trace of pride nor the aura a Mid-stage Mythical master should possess, behaving entirely like a bootlicker.
"And in the future, be more courteous to me, don’t look at me with such eyes, and don’t doubt my words. Otherwise, you won’t have a proper burial."
The Black Shadow’s demeanor changed abruptly, a terrifying murderous intent pressing upon Tang Wenhu.
Feeling this terrifying intent, Tang Wenhu’s body trembled abruptly, hastily saying, "No... No, lord Black Shadow, rest assured, in the future, your commands will be my mission, I will ensure they are carried out."