Chapter Forty-Eight: Capturing Huo Lang with a Clever Scheme

“Sigh.” Lu Zhe squatted down, rubbing his head as he heaved a heavy sigh.

“How could I have agreed without thinking it through?” At that moment, Lu Zhe was filled with regret, the phrase repeating incessantly in his mind.

“Young Master Lu? Young Master Lu?” Hong Xiu’er, who stood nearby, watched him crouch in silence, her voice tinged with concern as she called out to him.

At her words, Lu Zhe turned his head and saw that Hong Xiu’er had already dressed. She stood there, worry etched on her face.

“Sigh, no use thinking too much. I’ll just take things one step at a time.” With a long sigh, Lu Zhe rose to his feet.

He turned to Hong Xiu’er and said, “I just thought of a plan and I’ll need your help.”

Hong Xiu’er’s eyes brightened as she asked, “What is it? Tell me quickly.”

“You’re going to seduce Huo Lang using the very method you just used on me,” Lu Zhe replied, his tone calm, though his words chilled her to the core.

“What?” At first, Hong Xiu’er blushed at the mention of her earlier actions, but as Lu Zhe finished, her mouth fell open in shock.

Seeing her reaction, Lu Zhe didn’t explain immediately, but then went on, “If I confront him head-on, I’d be marching to my death. So, I thought it over. To rescue your father, we need leverage, and the best leverage is Huo Lang, the young vice-captain of the ‘Ghost Fang’ Mercenary Corps.”

He glanced at Hong Xiu’er, then continued, “But Huo Lang is always surrounded by too many people. So, the only way is for you to lure him away alone. That way, I can capture him and use him to exchange for your father.”

After listening to Lu Zhe’s analysis, Hong Xiu’er nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “But how should I go about seducing him?”

Lu Zhe stroked his chin, pondering for a long moment before looking up. “When you tried to seduce me just now, what were you thinking?”

Hong Xiu’er flushed. “I didn’t think much. I was just anxious, afraid you’d leave, and then I remembered my mother saying all men are lustful and like to look at girls’ bodies, so I just…” Before she could finish, her face was as red as a ripe apple.

Lu Zhe looked at her with exasperation, silently wondering what kind of mother would teach her daughter such things.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Here’s what you’ll do: Go to Qinglin Town and find an inn to sit in. The spies from the ‘Ghost Fang’ Mercenary Corps will surely report to Huo Lang, and he’ll come looking for you. Then, drink with him. After a cup, excuse yourself to go upstairs. I’ll be waiting in one of the rooms above. You have him dismiss his subordinates, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Hong Xiu’er nodded, impressed by Lu Zhe’s coherent plan, but then she seemed to remember something and looked at him. “Huo Lang is a four-star Spirit Practitioner. Can you defeat him?”

Lu Zhe grinned. “Don’t be fooled by how skinny I look. I’m a five-star Spirit Practitioner.”

Hong Xiu’er’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t expected the youth before her, who looked barely older than herself, to be a five-star Spirit Practitioner—her own brother was only a two-star at his age, still striving for three.

Sensing her concern, Lu Zhe patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Whatever happens, I’ll protect you.”

For reasons she couldn’t quite understand, Hong Xiu’er’s heart fluttered at his words. Looking at Lu Zhe’s confident face, she finally nodded.

Meanwhile, Huo Lang returned to the mercenary headquarters and reported to Huo Shitian that Lu Zhe could fly. Huo Shitian merely paused before unleashing a torrent of scolding—not because he suspected the secret of a flight technique, but because, judging by Lu Zhe’s age, he couldn’t possibly be a Spirit King. Though Lu Zhe had concealed his face, his build and the part of his face that was visible betrayed his youth. Huo Lang had noticed this too, which explained his astonishment at Lu Zhe’s black wings. While powerful practitioners could retain their youth, only Spirit Lords or higher could manage such feats, and those at that level wouldn’t use spirit power to form wings. The oddity of the wings, as described by Huo Lang, only confirmed Huo Shitian’s judgment.

Fuming, Huo Lang stormed out of the hall. Spotting a tree nearby, he vented his anger with a few kicks, cursing, “Damn it, how could I have such rotten luck today? The prize slipped away, and I got chewed out for being blind.”

As he lashed out at the tree, one of his trusted men hurried over and whispered, “Young Vice-Captain, our informant just reported: Hong Xiu’er has been seen alone at an inn in town.”

Huo Lang was startled, turning quickly. “Is that true?”

The man nodded firmly.

A wicked smile spread across Huo Lang’s face. “Little beauty, there’s no escape from my grasp.”

With a wave of his hand, he gathered a few subordinates and headed to the inn where Hong Xiu’er waited.

Once inside, Huo Lang glanced around and immediately spotted Hong Xiu’er sitting alone in a secluded corner.

He smiled as he approached her table, bending down to look at her.

Upon seeing him, Hong Xiu’er offered a sweet, charming smile that set Huo Lang’s heart racing. “Young Master Huo, you’ve come—why not sit down?”

Huo Lang sat eagerly, his gaze fixed on her.

Unbothered by his stare, Hong Xiu’er continued sweetly, “I’ve been thinking—how foolish I’ve been not to notice how well you treat me. Why did I ever run away? Life with you would be so grand, so enviable.”

Huo Lang nodded along, delighted.

After a pause, Hong Xiu’er added, “But if I follow you, you must promise to always treat me well.”

Huo Lang grasped her delicate, jade-like hand and swore, “I, Huo Lang, vow to treat you well for my entire life.”

Just as passion blossomed, one of Huo Lang’s men leaned in and whispered, “Young master, why is she being so forward? Be careful—this might be a trap.”

The warning jolted Huo Lang to his senses. His gaze hardened. “What is your real purpose?”

Hong Xiu’er feigned fright, covering her face with her dainty hands. “But young master, you just promised you’d treat me well. How could you turn on me so quickly?”

Her expression, her words, her manner—everything tugged at the heartstrings, invoking anyone’s urge to cherish her.

Seeing her face pale, Huo Lang’s heart softened. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Only then did Hong Xiu’er lower her hands, though her complexion remained ashen.

Huo Lang was at a loss. Just then, the same subordinate whispered, “Young vice-captain, if you’re unsure, just get her drunk first, then…” The man grinned suggestively.

Huo Lang shot him an approving look and waved. “Bring wine!”

The innkeeper quickly brought over a pot of wine. Huo Lang opened it, poured a bowl for himself, and a cup for Hong Xiu’er. “This is to make amends.”

Hong Xiu’er glanced at him, her eyes brimming with allure. “Young Master Huo, why are you trying to get me drunk?”

Her gaze made Huo Lang’s heart skip a beat. “No reason, just to apologize.”

Hong Xiu’er’s faint smile bloomed like a lily, stunning everyone present.

She giggled, “Since it’s your kind offer, I’ll drink.” She raised her cup and drained it in one go.

A flush spread across her cheeks, the wine adding a touch of color that only made her more beautiful.

Huo Lang’s heart pounded as Hong Xiu’er glanced at him, her look impossible to resist.

She murmured, “I feel hot and dizzy. I want to go upstairs and rest.”

Delighted, Huo Lang leapt up. “I’ll help you.”

He supported her upstairs, to a room on the right. Hong Xiu’er entered first; Huo Lang quickly shut the door and led her to the bed.

As Hong Xiu’er sat, she gave Huo Lang a look that made his blood surge—he longed to strip her and press her beneath him.

Spurred by the thought, Huo Lang drew closer and reached to undo her blouse.

Startled, Hong Xiu’er asked, “Young Master Huo, what are you doing?”

He continued undressing her. “You said you were hot—I’m just helping you cool off.”

Hong Xiu’er smiled faintly, a smile that utterly shattered Huo Lang’s defenses. He forgot about undressing her and instead pressed her onto the bed, beginning to remove his own clothes before tearing at hers.

The sounds of ripping fabric made the bed creak. The two guards outside, hearing the commotion, kicked the door open, only to find Huo Lang half-dressed, pinning Hong Xiu’er, and glaring at them.

“What are you two doing in here?” Huo Lang bellowed, furious at being interrupted.

“Sorry, young vice-captain—we heard a noise and were worried something was wrong,” they apologized hastily.

“Even if the roof collapses, you’re not to come in! Get out!” Huo Lang shouted.

The two scrambled out, closing the door behind them.

After they left, Huo Lang turned back to Hong Xiu’er. “My men are clueless. Where were we?”

He began to undress her again when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Thinking his subordinates had returned, he turned, ready to curse them, but stopped short.

Standing before him was not his men but a figure in black robes, face masked—the very person who’d abducted Hong Xiu’er that morning.

“We meet again, Young Vice-Captain Huo,” Lu Zhe said coolly.

“Come—” Before Huo Lang could finish, Lu Zhe struck his neck, cutting him off.

Unable to speak, Huo Lang swung his fist, forcing Lu Zhe back a few steps. Glancing at Hong Xiu’er, he lunged for her throat, intending to use her as leverage.

Lu Zhe saw through his scheme and instantly grabbed Huo Lang’s arm, stopping it midair. Shocked by the boy’s strength, Huo Lang punched with his left, but Lu Zhe blocked him and slammed his elbow toward Huo Lang’s throat.

Huo Lang jerked his head back, dodging the elbow, and rolled onto the bed, which creaked beneath him.

Seeing Huo Lang’s exposed abdomen, Lu Zhe seized the moment. His left fist, packed with power, smashed toward Huo Lang’s stomach.

Recognizing he couldn’t block the blow, Huo Lang rolled off Hong Xiu’er and onto the far side of the bed. Lu Zhe grabbed Hong Xiu’er, pulled her up, and leaped onto the bed, engaging Huo Lang in close combat.

The rapid strikes and the bed’s shaking produced a symphony of thuds and creaks.

Outside, the two guards paused in confusion.

“Damn, what’s with all this noise? Is the young vice-captain trying to kill her?” the one on the left muttered.

His companion kicked him. “Just keep watch and stop daydreaming.”

The left guard fell silent, turning away from the strange sounds within.

Inside, Lu Zhe and Huo Lang battled fiercely. Huo Lang’s combat skills matched Lu Zhe’s, likely honed by years of hunting in the mountains. Despite being caught off guard, he recovered quickly and fought back.

Lu Zhe aimed a kick from above, but Huo Lang dodged, the force of the blow making the room reverberate.

“Wow,” the left guard exclaimed at the sound.

Dodging a sweeping punch, Lu Zhe countered with an uppercut, but Huo Lang evaded it too. Lu Zhe switched to an elbow strike at Huo Lang’s shoulder, but Huo Lang twisted aside and countered, his left knee driving toward Lu Zhe with terrifying force.

Lu Zhe withdrew his right hand and met the knee with his palm.

A loud smack echoed as Lu Zhe’s palm met Huo Lang’s knee. He quickly retracted his hand, raised his left leg, and struck with his knee.

Huo Lang crossed his arms to block the blow, but Lu Zhe seized the opening, leaping up and kicking Huo Lang hard in the stomach.

Huo Lang crashed against the wall and collapsed onto the bed.

Lu Zhe advanced, stomping down hard on Huo Lang’s back, smashing a hole in the bed.

Hearing the commotion, the left guard’s admiration grew. He said he’d have to ask the young vice-captain for tips later, while the right one grew silent, sensing something was wrong. “Something’s off. Let’s check inside.”

Ignoring his companion’s protest, he opened the door.

The scene inside left them stunned. The room was a wreck, the bed collapsed, but there was no sign of the young vice-captain or Hong Xiu’er. The window was open, hinting at their escape.

Cursing, the guard ran to the window and looked out, but the sky was empty.

He pounded the window frame. “Damn it, we’ve been played!”

With that, he dashed downstairs.