The monster had a human body, but a bird's beak and sharp claws, and its whole body reeked of a foul stench.
Caught off guard, Bai Junhao was pounced on by the monster. The monster held him tightly, its claws leaving bloody welts on his body.
Bai Junhao was both shocked and furious, struggling desperately but unable to break free.
"Run!" Seeing that the opportunity was too good to pass up, Su Mu urged everyone to flee for their lives.
The group rushed out of the room in a panic, fearing that Bai Junhao would catch up with them.
After many twists and turns, they finally escaped the area of Liuhuoshan Manor.
"Phew... I finally got rid of that madman."
Su Mu breathed a sigh of relief and looked back at her companions: "Are you all alright?"
Everyone shook their heads; although they looked disheveled, they were unharmed.
Wu Hai patted Su Mu on the shoulder and laughed, "That was a brilliant move! Where did that monster come from?"
Su Mu smiled smugly: "Hehe, this is my latest research result. I didn't expect it to work so well. It seems it will be useful in the future."
Meanwhile, in a dark and damp cave, Ouyang Mingyue paced anxiously back and forth.
She would glance at the cave entrance from time to time, hoping to see her sect's rescue.
"Why haven't Master and the others arrived yet..." Ouyang Mingyue murmured to herself, her eyes filled with anxiety.
Just then, Xiao Feng walked in with paper and pen.
He chuckled sinisterly, "Little beauty, don't expect anyone to come and save you. Come on, write a letter to your brother Bai Zhao and ask him to bring a ransom to get you back."
Ouyang Mingyue glared coldly at Xiao Feng: "Dream on! I will not cooperate with your despicable behavior!"
Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes, his tone turning sinister: "Oh? Then you'd better think carefully. If you don't obey, you'll regret it."
Ouyang Mingyue gritted her teeth and secretly vowed never to give in.
She firmly stated, "Threatening me won't work; I won't write it!"
Seeing this, Xiao Feng's face darkened horribly. He sneered, "Heh, stubborn little girl. Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson..."
Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his lips. He slowly drew a rotten wooden staff, weighing it in his hand for a few moments. "Crack!" The rotten wooden staff struck Ouyang Mingyue's delicate skin heavily, leaving a red mark.
Ouyang Mingyue gritted her teeth, trying her best not to cry out.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!" Xiao Feng swung his rotten wooden staff, striking Ouyang Mingyue again and again.
Ouyang Mingyue's body trembled uncontrollably, her eyes filled with tears.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, trying to fight the humiliation with pain.
"Well, little beauty? Still not obedient?" Xiao Feng sneered, raising his rotten wooden staff high in the air.
Ouyang Mingyue bit her lip, a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth. She stubbornly raised her head, her eyes still gleaming with unyielding spirit. "You...you despicable scoundrel!" Ouyang Mingyue cursed, her voice trembling.
A flash of anger crossed Xiao Feng's eyes, and he brought his rotten wooden staff down with a jolt.
"Smack!" This time the blow was exceptionally forceful, and Ouyang Mingyue finally couldn't help but let out a shrill scream.
Her body went limp and she collapsed to the ground, no longer having the strength to resist.
Xiao Feng bent down, grabbed Ouyang Mingyue's hair, and forced her to raise her head. "Now, are you willing to obey me?"
The light in Ouyang Mingyue's eyes gradually dimmed.
She was torn between her unyielding dignity and unbearable pain.
Finally, she slowly closed her eyes and gently nodded.
Xiao Feng released his grip with satisfaction and stood up. "Very good, that's a good boy."
His gaze swept over Ouyang Mingyue, and suddenly a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"Give me your undergarments." Xiao Feng stretched out his hand, a glint of conspiracy flashing in his eyes.
Ouyang Mingyue suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Xiao Feng in disbelief.
A flicker of shame and anger crossed her face, but it was quickly replaced by despair.
Under Xiao Feng's icy gaze, Ouyang Mingyue trembled as she slowly removed her personal clothing and handed it to Xiao Feng.
Xiao Feng took the clothes and nodded in satisfaction.
He turned and walked to the table, picked up a pen and paper, and quickly wrote a letter.
“My dear Bai Zhao.”
As Xiao Feng wrote, he read aloud: "If you want to save your fiancée, bring 100,000 taels of gold alone and come to Baoyue Tower at midnight tonight. Remember, you must come alone, or you will bear the consequences."
After finishing writing, Xiao Feng folded the letter and handed it to a subordinate beside him. "Deliver it to Bai Zhao immediately."
Not long after, at Bai Zhao's residence.
Ao Guang frowned, looking at the letter in his hand. "Bai Zhao, what do you think?"
Bai Zhao remained silent, his brows furrowed.
Seeing Bai Zhao hesitate, Ao Guang's face suddenly turned gloomy.
"Bai Zhao, don't forget, Ouyang Mingyue is your fiancée!"
Bai Zhao looked up at Ao Guang's angry eyes, a bitter feeling rising in her heart. "I understand." Bai Zhao took a deep breath: "I will go."
Bai Zhao turned to Ao Guang: "Brother Ao Guang, I understand what you're thinking. But this is between Ouyang Mingyue and me, and I can't let you take the risk."
Ao Guang frowned and said, "It's too dangerous for you to go alone! Let me go with you."
Bai Zhao shook his head, his tone resolute: "No. Xiao Feng is a cunning fellow. If we go together, we might anger him and end up harming Mingyue. I must go alone."
Seeing that Ao Guang still wanted to say something, Bai Zhao patted him on the shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, I have my own plan. Just wait here for my news."
Ao Guang hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, but you must be careful. If anything unusual happens, send a signal immediately."
Bai Zhao agreed and turned to leave.
As soon as he stepped out of the mansion, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn expression.
He strode to the backyard and found a servant of similar build to himself.
Bai Zhao carefully examined the man, calculating in his mind. "You, come here."
The servant approached tremblingly: "What are your orders, young master?"
Bai Zhao said in a low voice, "I have an important matter for you to handle."
He explained the plan in detail to his servant and handed him a bag of silver: "Remember, if anyone asks, say that I sent you."
The servant took the silver and nodded repeatedly, "I understand, young master. I will certainly not fail your trust."
Bai Zhao breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the servant leave.
He knew the plan was risky, but for Mingyue's safety, he had no other choice.
As night fell, Ao Guang hid in the shadows and watched "Bai Zhao" leave the mansion.
He narrowed his eyes, secretly deciding to follow.
The Baoyue Tower was brightly lit. Bai Zhao entered the tower, and a waiter came forward to greet him.
"Young Master Bai, you've arrived." With that, he quickly took the bundle from "Bai Zhao's" hands and turned to leave.
Bai Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave Baoyue Tower.
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