As someone who has been part of the old Jianghu for many years, though Jing Rou spent most of his time in the Mechanical Sect researching gunpowder, he still has the experience. So, upon hearing Zhao Ya’s words, he immediately realized what was going on.
"So, are you saying that this Yang Zhan might be a problem?"
"Not might be, but definitely!" Zhao Ya set down the wine cup and said in a deep voice.
At this moment, after carefully sensing it for a while, he finally discovered the unusual nature of the wine.
Just as he had mentioned earlier, this jar of Baodaozi indeed had something added to it.
However, it wasn’t poison that was added, but an unknown component.
This component is quite interesting; not only is it non-toxic and harmless, when added to the wine it enhances the aroma and flavor, which is why Zhao Ya hadn’t noticed anything strange while drinking in the tavern earlier.
But it’s precisely this seemingly harmless component that, when it encounters another substance, produces a wondrous reaction that temporarily blocks a person’s sense of danger, leading them to lower their guard.
This is why those ambushing crossbowmen could get so close earlier without Jing Rou noticing at all.
Thinking of this, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but become even more curious.
This method does not seem like something an ordinary Sea Rush Leader could possess.
It seems this Kong Xiangdong has a high-skilled individual by his side!
Jing Rou, by this point, had also lost all sleepiness, sitting down sternly and contemplating the matters with a frown.
This trip to Wuyang Sea was evidently not going smoothly.
Even before reaching the seaside, they were ambushed by a Human-faced Bear by the Great Snow Mountain.
Once they reached the small town, they found that a familiar Old Leader of the Sea Rush had already been attacked and killed.
Afterward, they were schemed against by the tavern owner Yang Zhan and Kong the Madman’s men working together.
Each of these incidents made Jing Rou feel uncomfortable.
But things had come to this, saying anything now was too late.
He only hoped that tomorrow’s meeting with Kong Xiangdong would go smoothly without any more unexpected incidents.
Once they had gathered enough Miracle Creations and satisfied Zhao Ya’s curiosity, they would immediately leave this place of trouble.
Unlike Jing Rou’s anxiousness, Zhao Ya was very calm, even having a faint sense of anticipation.
Currently, Zhao Ya’s attainments in Poison Dao might not be at Peak Performance, but they were definitely at Refined Skill level.
Yet he still found the method of combining non-toxic substances to trigger such extraordinary reactions very fresh and intriguing.
Undoubtedly, the person who came up with this method must have profound research into poisons, with keen insight and remarkable talent.
Ordinary people would never think of this point.
However, how could such a talented individual be willing to serve a Sea Rush Leader known for violence and madness?
Just as Zhao Ya felt puzzled, across from the inn where they were staying was a rather large brothel.
At this moment, in a room at the back of the brothel, Kong Xiangdong was drinking.
Contrary to his brutal and mad reputation, Kong Xiangdong looked refined, with a slender build, resembling a scholarly gentleman.
But to those kneeling on the ground, nothing was more terrifying than their leader Kong Xiangdong, except for the mysteriously unpredictable Wuyang Sea.
So even though people were kneeling all over the floor, the room remained dead silent.
Everyone knelt there trembling, not even daring to lift their heads.
After a long while, Kong Xiangdong stopped his chopsticks, and the woman serving him hurriedly handed over a hot towel.
Kong Xiangdong took it, wiped his face, and then let out a contented sigh.
"Speak, what happened!"
The scarred man at the front heard this, crawled forward two steps on his knees, and then said respectfully.
"Today, Yang Zhan sent word that someone wants to do business with you, the Leader. So, I took some people to test the two’s quality according to the rules. I didn’t expect that the young one was quite the handful, as we hadn’t even made a move before we lost a brother."
"Oh? Someone wants to do business with me, what background and origin?" Kong Xiangdong asked flatly without raising his head.
"According to Yang Zhan, the person claims to be surnamed Liu, but their identity is definitely fake. However, this person has been dealing with the deceased Old Leader and others, only interested in Miracle Creations. Now that the Old Leader is dead, they naturally seek other collaborators." The scarred man said.
"Didn’t these two drink the wine I sent to Yang Zhan?"
Upon hearing the connection with the previous Old Leader and their special interest in Miracle Creations, Kong Xiangdong looked up and asked.
"They drank it, but for some reason, it seemed that the young one was unaffected."
A sharp light flashed in Kong Xiangdong’s eyes.
"Unaffected?"
"Yes, at the time the older one was completely unaware, only the young one, before we made a move, launched an attack first, and struck ruthlessly, directly piercing through the throat."
"Interesting!" Kong Xiangdong rubbed his clean-shaven chin and murmured with great interest, then said.
"What did Yang Zhan say about it!"
"Yang Zhan said to let the two come see you tomorrow afternoon!"
"Hmm, meeting them once wouldn’t hurt." Kong Xiangdong said, then waved his hand.
"Alright, since these people have some knack, you can’t be blamed for this matter, the dead are dead, you can go now!"
"Yes!"
The scarred man and everyone present heaved a sigh of relief at these words, then hurriedly retreated.