King of Creation

Chapter 1953: Chapter 1938: The Rescue

The Ninth Elder Hu Buding’s mansion sprawled over a vast area, and if searched inch by inch, it would take too much time; at this moment, Ye Zhen was burning with anxiety.

However, Ye Zhen still firmly remembered the seven words ’remain calm in the face of major events,’ a phrase his father had emphasized countless times since he was young.

The more critical the moment, the calmer one must be.

Thinking for a moment, Ye Zhen headed towards the direction Big Ears pointed, towards the location of Ninth Elder Hu Buding.

First, observe Hu Buding. If Chi Ling’er was indeed kidnapped by Hu Buding and used to threaten Hu Qingtong with Chi Ling’er’s safety, then there must be some unusual activities at Hu Buding’s place.

A Fox Clan man, studying Human Clan writing, enjoying refined things.

At this moment, Ninth Elder Hu Buding was sitting cross-legged at a small table, quietly watching the tea leaves tumbling in the jade pot before him, the steam rising, and a tranquil, gentle smile on his face.

This old fellow had been sitting there for fifteen minutes already.

He was patient, but Ye Zhen was starting to grow impatient.

Just as he was about to leave, intending to let Big Ears monitor the situation while he ventured into Hu Buding’s mansion to search for any clues about Chi Ling’er’s whereabouts.

However, just as Ye Zhen was leaving, he heard Big Ears’ voice in his ear, "Sir, that Hu Lian is rushing to find Hu Buding."

"Hmm? Keep watching, I’ll head over right away."

When Ye Zhen hurried back, Hu Lian had just burst into Hu Buding’s teahouse, not even taking a sip of the tea Hu Buding offered, she cautiously asked, "Father, is everything alright with that matter? Just now, the Grand Young Master held the Clan Leader’s command letter and questioned Yan’er for a long time. Will we be discovered?"

"What could happen? Rest assured, even if they really suspect your father, no one would dare search, and even if someone does investigate secretly, they would definitely find no clues," Hu Buding continued attending to the tea before him.

Hearing these words, Ye Zhen was almost burning with anger.

This sentence was basically enough to confirm that it was indeed this old bastard Hu Buding who did it.

If it weren’t for the fact that Chi Ling’er hadn’t been rescued yet, Ye Zhen would have had the thought of dealing with this old bastard, Hu Buding.

It’s very difficult to kill a presence in the Dao Realm.

However, as long as the planning is careful, it’s not impossible.

Hu Lian patted her chest, "Father, my heart almost leapt to my throat just now. I didn’t expect the Grand Young Master to care so much about that harlot’s affair."

But Hu Buding understood; the Grand Young Master Tu Jinggao’s high-profile search for Chi Ling’er’s intentions were clear to him.

In fact, it was because he learned Hu Qingtong was about to leave, and the Great Clan Leader Tu Zheng made an unexpectedly low-key gesture to retain Hu Qingtong, that he decided to take the risky move.

He understood that the Great Clan Leader Tu Zheng should be his competitor.

"Rest assured, when you go back later, just do what you usually do, as if nothing happened, and everything will be fine," Hu Buding instructed.

"Father, I understand. By the way, Father, what are you planning to do with that kid? Before you deal with him, you must let me vent my anger on that kid!

That harlot Hu Qingtong probably never dreamed that her son would fall into your hands, Father. If I don’t torment him to vent my anger, it wouldn’t be fair to..."

"Shut up!"

Hu Buding scolded angrily, "From now on, you have nothing more to do with this matter, and I forbid you from bringing it up or intervening in any way, understand?"

Hu Buding’s stern rebuke frightened Hu Lian into a jump, and then she started crying, lifting the hem of her skirt to reveal the undergarments still stained with blood, "Father, you see, twenty strokes of the Dragon Whip nearly made me unable to get out of bed. It’s all that kid’s fault. I don’t care how you handle that kid, but you definitely have to let me torment that kid, vent my anger, and help Yan’er vent his anger."

Hu Buding’s expression turned stern, about to reprimand her again, but seeing his tearful daughter, he couldn’t help but smile wryly.

His daughter’s condition was something he understood best; indeed, she had a bad temper.

But since she was his only daughter, he doted on her dearly.

"Alright then, however, Chi Ling’er is of great use to me, and I cannot let you vent your anger just yet; when your father’s major affair is accomplished, you’ll have plenty of opportunities," Hu Buding promised.

"Thanks, Father."

"Go now, and remember, not a single word about this matter must be mentioned in front of others." Hu Buding reminded once more.

Actually, with Hu Lian’s temperament, Hu Buding would never have let her get involved in this matter.

But today, time was short, and the plan had to be executed in a short time frame, especially enticing Chi Ling’er out, which required a child’s involvement without drawing connections.

Ultimately, he could only let Tu Yan lure Chi Ling’er out.

Of course, since Tu Yan had been involved in a fierce conflict with Chi Ling’er a few days prior, it would be inappropriate for him to lure Chi Ling’er out directly, and doing so would be too suspicious.

Hu Buding arranged for Hu Lian to instruct Tu Yan to invite other children out to play, then had Tu Yan deliberately mention a game Chi Ling’er had invented previously.

Naturally, one of the children suggested inviting Chi Ling’er to join in the fun.

Tu Yan took the chance to feign a tantrum, expressing unwillingness to play with Chi Ling’er and left alone on the spot.

But the natural behavior of children wouldn’t change due to Tu Yan’s outburst, allowing those few kids to invite Chi Ling’er as a matter of course.

This way, Tu Yan quietly evaded any connections with the incident.

It was precisely because of this step that the somewhat brainless Hu Lian got involved, much to Hu Buding’s helplessness.

After all, this was not a matter that could be entrusted to others!

As Hu Lian left, Ye Zhen also departed.

Hu Buding was left under the surveillance of Big Ears Nie Ting, while Ye Zhen planned to search around thoroughly within Hu Buding’s mansion.

To see if he could find and rescue Chi Ling’er.

Of course, Ye Zhen also understood that the possibility was not high.

Hu Buding appeared to be extremely shrewd; the place where Chi Ling’er was being held would undoubtedly be very hidden.

Nonetheless, as long as there’s the slightest chance, Ye Zhen intended to try.

Hu Buding’s residence is large, with countless Silent Chambers and secret rooms.

Unable to completely unleash his Divine Sense and only able to use it in small areas, Ye Zhen spent a full two hours searching every corner of Hu Buding’s residence.

Unfortunately, there was no discovery.

And Hu Buding made no movements, clearly having already hidden Chi Ling’er in a place he deemed very secure.

Retreating back underground where Hu Buding was having tea, Ye Zhen fought the urge to engage Hu Buding in a major conflict, constantly reminding himself to stay calm.

Since Hu Buding had hidden Chi Ling’er in a place they couldn’t find, the rescue methods were very limited.

One method was to find a way to monitor and track Hu Buding, discover where he’s holding Chi Ling’er, and then rescue her.

With Nie Ting’s Heavenly Sound Divine Ability and Ye Zhen’s skills, this was achievable.

The key was whether Hu Buding would give them this opportunity.

This required patient waiting.

Another method was to learn Chi Ling’er’s whereabouts from Hu Buding’s mouth, or to make Hu Buding release Chi Ling’er voluntarily.

Under normal circumstances, to make Hu Buding talk or voluntarily release someone requires threatening Hu Buding’s life, like killing him or capturing his Primordial Spirit.

Or capturing Hu Buding’s daughter, then using her life as a threat to make Hu Buding release Chi Ling’er.

This method had the possibility of success, but also carried great risk.

By doing so, Ye Zhen would be standing against the entire Fox Clan, since Ye Zhen was in the Fox Clan’s territory.

With one word from Hu Buding, Ye Zhen and his group could be besieged.

Moreover, suppose Hu Buding is cold-blooded and doesn’t care about his daughter’s life; what if he turns it around and uses Chi Ling’er’s safety to threaten Ye Zhen?

It would become very troublesome.

Like holding back out of caution.

This made the whole thing extremely tricky!

Especially since a Great Clan Leader and an elder were simultaneously plotting against Hu Qingtong, this matter was absolutely not simple.

If, in Hu Buding’s consideration, what he is plotting holds more value than his daughter, then Ye Zhen is even more passive.

Besides, who knows if Hu Buding has done something to Chi Ling’er.

Therefore, even if Ye Zhen finds out where Chi Ling’er is, he shouldn’t act recklessly.

After thinking hard for more than two hours, Ye Zhen still couldn’t devise a reliable rescue plan, feeling so anxious he nearly slapped himself twice.

Being concerned leads to confusion.

"Keep watching!"

Ye Zhen took a deep breath and quietly returned to Hu Qingtong’s small house.

Grand Young Master Tu Jinggao was still searching, but temporarily without any result.

"Did you find Chi Ling’er?" Seeing Ye Zhen return, Hu Qingtong urgently approached.

Ye Zhen slowly nodded.

"Where!"

"It should be Hu Buding who took action, abducting her! And according to what I’ve heard, he seems to want to use Chi Ling’er to threaten you to achieve some goals," Ye Zhen said.

"Threaten me?"

Hu Qingtong was bewildered again.

Why does everyone have designs on him? First the Black Cloud Great Sage, then Clan Leader Tu Zheng, now Ninth Elder Hu Buding.

What exactly is going on?

"Brother Ye, where did he imprison Chi Ling’er, let’s go and rescue her quickly. She has never..."

"The problem is, I haven’t found the place where she’s held, and..."

Ye Zhen shared his considerations and ideas, leaving Hu Qingtong, Zhu Hong, and the others silent.

This matter was indeed incredibly difficult.

After a slight pause, Hu Qingtong suddenly stood up and rushed out.

"Qingtong, where are you going?" Ye Zhen urgently blocked him.

"Isn’t Hu Buding scheming for something with me? Then I’ll go deliver myself, let him release Chi Ling’er," Hu Qingtong said recklessly.

"Are you stupid?"

"Hu Buding wants to control you using Chi Ling’er! If you go, you’ll just be walking into a trap, and he definitely won’t release Chi Ling’er."

"Calm down, Qingtong, calm down, let’s think of a way together."

Ye Zhen shook Hu Qingtong’s shoulders, and the awakened Hu Qingtong felt pain in his heart, collapsing into Ye Zhen’s arms and crying bitterly.

"Don’t worry, I will definitely rescue Chi Ling’er!"

Comforting Hu Qingtong, Ye Zhen already had a preliminary rescue plan!

The first step of the rescue plan was to increase his bargaining chips as much as possible.

Leaving Hu Qingtong’s courtyard, Ye Zhen immediately tunneled underground towards Hu Buding’s daughter, Hu Lian’s residence!