Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

Xu Ke found the idea preposterous. How could some object allow an Innate Mid Stage martial artist to withstand two strikes from an Innate Great Perfection Expert and still escape successfully with Poison Elder?

The scope of Xu Ke's question was too broad, and Poison Elder was somewhat confused. She could only give a general response, "The Iron Shell Divine Skill is a defensive cultivation technique that can double a martial artist's defensive capabilities."

"What about the nature of the True Qi?" Xu Ke raised an eyebrow.

"Rigid."

"Can it really have such a powerful effect? It even resisted two ranged attacks?"

Tang Yingchang, still upset about his bed being dirtied, now leaned in curiously. Like Xu Ke, he was eager to know what kind of incredible cultivation technique the Iron Shell Divine Skill was.

Upon hearing this, pride shone in Poison Elder's eyes, though she tried to hide it. "Although our reputation precedes us, many people, including you, don't know that our most formidable asset isn't my 'Poison,' but Ghost Elder's 'Ghost.'"

"It is precisely because of my old man's 'Ghost' that we've been able to strike unexpectedly and succeed in our assassinations."

"What kind of 'ghost' technique is it?" Xu Ke asked, astonished.

I always thought their titles were just for show, a deliberate attempt to sound more imposing, he mused. Just like 'Heaven-Defying' and 'Sovereign' in Heaven-Defying Sword Sovereign are merely impressive-sounding adjectives…

"Actually," Poison Elder said with a hint of arrogance, "my old man being called 'Ghost' Elder is just a corruption of the original name, which was 'Turtle' Elder."

Since Xu Ke had saved her, Poison Elder decided not to hide anything and told them everything.

"Turtle… Elder?" Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang were both left speechless.

That sounds a lot less impressive, doesn't it?

Poison Elder explained, "The old man's Iron Shell Divine Skill involves cultivating an extremely domineering True Qi. In a one-on-one fight, it's no problem for him to have the offensive power to challenge someone above his cultivation level.

"Afterward, he sacrificed his own offensive power, condensing all of that domineering True Qi into an incredibly strong defense, comparable to a turtle shell.

"He once used the Iron Shell Divine Skill to block the final strike from an Innate Great Perfection Expert we had successfully assassinated.

"That's why the martial artists from back then called him 'Turtle Elder.'

"Later on, probably due to regional accents and the story spreading by word of mouth, it just became 'Ghost Elder.'"

Lying on the bed, Ghost Elder listened to the explanation, a proud smirk touching his lips.

So that's how it is, Xu Ke realized. In that case, it's understandable that Ghost Elder could withstand two strikes from the three assassins. At the same time, Xu Ke recalled something else—that time at the entrance of the clinic when this guy had punched him in the back, he had only been slightly injured.

"No wonder I was fine after you punched me in the back that day. It turns out Ghost Elder's energy is focused entirely on defense," Xu Ke said with a smile.

But as soon as he said it, the other three gave him a strange look.

Poison Elder coughed dryly. "No, that has nothing to do with my old man's punching power. It's because you're the abnormal one, Mister Xu."

"That's right," Ghost Elder nodded in agreement.

What kind of Post-Innate martial artist could withstand a full-force, close-range strike from an Innate Mid Stage expert? Where could you find another freak like Xu Ke?

Xu Ke touched his nose and changed the subject. "Okay, I'll take your word for it for now. But there's one more thing. What was the information that was critical to my survival?"

Ghost Elder propped himself up. "I heard it most clearly. I'll tell you."

Poison Elder helped him sit up.

Ghost Elder said, "When my old lady and I were hiding under the deck, we heard them on the phone with Shi Hongda."

Xu Ke's heart sank. "Shi Hongda? Is he planning to move against me again?"

"That's right!" Ghost Elder frowned in concentration before continuing, "I remember Shi Hongda wanted them to make another move and kill you. They initially refused and demanded more money to act again. But then Shi Hongda sent them a supposed message from Kang Chenghua to Huang Zhendong, sent just before Kang's death. It named you as the one who made us break the rules.

"The three assassins from the Assassin's Alliance figured that while it was wrong for us to break the rules, it was also wrong for you to incite us to do so… So, they've decided to kill you while they're hunting us."

Xu Ke's face darkened. "Motherfucker… Did you actually see Kang Chenghua send any message to Huang Zhendong before he died?"

Ghost Elder shook his head. "No. We personally waited for him and the Innate Martial Artist in his service to breathe their last before we left. Perhaps Shi Hongda fabricated a picture!"

"Damn it, are those three assassins idiots?" Xu Ke cursed, closing his eyes. Shi Hongda and the Yin-Yang Elders… those three old bastards actually know how to use Photoshop to trick people… How advanced!

After taking a deep breath, Xu Ke opened his eyes again. "So what are your thoughts now?"

"We… want to survive." The two elders looked at each other, their expressions bitter. The glory of the past, the downfall of today… how desolate.

"No shit. I want to live too." Xu Ke suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm asking if you have a plan."

"Yes!" Poison Elder glanced at Xu Ke, then hesitated before saying, "If we could kill the three assassins from the Assassin's Alliance who are hunting us, then even if the bounty remains high, we'd likely be safe for a long time."

"Do you think that's possible?" Xu Ke asked quietly.

The two elders were silent for a long time before they slowly forced out three words, "...Not very likely."

"Did you even need to think about that?" Tang Yingchang was utterly speechless.

Are you kidding me? At best, the two of them together count as one-third of an Innate Great Perfection. I count as one. For the equivalent of four-thirds of an Innate Great Perfection to try and beat three of them is pure fantasy!

"Are there any other options?" Xu Ke asked, tapping the table with his brow furrowed.

Poison Elder gave a wry smile. "From the moment we broke the rules, we were supposed to be dead men. So, if we want to live, we have to kill them to deter anyone else from coming after us!" As she spoke, she seemed to struggle. "Actually, we came to you not only for treatment but also in the hope that you could call for reinforcements."

"Reinforcements?"

"That's right! The Xie Family… aren't they here?"

Everyone knew about the good relationship between the Xie Family and Xu Ke after what had happened that morning. Poison Elder was hoping to borrow their strength! With more Innate Great Perfection Experts, they might stand a chance.

"Do you think they would offend the Assassin's Alliance for you?" Xu Ke retorted. He didn't know why Xie Jiancheng had given him the Jade Mountain Lotus, but he refused to believe the Xie Family would make a move against a behemoth like the Assassin's Alliance.

"Then… can we call Senior Wang Wu over from Tianhai?" Poison Elder asked tentatively.

"Impossible," Xu Ke said, dismissing the idea flatly.

Wong Qifu's safety is my top priority. How could I possibly ask Wang Wu to come here?

Poison Elder was completely out of options, her face filled with despair. "Without other Innate Great Perfection Experts to help, aren't we as good as dead?"

Xu Ke stood up and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then you should leave now."

"Why?" the two elders asked, frantic.

Xu Ke said, "When dogs are chasing you, should we all run together? Does that make it more convenient for them to catch us all at once? Or do you think if we die together, we'll get a group discount on grave plots?"