A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 62 Battle of Poison
"No wonder Murong Wudi dared to be so tough; it turns out he has someone backing him up." Liu Xi felt a little wary of Gu Xu. Just how skilled was this man to make him back down with just one move?

The two women from Yihua Palace are already difficult to deal with, and with this person and Yan Nantian added to the mix, he still has a long way to go if he wants to rebuild the martial arts world.

"Once I've mastered this divine skill, you'll be the first one I deal with," Liu Xi thought with increasing urgency to master the final level of the Absorption Technique. There was still more than a year until the Seven Stars Alignment, and he had waited all these years, so what was a little longer?

"Father, are you alright?" Murong Shu asked, looking at Murong Wudi, whose face was somewhat pale.

"It's alright. Liu Xi's martial arts are indeed formidable. I originally thought that even if I couldn't defeat him, I would at least be able to protect myself. I didn't expect that I couldn't even withstand one of his moves. If it weren't for your and Brother Xian's help, I would probably be facing a life-or-death situation tonight."

Murong Wudi still felt a pang of unease when he recalled the experience. The feeling of being enveloped by the Absorption Technique was truly unbearable. His true energy was out of control, churning and rolling around, like a lamb to the slaughter, his life and death in the hands of others.

"This eunuch's martial arts skills are clearly not yet at the final level, yet they already possess such power. If he were to truly master them, I find it unimaginable what would happen. Shu'er, you must be careful not to fall into Liu Xi's trap in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Murong Shu said, "Don't worry, Father, I have the ability to protect myself. But Liu Xi must not find out about my younger sister. Although we are not afraid of Liu Xi, we cannot stop him from using underhanded tricks in secret, which are hard to guard against. It is better to be prepared for a rainy day."

Murong Xian and Murong Shu both have pure Yin destiny, which fits Liu Xi's criteria for a Yin-type person to practice his skills. That's why Murong Shu emphasized reminding her.

"I know that I changed Xian'er's birth date and time after she was born." Although changing her birth date and time was against the rules, Murong Wudi naturally knew which was more important than his daughter's life.

"Speaking of which, it was my brother's suggestion. He said that women with this destiny have always been the furnaces for some evil people to practice their skills. Although the Murong family is powerful, it cannot prevent some people from taking risks. So it is better to eliminate their thoughts from the root."

"That's good, Master has considered things very carefully," Murong Shu nodded. Although her master was highly skilled in martial arts, he never abused his power. It would be best to solve the problem with the least amount of effort. Force was the last resort.

“With Master taking action, Liu Xi will definitely not come out on top. He will be more at ease in the future and will know clearly that our Murong family is not a place to be slaughtered at will.”

Qiulanyuan

"Liu Xi's Absorption Technique is quite interesting, but he's taken the wrong path," Gu Xu could roughly deduce the style of Liu Xi's martial arts based on his exchange with him.

This absorption technique takes an unorthodox approach, requiring practitioners to constantly absorb the power of others after mastering it. Although it is quite powerful, the various internal energies within the body are mixed together, resembling a tangled mess.

Normally it's not too bad. Liu Xi can rely on his internal energy to gradually neutralize them. Although only one-tenth remains, it is still beneficial to him. However, if he gets injured in a fight, Liu Xi has to absorb the other person's power to heal. In this way, he seems to be caught in a cycle.

Liu Xi was naturally aware of the shortcomings of his own martial arts, which is why he tried every means to master the skill of absorbing power from a distance. However, he wasted many years without success. Later, he learned from an ancient book that in order to master this divine skill, one must find the five yang and two yin stars on the day when the seven stars are aligned and absorb their power. Only then can he achieve success naturally.

"The alignment of the seven stars is merely an astronomical phenomenon and has absolutely no connection with remote absorption techniques. Liu Xi's hard work over the years is destined to be nothing but a dream, a dream that has come to nothing."

Gu Xu has never had a good impression of these unorthodox people. He keeps them alive only to make a fool of them and, incidentally, to give Jiang Yuyan a rival.

Qingniu Town, Hongyezhai

After Jiang Yuyan took out the Red Leaf Token, the servants respectfully invited the three of them to sit in the private room. Upon hearing the servants' report, the steward immediately came to serve them.

"Miss Jiang, may I ask what brings you here?" Manager Yue Bin asked cautiously.

"Manager Yue, I've come here regarding the whereabouts of someone," Jiang Yuyan said calmly, putting down her teacup.

"I don't know who they are."

Jiang Biehe

"Please wait a moment, young lady, I'll go and retrieve the most recent files."

Watching Yue Bin leave, Xiao Yu'er said with a smile, "This Red Leaf Studio is usually so arrogant, but I didn't expect them to be so humble towards Miss Jiang."

“They were not respectful to me, but to the token in my hand.”

This token was given to Murong Zhong by Gu Xu, who left it for Jiang Yuyan before returning home, worried that she might encounter difficulties she couldn't resolve and wanted her to seek help from Hongye Zhai.

"In any case, with this token, we might be able to save some time." Xiaoyuer was a pragmatic person, and he was willing to use any means necessary to find Jiang Biehe.

"I wonder where Master is now," Xiaoyuer sighed.

"Brother Yu, there's no need to worry. Master Yan's martial arts are unparalleled, and he will be in no danger. Apart from the two palace masters of Yihua Palace, who in the martial arts world can pose a threat to him? Perhaps he is currently preoccupied with something. Didn't you leave some secret marks along the way? Master Yan will find you when the time comes."

Jiang Yuyan glanced at Hua Wuque, who was sitting quietly, and said to Xiaoyuer.

Over the past few days, the three of them have gradually become acquainted and introduced each other to their respective schools of thought.

When Hua Wuque said he was from the Yihua Palace, it really startled Xiaoyuer. The Yihua Palace had a notorious reputation for being ruthless and would kill anyone who disobeyed it. But Hua Wuque looked like a handsome young man and didn't seem like a very ruthless person.

Jiang Yuyan, on the other hand, remained calm, as if she had already guessed it.

Just as the two were talking, Yue Bin walked in with a bamboo tube in his hand. "Miss Jiang, this is the latest intelligence. Jiang Biehe's whereabouts are in here," he said, gently placing the bamboo tube on the table.

Upon hearing news of Jiang Biehe, Hua Wuque, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them, and Xiaoyuer also looked impatient.

"Thank you for your hard work, Manager Yue," Jiang Yuyan said to Yue Bin with a smile.

"It's no trouble at all, it's all what I should do. If you three have no other instructions, I'll take my leave now," Yue Bin said tactfully as he withdrew, making sure to close the door behind him.

"Miss Jiang, please open it and take a look quickly."

Jiang Yuyan reached out, opened the bamboo tube, and pulled out a slip of paper with a few words written on it: Shuangbi Mountain, Wanyao Manor.

Jiang Yuyan passed the note to the two of them.

"Where is Shuangbi Mountain?" Little Fish asked in confusion.

"Shuangbi Mountain is a high peak in the Hengyun Mountain Range in the southwest, and Wanyao Manor is located in this mountain. The owner of the manor is a famous Gu doctor in the area. He is highly skilled in medicine and is not well-known in the Central Plains, but he is a household name in the southwest. I didn't expect Jiang Biehe to be able to travel so far."

It's not surprising that Hua Wuque knew about this place. Back when the Yihua Palace was a powerful force in the martial arts world, all the various gangs in the Jianghu were recorded.

"It's in the southwest. At our current pace, we should be able to get there within seven days," Little Fish thought to himself, having already calculated the distance.

"We should act quickly. I'll get three fast horses from Hongye Zhai. Maybe we can shorten the time even further," Jiang Yuyan said, worried that if the time was too long, Jiang Biehe would disappear again.

"That's very good."

"Manager Yue, I need three fast horses. I'd be so grateful for your help." Jiang Yuyan took out a dazzling pearl from her purse and handed it to Yue Bin. The latter couldn't refuse, so he hurriedly sent someone to bring three tall, fine horses and some dry rations for the journey.

Jiang Yuyan thanked them, and the three of them rode their horses quickly away from Qingniu Town, heading towards Shuangbi Mountain.

The three traveled swiftly and without stopping, finally arriving at Shuangbi Mountain five days later.

"It truly deserves to be called a scenic spot in the southwest. These two huge stone walls alone are enough to make people linger," Xiaoyuer said, pulling back the reins and looking at the smooth, gleaming stone walls on both sides.

These two stone walls were not carved by human hands, but formed naturally by hundreds of years of wind and rain erosion, creating a spectacular sight. When illuminated by moonlight at night, they shine brightly and can be seen from miles away.

"The scenery is beautiful, but it's not the right time. Let's go!" The three of them followed the Shuangbi Mountain Road and headed towards the mountainside.

"Brother Hua, Brother Yu, look, that brightly lit manor is Wanyao Manor. The manor lord, Du Xin, is neither righteous nor evil. Let's sneak in."

Since Jiang Biehe dared to stay here, his relationship with Du Xin must be extraordinary. If we openly go to ask for his return, we will most likely return empty-handed and only alert him.

"Just do it"

The three donned their prepared night clothes, used their lightness skills to dodge the guards, and made their way to the main hall. To their surprise, they found a large number of martial arts practitioners gathered there.

"Why are there so many people here? Is it some kind of banquet?"

"This is the Great Assembly of Ten Thousand Poisons, a grand gathering of the Poison Dao. Do you see that old man wearing the five-colored hat? That's the Five Poisons Ancestor, a grandmaster of the Poison Dao. And that white-haired old man leaning on the dragon-headed cane, that's Tang Sen, the head of the Tang Clan of Sichuan..."

As Hua Wuque introduced the two, he scanned the crowd and noticed that Jiang Biehe was talking to a thin old man, who was Du Xin, the owner of Wanyao Manor.

"This is troublesome," Jiang Yuyan frowned. With so many people here, it's impossible to take Jiang Biehe away unharmed.

"We'll play it by ear." If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but the Five Poisons Ancestor's poison skills are unfathomable, and Tang Sen's hidden weapon skills are even more superb. These two are really not easy to deal with, not to mention Du Xin, who is sitting in the first seat.

Jiang Yuyan and Xiaoyuer both nodded solemnly. If things really couldn't be done, they would have to find another way.

The three of them quietly approached the hall, listening carefully to the sounds inside.

In the hall, Du Xin stood up, pressed his hands together lightly, and said loudly, "Gentlemen, I will not say any more unnecessary words. The main purpose of this Ten Thousand Poisons Conference is to select the most skilled poison user. I have specially prepared enough drug-using people for this conference. Please feel free to demonstrate your abilities."

Du Xin clapped his hands, and six strong young men were immediately carried up and placed on the platform in the center.

"In this first round, Brother Zhao from the Heavenly Silkworm Sect will administer the poison, and the Tang Clan will provide the antidote." Although the Heavenly Silkworm Sect is a major sect in the art of poison, it is still slightly inferior to the Tang Clan in terms of power. Many people are not optimistic about him, but Zhao Zhen walked up to the stage with his head held high, glanced at Tang Sen below, and then took out a black porcelain bottle from his pocket.

"This is a Snow Silkworm Pill that my Heavenly Silkworm Sect spent six years refining. After taking it, the person will be plunged into an ice cave. If the poison cannot be neutralized within three quarters of an hour, the poisoned person will freeze to death."
As Zhao Zhen spoke, he took out a Snow Silkworm Pill and put it into the mouth of the medicine man. Soon, a wisp of cold air emanated from the medicine man's body, and a thin layer of frost formed on his face.

"Old Master Tang, please detoxify me," Zhao Zhen chuckled and gracefully stepped off the stage.

"Hiss, what a domineering cold poison!" someone exclaimed. Cold poison is not uncommon, but pills that can show symptoms so quickly are extremely rare. I didn't expect the Heavenly Silkworm Sect to be so skilled.

"Let's see how the Tang Clan detoxifies them," everyone said, turning their attention to the Tang Clan.

Tang Sen remained with his eyes closed, seemingly unmoved, and no one dared to disturb him; they all waited quietly.

"Brother Hua, do you think the Tang Clan has a solution for this cold poison?" Xiao Yu'er asked.

“Cold poison is a relatively common symptom, but this is the first time I’ve seen it incorporated into a pill. However, the Tang Clan has a long history and they must have a way,” Hua Wuque affirmed.

Xiao Yu'er nodded. He had been learning from the Ghost Doctor, who had mentioned this kind of cold poison, but Chang Baicao hadn't paid much attention to it, so his knowledge of it was limited.

“Zhao Zhen is bound to lose,” Jiang Yuyan said.

"What do you mean by this?"

"Several years ago, the Tang Clan came to Murong Manor and spent a lot of money to buy a Fire Spirit Mushroom from the manor to refine medicine. This substance is extremely yang in nature. If it is refined into a pill, it will be more than enough to cure the cold poison. Judging from Old Master Tang's expression, he must be very confident."

"If the Fire Spirit Mushroom is truly this, then Zhao Zhen's defeat is not unjust."

Two quarters of an hour later, seeing that the Tang Clan still hadn't made a move, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but mock, "Old Master Tang, if you can't cure the poison, you might as well admit defeat, this junior..."

Before Zhao Zhen could finish speaking, Tang Sen opened his eyes and said to Tang Ping beside him, "Ping'er, go and detoxify him, and give Master Zhao a good look."

"Yes, Father," Tang Ping said, taking out a bright red pill and stuffing it into the cold mouth of the doctor amidst the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Strangely enough, after the pill entered the mouth, a thin mist suddenly appeared on the body of the person who had taken it. Although it was shallow, it was enough to prove that the poison had begun to dissolve.

Zhao Zhen, sitting in the audience, looked extremely unpleasant, and then let out a sigh.

Before the three quarters of an hour had elapsed, the frost on the medicine man's body had completely disappeared, and his pulse had returned to normal. In this battle of poisons, the Tang Clan had won.

"The second match: The Xiao family versus the Bai family."

The Xiao family is one of the most renowned families specializing in poisons, particularly mixed poisons. Their most potent poison is the Hundred Poison Pill, which is made from the juices of various poisonous flowers and herbs, as well as the excrement of birds and beasts. If ingested, it causes the entire body to swell, and if not neutralized in time, it will explode and cause death.

Without saying a word, the Xiao family representative fed the poison pill to the victim. The victim's body swelled up at a visible speed, and black lines appeared on his face.

"Bai Zifan, let me see how your Bai family detoxifies," Xiao Ling sneered inwardly, then turned and stepped off the stage.

"This poison is getting more and more terrifying," Jiang Yuyan felt a chill run down her spine.

"This is still considered a tangible form of poisoning, belonging to a low level. Those masters of poison would not even bother with it."

Bai Zifan looked at Xiao Ling's arrogant appearance with disdain. Although the Hundred Poison Pill was powerful, his family was not without a solution.

Bai Zifan took out an exquisite wooden box from his sleeve. When he opened it, there was a golden centipede inside, which was only about the length of a finger.

“Baby, you have to live up to my expectations,” Bai Zifan’s cheesy and strange voice gave some people nearby goosebumps.

When the centipede was placed near the medicine man's nose, the golden martial arts seemed to smell something and quickly burrowed into his nose.

Bai Zifan looked up at Xiao Ling with disdain in his eyes. This golden centipede was something the Bai family had spent three generations creating, and it was called the Poison-Stealing Golden Centipede.

This creature was raised on various poisons from a young age, and all kinds of poisons were like delicious dishes to it.

After Bai Zifan took out the Golden Centipede, the Five Poisons Ancestor's expression also became more solemn.

After a short while, someone exclaimed, "The medicine man's belly has shrunk, and the black lines on his face have faded."

Seeing this, Xiao Ling crushed the porcelain cup in his hand and glared at Bai Zifan with resentment. The latter glanced at him and retrieved the Golden Centipede, whose golden luster had deepened even further.

"In the second match, Bai Jiasheng won."

In the next three battles against poison, the antidote side failed in every single one, leaving the scene in a mess. After the cleanup was completed, the final battle was the most important.

"Master of the Five Poisons, please enlighten me," Du Xin said, bowing with clasped hands.

"Brother Du, please," the Five Poisons Ancestor dared not underestimate him; Du Xin was considered to be his equal.

Everyone was extremely excited as they watched the two masters of poison take the stage to compete in poison. If the previous ones were just small-scale skirmishes, this was a true high-level battle of poison.

Everyone was afraid of missing any details, so they all stared wide-eyed at the two of them.

Du Xin walked over to the medicine man, circled him once, and then returned to his seat amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd.

"Five Poison Ancestor, please cure the poison," Du Xin said calmly, taking in everyone's expressions.

"What? Mr. Du actually poisoned it? I didn't see it!"

"That's a true master; they poisoned someone without a sound."

"Poisoning must be done silently. The previous methods were all inferior. Look at this, this is a true master of poisoning."

……

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, but the Five Poisons Ancestor exclaimed in admiration, "As expected of 'the King of Hell,' I've truly witnessed his power today."

Du Xin stroked his beard and chuckled.

Others might not have been able to see Du Xin poisoning the person, but the Five Poisons Ancestor saw it clearly. When he approached the person being poisoned, he flicked the corner of his clothes, which must have been covered in poison powder.

The Five Poisons Ancestor walked onto the stage, examined the medicine recipient's physical condition, and found that his breathing and pulse were normal, his complexion was rosy, and there were no abnormalities on his body.

"Brother Yu, can you tell what kind of poison Du Xin used?" Jiang Yuyan turned around and asked.

"I don't know, it's too far away to identify, but it's definitely not an ordinary poison."

The Five Poisons Ancestor is a master of poisons. Testing him with ordinary poisons would be like sending him to his doom. Besides, Du Xin is a local overlord. Using ordinary poisons would not only be inconsistent with his status, but also disrespectful to his opponent. He wouldn't be so foolish.

The Five Poisons Ancestor paced back and forth on the stage, pondering what kind of poison Du Xin had used, while the crowd below began to whisper among themselves upon seeing his expression.

"Is the ancestor stumped?"

"I think it's a bit risky. This Master Du is no ordinary person. Without knowing the name of the poison, finding an antidote will be extremely difficult."

"I still have faith in the patriarch; after all, he has made considerable achievements in the world of poisons."

"There are countless rare poisons in the world; perhaps there are some that even our ancestor didn't know about."

While everyone was whispering, the Five Poisons Ancestor finally thought of a poison.

"Drunken Life, Dreamy Death" is a drug that induces deep sleep. If the dosage is light, it can be very helpful for restful sleep. However, if the dosage is slightly excessive, it can cause people to fall into endless dreams, making it difficult to distinguish between dreams and reality, and eventually leading to a silent death.

"Master Du's 'Drunken Life, Dreamlike Death' strategy is excellent; it almost led the Ancestor astray," the Five Poisons Ancestor said confidently, looking at Du Xin.

“Since you know the name of the medicine, please detoxify me,” Du Xin readily agreed.

“It’s actually ‘living a life of debauchery’,” someone said in a trembling voice.

Hearing this name, many people's faces changed drastically. When this poison was first introduced, it caused a great uproar in the martial arts world, and many famous martial arts figures died in vain, which was truly terrifying.

Later, they disappeared without a trace, and everyone thought that the person who made the poison had died. But it turned out that it was made by Du Xin.

"Master Du, watch me detoxify you," the Five Poisons Ancestor said, taking out a yellow gourd, uncorking it, and a pungent smell wafted out.

(End of this chapter)