Wandering Swordsman |

Fu Sheng nodded, a sincere smile on his face. "Join us! According to our spies, you are not only highly intelligent, but also young and without any prominent background. These are exactly the qualities we've been looking for."

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, but he remained wary. "You?"

Fu Sheng sighed, his eyes turning serious. "You don't need to know yet. I can only tell you that we are the force that is about to overturn the martial arts world." His words carried a profound power, as if countless secrets and plans were hidden behind them.

Shen Mo remained silent for a moment, pondering Fu Sheng's words. At that moment, he recalled the Class A intelligence report given by Wang Daniu, the leader of the Beggars' Sect in Yimen County: a mysterious force was hidden behind the Black Wind Gang leader. 'Could it be that the mysterious force Fu Sheng was referring to is the one behind the Black Wind Gang?' This thought quickly surfaced in Shen Mo's mind.

Despite the turmoil within him, Shen Mo did not immediately reject or accept Fu Sheng's suggestion. "I will consider your suggestion," he finally said. After speaking, Shen Mo's eyes scanned the terrain around him, his mind still calculating how to escape.

Fu Sheng seemed to see through Shen Mo's thoughts, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. He knew Shen Mo was currently plotting his escape. However, Fu Sheng didn't intend to give Shen Mo much time.

Suddenly, Fu Sheng appeared before Shen Mo like a ghost. His movements were so fast that no one could react. He grabbed Shen Mo's cheek with one hand, forcing him to open his mouth. With his other hand, he swiftly took a brown mud ball from his clothes and shoved it into Shen Mo's mouth with lightning speed. The whole process took only a blink of an eye. Shen Mo didn't even have time to resist before he was forced to swallow the unidentified object.

After Fu Sheng released his grip, Shen Mo immediately bent over, clutching his throat and coughing forcefully, trying to spit out the mud ball. His face turned bright red, and he continued coughing desperately, attempting to force the mud ball out of his throat. However, the mud ball seemed to have taken root, firmly stuck in his esophagus, and he couldn't spit it out no matter what.

"What did you give me to eat?" After realizing he couldn't vomit anymore, Shen Mo asked warily, his voice hoarse from coughing.

Fu Sheng stood aside, coldly watching Shen Mo struggle, until he finally stopped coughing, then slowly said, "You have no choice. From now on, you belong to us."

Shen Mo's eyes widened, and fear began to spread through him. He realized that he had fallen into an extremely dangerous situation, and that this mud ball was very likely a means for Fu Sheng to control him.

"What I gave you was naturally poison. Once this poison enters the human body, it penetrates deep into the bone marrow and takes root within the body. Without an antidote to control it, it will erode the internal organs, causing you unbearable pain until death."

Fu Sheng took a breath and continued, "We will give you an antidote every day, which will control the poison and prevent it from harming you. Otherwise, without the antidote, the poison will naturally take effect, leading to your death."

"Gu poison!" Upon hearing these two words, Shen Mo's mind went blank, and his body trembled involuntarily. He never imagined that he would encounter such a thing.

"Why did you do this?" Shen Mo's voice was filled with despair.

Fu Sheng smiled slightly, his gaze deep as he slowly said, "All the young geniuses who join us will take this poison. Only through such absolute control can we ensure that you will not betray us."

"Could there be someone else besides me?" Just as Shen Mo fell into deep thought, a cold sense of reality washed over him. He realized that he wasn't the first person to be treated this way, and perhaps he wouldn't be the last. This made him feel even more isolated and helpless, while also stirring up the rebellious will deep within him.

Then, Fu Sheng said coldly, "Come with me. Since you took the poison, you have no choice." His tone was firm and ruthless, leaving no room for argument.

Shen Mo gritted his teeth, knowing that resisting at this moment would be tantamount to suicide. However, his stubbornness wouldn't allow him to easily give in. In this brief silence, Shen Mo quickly weighed the pros and cons and ultimately decided to temporarily comply with Fu Sheng's arrangements. He understood that only by preserving his life could he have a chance to find a way to cure the Gu poison.

"Okay!" Shen Mo's voice was deep and resolute, as if he had quickly accepted the current situation.

Fu Sheng nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Very good. I hope you can adapt to your new identity as soon as possible." After saying that, he turned and gestured for the man in black to follow behind Shen Mo, then led the way himself, saying to Shen Mo, "Follow me."

......

The next day, the Murong family in Luoyang.

Today is the day the Huangfu family will visit again. The Murong family attaches great importance to this meeting, and since early morning, the entire family has been meticulously preparing. The courtyard has been swept spotless, every fallen leaf has been carefully removed, and every inch of the ground appears exceptionally clean. The tables and chairs in the hall have been rearranged, with exquisite tea sets and snacks laid out, and the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls have been rearranged to show solemnity. The servants, dressed in neat uniforms, stand on both sides to welcome the arriving distinguished guests; every movement of theirs has been carefully trained to ensure that every detail is impeccable.

At exactly 9:00 AM, Huangfu Haotian, the head of the Huangfu family, accompanied by his second son Huangfu Hui, and Bai Yijue, one of the top 100 martial arts masters in the Jianghu, slowly entered the gates of the Murong family. Their arrival immediately attracted everyone's attention, especially Bai Yijue's cold and imposing figure, which made people dare not look directly at him.

Huangfu Haotian, dressed in a magnificent robe, walked with a steady gait, his eyes revealing an indescribable confidence. Huangfu Hui, on the other hand, appeared dashing and debonair, his gaze darting around as if searching for something.

Murong Liang, the head of the Murong family, personally greeted them at the door with a gentle smile and clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Welcome, Nephew Huangfu, to my humble abode. It is an honor to have you here." His words were full of enthusiasm and respect.

"Uncle Murong, you're too kind." Huangfu Haotian returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Upon entering the hall, Murong Liang gestured for everyone to take their seats. Murong Tian, ​​the young patriarch of the Murong family, and his seven children, including Murong Fan and Murong Qing, were also present. Everyone wore a smile, but their eyes betrayed a hint of wariness. Murong Qing, in particular, scrutinized Huangfu Hui from head to toe, seemingly deep in thought.