Chapter 34

Chapter 34

In the bustling streets, Zhong Yixiao and Zhuang Feiyu searched cluelessly, unaware someone in a corner was watching them as they hurried past the market.

Even after Zhong Yixiao and Zhuang Feiyu had left, Mo Jiao's gaze lingered, his expression somber.

He had only been away for a short while, and already Zhong Yixiao was back with Zhuang Feiyu!

The Left Protector hid in an alley, holding a brass mirror and applying a special cream to his face, skillfully altering his features. Though his face remained the same, the changes made him almost unrecognizable.

"Let's go."

Without waiting for the Left Protector to finish, Mo Jiao had already turned to leave the alley, forcing the Left Protector to hastily pack up and follow.

"Sect..."

Caught by Mo Jiao's sidelong glance, the Left Protector quickly changed his tone, catching up to ask, "Young Master, where are we heading?"

"Hongxiang Valley."

When Zhong Yixiao returned to the inn, he realized while checking his belongings that he was missing a set of clothes, suddenly recalling the man from last night...

That man who appeared out of nowhere seemed to have left wearing his clothes!

But there was a letter on the table addressed to Master Zhong, which calmed Zhong Yixiao down a bit, prompting him to sit and open it.

The letter, written in elegant and upright handwriting, greatly surprised Zhong Yixiao.

Signed by Xiao Zuo, it mentioned urgent family matters, stating that Jiaojiao's uncle had come looking for him and had already taken him away. Xiao Zuo apologized for not being able to explain in person and mentioned that Mo Jiao's uncle has always been imperious and decisive, advising Zhong Yixiao not to find it strange.

"Again... Jiaojiao's uncle?"

Zhong Yixiao's mouth twitched slightly, knowing Xiao Zuo brought out Mo Jiao and would surely protect him from the shadows, yet found it utterly baffling.

Was their family's uncle always so unreasonable? Taking people away without leaving time for an explanation?

But how coincidental was the timing of that man's appearance last night?

And the timing of Jiaojiao's uncle's appearances seemed off too, showing up once before when Mo Jiao disappeared, and now again with Xiao Zuo's letter.

Zhong Yixiao silently gazed at the neatly arranged white clothes on the headboard, his mind swirling with thoughts.

"Who exactly was that person last night... and who are Jiaojiao and his uncle, really?"

Hongxiang Valley, also known as the Valley of the Poison King, gained notoriety through its master Yan Suiyu's use of sinister poison techniques, making a name for itself in the martial world within just seven or eight years.

Those who roam the martial world know not to provoke those skilled in medicine, lest they find themselves in an awkward predicament, nor those versed in poison, for one may not even know how they died.

Hence, even though Hongxiang Valley has committed numerous atrocities, no one dares to provoke it.

Yet, this time, Yan Suiyu's collusion with Qin Yu to kidnap the daughter of the Murong sect leader has drawn the ire of half the martial alliance, enough to annihilate Hongxiang Valley. Despite having numerous experts at his disposal, Murong Qing dares not act rashly.

Because everyone understands that Yan Suiyu doesn't need to lift a finger to kill.

Just the poisonous forest at the entrance of Hongxiang Valley is enough to deter intruders, not to mention the unknown quantity of venomous creatures housed within, which only adds to its dread, making no one willing to become their next meal.

If only they could drive away those venomous creatures, their task would be much easier. However, no one among them is capable of such a feat, leaving them to wait in Taoyuan Town for a messenger from Hongxiang Valley, constrained by the situation.

Yan Suiyu is cunning; without seeing the Qilin Exhaust, he will not allow anyone into the valley.

Zhong Yixiao feels something is amiss, considering Zhuang Feiyu's earlier advice not without reason. From the start, he harbored suspicions about Mo Jiao.

When he brought him out from the Lotus Residence, he wondered why the Demon Sect's Left Protector wanted to capture him and what their relationship was.

This question was soon dismissed as he learned from Mo Jiao that he was the person he had taken liberties with during a drunken episode last year. Regardless of whether those indiscretions were true, the guilt for his actions was real.

Thus, prejudiced by his guilt, he chose to trust Mo Jiao unconditionally.

As time went on, more doubts emerged. While at Xian Yun Villa, Zhong Yi Xiao hadn't thought much about it, subconsciously treating Mo Jiao as just another innocent child like Su Tao, whom he had brought home.

But now, with the increasing oddities, Zhong Yi Xiao found it harder to trust Mo Jiao completely. However, he also had no time to search for anyone else, as on the third day of his arrival in Peach Garden Town, his master, Master He Yun, arrived.

No sooner had Master He Yun arrived than a messenger from Hong Xiang Valley followed, inviting Murong Qing, Master He Yun, and others into the valley.

Master He Yun had just briefed Murong Qing about the situation and publicly informed him that she had brought the Qi Lin Jie, which revitalized the somewhat bewildered Zhong Yi Xiao. He perked up and followed Master He Yun and Murong Qing to Hong Xiang Valley.

The messenger was a charming and beautiful woman, with a crimson snake wrapped around her wrist, resembling a bright red jade bracelet. Master He Yun and Murong Qing called her Wang Yuanyuan, reportedly the chief steward of Hong Xiang Valley.

Invitations to enter Hong Xiang Valley were rare, extended only to Murong Qing and his disciples, Master He Yun and her female disciple, along with Zhong Yi Xiao, Zhuang Fei Yu, and Shen Yi Zhou, the young master of Qing City, who had just arrived that day.

The young man had arrived shortly after Master He Yun, and the group followed Wang Yuanyuan, all on high alert.

Wang Yuanyuan was very talkative, cheerfully chatting with Murong Qing and Master He Yun along the way.

Master He Yun was usually quiet, while Murong Qing responded to her with a few words, only inquiring about Murong Ling's well-being. Wang Yuanyuan laughed and said she was fine when she left, but now she didn't know.

Hearing this turned Murong Qing's face ashen.

Upon reaching the Poisonous Miasma Forest, Wang Yuanyuan finally stopped her incessant chatter, signaling to someone beside her. A maid in red then took out a brocade box to distribute some sachets to Murong Qing.

Master He Yun frowned slightly, "Are these sachets for poison avoidance?"

Wang Yuanyuan covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes curving sweetly, her voice sugary, with bright red nail polish on her slender, jade-like fingers.

"Master He Yun has keen eyes. The Poisonous Miasma Forest nurtures many creatures; we wouldn’t want to startle our guests. These sachets indeed have the effect of repelling insects and avoiding poison. Please rest assured, our master has kindly invited you into the valley. We wouldn’t harm our guests right at the entrance."

It was because Yan Suiyu and Qin Yu admitted they lacked the capability to defeat Master He Yun and Murong Qing, thus they resorted to inviting them into a trap, a fact well understood by all. Knowing they were outmatched, they naturally wouldn’t dare to rob openly.

But the reliability of Wang Yuanyuan's words was still too low. Who knew if the medicine bags would be fine upon entering the valley but become problematic once inside?

Murong Qing took a medicine bag, looking somewhat skeptical, while Master He Yun's female disciple sniffed it and then with a grave expression nodded to Master He Yun, handing over the medicine bag.

Afterward, the maid distributed the medicine bags, and Wang Yuanyuan, entering the thin mist of the poison miasma forest first, cautioned everyone, "You all must be aware of what resides within the poison miasma forest. Additionally, our master has set up some formations. Of course, they are mere child's play in front of esteemed figures like Murong Sect Leader and Master He Yun. Still, please stay close to me to avoid getting lost. Once the effect of the medicine in the sachet wears off, well..."

Wang Yuanyuan glanced back at the group with a smile, leaving her warning hanging but its meaning clear.

"Please lead the way."

The group, all on high alert, followed her into the poison miasma forest.

Shen Yizhou, at the end of the line, scrutinizing the medicine bag in his hand and catching a somewhat pungent scent, immediately frowned.

"Are we sure these medicine bags are safe?"

Zhong Yixiao whispered beside him, "It's fine. Fang Sister is an expert in medicine. If she says it's safe, then there shouldn't be any issues."

Still uncertain, Shen Yizhou felt no discomfort upon entering the poison miasma forest, seeing various poisonous creatures like scorpions, centipedes, venomous bees, spiders, and snakes either climbing trees or crawling on the ground, yet none dared to approach them, even retreating as they got closer.

Relieved, Shen Yizhou hurried to catch up to Zhong Yixiao, who was moving ahead, and asked quietly, "Brother Zhong, how is the child you took away last time?"

Hearing this, both Zhong Yixiao and Zhuang Feiyu, walking beside him, were taken aback.

Zhuang Feiyu coughed lightly and chuckled awkwardly, "That child... Ah Yixiao has been unable to find him recently. It's best not to ask, Brother Shen."

Zhong Yixiao hadn't shared the explanation written in the letter with anyone, not even believing it himself, let alone convincing others.

Confused, Shen Yizhou asked, "What happened? The child is lost?"

Zhuang Feiyu gave a bitter smile, glancing at Zhong Yixiao's stern face, clearly understanding the gravity of Zhong Yixiao's mood. Normally, Zhong Yixiao was very amiable, responding with a smile even if insulted or hit, but his silence now indicated he was in a particularly bad mood.

Shen Yi Zhou raised an eyebrow at Zhong Yi Xiao, his gaze probing.

Zhong Yi Xiao thought for a moment, then counter-asked, "Yi Zhou, when you rescued the child, was there anyone else with him? Or anything that could prove his identity?"

Shen Yi Zhou said, "Why ask this suddenly... Brother Zhong, you've had the person for almost two months now, don't you know?"

Zhong Yi Xiao failed to notice the sudden decrease in Shen Yi Zhou's smile, even a somewhat evasive look in his eyes, and said with a downcast voice, "He won't say, and I didn't feel it was right to ask. But he disappeared a few days ago, and I'm worried it was his enemies coming after him, so I wanted to ask if you had any clues?"

Hearing about the disappearance, Shen Yi Zhou's eyes widened in shock, exclaiming, "Disappeared? What can be done then?"

His raised voice made the group walking ahead turn back in curiosity to look at the three of them.

Shen Yi Zhou then offered an apologetic smile to everyone, covering his mouth to keep quiet. After a moment, Zhong Yi Xiao spoke with a troubled expression, "Do you really not know anything about his family situation?"

Zhong Yi Xiao's gaze, cold as the moonlight, fell on Shen Yi Zhou, who nervously curled his fingers, his face showing a mix of urgency and helplessness in his bitter smile.

"No, when I found the child, all I knew was that he had been captured by the demon cult's Left Guardian."

Zhong Yi Xiao frowned, his stern and coldly handsome face making him quite unaccustomed.