Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Liu Nanzhou tensed up immediately, blurting out, "What do you mean?"

Chu Yunliu propped his head in his hand and sighed. "...Just the literal meaning. How am I supposed to explain 'poisoning'?"

It was only then that Liu Nanzhou realized he had asked without thinking. Qi Wuyu patted his back reassuringly, scooted forward a bit, his tone laced with doubt. "Maybe you should check again?"

Chu Yunliu said, "Why don't you try it yourself?"

Qi Wuyu asked, "What kind of poison is it? Is there a cure? I don't seem to feel anything besides being a bit irritable."

Chu Yunliu shook his head, his expression turning serious. "I truly haven't seen this poison before. After all, I'm not a proper physician. I don't have an antidote."

Liu Nanzhou's face darkened, his eyes filled with worry. "Could it be life-threatening?"

Chu Yunliu replied, "From what I can see now, it shouldn't be life-threatening."

Qi Wuyu was utterly perplexed. "But... who would poison me?"

Chu Yunliu stroked his chin, analyzing calmly. "Definitely an enemy of yours."

Qi Wuyu: "..."

Liu Nanzhou's expression turned grave as he recalled their journey from leaving the mountain to Golden Que Valley and then to Yingchi Island, but he couldn't find any leads—what they had eaten and touched along the way was simply too varied to pinpoint.

Chu Yunliu said, "Maybe think about when the symptoms started?"

Qi Wuyu thought for a moment. "Seems like just the past couple of days."

Liu Nanzhou said, "Let's set aside who did it for now. Master Chu, if you can't cure it, do you have any methods to alleviate the poison's effects?"

Chu Yunliu silently shook his head.

Suddenly, an idea struck Liu Nanzhou. "What about Spring Mountain Eyebrow? Could Spring Mountain Eyebrow work? Isn't it said to revive the dead and regenerate flesh and bone?"

Chu Yunliu pondered the feasibility. "Perhaps it's worth a try, but there isn't any at Forge Mountain."

Liu Nanzhou grabbed his sword and stood up to leave. "I'll go down the mountain to gather some."

Before Qi Wuyu could say anything, Liu Nanzhou had already rushed off in a whirlwind.

Chu Yunliu craned his neck to look; the man vanished the moment he stepped out the door. He turned to Qi Wuyu. "Your little disciple is really something."

Qi Wuyu tilted his head back, his face full of pride. "Of course. Go ahead and be jealous."

Chu Yunliu scoffed. "I'm not jealous at all." After a moment, his expression turned serious again. "Seriously, have you figured out how you were poisoned? Any clue at all would help."

Qi Wuyu shook his head helplessly. "After we arrived at Yingchi Island, everything we ate and drank came from the shops. Xiao Zhou and Brother Mo are fine, so why am I the only one affected?"

Chu Yunliu said, "Is it possible that your spiritual power is weaker? With the same poison, you couldn't withstand it, but they could."

"Possibly."

Chu Yunliu leaned back in his chair. "This is tricky."

However, he couldn't understand the purpose of this poison. Besides irritability, Qi Wuyu showed no other reactions. Poisons were known to kill or incapacitate people, but making someone irritable? Who would use such a poison?

Qi Wuyu clearly had no leads either. He leaned back in his chair and sighed silently.

Liu Nanzhou was quick to return, bringing back the medicinal herbs in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. When he returned, his breathing was still somewhat hurried.

"Sorry to trouble you, Master Chu."

Chu Yunliu waved a hand. "It's fine."

He took the herbs and, based on Qi Wuyu's pulse and constitution, added a few more ingredients to refine a pill.

Pill refining wasn't quick. Liu Nanzhou couldn't sit still and paced back and forth. He said, "Maybe we should return today. Elder Shen will definitely have a solution. We can ask her first."

As he spoke, he took out the Spirit Language Jade to contact Shen You, but she didn't respond.

Qi Wuyu frowned. This wasn't normal.

The two exchanged a glance. Qi Wuyu took the Spirit Language Jade and tried contacting Shen You again, but she still didn't respond.

Qi Wuyu began to feel an ominous premonition. Just then, the Spirit Language Jade at his waist flickered. Qi Wuyu listened as Ying Nianling's voice came through.

"Zhiyun, what's wrong?"

Ying Nianling asked, "Where are you?"

"Forge Mountain," Qi Wuyu replied. "Has something happened at the sect?"

Ying Nianling said, "Nothing major at the sect."

Liu Nanzhou and Qi Wuyu relaxed slightly, only to hear Ying Nianling continue, "Things are a bit chaotic outside right now. Maybe you and Xiao Zhou should stay at Forge Mountain for a few more days before returning."

"What happened?"

Ying Nianling said, "There have been incidents of cultivators killing people over the past couple of days."

The first incident Ying Nianling heard about was in Furong Town near Golden Que Valley. It was said that a cultivator suddenly went berserk and attacked people on the road. Fortunately, several passing cultivators nearby managed to stop him, or the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Those cultivators recognized the waist token of Golden Que Valley and sent him there. Then, they heard about similar incidents near the Five Cities of Tianmen.

Upon hearing this, the Tianyao Sect immediately became vigilant, sealing the main gate and forbidding disciples from leaving the mountain. However, today, two disciples within the sect started fighting—not a friendly spar, but a fight to the death.

At first, no one paid much attention. Relationships among Tianyao Sect disciples were generally good, and it was normal for them to spar with each other for practice. Others thought the two were just having a simple match until blood was drawn. Only then did they realize something was wrong and immediately pulled the two apart, taking them to Xie Yongdao. Several elders rushed over upon hearing the news.

Even in front of the elders, the two were still restless, glaring at each other as if they were mortal enemies.

Shen You had to give each of them an acupuncture needle to calm them down. Both fell unconscious, and it was still unclear why they had fought.

As Qi Wuyu listened, he felt something was off. His face darkened. "Xiao Zhou, we're returning today."

Liu Nanzhou nodded, but Ying Nianling said, "The sect is fine. It's a long journey, and you might encounter danger on the way back. Forge Mountain should be relatively safe. You should wait a while longer and see."

Qi Wuyu said, "This doesn't feel right. There might be some conspiracy behind it. Xiao Zhou and I might uncover something on our way back. Don't worry about us. If nothing else, if we can't win a fight, we'll just run. I'm quite good at running away."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Ying Nianling reluctantly said, "Alright, then. You and Xiao Zhou be careful. If something happens, don't push yourselves. Run if you can. Don't worry about losing face for the sect. Staying alive is what matters."

Qi Wuyu chuckled. "Understood."

As soon as Ying Nianling ended the connection, Chu Yunliu came over with the freshly refined pill. "Try this. It should help a bit."

Without even looking, Qi Wuyu took it and swallowed it. He stood up. "Thank you, Brother Chu."

Chu Yunliu looked at him suspiciously and took two steps back. "What symptom is this now?"

Qi Wuyu ignored him and instead pondered for a moment, asking out of the blue, "Brother Chu, you live year-round on Molten Furnace Mountain. Are you familiar with the new chieftain of the Yanlu Clan?"

Chu Yunliu took a seat.

Qi Wuyu looked at him and, his seriousness never lasting long, said, "Don't tell me you've been neighbors for so long and don't know them."

Chu Yunliu felt this tone was more fitting and replied, "That kid Han Sheng? Of course I know her."

After saying this, he belatedly realized something was off about himself.

Qi Wuyu sat down. "What kind of person is she?"

Chu Yunliu said, "Little Han's a good kid. Every time she comes to the island, she brings me some tasty treats and fun things. Although the food she brings is a bit... not exactly human-friendly, her heart's in the right place. She gets along well with everyone on the island too."

Qi Wuyu nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Sorry for all the trouble these past few days. Something's come up at the sect, so Xiao Zhou and I will have to take our leave now."

Chu Yunliu let out an "Ah." "Leaving so soon?"

Even though Qi Wuyu had caused no end of trouble these past few days, Chu Yunliu hadn't had anyone to shoot the breeze and play chess with like this in a long time. Most importantly, once Qi Wuyu left, he'd have no more delicious food!

It seemed he'd have to go back to fasting.

"We'll come see you again when we have time."

Chu Yunliu didn't buy it. "Cut the nonsense. As if you'd ever remember to come find me."

Qi Wuyu opened his mouth but said nothing, only smiling slightly. Chu Yunliu didn't call him out on it, patting his shoulder instead. For a moment, they finally resembled the good friends they were.

"I know," Chu Yunliu said, handing Qi Wuyu a small box. "There are two more pills in here. If the effects wear off, take another. I promise they won't hurt you."

Qi Wuyu and Liu Nanzhou packed their things and went to find Mo Chen, who left with them.

Chu Yunliu watched them descend the mountain. A cool breeze blew across the mountain, and a few white clouds drifted in the sky—it was a pretty nice day.

Upon reaching the dock, Mo Chen hired a boat. The boatman wore a conical bamboo hat. Mo Chen boarded his vessel and said, "Thanks for looking out for me on the journey. I have my own matters to attend to now. It was a real pleasure meeting you both. Till we meet again."

Qi Wuyu suddenly felt relieved. He smiled and said, "Of course. The Tianyao Sect's doors are always open to you."

Mo Chen waved at them. Liu Nanzhou watched him turn around, the oars dipping into the water. With a gentle pull, the small boat drifted away from the shore.

"Let's go too," Qi Wuyu said.

"Mm."

Qi Wuyu took out the boat Han Sheng had given him from his Cosmos Bag and placed it on the sea. The vessel suddenly expanded, and the two boarded.

Ripples spread as they pulled the oars in.

"How did it go?" The boatman stood with his hands behind his back at the bow, removing his conical bamboo hat to reveal a young but sinister face. His eyes watched Qi Wuyu's departing direction with great interest.

"All arranged," Mo Chen said, standing two steps behind him.

"Did he notice?"

"Not that I could tell."

"Don't take it to heart. It's just that the Demon Seed chose him."

"Mm."

"Honestly, from a certain angle, you two really do look alike. No wonder you're brothers," the boatman remarked, turning around curiously. "Do you think he'll hate you when he learns the truth?"

Mo Chen was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant, before replying, "It doesn't matter. As long as he lives."

The boatman laughed heartily and walked into the cabin. "You should thank the Master. Otherwise, you wouldn't even have had the chance to spend time with him."

Mo Chen didn't answer, quietly following him into the cabin. The boatman glanced at him, then suddenly reached out, clenching his fist in the air. A sharp pain shot through Mo Chen's abdomen, forcing him to his knees. Cold sweat instantly drenched him.

The boatman looked at him, his expression as if he were the one wronged. "I was speaking to you."

Mo Chen's teeth chattered from the pain as he forced out the words, "Yes... I know my mistake..."

Seeing his attitude of repentance was acceptable, the boatman released his grip. Mo Chen, drenched in cold sweat, lost all strength and collapsed to the floor. The boatman eagerly came over to help him up. "Oh dear, look at that. I was too heavy-handed."

Mo Chen endured the pain and stood up, pulling his arm back. His lips were pale. "It's nothing."

The boatman looked at him, rubbing his fingers together. "Alright. Since you performed well, the Master invites you to watch a show. Let's go."

-----------------------

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update (kneeling) [melted]