Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The innkeeper rushed in from the back at the sound of the crash, frantically grabbing at the bowls and jars that had been knocked over. "Oh, don't fight, don't fight! Oh, my tables! My wine!"

The assailant swung his blade viciously toward the innkeeper. Chen Qianyu's whip lashed out, striking his wrist. The man's wrist immediately went limp, and the knife clattered to the ground.

The innkeeper was thoroughly frightened. He could no longer spare a thought for his tables and chairs, immediately ducking behind the counter, crouching down and covering his head, trembling as he made a final, feeble plea: "Could you... could you take this outside..."

*Thud!* A shattered table leg flew over his head and smashed against the wall. The innkeeper decisively shut his mouth and shrank further into the corner.

Chen Qianyu's whip coiled around the man like a spirit snake, trussing him up neatly within a few moves. The man glared furiously at Chen Qianyu, who tightened her whip and looked him up and down. Qi Wuyu and Liu Nanzhou were also observing the man.

Leaning on the railing upstairs, Qi Wuyu pondered. This man's condition was likely the same as those cultivators who suddenly turned violent. Yesterday, Ying Nianling had mentioned to him that there had been more incidents of cultivators attacking others in Chaowu Tian and the Five Cities of Tianmen.

Looking at it now, it really did seem like a case of mass poisoning.

But these people were scattered to the four winds. How could they have been poisoned simultaneously?

"Let's go down and take a look," Qi Wuyu said.

He walked downstairs and greeted Chen Qianyu with a smile. "What a coincidence, young lady. Do you remember us?"

Chen Qianyu turned her head. Of course she remembered, especially Qi Wuyu's sword with its astonishingly cold aura.

As for Liu Nanzhou, she had heard Zheng Linghao mention him behind his back. But Zheng Linghao was always a gossip with a petty streak; whatever went in one ear went out the other, so she hadn't paid much attention. However, after seeing Liu Nanzhou defeat Zheng Linghao during the Qingmang Conference matches, she knew Zheng Linghao's opinion was purely personal bias. Besides, Liu Nanzhou had later saved Zheng Linghao when they were in danger.

She was somewhat surprised to encounter them here. "Senior Qi, Young Master Liu, what brings you here?"

"We're just passing through," Qi Wuyu said, fetching an intact stool for Chen Qianyu and gesturing for her to sit. He and Liu Nanzhou sat down nearby. "And you? What brings you all the way out here? Is there something going on?"

Chen Qianyu nodded. "Yes. The cultivation world hasn't been very stable these past couple of days. I'm sure you've both heard. This is where the first incident of a cultivator killing someone occurred. My master sent me to see if I could find any clues."

"How is Sect Leader Si?"

"My master is doing well."

Qi Wuyu nodded and looked toward the man Chen Qianyu had tied up, who was now slumped in the corner. "And this is?"

Chen Qianyu replied, "I don't know him. Judging by his attire, he seems to be from the Five Cities of Tianmen. I saw him about to hurt someone this morning, which is why I fought him."

Qi Wuyu stood up and walked over. Liu Nanzhou grabbed his wrist. Qi Wuyu patted his hand, signaling him not to worry.

Chen Qianyu followed as well. The man had quieted down a bit but was still restless. When Qi Wuyu reached for his hand, he nearly got scratched. Liu Nanzhou immobilized the man's arm from a distance, allowing Qi Wuyu to finally take his pulse.

Liu Nanzhou asked, "How is it?"

Qi Wuyu's guess was correct. This man was poisoned, and the poison was very similar to his own. However, this man's pulse was even more chaotic and violent. After a moment's thought, Qi Wuyu fed him the medicine Chu Yunliu had given him.

Liu Nanzhou frowned slightly but said nothing.

"What is that?" Chen Qianyu asked.

"Hmm... it's a medicine that can somewhat alleviate the poison in his body."

"You mean he's been poisoned?"

Chen Qianyu thought for a moment. Poisoning did seem like a reasonable explanation.

But...

Chen Qianyu looked at Qi Wuyu, her hand subtly moving to grip the short knife at her waist. "Senior, how did you know he was poisoned? And where did you get that medicine?"

Liu Nanzhou noticed her movement and similarly gripped his sword hilt. Qi Wuyu seemed oblivious to the tension between them. "Oh, because I am too."

Chen Qianyu's hand loosened its grip. "Huh?"

Qi Wuyu gave a slight smile.

"But you..."

"Yes, my case isn't as severe as theirs."

Chen Qianyu blinked. "Alright. But... so many people poisoned at the same time? Who would be so ruthless? And what's the purpose?"

For cultivators like them, poisoning was very difficult. Ordinary poisons were easily detected and often ineffective. Generally, no one would be foolish enough to poison a cultivator. Yet this poison had silently entered so many people's bodies without anyone noticing.

Chen Qianyu hardly dared to think about it too deeply.

The only parties Qi Wuyu could think of with both motive and capability were the demon race and the demonic cultivators. But that guess was so broad it was almost useless. So, Qi Wuyu shook his head. "I don't know."

At that moment, the bound man's eyes cleared somewhat, as if he had regained his senses. He shifted, realizing he was tied up. Slowly, he remembered fighting with Chen Qianyu and stopped struggling.

Qi Wuyu waved a hand in front of his face and asked with a smile, "Hey, recognizing people now?"

The man nodded.

"What's your name?"

"Gao Yan."

"Do you know me?"

Gao Yan looked at him and remained silent for a long while. Liu Nanzhou was starting to frown when Gao Yan finally spoke. "I know you."

He had seen Qi Wuyu from a distance during the Qingmang Conference. His appearance was too striking to forget.

Qi Wuyu nodded and introduced, "This is Chen Qianyu, Miss Chen. That's my disciple, Liu Nanzhou."

Gao Yan also had an impression of them.

Qi Wuyu asked, "Do you remember what just happened?"

He lowered his head, seeming somewhat ashamed. "...I remember." He quickly looked up again. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I... I just, I didn't know..."

Qi Wuyu patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It's alright. Fortunately, no major harm was done."

Liu Nanzhou poured a cup of water and handed it to Qi Wuyu, who took it. Out of the corner of his eye, Qi Wuyu saw the innkeeper peeking out from behind the counter. "It's alright now, innkeeper. Could you trouble yourself to get us something to eat? Put anything that's broken on my tab."

Chen Qianyu said, "I broke it. I'll pay."

Before Qi Wuyu could respond, Gao Yan spoke up. "It happened because of me. I'll pay."

Qi Wuyu chuckled and handed the water cup to Gao Yan. "Have some water first."

Gao Yan thanked him.

Qi Wuyu asked, "Where have you been recently? Did you eat anything unusual? Or come into contact with anything strange?"

Gao Yan shook his head. "No. I'm usually at my sect. Sometimes I go out with my fellow disciples to eat or drink something good. The last time I traveled far was to come to Jinqu Valley for the Qingmang Conference."

"Have you been to Pingyan Market?"

"No."

Qi Wuyu pursed his lips slightly.

"The Qingmang Conference wrapped up ages ago. Why are you still near Jinque Valley? Haven't you gone back? Are you here alone or with fellow disciples?" Chen Qianyu asked.

Gao Yan pursed his lips and said, "I left something here."

Qi Wuyu raised an eyebrow. "You came all the way back to retrieve it. It must be very important."

Gao Yan's face flushed slightly. "Yes, very important."

Seeing his expression, Qi Wuyu smiled slightly at the corner of his eye and didn't press further, only saying, "Did you get it back?"

"Yes, I'm about to head back."

Given Gao Yan's current condition, letting him return alone was definitely not an option. The effects of Chu Yunliu's medicine were limited. If he went back by himself and something happened on the way...

The others clearly thought the same. Gao Yan said, "How about... tying my hands?"

Chen Qianyu said, "No. What if you encounter danger yourself? Besides, if you wanted to kill someone, you have plenty of methods without using your hands. It'd be pointless."

Gao Yan immediately let out a troubled sigh.

Qi Wuyu said, "We'll escort you back."

Chen Qianyu didn't say anything, but Liu Nanzhou disapproved—Tianmen Five Cities were to the west, while they were originally heading north. The round trip would delay them for several days. Other things aside, could the poison in Qi Wuyu's body wait?

Liu Nanzhou pressed his lips tightly together and silently took a sip of tea.

Then Chen Qianyu spoke up: "Senior, let me go instead. You have this poison too, so you must be anxious to return to your sect and find Senior Shen." She said, "Right now, all the sects are searching for a solution. With Senior Shen's abilities, she'll surely figure out the antidote quickly. If Young Master Gao has another episode, I can handle it. I'll definitely escort him safely back to Tianmen Five Cities. You two can return with peace of mind."

Gao Yan already felt bad for troubling others. Upon hearing that Qi Wuyu was also poisoned, he absolutely refused to let Qi Wuyu escort him, shaking his head like a rattle-drum.

Qi Wuyu was both amused and exasperated by him, so he had to let Chen Qianyu escort him instead.

"Alright then."

The server brought out the meal. Qi Wuyu said, "Have something to eat before you go."

After the group had eaten their fill, Gao Yan took the opportunity while the others weren't looking to settle the bill and pay for the damaged items.

Chen Qianyu and Gao Yan set off together, while Liu Nanzhou and Qi Wuyu packed their things and headed for the Tianyao Sect.

On the road, Qi Wuyu felt the spiritual energy within him churning chaotically again. He suppressed it calmly without alerting the wisp of divine sense on his Spiritual Platform.

This time, it wasn't as violent, and the duration was shorter. Suppressing it didn't require much effort. Qi Wuyu had a feeling that the poison in his body seemed to be almost evaporating away.

"Gao Yan hasn't been to Pingyan Market but was still poisoned. Does that mean the poison wasn't contracted at Pingyan Market?" Liu Nanzhou asked.

Qi Wuyu shook his head. "Hard to say. Many things circulate from Pingyan Market, like spiritual medicines, interesting foods, wine—any of those are possible."

Liu Nanzhou's brow twitched. "Wine... Pepper Flower Wine?"

Thinking about it, Liu Nanzhou realized that was possible, but aside from Pepper Flower Wine, he couldn't think of anything else.

Qi Wuyu didn't want to see him frowning constantly and tried to cheer him up with a smile. "Don't look so worried. I'm pretty much fine now."

Liu Nanzhou's brow remained furrowed. Qi Wuyu extended his arm in front of him. "Don't believe me? Check for yourself."

Liu Nanzhou wasn't skilled in medicine, but he had basic knowledge. He checked Qi Wuyu's pulse and found it had indeed stabilized considerably.

"See, I didn't lie to you," Qi Wuyu said with a laugh.

Only then did Liu Nanzhou's brow relax, though he was still a bit puzzled. "Does the poison just... resolve itself over time?"

Qi Wuyu withdrew his hand. "Probably not. Logically, I should be the least resistant to the poison's effects, but so far, I seem to have the mildest symptoms." He thought for a moment. "Perhaps the stronger one's spiritual power, the more severe the poison's effects."

"That seems to be the case."

Qi Wuyu stretched lazily and said nonchalantly, "Never mind. Let's get home first."

The two quickened their pace. The closer they got to the Tianyao Sect, the more relaxed Qi Wuyu felt. As they neared Rifu Mountain, Qi Wuyu spotted a figure in the distance. He patted Liu Nanzhou's shoulder. "Look at that person. Does he look familiar?"

Liu Nanzhou looked in the direction he indicated and saw Ying Nianling.

"Familiar."

Before Liu Nanzhou could react, Qi Wuyu had already run ahead. He followed behind Ying Nianling, tapped his left shoulder, but then darted to Ying Nianling's right side. Unexpectedly, Ying Nianling turned his head to the right and immediately caught the "culprit."

Qi Wuyu wore a disappointed look of failed mischief. "Do you have eyes on the back of your head?"

Ying Nianling gave a light hum. "You should try a different trick next time."

Qi Wuyu was very dissatisfied. "Can't you just play along?"

Ying Nianling sighed. "I mean, you've been a master for so long. How come you haven't become more steady?"

"Does being a master require being steady?"

"..."

Liu Nanzhou had already walked over and cupped his hands in greeting. "Elder."

Ying Nianling patted his shoulder. "You've lost weight. It's good to have you back. Come on, let's go home."

Qi Wuyu was pleasantly surprised. "Wow, Zhiyun, you didn't come specifically to pick us up, did you?"

Ying Nianling said expressionlessly, "Who's here to pick you up? I came to pick up Xiao Zhou."

Qi Wuyu chuckled. "Oh. It's been so long. The Sect Leader..."

As he spoke, his heart suddenly tightened, pounding wildly. His face instantly turned cold, his jaw tense. He clutched his chest, leaned on Liu Nanzhou's shoulder, and took a slow breath.

"Master!" Liu Nanzhou immediately supported him. "What's wrong?"

Ying Nianling swiftly pressed several of his acupoints, grabbed his arm, and channeled spiritual energy into his body. "How do you feel?"

Qi Wuyu grabbed his hand in return, shaking his head slightly, his voice still weak. "It's fine. My heart just suddenly hurt a moment ago."

Ying Nianling handed him a pill. "Take this. Shen You just developed it yesterday. Try it; it should help."

Qi Wuyu took it and put it in his mouth. It felt like swallowing a mouthful of clear breeze, sweeping away the restless turmoil within his organs. His whole mind cleared up a bit.

"As expected of Changxian," Qi Wuyu straightened up. "Much better."

Ying Nianling asked, "Was it the poison in your body? Has it happened these past two days?"

Qi Wuyu: "No, nothing on the way back."

Liu Nanzhou held onto his arm worriedly. Qi Wuyu gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm okay now."

Liu Nanzhou wasn't buying it.

Qi Wuyu felt his credibility with Liu Nanzhou was shot. He looked down, rubbing his nose. "I'll go see Changxian the moment we get back, alright?"

Liu Nanzhou had to let go, but his gaze never left him.

Seeing this, Ying Nianling said to Qi Wuyu: "Can't you give us a little less to worry about?"

Qi Wuyu felt wronged, unable to defend himself, thinking he was more unjustly accused than Dou E.

The three of them made their way back to the Tianyao Sect. Seeing the familiar mountains, waters, and trees, Qi Wuyu took a deep breath: "There's no place like home!"

Liu Nanzhou also visibly relaxed. Qi Wuyu wanted to see Xie Yongdao first but was stopped by Ying Nianling: "The Sect Leader is waiting for you at Changxian's place."

So, before Qi Wuyu could even return to Fengsheng Wutong, he was dragged off to find Shen You.

Shen You's place was bustling. Several elders were there, as if they had all been waiting for them.

"Whoa, what a crowd!" Qi Wuyu said with a smile as he entered.

Liu Nanzhou bowed to them: "Sect Leader, Elders."

Zhou Ren nodded: "Good."

Xie Yongdao said: "No need for formalities, Xiao Zhou. Qi Wuyu, hurry up and let Changxian examine you."

Shen You tapped the table twice: "Come here."

Qi Wuyu chuckled as he sat down and held out his hand, still chattering away. "Senior Brother Sect Leader, it's been so long, did you miss me? I even brought gifts for you all."

Xie Yongdao wasn't interested in his gifts: "Miss you? You just give me more headaches."

"As if!"

Liu Nanzhou stood to one side, his face etched with concern. "Elder, his heart hurt a moment ago."

"Did he take the medicine I gave?"

Ying Nianling nodded: "He did."

At this, Xie Yongdao and Zhou Ren also turned to Shen You. Shen You withdrew her hand and said: "He's not in serious condition. There's poison in his body, but it's not severe, much lighter than the symptoms of the poisoned disciples in the sect." She asked, "What medicine did you take before?"

Qi Wuyu said: "It was medicine refined by Chu Yunliu. I'm not entirely sure of the specific formula, only that it used Spring Mountain Eyebrow. It can only alleviate, not cure."

Hearing he wasn't in serious danger, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Xie Yongdao was immensely relieved, thinking his master probably wouldn't come to him in his dreams tonight. He had been afraid his master would appear in a dream to scold him for not taking good care of this junior brother.

Shen You could roughly guess what medicine Chu Yunliu had used, but it was tailored to Qi Wuyu's constitution and might not be suitable for everyone. Moreover, it still only treated the symptoms, not the root cause. She had researched for several days but could only suppress it, with no clue on how to cure it.

"Maybe it's not because of the medicine I took, but because my spiritual power is low."

Shen You murmured, a thought she hadn't considered before. "The lower the spiritual power, the smaller the impact?"

Qi Wuyu said: "My case is minor. How is the sect? Are there others poisoned?"

Xie Yongdao: "Three, but they were discovered in time, and no innocent people were harmed. They're currently confined in the Discipline Hall to prevent further incidents. After taking Changxian's medicine, their condition has improved somewhat."

"Any leads on who poisoned them, how they were poisoned, or how to cure it?"

Xie Yongdao shook his head: "Not yet, but the method feels like it could be the work of the demon race."

Ying Nianling said: "First the Golden Que Valley illusion, now collective poisoning. Are they planning a comeback?"

Shen You: "But isn't the Demon Lord still securely suppressed?"

Qi Wuyu said: "A hundred years have passed. It's not impossible for them to elect a new one."

Xie Yongdao raised a hand: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is just speculation. You've been traveling for days, go back and rest first. We'll discuss anything else tomorrow." He pointed at Qi Wuyu. "And you—if you feel any worse, speak up immediately."

Qi Wuyu smiled: "Alright."

"Go back now."

Qi Wuyu led Liu Nanzhou back to Fengsheng Wutong. As soon as Qi Wuyu entered the courtyard, he was hit by the rich scent of pear blossoms. He called out: "Auspicious Snow!"

Auspicious Snow fluttered its wings and crashed into Qi Wuyu's arms. Qi Wuyu caught it: "Did you miss me?"

Auspicious Snow nuzzled its head against his chest, then flew into Liu Nanzhou's arms. Before Qi Wuyu could even get a proper hold, it was gone. He tapped Auspicious Snow's head: "Some gratitude! And here I brought you a gift."

Qi Wuyu produced a fruit from nowhere. Auspicious Snow stood on Liu Nanzhou's shoulder, tilting its head to look at the fruit. Qi Wuyu fed it to the bird: "Go eat it."

Auspicious Snow took a bite, found the taste acceptable, and flew off to a corner to finish it.

"You must be exhausted from the journey. Go back and get a good sleep." Qi Wuyu ruffled Liu Nanzhou's hair.

Liu Nanzhou just looked at him. Qi Wuyu said: "Alright, Changxian already said I'm not in serious condition, and my symptoms are lighter than the others. Don't overthink it."

But Liu Nanzhou's worry wasn't just about his master's health. When he first entered, a series of images suddenly flashed in his mind: Qi Wuyu leaning against the pear blossom tree drinking, his whole person seeming to melt into the scattered petals, his hair loose, so beautiful it was hard to look away. It was so clear it felt like a memory he had personally witnessed, yet he had no recollection of it.

He snapped out of it and gave a slow nod. "Alright."

Qi Wuyu waited until he entered his room before returning to his own. He took off his clothes, threw himself into the soft bedding, rolled around for a while, and sighed: "Home beds really are the most comfortable!"

Before long, he fell asleep surrounded by familiar scents.

Liu Nanzhou, on the other hand, slept fitfully. The wisp of gray within his Spiritual Platform seemed to have grown larger. A faint red mark flickered on his forehead before disappearing after a few moments. The Shejiang Sword trembled uneasily before gradually calming down. Silence returned to the room.

Outside the courtyard, the pear blossom tree rustled in the wind. Auspicious Snow enjoyed its fruit on a branch and, after finishing, fell into a sweet sleep along with the courtyard full of flowers.

Qi Wuyu slept until dark. When he woke up, he almost thought he had slept himself to death.

Liu Nanzhou's head was slightly tilted. His features were aggressively handsome. When awake, he always looked very cold, but asleep, he appeared peaceful. The mole on the bridge of his nose gave him a somewhat fragile air. A white outer robe was draped over him, and fallen petals rested on him, even making him seem a bit gentle, though his brows were still slightly furrowed.

Qi Wuyu walked over quietly, crouched down, and looked at him carefully. He instinctively reached out to smooth his furrowed brow. The moment his fingertips touched Liu Nanzhou's skin, Liu Nanzhou suddenly opened his eyes.

Qi Wuyu was caught off guard, meeting those light-colored pupils.

He felt his heart skip a beat.

"Master?"

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