"The city of Sihuai is sealed?" In Peerless City, Song Yanhui had been practicing his sword in a secret chamber when Lu Yuzhai rushed in frantically to deliver the news.
Lu Yuzhai knelt on one knee, sweat pouring down his face. "Master, this has nothing to do with me!"
"I know it's not your doing. You may be bold, but not that bold," Song Yanhui said gravely. "Who did this?"
Lu Yuzhai shook his head repeatedly. "I don’t know. I received two carrier pigeons in quick succession. The first one said someone in the city was searching for Zhuo Yuean under the name of Peerless City, clearly trying to slander both our city and you, Master. The second pigeon reported that a strange poison had appeared in the city. Ordinary citizens were all unconscious, while those with martial skills had lost all their inner strength and couldn’t muster any energy."
"The Fallen Bloom Powder poison?" Song Yanhui was taken aback. "Summon Jian Shanyue to see me."
"Sword Elder..." Lu Yuzhai hesitated. "He has announced his retirement."
"Then who is in charge now?" Song Yanhui frowned.
Sweat continued to bead on Lu Yuzhai’s forehead. "The Martial Hall was never truly under Sword Elder’s control—it was always Hall Master Jian Wudi. But because Jian Wudi has been in seclusion practicing his swordsmanship for so long, the authority was largely delegated to Sword Elder. And Jian Wudi’s secluded training place isn’t in Peerless City, but..."
"Sihuai City." A cold glint flashed in Song Yanhui’s eyes.
"Master, what should we do?" Lu Yuzhai asked quietly.
Song Yanhui picked up his sword and strode out. "I’m going to Sihuai City."
After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Yuzhai gripped his spear and followed. "Master, I’ll go with you."
Inside Sihuai City.
Longevity Sect.
Su Changhe leaped lightly onto the courtyard wall and gazed into the distance. "Just moments ago, Sihuai City was bustling with noise. Now it’s practically a dead city."
"Could it be that the only ones still standing are us?" Ge Xiu asked.
"No," Su Muyu shook his head. "There must be a group who took the antidote in advance—like Lei Bao from the Eight Directions Thunderclap, who fought you earlier. These people are now moving through the city, undoubtedly cleaning up those like us who haven’t been poisoned."
"We have distinguished guests," Su Changhe said, gripping his dagger. "How odd—why are their clothes all silver?"
"Silver robes?" Ge Xiu was startled. "Are they all carrying spears?"
"Yes. Do you know them?" Su Changhe asked.
"It’s the Silver Robe Spear Sect. My brother, my brother—their leader is Situ Cha, also one of the Eight Directions Thunderclap," Ge Xiu waved his hand. "Open the gates, let them in!"
"Wait!" Bai Hehuai shouted sharply. "Why aren’t they poisoned? We need to clarify first!"
"Got it!" Su Changhe stretched lazily and tossed two daggers forward, embedding them in the ground before the silver-robed spearmen. "Brothers, hold your steps for a moment."
The leader looked up at Su Changhe and barked, "Who are you? Why are you at the Longevity Sect? What have you done to my sworn brother Ge Changsheng!"
"Quite the loyal friend," Su Changhe remarked, flicking a strand of Puppet Silk to pull Ge Xiu up onto the wall. "You talk to him."
Seated atop the wall, Ge Xiu waved down at them. "Brother Situ. Are you alright?""I ran into Lei Bao and his men on the road. We fought, and several brothers died before we cut our way through." Situ Cha's silver robes were stained with blood, proving his words true. He then asked, "Then something strange happened. We found everyone along the way had fallen asleep. We checked their breathing—they weren't dead, but no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't wake them. Brother Ge, how come you're fine?"
"I... I had help from an expert," Ge Xiu replied. "Old Brother Situ, how come you're fine too?"
Situ Cha froze: "I... I don't know either!"
Su Muyu glanced at Bai Hehuai, who frowned in thought. "If one has just exerted their energy and engaged in a fierce battle, the circulation of blood and qi throughout the body can indeed slow the spread of toxins."
"Then let my brothers in quickly!" Ge Xiu urged. "Brother Situ Cha and I have faced life and death together several times—I trust him completely. Besides, if he meant to deceive me, he would have prepared in advance. He wouldn't be as clueless as he is now. If we leave him outside, he'll surely fall victim to that strange poison soon."
Bai Hehuai looked at Su Muyu, who hesitated but finally nodded. "After all, this is their place. The host should make the decision."
"Thank you, Young Master Su!" Ge Xiu clasped his fists and then called out loudly, "Open the gates! Let the brothers of the Spear Sect in!"
At his command, the disciples of the Longevity Sect immediately stepped forward and lifted the gate bar. The Spear Sect brothers filed in, led by a man with delicate features but a long beard. He strode toward Ge Xiu as soon as he entered. "Brother Ge, what's happening in Sihuai City? Why are the gates suddenly closed, and why is everyone asleep like ghosts have taken over?"
"It must be an internal conflict started by the Martial Hall. I heard they even enlisted the help of the Five Venoms Sect," Ge Xiu replied, walking toward him.
Bai Hehuai narrowed his eyes, flicking out his Silver Needles in an instant. At the same time, Su Changhe's dagger struck the ground between the two men, while Su Muyu leaped to Ge Xiu's side, grabbing his shoulder and yanking him back forcefully.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Ge Xiu exclaimed in shock.
Bai Hehuai shook his head sharply. "These people are poison carriers!"
"Poison... poison carriers?" Situ Cha raised his palm, revealing dark spots scattered across it.
Then, screams erupted as the Longevity Sect disciples who had opened the gates collapsed, their bodies covered in dark, blotchy patches. They writhed in agony on the ground, howling and clawing at their skin, leaving bloody marks with every scratch.
"Blood Claws," Bai Hehuai murmured. "They're beyond saving."
Meanwhile, the newly arrived Spear Sect disciples looked around in terror, seemingly unaware of what was happening. Then, their legs gave way, and they crumpled to the ground, soon dissolving into pools of black liquid.
Xu An had never witnessed such a horrifying scene. His legs weakened, and he half-knelt, retching dryly.
Situ Cha turned to Ge Xiu, his lips trembling. "I... I didn't..." But before he could finish, he too collapsed, melting into a puddle of black liquid.
Ge Xiu was drenched in cold sweat, stammering incoherently. "This... Brother Situ... I... impossible!"Su Muyu shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be him who did this. He was just poisoned unknowingly and used as bait to be thrown in here."
"Then the real enemy should arrive soon," Su Changhe remarked as he jumped down from the courtyard wall.
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