Chарtеr 18 (3/8)
Еldеr Yuе rеmained silеnt. Yun Wеishаn, hоwеver, gently lit thе сandle. "Sinсe the Вlаdе Маstеr knows evеrything, there is no need tо sрeаk in darknеss. Еldеr Yuе, yоu nееd nоt hidе anуthing either."
Young Маster Yuе looked аt Gong Ziyu. "Вlade Маstеr, I hаvе livеd dеep in thе Вaсk Моuntain sinсe birth аnd hаve nevеr vеntured intо the martial wоrld. I could not роssiblу be а member of Wufеng, nоr dо I harbоr аnу intеntiоn оf harming thе Gоng clаn. Hоwever, it is truе that I hаvе аided Wufеng. If thе Вlаde Mastеr is willing to listen, I will tell you еverything without оmission."
"Spеak," Gоng Ziуu said сalmly.
"Two years ago, Wufeng sent someone to infiltrate House of Gong in an attempt to steal the Hundred Herbs Extract. You should still remember that, right?"
Gong Ziyu nodded. "Naturally, I remember."
"That person was Yun Que," Elder Yue's voice trembled.
In Jue Manor, Gong Shangjue and Shangguan Qian had already emerged from the hot spring. Gong Shangjue wore an outer robe, his chest exposed, sitting before a low table drinking tea, his gaze fixed on Shangguan Qian.
Shangguan Qian's damp hair cascaded loosely. Wearing only her undergarments, her face still flushed, she picked up the clothes beside her and dressed with exceptional grace and lightness.
Meeting Gong Shangjue's gaze, Shangguan Qian asked, "These are the clothes you chose, Young Master. Do they look good?"
"I wasn't looking at the clothes."
Shangguan Qian lowered her head with a shy smile. "Actually... I came here late at night because I have a request to make of you, Young Master."
"What is it you seek?"
"I seek your help in avenging me."
"Who is your enemy?"
"Dian Zhu of the Gentle Wind Sect."
"You disguised your identity to infiltrate House of Gong, constantly facing danger yet always managing to escape unscathed. With your intelligence and abilities, why not seek revenge yourself?"
"I've tried, more than once," Shangguan Qian said softly. "The Shangguan family is a lineage of medical practitioners, well-versed in poisons as well. I have collected almost all the poisons House of Gong has released into the martial world. And I know that your truly formidable poisons and hidden weapons are always kept for your own use, never sold."
"That is indeed the case."
"You have a poison called 'Immortal-Dispelling Dust.' I used it as a base, mixed in several deadly toxins, making it incurable. Two years ago, at the martial arts gathering, I disguised myself and sneaked in, secretly poisoning Dian Zhu's food."
Gong Shangjue was somewhat surprised. "The incident where Dian Zhu was afflicted by a strange poison that shook the martial world... that was you?"
Shangguan Qian nodded. "It was me. Afterward, I waited for news of Dian Zhu's death to spread through the martial world. But after waiting over a month, Dian Zhu reappeared completely unharmed. It left me utterly perplexed."
Gong Shangjue scrutinized Shangguan Qian's words and suddenly realized something. "If struck by Immortal-Dispelling Dust, without obtaining House of Gong's exclusive antidote, death is certain. Moreover, you mixed in other deadly poisons—truly, even an immortal would struggle to survive. Unless..."
"Unless Dian Zhu immediately took House of Gong's secret medicine after being poisoned—the Hundred Herbs Extract that can neutralize all poisons..."
Gong Shangjue speculated, "Could it be that two years ago, when Wufeng infiltrated House of Gong, it was to help Dian Zhu steal the Hundred Herbs Extract?"
"The timing matches perfectly," Shangguan Qian added.
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