After striking down the centipede with his palm, Chi Yun found the boiling agitation in his heart strangely subsided. He exhaled deeply, feeling an overwhelming fatigue seep through his entire body. "Chi Yun," Tang Lici said, taking a sip of the clear tea offered by a Sword Association disciple, "your injuries haven't fully healed. Go back to your room and rest." Chi Yun snorted again. Though he was reluctant to leave after reuniting with the three hall masters, his exhaustion was undeniable. As he hesitated, Xuan Yuanlong stood up. "The Chief's injuries are still severe. It's best for him to rest quietly. As for protection, Blazing Cloud Stronghold will not shirk its duty." With a flick of his sleeve, he sent a signal flare into the sky. Outside, a thunderous shout erupted, followed by the sound of footsteps as fifty Blazing Cloud Stronghold members marched in formation. Xuan Yuanlong, his expression indifferent, commanded, "Escort the Chief to his quarters. Anyone who approaches within three feet of his door—kill on sight." The men responded in unison, their collective voice imposing and formidable.
Surrounded by his men, Chi Yun retreated to his room. Tang Lici calmly sipped his tea, making no move to stop them. Xuan Yuanlong remained standing, turning to glare coldly at Tang Lici. "What exactly is the situation with the Chief's poisoning? How severe are his injuries?" By summoning his men, he had made it clear he no longer trusted the Central Plains Sword Association. Tang Lici frowned slightly, lost in thought, before finally responding as if just hearing the question. "The poison... isn't serious." His gaze drifted toward where Chi Yun had left, his eyes flickering with unspoken worry.
"Young Master Tang, renowned throughout the land, with a mind unmatched in cunning," Xuan Yuanlong said icily. "Such a grand reputation makes it hard for me to take your words at face value. Is the poison truly not serious? Why was the Chief so agitated earlier?" Tang Lici set down his teacup, his brow still furrowed. "If the men of Blazing Cloud Stronghold can ensure he rests undisturbed—without pressing him for answers or agitating his mind—then the poison isn't serious." Yin Dongchuan sneered. "So, in truth, the Chief's injuries are grave. How much of what you just said can we believe?" Tang Lici closed his eyes, a faint smile playing at his lips. "All of it." Yin Dongchuan laughed bitterly, slamming the table as he stood. "Hah! Young Master Tang, your words are truly admirable. But in that entire speech, did you once mention the severity of the Chief's poisoning?" Tang Lici replied coolly, "I thought—what mattered most was Chi Yun's safety. I didn't imprison him, demand the Blood Oath Ghost Crystal Goblet, or try to kill him. Isn't that enough? Isn't that reason enough to question the motives behind that letter—to trust the Central Plains Sword Association?"
At these words, both Yin Dongchuan and Xuan Yuanlong froze. Jin Qiufu chuckled heartily. "Young Master Tang speaks wisely. At the very least, I, Old Jin, have no doubts about the Sword Association. Let's all drink our tea, drink our tea." Tang Lici's long lashes lifted slightly, though his eyes remained closed as he sat in silence.
Yin Dongchuan and Xuan Yuanlong exchanged uneasy glances. The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier with each passing moment, Tang Lici's presence alone amplifying the tension. Soon, even the three proud hall masters of Blazing Cloud Stronghold began to fidget under the weight of the silence. In the midst of this delicate standoff, Yu Furen spoke up. "I'll go check on Chi Yun." Tang Lici opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "Go ahead."This faint smile instantly eased the tension. Xuan Yuanlong secretly let out a long breath. Having faced countless enemies in his life, he had always been decisive in battle—cutting or killing without hesitation. Yet, when Tang Lici closed his eyes in silence, Xuan Yuanlong felt an unprecedented, overwhelming pressure. Yu Furen turned and walked out, while Tang Lici also stood up, flicking his sleeves behind him. His silver hair fluttered slightly in the breeze from his movement. "The three of you have traveled far. Please rest in the guest quarters. I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave."
"Young Master Tang, please do as you must," Xuan Yuanlong replied casually, already calculating in his mind. This was a good opportunity to survey the layout of the Central Plains Sword Association. If a battle became inevitable, he would at least be prepared. Tang Lici took a few steps forward without turning back, his voice gentle yet firm. "Chi Yun has just recovered from severe injuries, and his mind is still unstable. For his sake, I ask that you restrain your brotherly affection and refrain from disturbing him." With that, he walked away slowly.
"Judging by Tang Lici's expression, the poison afflicting the stronghold leader must be extremely serious," Yin Dongchuan mused. "Earlier, the leader spoke strangely, as if overcome with uncontrollable agitation. Could that be a symptom of the poison?" Jin Qiufu coughed lightly. "Still, I feel Tang Lici's concern for the leader is genuine." Xuan Yuanlong countered, "Tang Lici is a master of schemes and undoubtedly skilled at deception. We must remain cautious."
Tang Lici left the guest hall and returned to his own room. The effects of the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill in Chi Yun had temporarily subsided, but the Gu Spider Poison had flared up again. Though Tang Lici's serum could suppress it, the quantity was insufficient to fully neutralize the toxin. If the Gu Spider Poison erupted once more, given the current circumstances, it would inevitably lead to a bloodbath. However, producing more serum required several hours of meticulous work. No matter how cunning his mind, this was a task that admitted no shortcuts—he could only gamble on it.
Rolling up the sleeve on his left wrist, he revealed a shallow scar from last night's wound. Picking up the crystal cup on the table, he clenched his left hand, causing the wound to reopen. Drops of bright red blood flowed into the cup, and within moments, it was filled with a rich crimson hue. Alone and silent, he sat holding the crystal cup, waiting for his blood to cool and coagulate before extracting the clear serum. The process drained his energy and strained his mind, yet no one knew of it. The corners of Tang Lici's lips curled slightly as he lifted the crystal cup, tilting it gently. His red lips brushed the rim, his warm, soft tongue almost tasting the blood within. But just as it was about to touch the liquid, the tip of his tongue stilled, replaced by a sigh of heat exhaled from the depths of his heart—a sigh that seemed to chill his entire body in an instant.
Even if the serum was successfully prepared, how to persuade Chi Yun to obediently accept this life-saving concoction remained a thorny problem. Tang Lici waited for the blood to separate and coagulate. Outside, the first rays of sunlight peeked through, and the leaves rustled in shades of red, painting a beautiful autumn scene.
Chi Yun was escorted back to his room by a crowd of his brothers. Normally, he wouldn't have minded, but today, the sight of the swarming figures filled him with unbearable irritation. He barely endured it until he reached his room, pushing the door open and collapsing onto the bed without a word to those outside. Fortunately, the men of Blazing Cloud Stronghold held him in high regard and quietly closed the door behind him, not daring to disturb him further.A graceful figure stood not far from Chi Yun's house, her peach-colored robes elegant as a painting. The men of Blazing Cloud Stronghold, upon seeing such a lovely lady, immediately began to tease and jest. Xifang Tao gave a charming smile, pondering for a moment. With so many rough men gathered outside Chi Yun's house, forcing her way in wouldn't be easy. She might not even get inside and could end up being taken advantage of. After some thought, she turned and left. Chi Yun was already deeply poisoned—even without her provocation, the Gu Spider Poison would take effect on its own, so she didn’t need to worry about it. What she needed to focus on was Tang Lici, who always remained beyond her control. She couldn’t let this troublesome young master come up with another antidote—that would be a shame for the Camellia Prison.
Xifang Tao departed gracefully, while Yu Furen approached slowly. Jin Qiufu caught up from behind. He and Chi Yun had always been close, drinking and gambling together like brothers. Now, after a long separation, Chi Yun hadn’t even spared him a glance or exchanged a single warm word, leaving Jin Qiufu deeply unsettled. Since Yu Furen was going to see him, Jin Qiufu couldn’t hold back—he had to confront Chi Yun. Even though the stronghold leader was like the sky above him, even the sky had to honor brotherhood. Otherwise, what kind of brother was he?
Chi Yun tossed and turned in bed, exhausted yet unable to sleep. His heart burned like a raging fire, making him restless and nearly frantic. But he couldn’t understand why he felt so agitated. After struggling for a long time, a sudden thought crossed his mind—a person.
A tall, slender woman with a delicate face, yet ruthless and power-hungry.
Bai Suche, his betrothed, a top general of the Dissolute Shop.
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