Poison of the Human Panacea (Chapter 54)

Poison of the Human Panacea: Chapter 54

A place that he will like? Where would that be? Probably a paradise, right?

Good thing he was already on the edge of death. Bai Tan’s mind was clear one moment and blurry the next, he didn’t know how long he’d been lying on the bed, suddenly, he heard a “cricking” noise, it was the sound of the window being opened.

He shivered and opened his eyes to look towards the window. When Wu Yanfu was here, he was very frightened, but even though Wu Yanfu had now left, he was more frightened. He had many enemies, currently having no martial powers undoubtedly put him on the chopping board to be butchered freely.

But he heard a sharp noise ringing beside his ear, a cold light pounced to the outside of the window. He saw a black figure flipping in while the cold light chased behind him closely. Apparently, Wu Yanfu left Shiyue beside him for protection, now that it felt an intruder, it shot throughout the room. The cold light wove out a detailed web, in an instant, it had pierced through that person’s body, just right enough to nail him onto the wall…… By using the moonlight, he could see that the figure seemed to be wearing a black cloak, the cloak looked to be bat-shaped. Bai Tan was shocked, he instinctively called out, “Wuzhang!” 

Before his voice faded away, the figure pierced by Shiyue had drooped down softly, it was just a piece of clothing.

Right after, two figures flipped in through the window, one at a time. One person had a cloth wrapped around their eyes, the other had a thin body figure, it was obviously Gui Yu’er and Li Wuzhang. Neither of the two spoke, they walked straight to the bed, Gui Yu’er bent over to take the youth on the bed into her arms. Li Wuzhang slowly walked to the door, he held onto his three-pointed Soul-Leaving Awl that shone with a cold light while one of his hands was covered in fresh blood.

Once a few drops of blood fell onto the ground, a cloud of black smoke immediately formed and instantly turned into a figure that looked exactly like Li Wuzhang, it was the earlier illusion that’d jumped into the room to stop Shiyue.

Bai Tan stilled a bit, then realized this was the “Cicada Sloughing Off Skin” skill from the Art of Hallucination that Li Wuzhang studied, used for life-saving. To stop others with this skill would be fine, but wanting to go against Wu Yanfu, then without a doubt, it is throwing an egg at a rock.

But Li Wuzhang kneeled down facing the door, he knocked his head against the ground loudly.

“Shizun, this disciple wronged you! Disciple will cripple a hand by himself, in order to atone for this crime!”

Once finished, clenching his teeth, he pressed one hand onto the ground and raised the Soul-Leaving Awl in the other before stabbing down harshly. With just a sound of bones and tendons cracking, the three-pointed awl broke three fingers in a split second, impaling into the ground as fresh blood splattered everywhere. Once fed with its owner’s flesh and blood to its fill, the ink-black awl turned bloody red, anticipating to let out a deadly attack.

Bai Tan’s heart shuddered strongly in concern, Gui Yu’er jumped out the window with him in her arms, landing below the Dragon Gate Building. He raised his head to look up at the window, seeing that Li Wuzhang’s figure had also come down, he was able to let out a breath as his heart fell back to its original place.

At this time, Wu Yanfu was entangled in a fight on the ring with Fu Lu’s Gu Ren, just as he gained the upper hand, he heard movement from inside the room where Bai Tan had been located. He knew it was far from good, under the distraction, he received a claw from the Gu Ren but didn’t care about it either. He leaped up from the ring, broke open the door with one slam, and met a black figure jumping towards him right in front his eyes, the Soul-Leaving Awl in its hand aimed towards his heart, shooting at him at lightning speed, wanting to take his life right away.

“Audacious disciple!”

Wu Yanfu’s eyes stilled, he tipped his toes to dodge by going backward. Yet “Li Wuzhang” came with full fury, the other was gonna fight him to the death by exerting strength onto everything he’d learned in this life. He also hadn’t stolen back the martial power from Bai Tan, now battling with the disciple that he’d taught devotedly, he almost couldn’t block it off for a moment either. Energy gathered on the awl’s point, like a ferocious Jiao^[1] entering the sea, it forced him down to the ring below as a crack split open on his mask from the shock.

Realizing the figure’s plan, he closed his eyes, only listened and didn’t watch. He raised the Pori Ax, in two to three moves, he’d blocked off the Soul-Leaving Awl that was only a finger length away from the front of his chest. His other hand used the last skill of “Zhu Tian Hua Mo Zhang” to attack the other, the wind of his palm broke through the clouds and the sun, immediately shocking the figure into dust.

That move brought out many people’s surprised exclamations, even Mi Lansheng was caught off guard for a moment. When this masked individual fought with the gu ren earlier, he’d just thought that this person must be Wu Yanfu’s disciple, but once he used that move, it had the sky and ground startled; the ghosts and gods crying. In this world, only Wu Yanfu himself would be able to do it. 

He called out in disbelief, “Brother Wu?”

Yet Wu Yanfu turned a deaf ear, he leaped to the front of that room, but where could the person be seen anymore?

They’d already gone and left the room empty.

Tan’er, Tan’er!

He looked out the window, the hand holding Pori made constant noises from trembling. Even though he clearly knew that if he didn’t steal back the ritual instruments originally belonging to Vishnu from Fu Lu before the time of Solar Devouration, and set out to the Heavenly Mountain Shrine to find the Samudra Manthan Water, once the ghost veins on his body demonized, then it would be an everlasting perdition. But then, he remembered how Bai Tan’s words seemed like he was bidding farewell and his heart couldn’t stay in peace. He couldn’t wait another moment as he immediately pulled Shiyue off the wall. He jumped down from the window before quickly searching for a horse, with a bright shout, they rushed straight towards Cang Long City’s gate.

……

Beams of dusk spread around, the setting sun was like blood.

The three grouped people followed the last of the sunlight that slowly faded away at the sky’s edge, they galloped over the great desert on horses, sprinting all the way to Xi Ye Kingdom. He knew Gui Yu’er was taking him back to his homeland to pay respect to his mother, Bai Tan lay on the woman’s back as he looked through the sand fog to see the blurry outline of a city in anticipation. Yet, he became exceedingly exhausted, his body titled, making him slide off the horse’s back, but Gui Yu’er quickly caught him.

“Nephew, hang in there, we’ll arrive very soon.”

Hearing the soft call next to his ear, Bai Tan managed to open his eyes.

“Aunt, I’m so thirsty and sleepy, is there any resting place nearby?”

Gui Yu’er rubbed the youth’s head heart-achingly, she raised her head to look around. From here, it seemed as if they weren’t far from Xi Ye anymore, but there was still seventy to eighty li^[2] left, the desert was the hardest landscape to travel across as well, it would still take a day and night even by riding horses.

Li Wuzhang also pulled the rope tied behind Gui Yu’er’s horse a little, he coughed out the sand dust from his mouth, “We should go on, it’d probably be more secure, right?”

Bai Tan shook his head, “He’d already taken what he wanted the most, he probably wouldn’t chase us.”

Gui Yu’er hesitated for a bit before nodding, “I^#[3] remember, there’s an inn if we walk a little towards the East.” Once finished, she blew a whistle, the sound was very much like that of an eagle’s shriek, a desert eagle landed on her arm in response to the sound, it was extremely gentle. Gui Yu’er released some eagle calls from her mouth, it seemed like she had a little conversation with the eagle. Her face suddenly turned grave, grabbing tight onto the rein, she chased the horse towards the East. 

Bai Tan asked in curiosity, “Aunt, what did this eagle say? Why are you so nervous?”

“It said a sandstorm is coming. We have to reach the inn quickly.”

When night had fallen, the three raced to the inn barely in time, once they stepped in the door, the sandstorm came right after.

“These three customers, you guys sure came at the right time, even just one late step, that might’ve got yourselves captured by the sand tiger!”

The server led the three hospitably, he passed them three pieces of warm towel and three cups of tea. Bai Tan finished his cup then reached out a hand to take the towel, his hand full of sweat accidentally touched the back of the server’s hand, and he saw his whole body shuddering before staring at him as if he’d lost his soul. The other smelled the sweat on the back of his hand again, gulped a few times then reached two hands out towards him, it looked like he wanted to take him into his arms.

Bai Tan took a step back in fright and happened to bump into Li Wuzhang behind him. Li Wuzhang smelled the faint fragrance of his body sweat, and his body stiffened as well, he immediately covered his mouth and nose before turning around. Gui Yu’er quickly protected him in her embrace, she wrapped him up securely with a cloak then shouted, “Server, give us a large room!”

That was when the server awoke from his daydream, leading the three up the stairs.

But when they were in front of the door, Li Wuzhang stopped in his steps, “I’ll stay in another room.”

Bai Tan stared at his hand in consternation, “Shixiong, you can’t see and there are still injuries on your hand…” 

Li Wuzhang shook his head, “It’s merely a small injury, it’s not troubling.”

Gui Yu’er sent the server downstairs, then said in a low voice, “Nephew… your body is now different from before, it is certainly better if he stays in another room.” 

“Shixiong,” Yet, Bai Tan pulled on his arm, “The spell on you, was it cast by the old demon?”

Li Wuzhang was stunned, naturally, he didn’t speak and only pushed his door open to enter.

How could Bai Tan not understand, he turned to sprint into his room, threw himself onto the bed as his mind balled up in conflict.

At that moment, he hated himself so much, he didn’t have the power to self-protect, nor the power to protect those around him.

He was a caged beast, tied down by the chains that Wu Yanfu held, not only had he detached all his claws and teeth, he even had to control the person he trusted in his hands, so that he could be completely captivated in the beast pen.

That chain just had to make it impossible for him to break free.

If he just left like this to evade the problem, the spell on Li Wuzhang would definitely take his life. Plus, when he was taken with them to leave, Li Wuzhang also used the Cicada Sloughing Off Skin skill, how could Wu Yanfu ever forgive him?

He can’t go, can’t go.

Bai Tan closed his eyes and wrapped himself up tightly. A hand touched his head tenderly, then his aunt sat down on the bedside. Bai Tan couldn’t help but put his head on her lap like a child, “Aunt…”

“Little one, you seriously make people worry for you a lot…” Gui Yu’er brushed his long hair, “Sadly, you had a bad fate. I wish for you to be born into a wealthy family next life, be a young master, and spoiled by people.”

While speaking, she held onto the youth’s hand, wanting to see his lifeline, but once her finger touched his meridian area, she couldn’t help but be a bit stunned. Bai Tan retrieved his hand, he closed his eyes, “All my neili, are gone.”

“That’s not it…” Gui Yu’er shook her head, she caught onto his wrist again to check, “Looking at your pulse condition, there is still pure energy left in your meridian, it’s just sunk so deeply that you can’t feel it. Your acupoints were sealed by someone with a special technique, let aunt try and see if I can help you unseal it.”

Bai Tan sat up straight, nodded, then merely felt Gui Yu’er passing a cloud of pure energy into his meridian, surging straight into his Sea of Energy. Through a few circulations, a whole night had passed before his Sea of Energy started to become agitated, a cloud of neili swarmed around. Bai Tan was instantly joyed but also felt that Gui Yu’er was continuing to send neili in non-stop, he couldn’t help but be surprised. He wanted to stop it quickly by force, but couldn’t at the moment until his Sea of Energy was filled to where it couldn’t be filled again. Gui Yu’er finally let out a long breath as she fell onto the bed weakly.

“Aunt!”

“Nephew, aunt knows that her life was exchanged with the Rengu Nian Bead by you. Take all of aunt’s neili, now that your alluring bone has matured, your martial power will be higher, that way, it can also prevent you from being picked on.”

Bai Tan instantly hugged her, tears filled his eyes, yet at this time, a sound of horse hooves was heard coming closer.

He speedily walked to the window to lift a corner of the curtain, as expected, he saw a white-haired male riding over on a horse.

Wu Yanfu…

Bai Tan’s heart jumped insanely, he sealed his acupoints in two taps, touched his meridian to feel no neili at all, then turned to speak with Gui Yu’er, “Aunt, you go take Li Wuzhang and leave, I’m going to meet someone.”

“Who?”

“Don’t ask further, just take Li Wuzhang and leave right now.”

Bai Tan put on the cloak, he walked up to the next room’s door to knock but heard no sound from inside. A hint of worry born in his heart, he pushed the door open right away, just to see that Li Wuzhang had tied himself onto a chair. It seemed like he’d gone through a violent struggle, his head was tossed back while his whole body was tightened stiffly, it could be obviously seen that he couldn’t take the spell’s torture.

After a little thought, Bai Tan knew that Wu Yanfu must’ve found this place fast by using the spell on Li Wuzhang.

He quickly untied the ropes and helped him up to hand him over to Gui Yu’er, then also remembered that Gui Yu’er had no neili left, there was no time to send any to her now either. In a moment of desperation, he pushed the two onto the bed, covered them with a blanket while he, himself, pushed open the door, planning on going downstairs to check on the situation.

Just as he’d walked only a few steps down the stairs, he saw Wu Yanfu walking up the stairs, facing him.

The two came face-to-face at the corner turn, Wu Yanfu froze in his steps, a pair of narrow eyes stared at him steadily. Candlelight shone in his eyes, they were frightening bright, as if he was going to skin and eat him alive.

“Tan’er, master spent an entire night looking for you, where are you running off to with Li Wuzhang?”

Bai Tan held his breath and clenched his fists, he walked down step by step.

Wu Yanfu instantly pulled him into his embrace and pressed him onto the wall, “In the future, you’re not allowed to run off with anyone else.”

Bai Tan moved his lips with no expression, “Okay.”

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Translator: Crispyfry

Proofreader: Grumpykit

QC: Xiao

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Xiao’s Comments: Okay, so, I understand why Bai Tan ran away but, maybe, he should actually just listen to Wu Yanfu and stop running away…

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Translator’s Notes:

^[1] Jiao (鲛) – a group of mythical beings (sea-dragons) who lives underwater. (Before, Jiao Ren was described as a mermaid-like creature, and that is still true, but Jiao Ren and Jiao Long are different. And this idiom was specific for Jiao Long even if it only had “Jiao” in the context.)

^[2] Li (里) – An ancient Chinese unit of length, now it has the standardized length of a half-kilometer.

^[3] Reminder, Gui Yu’er is using the modest way of a woman addressing herself (妾身).

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Chapter 53 Chapter 55

Table of Contents

Poison of the Human Panacea (Chapter 49)

Chapter 49

“What did you say?” Bai Tan overcame the shock and used his sleeve to wipe away the blood on Li Wuzhang’s face, “Who caused you to be in this state?! This is… this is a spell, isn’t it?”

Li Wuzhang shook his head, “Shidi, don’t ask anymore, quick, leave…”

Bai Tan gritted his teeth furiously and said, “Leave, why should I* leave? Who dares to hurt my* people… I* definitely won’t let the person off easily! Say it, who is it?”

Li Wuzhang’s lips were trembling, and his voice was so hoarse, it no longer sounded like a human’s, there was even blood seeping out from his mouth, “I can’t say it…I can’t say it! Shidi, listen to Shixiong’s advice, leave this place, the further, the better.”

“I understand now…you can’t say the name of the person who cast the spell.” Bai Tan realized what was going on, helped Li Wuzhang to the bed, and sealed an acupoint in the center of his forehead, rendering him unconscious.

Fetching some tea water to help Li Wuzhang wipe the bloodstains off of his face, he then observed Gui Yu’er on the bed for a while. Seeing that she wasn’t as pale anymore, and her breathing was stable, he immediately felt a little relieved. After that, he changed into a clean set of clothing and stepped out into the corridor, seeking the person who’d injured Li Wuzhang.

It was already deep into the night, the building was dark and gloomy, so silent and still, it really did seem like an abandoned Buddhist temple. Some of the people were asleep, reserving their energy for the opening of the Great Wu Lin Assembly. The remaining people that were still awake, were either practicing their skills by themselves or secretly observing others, preparing for possible situations ahead of time.

Bai Tan looked around but felt a wave of dizziness, his body swayed. It was only because he quickly grabbed onto the railing that he didn’t fall down the floors. He was still recovering from the sword injury and having spent half the night helping Gui Yu’er treat her wound, added on to his injury. At that moment, he had no energy and felt weak and tired.

He rubbed his temples, forcibly ordering himself to keep going.

He could tell, the spell was most likely a type of speech restricting spell. Those types of spells were documented in a scroll “Evil Curses and Toxic Scriptures” that he’d once secretly read in Cang Jing Ge. The art of spell casting was different from the teachings of martial arts, it came from a further part of the Western Region, the scriptures were obscure and difficult to understand, it seemed mythical, almost. Even within the Fu Tu Sect, it was a taboo, and also because the scripture was in shambles and incomplete, there was barely anyone who understood how to use it. When Wu Yanfu was still alive, he hadn’t seen him use spells either. Who could it be?

Was it someone from the Sect who had read the scriptures before too, or was it someone from another sect who knew how to cast spells?

Where had Li Wuzhang gone earlier? Why was he asking him to leave repeatedly?

Could it be a strong, ruthless person? Was it Fu Lu?

Bai Tan’s mind was filled with questions, he walked along the railing slowly and suddenly heard the “creaking” of a door being pushed. It came from below. He looked over and saw a human figure emerging from the darkness.

Getting a clear look at the person’s appearance, Bai Tan was surprised, immediately his questions dispersed and were replaced with fully bloomed, murderous intentions.

He saw the person blow the lantern out in his hand, and flitted down the stairs like a spirit. Bai Tan followed silently, all the way out of the front door of the Dragon Gate Building, over a fencing wall, through a dense forest, and finally arrived at a desolated monastery.

Secretly peeping as the figure walk into a small temple in the monastery, Bai Tan summoned Shiyue, gripped it tightly in his hand, and let out a chilling laugh. It was a dark and windy night, suitable for a murder to happen. Since you came out courting death, don’t blame me*.

With that thought, he crept closer, step by step, in the darkness of the night. When he was at the door, he heard whispers coming from inside, there seemed to be more than one person present in the temple. The voice started off extremely soft, but gradually became louder, became intertwining, ragged breaths, and after that, bits of amorous moans were mixed in.

Bai Tan was stunned, thinking of the sight of the two hugging intimately that night, he crept to the door as softly as he could while staying close to the wall. He turned his head to look in, it was so dark inside the narrow, cramped hall of the temple, that one could barely see his own hands stretched out in front of himself. There was only a ray of moonlight that filtered through the cracks in the roof tiles, vaguely illuminating the intertwined figures below. In the darkness, Si You seemed to have completely turned into a bewitching python, slowly killing the prey that had entered its trap.

……

Even though Bai Tan couldn’t clearly see who the other person was, he could at least tell that the person was not Tian Su, and felt an anonymous sense of gladness.

But such a scene acted out on the sacred grounds of Buddha, was enticingly beautiful and indescribably tempting. Bai Tan had only peeped for a short moment, but he too, couldn’t help feeling a little heated up. He quickly calmed himself down, averted his eyes. Knowing Si You must be using “Tiannu Gouhun” to practice double cultivation of the Sky of Six Desires, and absorbing neili. It was probably so that he would be able to get himself a place in the ranks during the Great Wu Lin Assembly. Hmph, that was a good plan, but how could he let him succeed!

As that thought surfaced, Bai Tan immediately started gathering his neili, jumped in, and swung his weapon straight at Si You!

However, Si You reacted immensely fast, dodging to the side, he pulled his robes up with one hand while a long rope shot out from the sleeve of the other. The impact caused Bai Tan’s weapon to slant from its intended path, the blade slid over the man who was lying on the floor. Instantly, a gash, so deep that his bones could be seen, was slashed across his torso, causing the person to let out a blood-curdling cry before he died on the spot.

Bai Tan knew it was bad news, he glanced at the person and felt that he looked a little familiar, but he couldn’t afford to be distracted. He chased closely after Si You out of the temple door and cut the person off in the monastery. At that moment, Bai Tan was furious, and his skills were vastly better than half a month ago. In less than ten blows exchanged between the two, Si You was utterly defeated. With the blade held against his throat, he kicked him to the ground ruthlessly, stepped on his chest, bent down, and gave him over ten consecutive slaps on his face. Causing the person’s cheeks to bleed, and a couple of teeth to drop, leaving him only with the ability to gasp for air.

Done with the round of beating, but feeling like it wasn’t enough to vent his anger. Bai Tan picked up a tooth, flicked it into the man’s mouth, and grabbed his jaw tightly, forcing him to swallow it, “When you ridiculed me* that day, you should have seen this coming.”

The man clenched his teeth tightly and stared at him with vicious hatred. Yet, a shred of a smile with unknown significance surfaced on his face, “Little evildoer…… rest assured since you make things difficult for me, I won’t make it easy for you either.”

Bai Tan shifted more weight onto the leg that was stepping on his chest, causing the ribs to crunch under the force. Staring at the pretty face as it contorted, he slowly spat out each word, interrogating, “It was you who cast the spell on Li Wuzhang, wasn’t it? If you tell me* how the spell can be undone, I* can spare your wretched life.”

“Ha, you think it’s me?”

Bai Tan stepped harder, and sneered, “It isn’t? Who else could it be aside from you?”

“Of course, Li Wuzhang and I are both Hu Fas, our martial arts are roughly on par, he’s a little better in fact. A spell is only cast when the other person is inattentive, how would I get the chance to cast a spell on him?” Si You coughed violently, and pressed his lips together, wiping the blood that spilled out from the corners of his lips, “Though I don’t know the art of spell, I know how to undo it…… If you really are worried about him, you either have intercourse with him to transfer the spell to yourself or kill the person who cast the spell. I am not the person who cast it, it would be of no help even if you were to kill me.”

“Nonsense! Whether you are or you aren’t the person who cast the spell, I* will kill you. Your denial, I* don’t believe it either, why don’t I find out by killing you first!” Bai Tan was about to swing his blade down to chop his head off, but at that instant, Si You’s eyes widened, and let out an exclamation while looking behind him, “Yanfu!”

Bai Tan was shocked, he turned around to look, and his blade slowed. In that split second, Si You smacked the ground and slid backward while still staying close to the floor. Bai Tan was quick to react and caught his belt, but Si You spun around, got up, raised his arm, and pounced straight at the blade. Of course, Bai Tan wouldn’t shun nor retreat, he went along with it and struck with the blade!

A cold glint flashed by, instantly a screech erupted, cutting through the silence of the night. Half of a forearm flew out with the sleeve, a huge gush of blood suddenly spurted out from where the man’s arm was severed, splattering all over Bai Tan. In the time that it took to wipe his face. The person with a severed arm had already leaped over the wall in front and escaped towards the Dragon Gate Building.

Knowing that nothing good would come from him reaching the Dragon Gate Building, how could Bai Tan let him off, he held his weapon and went after him. He was about to fatally hit Si You’s back when they were in front of the Dragon’s head, but the figure in front of him shifted, and a sharp weapon came straight at him!

Bai Tan took three steps back and saw that it wasn’t anyone else other than Tian Su who came. He wore a mask that seemed like a brass mirror,  and the weapon that he held was the Pori ax, which had been left in the ruins under the quicksand. The dragon scale-shaped saw-tooth on the blade of the hook in his hand and the feather-shaped reversed spikes on the sharp edge of the ax clashed in a deadlock. At that moment, neither retreat nor moving forward was an option.

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Translator: Crispyfry

Proofreader: Grumpykit

QC: Xiao

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Xiao’s Comments: Oh, oh…

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Chapter 48 Chapter 50

Table of Contents

Poison of the Human Panacea (Chapter 48)

Chapter 48

Within the dull light of the candle flame, Yan Ruyu saw a white-haired male meditating with crossed legs on the bed within the zen room. She moved to see the unfamiliar face and couldn’t help but express a slight shock on her face. The man lifted his eyes, the long, narrowed blue eyes stared at the person in front of him, just from this piercing gaze, Yan Ruyu’s suspicion was allayed, she kneeled down in front of the bed in fright, “Yan Ruyu pays respect to the sect leader.”

The white-haired male smiled lightly, “As expected of Ruyu, you really were born with a pair of clever eyes.”

“No, no, the sect leader is overpraising.”

Yan Ruyu covered her mouth to smile, her appearance was that of a girl at the best of her age, time had not yet marked her stunning face, only a pair of eyes showed a dead calmness that didn’t suit her exterior. “Ever since I^[1] heard the news of the sect leader’s death, I^# never dared to believe it and was greatly distressed. Yesterday, when Hu Fa Si invited me^# to see an old friend of his, he said that if I^# don’t go, then I^# would definitely regret it for the rest of my life. So I^# held some suspicions inside…unbelievably so, it really was the sect leader. But your face doesn’t look…”

Yan Ruyu studied the white-haired male’s face carefully, wanting to speak, but also stopping herself.

“That’s right, the face you’re seeing isn’t the result of a skin mask^[2]. How could there be any disguise you couldn’t see through in this world?” Wu Yanfu rubbed his chin, “I^* restored my soul by borrowing one’s corpse…”

Though it was just a light description, as Li Wuzhang heard it, he felt as if he’d been struck by lightning on the top of his head, his body immediately went stiff.

Yan Ruyu was immensely stunned, “There’s actually still such a miracle as restoring one’s soul by corpse in the world!”

“The owner of this body and I^# were connected by the Life-Sharing Spell, so it couldn’t be counted as a miracle either. Every cause comes with a reason…Ruyu, do you understand why I’ve^# summoned you here?”

Yan Ruyu had already realized without being told, she put the golden phoebe wood box she carried in her hand onto the bed. Taking a jade hairpin from her hair, she inserted it into the lotus-shaped opening, twisted, and the box let out a “ka-da” sound as it opened. The first layer inside the box was filled with various, little, silver-made weapons, knives, awls, hook swords, piercers, and everything one could think of. The second layer was a bunch of colorful porcelain bottles and boxes. Then on the bottom layer, there was an ice-cold mirror, in the shape of a face mask, underneath the mirror was a huge piece of, white, pristine…fresh human skin.

“I^# only have these kinds of skills to make a living…even though the jobs at the royal palace have been easier, my^# skills haven’t gone rusty yet, the sect leader can’t be satisfied with this current look, right?”

Wu Yanfu picked up a little crescent-shaped, silver dagger, his thumb skimmed past its blade, causing a bloody wound to be cut open. He pressed the drop of blood between his fingers, squinted his eyes, and spoke with a smile, “Ruyu is still so understanding of one’s ideals, but, are you able to remember my* appearance from back in the days?”

Yan Ruyu blinked, the crystal-clear eyes expressed embarrassment, “The sect leader’s peerless figure, how could anyone forget after one look? It’s just, to carve and change a face is delicate work. Details are to be carefully crafted onto the human skin, if there was a mistake, it’d be exceptionally hard to fix. A good piece of skin is so rarely found, and those that can be used for face carvings exist even less. Plus, before transmogrifying the face, I^# still need to peel off the current skin on sect leader’s face in order to place the new face on top, I^# dare not act carelessly. Could the sect leader possibly have a self-portrait on hand?”

“Naturally, no.” Wu Yanfu knitted his eyebrows, he glanced at the man standing next to him.

“This subordinate will go and illustrate one right now!” Si You caught his eye, he felt both happy and apprehensive at being acknowledged. Holding up a candle, he walked to the table beside the window, he keenly felt a flow of rippling air seeping in from the slit of the window.

His heart froze and he yelled, “Who’s out there?!” A long rope flew out of his sleeve like a dragon, abruptly passing through the wooden framed window!

Li Wuzhang moved to dodge in a hurry but failed to avoid it. The long rope caught his arm instantly, leading his body to stagnate, he wasn’t able to perform the Art of Hallucination before being dragged back into the room by the long rope. He fell in front of the bed, lifting his eyes, he saw Wu Yanfu looking at him with drooping eyes. The look was like a fire, his brain instantly felt like a dike collapsing from one ant hole, cracking open loudly.

Immediately, he was in a pathetic state of having lost a battle, not daring to escape nor look at the person on the bed anymore. He leaned to bow down, his head knocked against the ground heavily, hard enough for blood to leak out of his forehead, “Shi…Shi…Shizun…”  

The room went silent for a while before he could hear a light chuckle.

“You still know to call this master Shizun? This master thought you’ve already forgotten whose disciple you were.”

There was a hint of playfulness in the male’s voice. But this hint of playfulness was just like a tiny little blade, swimming up against his throat. It made him want to die more than an outright punishment of de-boning and scraping flesh.

Li Wuzhang’s head never left the ground, it was as if his two hands were filled with lead, “Wuzhang does not dare to forget.”

“Does not dare to forget?” Wu Yanfu ridiculed, “You knew the little evildoer was plotting against this master back then, but you didn’t inform. This master’s life was on the edge while you acted as a bystander, then, also helped him to annihilate this master’s corpse…this master saw you behave in many treasonous acts, yet you seemed to have forgotten them, all nice and clear.”

Li Wuzhang knocked his head heavily against the ground again, letting out a bright sound, “This disciple…this disciple…indeed made great mistakes.” 

“How does…this master treat you?” 

Li Wuzhang continued to make loud head-knocks, leaving a puddle of blood on the ground.

“This disciple originally had no place to go, if it weren’t for Shizun, who was willing to take this disciple under him back then, dedicatedly teaching this disciple martial skills, then this disciple wouldn’t have been able to have a place in Jiang Hu. Shizun treated this disciple with grace as massive as a mountain. This disciple…this disciple knows that he can’t even be compared with a bastard,^[3] Shizun, please give a great punishment to this disciple. Even if it’s to be slaughtered, this disciple won’t have any objections and only have one wish, Shizun, please don’t trouble Tan’er…Tan’er only acted on impulse then, he didn’t understand anything!”

Wu Yanfu listened to him calling “Tan’er” over and over, sounding as intimate as it could get, hints of shadow flashed by his eyes, “Beastly disciple, this master didn’t realize before…you’re truly a besotted individual.”

Li Wuzhang knew he was about to face great calamity, so he sealed his lips with no answers, his heart sunk to the bottom of an abyss.

Who he worried for wasn’t himself, but Bai Tan. His poor little Shidi only had so long to live already, if he knew that Shizun’s soul was kept under Tian Su’s shell, he would probably die from shock. Even if he doesn’t, to fall into Shizun’s hands, he would definitely have his claws detached and be pinched in the other’s hands, tortured viciously however they wanted. Someone as prideful and sensitive as him, if that were to happen, he would rather die than live.

That couldn’t happen, he needed to make it back alive, then quickly take Bai Tan to escape.

Once finished with his thoughts, he head-knocked again and bowed with an opened-hand folded over a fist, “Shizun…this disciple…disciple will go bring Tan’er over now to apologize together, would that be good?”

Wu Yanfu looked with dropped eyes at him, who was in a state of panic and not knowing what to do. His hand acted as fast as lighting, it slashed a cross onto his heart, “Apologize? There wouldn’t be a need. If you’ve really repented, you only need to keep a watch of that little evildoer for me, try to make him illustrate a painting in the coming days. As for what he needs to illustrate, you heard it earlier.”

After pushing open the door, and taking a few steps out, there was still a faint burning sensation from where Wu Yanfu’s fingertip had come in contact with his chest. Cold sweat leaked through Li Wuzhang’s clothing, but he felt that there was no big problem with his body, for a moment, he felt like he’d had enough luck to escape from death. He turned his head to look behind him, seeing that the two hadn’t followed him out, he hastened his pace to walk to the front of the zen room that Bai Tan stayed in. He knocked a few times, hearing no response from inside, he just pushed open the door to enter.

Seeing the view before his eyes, Li Wuzhang instantly went stiff.

He merely saw the delicate young male, alone by himself, fallen to the ground and unmoving. His headful of messy, raven hair covered most of his face, but dots of blood tinting his lips could still vaguely be seen. His hands were still in a clasped together position, it was obvious that he couldn’t hold it while meditating, leading to him falling off the bed.

He lunged, rushing over to hold the person up, his pupil immediately dilated……

A visible and heart-shaking redness covered the front of the young male’s chest, it was all the blood that he’d vomited out.

……

“For the sect leader to just let him go like so, aren’t you afraid he will immediately report the news of who you are to the little evildoer, urge for the little evildoer to escape, then it will be hard for the sect leader to take back his martial skills?” Si You closed the door before walking up to the bed’s side, he clenched the goat-hair brush in his hand, “Plus, that little evildoer doesn’t have any artistic ability, how can he illustrate the sect leader’s face appropriately? In the past, this subordinate has…illustrated the sect leader, how about allowing this subordinate to try?”

Yan Ruyu nodded, agreeing as she said, “That’s right, sect leader, Hu Fa Si has followed you for many years, he definitely knows of your special facial features well…why does the sect leader insist on having that traitor of a disciple to illustrate?” 

Wu Yanfu’s long eyes were half-opened, it seemed like he was both smiling and not smiling as he spoke in a low voice, “Even though that traitorous disciple is despicable, but he has the talent of never forgetting anything he sees. The martial moves he learned in secret were all learned decently, he is deeply frightened of me* and has nightmares of seeing me* often, so naturally, he remembers my* appearance…it is deeply engraved in his heart.”

With a “ka-cha” sound, the brush in Si You’s hand broke in half, he walked to the table-side. As he held onto the broken goat-hair brush, he spread out the parchment used for copying mantras on the table. A few drops of blood seeped out between the spaces between his fingers, falling on the pure-white parchment, like plum blossoms falling on snow. His eyes sparkled like water, with a turn of the wrist, gorgeous, smooth, meandering lines of blood were born under the brush. Carefully outlining the peerless appearance from his memory.

“Everyone says that Hu Fa Si’s illustration skill has reached perfection, as expected, that’s a fully justified reputation.” Yan Ruyu almost lost her senses from watching, she couldn’t help but praise. Then she turned her head to look at the human skin on top of the ice-cold mirror with concern, she spoke to Wu Yanfu, “Sect leader, the portrait can wait, but the human skin can’t. Even with the ice-cold mirror here, if the human skin does not live by using the muscle-growing face cream to be stuck on flesh, it will still rot in just two to three days.”

Wu Yanfu scanned the portrait underneath the brush of the person beside him, he nodded slightly, “If that’s the case, then never mind, peel off this face for me* first.” He lay down on the bed after he finished his words.

Yan Ruyu reached to pick up a green porcelain bottle, poured some liquid medicine onto a handkerchief, and stretched towards Wu Yanfu’s face, she spoke softly, “Sect leader, this is anesthesia, you need to sniff it first so that I^# can start.”

Before her voice even died out, her wrist was stopped by a finger, Wu Yanfu closed his eyes, speaking in a deep voice, “No need, I* can still endure such little pain. Something like anesthesia, I* never touch it.”

Yan Ruyu hesitantly persuaded, “Sect leader, if you don’t take the anesthesia, the pain will most likely be too hard to endure.”

“If it hurts, then let it hurt, when I* slaughtered my mother that year, I* should’ve been downed with the pain of skin peeling as well.”

“Yes, I^# understand.” Yan Ruyu immediately withdrew her hand, not saying anything else. She knew that for someone like Wu Yanfu, who has stepped over so many mountains of corpses and seas of blood, he was always exceedingly cautious, even when sleeping, he would never fall into a deep slumber. To have him take the anesthesia would make him go into a state of unconsciousness, leaving his life in the hands of others would be even more of a fantasy.

Thinking so, she raised a little crescent-shaped dagger, dunked it in a little bottle of alcohol, then also dipped it into some milky-textured facial muscle-growing cream, and first placed her knife at the root of Wu Yanfu’s ear.

The cold blade skimmed past the male’s pale white skin, slitting open a long, bloody cut that reached down to his chin, just as the blood seeped out, even just a little would be congealed by the cream on the blade. As the knife-tip peeled open an inch of skin on this side, the brush-tip on the other side drew out one thin line on the paper. The human skin acted as paper, blade as brush, and blood as ink, the three components enhanced each other’s beauty under the firelight, almost as if it was a silent battle……Cruelty was still cruelty, elegance was still elegance.

Not long after, a piece of facial skin was peeled off completely, but the person on the bed hadn’t moved at all, his brows hadn’t even furrowed. Inside, Yan Ruyu couldn’t help but sigh, she cautiously stuck the human skin from the top of the mirror onto the bloody and flesh-exposed face. After carefully cutting away the excessive parts, it joined together with the skinless parts seamlessly, she then rubbed the muscle-growing cream on the edges as well. In an instant, the wound already disappeared, without a trace left behind.

Wu Yanfu held himself up with a hand on the side, the joints of his fingers were white from clenching.

 .…..The endurance had just now started. The pain of skin and flesh rejecting each other, it most definitely surpassed the sensation of skin-peeling, it was as if there were thousands of ants eating away at the flesh. It made one wish to just rip off their facial skin, in order to scratch the flesh and bone underneath.

The Art of Transmogrification wasn’t as mystical as it had been spread in Jiang Hu, to change into a new individual, it obviously wouldn’t be so easy. It was like the Phoenix in Nirvana^[4], or a moth breaking through its cocoon, it was all just cruel torture.

Undergoing such torture, what floated in his head was what the young male had said that day while being in a dizzy state, the corner of his lip seemed like it’d raised, but also didn’t.

Yan Ruyu used a handkerchief to wipe away the fresh blood on Wu Yanfu’s face for him, “Hu Fa Si, have you finished illustrating?”

Si You drew the last mark, shook the parchment a little then presented it in front of the two with both of his hands. Wu Yanfu’s appearance from back in the days was seen to have been drawn on the paper, it was truly handsome without a doubt, with a demonic aura, he appeared to be both a god and a demon.

Yan Ruyu’s eyes widened, “How vivid and lifelike, in-incredible.”

But Wu Yanfu was seen to be observing the portrait with his eyes squinted, not expressing agreement or disagreement. After a while, he still hadn’t said a word.

……

“Cough…” 

Li Wuzhang coughed out a mouthful of fresh blood, he forced himself to endure as he sent pure energy into the young male’s Sea of Qi again. Once he felt his inner energy slowly starting to circulate inside his meridian, he finally retracted his palm in exhaustion. He checked below the young male’s nostrils, only to feel his thin breaths, he was obviously a dying person whose life was on the precipice of death.

He hugged the young male tightly, the clenching of his teeth let out clashing sounds, “You’re already at this stage, yet you think of helping others get treated…how many lives do you think you have?” 

Bai Tan licked the fresh blood from the corner of his lips, he let out a breath, then muttered a little unclearly, “Shixiong, they all say, if one does not die from a great calamity, they must be blessed after. I’ve already died once, so why isn’t my blessing here yet?”

“It will come, it will come.” Li Wuzhang coaxed in a light voice. He supported the other up in an embrace, kicked open the window with one foot, and was ready to jump out while carrying him, but a sudden piercing pain came from his eyes.

He loosened his hands to cover his eyes, the person in his embrace fell onto the floor, said fall causing him to return to more of his senses. Bai Tan reluctantly opened his eyes to see Li Wuzhang in such a state, he couldn’t help but be weirded out, “What’s happening to you?”

Bai Tan supported his own body up before closing in towards him, but Li Wuzhang suddenly kneeled down. He pressed him into his embrace in one go, next to his ear, he spoke as he clenched his teeth, “Shidi…shidi, leave quickly!” 

“Why? Just what is it with you?” Bai Tan resisted a bit only to feel that the person who was always kind and weak had applied an enormous amount of force to hug him, enough that, at that moment, he couldn’t struggle out of it.

“That Tian Su…he…he is…ah! Ah…ah!”    

Before he could finish, Bai Tan heard Li Wuzhang shrieking, it seemed as if he was in unbearable pain. Bai Tan was shocked, he hurriedly grabbed tightly onto his arm, using all that he had to pull it aside. But Li Wuzhang bent over, covering his eyes with both hands, his ten fingers curled into claws, the trembling fingertips almost dug into his scalp.

Bai Tan immediately sealed a few of his acupoints, he took hold of his stiff arms then pulled them off of his face.

….….. A pair of long, fox eyes were shut tight, fresh blood poured out the corner of his eyes continuously, two squiggly marks of blood were made underneath his eyes, all clustering at the slightly twitching corner of his lips.

“Shizun…always warned me to not hold worries, do not allow a piece of leaf to cover my view before…With me continuously trapping myself, even making one mistake after another. Not being able to see, would be good too.” 

T/N: Oh man, LWZ ;-; just knowing that he had fox eyes feels so weird too

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Translator: Crispyfry

Proofreader: Grumpykit

QC: Xiao

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Xiao’s Comments: I love the fact that Wu Yanfu inspire fears in everyone, even his own students but he’s so lenient toward Bai Tan so far. Oh, poor Li Wuzhang…

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Translator’s Notes:

^[1] I^# (妾身) – She used the modest way of a woman addressing herself, mostly used by married women back in ancient China (which Gui Yu’er has also used before)

^[2] “Skin mask” (易容) – the term WYF used literally meant “to disguise”, which doesn’t specify what he was talking about exactly, nor would it be smooth in English, so I changed it to the skin mask that are commonly used for disguise in these Wuxia (and etc) genre.

^[3] Bastard (畜生) – This is a least common definition of the word in English, but when bastard/畜生 is usually used in Chinese, it’s comparing the person to a domesticated animal, calling them out for beast-like or despicable actions.

^[4] Phoenix Nirvana (凤凰涅槃) – Buddhism myth saying, where a phoenix burns in fire to be reborn with eternal life.

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Chapter 47 Chapter 49

Table of Contents

Poison of the Human Panacea (Chapter 47)

Chapter 47

Ji Du entered through the door a little after them and caught up with the two who were in front of him.

As if in unspoken agreement, everyone’s sight gathered on the group of people who followed the “Awakened One” upstairs and there was a furious discussion about them.

Mi Lansheng was already a regular at the Great Wu Lin Assembly, he confidently greeted in all four directions with one hand cupped over his fist, and said in a loud and clear voice with a smile, “I, Mi Lansheng of the Mandala Sect, pay my respects to the heroes from different parts of the world.”

Even though in the eyes of those righteous sects, the Mandala Sect was an unorthodox sect, but Mi Lansheng, who was the fifth strongest of the seven strongest fighters in the Western Region was a character with resounding fame. Immediately, there was an uproar coming from the surrounding area and many returned his greeting, but more were looking at the youngster who was following closely behind him with various questions growing in their minds.

He looked young, with a childishness that had yet to fade, he was probably only fifteen years old and was extremely beautiful. His skin was whiter than snow, his eyes were black and bright, and his lips looked as though they had rouge applied to them. Yet, he didn’t seem to be a person from this world; he seemed like the deity in a drawing as well as the evil spirit in a forest. It was hard to tell if he was male or female, which made people suspect that he was a pretty, little girl dressed up as a boy, but his posture was haughty and at ease, which in no way, was feminine. He With his hands behind his back, he had an imposing air about him, as though everyone else was beneath him.

“May I ask, who this young hero is?” A person raised his voice to ask.

Bai Tan froze and looked over to the side upon hearing the familiar-sounding voice. There was a tall, lean figure dangling over the fence above with one leg sitting on top of another. He had a leather robe with narrow sleeves and a peacock feather decorated, felt hat on his head. Under the hat was a pair of blue eyes, staring at him with ill-intentions. He was the second Tang Zhu of Yue Yin Palace, Lian Jiu.

“Why aren’t you speaking, could it be that it’s inconvenient for the young hero to announce his identity?”

“Why would it be inconvenient?” Bai Tan sneered, “I am the sect leader of Fu Tu Sect, Bai Tan.”

The moment it was said, the entire building immediately erupted into commotion.

Thanks to Fu Lu, Bai Tan’s “good reputation” was known throughout the entire Jiang Hu, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know or anyone who hadn’t heard of him before. He was the evildoer who killed the Wu Lin Overlord of the Western Region…… his Shizun, “Mara”, to usurp his position as sect leader.

Aside from that, there were many widespread, racy rumors about this evildoer in Jiang Hu. Now that they saw him, he really was a rare beauty as the hearsay went, and those racy rumors were unavoidably brought up by those present.

Suddenly, soft trails of shady laughter could be heard coming from the continuous sounds of discussion.

Bai Tan’s feeling dropped to rock bottom, gripping Shiyue in his hand tightly, he asked with a surly face, “Who’s laughing?”

At that moment, a figure flipped out from behind and landed in front of him, immediately inciting a wave of surprised gasp.

“Da Ge!” Lian Jiu exclaimed with a joyous expression on his face.

“This, Yue Yin Palace’s first Tang Zhu, Tian Su? Isn’t he already dead?”

“That’s right, how is it that this person is actually still alive after not having heard a single piece of news about him for so many years?”

Wu Yanfu laughed, “Who said that the first Tang Zhu of Yue Yin Palace was dead? I am fine and well, I merely went into seclusion for a few years, how did I get taken as a dead person? When in the ring, please, do not hold back.”

One jokingly said sentence made the ambiance within the building much more harmonious. Lian Jiu could tell that he was obviously helping Bai Tan get out of the difficult situation and felt unhappy about it, calling out “Da Ge”, he leaped down. However, Bai Tan wasn’t grateful for the help and didn’t want to waste his energy concerning himself with Lian Jiu, and walked passed the two without uttering a single word, following the “Awakened One” upstairs.

Entering the zen room, Li Wuzhang placed Gui Yu’er on the bed only to realize that she had already fallen unconscious.

Bai Tan took her pulse, it was abnormally faint, like that of a person who was barely breathing and on the brink of death, and couldn’t help saying in surprise, “Aunt was still fine before she went missing…… could Fu Lu have done something to harm her?”

“That’s probably what happened.” Li Wuzhang couldn’t bear to move his line of sight away.

Bai Tan keenly detected a shred of abnormality in his tone and asked, “The night my aunt went missing, I* was unconscious……. Did something happen that I* was not aware of?”

“That night, Gui Yu’er went out by herself, this subordinate doesn’t know the details.”

“Oh?” Bai Tan stared at Li Wuzhang with suspicion for a while. He then suddenly removed the mask that was on his face and discovered his sweaty forehead, even his clean, pale face was swollen to the point it had turned red. In that instant, he confirmed the suspicion he had.

He had known this little secret of Li Wuzhang’s a long time ago…… the “Demon of Hallucination” who was good at disguising himself, who was able to make a thousand faces with a single mask, was unable to hide a single emotion on his own face.

Bai Tan questioned forcefully with a stern voice, “Don’t think of keeping it from me, tell me the truth. How did Gui Yu’er get into this state?”

Li Wuzhang shook his head, “This subordinate doesn’t know.”

Bai Tan pinched his chin with force, “You don’t know? If you don’t know, then what are you feeling guilty for?”

“This subordinate isn’t, it is just a little warm.” Li Wuzhang tugged on his clothes and said laughingly.

Bai Tan let go angrily, blinked, and his tone changed abruptly, “Shixiong, if you keep secrets from me too, who else can I trust? If my aunt was to die without a clear reason, and I find out in the future that you were hiding something from me, I’ll definitely break off all ties with you and never be in contact with you again, even in death!”

“Don’t, don’t force me!” Li Wuzhang had always had an indecisive personality, how was he to be able to fend off Bai Tan’s play of soft and hard emotional cards. After reconsidering for a while, he hesitantly squeezed one sentence out, “Gui Yu’er, in order to save your life, went to look for Fu Lu to get the Rengu Nian Bead. It must have been Fu Lu who caused her to be in this state.”

He deliberately avoided the main reason and went with the superficial, hiding the fact that Gui Yu’er picked out her bone to save him. However, Bai Tan immediately thought of the words that Gui Yu’er told him before. Suspecting that it was the pathological changes of the alluring bone, he turned her body over and flipped the robe open to look. The moment he saw it, he couldn’t help but turn pale from shock…… on her back was a horrifying wound that was two fingers wide. It was seriously sunken in, and covered in a dark brown scab. The alluring bone that was supposed to be protruding a little was nowhere to be seen.

“How did it become like this?” Bai Tan grabbed the lapels of Li Wuzhang’s robe and shouted fiercely at him.

“It must, it must be Fu Lu!” Sweat dripped down Li Wuzhang’s face.

“You still dare lie without your mask on?!”

Bai Tan was boiling with rage, even though he didn’t know exactly what it was that Gui Yu’er had done, he could guess for most parts…… the wound had already formed a scab, it must have been made only two, three days ago. No matter how free Fu Lu was, he wouldn’t have been so free that he could go and dig Gui Yu’er’s alluring bone out. Moreover, if he really did have some use for the alluring bone, he would have took it out over the few years they’d been together. There had been no need for him to do it during such a crucial time at the Great Wu Lin Assembly, was there?

Also, he remembered clearly, a few nights ago when his alluring bone was acting up again, and he wasn’t fully conscious of his situation, wandering between life and death, he’d had a dream. In his dream, it was Gui Yu’er’s singing voice that had forcefully brought him away from the gate to the underworld.

From the time he woke up, Gui Yu’er had been missing, and now she was in such a terrible condition. Combined with Li Wuzhang’s reaction, how was he unable to guess that the wound had something to do with him?

Bai Tan suddenly pushed Li Wuzhang aside and sat on the bed with his legs folded, he helped Gui Yu’er to sit up and placed his palm over the place her pulse could be felt. He was about to gather his energy to heal her injury when his hand was grabbed by Li Wuzhang, “Sect Leader, let this subordinate do it. With the Great Wu Lin Assembly imminent, please don’t deplete your internal energy.”

“Scram, I* must save her!” Bai Tan shook his hand off and passed a stream of pure energy into Gui Yu’er’s chest, but it couldn’t enter her pulse at all. It was as though he was using a bamboo woven basket to fetch water, it all dispersed from between his fingers. He tried again, and again, but it all had the same result. It was only then that he moved his palm away and knitted his brows together tightly.

At that moment, he truly understood what blood relations were. Thinking about how he was about to lose his last living relative, it felt as if there was a needle pricking his heart. A thought suddenly popped up in his mind, he immediately jumped off the bed.

Li Wuzhang still didn’t know there was only half a bead of the Rengu Nian Bead left in the world and was secretly thinking about how he could snatch it from Fu Lu when he heard Bai Tan saying, “You stand guard and watch over Gui Yu’er, I* have some business with Mi Lansheng.”

“Sect Leader, what are you going to do?”

However, Bai Tan didn’t answer. He headed straight for the door and left. Walking along the corridor, he headed for the room Mi Lansheng was staying in. He knocked on the door, and said softly, “Sect Leader Mi, I have something I wish to discuss.”

Mi Lansheng opened the door and Bai Tan saw that the Old Sa Man Shaman was in the room as well. He quickly closed the door and looked at Old Sa Man Shaman fixedly for a while. Clenching his teeth, and bending his knees, he knelt down in front of him.

Mi Lansheng was shocked, “Sect Leader Bai, what is this for?”

The young Sect Leader took on an appearance completely different from his usual prideful one. He lowered his body, and gave a resounding and deep kowtow, “Elder, Sect Master, this junior pleads for a favor.”

Mi Lansheng was taken aback internally, what could make this haughty little evildoer willing to set his pride aside and bow down to others?

The Old Sa Man Shaman walked shakily to the side of a table, with the help of the staff in his hand, sat down, and poured a cup of tea, “Sect Leader Bai, please get up. If you need to say anything, you can do it standing up.”

But Bai Tan did not move at all, “This junior begs for the half piece of Rengu Nian Bead.”

“So, this was what it was about. Why does Sect Leader Bai need to do this? Hasn’t this old man already promised to lend you the Rengu Nian Bead for you to create the illusion? Since you have obtained Rengu Nian Bead for this old man, this old man definitely wouldn’t go back on his promise. If you want to know what happened back then urgently, this old man can create it for you now, it isn’t impossible.”

Bai Tan was stunned, and desire flickered by in his eyes, but he slowly shook his head. After a moment of silence, he spat out one sentence with difficulty, “This junior doesn’t want to borrow the Rengu Nian Bead, this junior wants to have the Rengu Nian Bead.”

Hearing his words, Mi Lansheng wasn’t very surprised and thought to himself, it seems like he found out he doesn’t have much time left, it’s no wonder he’s acting like this. No matter how arrogant he is, no matter how difficult it is for him to kneel, even he has to concede when facing the Lord of the Underworld.

The Old Sa Man Shaman didn’t say a word for a while, then gave out a long sigh, “I can understand why you would want the Rengu Nian Bead, but this Rengu Nian Bead is the sacred item of our Sect. It is of utmost value to us but now that there is only half a bead left, even if it were placed back on the altar, it wouldn’t have its original effect. We can give it to you to save yourself, but……”

Bai Tan understood, he knew that he was raising conditions and hurriedly said, “Elder, please do tell. If the Elder is willing to give the Rengu Nian Bead, as long as it is within this junior’s means, junior will definitely do whatever it takes, even if it entails hardships.”

“You heard what that person had to say earlier, what he said was not wrong. This matter not only has something to do with our sect’s survival, but, before the Solar Devouration, we need to go to the Tian Zhu Shrine, in the depth of Heavenly Mountain……”

Mi Lansheng continued the sentence, “Therefore, the treasure map that is with Sect Leader Bai……”

Bai Tan stood up, dusted the ends of his robe off, and was a little upset. He’d almost forgotten that he still had a bargaining chip in his hands, hah, why was he in such a hurry to kneel? All that pride was gone now that he’d knelt!

He straightened his back, “No problem, this junior is willing to use the treasure map as an exchange. However…… this treasure map is in this junior’s mind, and this junior’s mind, well, doesn’t work really well. The memories often get jumbled up, and when in a hurry, it can’t remember a single thing. Elder, why don’t you relieve your junior’s burning issue first?”

At the end of his sentence, he reached a hand out towards the Old Sa Man Shaman, asking for it shamelessly.

Mi Lansheng was shocked and rendered speechless, seeing his complete change of personality in just a split second.

The Old Sa Man Shaman too couldn’t help laugh a little, he shook his head, and took a porcelain bottle out from his sleeve, “If that is the case, draw the treasure map out first and this old man will give this Rengu Nian Bead to you.”

“This junior will try his best, but with an urgent issue at hand, this junior can’t be sure if it would be drawn correctly.” Bai Tan agreed easily. He then turned his head and said to Mi Lansheng, “Sect Leader Mi, I’ll trouble you to bring writing materials over.”

A short while later, Bai Tan was done. With one hand, he brought the rough sketch of Vishnu drawn on a sheep leather to the Old Sa Man Shaman and with the other hand, he reached out to ask for the item, “This junior can only remember so much for now, some details might have been missed, but they will definitely be added in future when remembered.”

Mi Lansheng looked at him, and thought this kid, he was simply a fox, so cunning.

“Forget it, Elder, give it to him first. We can only place our hope on the treasure map now.”

The Old Sa Man Shaman passed the porcelain bottle to Bai Tan, “Sect Leader Bai, by giving this Rengu Nian Bead to you, this old man has made true to his promises. However, you shall no longer have the chance to find out your Shizun’s past. In the future, please do not pester this old me for this reason anymore. There are things this old man can’t say and it should stay that way.”

Bai Tan held the porcelain bottle in his hand, his fingers slowly closing over it tightly.

“Could it be that once the Rengu Nian Bead is used to create the illusion, it can’t be used to save a person’s life anymore?”

The Old Sa Man Shaman shook his head, “You can’t get two uses out of a single bead, Sect Leader Bai, you will have to choose. This old man thought that between the two, your life is more important. The dead one has passed, so please learn to let go of this bad obsession. You and Wu Yanfu were disciple and master once, even if it was an ill-fated relationship, the earlier you end it, the better it would be, and the earlier you can forget about it.”

“Who said that I* couldn’t let go of it. Of course… life is important.”

Mi Lansheng heard the youngster mumbling, seemingly to himself, poured out the halved Rengu Nian Bead from the porcelain bottle onto his palm, stared at it for a good while before holding it up to his mouth, raising his head and his Adam apple rolled.

He then turned around and quickly wrote on the treasure map for a bit, cupped one hand over the other fisted hand in a greeting towards them, “Many thanks, this life-saving kindness shall never be forgotten. The treasure map has been completed. Sect Master, Elder, kindly accept it.”

At the end of his sentence, he turned around and left in a hurry.

After returning to the room, and closing the door properly, Bai Tan finally uncurled his tightly gripped hand, walked to the bed and helped Gui Yu’er up. Li Wuzhang looked at him, puzzled, only to see Bai Tan parting Gui Yu’er’s mouth with a finger pressed on either side of her jaw and stuffed a white sphere that was held between two of his fingers into her mouth. He couldn’t help but be stunned for a while before finally making sense of what had happened.

“This is…… a Rengu Nian Bead?”

Bai Tan nodded.

Li Wuzhang suddenly wore an unpleasant expression, he caught his hand, and reached two fingers into Gui Yu’er’s mouth, wanting to take the Rengu Nian Bead out. Bai Tan was shocked and with the strike of a palm, he resolutely pushed him aside.

“What are you doing?!”

Li Wuzhang looked at the tip of his fingers. The Rengu Nian Bead dissolved upon consumption and he had only managed to pick up a tiny smidgen of powder. He suddenly pounced towards Bai Tan and was about to smear the powder onto Bai Tan’s lips.

Bai Tan was unprepared and was pushed down. Instinctively, he struck back swiftly and hit a few of his acupoints. Li Wuzhang’s fingers hovered a mere half a finger distance away from Bai Tan’s lips and they were still trembling slightly. Seeing that the precious smidgen of powder on his fingertips was about to dissolve and disappear in the blink of an eye, Li Wuzhang’s eyes instantly became red.

“Shidi……Eat it, why aren’t you eating it?”

Bai Tan laughed, “What use will this small bit have? Can it make me live a long life, without resentment or fear?”

“It can’t.”

Bai Tan reached over to push his hand aside and undid the acupoints, “Then, forget about it, what use do I have for it?”

Li Wuzhang pushed himself off the floor, his hands trembled silently… I’m only afraid I won’t even get to see the day when you become the Wu Lin Overlord. That was what he thought, but he wasn’t able to muster the courage to say it.

He couldn’t tell if he was afraid to say it to Bai Tan or to say it to himself.

He stood up and walked straight towards the door, “Sect Leader, it isn’t early anymore. Your subordinate shall leave now.”

Bai Tan hummed in response, sat back on the bed, and checked Gui Yu’er’s pulse.

Li Wuzhang was in the corridor, looking around, trying to see if Fu Lu was already there. Instead, he happened to catch a glimpse of another familiar face. That person was tall and slim, he had lithe footsteps and despite having put on a disguise, having been a Hu Fa together for almost ten years, he would still be able to recognize the person, even if the person was reduced to ashes.

Behind Si You, there was a girl in the prime of her life and he recognized that person too. She was the well-known disguiser of Jiang Hu, Yan Ruyu. It had been over ten years since she was sent to the Xi Ye Palace by Wu Yanfu, who was once the Grand Advisor of Xi Ye and was, now, a supervisor in the palace. It was difficult to invite her if it wasn’t for a high reward or a person of a certain status in Wu Lin. Her appearance at the Great Wu Lin Assembly was really rare.

Could she be here to compete as well?

Li Wuzhang subconsciously felt that this was no ordinary matter. After seeing Si You approach a zen room on the fourth floor, he searched for a window and flipped out of the building. Maneuvering along beams and walking on high walls, he came to the window of that zen room and moved closer to eavesdrop.

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Translator: Crispyfry

Proofreader: Grumpykit

QC: Xiao

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Xiao’s Comments: I love how petty Bai Tan is, lol. What? I knelt even though I still have a trump card?! Now my pride is gone, lol.

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Chapter 46 Chapter 48

Table of Contents

Poison of the Human Panacea (Chapter 46)

Chapter 46

Bai Tan was already spent, with the medicine blood taking effect, he had no energy left to resist. When he raised his head, he was able to see the male staring at him, the long, narrow, blue eyes dark and mottled. The pain in them was hard to hide, unexpectedly stunning him.

……That kind of look made it seem as if the other really cared for him.

As he thought that, his head was rubbed in appeasement, “Don’t move around, let me treat your wound.”

Once Bai Tan’s fur was petted in the right way, a few explosive emotions in his heart opened its gate, surging out nonstop. He whimpered and couldn’t hit the brake on his tears either, but he didn’t want to show weakness either as he turned his head to the side.

“Tell me, who was it that bullied our high and mighty demonic sect leader into looking like this?” Wu Yanfu helped wipe his tears away. He looked as the other kept both his eyes and mouth shut tight, not answering, showing off his stubbornness. His eyes became even darker, lowering his head, he sealed the other’s lips, then he bit the tip of his own tongue to feed the other a sip of medicine blood. Bai Tan clenched his teeth, but the medicine blood still leaked into his throat, finally, his body softened, and tilting his head to the side, he fainted in the other’s arms.

Amid unconsciousness, Bai Tan felt a chilly, wet, and soft item flitting over the number of sword cuts on his body gently. It bought slight pain but was also a bit ticklish, not too strong but when the soft object moved onto the wound on his shoulder, the pain and itchiness became unbearable. He moaned once before lifting his weighted eyelids.

The other male raised his head at the sound, he wiped the bloodstain from the corner of his mouth and looked at him with drooping eyes. Then lowered his head to continue cleaning the wound on his shoulder for him. His breath would fall on his neck at times, almost as if it was rubbing against him affectionately.

Bai Tan slapped his face aside, “Why do you keep saving me time after time? Aren’t you staying by my side just for the Rengu Nian Beads? Since you already have it, what are you doing still sticking yourself onto me like a lingering ghost?”

Lingering ghost? That was accurate.

Wu Yanfu smiled, his lips left the youth’s shoulder as they moved next to his earlobe, speaking warmly, “I’ve said before, I like you. Since I like you, of course, I’m gonna stick myself onto you.”

“Stop being so disgusting!” Bai Tan scoffed coldly and weakly. He pulled his opened clothing back on, as his finger came in contact with the sword cut on his chest, he felt that it had already turned to scab, he couldn’t help but be shocked, yet his hand was held by the other tightly.

“What are you hurrying for, let the wound heal first then put on your clothes, it’s not like I will take advantage of you.” The man’s voice in the night was both deep and soft, yet the murderous aura that surrounded him had Bai Tan’s hair standing on end.

“Who did you meet tonight, how did you get injured like this?”

“What does it have to do with you?” Bai Tan still couldn’t suppress the painful feeling inside as he spoke irritatedly.

“You’re Ah-Chi’s master, if you were injured, then Ah-Jiang will naturally fight back for you.”

“No need. I take responsibility for my own doings.”

Bai Tan turned over, he wanted to jump off the horse but unexpectedly, the corner of his clothing was stuck. The upper part of his clothing was immediately dragged down to his waistline, exposing the art piece that Wu Yanfu had tattooed there with his own two hands. The moonlight at this hour shone on the youth’s skin as white as snow, the alluring bone that was located at the flower’s core was as red as a streak of cinnabar, painting the blooming epiphyllum so lusciously that it was hardly recognizable.

Before the person behind him could have an extra glance, Bai Tan pulled his robe up. Just as he wanted to jump off the horse, his waist area tightened as a soft call rang beside his ear, the horse instantly sprinted, running towards the hill.

Looking from the top of the hill, the lights of the Cang Long City shone, bright and majestically.

The wind had their robes turning and flying, Bai Tan’s battle spirit suddenly swelled. He just wanted to get on the stage immediately, show off his skill, and turn those from Wu Lin that looked down on him into losers beneath him.

He didn’t care for the others much, but as for that Tian Su by his side who was hard to identify as a foe or an ally. He was the strongest opponent he’d met to this day, and it was extremely hard to predict what that person was planning.

As the horse rushed down the hill, carrying the two, his alluring bone was numbing from the constant bumps. Bai Tan removed the hand by his waist to squirm a little towards the front, he asked, “Why did you steal the Rengu Nian Bead yesterday?”

“If you want to know, then answer my question first. Was it the sword formation of the Tian Yang Sect who harmed you?”

Bai Tan was shocked, just like that he was able to identify it, which was pretty good on his part.

Seeing as how the other hadn’t made a sound, Wu Yanfu was certain, his hand grasping the rein tightened slightly as his joints let out cracking noises, “So it was the people from Tian Yang Sect, that Sect Master Su Muzhe has a vendetta against the Fu Tu Sect.”

“Oh?” Bai Tan suddenly remembered the details of the father and daughter’s conversation he’d eavesdropped on, he asked, “Was it because of a woman? I heard Su Muzhe say that his wife was killed by someone of the demonic sect.”

Wu Yanfu went silent for a while, then said, “That’s right, it was someone of the Fu Tu Sect who killed her.”

Bai Tan subconsciously pushed every wrong-doing onto a certain person, “Was it Wu Yanfu? Humph, it was most likely because he got interested in that guy’s wife and used his authority as the Wu Lin Overlord to abduct her…”

“Nonsense.” Before allowing him to make it any more ridiculous, Wu Yanfu stopped him coldly.

Bai Tan caught on, “Could it be that you know some behind the scenes stuff?”

“That woman was Wu Yanfu’s mother, don’t imagine nonsense.”

“Mother? Then… then, is the Sect Master of Tian Yang Sect, Su Muzhe, Wu Yanfu’s father?”

After being given a father out of nowhere, Wu Yanfu felt a bit displeased, he replied blandly, “Of course not. Many years ago, the Sect Leader of Fu Tu Sect, Wu Lianyun, stole Su Muzhe’s wife to be his Concubine Ming. The woman gave birth to a son for Wu Lianyun, which was Wu Yanfu.”

Bai Tan spoke in surprise, “So that old demon was actually the son of a Concubine Ming? But as a Concubine Ming, aren’t they fated to be extracted by the cultivator to bones and die? How was one able to give birth to a child for the cultivator?”

The person behind him laughed mockingly, he pulled on the rein to slow down the horse’s steps.

“Those are just rumors.”

“What’s the meaning of that?”

“Since ancient times, the Concubine Ming’s death is decided by the cultivator. When one reaches the last level of the Sky of Six Desires, if they kill their Concubine Ming themselves and drink the Concubine Ming’s heart blood, then they’ve accomplished breaking away from extraneous things of life. They would be cut off from their seven emotions and six desires, never to have sorrows or joys, nor would they grow old and die, just like the gods. If, when the cultivator reaches the last level of the Sky of Six Desires and isn’t willing to kill their Concubine Ming, then they cannot break through the barrier, they won’t be able to succeed in training the Sky of Six Desires. If one couldn’t break through the barrier, and doesn’t dual cultivate with their Concubine Ming in time to conform their lust, they will die from Qi Deviation.”

Bai Tan was stunned, so that was how it worked? He’d always misunderstood the cultivation method of the Sky of Six Desires…

When that old demon went into Qi Deviation then, was it possibly because…he didn’t want to kill him? 

No, even if he let him off for a moment in time, he could’ve changed plans at any time to take his life.

Wu Yanfu’s mother probably hadn’t escaped from death in the end.

With such assumptions, Bai Tan’s brows furrowed in loathing, he continued to ask, “So even though that Concubine Ming birthed a son for Wu Lianyun, in order to cultivate, he still killed her in the end, right?”

“Wrong, the one who killed her wasn’t Wu Lianyun, but Wu Yanfu.”

Bai Tan went blank for a bit, “Why did he…kill his own mother?” 

While Wu Yanfu listened to him asking questions nonstop, as if he cared deeply, he couldn’t stop his heart from turning in excitement, “You wanna hear about Wu Yanfu’s past that badly?”

Bai Tan instantly shook his head.

Wu Yanfu sighed without much thought, “Tch, then whatever. Ah, he’s dead anyway, just let those stories go into the grave along with him.”

Bai Tan’s chest tightened, and he forced himself to squeeze two words out of the opening between his teeth, “Say it!”

Wu Yanfu stretched his syllables out, “Ai, let’s not, let’s not.”

Bai Tan turned his head to grab his clothes, “Say, say it, you!” 

Wu Yanfu stared at him mischievously, he raised one corner of his mouth, looking like he was both smiling and not smiling, “So, you actually still care about your Shizun this much?”

“Bullshit!” Bai Tan lifted his hand, wanting to scratch him, but it was caught and tucked into the other’s embrace.

He started struggling but the man held it extremely tight, his chin pressed into the fossa of his shoulder as he spoke softly next to his ear, “The private matters of the Western Region Wu Lin Overlord are not to be spread around, I’ll only tell you, you have to keep it a secret.”

Bai Tan pricked his ears up, nodding.

“Wu Lianyun abducted the Concubine Ming, but his heart ended up moving for her. He wasn’t able to break through the barrier of emotions, so he couldn’t succeed in the Sky of Six Desires, he even had a son with the Concubine Ming. The Concubine Ming always hated him, she found a chance to poison him, making him unable to do the deed anymore^[1], never able to finish training the Sky of Six Desires. He could only put his hopes on his son, he forced Wu Yanfu to kill his own mother to harden his emotions, then he put all of his heart into passing skills down to him.”

“Later, when Wu Yanfu succeeded from his training, he killed his father as well, to avenge his mother. Pitifully, this individual who killed both his father and mother never finished training the Sky of Six Desires either, he even died at the hands of his Concubine Ming.”

“Say, isn’t it laughable?”

Bai Tan obviously couldn’t laugh, he went quiet for a while before asking, “How did you know that I* was his Concubine Ming?”

Wu Yanfu poked the red dot on the center of his forehead, “I was once Wu Yanfu’s disciple, of course, I recognize this Gecko Mark^[2].” As he spoke, he turned his head to blow air into the youth’s ear ambiguously, “He definitely never got to share intimate skinship with you before he died, or else, how could your mark still be here?”

The root of Bai Tan’s ears heated up, he moved his head to avoid him but the other held his chin and turned his head back and kissed the heart of his forehead. 

The horse was already stopped at the time, the two’s bodies stuck against each other intimately, submerged in the pure, water-like moonlight. Two different sets of hair flew as they entangled together with no intention of letting go, dancing on top of their clothes as if they were a pair of jiao dragons chasing each other in the ocean waves.

“You insolent…!” Bai Tan came back to his senses, he leaped off the horse’s back before wiping the heart of his forehead roughly. He had a false sense of having been marked by the kiss, he felt extremely unpleasant and instantly used “Wu Feng Nong Yue” to fly down the hill. He flew out several meters in the blink of an eye, jumping past the city wall of Cang Long City.

Wu Yanfu immediately chased after, Bai Tan flew into the city and landed on top of the highest building in the city.

The tall building was impressively high, high enough to touch the clouds even as if it was a Buddhist Temple. On its top was a massive stone carving, the image of “Carp Leaping Over Dragon Gate”^[3] was carved there, above it was the “Nine Dragons Playing with Pearl,”^[4] that was the stage of the Great Assembly of Wu Lin, where only those who’d gone past the Liudao Lunhui Formation had the right to enter. It was named the “Dragon Gate Building”^[5], symbolizing a fish leaping over the gate. This meant that those who made it here would all have a place in Jiang Hu, and if one could defeat all the others, then they could ascend like a dragon, able to dominate Jiang Hu.

Bai Tan sat down after jumping on the Dragon Gate, that was when he felt the sharp pains coming from his wounds. It was clear that they weren’t completely healed yet, he should’ve rested for a day or two, but at the time, he couldn’t leave the intense, beautiful scenery of this place behind.

Wu Yanfu also landed on top of the building, he lifted his head to see the youth sitting on top of the Dragon Gate, “What are you doing sitting up there? Come down.”

Bai Tan was stunned for a bit, he dropped his eyes to look at him, feeling that both the scene and situation were familiar.

At the end of summer that year, a Udumbara tree was blooming gracefully, under the moonlight, they were like thousands of layers of snow rolled up. He sat on the tree branch, a man stood under the tree, making eye contact with him just like this, speaking almost the exact words.

Why did Tian Su remind him of that Old Demon?

Must be…the illusion that was affecting him. 

Bai Tan shook his head, sudden dizziness hit him and his body leaned, causing him to fall down. Wu Yanfu stepped on the upturned eaves that poked outwards and caught him in midair in his embrace before landing back on the Dragon Gate.

“Your injuries aren’t healed yet and you already want to cross the Dragon Gate and look askance at the world? How impatient.”

“What am I* impatient for? The seat of Wu Lin Overlord belongs to me without a doubt.” Bai Tan spoke disdainfully.

Not sure if it was the moonlight that had his eyes lost or he was just too weak, but he suddenly felt like he was in a dream.

To be at the peak of Wu Lin with this person who could be both his foe or an ally, he felt extremely pleased. As if it should be paired with a bottle of wine, a string instrument, and good sparring, then it would finally be qualified for this excellent and gorgeous scenery.

“Really? Then I will wait and see…”

……This seat of Wu Lin Overlord will be the bride price from your Shizun.

If I said there is a sedan carried by eight, then there will be a sedan carried by eight, your Shizun stays true to his words.

Wu Yanfu lowered his head to watch the beauty under the moon in his embrace as he slowly leaned down, but the youth turned his head to avoid him once again. He covered the heart of his forehead with one hand and his mouth with the other, leaving a pair of phoenix eyes glistening with water glaring at him.

So, the other pinched his earlobe a little, “Does master still want to dual cultivate with me? With the Great Wu Lin Assembly coming up, isn’t it best to go over your Sky of Six Desires training? How about we cultivate together once your injuries heal?”

A wave of uneasiness washed over Bai Tan from his playful tone, yet he still nodded. He felt just like a virgin girl that’d been teased by a lecher, irritation instantly grew in him.

“Also, you never answered me*, last night, just what did you take the Rengu Nian Bead for?”

“Naturally, it was to save someone.”

“Now thinking of it, you probably used it to save Si You.” Bai Tan chuckled coldly, “Where did you hide him? Let’s make this clear, I* hold the utmost resentment for Si You, it was fine before as he was about to die from Qi Deviation anyway, but now that you’ve rescued him, then I* have no choice but to kill him.”

“What if…Ah-Chi insists on interfering?”

“Then you are my* enemy.” Bai Tan turned back around, his phoenix eyes were sharp and cold as they stared at him, “Didn’t you keep repeating that you like me*? If you like me* then bring me* Si You’s head!”

“Whatever you want, Ah-Chi will bring to you, but that’s the only exception.”

Bai Tan nodded, smiling as he spoke, “Oh? So, you don’t want a part in the treasure map? The details of the treasure map are all engraved in my* brain if I want others to see, I* have to be happy and willing.”

Wu Yanfu squinted his eyes, he didn’t continue the conversation and nor did Bai Tan continue paying attention to him. Then, they heard the sound of wind blowing from behind, Li Wuzhang and Mi Lansheng suddenly landed in front of them.

“Sect Leader Bai…I apologize, earlier, I misunderstood you.” Mi Lansheng said to Bai Tan with furrowed brows, then turned to Wu Yanfu on the side, his weapon Tu Luo Po Zhang Jue was already in hand; ready to attack anytime, “I heard from Sect Leader Bai that you stole the Rengu Nian Bead? If you don’t want to die, then…hand it over instantly.” 

Li Wuzhang also took out his Soul Leaving Awl, preparing to help him. Bai Tan chuckled, “The Rengu Nian Bead isn’t in his hands anymore, the Rengu Nian Bead is in Si You’s stomach, instead of going after him, you guys should go after Si You.”

Mi Lansheng closed in towards Wu Yanfu step by step, “‘Death Demon’ Si You? Where is he?”

Wu Yanfu stared at him, clearly speaking word by word, “Sect Master Mi…there’s no use even if you get the Rengu Nian Beads back. Once the day of the Solar Devouration^[6] comes, with the heaven and earth’s viciousness all visible, hundreds of ghosts traveling, not even the Rengu Nian Beads can suppress the ruthless god that you worship. If you don’t want to be bitten back by the demonic spirit sealed in your Tu Luo Po Zhang Jue and be left with threats in the future, the only thing you can do is to head to the Tian Zhu Shrine deep in the Heavenly Mountain to find a solution.”

Shock showed on Mi Lansheng’s face, “You…how do you know this?”

“You will find out in the future. Sect Leader Bai, we still have many days ahead.” Not wishing to get into a serious fight here, Wu Yanfu took a step back before jumping down from the top of the Dragon Gate Building and walked into the building right through the front door.

Knowing that once the Dragon Gate Building was entered, all conflicts could only be solved on the stage, Mi Lansheng sighed in anger, he could only jump down as well. Bai Tan didn’t want to fall behind as he landed in front of the door with Li Wuzhang.

The door of the Dragon Gate Building was cast into a golden, shining dragon head. Once it opened its great dragon mouth, it could spit out a path of stone stairs that were wide enough for ten people to walk abreast of each other to enter the building. In front of the door was a monk in red robes standing with one palm held up straight, as motionless as a stone statue, it seemed like he was an ‘Awakened One’ guarding the door.

Since they’d arrived extremely early, the Dragon Gate Building wasn’t bustling yet, they seemed to be the only ones there.

“Ai, my nephew…” At that moment, an old female voice rang from behind. 

Bai Tan turned his head to see an old woman with a slouching figure in a cloak, a face veil covered half of her face, revealing only a pair of apricot eyes. Even though there was no spirit left in her eyes, he was still able to recognize the one before him.

“Aunt? Where did you go these days? How did you end up like this?”

He went near her in shock, Gui Yu’er’s body swayed a bit, falling towards him. He quickly supported her, only to hear Gui Yu’er letting out a long sigh as if she was deadwood blown over by the wind.

“Nephew, don’t enter the Dragon Gate Building anymore, how about coming to Xi Ye with me to pay respect to your mother?”

Li Wuzhang spoke, “Sect leader, let me hold her.”

It was as if Su Maner’s face was right in front of him, Bai Tan panicked through and through. He had Gui Yu’er leaning in his arms before passing her over to Li Wuzhang, he walked into the Dragon Gate Building. As he entered, he realized there were already many people who stood by the railings throughout the eight to nine ring-shaped stories, in the center was a round, stone platform that was hundreds of meters wide.

On top of the platform hung a great drum, as vividly bright as the sun.

Bai Tan gazed at the drum once before turning to go up the stairs with Li Wuzhang.

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Translator: Crispyfry

Proofreader: Grumpykit

QC: Xiao

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Translator’s Comments: I’ve already finished the novel, but I missed quite a bit of details so when I realized Bai Tan basically “married” Wu Yanfu’s half-sister in the last chapter, I was shook.

Also, Wu Yanfu: “Sect Leader Bai, we still have many days ahead.” bruh, you’ve been missing out on them all saying that BT bouta die so like, he bouta die, stop thinking of your Si You and help him.

Xiao’s Comments: Someone needs to open their closed mouth and blurt out the secret or else Wu Yanfu’s going to be oblivious to the fact that Bai Tan’s about to die until it’s too late…

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Translator’s Notes:

^[1] “Do the deed” (人道) – My prime assumption is that the term the author used was directing towards “having sex” since the Sky of Six Desires requires dual cultivation. But it could also be related to one of the paths in the Liudao Lunhui (like the Asura Path mentioned in earlier chapters), I couldn’t figure out how it would relate or fit in the context though.

^[2] Gecko Mark (守宫砂) – Also known as the “Protector of the Palace Mark”. This was a little dot-shaped red mark put on females with potions made from dried gecko fed on cinnabar, it meant virginity since the mark isn’t suppose to go away until the woman has sex.

This English post includes some information on it: https://www.theworldofchinese.com/2014/09/the-virgin-complex/

This is the Baidu info: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%AE%88%E5%AE%AB%E7%A0%82

^[3] “Carp Leaping Over Dragon Gate” (鲤鱼跃龙门) – lit. translation. A myth where the ‘dragon gate’ is located at the top of a waterfall cascading from a legendary mountain, and if any carp could leap past it, it could transform into a powerful dragon. More info: https://www.zengyotaku.com/carp_jump_dragon_gate.html

^[4] “Nine Dragons Playing with Pearl” (九龙戏珠) –

(I couldn’t find a good English site with this myth but it was interesting so I wanna summarize it) Based off a myth where when the East Sea Dragon King wasn’t able to pick a heir to the throne out of his nine sons, he asked for the Bodhisattva Guanyin of the Southern Seas to help him. Guanyin transformed a lotus seed into a beautiful girl named ‘Mingzhu’ (AKA Pearl) and said that after they hang out for forty-nine days, she will have Pearl pick the heir. After 49 days, all nine princes fell in love with Pearl and were willing to give up the throne to marry her, Pearl was given permission by Guanyin for who she wanted as her husband. But Pearl didn’t want to hurt any of their feelings, so she turned into a pearl and escaped. The nine dragon princes chased after her and with no choice left, she turned into a puddle of water and thus disappeared. The nine dragon princes were saddened and promised to all transform into nine rivers for Pearl.

^[5] “Dragon Gate Building” (龙门楼) – lit translation.

^[6] “Solar Devouration” (日蚀) – Lit. translation. Also literally “Solar eclipse” but I went with ‘Solar Devouration’ as the term ‘solar eclipse’ seemed too ahead of the story’s time and too scientific for its setting.

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Chapter 45 Chapter 47

Table of Contents