“Is there really no hope then?” Lu Sheng asked, his expression sinking.
The old Sect Master let out a dry laugh. “Hope? We’ve been searching for one since the beginning… a pity…” He lifted the white stone powder to his lips and inhaled deeply once more.
“Oh, right—inner Qi with Yang attributes does have some effect on them. Who’s to say there isn’t a way out if someone manages to cultivate their Qi to an unprecedented realm?” he added, half-joking, half-serious.
Lu Sheng said nothing. His face darkened.
“Alright, you’ve asked your questions. If there’s nothing else, go back and nurse your wounds.” The old Sect Master waved him off. “Since you were injured on official duty, collect medicinal powder from the pharmacy. Your contributions will also be recorded—Grade A, Third Class. Enough to exchange for skills, pills, or weapons. But if you ask me, spend them on a weapon that suits you.”
“We’ll see.” Lu Sheng’s tone was distant. His mind lingered on the Sect Master’s final words—Yang-attribute inner Qi had some effect on them.
‘So it really has some effect…’
Leaving the pharmacy, he returned straight to the greenhouse. Ning San and Duan Meng’an were already waiting, anxious and pale.
“Big Bro, there’s news!” Ning San hurried forward. “Young Master Lu Chenxin’s corpse… it was found in the forest near the village…”
“How was he found?” Lu Sheng asked quietly. Ever since Lu Chenxin disappeared, he had suspected the worst. Their relationship had never been close, so instead of grief, only a faint sense of pity stirred within him.
“Two disciples went into the forest to relieve themselves. One of them noticed a hand sticking out of the ground and called for help. They dug up four corpses…”
Duan Meng’an continued, “Two city garrison guards, Young Master Lu Chenxin… and one unidentified farmer.”
Lu Sheng fell silent.
After a long moment, he asked, “Where’s the corpse now?”
“It’s still at the site,” Ning San replied quickly.
“Keep this from my family for now,” Lu Sheng said, his voice calm and steady.
“Yes, sir!”
Lu Sheng decided to break the news to his family only when the time was right. He understood well that although his old Dad, Lu Quanan, had mentally prepared himself for Lu Chenxin’s death, his Third Mother, Wang Yanyu, would be devastated. Lu Chenxin had been her only son.
There was no need to rush. Once the lockdown on the deserted village was lifted, he would tell them.
He summoned Jade Lotus to inquire about the follow-up arrangements. After ensuring everything was properly managed, Lu Sheng returned to his room to apply his medicine and rest.
By afternoon, word arrived from the Crimson Whale: the Dong Family villa near Mountain-Edge City had been struck by a landslide. Many were buried alive, and additional manpower was needed to manage the aftermath.
Lu Sheng instructed Jade Lotus to dispatch an expert from the Soaring Eagle Squad along with more than thirty men equipped with tools and instruments. He himself stayed behind, resting and tending to his wounds.
When evening came, the expert returned—his expression grim. Jade Lotus, who had accompanied him, also wore a dark look.
“What’s wrong? Did a mishap occur?”
Outside the greenhouse, Lu Sheng was slowly moving through the basic forms of the Heart Shattering Palm, using the gentle flow to exercise his injured body. He asked without stopping his practice.
“No,” Jade Lotus shook his head. “There weren’t any mishaps. It’s just… the corpses we expected to be crushed by the landslide weren’t killed by it. Every single one had been ripped apart. Even the government officials vomited.”
“Ripped into shreds?” Lu Sheng froze mid-motion. He knew instantly it was once again the work of the supernatural.
Jade Lotus continued, “Judging from the marks, it looked like two opposing forces clashed there. The scene was horrific—limbs scattered everywhere, internal organs and even spines exposed.”
Lu Sheng closed his eyes briefly, sinking into thought.
“Treat the incident as a simple landslide. Don’t concern yourselves with the details. And tell the brothers who went along to keep silent. Each of them may collect a tael of silver from the accounts room.”
“Yes, sir.” Jade Lotus bowed his head.
“Also, things may get chaotic outside in the next few days. Give orders that our men are not to venture far,” Lu Sheng instructed.
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s all. You may go back now.” Lu Sheng gave Jade Lotus a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Recently, the Zhen Family had been locked in conflict with a ghost faction. Lu Sheng suspected that this incident was merely the aftershock of their earlier battle over that mysterious treasure.
The lantern lady was clearly part of an organization connected to the Red Decks pleasure boat. The ghost who targeted him last time might have belonged to one of the factions now clashing with the Zhen Family.
Jade Lotus bowed and took his leave.
Watching his silhouette retreat, Lu Sheng sank into thought. ‘Strictly speaking, I’m only one among many leaders within the Crimson Whale Sect—just someone who cleans up after the Zhen Family. No one has come looking for trouble, so they likely don’t know I was the one who killed the lantern lady. As long as I’m not exposed, I remain safe for now.’
‘A war at that level is far beyond what I can involve myself in with my current strength. My priority is to elevate my power as much as possible. Only then can I ensure my survival in this chaotic world. As for how I can improve…’
…………
For several days in a row, reports of missing persons continued to surface around Mountain-Edge City. The authorities soon posted a notice claiming that a notorious bandit group—the Stone Peak Bandits—had been ambushing travelers near the outskirts. Their methods were said to be so cruel that no survivors were left behind. Citizens were warned to avoid traveling, especially on routes off the main path.
Fear swept through Mountain-Edge City instantly. People curtailed their trips, and even the merchant caravans and ox carts carrying vegetables and fruit dwindled to a fraction of their usual numbers.
Crimson Whale Sect, along with various other sects, societies, and gangs, assisted the authorities in keeping order. Whenever an incident occurred, mouths were silenced and money flowed to smooth over the aftermath.
Though Lu Sheng remained in the greenhouse nursing his wounds, at least three cases were brought to him. When he inspected them, the scenes were all the same—brutal carnage, limbs torn apart, bodies scattered. A single glance made it clear these killings were not done by humans.
Even with his current cultivation, he could sense the faint chill of Yin energy lingering in the air—undeniable proof of supernatural involvement.
The chaos continued for several more days before the Zhen Family finally reached out again.
Two representatives arrived—a young man and a young woman. Without delay, they commandeered two sturdy horses from the Crimson Whale and galloped south toward the Wenglin Plains. Lu Sheng did not even catch sight of them before they vanished.
By the next day, news spread that a raging fire had swept across the plains. A village of shepherds and herdsmen in the direction of Mountain-Edge City had completely disappeared.
Two pleasure boats on Cypress Pine Lake also went up in flames. Not a single lady or customer survived. Lu Sheng understood immediately—this was the Zhen Family’s retaliation. Mountain-Edge City was under their dominion; the ghost faction’s provocations would naturally ignite a war.
Despite the turmoil raging outside, Lu Sheng handed all matters over to Jade Lotus. Using the excuse of tending to his wounds, he entered Mountain-Edge City to pursue his own plans.
…………
“Almond Blossom Wine! Top-grade Almond Blossom Wine! Try a sip! Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!”
“Deer Antler Wine! Three coins for an urn! Five coins for two!”
“Three-year-old Bear Fruit Wine! Ten coins for an urn! Lowest price in town!”
Along Mountain-Edge City’s bustling Fragrant Wine Street One, Lu Sheng stepped out of a wine shop with a white square box resting on his palm. He wore a light-green robe and a scholar’s hat, completely concealing his bald head.
He moved to the roadside, weighed the box lightly in his hand, and flagged down a passing horse carriage.
“Where to, Young Master?” the driver asked with a bright smile.
“Fine Treasures Hall,” Lu Sheng answered softly.
“Alrighty, please sit tight.” With a flick of the whip, the old horse trotted forward. The carriage rolled down the street—slow, heavy, but steady.
Inside, Lu Sheng lowered the curtain and placed the white box on his lap. He opened it with deliberate care.
Inside sat ten small porcelain vials—white, narrow-necked, each sealed with a small cloth plug. They were arranged neatly upon a bed of black silk, creating a sharp, elegant contrast.
Lu Sheng lifted one vial, gently pulled out the cloth stopper, and peered inside.
A pitch-black liquid glistened within. The moment the stopper came loose, a heavy, potent fragrance of wine drifted into the air.
‘All kinds of wonders exist in this vast world… Who would’ve thought senior apprentice brother would discover a way to store and preserve the power of Bind inside strong alcohol?’ Lu Sheng marveled inwardly. ‘If I had to find this method through trial and error, who knows how many years it would take?’
Focusing intently, he tilted the vial and let a single drop—a sesame-sized bead of black liquid—fall onto his palm.
Szzzzz…
In an instant, the skin of his palm flushed red as Ultimate Crimson Qi surged forth, clashing violently against the invading black liquid.
The skin on his palm shifted rapidly from black to white, flickering like a dying flame. A faint, sickening stench rose from it—the stench of rotten flesh, like meat left out for days until decay swallowed it whole.
This was a discovery made by his senior: the power of Bind could be sealed within strong alcohol. It offered a convenient way for Lu Sheng to gauge the extent of his cultivation—whether he had reached a level capable of contending with Bind-level monsters.
Within just ten breaths, the single drop of black liquid on his palm evaporated into nothingness. Sweat covered Lu Sheng from head to toe. His face had turned as pale as paper.
He looked down at his palm and managed a bitter smile.
‘According to senior apprentice brother’s research, even the weakest form of the power of Bind is at least ten porcelain vials’ worth. If I truly want to defeat mature Anomalies and Noblemen, the bare minimum is being able to withstand Bind’s power. If I can’t even endure its poison, then even the slightest contact would be fatal—let alone breaking through their Bind barrier.’
He recalled the defeated, pained expression on the old Sect Master’s face when he had handed over these porcelain vials. The old man had clearly tried resisting the Bind poison himself. Of course he had failed, exactly as expected.
‘My current cultivation is Ultimate Crimson Mantra Level Six—on par with senior apprentice brother. Judging by actual combat power, I’m even a bit stronger. He’s already advanced in age and spends a great portion of his cultivation simply to maintain his body. I’m not burdened by that.’
Lu Sheng shook the small porcelain vial. It was utterly empty. Each one held only a single drop of alcohol infused with the power of Bind—no larger than a sesame seed.
Such extraordinary power could be preserved for more than a decade in concentrated alcohol, losing only a fraction of its potency.
‘With my current cultivation, I can only barely resist ten percent of the Bind poison. The gap between us is far too great…’ Lu Sheng thought silently. ‘Let’s hope this trip to Fine Treasures Hall brings something worthwhile.’
He had come out today partly to clear his mind while purchasing alcohol himself, and partly because Mountain-Edge City's largest antique shop—Fine Treasures Hall—had informed him that a new batch of goods had just arrived, inviting him to browse through them.
Fine Treasures Hall was owned by She Lin Society, one of the prominent societies in Mountain-Edge City.
The She Lin Society maintained a good relationship with the Crimson Whale Sect. When Lu Sheng mentioned his interest in artifacts unearthed from ancient graves, they had readily agreed to notify him.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGlAxXe9x8
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