Chapter 152: Western Venom’s Poison, Cooperating to Raise Snakes
The Prince’s Manor had a building every five steps and a pavilion every ten steps, with winding corridors and high, jutting eaves, each embracing the terrain.
Yang Kang held no hope of capturing the assassins who had already fled.
He shouted a warning, quickly guessing the assassins’ identities. Their backs were unfamiliar, seemingly not among the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen, nor any of the Six Freaks of Jiangnan he had met. His heart settled slightly.
Yang Kang turned and entered the study. He saw Baoxiang’s right palm was swollen and had turned completely black.
Yang Kang was greatly shocked. He knew Baoxiang’s internal force was profound, capable of using internal force to halt the spread of poison, but for the injury to worsen to this extent in mere moments showed how potent the poison was.
The first to arrive was Monk Lingzhi, who, though displeased with Yang Kang’s favoritism, remained loyal.
Yang Kang shouted, “Quickly invite Master Ouyang.”
“Little Prince, please wait a moment.” Monk Lingzhi turned and flew away.
…
When Ouyang Feng arrived, Hou Tonghai, Sha Tongtian, and Monk Lingzhi were all present.
Yang Kang performed a grand bow, “I request Senior Ouyang to save Master Baoxiang.”
Ouyang Feng had guided Yang Kang in martial arts many times, and Wanyan Honglie respected him greatly, always granting his requests. Thus, he gave Yang Kang face.
“Let me take a look.”
Ouyang Feng walked to Baoxiang’s side and examined the wound in detail. After a long while, he clicked his tongue in wonder, “This poison is clearly named after a poisonous snake, yet I do not recognize its type.”
Ouyang Feng was curious, his mind filled with the thought of finding a poisonous snake to study. The potency of this snake venom was truly no less than the spirit snake on his cane. If he could use this type of poisonous snake to set up a snake formation, it would be perfect; he would not fear even the combined might of the Old Beggar and Huang Yaoshi.
Yang Kang’s heart turned cold upon hearing that Ouyang Feng did not recognize the poison. Baoxiang had been hired with great effort, and had not yet rendered any service, how could he die like this?
“Senior Ouyang, can you save him?”
Ouyang Feng said, “Although it will be troublesome, it will not stump me.”
“Please, Master Ouyang, save him.”
Baoxiang, hailing from the Vajra Sect in the Western Regions, naturally knew of the Western Venom’s reputation. Hearing Ouyang Feng say this, he immediately said, “I beg Senior Ouyang to save this humble monk’s life. I am immensely grateful. Should you have any requests in the future, I will spare no effort.”
Ouyang Feng thought to himself that the monk’s internal and external cultivation were both excellent. Saving his life would mean gaining another person to command, which was not bad.
He nodded, “I will examine him now.”
“Thump!” Hou Tonghai suddenly knelt before Ouyang Feng.
“I beg Senior to save my life as well.”
The Bone-Attaching Needle poison that Huang Yaoshi had planted in Hou Tonghai had long since taken effect. The medicine circulated through his blood vessels six times a day, causing Hou Tonghai to endure indescribable, intense pain and repeatedly scratch at the flesh tumors on his head. Hearing that Ouyang Feng could cure Baoxiang’s rare and potent poison, how could he miss this chance to save his life?
Ouyang Feng had also heard from Ouyang Ke about Hou Tonghai seemingly being poisoned, but a character like Hou Tonghai did not enter his sight, so he was too lazy to bother.
Now that Hou Tonghai was begging for help, he was about to find an excuse to refuse when Sha Tongtian also knelt on the ground, “I beg Senior to save my Junior Brother’s life. Henceforth, the Yellow River Gang will be at your disposal.”
Ouyang Feng said, “Tell me what happened first.”
Hou Tonghai cursed, “That day at Taihu Lake, Huang Yaoshi patted my back, and it must have been then that he did something.”
Ouyang Feng was puzzled, “With the Eastern Heretic’s personality, killing you would be a simple matter. Why would he poison you?”
“Indeed, Mr. Hou, why would he do that?” Yang Kang was also confused.
Hou Tonghai said, “He threw a stone at me then, pretending to be mysterious. I didn’t know who he was, so I cursed him.”
“How did you curse him?”
“I cursed his ancestors and told him to come for a duel if he had the guts. Something like that.”
Ouyang Feng burst into laughter, while Yang Kang’s face turned green. He thought, truly, the ignorant are fearless. Who else could he have provoked but the Eastern Heretic?
Sha Tongtian even had the urge to slap Hou Tonghai, but he ultimately cared for his companion and quickly said, “Senior Ouyang, my Junior Brother speaks without restraint. I beg you to show mercy.”
Ouyang Feng stopped laughing, “Since it was the Eastern Heretic who administered the poison, I must naturally save him. Otherwise, wouldn’t it seem as though the Eastern Heretic’s poison is superior to mine?”
Hou Tonghai and Sha Tongtian were overjoyed, “Thank you, Senior!”
“I will act later. I will treat the monk first.”
“Of course, of course.”
Ouyang Feng no longer paid attention to Hou Tonghai, but he inwardly thought that if Huang Yaoshi knew I cured the poison, he would surely target Hou Tonghai again. I will use this fellow to see what other poisons he can employ.
The Western Venom’s poison was not just in its application, but also in its malice.
His true intention in saving Hou Tonghai was merely to test Huang Yaoshi’s methods. As for the Yellow River Gang’s pawns, he did not care for them.
…
The night sky held the flowing Milky Way.
Beneath the night was a square Siheyuan.
Huang Rong and Zhou Yan landed in the courtyard one after another.
She looked around and chuckled, “Plum blossom piles, weapon racks. Judging by the furnishings, it looks like the residence of an escort or a martial arts instructor.”
Zhou Yan removed his mask and exhaled, “You are staying at the Prince’s Manor?”
“Yes.”
“Ouyang Feng and his nephew might still be at the Prince’s Manor. That monk has profound cultivation. Be careful.”
“They won’t come to Mei Ruohua’s side. By the way, why were you eavesdropping on Wanyan Kang and his mother’s conversation?”
“It’s a long story. It all started from what happened at Fengling Ferry, Taihu Lake, and Lin’an.”
“Then tell me slowly. For now, I can’t go to the Prince’s Manor either.”
“Alright!” Zhou Yan lit a stove to boil tea. The two sat on a stone stool beneath an old tree in the courtyard. Zhou Yan first spoke of encountering Yang Tiexin at Fengling Ferry, their chance meeting, and learning that the latter had been searching for an old friend for over ten years. He then transitioned to Taihu Lake, capturing Duan Tiande, the Six Freaks of Jiangnan interrogating the corrupt official, revealing the truth of the Niu Family Village massacre eighteen years ago, and finally mentioning the ambush in Lin’an, meeting Qiu Chuji, coincidentally learning Guo Jing’s whereabouts, keeping the Mid-Autumn Festival appointment, and Yang Kang’s recognition of his kin.
Zhou Yan’s account was flawless, and Huang Rong naturally believed him.
She cursed, “Wanyan Honglie truly deserves to die. That Yang Kang is also a scoundrel. What he said to Madam Bao was clearly a ploy; in reality, he craves wealth and status.”
“You are truly intelligent.”
Huang Rong giggled and asked, “Did you come to the Prince’s Manor to observe Yang Kang’s intentions?”
“Yes.” Zhou Yan nodded, then asked, “Is the Medicine Boy at the Prince’s Manor?”
“Naturally, he is.”
“How about lending him for a few days?”
“For what?”
“I killed Liang Zi Weng in the Imperial Palace in Lin’an and obtained a Snake-Raising Secret Manual. I captured two large snakes on my Northward Journey and want to try raising them, but I don’t know how.”
“The same kind of snake you gave the snake gallbladder from.”
“Yes.”
Huang Rong had already considered giving snake gallbladders to Huang Yaoshi. Hearing Zhou Yan say this, she immediately said, “No problem. I’ll bring the Medicine Boy over. Can I have one of the snakes?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Huang Rong estimated that things at the Prince’s Manor should have calmed down, so she said, “I’m going back. Shall I bring the Medicine Boy tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow night, at Hai Shi (9-11 PM).”
“It’s settled then.” Huang Rong stood up, “I’m leaving.”
Under the moonlight, a white figure, swift as a flying duck, leaped over the courtyard wall and disappeared into the night.
Zhou Yan drank his tea, contemplating whether to bring Shagu over tomorrow and find a way for Huang Rong to recognize her as Qu Lingfeng’s daughter.
After careful consideration, he abandoned the idea. The purpose was too obvious. It might be fine with others, but Huang Rong was too intelligent. He would choose another time in the future.
Thinking this, Zhou Yan laboriously took off his night-walking clothes, washed up, cultivated until midnight, extinguished the lamp, and went to sleep.
…
The cool, watery night receded, and the city came alive. The sounds of carriages and horses, and the cries of vendors mingled on the streets.
Zhou Yan woke up early, ate by the roadside, and after proceeding along the street, arrived at the Fu’an Escort Agency. After training the runners in the martial field, he called out to Zhang Wangyue and rode out of the city, heading straight for the Yang Family.
Sunlight flashed, and two iron spears clashed in the air with a ding-ding-dang sound, scattering countless sparks.
From his horse, Zhou Yan saw Mu Nianci and Yang Miaozhen sparring.
Mu Nianci used the Yue Family Spear Technique, thrusting forward with both hands holding the spear. The iron spear swung left and right like a mad dragon’s tail. Yang Miaozhen did not use her full strength, fighting at an equal level. She wielded the “Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear,” and her long spear could whip out a sky full of spear flowers with a swish, a beautiful sight from afar.
Suddenly, Yang Miaozhen’s spear style changed. With the “Three Steps Eighteen Spears,” she thrust out streaks of afterimages. Mu Nianci could not parry and retreated continuously.
“Practicing spears?”
Zhou Yan dismounted and pushed open the wooden gate.
Swish, the two simultaneously retracted their long spears.
Mu Nianci, panting, said, “The Head Escort is here.”
“Yes, where is Senior?”
“Head Escort Zhou, please come in.” Before Mu Nianci could speak, Yang Tiexin emerged from behind the curtain, “The three Taoist priests are all here.”
“Brother Guo isn’t here?”
“Your esteemed masters arrived today, and we went to meet them.”
“So that’s how it is.” Zhou Yan smiled, “It’s good that the Taoist priests are here. I have something to tell Senior.”
“Please come in.”
“Sister Yang, Escort Mu, let’s go in and listen, and discuss it together.”
“Alright.” Yang Miaozhen guessed that Zhou Yan was going to talk about the Zhao Wang Manor, so she put down her spear and walked over quickly.
