Chapter Fifty-Four: The Child of Five Poisons

“Snake! Snake!” “Such a huge spider!” “Mother, something bit me!” Frightened screams echoed from all directions, plunging the entire manor into chaos. Poisonous creatures and fierce insects crawled everywhere, from the bamboo groves to the winding paths. Rare venomous beasts emerged from unknown corners, turning the manor into their playground.

As soon as Zuo Qingcheng and his companions stepped out the door, swarms of poisonous snakes coiled about their feet, trapping them and preventing escape.

“Servants of evil, prepare to die!” Lin Feng soared through the air, his feet pressed against a broken bamboo pole. Harnessing his downward momentum, he thrust his spear forward, unleashing a surge of white energy that exploded toward the shadowy figure lurking in the darkness.

The man in the black robe sneered, suddenly raising his left hand. A gust whipped forth as a massive iron fist crashed headlong into Lin Feng’s attack.

The force of that punch produced countless phantom fists, surging with spiritual energy like a torrent, even stronger than Lin Feng’s own.

Clang! The spear tip struck the iron fist, scattering sparks in all directions. The collision of spiritual energies crackled incessantly, like boiling water, as clouds of white smoke billowed forth.

Lin Feng’s spear managed only to pierce a tiny black dot into the iron fist, revealing its extraordinary hardness.

With another metallic clang, Lin Feng twisted midair and thrust again, aiming for the man’s head. But the black-robed figure caught the spear shaft with a single grab, snorted coldly, and with a swing of his right fist, hurled Lin Feng—man and spear—into the air.

Boom! Lin Feng crashed solidly into the ruins of a dilapidated bamboo hut, snapping countless bamboo slats beneath him. No sooner had he landed than a swarm of carrion flies rushed forward, attempting to burrow into his flesh.

“Begone!” With a furious shout, Lin Feng unleashed his spiritual power, shaking off the venomous insects. Spear planted firmly, he shot forward like a white streak!

Using the spear’s momentum, he twisted his body. In midair, the Pear Blossom Spear traced an arc overhead, pressing down with all his strength upon the black-robed enemy. “Black Dragon Overhead!”

The whistle of air was sharp and powerful. The black-robed man raised both fists, crossed his arms, and blocked the spear head-on. The collision was fierce, and three explosive blasts thundered—sparks shot skyward, the sound as deafening as thunder.

The spear tip spun as Lin Feng landed, stumbling three steps before he managed to steady himself. Blood gushed from his torn palms.

The black-robed man fared little better, shaking his arms as he pulled his feet from a half-foot-deep pit.

Only now did Lin Feng see that the man wore gauntlets forged of refined steel and mysterious iron, covering his fists and extending up his forearms.

“Impressive! Your spear technique has a solid foundation, but your momentum is lacking. You are no match for me.” The black-robed man brushed dust from his gauntlets, his fists ringing with crisp metallic sounds.

“Not enough momentum? Hmph! Taste this!” The man’s words spurred Lin Feng to action. He executed the Star-Plucking Step, weaving strange afterimages in the night. The spear transformed with his movements—thrust, jab, sweep—three rapid changes targeting the enemy’s forehead, back, and lower body.

Bang, bang, bang! The black-robed man reacted swiftly, sealing off every attack with his fists, leaving Lin Feng no advantage.

Another whirlwind swept through. The same moves, the same defense. The black-robed man smirked, but suddenly—on the third move, “Raising the Mountain, Scooping the Moon”—before the spear’s momentum faded, Lin Feng unleashed all his force. Abandoning the spear, he drove both fists forward, his body weight propelling him like an arrow toward his foe!

The shift was abrupt—a desperate, all-or-nothing attack!

---

The black-robed man was startled, but quickly regained composure, raising his fists at lightning speed. Two surging energies collided violently. Boom! Time itself seemed to freeze. The deafening blast echoed as the black-robed man’s iron gauntlets shattered under the immense pressure, followed by both men’s fists fracturing, blood spraying everywhere with the force of their energies!

The ferocity of their duel shocked the entire manor. After their separation, silence reigned for a long moment.

The black-robed man’s face grew even more sinister, his arms hanging limp, white bones gleaming in the darkness, hands trembling uncontrollably.

Lin Feng’s hands were even worse—blood poured from every wound, covering the shattered bones.

“You’re ruthless! I never imagined I, Nie Xuan, would suffer such a silent defeat!” The black-robed man stood his ground, neither fleeing nor dodging, his gaze as sharp as lightning fixed on Lin Feng.

At last, Zuo Qingcheng and the others broke free from the poisonous creatures, driving them off with blades, and surrounded Nie Xuan.

“Why don’t you run?” Lin Feng stared at him coldly. “Xia Baizhu sent you to interrogate me about our sect’s secrets, yet he hides away himself. Are you here to take the blame for him?”

“If entrusted, one must see it through. I, Nie Xuan, am defeated by your hand and have nothing more to say. Kill me or spare me, as you wish!” Nie Xuan stood tall, glancing proudly around. Torches multiplied around the manor, suggesting the guards had nearly driven out the venomous creatures.

“Who’s in charge here?” Lin Feng looked about, frowning when he saw no sign of Steward Qu.

A burly man in his thirties stepped forward, clasping his fists. “What is your command, sir? I am Yan Tieshi, captain of the guards.”

“Take stock of all the injured and poisoned, send them to the front hall for treatment. Tighten security, search for any remaining poisonous creatures, especially around the women’s quarters in the rear—investigate thoroughly!” Lin Feng issued a string of orders, then turned to Nie Xuan. “Gather up these carrion flies and come with me for treatment!”

Everyone was startled. Zuo Qingcheng quickly protested, “Sir, this man is ruthless. We cannot let him live!”

Nie Xuan just laughed coldly, offering no rebuttal.

“It’s fine. Get to work, everyone. Liu Yun, Liao Kai, come help me with the spear. The wound medicine is in my room—look carefully for the bundle by the bedside.” Lin Feng took a few steps, speaking calmly.

The servants dispersed. Zuo Qingcheng and Ye Ziyin stood close to Lin Feng, keeping a wary eye on Nie Xuan.

“If you don’t kill me now, don’t regret it later. Isn’t your righteous path sworn to eradicate evil? I am a disciple of the demonic way—why not strike me down?” Nie Xuan pressed.

“If you truly wish to die, at least let me get answers first. Where did these carrion flies come from? What is your relationship with Xia Baizhu?” Lin Feng continued with a barrage of questions: “What is your status in the demonic sect? You claimed you could probe our sect’s secret methods—how?”

Nie Xuan did not reply. He moved his lips, producing a cricket-like sound. The swarm of poisonous insects formed ranks and retreated through the bamboo forest, vanishing in an instant.

“Ancient tombs abound. I merely borrowed them for my use. As for your other questions, let’s treat our wounds first.” Nie Xuan strode toward Xia Baizhu’s study in the rear courtyard.

Lin Feng smiled; after all, Nie Xuan did not truly wish to die. Tonight, all of Xia Baizhu’s secrets would come to light.

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Cultivators endure pain far beyond ordinary folk, yet even so, when Lin Feng relaxed, the agony in his bones left him drenched in cold sweat.

Liu Yun fetched the wound medicine from Lin Feng’s bundle, called for the manor’s physician, and treated both men, carefully tending their injuries.

“You brought us here—what is your intention? Now you may speak.” Lin Feng turned to Nie Xuan. In the lamplight, Nie Xuan’s face looked sallow and thin, hair disheveled, but his presence never faltered. He faced the physician, brows knit, letting his wounds be treated in silence.

Nie Xuan glanced at the others and pointed to the blue-and-white porcelain bottle. “For the past three years, I have hidden here to heal. Xia Baizhu rescued me outside the Southern Pass, and in gratitude, I agreed to help him with three tasks. Unexpectedly, I failed to accomplish the last.”

“With your skills—commanding poisonous creatures, mastering fierce fist techniques—which sect do you belong to?” Lin Feng asked.

Nie Xuan snorted, “I may as well tell you. I apprenticed to the Poison King of the Valley of Absolute Poison in Ten Thousand Demons Heaven, known as the Five Venom Child, eighth among the Poison King’s disciples.”

“Ten Thousand Demons Heaven, again!” Lin Feng shifted the subject. “Do you know the Soul-Stealing Master Yin Chaoyong and the Red-Haired Ancestor?”

“You know those two? I’ve heard they slaughtered many in their battle for the leadership of Ghost Valley, but I’ve only heard tales, never met them.” Nie Xuan replied.

Zuo Qingcheng rotated the porcelain bottle. With a clicking sound, a hidden mechanism revealed a pitch-black secret chamber below.

“It seems you’re telling the truth. That old fox Xia Baizhu must have used the horse farm as an excuse to avoid tonight, planning to adapt tomorrow. You said he saved you three years ago. With your abilities, why hide in this manor’s underground chamber? What are you afraid of?” Lin Feng’s eyes sharpened, fixing Nie Xuan with a piercing gaze.

Nie Xuan’s heart trembled, pupils contracting. He looked at those around him and spoke in a deep voice, “My life is yours. So be it. Years ago, I quarreled with my senior brothers and accidentally killed one in a fight. They joined forces to hunt me down. I barely escaped to the Southern Pass, near death. Since then, I have remained hidden, fearing those villains would track me. I also closed myself off to bitter cultivation, hoping one day to return to the Valley of Absolute Poison and seek justice from my master.”

“Justice? Does the demonic way even speak of justice? Poison King—what an ominous name!” Zuo Qingcheng sneered from the side.

Nie Xuan laughed coldly. “Is Xia Baizhu considered a righteous man? He tried to seduce Lin Feng through Meng Xiaojun, and when that failed, sent me to steal by force. Compared to my straightforward methods, he is worse!”

Lin Feng smiled, saying, “Let us not debate righteous versus demonic. Your life is in my hands now. How about we make a deal?”

“Speak.”

“Simple. You work for me, I guarantee your safety. We advance and retreat together, without master and servant.” Lin Feng spoke each word with clear sincerity.

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