The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

Upon hearing this, Chen Qianyang's heart stirred.

How...how did she know?

"You...you investigated me?"

"From the moment you knocked on the gates of my Fang residence today, your every move has been under my watchful eye," Fang Hongxiu said calmly. "Including how you crippled my guards in the tavern with two bamboo chopsticks."

Just then, the door was pushed open, and a woman in black wearing a veiled hat slowly walked out. She was graceful and charming.

"Aunt Fang is right."

The woman's voice was clear and cold like jade: "Young Master Chen's swordsmanship is exquisite and unpredictable, targeting weaknesses. It is the best I have ever seen in my life."

Chen Qianyang's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew he had been seen through.

From beginning to end, these two women saw everything clearly.

Fang Hongxiu smiled and said, "Guo Jing is a peerless martial artist, and his wife Huang Rong is an exceptionally intelligent woman, but they both consider themselves to be on the righteous path and are bound by the word 'chivalry.' I suppose they are unwilling to associate with us members of the Divine Sect."

As for you, little one, you're clearly a smart child. All you need to do is guide you. If you succeed, I'll cure you of the poison. How about that?

Chen Qianyang fell silent.

He knew he had no way out.

Chen Qianyang slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. "This junior understands. However, this junior is currently deeply poisoned, and every time I try to activate my internal energy, I feel an icy chill piercing my bones. I am utterly powerless to fight against Qi Wuyai."

"That's easy."

Fang Hongxiu seemed to have expected this. She took out a small white jade porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it over.

"This is 'Seven-Day Dew.' I refined it using the Tianshan Ice Toad and several other highly yang ingredients, specifically to counteract all cold poisons in the world. Taking it will ensure that the poison will not take effect for seven days, and your internal energy will circulate smoothly. This will give you the strength to handle the situation ahead."

Chen Qianyang took the porcelain bottle.

"And then what about seven days later?"

"Come back in seven days to collect the next dose of medicine. I will completely eradicate the poison once Qi Wuyai and Fang Wei have fallen."

Chen Qianyang knew it was a chain, but he had no other choice.

Chen Qianyang looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand, then at Fang Hongxiu and the mysterious woman behind her.

He uncorked the bottle and drank the medicine in one gulp.

"it is good."

As the medicine entered his throat, a refreshing sensation instantly flowed through his limbs and bones, and the chilling coldness that had been lingering in his meridians was indeed suppressed.

Chen Qianyang straightened up again.

"Senior," he looked at Fang Hongxiu, his expression no longer as troubled as before, "please wait for my good news!"

The two women watched his departing figure, remaining silent for a long time.

"Aunt," the woman in black spoke slowly, "can this boy handle it?"

Fang Hongxiu sighed softly, "I trust Feng Qingyang's judgment, but we still need to make more preparations and can't rely on him entirely."

.......

The night was dark.

When Chen Qianyang returned to the inn from Fang Hongxiu's "Listening to the Rain Pavilion", it was nearly dawn, and the east was beginning to lighten.

He jumped in through the window without making a sound.

"Brother Chen is back."

A steady voice rang out from the darkness.

Guo Jing didn't sleep all night. He sat cross-legged at the table, his eyes bright and alert, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

"Brother Guo, you..."

Guo Jing slowly rose to his feet: "Did you gain anything this evening?"

Chen Qianyang knew that although Guo Jing was upright, he was by no means stupid.

He quickly calculated in his mind.

"Brother Guo..." he said in a hoarse voice, "I've uncovered some incredibly important information."

Seeing his reaction, Guo Jing's heart sank: "Don't panic, sit down and talk slowly."

"I infiltrated the Fang family mansion and, by sheer chance, ran into the Demonic Sect elder Qi Wuyai and Fang Wei once again."

He lowered his voice: "I intended to leave immediately, but I overheard them plotting..."

"They have already set a time with Murong Fu. The delivery will take place the day after tomorrow in the sea area of ​​Daqu Mountain in eastern Mingzhou."

"What?!"

Guo Jing suddenly stood up.

"The day after tomorrow, Daqu Mountain... There are many pirates and Japanese pirates entrenched there. Why would they choose that place?"

"Brother Guo, could those bandits actually be recruited by the Demonic Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jing's resolute face instantly flushed red.

"No wonder...no wonder merchant ships at sea have been repeatedly robbed lately! These pirates and Japanese piracy are becoming increasingly rampant; it turns out the Demonic Sect is behind it all. Hmph, I, Guo Jing, will risk my life to prevent these vile creatures from harming the country and its people before my very eyes!"

Seeing Guo Jing lose his temper, Chen Qianyang hurriedly advised, "Brother Guo, please calm down. Qi Wuyai's martial arts are quite formidable. When I was eavesdropping, I inadvertently revealed my presence and was discovered. If I hadn't fought desperately, I would hardly have made it back!"

He described his nighttime "escape" in a thrilling manner, without mentioning a word about Fang Hongxiu and Ren Yingying's rescue.

"They must have taken precautions, I'm afraid..."

Guo Jing, his killing intent palpable, declared: "I'll go there right now and kill Qi Wuyai and Fang Wei with my bare hands!"

"Brother Jing, why are you so angry? Are you planning to tear this inn down?"

Just as Guo Jing was furious, the door creaked open.

A beautiful figure gracefully entered.

The newcomer wore a lake-green silk robe with a moon-white silk sash around her waist, perfectly outlining her slender and graceful figure.

Although she was already a married woman, time seemed to have left no trace on her. Her skin was still as fair as snow, and her bright eyes were lively and mischievous. With each glance, she possessed a charming allure that could make one's heart flutter.

She toyed with the jade flute in her hand, moved with light steps, and smiled charmingly.

The person who arrived was none other than Huang Rong, Guo Jing's wife, the daughter of the Eastern Heretic, and known as the female Zhuge Liang.

"Rong'er! You've finally arrived!" Guo Jing quickly stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and gave a brief introduction of Chen Qianyang.

He immediately exclaimed urgently, "The Fang family is indeed suspicious! They've colluded with the Sun Moon Sect and Murong Fu of Gusu, secretly selling weapons and plotting something sinister!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong's lazy smile faded slightly.

She didn't immediately pay attention to her husband; her beautiful, watery eyes, with a half-smile, fell on Chen Qianyang.

"Young Master Chen," Huang Rong suddenly spoke, her voice clear and melodious, "you've gained quite a bit from this nighttime journey."

Chen Qianyang's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm, cupping his hands and saying, "Sister Huang, why do you say that? I was chased all the way by that Demonic Sect Elder Qi Wuyai and barely escaped..."

"Is that so?" Huang Rong chuckled and moved gracefully to stand in front of Chen Qianyang.

The two were only a few feet apart.

A delicate fragrance wafted into Chen Qianyang's nostrils. Chen Qianyang frowned slightly, and without making a sound, he took half a step back, creating some distance.

Huang Rong seemed oblivious to his wariness, her beautiful eyes simply scrutinizing him closely.

"Young Master Chen," she suddenly reached out her hand.

Chen Qianyang's eyes narrowed, and he was about to dodge.

Huang Rong's movements were as swift as lightning; she deftly picked up a small bamboo leaf from his slightly damp shoulder with her two jade-like fingers.

"Your clothes have bamboo leaves from 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion' on them."

She held the bamboo leaf up to the light; the leaf appeared a pale purple.

"The 'Purple Jade Bamboo' there is unique in the entire Mingzhou City."

Chen Qianyang's pupils contracted slightly.

Huang Rong smiled and took another half step closer to Chen Qianyang, her breath almost hitting his face.

"And... you also have a very faint scent of 'calming fragrance' on you." She sniffed lightly with her delicate nose, a hint of slyness in her expression.

"This incense is made from a blend of South China Sea ambergris and Tian Shan snow lotus, making it incredibly precious. As far as I know, there is only one person in this Mingzhou City who uses this incense year after year."

She slowly raised her head and stared at Chen Qianyang:

"Have you seen the Fang family's patriarch, Fang Hongxiu?"