Body Refinement for Longevity: From Health Cultivation Exercises to Overcoming All Techniques

Chapter 143 Poisoning

With mixed feelings, Chen Han walked a few steps to the old steward.

He stared blankly at the old, frail, and dying man, feeling utterly speechless.

With the help of others, the old steward sat up and looked at the young man he had watched grow up.

Having dealt with family affairs for many years, he was incredibly shrewd and calculating. After a moment's thought, he knew that his nephew must have some unspeakable secret, so naturally he wouldn't pry.

"My benefactor, it's been so many years. I wanted to repay you properly so you could enjoy your old age in peace, but I never imagined it would end like this."

"It's alright, it's alright. I'm already at peace knowing that you were able to see me before I die."

The old steward was putting on an act, but the emotions revealed in his eyes were absolutely genuine.

Looking at Chen Han, he vaguely saw his former self, a spirited young man who stood in the vast world, relying on his own efforts to become powerful and above all others.

He was spirited, grateful, eager to be strong, and resilient.

"Old steward, I have failed to live up to your expectations and have let you down..."

Chen Han spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, his lips tightly pressed together, his heart filled with immense guilt, his eyes slightly reddening—a look that had never appeared on his face before.

"You lost both your parents at a young age, and I practically raised you single-handedly, helping you learn martial arts. Do you really think I only did this so that you would repay me or bring me honor?"

The old steward chuckled hoarsely and whispered in Chen Han's ear.

"No... To be honest, I see my past self in you. I used to be just like you, yearning for strength, yearning to one day stand above all others."

He sighed and gripped Chen Han's hand tightly. "But I failed. I fell to the bottom, plummeted, and never recovered."

"In this respect, I am different from you. When faced with such things, you went against the wind and stood up again... Do you know how I felt that night when I saw you easily defeat those guards?"

"I deeply regret it. If I had been like you back then, my life might have been much better..."

"At the same time, I am also very glad that you did not follow my old path and did not accept a mediocre life."

The old steward then turned to Shen Yue, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and said, "Yue'er, take out what I left with you."

Shen Yue had also received kindness from the old steward, and being a sentimental person herself, she was naturally saddened upon learning that the old steward was critically ill.

Upon hearing this, she hurriedly took out the carefully kept items from her bosom and handed them to the old steward.

This is a wooden token, which looks ordinary and simpler than the tokens of the lowest-ranking constables. The words "Qingyun" are written on it.

"Take this. I thought I wouldn't see you before I died, so I asked Yue'er to give it to me. But now that you're back, I'll give it to you myself."

"This was a great opportunity I had many years ago. If you have the chance, it will definitely be of great help to you. This is my last gift to you."

The old steward stared intently at Chen Han, his wrinkled old hands pressing the token firmly into Chen Han's hand. His breathing grew weaker and weaker, his breath becoming increasingly unsteady, but the look in his eyes was unwavering.

"The world is so big, and we are so small. All we can do is persevere, persevere in our goals, and don't end up like me... Persevere, you must persevere..."

As the old steward finished speaking, he closed his eyes forever, his hand that had been tightly gripping Chen Han falling limply to the ground.

He died, and before he died, he gave Chen Han his final piece of advice...

Chen Han was stunned. He stared blankly as the old steward was covered with a white sheet.

Then, Chen Han left in a daze.

At this moment, in the corner of the room, Chen Han had not noticed the female constable who had been with him for many days.

That's right, Zhuge Rushuang also came. In fact, Chen Han learned about the news from her. Seeing Chen Han's expression at the time, Zhuge Rushuang became very curious.

Therefore, I informed the clan leader in advance and came to take a look.

This man is so cunning; he didn't even notice me when he came in...

Zhuge Rushuang was somewhat puzzled.

In fact, Chen Han hadn't noticed her at all, because his attention was only on the old steward who had raised him. Since he was usually so vigilant and cautious, he had completely forgotten everything else at this moment.

Even Shen Yue, who was standing to the side, only noticed it when the old steward shifted his gaze.

It's hard to believe that this person is so ruthless, decisive, arrogant, and domineering, yet also so sentimental.

Zhuge Rushuang recalled the scene she had just witnessed and couldn't help but sigh.

Indeed, the music ends and the party is over; it's the norm in life. The eternal separation of life and death is always the hardest thing to accept.

"Hmm... I noticed that Lord Zhuge has been staring at that dark-faced fiend. What did that person do after being kidnapped last time, or does he have some special skill that made Lord Zhuge feel ashamed and submit?"

Zhao Wushuang made no attempt to hide his malicious intent as he began to tease her.

"Are you looking for death?"

Zhuge Rushuang glanced coldly at Zhao Wushuang, her gaze indifferent and ruthless.

If he dares to utter another word of nonsense, she will make this colleague pay the price on the spot and make him regret his actions.

"Lord Zhuge, please don't be angry. I was just saying it casually, just joking."

Zhao Wushuang smiled sullenly, then put his hands on his hips and strode away.

Before long, he arrived at the palace, and after many twists and turns, he came to a hidden, dark room.

A man sat cross-legged in the dark room. He had an ordinary appearance but distinct features and wore a white Taoist robe. He was holding a brush and there were yellow talismans on the table in front of him. The talismans were decorated with runes drawn with red cinnabar and a special ink.

However, these runes were clearly the work of a novice; the brushstrokes were intermittent and crooked, and nearly 90% of the runes were ruined.

This person was the cultivator, Su Zhenyue, and the talisman she drew was called the Ice Cone Talisman.

She had used this talisman a few times when she was at Eagle Mountain and found it to be surprisingly effective; its effect could even surpass that of the Fireball talisman to some extent.

Therefore, the last time she returned to the cultivation world, she found a market and obtained a copy of the Ice Cone Talisman's secrets.

She plans to try drawing the talisman herself, so that she can greatly reduce her spirit stone expenditure in the future, and even make a little extra money by setting up a food stall.

However, talisman drawing is truly difficult to learn. This ice cone talisman is only the most common first-tier talisman, yet it took her three months of dedicated study to achieve a success rate of only 20%, which is clearly not worth the effort.

She put down her pen and looked at the rough-looking man Zhao Wushuang in front of her. "Have you discovered something this time?"