If you don't bring disaster to the world, what kind of henchman are you to be?

A deadly scourge.

Zhu Qing's eyes widened in astonishment, then she realized what he meant and murmured, "Senior Duanmu means that Eunuch Xu has used some trickery in this medicine?"

Duanmu Yun nodded slightly: "When I was healing you just now, I sensed a chilling true energy within your body."

"This true energy is hidden within the medicinal power. While helping you expel toxins and heal internal injuries, it is also being implanted into your heart and lungs without your knowledge."

"As long as this true energy is in your body, no matter what level your cultivation reaches in the future, Xu Ran can take your life instantly with just a thought."

"Commander Zhu, there aren't that many easy paths in this world."

Duanmu Yun's words made Zhu Qing take a deep breath, a barely perceptible glint of anger flashing in his eyes, followed by a long sigh.

As expected, he overestimated human nature.

Duanmu Yun is right. There aren't that many easy paths in the world.

Even sworn brothers can betray their own for a few cultivation resources, let alone complete strangers?

Nine times out of ten, the kindness that seems to come from strangers is mixed with unknown malice.

He originally thought that Xu Ran wanted him to take care of her in her old age, which is why he cultivated her in this way.

Looking at it now, this person was truly shrewd and experienced.

He then raised his head and sincerely asked, "Senior Duanmu, is there any way to expel that true energy?"

Duanmu Yun sat down beside him, without giving a clear answer, but simply said, "True Qi is not a toxin, and cannot be eliminated by conventional medical means."

"Will your acupuncture technique work?" Zhu Qing asked hopefully.

Duanmu Yun gently shook her head: "You overestimate me. Although Xu Ran and I are both martial artists at the Open Source Five Palaces Realm, I am only at the Profound Furnace Realm, while Xu Ran is at the Life-Gathering Realm. If we were at the same level, my acupuncture technique could be useful, but in the face of this difference in cultivation, I am powerless."

There are also differences in realms within the Five Elements of Open Source, which are divided into five realms: Mysterious Furnace, Genesis, Stabilization of the Universe, Resounding Metal, and Returning to the Source, corresponding to the five internal organs of the human body.

There must be a reason why Duanmu Yun said that.

Zhu Qing looked helpless.

However, she changed the subject and said, "Although ordinary medical methods cannot eradicate it, if you can cultivate the most yang and powerful martial arts, and combine it with the Red Jade Cicada in your body, you can gradually dispel that yin energy with completely opposite qi and blood."

"Which martial arts style is feasible?" Zhu Qing asked again.

Duanmu Yun thought for a moment, then said with a solemn expression, "The Dragon Python Divine Skill of the Kongtong Sect."

"The Kongtong Sect is famous throughout the world for its Seven Injury Fist. Although this fist technique is extremely powerful, it injures the user first and then the user. Without a strong foundation in external martial arts, it will injure the enemy a thousand times while injuring yourself eight hundred times."

"Therefore, more than a hundred years ago, the Kongtong Sect stole the Vajra Divine Skill from the Shaolin Temple and created the Dragon Python Divine Skill, which is a horizontal martial art of the Earth Rank. If you can learn it, you only need to get to the basics. With the strong blood and qi cultivated by the Red Jade Cicada, you can gradually dissipate Xu Ran's yin energy by working both internally and externally."

Dragon Python Divine Skill.

Zhu Qing listened thoughtfully.

Since it is a low-level martial art, it must be a core secret of the Kongtong Sect.

Although I am now a centurion, I am not at the level where I can easily make people hand over their livelihood.

Therefore, there are only two ways to obtain this martial art right now.

The first is luck; if I happen to get it in the future, that would be the best.

The second is the Earth-rank Armory Token.

The reason why these self-proclaimed righteous forces in the martial arts world have been able to establish their own sects and survive to this day is not only because of their own strength, but more importantly because the imperial court has not exterminated them.

As a price for turning a blind eye, these sects had to hand over their most valuable skills to enrich the imperial arsenal.

This was to ensure that the imperial court had absolute control over them.

Of course, there are some agreements involved.

For example, one must achieve certain merits to learn it, and the conditions are quite strict, so that the signature skills of each school and sect do not become commonplace items on the street.

The Dragon Python Divine Skill that I desire must exist in the Earth-Rank Martial Arts Armory.

But how easy is it to obtain a mere Earth-rank Armory Token?

Zhu Qing felt powerless. Last time, he captured Qiao Manyue alive, but he only got a Xuan-rank Armory Token. This was only because Xu Ran had fought for it for him.

The difficulty of obtaining a Di-rank item is self-evident.

Before that, I'll probably have to play along with Xu Ran.

"Alright, I've got it."

"Thank you very much for your help, Senior Duanmu. I will remember this favor and repay it if I have the opportunity in the future."

Zhu Qing did not wallow in self-pity; she quickly composed herself and thanked Duanmu Yun.

……

The following day, Zhu Qing returned to the Northern Garrison and encountered Qi Yunfei, Qian Wei, and others.

At this moment, they all looked rather unwell, a symptom of their unconsciousness due to poisoning the previous night.

Fortunately, the fog was only a nerve-numbing effect and not very toxic. Zhu Qing simply threw them into the Northern Garrison Command last night and then left them there.

When they brought up what happened last night, Zhu Qing didn't offer much explanation.

The journey continued leisurely until noon, when Zhang Sanshi strode in, his eyes immediately landing on Zhu Qing, who was reviewing the case files of the Rouge Hall.

"Seven! Third Brother has been killed!" His voice was urgent, his brows furrowed.

Zhu Qing feigned a slight surprise, then immediately stood up and stepped forward to ask, "Third Brother was killed? Who did it?"

"We don't know yet, but all seven members of the third brother's family have perished. If you have nothing else to do, come with me to the scene. Commander Yang has also gone."

"it is good."

The two then mounted their horses and headed straight for Guo Zhendong's house.

On the way, Zhang Sanshi suddenly brought up the events of the previous night: "By the way, Xiao Qi, I heard that you were attacked by the Five Poisons Sect on your way back to the city last night?"

Zhang Ming sighed and said, "That's right. They accepted the White Lotus Sect's bounty to assassinate me. Fortunately, I had the sacred medicine given to me by Eunuch Xu with me at the time, which barely saved my life."

Zhang Sanshi gave him a deep look and then stopped talking about it, but said in a heavy voice, "We wear these official hats and do things that offend people. Be more careful in the future."

"However, this matter cannot be left unresolved. After the matter of the third brother is settled, you and I will take some brothers to take down some of the Five Poisons Sect's strongholds. We must repay them with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

"Great!" Zhu Qing wholeheartedly supported this move.

A moment later, the two arrived at the gate of Guo Zhendong's residence. Before they even went inside, they heard bursts of angry roars from within.

"What do you mean you can't find out who did it? A bunch of good-for-nothings!"

"My entire family, the deputy commander of the Right Guard, has been slaughtered. If word gets out, how will the Northern Garrison Command maintain its reputation? Won't we become a laughingstock to the world?"

Zhu Qing looked closely and saw Yang Ting in the courtyard, furious and enraged.

The arrival of the two men calmed his temper somewhat; he stopped roaring and simply waved his hand angrily: "Continue the investigation!"

"yes!"

"Lord Yang." Zhu Qing and Zhang Sanshi stepped forward and clasped their hands in salute.

"Commander Zhang, Commander Zhu, you've arrived."

Yang Ting took a few deep breaths, his voice unusually low: "The murder of Commander Guo is a disgrace to our Right Guard. I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly!"

"I know you two are sworn brothers. Since the deed is done, please accept my condolences."

As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Zhu Qing.

Looking at the handsome young man before him, Yang Ting asked with a deep gaze, "Commander Zhu, I heard you were also attacked last night?"