71: deadlock

Just now, as Shen Jianxing was in a trance from the excruciating pain, he seemed to see a twisted, hideous ghost face appearing on his chest, tightly bound by golden chains, causing the ghost face's features to contort from the pressure.

Coupled with the message Lord Chuping conveyed to him, Shen Jianxing now understood everything.

"A curse?!"

"I just didn't expect it to be a curse!"

Shen Jianxing murmured to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He was already exceptionally intelligent; as his body had deteriorated over time and he found no cure, he had vaguely felt that something was amiss. Now that the truth was revealed, though shocked and enraged, his fighting spirit was rekindled.

Xiaotao saw the Young Master's changing expression and asked worriedly.

"Young Master, what curse?"

Shen Jianxing did not hide it.

"Xiaotao, I just learned the root cause of this illness. It's not a common ailment, but a curse placed by a villain, called the Nine Nether Heart-Eating Curse."

Xiaotao's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, exclaiming, "How can this be? Who is so vicious as to lay such a poisonous hand on Young Master!"

Nine Nether Heart-Eating – just hearing the name reveals how malicious it is!

Three years ago, the Young Master was the most talented young man in the capital; some even predicted that he had the potential to achieve Innate.

At that time, the Young Master alone could protect the entire Great Yan!

So who dared to defy the world and commit such a heinous act?

If it were just a Corpse Demon, that would be one thing, but a sinister method like a curse doesn't sound related to a Corpse Demon at all!

Shen Jianxing leaned on Xiaotao's hand and walked steadily forward.

"I started falling ill after my battle with the Corpse Demon. I initially thought it was due to damage to my Foundation or being poisoned by the Corpse Demon, but now it seems the Corpse Demon was just a smokescreen; the real culprit is hidden in the shadows."

"I just don't know if the other party is in league with the Corpse Demon."

Shen Jianxing paused, then added, "Anyone who can cast such a malicious curse is certainly no ordinary person. They must have schemes against me or the Shen Family."

Xiaotao nodded repeatedly, "The Young Master is right. What should we do now? Should we go back to the manor and tell Master?"

Shen Jianxing slowly looked up at the distant horizon, his gaze firm.

"Naturally, we must inform them. This matter could be directed at me personally, or it could be a conspiracy against the entire Shen Family. Informing Father and Eldest Brother early will allow them to prepare in advance."

With that, he looked down at his current frail, dilapidated body and sighed helplessly.

"Besides, in my current state, I can't be of much help. We still need to trouble Father and Eldest Brother to handle this."

Shen Jianxing was clear-headed and never had the naive idea of silently investigating the truth alone and then astonishing everyone.

In his opinion, anyone with such a thought was either extremely selfish or mentally ill.

What he desired was simple: he didn't need to prove anything, only to live well.

***

Upon returning to the manor, Shen Jianxing dismissed his attendants and sat alone in his study, meticulously recalling every past detail.

His battle with the Corpse Demon was originally to eliminate harm for the people. Although it was perilous at the time, he didn't notice anyone unusual approaching.

"Could it be that the other party had already made their move before that?"

"I forgot to ask earlier; I wonder how this curse takes effect."

Shen Jianxing had no clue about the curse caster.

In the capital, deceit was rampant; today's friend could be tomorrow's enemy, and people who smiled to your face while stabbing you in the back were plentiful.

So, upon careful thought, the person behind this malicious act could indeed be anyone.

Of course, it's also possible that someone colluded with demons... As for something like a Curse Breaking Pill, Shen Jianxing had never even heard of it.

He wasn't doubting Lord Chuping, but suddenly felt that as the Young Master of Great Yan's wealthiest family, he was merely a frog in a well.

How lamentable!

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Shen Jianxing's pale profile.

He stared at his slightly trembling right hand, where the burning sensation from the golden light entering his body in the temple still lingered.

Three years. For three whole years, he had thought the Corpse Demon's poison was incurable, but he never expected it to be such a malicious curse placed by someone.

"Nine Nether Heart-Eating Curse..."

He whispered the name, each word like a poisoned needle pricking his heart.

Outside the door, Xiaotao's cautious footsteps could be heard.

"Young Master, the medicine is ready."

"Come in."

Xiaotao pushed the door open, the bowl of medicine on her tray steaming.

Although it was now known that the original medicine was not effective, the Young Master had not given an order, so this news would not spread, and the medicine was still brewed as usual.

Xiaotao, entering the room, saw Shen Jianxing sitting alone in the dark and quickly put down the medicine bowl to light a lamp.

"Young Master, why aren't the lights on? Be careful not to hurt your eyes."

The moment the candlelight illuminated the room, Xiaotao gasped – on the table in front of Shen Jianxing was a piece of Xuan paper, covered with the same bizarre pattern: a ghost face entangled in chains.

"Young Master, this is..."

"The mark of the curse."

Shen Jianxing stared at the bowl of medicine before him, unmoving.

"Next, have the physician change the medicine to something that nourishes the body, that's all."

"Also, make three copies of this drawing. Send one by carrier pigeon to Father, one to Eldest Brother, and the last one..."

He paused, "Give it to Commander Qin of the Demon Suppression Division."

Xiaotao's eyes widened: "Commander Qin? Isn't that..."

"The one who was in charge of investigating the Corpse Demon case three years ago."

The sharpness in Shen Jianxing's eyes flashed, "If someone truly used the Corpse Demon as a cover to cast a curse, there must be clues in the Demon Suppression Division's case files."

"Alright, go quickly and return!"

With that, Shen Jianxing suddenly coughed violently, a streak of black blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

Xiaotao rushed to support him, but Shen Jianxing raised a hand to stop her: "It's nothing."

He wiped away the bloodstain, a strange glint in his eyes, "This blood... is redder than usual."

Xiaotao looked closely and indeed found that although the bloodstain was dark, it was no longer the pitch-black color it used to be.

"You should go rest. We still have to travel tomorrow."