131: Seven Star Begonia

Inside the Medicine Dispensary of the Tianwaitian Headquarters, a rich medicinal fragrance mingled with a faint, exotic scent permeated the air. Cheng Lingsu was carefully pouring a small pinch of pale yellow pollen into a jade bottle; this was the seven star begonia pollen she had brought from Medicine King Valley, the key to counteracting the Netherworld Cult's heart-eroding gu.

"Miss Cheng, Lord Dark Blade has sent word. He has arrived at Medicine King Valley and is currently transplanting the seven star begonia," a Disciple of The Net entered the dispensary and reported respectfully.

A flicker of complexity flashed through Cheng Lingsu's eyes upon hearing this. The seven star begonia was the ultimate treasure of Medicine King Valley. Although she had defected from her sect, she still felt an attachment to this rare flower she had nurtured for many years. However, thinking that she could use it to deal a heavy blow to the Netherworld Cult and eliminate a hidden threat for Beyond Heaven, she suppressed the turmoil in her heart.

"Understood. Tell him he must be extremely careful. The root system of the seven star begonia is fragile; if it is damaged, it will be difficult for it to bloom for another ten years," Cheng Lingsu instructed.

"Understood."

Once the Disciple of The Net left, Cheng Lingsu put away the jade bottle containing the pollen and took out another porcelain bottle. Inside was her newly refined "muscle-softening powder." This medicine was colorless and odorless; when mixed into food, drink, or the air, it could cause any Martial Artist below the Grandmaster Realm to lose all their Internal Energy within half an hour and collapse in a limp heap. It was perfect for The Net to use when infiltrating Netherworld Valley.

"With the seven star begonia and the muscle-softening powder, taking down Netherworld Valley shouldn't be difficult," Cheng Lingsu murmured to herself, a hint of confidence flashing in her eyes.

*** Northern Border, Black Wind Stockade.

This stockade, perched on the Black Wind Pass, had always been a gathering place for outlaws. Recently, however, a mysterious guest had arrived at the stockade—Xuesha of the Netherworld Cult.

Xuesha hid in a secret room deep within the stockade, his face pale, the wound on his chest still throbbing with pain. Although his assassination of Prince Jing in the capital that day had been successful, he had been injured by the General Who Guards the Nation's "Mountain-Shattering Punch." He had lost more than half of his power and had barely managed to stabilize his injuries after fleeing all the way here.

"Jun Xiaoyao... Beyond Heaven..." Xuesha gritted his teeth, his eyes full of hatred. If Beyond Heaven hadn't interfered, Prince Jing wouldn't have died, and he wouldn't have ended up in such a state.

"Lord Xuesha, an uninvited guest has arrived outside, saying he wants to see you," a stockade lackey ran in hurriedly, his expression panicked.

Xuesha frowned. "Who is it?"

"That person said... he's here to send you on your way."

Xuesha's heart tightened, knowing an enemy had found him. He forced himself to stand up and gripped the blood-saber in his hand. "Let him in."

A moment later, a figure appeared at the entrance of the secret room. The visitor was dressed in black, with a cold expression, holding a pair of black and white twin swords. It was Dark Blade.

"Dark Blade?!" Xuesha's pupils constricted. He hadn't expected Beyond Heaven to find this place. "How did you get here?"

Dark Blade didn't waste words. The black and white twin swords unsheathed simultaneously, Sword Qi crisscrossing the room. "The Young Lord has ordered me to take your dog life as a sacrifice for the fallen brothers of The Net."

"Arrogant!" Xuesha roared, his blood-saber carrying a dense Death Qi as it slashed toward Dark Blade. Although he was heavily injured, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse; his full-strength strike still carried the power of the Late Heaven-Man Realm.

Dark Blade did not dodge or evade. His black sword parried while his white sword stabbed directly at Xuesha's heart. The swords collided with a piercing metallic clang. Xuesha was shaken back repeatedly, his wounds splitting open and blood flowing freely.

"Your injuries are even heavier than I imagined," Dark Blade said coldly. His twin swords swung out again, the black and white Sword Qi weaving into a giant net that enveloped Xuesha.

Xuesha knew he was no match and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood. The blood landed on the blood-saber, and the blade instantly surged several feet in length. Carrying an Aura of mutual destruction, he charged toward Dark Blade.

"Courting death," Dark Blade snorted coldly. Bringing his twin swords together, a massive Sword Qi slashed out, directly snapping the blood-saber. The Sword Qi's momentum didn't diminish as it struck Xuesha, splitting him in two.

Having dealt with Xuesha, Dark Blade did not linger and turned to leave Black Wind Stockade. He still had to rush to Medicine King Valley to transplant the seven star begonia; that was the primary task assigned by the Young Lord.

*** Medicine King Valley, inside the deep Medicine Garden.

A begonia flower about three feet tall was in bloom. Its petals were pale purple, dotted with seven pale yellow star-like spots; it was indeed the seven star begonia. Dark Blade was carefully using a specially made jade shovel to dig around the roots of the begonia, his movements gentle for fear of causing even the slightest damage.

"Lord Dark Blade, we've detected movement nearby. It seems someone is monitoring us," a Disciple of The Net whispered a warning.

Dark Blade didn't even look up. "Ignore them. Keep digging."

He knew these people must be the remaining Disciples of Medicine King Valley. After Cheng Lingsu defected, the valley was managed by several of her Senior Brothers. These people hated Cheng Lingsu to the bone and naturally wouldn't let them take the seven star begonia easily.

Sure enough, before long, a group of Disciples dressed in green robes surrounded them. Leading them was a middle-aged man—Cheng Lingsu's First Senior Brother, Shi Wanchen.

"Dark Blade, you dare to trespass into Medicine King Valley and steal our sect's treasure? Do you think there is no one left in our valley?" Shi Wanchen roared, gripping a Medicinal Hoe with a menacing Aura.

Dark Blade finally dug out the seven star begonia and placed it into a prepared jade pot. He looked up at Shi Wanchen, his gaze icy. "Step aside. Or die."

"Insolent!" Shi Wanchen was beyond furious. He swung the hoe towards Dark Blade. The other Disciples also attacked, throwing various poisons and medicinal powders at him.

Dark Blade's figure flickered, avoiding the poisons and powders while his black and white twin swords struck out together. Wherever the Sword Qi passed, hoes snapped and Disciples fell screaming. Although Shi Wanchen had the strength of the Peak Grandmaster Realm, he was completely defenseless before Dark Blade and was subdued in just a few moves.

"I am taking the seven star begonia," Dark Blade said, not even glancing at Shi Wanchen as he picked up the jade pot and turned to leave.

Shi Wanchen watched Dark Blade's retreating back, his eyes filled with resentment and rage. "Dark Blade, Cheng Lingsu, just you wait! If I don't avenge this, I, Shi Wanchen, am not a man!"

*** Tianwaitian Headquarters, Council Chamber.

Dark Blade presented the jade pot containing the seven star begonia to Jun Xiaoyao and reported, "Young Lord, the seven star begonia has been retrieved, and Xuesha has been slain. We encountered resistance from Medicine King Valley on the way back but have repelled them."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the seven star begonia in the pot and nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. Cheng Lingsu, immediately use the seven star begonia pollen to refine the antidote and poison arrows. Prepare to attack Netherworld Valley."

"Yes, Young Lord." Cheng Lingsu stepped forward, carefully took the jade pot, and turned toward the Medicine Dispensary.

"Dark Blade, you've worked hard. Go and rest," Jun Xiaoyao said.

"Thank you, Young Lord." Dark Blade bowed and withdrew.

After Dark Blade left, Jun Xiaoyao looked at Zhao Gao. "What news is there from the General Who Guards the Nation?"

Zhao Gao reported, "In response to the Young Lord, the General Who Guards the Nation has led his army to surround Netherworld Valley, but he is not in a hurry to attack. He seems to be waiting for our news. Additionally, the spies The Net planted in the army have sent word that the General has been privately discussing with several generals; it seems he intends to monopolize the netherworld ore vein after the valley is breached."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Jun Xiaoyao's mouth. "A greedy snake trying to swallow an elephant. Pass down the order: have The Net's spies keep a close watch on the General's movements. If he dares to play any tricks, give him a lesson."

"Yes, Young Lord."

"Also, have the Marshal of the Unruly strengthen the monitoring of the capital. Although Prince Jing is dead, his remnants are still there. There's no guarantee they won't make a move," Jun Xiaoyao added.

"Your subordinate understands."

After Zhao Gao withdrew, Jun Xiaoyao was left alone in the chamber. He walked to the window and looked at the sky outside, his eyes flashing with a deep light. The battle for Netherworld Valley was about to begin; it concerned not only the ownership of the netherworld ore vein but also Beyond Heaven's status in the Jianghu. He had to ensure everything was foolproof.

Meanwhile, in the distant Netherworld Valley, the Netherworld Old Freak stood at the valley entrance, looking at the imperial guards outside with a somber face. He knew a great battle was unavoidable, but he hadn't expected to be pushed to such a state in the end.

"Jun Xiaoyao... Beyond Heaven..." the Netherworld Old Freak murmured to himself, his eyes full of venomous hatred. "Even if I die, I will drag you down with me!"

The great battle surrounding Netherworld Valley and the netherworld ore vein was already an arrow on the string, ready to be fired at any moment. And Jun Xiaoyao, sitting behind the scenes, was calmly controlling it all, waiting for the final moment to pull in The Net.