173: Bad People's Actions

Jun Xiaoyao sat quietly on the main seat of the Heavenly Outer Palace, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest, while the water mirror in front of him reflected the latest news sent from The Net.

Zhao Gao's figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the palace, kneeling on one knee: "Young Lord, news has come from the Western Border black market that someone is offering a bounty of fifty thousand taels of gold for your head."

"Oh?" Jun Xiaoyao did not even lift his eyelids, his tone calm and ripple-free, "Who has such deep pockets?"

"It is the Sect Leader of the Blood Shadow Gate. It is said that when you recruited Wei Zhuang, you accidentally killed his only son."

Zhao Gao handed over a dossier, "This Blood Shadow Gate specializes in using poison; their killers are all experts in poison, and they have significant influence in the Western Border black market."

Jun Xiaoyao took the dossier and flipped through it casually, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "Fifty thousand taels? Is his son's life worth so little? Tell the Sect Leader of the Blood Shadow Gate that if he wants my head, he must come and take it himself."

"Young Lord, do you need your subordinate to take men to wipe out the Blood Shadow Gate?" Zhao Gao asked, looking up, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao put down the dossier, "It is a good chance to test the quality of The Net. Send the 'Poison' unit, and remember, leave survivors."

"Yes!" Zhao Gao acknowledged the order and withdrew.

In the water mirror, the Marshal of the Unruly was patrolling the edge of the Western Border with The Unruly when he suddenly stopped, his gaze sharp as he looked toward a dense forest: "Come out."

Several black shadows flashed from behind the trees; the leader had a blood-colored bat embroidered on his mask, which was the symbol of the Blood Shadow Gate. "Marshal of the Unruly, our Sect Leader has ordered us to take Jun Xiaoyao's head!"

The Marshal of the Unruly sneered, the iron chain in his hand clanking: "Just you?" His figure swayed, and the iron chain whipped out like a spirit snake, instantly wrapping around the ankles of two people. With a fierce pull, the two fell heavily to the ground, wincing in pain. "Go back and tell your Sect Leader that if he wants to touch my Young Lord, he must first ask the iron chain in my hand!"

The remaining killers saw this and threw out poison needles, but the Marshal of the Unruly blocked them one by one with his iron chain. The Unruly behind him immediately stepped forward and subdued the remaining killers in a flash; their movements were clean and swift, clearly having undergone rigorous training.

The scene in the water mirror shifted; Zhao Gao and the "Poison" unit had already infiltrated the vicinity of the Blood Shadow Gate's stronghold. The stronghold was built in an abandoned ancient castle, surrounded by poisonous miasma; ordinary people would faint if they came within three steps. However, the members of the "Poison" unit remained composed, each holding a small antidote pouch, and silently passed through the poisonous miasma, sneaking into the ancient castle like ghosts.

"There are ten guards in the eastern attic, all of whom are mid-tier poison masters." A member of the "Poison" unit reported in a low voice, the sound transmitted to Zhao Gao's ear through a special earring.

Zhao Gao made a gesture, signaling for a pincer movement from left and right. He himself crept toward the main building, which was the residence of the Blood Shadow Gate Sect Leader. Just as he approached the window, he heard a roar from inside: "A bunch of trash! You can't even deal with a Marshal of the Unruly! Jun Xiaoyao, I will definitely make you pay with your life for my son!"

Zhao Gao quietly noted the opponent's position, took a special smoke bomb from his bosom, placed it gently under the window sill, pulled the fuse, and retreated rapidly. A moment later, smoke drifted in through the cracks of the window, and a series of coughing sounds came from inside. Zhao Gao took the Opportunity to kick open the door, holding a short dagger against the throat of the Blood Shadow Gate Sect Leader: "Sect Leader, how have you been?"

The Blood Shadow Gate Sect Leader was shocked and furious, but did not dare to act rashly: "Who are you? Someone from The Net?"

"You are clever." Zhao Gao sneered, "My Young Lord said, you think fifty thousand taels of gold can compensate for your son's life? Not enough. Either hand over all your poison scripture from the Blood Shadow Gate, or I will send you to meet him right now."

Meanwhile, Jun Xiaoyao watched Zhao Gao's actions in the water mirror and nodded with satisfaction. He waved his hand, and the summoning array lit up again; this time the light was dark green, carrying a rich scent of vegetation.

As the light dispersed, an old man dressed in green robes, holding a medicinal hoe, appeared; his beard and hair were white, but he was full of vigor. [Character Panel Expanded: Li Shizhen, from the legend of "Compendium of Materia Medica", Realm Peak Grandmaster Realm. Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: Hundred Herbs Wither (uses herbs as a catalyst to stimulate plant attacks, and can also refine highly toxic poisons); Materia Medica Scripture (identifies all medicinal herbs in the world, and the refined Medicinal Pill can cure all poisons and increase power). Special Ability: Withered Wood Meets Spring (can make dying plants instantly revive, used for defense or creating barriers).]

Li Shizhen bowed to Jun Xiaoyao: "Young Lord, have you summoned this old man to deal with poisonous substances?"

"Exactly." Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the poisonous miasma of the Blood Shadow Gate in the water mirror, "Sir, do you have a way to resolve these poisonous miasmas?"

Li Shizhen leaned closer to the water mirror to look, stroked his beard and said: "Not difficult. This poisonous miasma is mixed from seven types of poisonous herbs; I will prepare an antidote right now." He took several seemingly ordinary herbs from his medicine basket, quickly crushed and mixed them, "Have the people from The Net sprinkle this into the poisonous miasma, and it will be neutralized in a moment."

Jun Xiaoyao immediately issued an order to Zhao Gao, and Zhao Gao followed instructions by sprinkling the medicinal powder toward the poisonous miasma around the ancient castle; the originally pitch-black miasma indeed faded rapidly, revealing the lush vegetation inside.

Seeing the poisonous miasma broken, the Blood Shadow Gate Sect Leader turned pale, knowing that the situation was lost, and gritted his teeth: "I will surrender it! I will give you all the poison scripture!"

Zhao Gao took the poison scripture, escorted the Blood Shadow Gate Sect Leader back to The Net stronghold, and presented the poison scripture to Jun Xiaoyao. Jun Xiaoyao opened it and read a few pages, then handed it to Li Shizhen: "Sir, take a look and see if these poison formulas have any value."

Li Shizhen took it and flipped through it, shaking his head: "Most are unorthodox methods, but the antidote formulas for a few of the highly toxic poisons can be added to the 'Materia Medica Scripture'."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded and said to Zhao Gao: "Inventory all the assets of the Blood Shadow Gate and incorporate them into The Net. As for the Blood Shadow Gate Sect Leader... cripple his poison arts and throw him into the mines."

"Yes!"

After dealing with the Blood Shadow Gate matter, the voice of the Marshal of the Unruly suddenly came through the water mirror: "Young Lord, a new ruin has been discovered in the Northern Border; the energy fluctuations are very strong, as if a high-level treasure has appeared."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array, where the light was becoming increasingly intense. He knew that a new Opportunity was coming. And this time, with the addition of Li Shizhen, the shortcomings of Beyond Heaven in terms of detoxification and Alchemy had been filled, making them more confident whether facing poisonous substances or exploring.

The influence of The Net expanded again during this operation, and the execution capability of The Unruly was also verified. Jun Xiaoyao leaned back in his chair, watching the reports of victory from various places in the water mirror, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. The Foundation of Beyond Heaven was being solidified bit by bit, and all of this was under his control.

In the distance, the light of the summoning array had not yet subsided, and the glint of blades and swords could be faintly seen flashing within it; clearly, the next summoned expert would be a fierce general skilled in melee combat. Jun Xiaoyao's mouth curled slightly; he wanted to see what kind of assistance this new partner could bring to Beyond Heaven.