282: Xu Zhu saves the injured

The treasure map of the Marquis Zhenbei's Residence was spread out on the obsidian long table in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace.

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip traced the location of the “Secret Chamber” marked on the map, and the system panel instantly displayed an annotation.

[The Marquis's Residence Secret Chamber is located three zhang beneath the study, containing ledgers detailing the embezzlement of military rations and the “Cold Jade Marrow” tribute from the Western Regions, which can assist the Great Grandmaster Realm in achieving Breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm.]

“Young Lord, Qiao Feng has already handed Marquis Zhenbei over to the Military Supervisor and is currently waiting outside the Marquis's Residence. Should we retrieve the Cold Jade Marrow now?” Zhao Gao asked, bowing. The hem of his black robe was dusted with dirt—he had just returned from the Imperial Guard Camp, and his face showed a hint of fatigue but was unable to hide his excitement. “The Military Supervisor said that as long as Beyond Heaven helps him stabilize the situation in Qingzhou, we can choose whatever we want from the stolen goods in the Marquis's Residence.”

Jun Xiaoyao slightly lifted his eyelids, his gaze falling upon Xu Zhu's figure in the water mirror. Xu Zhu had just arrived at the dense forest beneath Black Wind Cliff and was using Tianshan Six Yang Palms to treat Lin Pingzhi's injuries. Lin Pingzhi had accidentally touched poison powder while clearing miasma a few days ago; his left arm was red, swollen, and black. Now, wrapped in the gentle Internal Energy from Xu Zhu's palm, the black Qi was receding at a visible speed.

[The System Panel displays Xu Zhu's status:

Current Task: Treating The Net Wounded

Internal Energy Consumption: 15%

Special Effect: The healing effect of Tianshan Six Yang Palms has an additional restraint against toxins, increasing efficiency by 30%]

“Have Qiao Feng retrieve the Cold Jade Marrow first,” Jun Xiaoyao said calmly. “Tell Xu Zhu that after dealing with the wounded at Black Wind Cliff, he should make a trip to the Marquis's Residence. The Military Supervisor's concubine was hit by Ten Thousand Poisons Valley's 'Face-Corroding Gu,' and his Life and Death Talisman might be able to cure it.”

Zhao Gao acknowledged the order, then handed over a new ledger: “Jiang Jing calculated that taking over Marquis Zhenbei's former subordinates requires three months of military pay, totaling five thousand taels of silver, and we also need to replace their old military equipment...”

“Deduct it from the stolen goods at the Marquis's Residence.” Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, lightly tapping the panel to bring up the distribution of Ten Thousand Poisons Valley's remaining forces. “After Mei Chaofeng fled back to the Valley with her Disciple, the Valley is in chaos, with several Elders vying for power. This is an opportunity.”

The water mirror immediately switched to an internal view of Ten Thousand Poisons Valley: three black-robed Elders were arguing around the Valley Master's throne, and several corpses lay on the ground, clearly the result of a recent fight. One of the One-eyed Elders was the most vicious, toying with a poison sac in his hand. The Gu worms inside the sac crawled, emitting a grating “shasha” sound.

[The System Panel displays the Ten Thousand Poisons Valley Elder's profile:

Name: One-eyed Poison Fiend

Origin: Ten Thousand Poisons Valley

Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Ten Thousand Poisons Palm (Major Achievement) — The palm force contains a hundred types of toxins; those struck will suffer total bodily decay within seven days.

2. Gu Control Technique (Minor Achievement) — Can control low-level Gu worms to disrupt the opponent's mind.

Loyalty: 0% (Hostile)]

“Have West Gate Blows Snow make a trip,” Jun Xiaoyao said, pointing a finger at the One-eyed Poison Fiend. “No need to kill him; just cripple his palm force and Gu worms. The poison scripture of Ten Thousand Poisons Valley is still in the Valley. Let them fight amongst themselves, and we can take the opportunity to transcribe it.”

Just as Zhao Gao was about to respond, the water mirror suddenly shook, and Marshal of the Unruly's figure burst in, his armor stained with fresh blood: “Young Lord, the Heavenly Human Realm Enshrinement sent by the Imperial Dynasty has arrived! They are at Ten Mile Slope outside the city, leading two hundred Imperial Guards, claiming to be 'inspecting Qingzhou defenses,' but they are actually heading straight for our Black Market Stronghold!”

The scene switched to Ten Mile Slope: an old man dressed in purple robes was sitting on a horse, surrounded by a faint golden Protective Aura—the unique Aura of a Heavenly Human Realm expert. The Imperial Guards behind him were all in bright armor, holding long spears, their tips pointing directly toward Qingzhou, looking aggressive.

[The System Panel displays the Enshrinement's profile:

Name: Li Su

Origin: Imperial Dynasty Enshrinement Hall

Realm: Initial Heaven Human Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Royal Secret Canon: Scorching Sun Technique (Major Achievement) — Internal breath is hot like the scorching sun and can break all sinister and evil Martial Skills in the world.

2. Overlord Spear (Minor Achievement) — The spear moves are fierce and contain the Imperial Dragon Qi, having a suppressive effect on Jianghu Martial Artists.

Background: Marquis Zhenbei's cousin; his visit is ostensibly for inspection but is actually to avenge Marquis Zhenbei.]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the Dragon Qi surrounding Li Su, his eyes darkening slightly: “Imperial Dragon Qi... that is somewhat troublesome.” He pondered for a moment, then looked at the summoning array in the center of the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace—the array had just accumulated enough energy and was emitting a faint glow.

“Activate Random Summon.”

The light in the array intensified suddenly. As runes flowed, a figure dressed in green robes slowly materialized, holding a folding fan and wearing a carefree smile. It was Little Fish from the proud twins.

[Summon Successful]

[Character: Little Fish (Jiang Xiaoyu)

Origin: gu long wuxia world

Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Valley of Villains Ultimate Skill: Ghostly Shadow Elusive Steps (Perfection) — Movement technique is agile and strange, specializing in evasion and sneak attacks.

2. Poisons Arts (Major Achievement) — Proficient in all strange poisons in the world, especially skilled at using poison to counter poison.

3. Deception Arts (Perfection) — Silver-tongued, able to turn black into white, skilled at disturbing the opponent's mind.

Loyalty: 92%]

“Heh, this Young Lord looks much more pleasing to the eye than those old geezers in the Valley of Villains.” Little Fish closed his folding fan, cupping his hands and laughing. “I heard some old purple-robed guy is causing trouble? Leave it to me. I guarantee he'll cry all the way back to the Imperial Dynasty!”

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the annotation “Deception Arts (Perfection)” on the panel, and an almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth: “Go meet Li Su. No need to fight; just let him know that Qingzhou is not a place where the Imperial Dynasty can run wild.”

Little Fish's eyes lit up: “That's easy! Watch me!” He turned to leave but suddenly looked back. “By the way, if that old geezer doesn't know what's good for him, can I use poison to make his horse pee itself?”

“As you wish.”

Inside the Marquis's Residence Secret Chamber, Qiao Feng was using Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms to split open the final stone door. In the jade box in the center of the Secret Chamber, the Cold Jade Marrow emitted a faint blue light and was icy to the touch. The moment it was taken out, the surrounding air seemed to drop in temperature.

[System Panel Notification: Cold Jade Marrow, Heaven And Earth Treasure, contains Qi of Extreme Yin and Extreme Cold. It can stabilize the Great Grandmaster Realm Foundation and assist in Breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm. Current Quantity: Three pieces.]

Qiao Feng put away the jade box. As he turned, he noticed a bookshelf in the corner—it was filled with ledgers. The bottom few recorded the collusion between Marquis Zhenbei and officials from other prefectures, even including details of gifts given to the Imperial Prince. He frowned, stuffing all the ledgers into his arms: “The Young Lord might find these things useful.”

On Ten Mile Slope, Li Su was impatiently urging the Imperial Guards: “Hurry up! This Enshrinement wants to see what kind of wild force dares to touch my Imperial Imperial Guards!”

Suddenly, a green-robed youth jumped out from behind a tree, holding a broken gong, which he struck with a “kuangdang” sound: “Hey! Old man in purple robes, do you know whose territory this is?”

Li Su frowned: “Where did this yellow-mouthed brat come from, daring to block this Enshrinement's path?”

Little Fish shook his folding fan, grinning: “I'm the Beyond Heaven Young Lord's follower, ordered to tell you—Qingzhou is under our control now. If people from the Imperial Dynasty want to enter, they have to pay a 'toll fee.' ” He held up three fingers. “Not much, just three thousand taels of gold, or... leave those two hundred soldiers behind you to be laborers.”

The Imperial Guards were so angry they drew their swords: “How dare you! How dare you insult the Enshrinement Lord!”

Little Fish was unafraid. His figure flickered, executing Ghostly Shadow Elusive Steps, circling Li Su's horse. Before anyone knew it, a lit firecracker had appeared on the horse's tail. “Shoo—Pa!” The firecracker exploded, startling the horse, which reared up and threw Li Su off, leaving him with a sore butt.

“Hahaha!” Little Fish laughed heartily. “Old man, your horse isn't up to par. Why not switch to a donkey?”

Li Su was both shocked and enraged. He activated the Scorching Sun Technique, and a bright golden light erupted around him: “You little beast are courting death!” He struck a palm towards Little Fish. The palm wind was scorching hot, but Little Fish lightly dodged it, causing the blow to land on his own horse's rump, making the horse bolt madly.

“Oh dear, why are you hitting your own horse?” Little Fish feigned surprise. “It seems the Imperial Dynasty's Enshrinement is not only old but also has poor eyesight!”

The Imperial Guards wanted to step forward to help, but the itching powder Little Fish scattered made their entire bodies itch, causing them to lose their grip on their spears.

Li Su looked at his subordinates in disarray, then at Little Fish, who was as slippery as a loach. He finally realized—the opponent was deliberately stalling for time, and completely unafraid of his Scorching Sun Technique.

“You... does your Beyond Heaven want to be enemies with the Imperial Dynasty?” Li Su roared, trying to sound fierce but inwardly weak.

Little Fish closed his folding fan, the smile instantly vanishing from his face, his eyes turning sharp: “The Imperial Dynasty? Is that supposed to be impressive? Marquis Zhenbei colluded with poisonous entities and embezzled military pay, yet you didn't care; we clean up the mess, and you come to interfere—what, does the Imperial Dynasty think Qingzhou is easy to bully?”

He leaned closer to Li Su, lowering his voice: “To tell you the truth, we have a copy of Marquis Zhenbei's ledgers. If those were presented to the Emperor, your cousin probably wouldn't be able to escape responsibility, right?”

Li Su's face suddenly changed—this was exactly what he was most worried about!

“So,” Little Fish returned to his playful smile, “if you know what's good for you, scram quickly. Don't force us to send the ledgers into the Palace. At that point, let alone revenge, it will be hard to say if you can even keep your Enshrinement position.”

Li Su looked at the cunning in Little Fish's eyes and then at the Imperial Guards scratching themselves on the ground. Finally, he gritted his teeth: “Let's go!”

Watching the Imperial Guards retreat in disarray, Little Fish proudly blew a whistle, pulling out a message talisman from his pocket: “Done! That old geezer was scared senseless. I guarantee he won't dare come to Qingzhou again!”

In the water mirror of the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Qiao Feng returned with the Cold Jade Marrow and the ledgers. Xu Zhu cured the Face-Corroding Gu and earned the Military Supervisor's gratitude. West Gate Blows Snow crippled the One-eyed Poison Fiend and successfully obtained the poison scripture transcript. Little Fish successfully infuriated Li Su back to the Imperial Dynasty... Jun Xiaoyao looked at the constantly rising “Beyond Heaven Influence Value” on the panel, which had broken past the threshold of “Qingzhou First-rate” and touched the boundary of “Imperial Dynasty Second-rate.” His fingertip traced the annotation for Cold Jade Marrow, and his gaze landed on the summoning array—the next summon might bring the aid of a Heavenly Human Realm expert.

Zhao Gao came in, holding the newly drafted “Qingzhou Integration Plan,” his voice barely hiding his excitement: “Young Lord, according to this plan, within half a year, Qingzhou's military rations, military equipment, and black market will all be under our control. By then...”

“It's not enough.” Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, pointing a finger at the “Imperial Dynasty Capital” on the map. “Marquis Zhenbei's ledgers are just the fuse. The real fish is still in the Palace.”

The light from the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace reflected off his profile. In the shadows, the faint smile on his lips was colder than the ice of Hanyue Valley. The Net's web had begun to stretch further, and all of this was just the beginning.

[System Panel Notification: Side Quest “Forcing Back the Imperial Dynasty Enshrinement” Completed. Reward: One Imperial Dynasty Internal Contact, Beyond Heaven Reputation Value +2000.]

[New Area Unlocked: Imperial Dynasty Capital Outer Forces]