Chapter 260: Poisonous Scheme
Chapter 260: Poisonous Scheme
Yu City.
In the backyard of the Chen Estate.
Inside the hall, on a purple sandalwood table, various dishes were laid out. Xu Hongyu, dressed in a light cyan skirt, sat by the table, eating and daydreaming.
Suddenly, Ning He entered carrying a plate of neatly cut meat and placed it before Xu Hongyu, "This is the newly bought Black Python Meat, Miss, try it quickly. It's said to be excellent for nourishing Qi and blood."
Until a Martial Warrior cultivates the Five Viscera and Six Bowels, they cannot do without meat, especially those in the Bone Forging Realm who require it to supplement their Qi and blood. As for Xu Hongyu, it goes without saying; having reached the peak of Bone Forging and approaching the Five Viscera Realm, she basically needs a large amount of meat every day, including various demon meats, to maintain a state of abundant Qi and blood.
Xu Hongyu glanced at the meat in the bowl and then turned to Yu Ru beside her, "Ru, why don't you try it first?"
"No, no, I'm already getting plump. I've been thinking of cutting down on meat lately."
Yu Ru said with a slightly gloomy expression.
Ning He couldn't help but smile lightly, and looked Yu Ru up and down, "Where is the plumpness? I don't see it."
Yu Ru, upon hearing this, became hesitant, but her eyes drifted towards her own body. As a Meat Cultivation Realm Martial Warrior, it was indeed difficult to gain weight, not to mention she was diligent in her cultivation. However, the problem was... how could she cultivate that area? She was already slightly bigger than Xu Hongyu, comparable to the combined size of Ning He and Chen Yue.
Ning He noticed Yu Ru's gaze and suddenly understood. She reached out, lifted and weighed Yu Ru's body, all while teasing, "You have gained some weight... but some people wish for more in certain places, and you're complaining about it."
"Sister Ning, you..."
Yu Ru's face turned red with embarrassment.
How could Ning He touch her there? Even if they were both women... Chen Mu must have weighed Xu Hongyu and Xiao He like this. If she truly married into the Chen family, would Chen Mu also weigh her like this? Just thinking about such a scene made her feel shy and overwhelmed, and for a moment, she didn't dare to look at Xu Hongyu and Ning He.
Ning He, seeing Yu Ru's reaction, deliberately leaned in and whispered, "Maybe Brother Mu will love it so much that he won't be able to let go."
This...
Is this something that could be said? Yu Ru was stunned by Ning He's words, and even Ning He herself blushed slightly. She thought about how Chen Mu had been away from Yu Prefecture for two and a half years, almost three years.
Although they knew Chen Mu was dedicated to the Martial Path and might not have time for them, this trip had indeed been too long.
Xu Hongyu's heart was also filled with longing, but she didn't show it. She maintained a calm demeanor and said, "This Black Python Meat is quite good. Although the taste is a little lacking, it contains much more nourishment than those demon meats. If you, Xiao He, eat it continuously for a few months, you should be able to enter the Bone Forging Realm. And you too, Yu Ru, you've only used two of the Sinew Transformation Pills. Accumulate more Qi and blood essence, and cultivate a Meat Cultivation Method. You can also join the Sinew Transformation Realm."
Xu Hongyu looked at Ning He and Yu Ru as she spoke.
Although resources couldn't decide everything, having sufficient resources could overcome many obstacles on the Martial Path. Even someone like Yu Ru, with less exceptional talent, could still cultivate to the Bone Forging or even Five Viscera Realm by forcefully accumulating rare spiritual objects. However, the resources required were often tens or even hundreds of times more.
But for them now, obtaining resources wasn't difficult. Although Chen Mu wasn't in Yu Prefecture, his influence still reached here. Whether it was Ning He, Chen Yue, or even Xu Hongyu, they all had smooth access to the Demon Slayer Bureau.
"Mhm."
Ning He nodded and then said, "Yue'er, on this trip back, is also almost ready to attempt Bone Forging. She's so fast!"
Xu Hongyu nodded slightly and said, "Her root bone talent is even better than mine before. Her cultivation to Bone Forging is also faster than mine, and entering the Five Viscera Realm will be much easier for her."
With Chen Yue's cultivation speed and talent, if placed in the past Yu family, it would be quite astonishing. But now, with Chen Mu's exceptional talent leading the way, it was only natural that Chen Yue, as Chen Mu's sister, would be so talented.
"When will Brother Mu return?"
Yu Ru blinked her eyes, revealing a hint of longing.
"I don't know."
Ning He shook her head, sighed, and said, "I heard there's trouble in Ice State, and it's close to Crystal State. He might have to go to Ice State, so this trip's timing is uncertain."
Initially, they thought that after Chen Mu conquered Cloud Veil Peak, he would return to Seven Mysteries Sect to consolidate his cultivation, and that was what he wrote in his letters to them. But after the Ice State incident, the situation became uncertain.
If Seven Mysteries Sect dispatched Chen Mu to Ice State, they might not see him for a while.
Unless they could all cultivate to the Five Viscera Realm and gain sufficient strength, then they could take the initiative and even go directly to the Prefecture, not limited to Yu Prefecture. But for now, they were still in the Sinew Forging and Bone Forging Realms.
However.
As the three of them were talking.
Suddenly, a commotion came from outside, followed by sounds of joy entering the backyard.
"The master is back!"
Swish.
Xu Hongyu, Ning He, and Yu Ru almost all stood up at the same time, and even Xu Hongyu's face showed a long-lost joy, and they all went to welcome him together.
And then, Chen Yue, with a figure following behind, stepped into the backyard, walking in, his appearance unchanged from when he left, it was Chen Mu.
"Hongyu, Xiaohuo, and Yuru."
Chen Mu's gaze fell upon the women in the backyard, his eyes gentle as he called out their names one by one.
Hongyu's beauty was radiant, and compared to over two years ago, no changes could be discerned. Her eyes, like sparkling gems, fixed on Chen Mu, as if she had countless words to say, yet at the same time, none seemed necessary.
But just as she walked towards Chen Mu, she suddenly froze, her body swayed, and a strand of darkness emerged in her eyes, causing her entire body's energy to turn chaotic.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Chen Mu appeared before Hongyu, his hand pressing against her body. A surge of Essence Energy flowed into her, intertwining with the strands of dark energy emanating from her.
Nearby, Chen Yue, Ning Huo, and Yuru, witnessing this sudden turn of events, were all taken aback. They were about to step forward to check on Hongyu, but then they heard Chen Mu's deep voice.
"Stay back, everyone retreat!"
Chen Mu's gaze rested on Hongyu in his arms, a hint of unprecedented coldness flashing in his eyes.
He had anticipated that his involvement might affect Hongyu and the others, but he hadn't expected such a vicious method!
Hongyu, with her Bone Forging Realm cultivation at its peak, was not yet at the Organ Realm. Still, ordinary poisons would hardly be fatal to her, and poisoning her served no purpose other than infuriating him, a renowned figure on the Gale Wind Rankings.
This wasn't poison.
In the first moments of Hongyu's sudden condition, Chen Mu had already recognized it. This was something he had encountered before, an aura he had personally experienced in Sha Prefecture—Demonic Energy! Though he didn't know who was behind this malicious act, Chen Mu instantly understood their intention.
Demonic Energy was something that only those at the Organ Realm, after refining their organs, would have a chance to resist. To completely suppress it, one would have to reach the Marrow Washing Mastery and cultivate an Impervious Martial Body.
The perpetrator had planted this Demonic Energy in Hongyu, intentionally causing it to erupt as he returned, presenting him with a clear choice—to save or not to save.
His cultivation was not yet at the Grandmaster level.
To rescue Hongyu, he would have to draw the Demonic Energy from her body into his own, suppressing it. However, whether at the Organ Realm or the Six Bowels Realm, as long as he wasn't a Grandmaster, he could only suppress it, unable to eradicate it. Even if he could eliminate it, it wouldn't be a quick fix, but rather a lengthy process.
Cultivating the Heaven and Earth Path to reach the Grandmaster level was already difficult. If he had to deal with the Demonic Energy in his body, it might set him back for several years, or even over a decade, essentially putting his path to Grandmaster on hold.
As for not saving her...
He wouldn't make that choice, and even if he did, it would lead to 'regret' and 'remorse', affecting his cultivation and potentially hindering his future breakthrough to the Mystic Gateway.
The perpetrator had intentionally left him a choice, rather than directly taking Hongyu's life, making it the most vicious part. No matter which choice he made, though it wouldn't affect his life, it would greatly impact his Martial Path.
"..."
Chen Mu's eyes turned cold.
Ranked first on the New Talent Chart and having climbed the Gale Wind Rankings in his thirties, he cultivated the Heaven and Earth Path. Many viewed him as an eyesore, and there were more than a few in Northern Cold Province who wanted to obstruct his Martial Path.
Chen Mu was well aware of this, attracting attention like a tree in the wind. But he didn't fear it; he would face any challenges that came his way. However, using his loved ones to set up such a malicious plot had crossed his bottom line.
There wasn't much time to think, as once the Demonic Energy thoroughly invaded the organs, it would be difficult to extract.
Buzz!
Without hesitation, Chen Mu's Essence Energy intertwined with Hongyu's energy, drawing the strands of Demonic Energy within her into his own body. Instantly, he guided the Demonic Energy within her towards himself, abandoning Hongyu, as his energy entangled with hers.
In a moment, Hongyu's energy was restored to clarity, while Chen Mu's gaze turned heavy. With his organs circulating and Essence Energy flowing, he completely suppressed the Demonic Energy, confining it to the depths of his organs, preventing it from spreading further.
However, Chen Mu was slightly surprised. After his Essence Energy drew the Demonic Energy into his organs and suppressed it, what emerged wasn't the stubborn and persistent energy he had envisioned, like a lingering skin disease. Instead, with each cycle of his organ's energy, a portion of the Demonic Energy was eliminated, like melting ice and snow, seemingly on the verge of being completely eradicated in no time.
"It seems that my organs, having been refined to their limits, are now in a state unlike that of a normal person's organs. Demonic Energy is stubborn, but it's not a significant challenge for me."
Chen Mu seemed to have a sudden realization.
He didn't pay much attention to the entanglement of Demonic Energy, as his cultivation progress was more about the interface of the system rather than his actual practice. To think that a mere Demonic Energy could obstruct his Martial Path was a pipe dream, but to be able to completely eliminate it was undoubtedly better. Normally, he wouldn't need to allocate extra effort to suppress the Demonic Energy.
It was at this moment that Hongyu, lying in Chen Mu's arms, slowly woke up.
The perpetrator's intention was to target Chen Mu, leaving him a choice to make, ensuring the impact was just right. Otherwise, if the Demonic Energy had thoroughly invaded without a chance for recovery, it wouldn't affect Chen Mu at all, except for infuriating him.
Xu Hongyu had not been deeply affected by the demonic qi, and with Chen Mu's help in dispelling it, she quickly regained her consciousness.
"Husband, my dear? I just..."
As Xu Hongyu woke up, she felt a bit disoriented, recalling the recent events. She soon realized something and asked, "Did someone poison me? Did you save me, husband?"
She could sense that her body was now free of any abnormalities.
But in that fleeting moment, she felt as if all her negative emotions had been triggered, plunging her into a state of complete frenzy, violence, and near-total loss of rationality. Her consciousness had almost vanished, and even now, she still felt a lingering fear.
"Yes, it's all fine now," Chen Mu reassured her, his expression slightly calmer as he placed his hand on her chest. He infused a strand of Essence Aura into her body, carefully scanning her from top to bottom to ensure there were no lingering issues. Only then did he nod slightly towards her.
Xu Hongyu tried to recall her previous experiences but couldn't remember being poisoned. The meal she had just eaten seemed slightly suspicious, but she hadn't detected any poison in any of the dishes.)
"What exactly is going on here?" she asked, looking at Chen Mu with uncertainty.
Chen Mu gently caressed her hair and explained, "You were affected because of me. This was aimed at me, but it's all resolved now."
Helping Xu Hongyu up, Chen Mu's face regained its cold composure as he looked outside the courtyard. "No one is to leave the courtyard, not even a step. Anyone who dares to enter or exit without permission will face death. Go inform the Inspection Bureau and have them come to investigate this matter!"
He already had a few suspicions about who was behind this malicious scheme, but he wanted the Inspection Bureau to be informed.
At that moment, Chen Yue and Yu Ru, who had been waiting outside the courtyard, rushed back in after receiving Chen Mu's signal. They looked at Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu with a mix of relief and shock.
"How is Miss Xu? Are you okay?" Chen Yue asked.
"Sister Hongyu, are you alright? You looked so terrifying just now..." Yu Ru added, both of them circling around Xu Hongyu with concern. Ning He, on the other hand, had a grave expression, her eyes filled with a mix of doubt and uncertainty. She had seen poison before, but what happened earlier didn't seem quite like poisoning.
"Miss Xu, were you truly poisoned just now?" Ning He asked, her face slightly pale as she looked at Xu Hongyu.
Xu Hongyu, still not fully recovered, comforted Chen Yue and Yu Ru before describing her recent experience to Ning He, who then shared her observations of Xu Hongyu's previous state.
After comparing notes, both women's faces turned even paler, and they looked at Chen Mu simultaneously.
Xu Hongyu, a master of the Bone Forging Realm, had never encountered demonic energy before, but she had heard of it. As Ning He, who followed Xu Hongyu and assisted her in her endeavors, was well-versed and knowledgeable about various matters.
Under the gaze of the women, Chen Mu couldn't spare any attention at that moment. His focus was entirely on the demonic energy within his body, which had been suppressed in his organs and was now almost completely eradicated.
Until the last trace of demonic energy was extinguished.
Chen Mu breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Xu Hongyu, who was still a bit shaken but unharmed. For a moment, he felt his thoughts and mind exceptionally clear, as if the entire world before him had become slightly more vivid.
"This is..." he thought.
Chen Mu, who had been cultivating the Heaven-Earth Path and had reached the pinnacle of unwavering conviction on his martial path after the Bi Prefecture incident, was now just a step away from ascending to the next level. When faced with Xu Hongyu's demonic energy invasion, he didn't hesitate and made a choice.
Mastery of the martial path, the martial Dao Will, none of it mattered anymore. If, after years of martial cultivation and reaching the heights of the Gale Wind Rankings, he couldn't protect the person in front of him, then pursuing martial arts would be meaningless.
Uniting knowledge and action, he followed his heart's desires. This choice was a test of his heart.
His will was to make the world conform to his desires. Martial arts had never been his sole pursuit; it was merely a tool to fulfill his will. It was a path, but he didn't define himself solely by it. Instead, his martial Dao Will quietly advanced further, breaking through that thin barrier, reaching a state of being true to his heart and singular focus.
For most martial practitioners, having a martial Dao Will like Chen Mu's would give them a six or seven out of ten chance of breaking through the Mystic Gateway. With a solid foundation and deep understanding of the concept, there would be almost no obstacles.
Moreover, this level of martial Dao Will was also the basis for mastering domains. Without it, even if one comprehended a domain, they would lack the ability to control that power and could get lost in the vastness of heaven and earth.
In a sense, Chen Mu had overcome the most significant obstacles in his cultivation. From now on, his path would be one of continuous improvement.
In a brief moment of distraction.
Realizing that his martial Dao Will had advanced further, Chen Mu suddenly understood that this malicious plot against him seemed to have no effect and might even have been designed with his well-being in mind.
As Qin Mengjun had warned him, he needed to be cautious of being ambushed. The reason for this caution was his highly noticeable pursuit of the Heaven-Earth Path. But after this attempt on his life, many would likely believe that the demonic energy had severely hindered his cultivation, making his chances of becoming a Grandmaster slim. In the short term, the challenges he faced would be significantly reduced.
Rather than constantly guarding against conspiracies and ambushes, it might be better to 'take the bait' once. This was like being offered a pillow while dozing off, but this matter wouldn't end here. Using Xu Hongyu's life as a pawn in their scheme would demand blood as payment!
(End of Chapter)
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