Chapter 134 The Seed of Doubt

Chapter 134 The Seed of Doubt

Wang Sumo looked at Bai Cen and said in a low voice, "I remember you said that you were your master's last disciple, and that your master favored you, passing on the sect's secret manuals and techniques. Because of this, you suffered the jealousy of your senior brother, who poisoned you?"

Bai Cen nodded.

Wang Sumo and Bai Cen exchanged a glance, then looked at Fang Rushi together—Fang Rushi was right, it was someone close to them, and it took a long time to slowly poison them.

Wang Sumo and Bai Cen had no doubts about what Fang Rushi said.

However, Bai Cen frowned: "It's one thing for me, but why would Huo Ling do it?"

Indeed, Wang Sumo also fell into thought at this point: "Huo Ling grew up in Qingyun Manor, protected by Elder He and Manor Lord Huo. Even if she was weak and sickly from birth, there shouldn't be anyone poisoning her. Who in Qingyun Manor could do that? And who among those who could do it would do it?"

Wang Sumo posed a question that was almost a soul-searching inquiry: Within Qingyun Manor, who among those who could do it would do it?

Neither Bai Cen nor Fang Rushi spoke.

Wang Sumo continued to ponder.

Master He? Master Huo? He Lingyun? He Huai'an? Uncle Ding?

Wang Sumo felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, feeling a sense of dread because she was facing someone she could never have guessed.

Given Master He's character, he certainly wouldn't do that. Besides, it was Master He who used his internal energy to protect Huo Ling from her injury and illness. Master He wouldn't do that.

Huo Ling is the son of Master Huo, and anyone could kill Huo Ling except Master Huo.

He Lingyun has a conflict with Huo Ling because Huo Ling always calls He Lingyun a wild child, so He Lingyun is always impulsive. He Lingyun's character is not like that. Moreover, since he used such a secretive method as poisoning, why would he be so impulsive as to directly beat up Huo Ling, putting the old master He and the master Huo in a difficult position? It doesn't make sense.

That leaves He Huai'an and Ding Bo.

He Huai'an had no martial arts skills and had only been assisting Master Huo in managing the affairs of Qingyun Manor, especially business matters. If one had to name the three people of this generation at Qingyun Manor—Huo Ling, He Lingyun, and He Huai'an—only He Huai'an was the most reliable. Master Huo and the old Master He had many things to entrust to He Huai'an. He Lingyun and Huo Ling couldn't even take care of their own affairs, so it shouldn't be He Huai'an...

However, Wang Sumo always felt as if she had overlooked something.

It was on He Huai'an.

Just as Wang Sumo was racking her brains trying to figure out where the loopholes were, Bai Cen suddenly said, "Can I put on some clothes now? It's so cold."

Wang Sumo and Fang Rushi only then remembered that Bai Cen was still wearing his clothes open at this moment.

Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here!

It's probably freezing cold!

She had wanted Fang Rushi to show Bai Cen, but Bai Cen thought she was checking if he was dressed properly, like last time...

Suddenly, Wang Sumo froze.

He Huai'an?

He Huai'an, the most reliable person in Qingyun Manor, hasn't even mastered martial arts. Yet, Qingyun Manor is a major martial arts sect, and its members are on par with the leaders of various sects in important occasions. However, he doesn't even know the essence of the Longevity Gentleman Sword. Everywhere he goes, he is accompanied by several close disciples from Qingyun Manor...

Firstly, He Huai'an was almost completely ignorant of martial arts.

Wang Sumo frowned.

The prosperity of a martial arts sect depends not only on its present but also on its future. The future hinges on the selection of the next master of Qingyun Manor, but He Huai'an, lacking martial arts skills, is the least noticeable among them. And because he is inconspicuous, everyone perceives the eldest young master as merely diligent and unambitious.

Because he was inconspicuous, He Huai'an was excluded from many things.

Because he was inconspicuous, he didn't even care that Huo Ling said he and He Lingyun were two wild children. He Lingyun was furious, but He Huai'an seemed not to have heard a thing...

Secondly, He Huai'an is inconspicuous.

"Inconspicuous" means that no matter what he does, others wouldn't think it's him. Like when she was just using the process of elimination, Master He, Master Huo, and He Lingyun all had specific reasons, but with him, it seemed no reason was needed; it just felt like it shouldn't be him…

Even Wang Sumo herself found it unbelievable.

When Wang Sumo's thoughts returned to the Bewitching Town—the person who could set up the Bewitching Town and conduct so much grain trading must be a highly respected person with great power and influence in the martial arts world.

Such a person is not necessarily someone with high martial arts skills.

He Huai'an held such a status and position at Qingyun Manor.

Wang Sumo became increasingly horrified as she thought about it.

Furthermore, they used those strange people in the Bewitching Town to experiment with marrow cleansing...

Those who fail to undergo marrow cleansing lose their minds and become red monsters; but the second group of people succeeded in marrow cleansing ten years ago.

Ten years ago?

Ten years ago, my eldest brother led me to Qingyun Manor, where we found my great-uncle.

Ten years ago, He Huai'an and He Lingyun happened to appear at Qingyun Manor.

Although it seems quite unbelievable, in a sense, everyone's conditions match.

Moreover, He Ping mentioned this time that He Huai'an came here immediately after learning about what happened in the Bewildering Town and then personally supervised the matter.

Although He Huai'an did help Master Huo with many trivial matters inside and outside Qingyun Manor, He Ping had mentioned before that Master Huo attached great importance to the disaster relief grain, which was why he had asked him to bring his fellow disciples to check along the way.

Originally, it was supposed to be Master Huo who came, but He Huai'an arrived first...

Wang Sumo's doubts grew stronger.

Moreover, He Huai'an is indeed a very thorough person who is hard to fathom.

His shrewdness was unlike that of He Lingyun, who was about the same age, and even more so than that of the glib-tongued Bai Cen and the taciturn and composed Brother Zhao...

Therefore, one should not sow the seeds of doubt.

Once planted, this seed of doubt will slowly take root and sprout in your heart...

But the only thing that doesn't make sense is age.

Brother Zhao mentioned that marrow cleansing can indeed change a person's appearance, height, and even personality, and it's not impossible for someone to become like He Huai'an.

But what about age?

He Huai'an had only recently come of age, which was evident in his appearance.

A person's appearance can change, but what about age?

To plan the Bewitching Town, or even earlier, the Kunlun Ring-related matters, it wasn't even ten or twenty years ago. He Huai'an may look ten or twenty years younger, but how could he possibly be decades older?

Moreover, if He Huai'an is Bai Cen's senior brother, he couldn't possibly not recognize Bai Cen...

Wang Sumo felt as if she had just grasped the basics, but then suddenly found herself in a dead end.

But this matter concerns He Huai'an, whose identity is special and who is also related to Old Master He. Without concrete evidence or obvious clues, she cannot discuss this matter with anyone else, otherwise it would be slander and defamation.

Even things she herself cannot decide can ruin another person.

Wang Sumo shook her head. This path was blocked unless there was another way...

Just then, Fang Rushi lowered the curtain and got back to the main topic: "Do you remember what I said before about keeping it a secret?"

Bai Cen nodded without saying a word.

I remember, I definitely remember...

Fang Ru nodded, while Wang Sumo was still lost in thought. Bai Cen snapped out of it and said, "What about Huo Ling? That guy seems so outspoken. Whether he believes us or not is one thing; even if he cooperates, he might just blurt it out and give himself away..."

Bai Cen's concerns were not unfounded.

Huo Ling was young and had a strange temper; she was uncontrollable.

Fang Ru said in a deep voice, "Don't tell him the truth."

Bai Cen looked at him in surprise.

Fang Rushi continued, "Let him continue to be kept in the dark. Anyway, I promised Master He that how to treat him is my business. But the mystery behind this is known only to heaven, earth, the two of you, and me. I will not tell a third person for the time being."

Bai Cen crossed his arms and nodded: "I understand. Huo Ling's place is the same as it was before. We just need to make sure he and the people who might be with him don't notice."

That's what Fang Rushi meant.

Bai Cen reached out to tie his clothes: "I'm fine. Anyway, no one knows who I am. In Huo Ling's eyes, I'm a nobody. Master He, Uncle Huo, and Uncle Ding only know my name as Bai Cen. But in my senior brother's eyes, I have another name."

Wang Sumo glanced at him sideways and asked, "So many aliases?"

Bai Cen sighed softly: "I went to learn martial arts when I was young. My name was given to me by my master. Moreover, my appearance has changed over the years. My senior brother is not like Grandpa He and Grandpa Weng, who have seen my father. They can recognize me because I look like my father, but my senior brother has not seen my father. Now, even if I stand in front of him, as long as I do not forcefully use my internal energy, he may not recognize me."

Wang Sumo was surprised. She had just thought of this possibility, which she had previously thought was impossible, but suddenly the situation took an unexpected turn.

It's possible that He Huai'an wouldn't recognize Bai Cen...

Wang Sumo gasped.

What I thought was a dead end has really taken a turn for the better.

This feeling is shocking enough.

On one hand, Bai Cen sighed, "There's another problem. In a few days, when we get to Qiaozhen, the two groups will have to go their separate ways. Are a few days enough?"

Even if Fang Rushi's medical skills are superb, she was at a loss with this poison just now, and it is impossible for her to break the poison within a few days. Her senior brother has been treating him for so long.

But Huo Ling is indeed leaving.

Fang Rushi didn't seem to care much: "I'm responsible for treating the illness, not for this place. That's your business."

Bai Cen: ? ? ?

Bai Cen: !!!

Then Bai Cen suddenly realized that most divine doctors have quirks and can only focus on their own affairs. If Fang Rushi were to focus on other things as well, she probably wouldn't be able to concentrate on doing anything else.

Bai Cen was annoyed. Was he going to kidnap Huo Ling and take her away?

Wouldn't that be like stirring up trouble?

This method is not feasible.

At this moment, Wang Sumo, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Leave it to me, I'll figure something out, but Fang Ru, you have to cooperate with me."

Fang Rushi: "..."

Fang Ru was in a real bind; every time she heard her say that, it meant that something even more stubborn was about to happen.

Wang Sumo leaned closer: "Don't you want to unlock another antidote for this peerless poison?"

The key to treating difficult and complicated diseases lies in Fang Rushi's seven inches.

Nothing else could tempt Fang Rushi, but this could...

Fang Rushi said with dissatisfaction: "Don't drag me into this. I want to live a few more years. You two can do the murder and arson yourselves. If you need my cooperation, just let me know in advance."

"Okay," Wang Sumo readily agreed.

Bai Cen was so delighted that he was almost in a daze, but Fang Rushi did give him a word of advice: "Starting tomorrow, you need to find a reason for me to be alone with you, or with this girl, or at any other time. I need at least half an hour every day."

ah?

Bai Cen felt this was a difficult problem.

But Wang Sumo didn't say much: "Okay."

Fang Rushi was satisfied and lowered the curtain to leave. Anyway, he had said everything he needed to say. He had just seen the poison on Bai Cen's body, and he had a lot to study. As for the rest, that was their business.

After Fang Rushi left, Bai Cen looked at Wang Sumo with suspicion: "Won't this give us away?"

Wang Sumo shook her head: "I don't know."

"But you already agreed to Fang Rushi's request?" Bai Cen asked in surprise.

Wang Sumo deliberately said, "Anyway, even if the news gets leaked, the other party won't kill me; I'm not poisoned, and I don't need to take screenshots, so what does it have to do with me?"

Bai Cen: ? ? ?

Wang Sumo pursed her lips: "So, you'll have to figure it out yourself~"

"Hey!" Seeing that Wang Sumo had also gotten off the carriage, Bai Cen was anxious. What could he do?

Wang Sumo chuckled behind her back. She was naturally teasing Bai Cen, and besides, she also had a lot she wanted to find out from Huo Ling.

She also needs time to spend more time with Huo Ling.

After getting off the carriage, Wang Sumo heard Huo Ling and Duan Wuheng arguing about something.

One person shouted: "Wild child!"

Another person retorted: "Sickly!"

"Wild child!"

"Sickly child!"

Wang Sumo's eyes lit up. It was exactly what she wanted! Perfect timing!

[Author's Note]

Miss Wang's brain is fried from eating too much crucian carp...