17 Wanted

"Where are you going, Fei Wu?" Ruo Yao handed me a sword. I waved my hand, indicating that I didn't need it.

"I don't know, I want to go to the Central Plains to take a look," I said softly. Actually, my destination is the Mo family in Luoyang, but I don't intend to let anyone know. Since entering the martial world, I've practiced medicine and cured illnesses along the way, accumulating quite a bit of good karma. At the same time, I've also made quite a few enemies. My father doesn't want to acknowledge me as his son anymore, so if I go back, at most I'll just take a cursory look, without anyone knowing, and that'll be enough. Then, I'll roam the world freely, living a carefree life, and maybe even go find my elder brother who's been missing for many years to see how he's doing.

"Heroes emerge from the Central Plains, and Shaolin Temple on Mount Song is a good place, especially since the annual martial arts gathering is about to take place. If I go there, I should be able to catch the excitement." Hui Xin murmured to himself.

"Aren't you two going?" I asked, looking at the two of them. We still didn't get along.

“The first time is always about the novelty. After a few times, it’s not that fun anymore. I also have to take care of the business here, so leave Lianxi to me, you can rest assured. If needed, I’ll send a message by carrier pigeon,” Ruoyao told me.

“I’m not going either. I’m perfectly comfortable here. Besides, we’re not exactly a prestigious sect. Why bother getting involved with those ordinary people? Even if I wanted to, some might not appreciate it. But Fei Wu, you need to be careful. There have been a lot of rumors about you lately. If you’re discovered, a fight is inevitable,” Hui Xin said. “I’m not worried about you. Fei Wu’s poison is the most potent, but there will definitely be many people coming for it—for antidotes, for cures, and for the poison itself. Fei Wu, just take care of yourself.”

"Thank you." I smiled and waved. Then I leaped onto the horse's back, kicked it with both feet, and the horse galloped away.

"No matter where Fei Wu goes, the Gathering of Heroes two years from now is not to be missed." Ruo Yao transmitted her voice from afar, and I burst into laughter.

"must."

From Hangzhou to the Central Plains, it only took a few days. I was still traveling alone, wearing a cloak. The inns along the way were mostly booked, so sometimes I even had to hide in the mountains to spend the night. Fortunately, it was September, so it wasn't too cold, although the humidity in the mountains was very high, making it quite uncomfortable to sleep.

Besides learning how to concoct poisons and make medicine from Xiang Shang, I also learned how to cook. Because my master had very picky tastes, spoiled by top-quality medicines, he was particular about even his food, always adding this and that. As a result, I developed the habit of always asking for help when I grilled meat myself.

For example, when grilling fish, you need to add wormwood and chrysanthemum stems. Grilling fish is quite time-consuming and laborious. (This is purely fictional and should not be imitated. You are solely responsible for the consequences.)

But the aroma of the fish attracted a pack of wolves—real wolves, of course. So, while I was grilling the fish, I could also build a fire pit and roast some wolf meat. Wouldn't you call that killing two birds with one stone?

One drizzly day, I was grilling fish in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Kaifeng. (Don't ask me where the fish came from; I've been to Kaifeng so many times, I don't remember any lakes there.)

"Young man, could I have a piece of wolf meat?" I was turning over the wolf cub that had been skinned clean. Since I don't eat much, I tore off half and threw it to him. He looked to be about sixty years old, and was filthy all over.

"Thanks, young man." He didn't stand on ceremony and started tearing the wolf meat with his hands. I hadn't even taken a second bite of the wolf meat when he became impatient again.

"Young man, I'm starving. Could you give me another piece of meat?" he said, wiping his greasy mouth and greedily eyeing the meat in my hand. Helpless, I tore off a piece of meat I had just bitten and threw all the meat in my hand to him.

"Hehe." He burped after his meal. ☆Fried☆Ice Cream☆Organization☆

Actually, I was quite curious about him. He couldn't even afford food, so where did he get the wine? But he had a way of producing a gourd, filled with the fragrant aroma of bamboo leaf green liquor. Luckily, I'm not a heavy drinker, or I would have snatched it. He patted his belly and, regardless of my wishes, launched into a long, detailed account of the major events in the martial arts world this year. I'd only been in the martial arts world for less than half a year, so naturally I didn't know so much. Although Binghong had told me a lot back then, six years was a considerable period. Besides the ever-present righteous sects, the eternally evil factions, the Demonic Sect, the Ghost Palace, and the Underworld Palace, many new talents had emerged. Among them was that little fellow, Bixie Juexin. That kid was incredibly arrogant, offended many people, and accumulated a mountain of debt.

"I heard he got a lesson from the top of the Four Young Masters and is now working hard to improve. Hehe, I heard that the leader of the Four Young Masters, who's from Feiwu something, is quite a character this year. Everyone says he's even better than the Poison Prince back then, surpassing his master. Especially his long, black-purple hair, which is incredibly alluring and wicked, hehe. There are quite a few people who want to hunt him down now."

Hearing my own assessment didn't really bother me; it just felt detached from reality. However, hearing that someone had issued a warrant for my arrest really upset me. I haven't committed any heinous crimes, yet I'm wanted. It's truly unjust.

"Why is he wanted?" I finally spoke up. The old beggar almost burst into tears of emotion upon hearing my voice. I'd lost interest after he'd been talking to himself for so long; I felt a little bad for the storyteller.

"It's all because of his looks. Back then, quite a few people swore to capture the Poison Prince. They were all bored people who wanted to possess someone who was good-looking."

"I see." She subconsciously wiped her face. Goodness, when did you become so valuable?

"However, some people are after the antidote. Especially those famous families who make a living by concocting poisons, such as the Tang family in Sichuan, the Bingnian Sect in Tianshan, and the Lan family in Yunnan. They all want to win him over. What they want is nothing more than the Poison Prince's favor."

"I see."

"Of course, there are also those who want him to cure their illnesses. I heard that the Demonic Sect issued an arrest warrant yesterday, and the Ghost Palace also issued an arrest warrant yesterday."

"..." Speechless. In just a few days, I've fallen to the point where everyone wants to grab me? The speed of my descent is truly astounding.

"And there are invitations from Shaolin and Wudang." He continued rattling off.

"And why?"

"Just boredom. Anyone wanted by the Demonic Cult is someone Shaolin is looking for." He took a sip of his wine, speaking cheerfully. "The Demonic Cult probably wants to recruit him, and Shaolin, without hesitation, made the first move. Even if we don't need such a talent, having him at home would be a pleasure."

-_-||| I'm sweating profusely. I'll be more careful from now on. It seems I've been living in seclusion in the mountains for too long, and I didn't realize I'd reached the point of public outrage. With so many people looking for me, I might as well go back to my master and become a wandering knight-errant in the marshes.

"What you say is very true, senior." I nodded.

"Are you also going to the martial arts tournament, senior?"

"Um."

"Are you representing the Beggars' Sect, senior?" That damn old man, he talked so much just now, but now that I've said something, he's gone silent.

"No, I'm going to beg for food. It's easier to beg for food in crowded places."

"..." Mi said. She's really experienced. "The rain has stopped, I'll be going now, senior."

"You are still young, and you have many paths to choose from. One wrong step can lead to endless regret. Don't end up like the Poison Prince, who couldn't recover from one mistake."

As I stepped out the door, the old beggar spoke from behind. Looking at his back, I realized he had known my identity all along; he was truly a master.

I smiled and left.

Knowing full well there are tigers in the mountains, I still venture into the tiger's den. I was originally indifferent, but now I'm determined to go to the martial arts tournament and see what those gods and monsters are after me. Since my master isn't afraid of those people, why should I be? The world is vast; there's always a place for me. With a clear conscience and a peaceful mind, I'll simply accept whatever comes my way.