21. One wave has not yet subsided.

Just as Huixin, Ruoyao, and I were chatting and laughing, a voice carrying for miles came from the front mountain.

"Young Master Feiwu, please show yourself. I have an important matter to ask of you." Such profound internal energy! Few would survive a blow from such power. I thought to myself.

"Hey! I'm calling you, hurry up!" Huixin nudged me.

"It might be another scheme by the Demonic Sect," Ruoyao said, looking at me.

I shrugged, pulled down my cloak, and tore off my mask. "I'll block any enemy that comes, and cover myself against anyone. You and Huixin are lying in ambush in the shadows. You'll need to help me again."

I strolled casually to the front of the mountain, only to be startled by the crowd rolling around on the ground. I looked bewildered at the abbot sitting in the center.

"They've been poisoned?"

"The Demonic Sect's Lotus Poison." He nodded, a fine bead of sweat on his forehead. It seemed he too had been poisoned. Although his internal energy was profound enough to suppress the poison for a while, allowing it to slowly be expelled from his body, the Demonic Sect's Lotus Poison was truly deadly. The poison only worked on men; if a poisoned man didn't castrate himself within half an incense stick's time, he would die from the poison, his body oozing pus. Even men with profound internal energy would endure several days of spasms before the poison could be expelled. (Adversity is getting increasingly twisted; he actually thought of such a vicious poison.)

I wanted to laugh, but looking at the thousands of people in the room, I didn't. I imagined what it would be like to suddenly have a thousand eunuchs, then I took a bowl, took out some spices, secretly mixed in my own blood, and finally poured it into a pool of wine.

"Distribute them to individuals." Although I don't like meddling in other people's business, since Master Yihai knew my name this time, it means the Demonic Sect's challenge was aimed at me. If I cower in the shadows, I'll be laughed at.

"Thank you very much, Young Master Feiwu." The abbot bowed to me. I quickly returned the bow.

"Not at all, Feiwu has other matters to attend to and cannot linger here. Please bear with me, Abbot." With that, he used his lightness skill to leap away.

"It seems the Demonic Sect doesn't want your life," Ruoyao said at the inn.

"I even suspect that their purpose in doing this was to test my abilities, to see if I could cure all poisons, or to help me establish a reputation. You saved so many lives in public, and many people are grateful to you. In the future, when you travel the world, even those who don't like you will have to give Master Yihai and the others some face. After all, you saved so many people."

I looked at Ruoyao. Huixin was still sleeping; he had been busy for so many days, he must have been exhausted.

“If it’s about helping you make a name for yourself, I don’t understand. What connection did Fei Wu have with the Demonic Sect before?” Ruo Yao looked at me.

I shook my head. "Probably not. But it's always best to be cautious."

The martial arts tournament continued in full swing after that, but the Demonic Sect obviously did not interfere again.

"Isn't Fei Wu coming back with us?" Ruo Yao and Hui Xin had recovered and were preparing to return home.

"There's still one thing I haven't finished." I absolutely have to attend Fei Yu's wedding.

"Be careful with so many people, keep in touch. If needed, we're brothers..." Ruoyao said with a smile.

"What are you babbling about? Fei Wu is so strong, does he need you? Just don't hold him back." Hui Xin sneered. For some reason, since being kidnapped, Hui Xin's attitude towards Ruo Yao had obviously changed. Although they still bickered often, the coldness of the past was gone, replaced by a complex mix of emotions.

"That's true. Take care, Feiwu. Remember to write!"

After watching the two bickering lovers leave, I let out a long sigh.

When I saw Liu Ya again, something seemed off. He clearly knew I knew his identity, so he acted somewhat distant.

"Things have been turbulent in the city lately," he said, still as garrulous as ever. I, meanwhile, munched on my steamed bun, listening intently.

"Especially in Luoyang, several murders have occurred."

"Um."

"They are all young girls who have been kidnapped, and when they are found, it's like their souls have been stolen."

"Hmm?" I'm starting to get interested.

"Even in Kaifeng, there have been a number of such cases of missing girls."

"Why?" I looked at him. "You suspect me?"

“Yes, medical books say that treating a living dead requires forty-nine souls. If that’s true, then it’s all for saving a young girl’s life. But this approach is utterly disheartening,” Liu Ya said, clicking her tongue in condemnation.

"Besides, this method is too risky. I've only heard of it; how do I know if it will succeed? I don't have a doctor as skilled as her who can use this soul-capturing technique so adeptly." I shook my head, expressing my regret.

“That makes sense. But since the recovered girl's body wasn't decomposed and she was unconscious, perhaps it might be possible,” Liu Ya muttered to herself. “Even Zi Wu, with her superb medical skills, has never seen anything like this before?”

I admire the incredible skill of soul-capturing, but I've never seen anyone capable of taking the soul of a living person while preserving their physical form from decay. Generally, those whose souls are captivated are merely lost; the time cannot be too long. If it's too long, those with insufficient willpower will lose their minds and never recover. Moreover, soul-capturing is very physically demanding. I usually use a flute or guzheng; music is more effective than drugs. Capturing the soul of a living person definitely requires a level of internal strength and willpower far exceeding that of an ordinary person. If drugs are used to control the soul, then the drugs used will be far more refined.

I shook my head, frowning. "I only know how to heal; soul manipulation requires profound martial arts skills. I've never even heard of a precedent for it. I probably can't help you. Do you know anyone who has had their soul taken?"

"I don't know him," Liu Ya shook her head, her words evasive.

Arriving in Luoyang, I found a quiet inn to stay in. I've never been a person of extravagance. My master left me many treasures, but they were all used as weapons. Ruoyao, however, was bold and observant, and discovered my situation. He left me a considerable amount of silver and bought me some clothes, thinking I was going to spend another winter. Actually, my plan was to return to my master's secluded valley before winter arrived to research some information, do some cleaning, and if I had time, go back to see Lianxi for the New Year. I wonder how Lianxi is doing now.

"I heard the Lord of the Underworld has come to Luoyang." I continued munching on my steamed bun as usual. The waiter knew my tastes and prepared my food on time every day.

"Seriously, it's quite a grand affair. But the Underworld Palace has developed rapidly in recent years, and it can now rival the Demonic Sect."

I took a sip of ginger soup, watching the torrential rain, and felt a little unhappy. I recalled some past events, then shook my head vigorously, clearing my mind of these distracting thoughts.

"The martial arts tournament is almost over, what are they doing here?"

"I heard they're here to attend the Mo family's wedding."

"The renowned Mo family, famous throughout the Central Plains? Who's getting married?"

"The young lady in the family is an only child. She was originally a bit crazy, but she was very beautiful, which bewitched the second young master of Hanlongbao, and he agreed to marry into the family."

"Really? Then let's go see what's going on."

"What a joke! Such a grand entrance is only possible because of the recent rampant activities of the Demonic Sect, with tight security. Only close relatives and friends are allowed in. I wonder why the Lord of the Underworld Palace has come?"

"Look at the beauties," lewd laughter rang out. I frowned and stood up.

"Not to mention the Underworld Palace, even the Ghost Palace has people participating." ☆Fried☆Ice Cream☆Organization☆

"Really, now that you mention it, I'm even more eager to see what that beauty looks like. She has captivated so many heroes."

"Keep your voice down, or you'll be in trouble if Young Master Mo hears you."

I sneered and silently left. A series of screams erupted behind me. Those gut-dissolving and tongue-corroding powders will render you speechless and tasteless for the rest of your lives. Those who dared to insult my Fei Yu, you're courting death.

It seems I must go to the Mo family to find out when they offended the two evil forces, the Underworld Palace and the Ghost Mansion. I rubbed my temples; could Fei Yu's appearance really have brought such a disaster upon her?

Then we'll have to put aside this trivial matter of the Demonic Sect for now and go deal with the Underworld Palace and the Ghost Mansion. Let them know that the Mo family is not to be trifled with.