Chapter 51 The Poison That Melts Bones
Chapter 51 The Poison That Melts Bones
When Wang Sumo and the old man went to Shanhe Town to buy vegetables, Bai Cen first hung up all the eaves lanterns of Bazhenlou.
After dusk comes night.
Night falls in an instant. First, hang up all the eaves lanterns on the Eight Treasures Pavilion. When the sky suddenly darkens, you can see everything around you!
In fact, he heard Zhenniang talking to the two disciples of Qingyun Manor about the origin of the eaves lanterns on Bazhen Tower from afar in the tree.
Having roamed the martial arts world for so long, Bazhenlou has earned a renowned reputation.
But Zhenniang's words gave him a different perspective on Bazhenlou...
So he wanted to stay at Bazhenlou, but by sheer coincidence, Bazhenlou was hiring handymen, and whenever they were hiring a sous chef first, he was never chosen.
One by one, the eaves lanterns were hung up, and the Bazhenlou at night looked completely different from the Bazhenlou during the day.
Humorously, no matter how many times I see it, the Eight Treasures Pavilion, adorned with lanterns hanging from its eaves, looks as beautiful as a precious jewel...
After watching for a while, Bai Cen went to the small courtyard on the first floor to set up the Eight Immortals Table.
As he was setting up the octagonal table, Old Master He happened to return from Deyuan and Zhao Tong's place. Seeing him tidying up the table, he wanted to help. Bai Cen quickly said, "No need, no need, Old Master, you rest. I can do this little thing, no need to trouble you."
Bai Cen has a good eye for talent.
He's a junior, and also a proper handyman at Bazhenlou, so of course he should do these odd jobs. Even the boss would say that!
Old Master He said gently, "I'm here so that the two of them can have some time alone."
After Master He finished speaking, Bai Cen followed his gaze and saw Deyuan and Zhao Tong sitting on the hillside, seemingly talking.
Tomorrow, Master He will leave with Deyuan, and Deyuan and Zhao Tong should have a lot to talk about.
It's only human nature.
Saying goodbye to partners you've been with for so long isn't easy.
Bai Cen suddenly understood, "That makes sense, Master He is truly amazing."
Old Master He looked at him again and said gently, "Little Bai."
"What's wrong?" Bai Cen asked him with a smile.
Master He smiled without saying a word, probably thinking about how to phrase it.
Bai Cen understood and then took the initiative to defuse the situation, "Elder Master He, if you have something to say, just tell me the number. Although we haven't been together for long, I really enjoy being with Elder Master He; it's like a gentle breeze. I am a junior, and you are a senior, so you don't need to hold back when you say anything. I will take it personally."
Master He couldn't help but laugh, then nodded, "Old Qu and the girl will be back in a while, no need to rush, come with me for a walk."
Bai Cen quickly realized that Master He had something to say to him privately.
Bai Cen immediately put down the rag and readily agreed, "I'll listen to the old master!"
Master He also liked him very much.
He stepped forward, and Old Master He patted him on the shoulder. Bai Cen laughed heartily.
Although they said they were talking as they walked, they didn't actually go far; they were still wandering around the Bazhenlou restaurant.
Up close, it wasn't so noticeable, but from a distance, the Eight Treasures Pavilion resembled a luxurious lighthouse, brightly lit in the suburban night, like a celestial palace fallen to earth. Bai Cen and Master He were both mesmerized by its grandeur.
Bai Cen came to his senses first and sighed softly, "Old Master, who knows when we will be able to return to Bazhenlou after this trip."
As far as Bai Cen was concerned, even if Master He stood by and did nothing about Deyuan's affairs, no one would say anything.
In the martial arts world, the most important thing is to protect oneself wisely.
The notorious bandit Liu Henshui was once avoided by many in the martial arts world. At this time, there should be very few people who would still be willing to travel with Liu Henshui and not care about the rumors circulating in the martial arts world.
The Everlasting Gentleman's Sword is always consistent inside and out.
Old Master He stood upright with his hands behind his back, showing no sign of slackness even in his old age.
"I was just about to tell you about this," Elder He said, taking advantage of Bai Cen's words. Having just finished watching from afar, the two walked and talked. "Bai Cen, have we met somewhere before?"
When Elder He asked this question, Bai Cen paused for a moment, even though he was prepared, before saying, "I can't hide it from Elder He. I met Elder He once when I was young."
"Oh?" Old Master He was pleasantly surprised. "Who are you?"
He was unsure before, but when he asked, he received a definite answer from Bai Cen.
Bai Cen took a deep breath, thinking about how to bring it up with Master He, but hesitated slightly.
Old Master He's lips curled slightly. "Among my old acquaintances, there are almost no people with the surname Bai; but there are some old friends with the surname Cen..."
Bai Cen looked up at the other person, then gave a self-deprecating smile, "So, the old manor lord already knew."
Master He smiled and said, "I wasn't sure before, but I know now."
Bai Cen acquiesced.
Old Master He patted him on the shoulder, then looked him up and down carefully again, not letting go of his hand. He looked at him with more affection and kindness than he did at the other disciples, saying, "Son, you resemble your father very much. Good, very good!"
Master He was visibly agitated in his words.
Bai Cen also said gently, "When my father was still alive, he often talked about Master He. Thank you, Master He, for never revealing to others that my father was also with Master He when he went to Xiaoyao Sect."
Old Master He couldn't help but nod, "Heroes have always emerged from among the young. I will always remember the scene of your father, who was only seventeen or eighteen years old at the time, fighting alongside me without fear..."
Perhaps it was these memories rushing back that made Old Master He's eyes slightly misty. "Where is your father?"
Bai Cen paused, then said calmly, "My father has passed away."
Master He froze.
Bai Cen continued, "A few years ago, there was a flood in Guanzhong. My father encountered the flood while evacuating people. He told the people to leave first, but he and my mother didn't make it in time..."
Bai Cen choked up, a hint of regret on his face, "They did what they wanted to do, and what they should do. I should be proud of them."
Overwhelmed with grief, Old Master He shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Heaven is jealous of talent..."
Throughout his life, Master He had met countless people, but those who truly deserved the title of "a genius envied by heaven" were extremely rare.
But Bai Cen's father is...
Master He swallowed hard, trying to suppress his grief, and said gently and calmly, "Your father was selected as a third-ranked scholar by the Emperor when he was seventeen. His words and actions were all constrained by the court, and it was inconvenient for him to leave his mark in the martial arts world. Later, he wrote to me saying that he had been appointed as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Revenue. A few years later, he mentioned being transferred to a local post as a local official. When he returned to the capital, he should have become a high-ranking official in the court. Alas, heaven is jealous of talent. He shouldn't have ended up like this..."
Old Master He couldn't help but shake his head, as if he couldn't recover for a moment. "He stopped writing letters all these years, and I always thought it was because he was busy with court affairs and traveling around. I also asked Lianchi, but he didn't mention it to me either. So, he knew about it?"
Bai Cen had no choice but to nod. "The old master has a chronic illness, which is why he retired from the martial world twenty years ago. Uncle Huo was afraid that the old master would worry if he knew about my father's matter. I also didn't want the old master to go through all that trouble, so I haven't told him yet. But Uncle Huo knows that once you leave the mountain, these things will eventually come out of your sight."
Master He nodded. "So you came to Bazhenlou with me?"
Bai Cen took a deep breath. "Yes, but not entirely. I ran into some trouble, and Wang Sumo happened to help me. I also have nowhere to go for the time being, so I might as well stay here."
"What's wrong with the poison in your body?" Old Master He asked.
Bai Cen chuckled, "I didn't lie to you, Master, but it's a long story and not worth mentioning. Actually, I'm fine and I'm also looking for an antidote. The world is vast, and I'll find it someday. If you want to know, Master, just wait until you return after sending Deyuan back, and I'll tell you everything."
Old Master He reached out and patted his shoulder again. The clearer things are, the less likely they are to be exposed. "Give me your hand."
After Master He finished speaking, Bai Cen rolled up his sleeves and generously extended his hand to him.
Having practiced martial arts for many years, even if one is not a doctor, one can still make some judgments from the pulse.
Bai Cen's practiced movements were so skillful that this must have been done more than once or twice.
Both fell silent in unison. Elder He, the head of the manor, had been taking his pulse for a long time without uttering a sound, while Bai Cen waited patiently beside him. After a long while, Elder He looked at him, "Ninefold True Qi?"
Bai Cen was surprised, "Old Master, your number has been revealed?"
Many people have treated him, but very few, or almost no one, know about him.
Master He said softly, "Ninefold True Qi should be the most domineering yet gentlest true qi in the martial arts world today. It is domineering because it can devour all true qi and internal energy. No matter which school of martial arts you practice, as long as someone transfers Ninefold True Qi to you, as long as it is enough, your previous internal energy will be completely erased."
"But it is also the gentlest true energy in the world. No matter what kind of martial arts you practice, it can support it. Like water, it is flexible and free, and there will be no conflict or mutual restraint. Moreover, unless you are familiar with it, you will not be able to see any clues at all."
Master He frowned. "As far as I know, the only people in this world who can still practice the Ninefold True Qi are you and Master Yu'an, Meng Huizhou. What is your relationship with him?"
Bai Cen sighed softly, "The old master kept it a secret for me; he is my senior master."
Old Master He was surprised, but soon realized it made sense. "So that's how it is..."
Master He seemed to be deep in thought, and Bai Cen continued, "Actually, the poison I was poisoned with did not restore my martial arts skills because of eating spinach; I was just teasing the master. But it is indeed related to spinach."
"Actually, the Ninefold True Qi does not erase a person's original internal energy. If it could truly erase the original internal energy, it would not be compatible with all martial arts. Therefore, the Ninefold True Qi covers the original internal energy, just like wrapping it in a garment; only a person's original internal energy can support their original martial arts without any changes."
"I see." This was the first time that Master He had truly understood the situation.
Bai Cen smiled and said calmly, "I was poisoned. The Ninefold True Qi that my senior uncle gave me can temporarily suppress this poison, but it cannot completely eliminate it. Although the Ninefold True Qi can gradually alleviate and weaken this toxicity, it is like a drop of antidote in a vat of poisoned water, which may take twenty or thirty years."
"But everything has its counterpart, and the medicinal properties of the spinach can suppress the Ninefold True Qi. So when there is a gap in the Ninefold True Qi, I can restore my original internal strength. However, at this time, the poison will backfire and cannot last long."
Master He exclaimed in surprise, "Such a miraculous thing exists in the world!"
Bai Cen cupped his hands in greeting, “Elder Master He, there’s no need to worry about me. I have my own way of surviving. During the time you’re away, I will definitely take good care of Master Qu. Please rest assured.”
He was indeed intelligent, just like his father.
Master He couldn't help but nod. "I was originally going to bring this up with you. Actually, you've already guessed it, Bai Cen. We're going to pass through many places along the way. I have some life-or-death friendships in the martial arts world. Maybe I can find out the antidote or the method to cure the poison and tell me what kind of poison I've been poisoned by?"
Bai Cen said softly, "The poison that dissolves bones."
[Author's Note]
The first 100 red envelopes for this chapter will be distributed on Monday.
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I'll start catching up on the chapters I owe on October 1st; currently, I owe 4 chapters [covering face and peeking].
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