Chapter 72: Divine Medicine Mountain

“Haha, so you had already seen through it! But now it’s too late!”

The brutish man suddenly leapt backward, putting distance between himself and Jiang An, grinning smugly:

“Sorry to say, but you’ve all been poisoned by ‘Wuji Powder.’ Even a grandmaster’s meridians will be paralyzed and blocked. For a while, you won’t be able to use your internal energy.”

At these words, everyone’s expression changed dramatically. Instinctively, they tried to circulate their techniques, only to discover that their inner force was trapped in the dantian, immovable. It was as if their meridians had been sealed in cement.

“Wuji Powder? Is it related to Wuji Water?” Knife Mo suddenly recalled something and blurted out.

“Oh, Wuji Water? That, too, was a secret recipe leaked from our Divine Medicine Mountain. But this ‘Wuji Powder’ is even more formidable. Not only does it retain the colorless, tasteless quality of Wuji Water, but its effect on blocking meridians is sped up countless times. So…” The short, stocky man lifted his head and laughed, his eyes turning vicious. “Anyone who dares move, I’ll kill them on the spot!”

“Uncle Master, why did even we get poisoned? Give me the antidote!” Qi Tiancuo complained bitterly.

“Don’t be afraid, Nephew. Though you haven’t formally joined Divine Medicine Mountain, I already see you as one of us. Still, once Wuji Powder is released, no one can escape. Rest assured, once this business is done, I’ll give you all the antidote right away. Besides, I’ll see to it the Qi family receives a great boon.” The stocky man chuckled slyly.

“Enough. State your purpose,” Jiang An said calmly.

The stocky man was wary of Jiang An, but his confidence in Wuji Powder held firm. He smiled and said, “Nothing complicated. The sect you’ve founded, Yu Sect, is quite impressive. How about this: let my nephew Qi Tiancuo take over as master. I promise not to kill any of you, provided you swallow a few of my specially prepared poisons.”

He didn’t dare approach rashly, wary of a desperate counterattack. Once his intentions were made clear, everyone present was shocked—so the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!

Even the Qi family felt bewildered, but one thing was certain: even if the Qi clan became masters of Yu Sect, they would merely be puppets under this man’s control.

“One last question. What is your name?” Jiang An asked.

“I never change my name, never change my surname. Bao Yi of Divine Medicine Mountain!” The stocky man crossed his arms, proud of his background, and then asked curiously, “Why do you ask?”

“I just don’t want you to die without a name,” Jiang An replied as he stepped forward.

Bao Yi was startled and took another step back. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll kill you!”

Seeing the bluster masking his nervousness, Jiang An shook his head slightly and slowly raised his right hand.

“You can’t possibly be unpoisoned! Whether a martial grandmaster or a sorcerer, you need meridians to channel energy. Stop pretending!” Bao Yi grew uneasy at the sight of Jiang An’s fist—after all, he’d been too formidable moments before.

But seeing there was no golden dragon head forming on Jiang An’s hand as before, Bao Yi regained some courage. His eyes darted; he thought of a plan. He couldn’t possibly control this man, so it was better to eliminate him at once.

Bao Yi tapped the strange black ring around his neck. The ring came alive, split in the middle, and began to sway and flick its tongue—a snake, with eyes and mouth, unmistakably venomous.

“Go!”

With a flick of his finger, Bao Yi sent the black snake streaking toward Jiang An like a black line. Judging by its ghastly appearance, a single bite would render even the mightiest helpless, if not dead.

Having sent the snake to test the waters, Bao Yi wisely did not follow up with an attack; instead, he retreated further, warily observing the outcome.

How tiresome.

Jiang An had no interest in playing these games. He struck out with a fist. Instantly, the space seemed to tighten; a terrifying, domineering presence swept the room. With a thunderous roar, a lifelike golden dragon’s head surged forth, unstoppable in its advance.

Golden light flooded the space. The dragon’s might descended.

Bang!

Bao Yi, the black snake—none of it remained after the tremendous shockwave. Half the room was blasted open, leaving a massive hole in the wall. Through it, one could see, far outside in the courtyard, a mangled corpse—barely recognizable as human—lying lifeless. Dead beyond recall.

A single Dragon Break!

It was true, Jiang An could no longer use the Double Dragon Strike, but he could still unleash a Single Dragon Break. He had indeed been poisoned by Wuji Powder, but he noticed early and, with the help of his cultivation, managed to expel most of it before it took hold. Besides, the Ten Dragon Fist relied primarily on the power of blood and qi.

“I’m tired. I’ll take my leave. The poison of Wuji Powder will dissipate on its own in at most twenty minutes. After all, he had to act in haste.” Relying on his superior knowledge of medicine, Jiang An spoke with certainty. He turned to Knife Mo. “Knife Mo, you handle receiving the various family heads. Discuss business, and you may launch the Longevity Pill as well.”

With that, he left without another glance, walking straight out.

“At once!” Knife Mo bowed respectfully, watching Jiang An depart. Then he straightened, smiling at the others. “This place is rather ruined. Let’s move elsewhere. But first, let’s announce the great news to the honored guests downstairs.”

The wealthy patrons on the first floor had been through a harrowing day. They had been enjoying wine and conversation when thunderous crashes came from upstairs, then the building was surrounded by armed police, and then the Party Secretary himself came and went. Yet they knew nothing of what had truly transpired. Their wait, however, was worthwhile, for they would witness the founding of Yu Sect, learn that Xishuang was to be sold nationwide, and, even more astonishing, that a miraculous new product—the Longevity Pill—was soon to be unveiled. That heralded boundless business opportunities and immense fortune.

Meanwhile, Jiang An had gotten in touch with Wang Bixuan, far away in the capital.

“...Unbelievable! Four grandmasters dead at your hands during an ordinary celebration! Brother, you certainly know how to stir up trouble.” On the other end of the line, Wang Bixuan could only offer a wry smile after hearing Jiang An’s brief account. “Let me tally this up—see how many enemies you’ve made: Han Minchan, ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly List; his master is Cao Taihuan of Goryeo—not yet at the third realm, but fiercely protective. The thirteenth, Tsukamoto, is even more formidable—his master is the seventh on the Divine List, the Immortal Kamitani. Then there’s the Shen family, who also have a third-realm expert. Add to that the resentment of a high official, and all I can do is sympathize. But the most fearsome of all is Divine Medicine Mountain! It’s one of the great hidden sects in the southwestern mountains. Outsiders have no idea of their true strength, or even where their mountain gate lies, but their influence is terrifying. It’s rumored the mountain holds countless rare spiritual herbs, many thought extinct elsewhere. Over centuries, countless experts have sought their medicines—meaning countless forces owe them favors. If they issue a word, plenty of masters would gladly take your head. You’d best report to headquarters in the capital at once; perhaps the Villa can intercede and smooth things over.”

Jiang An’s eyes lit up at this—Divine Medicine Mountain possessed innumerable spiritual herbs? That was the key information! In retrospect, he regretted obliterating Bao Yi so thoroughly; he should have captured and interrogated him instead.

Well, Divine Medicine Mountain, I’m coming for you. And your spiritual treasures will be mine!

Shanghai.

“Master, Young Master has returned!”

In a deep, stately compound, an elderly servant reported respectfully to a middle-aged man of imposing bearing.

This was the Shen family, and the man was its head, Shen Xiao.

Shen Xiao was calmly sipping tea and reading, not even looking up as he said, “Let him in.”

Soon, the door opened and the eldest young master staggered in, utterly disheveled, and fell to his knees. “It’s failed! Third Uncle is dead! Tsukamoto and Han Minchan are dead—all of them, brutally slain!”

“What!” Even someone of Shen Xiao’s cultivated composure was shaken by such news. His eagle eyes flashed like swords, making it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze.

“Who was it? Who could have killed all three? Was it some ancient monster intervening?” Shen Xiao pressed urgently.

“It was Jiang An! He absolutely has the power to single-handedly slay the four top experts sent by the Domination Faction! We all thought he was riding on the coattails of the National Guardian Villa and the military, but it turns out the rumors were true! He is ruthless and utterly disregards relationships—kills grandmasters as if slaughtering dogs. He’s terrifying!” The young master trembled as he spoke.

“Kills grandmasters as if slaughtering dogs? Such audacity!” Shen Xiao’s aura surged, shattering his teacup. Fixing his gaze on his son, he demanded, “If all the grandmasters are dead, how is it that you, who are not a grandmaster, returned alive?”

Cold sweat beaded on the young master’s brow as he kowtowed. “Father, I survived only by swallowing my pride and deceiving him! In retrospect, it’s a humiliation beyond compare. Please, Father, organize our forces immediately—destroy Jiang An and the Divine Blade Sect!”

As Jiang An had predicted, once the young master was safely home, his only thought was revenge. Any promises made before were forgotten.

Shen Xiao soon regained his composure. “Vengeance will be ours. No one climbs over the Shen family with impunity. But we must reassess this man’s strength—striking rashly would be foolish. As for you, I’ve tolerated your recklessness long enough. Now you see the terror of true power. You are to go straight to seclusion, and you will not come out until you become a grandmaster!”

The young master’s face turned ashen. Suddenly recalling something, he said, “Your lesson is well taken, Father, but Jiang An did something to me—I think he used some hidden technique. He said I’d suffer a fate worse than death after midnight tonight. I’m truly afraid.”

No wonder he let you come back so easily, Shen Xiao thought with a frown. “Come here, let me take a look.”

The young master hurried over. Shen Xiao grasped his wrist, and a surge of powerful energy swept into his son’s body, probing thoroughly.

After a long while, Shen Xiao opened his eyes, puzzled. “There’s nothing abnormal within you. Was he just trying to frighten you?”

“He clearly touched my brow, and I felt a cool breath enter my body. He said it would strike after midnight. Father, you must believe me!” the young master pleaded.

“I’ve searched your body several times and found nothing at all.”

“Perhaps we should ask Grandfather to intervene?” the young master suggested cautiously.

“Nonsense! Your grandfather has been in seclusion for years; he cannot be disturbed short of life and death.” Shen Xiao rebuked him. “Very well—let’s see if anything happens tonight, and then we’ll decide.”

“Alright,” the young master replied helplessly. It was only that night that he truly came to understand what it meant to wish for death.