According to the explanation of the Imperial Physician, it’s hereditary.

But few people believe it, after all, none of the previous Monarchs of the Xing Clan had this illness.

The capital of the Yelang Kingdom.

The residence of the Third Prince, Xingyin.

At this time, it was less than an hour after the morning assembly ended.

Although he manages state affairs, he is not the Monarch. Yet, at this moment, most of the ministers from the court are gathered at his residence.

And these ministers all looked to Xingyin for guidance.

At this moment, they were discussing a matter.

The family of Lu Sheng fled to Xiliang, knowing Chen Mo wouldn’t spare them. So, they fled to the Western Regions and were taken in by the Xing Clan. Now, after people of Chen Mo found out about their whereabouts, they came to the Xing Clan demanding the people.

Now they were discussing whether to hand those people over.

A minister said, the late Emperor fell because of the Qiang Race from Xiliang, passed away, and it was Lu Sheng who sent troops to wipe out the Qiang Race. Although it had nothing to do with their Yelang Kingdom, Lu Sheng is still a benefactor of their Yelang Kingdom.

Now that Lu Sheng’s family is in trouble, their Yelang Kingdom cannot be ungrateful and hand them over.

Besides, the Yelang Kingdom had accepted a lot of money from Lu Sheng’s family in exchange for their asylum.

Suddenly going back on their word is not justifiable.

However, some ministers disagreed.

"It is said that the King Wei of the Great Song is not someone to be trifled with. Even Lu Sheng, and the Prince Chong and Prince Huai of the Great Song fell at his hands. They were all Upper-Grade Martial Artists, and he is equivalent to a Regent King in the Great Song. If we offend him by not handing them over and he wages war against us, with our current national power, we might stand no chance."

"Your Highness, Lord Diao is right, and our kingdom has just finished fighting Ju Ting and Louwo. Although we won a great victory, we have created a blood feud by killing thousands of their people. To offend King Wei of the Great Song at this moment would be unwise," said another minister.

The Third Prince Xingyin raised his hand slightly: "Our Yelang is hundreds of miles of desert away from the Great Song. Whether they can find us is one thing, and waging war is not like trading. It’s not worth traveling thousands of miles to fight us for those people. Besides, the current situation in the Great Song is not good either; with Jin Xia in the North eyeing them covetously, even if they wanted to wage war on our kingdom, they wouldn’t be able to send many troops. No need to fret.

Even if they do come, I have my own ways to deal with it."

There was one more thing Xingyin didn’t say; he almost can’t find the people to hand over anyway.

Seeing the Third Prince spoke with such confidence, the ministers said nothing more and bowed as they retreated.

Shortly after they left, a black-robed figure wearing an ugly mask appeared in the hall.

When Xingyin saw the black-robed person, he immediately showed a respectful expression and bowed: "Master, you are here?"

The black-robed person nodded, their voice hoarse: "Disciple, is this time’s blood feast prepared?"

"In response to Master, everything is ready. Among these people, there are many Martial Artists, and some are members of the Great Song Imperial Family. They will surely please Master," Ju Yin said respectfully.

Under the black-robed person’s mask, their brow furrowed: "People from the Great Song Imperial Family? Why are they here?"

"Some of them are relatives of the Prince Chong of the Great Song. It’s said Prince Chong was killed after being defeated in his fight with the King Wei of the Great Song, and his family fled here," Ju Yin said.

The black-robed person’s frown deepened: "These people are not part of the plan."

"Master, there was no other way. We’ve rounded up all the beggars, death-row prisoners, and anonymous lowborns across the country. If we capture those with known identities, the greater the number, the more likely it is to arouse suspicion, which I know you wouldn’t want to see," Ju Yin said, seemingly afraid the black-robed person would be displeased.

"Master, I’ve even made enemies of Ju Ting and Louwo for you. Besides, didn’t you say this would be the last batch?"

"Forget it, it shall be this way," said the black-robed person, about to leave, but Ju Yin stopped him.

Ju Yin rubbed his hands together and said: "Master, the elixir you gave me last time was quite good. Is there any more?"

Upon hearing this, the black-robed person, who was previously indifferent to Ju Yin, suddenly gave a sinister smile: "Who are you targeting this time?"

Ju Yin didn’t want to say, but under the gaze of the black-robed person, he still spoke: "Princess Yan Yang."

The black-robed person was momentarily stunned, then the mask on his face twitched as his mouth twitched, and he laughed: "Good disciple, I really didn’t misjudge you."

Saying this, the black-robed person flicked a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve: "There are three inside, enough to take her down."

After that, the black-robed person left with a smile.

...

On the other side.

Outside a residence in Celestial River.

Nalan Yiren knocked on the door, and as soon as she finished knocking, an elderly voice came from behind the door: "Come in."

This residence is not large, with a house having two rooms and a courtyard.

In the courtyard, some flowers and plants were planted, varieties that Chen Mo had never seen before, surrounded by venomous snakes and scorpions.

An old man with white hair and plain clothes was bending over, one hand behind his back, the other holding a bamboo watering can, watering the flowers.

The old man appeared ordinary, unlike common elders, but in Chen Mo’s eyes, he was a genuine Divine Power Realm Martial Artist.

"Great Elder, I have brought King Wei," Nalan Yiren said to the old man after closing the courtyard door.

Seeing that this person was the Great Elder Nalan Yiren spoke of, Chen Mo donned a more solemn expression and saluted: "Old sir, my respects."

"No need, no need, I’m just an old farmer who grows flowers and herbs, unworthy of such great courtesy from the King Wei of the Great Song." The Great Elder of the Poison King Valley turned his head, waved his hand with a smile, but suddenly started coughing violently and spat out a mouthful of black blood in front of Chen Mo and Nalan Yiren.

The black blood hit the ground but didn’t splash like normal blood; instead, it was viscous.

Nalan Yiren’s face changed, and she quickly stepped forward to support the Great Elder, looking panic-stricken: "Great Elder, what’s wrong with you?"

Saying this, without hesitation, she cut her palm, letting her bright red blood flow and offering it to the Great Elder’s mouth, clearly intending for him to drink her blood.

But the Great Elder shook his head and said: "Yiren, it’s unnecessary and useless."

"How can it be useless, Taotie..."

"This condition is the result of my cultivation of the Poison Technique," the Great Elder interrupted Nalan Yiren.

Nalan Yiren froze: "Great Elder, have you cultivated to the Ninth Level?"

The Great Elder nodded: "I forcibly entered it; it’s irreversible."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yiren’s body trembled. She understood what this meant, and her eyes reddened a bit and soon moistened. To her, the Great Elder was like a grandfather, though they shared no blood ties, and she trembled as she spoke: "Why did you do this?"

"If I had advanced my Poison Technique back then, I wouldn’t have let that beast escape. It’s been fifteen years, and the events of those years must never happen again." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"But you can’t force a breakthrough..." Nalan Yiren cried with tears streaming.

She knew that after the events of the past, the Great Elder always felt guilty for not avenging her grandfather, no matter how many times she had said she didn’t blame him; the Great Elder could never let it go.

"Silly girl..."

The Great Elder took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket, poured some medicinal powder on Nalan Yiren’s wound: "Anyway, I don’t have many good years left, and since I entered the Divine Power Realm initially through extreme means, you can’t expect me to go down and meet your grandfather with regrets."

As the medicinal powder made contact, the bleeding immediately stopped, and it began to scab at a visible rate.

Nalan Yiren wiped the corner of her eye with her hand: "But I’m still here, avenging grandfather is my duty, and I can do it too."

The Great Elder sighed: "With that beast’s talent, do you think he hasn’t progressed at all over these years?"