The Innate is hopeless, the Great Dao is poison;

Viewing flowers in a fog, only then can the true law be found.

Zhu Ju’s eyes narrowed, his expression grave.

Many legends about the Unparalleled Grandmaster Fu Xuan circulated among the common folk, but most were just rumors.

He was a close friend of the Fu Family’s former Patriarch, Fu Huanlian, so he knew the truth of the matter.

However, this saying was definitely not a rumor!

The Qi Blood Martial Arts World also had a concept of the Innate, which spoke of Qi returning to the Innate and blood merging with the Mixed Element. It was similar to the Innate Realm of the Main World.

Fu Xuan had tried to break through to the Innate Realm, but he unfortunately took the wrong path. So, it wasn’t false to say the Innate was hopeless for him.

As for ’the Great Dao is poison’...

Wan Shuai had mentioned this phrase as well.

In the Main World, among the Immortal Sects and Demon Sects, some lineages pointed directly to the Great Dao, but for some unknown reason, they could not be cultivated.

Once cultivated, one’s mind would gradually descend into madness until they transformed into a man-eating Demon, just like the dozens of members of the Zhou Family. That was why it was called ’the poison of the Great Dao.’

’Hm?’

Zhu Ju’s eyebrows raised slightly.

He remembered Fu Huanlian saying that before his death, Fu Xuan had gone mad, his mind alternating between clarity and confusion.

In the end, he took his own life!

This seemed to be exactly the same as the Zhou Family members who had become Fallen Demons, except Fu Xuan chose to end his own life during a moment of clarity.

’The Great Dao!’

’Is poison?’

’Why would it be like this?’

"Hooo..."

Releasing a long, turbid breath, Zhu Ju looked at Bai Fu and asked,

"That was very thoughtful of you. This story is very important to me. Is there anything you want?"

’Something I want?’

Bai Fu’s heart stirred.

’That’s right!’

’Whether it was being adopted as a goddaughter or being arranged for marriage, my lady and the others never asked if that was what I wanted.’

"Young Master Zhu." Elder Qian gave a meaningful look from the side.

"My little girl has been fortunate enough to learn Sword Technique. It would be even better if she could become your disciple."

Bai Fu understood at once. She quickly knelt, set down the roasted meat, and presented her longsword. She kowtowed, her voice muffled as she spoke,

"I beg you, Young Master, to accept me as your disciple."

’The most urgent matter right now is to ensure my lady’s safety. My own desires aren’t important. But just having him agree to protect my lady along the way isn’t the best deal.’

’Tying myself to him completely is the best strategy.’

’Elder Qian truly lived up to his name. Experience really does count. He thought of the best solution so quickly.’

"Heh..." Zhu Ju chuckled and shook his head.

"I don’t take disciples. And to ask me to take one just for a story is far too childish."

He picked up a piece of roasted meat and said slowly,

"I can give you two choices."

"First."

Zhu Ju pointed a finger at Bai Fu’s cheek.

"I know some Medical Skill. I only need to prepare some ointment to remove the birthmark on your face. Would you like that?"

Bai Fu’s head snapped up.

Her features were very delicate. Without that large birthmark, she could have been called a beauty.

She had a birthmark on her face, and for so many years she had said it didn’t matter, that she was used to it. But could she truly not care?

In the dead of night, in her dreams...

...how Bai Fu wished she didn’t have this birthmark, that she could live like a normal girl.

Her voice trembled,

"Rea... Really?"

"Of course," Zhu Ju smiled faintly.

"I would not go so far as to deceive a little handmaiden."

"Bai Fu!" Elder Qian’s face was anxious. He even used her name directly, forgetting to call her ’daughter.’

"Don’t forget our current situation."

Bai Fu snapped back to her senses.

’That’s right!’

’The pursuers are right behind us and could arrive at any moment. An ointment to remove my birthmark is useless right now.’

"Second."

Zhu Ju shrugged and continued,

"I can give you a piece of meat to eat. Perhaps it will help you solve the trouble you’re about to face."

’A piece of meat?’

’Trouble?’

Bai Fu looked confused, but after a moment’s hesitation, she clung to a sliver of hope and said,

"I choose the second option."

"Alright." Zhu Ju nodded.

"Giddy-up!"

CLIP-CLOP...

Just then, the urgent sound of horse hooves came from the road they had traveled, causing the group’s expressions to change in alarm as they hurriedly grabbed their weapons to face the enemy.

SWISH!

A figure leaped from horseback and rushed toward Che Yunxiu, calling out urgently,

"Little Sister from the Che Family?"

"You are..." Che Yunxiu was stunned for a moment before she spoke hesitantly,

"Second Brother Zhao?"

She was engaged to the third young master of the Zhao Family. She had stayed at the Zhao Family residence for a few days two years ago and had met him then.

"It’s me!"

The man laughed upon hearing her.

"Zhao Shen, your Second Brother Zhao."

"I was ordered by my father to leave the city to greet the Che Family’s convoy. But then I heard bandits had appeared at the post station, so I rushed over with my men. Thank goodness you’re alright, Little Sister Che. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to explain myself to my third brother."

"Second Brother Zhao!" Che Yunxiu’s heart relaxed, and all the grief and fear that had accumulated during this time surged into her heart.

She couldn’t help but cry out in anguish,

"My father is dead! My father is dead!"

"Little Sister," Zhao Shen sighed.

"The dead cannot be brought back to life. Please restrain your grief. I will find who killed your father and avenge him."

"You must be tired from the journey. Get in the carriage and rest. We can talk more once we’re back in Wann City."

"Mm," Che Yunxiu sniffled and nodded in agreement.

「Meanwhile.」

Zhu Ju handed a piece of meat to Bai Fu.

"Try it."

’?’

Bai Fu looked at the meat held out to her, a trace of doubt in her eyes. She took it and bit into it.

’The taste seems a little different, as if it’s mixed with some other meat.’

"Go on."

Zhu Ju picked up the sword from the ground and handed it to her.

"To attain true freedom, you need not only a sword that can shatter barriers, but also a heart that dares to leap out of the cage."

Bai Fu’s face was a mask of confusion.

She took the longsword and walked toward her lady. Just as she was about to help her into the carriage, she suddenly froze.

SNIFF SNIFF...

Sniffing the air, Bai Fu’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

"This scent..."

"It’s you!"

She turned her head to look at Zhao Shen beside her and roared furiously,

"You’re the one who tried to ruin my lady’s innocence! I’ll never forget your scent."

Silence.

The scene fell deathly silent.

The joy on the faces of Che Yunxiu, Elder Qian, and the others vanished abruptly, replaced only by confusion and boundless terror.

Zhao Shen, however, looked astonished. He stared at Bai Fu for a few moments, then let out a laugh and waved his hand dismissively.

"You little wench certainly have a good nose. You’ve ruined my fun time and again. I was planning to take care of you on the road, but it seems that won’t be necessary now."

"Master Li."

He took a step back and said,

"This girl’s Sword Technique is quite good. I’ll have to trouble you to handle her."

"Yes."

The burly Master Li stepped forward, slamming his two iron-gloved fists together.

"Girl, you’re the one who killed my disciple, Er Gou?"

Bai Fu shielded Che Yunxiu behind her, holding her sword and slowly backing away. As her gaze swept over their surroundings, her heart turned cold.

The dozen or so men who came with Zhao Shen had already surrounded them, watching as if it were a monkey show.

’A Martial Artist!’

’He’s a Body Tempering Martial Artist!’

Having trained for years under Nursing Director Zhang, who was himself a Martial Artist, Bai Fu was very familiar with the aura of one.

"To be able to kill Er Gou and force back the young master at such a young age, your Talent is astonishing. I can’t let you live!"

Master Li shouted, clenched his fists, and charged forward.

His body was like a tiger descending a mountain, his fists like cannonballs fired from a barrel. His Fist Force carried a powerful gust of wind that made it hard to breathe.

CLANG...

Bai Fu blocked with her sword, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning. A huge tremor ran through her body.

But an invisible warm current quietly emerged from her abdomen and surged All Over her Body, helping her offset the incoming Strength.

Moon Gaze!

With a flick of her wrist, the longsword danced out gracefully.

"Eh?"

Master Li’s expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly threw a punch to block.

Although his previous punch wasn’t at full power, it was by no means something an ordinary Martial Artist could withstand.

But that was far from the only thing that surprised him.

DING DING DANG...

Bai Fu’s Body Technique shifted as she attacked, her sword forms flowing freely. In an instant, an overwhelming torrent of sword shadows rushed forward.

’Not good!’

Master Li’s heart jumped. He quickly cleared his mind of stray thoughts and met the attack with both fists.

He had practiced Martial Arts for over thirty years, and he had drilled this Thunderbolt Fist Technique countless times. It was second nature to him.

Every move and stance was etched into his very bones.

Faced with the incoming Sword Technique, he didn’t need to think; his instincts reacted, and his fists flew out to meet it.

In that instant.

The scene was filled with a flurry of fist shadows and glinting Sword Light. The two figures tangled together, and it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand.

"How is this possible?"

Zhao Shen’s face was full of surprise.

"Master Li is a Martial Artist..."

And not just an ordinary Martial Artist. Even the Che Family’s Nursing Director Zhang would be no match for Master Li.

And now,

the unknown Bai Fu was fighting the decades-trained Master Li to a standstill.

No!

At first, it was a stalemate, but as time passed, Bai Fu’s Sword Light grew stronger and stronger, while Master Li’s responses began to look strained and inadequate.

It wasn’t just Zhao Shen.

Elder Qian and Che Yunxiu also wore expressions of disbelief. Was the swordswoman in the middle of the fray really the Bai Fu they knew?

CLANG...

The longsword and the iron fist collided, sending sparks flying.

Bai Fu felt a violent power surging from her abdomen, pushing her to swing her longsword frantically, unable to stop for even a moment.

Hack!

Uplift!

Thrust!

...

Simple Sword Technique moves seemed to come alive in her hands, their power shockingly immense.

As the Qi Force surged, Bai Fu couldn’t help but let out a sharp cry. Her body and sword became one as she charged forward.

BOOM!

THWIP THWIP THWIP!

Master Li’s guard was wide open. He was sent flying backward, and while still in mid-air, several sword shadows descended, instantly sending flesh and blood flying.

It all happened too fast. Before anyone could react, the victor had been decided.

’Damn!’

Zhao Shen’s expression changed drastically. He drew his sword and charged toward Che Yunxiu at the side.

"My lady!"

Bai Fu’s eyes swept over. The longsword shot from her hand like an arrow. There was a flash of cold light, and Zhao Shen’s heart was pierced through. His eyes filled with despair as he pitched forward and collapsed.

Zhao Shen had always disliked his third brother. This time, by killing the Che Family Patriarch and taking Che Yunxiu’s innocence, he intended to steal the connection that should have belonged to his brother. His plan had been thorough, but he never expected such a turn of events.

After killing Zhao Shen, Bai Fu’s murderous intent did not diminish. She snatched a longsword that was thrust at her and continued to charge at the others.

Before long.

Except for two who were lucky enough to mount their horses and flee for their lives, all dozen-plus men Zhao Shen had brought with him were killed.

Covered in blood, Bai Fu stood in the middle of the field, sword in hand. Her eyes were somewhat vacant, as if she still couldn’t believe she was responsible for everything that had happened.

"Bai... daughter."

Elder Qian spoke cautiously.

"It’s alright now, it’s alright."

"My lady," Bai Fu said subconsciously. She looked at Che Yunxiu’s complicated expression, and her own face suddenly relaxed.

CLANG...

The longsword fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Only then did she remember something. She looked toward where Zhu Ju had been, but he was already gone.