Chapter 402: Reunion with the Poison Lord

Chapter 402: Encountering the Poison Lord Again

Today, Zhou Wenjing, Cheng Suying, and Duan Renjie set out early again.

However, by nightfall, all three were still missing.

Su Mo spent the day in the Scripture Repository Cave "interpreting texts" and spent his nights plotting reconnaissance.

He had not paid attention to the whereabouts of these three.

He never expected to run into Duan Renjie in this place.

The Lanternbearing Elder’s gaze also locked onto Duan Renjie.

After a brief pause, he suddenly chuckled:

"Young man, you seem familiar."

"Old Ghost, you look pretty familiar to me too."

Duan Renjie gave a cold smirk.

The Lanternbearing Elder didn't take offense, merely shaking his head lightly:

"Even in this mess, you still possess such courage.

"I wonder if you're naturally brave or just stupid?

"Do you know that from this moment onward, you will never see the light of day again?"

"Heh..."

Duan Renjie suddenly arched his eyebrows, as if about to say something, but then stopped himself, only letting out another cold laugh:

"You haven't even seen what I'm capable of.

"It’s far too early for you to say such things."

He had almost blurted out—*You've brought someone like Old Su onto the island, and yet you claim I'll never see daylight again?*

*More likely, it’s you guys who’ll never see the sun again!*

But if he said that, wouldn’t he be exposing Su Mo?

In all his years wandering the martial world, the only person Duan Renjie truly feared was Su Mo.

If Su Mo found out he had been captured and had ruined his plans, even if he were rescued later, his life might as well be over.

He might not die, but he'd be begging for death.

That made him swallow his words.

"The young man’s courage is praiseworthy."

The Lanternbearing Elder nodded, almost impressed.

"I only hope you can keep up this energy for what's coming."

After saying this, he turned to look at the man on the stone bed:

"Hero Lang Xingkong..."

"Heh."

The one lying on the bed was indeed Lang Xingkong.

Hearing this, he chuckled:

"Falling into such a state, I'm just meat on the cutting board.

"Spare me the 'Hero' title.

"Whatever methods you have, just use them. Save your breath..."

"Well said, Hero Lang."

The Lanternbearing Elder smiled faintly:

"However, as the sages say, don't execute without explanation.

"Though the saying may not quite fit here, I have always believed that even when taking a life, one should let a man know why he's dying.

"At the very least, you should know what awaits you.

"But before that, I would like to ask Hero Lang one thing...

"What would Hero Lang say is the most precious thing in his life?"

"In my life? The most precious?"

The question made Lang Xingkong hesitate, and his brow creased.

After a moment, he sighed:

"My most prized possession, I have already lost—my right hand."

"Lang Xingkong, whose sword made the northwest tremble.

"Indeed, that sword arm was priceless.

"It was truly a grave insult for the Abomination, that mindless beast, to maim Hero Lang's sword arm.

"However, I've heard tell that Hero Lang still possesses a left-hand sword style.

"Though you keep it hidden, it is even deadlier than your right-hand style."

"......"

Lang Xingkong's face went rigid:

"How...!?"

"So the rumors are true."

The Lanternbearing Elder smiled:

"Last night was chaotic, with yet another newcomer barging into the cavern and causing havoc."

"After all that running around, we didn’t get around to you, Hero Lang."

"Today, this old man isn’t here to kill you... but rather to take your left hand."

As he spoke, he placed the lantern down and gave a light clap.

In the next moment, a Dragonwood Island disciple approached, holding a box in both hands.

Upon opening it, a cold mist instantly seeped out.

A closer look revealed that while the box was made of fine sandalwood, inside was inlaid with a kind of frost jade.

"Soon, this old man will have someone remove your left hand and preserve it carefully in this box."

The Lanternbearing Elder said with a smile, "So don’t worry, Hero Lang—you won’t die today."

"You... what exactly do you want?"

"What’s the point of taking my left hand?"

Lang Xingkong couldn't help but ask.

"Hahaha."

Upon hearing this, the Lanternbearing Elder’s face brightened with glee, as if he had been waiting for this very question.

Without missing a beat, he answered:

"Ah, but you wouldn’t know."

"The human body is a wondrous thing..."

"It possesses its own memory, and a body hardened by training holds incredible power."

"Hero Lang, the swordsman who shook the northwest, is peerless in martial arts, a master of the sword."

"This old man will claim your left arm and later attach it to one of my Dragonwood Island disciples."

"Then he’ll gain the strength of your left arm—and your sword mastery."

"Bullshit!!!"

Lang Xingkong roared in anger, "This is utter nonsense! How the hell would stealing my arm give him my skills?"

"Not right away, no."

The Lanternbearing Elder smiled faintly, "But what if, later, Hero Lang hands over his inner techniques and sword forms, one by one?"

"With your inner arts, sword skills, and your left arm..."

"How can you say he won’t wield Lang Xingkong’s left-handed sword?"

"......"

A flash of shock crossed Lang Xingkong’s face.

What kind of madman is this?

Spouting nonsense is bad enough.

But to actually inflict such delusions on yourself?

Lang Xingkong had wandered the martial world for years, yet never imagined that one day he would meet his end at the hands of such a person.

But the Lanternbearing Elder ignored Lang Xingkong's reaction.

Instead, he continued speaking to himself:

"Swordsmen lose their sword hands.

"For those who rely on their legs, take their legs.

"For those with deft fingers, take their fingers.

"For those with eagle eyes, take their eyes.

"For those with silver tongues, take their tongues.

"Those with ironclad physiques lose their frames.

"Strip away a person’s greatest gifts and patch them into something new.

"Do you realize what godlike technique this is?

"And what horrors could such a body unleash with martial arts?"

"…Insane… you’re completely insane."

Not only was Lang Xingkong left speechless in shock, even Duan Renjie, locked in the cage, felt that what he was hearing was sheer lunacy.

"Ah..."

Hearing their reactions, the Lanternbearing Elder sighed in disappointment:

"Small minds stay trapped in their own narrow views.

"So they think the world’s no bigger than a well’s opening.

"Too blind to climb out of the well, they cannot see the boundless world, the wider martial world.

"But they don’t see—who’s really the prisoner here on this Dragon-Timber Isle? Is it me, or is it you all?

"Indeed, there's no need to speak of this with you.

"But to possess such means yet have no one to share them with—can you even imagine the isolation?

"A jewel hidden in the night, a jewel hidden in the night…"

At this point, it seemed he had fully expressed his thoughts, briefly basking in smug satisfaction.

He then turned to the Poison Lord:

"Poison Lord, no one rivals your venomous arts.

"Now, show me what you’ve got."

Silently, the Poison Lord flicked a finger, and Lang Xingkong’s sight fogged, his eyelids drooping.

His heart clenched suddenly, knowing it was hopeless.

If he truly closed his eyes now, he might wake up missing his hands entirely.

Yet even as he struggled to stay conscious, he ultimately couldn't withstand the Poison Lord's methods.

Slowly, his eyelids sagged shut.

The Lanternbearing Elder casually lifted his lantern and swung it hard against Lang Xingkong's head.

A dull *thud* rang out, but the flame inside the lantern didn't so much as flicker.

It barely swayed, while Lang Xingkong showed no reaction at all.

The Lanternbearing Elder's eyes gleamed with delight:

"Good, very good.

"You truly are of some use—not a total waste of my night.

"With this... the plan can proceed.

"But let’s test this further."

As he spoke, he picked up a blade from a nearby tray.

He stabbed Lang Xingkong seven or eight times.

Yet each strike avoided vital points, drawing little blood.

Lang Xingkong's brow furrowed slightly, as if registering pain, and his eyelids fluttered weakly.

The Lanternbearing Elder's expression darkened at once.

With a backhanded swing, he slapped the Poison Lord hard across the face.

The Poison Lord didn't so much as flinch, but his cheek swelled instantly.

"He's still conscious—the dose was off."

The Lanternbearing Elder's voice turned icy:

"Got anything else?"

The Poison Lord hesitated a moment, then tapped his fingers, pressing several points on Lang Xingkong's body.

The pain on Lang Xingkong's face vanished at once.

He went limp again.

The Lanternbearing Elder frowned slightly, taking Lang Xingkong's wrist and pressing three fingers to his pulse. After a moment, he muttered:

"This might work..."

His gaze then shifted to Lang Xingkong's left hand.

Duan Renjie couldn’t take it anymore and shouted:

"Stop!!"

"Easy now, easy now."

The Lanternbearing Elder beamed as he looked at Duan Renjie:

"Your two fingers are indeed exceptionally valuable.

"But for a disciple of the Canglan Divine Blade, what truly matters is your sword arm.

"Patience... yes, patience.

"I still have questions for you...

"After I finish my current task, we'll have a proper, long talk."

Duan Renjie shivered involuntarily.

After saying this, the Lanternbearing Elder lifted the dagger, poised to take Lang Xingkong’s left hand.

Hidden in the shadows, Su Mo frowned deeply, wavering between stepping in or staying hidden.

If he intervened, he would inevitably risk exposing himself.

But if he did nothing, would he simply allow this man to take Lang Xingkong’s left arm?

With an inward sigh, he carefully considered every outcome.

In the end, his fingertips still gripped a throwing stone.

Seeing this, Little Situ Taoist finally let out a relieved breath.

Just as Su Mo was about to loose his Flicking Finger strike, footsteps abruptly rang out.

Everyone present turned to look at the newcomer.

It was a Dragon King Hall disciple.

"Elder Lantern, Secretary Xie... is dead!"

The disciple wasted no time, blurting the news the moment he arrived.

"Dead?"

The Elder went still.

"Where?"

"In the thicket," the man replied. "Not just him—all the disciples accompanying him were killed. Their bodies turned to ice, frozen stiff amid the trees.

"It must have been the work of that Dragon King Hall’s enforcer."

The Lanternbearing Elder toyed with the blade in his hand, swiping it idly through the air a couple of times.

Then he gave a low chuckle and turned to the Poison Lord:

"The Abomination’s surely hungry. Take two corpses and feed him."

"After this, wait for me in the apothecary."

The Poison Lord gave a shallow bow, then moved to the side, opened two cages, collected two corpses, and disappeared into the shadows.

The Lanternbearing Elder also did not linger here, sighing instead:

"Let's go, at least remove the face coverings.

Dragonwood Isle knows no enemies, nor does death visit here.

The notion of a chief being killed is utterly absurd.

Such things have never happened.

Additionally, send them all back. Tonight, we likely won’t have time for this entertainment."

He pointed at Duan Renjie and the others, then raised his lantern and exited the cave, heading toward another location.

Several Dragonwood Isle disciples followed behind.

Duan Renjie and the other martial artists finally relaxed, glancing at Lang Xingkong, who remained unconscious on the stone bed.

For a moment, they frowned deeply.

Yet, they had no idea what to do.

They could only allow the Dragonwood Isle disciples to escort them elsewhere.

Just as they were accepting their situation, Duan Renjie suddenly felt a sudden breeze hit him, and the pressure points on his chest abruptly released.

With this release, all the sealed acupoints throughout his body emitted a series of subtle cracking noises, audible only to himself.

They had all been unsealed.

His pulse raced—what kind of phantom wind was this?

How could it release sealed pressure points?

After a fleeting instant of bewilderment, realization struck.

Wind couldn’t possibly undo acupoints—this technique of remotely unlocking them, and the method of breaking all seals with a single stroke, was unmistakably Old Su’s trademark technique.

Old Su was nearby?

Immediately, hope surged within him!

With his arrival, every foe would kneel!

But why… hadn’t he shown himself yet?

He scanned his surroundings anxiously, quickly schooling his features.

Since Old Su hadn’t revealed himself, there must be a reason.

The Poison Lord had already defected to the enemy—could it be that Old Su still intended to work some scheme through him?

If so, why had he freed Duan Renjie's meridians?

Lost in thought, Duan Renjie racked his brains for meaning.

But suddenly it occurred to him—what if it were his senior sister trapped here?

If Su Mo had released her pressure points, what would she do?

Naturally, she would bide her time.

Since he had unsealed my acupoints without revealing himself, it must mean now was not the time to act.

Yet, fearing I might die at the enemy’s hands, he unsealed my acupoints so that, in an emergency, I could still fight desperately.

However… this might not be all he had planned.

But whatever his plan, the most important thing now was to wait!

Having realized this, Duan Renjie reined in his rising emotions and waited quietly.

Meanwhile, after unsealing Duan Renjie’s acupoints, Su Mo immediately shadowed the Poison Lord.

He wanted to know—what was inside the apothecary?

The methods used by Dragonwood Island to control people were brutally effective.

Poisons like the Soul Loss Powder were near-impossible to defend against.

Even someone like the Poison Lord had fallen victim to such methods—let alone ordinary folk?

Yet, as the saying goes, "Where there’s poison, there’s a cure nearby."

Dragonwood Island’s poisons naturally had to be countered on Dragonwood Island itself.

The medicine room likely held the answer.

If he could get his hands on it or find a lead,

played right, the situation could be reversed in an instant.

So he stayed hidden and silently tailed the Poison Lord.

Watching the elderly man weave effortlessly through the stone pillars, it was clear that after being controlled, he had learned the cavern’s maze-like layout.

After navigating a maze of passages, a door appeared before them.

But this door was massive, dwarfing his expectations.

Solid iron, from within came the sound of ragged, labored breathing.

Su Mo’s pulse quickened.

This was the same gasping he’d caught from afar when Lang Xingkong disappeared.

Was this the Abomination they spoke of?

What exactly was an Abomination?

As he pondered, he saw the Poison Lord standing before the door, his brow furrowed.

After eyeing the two bodies in his hands, he tugged a small handle on the iron door, uncovering a narrow slit.

The next moment, a pair of crimson eyes glared before the Poison Lord.

"…scared the hell out of this old man."

The Poison Lord snorted coldly, instinctively reaching into his robe, but after a moment of hesitation, he sighed and lifted his foot to reveal another hatch hidden beneath the door.

The next moment, a hand suddenly reached out from the hatch.

The Poison Lord gazed at the hand, his eyes held a flicker of pity.

He carelessly flung a corpse toward it, and the hand yanked it inside through the hatch, followed immediately by the sound of ravenous chewing from behind the door.

As the noise continued, another hand emerged from the lower hatch.

The Poison Lord threw the second corpse over as well.

The chewing grew twice as loud.

Then... yet another hand stretched out.

"That’s it, only two."

The hand, however, refused to relent, clawing frantically at nothing outside the hatch.

The Poison Lord raised his foot and crushed one of its fingers underfoot.

"LÜ!!" (a guttural scream)

A furious roar erupted from behind the door.

"I said that’s all—two! No more! If you can’t understand human speech, next time this elderly man will poison the next corpse and put an end to you.

"After all... you don’t belong in this world...

"Those people on Dragonwood Island... truly deserve to rot in hell."

As he spoke, he suddenly covered his mouth, scanned the area, then sighed:

"Show yourself. Only this monster’s here."

Su Mo and Little Situ Taoist locked eyes but didn’t move.

After a long silence, the Poison Lord, seeing no one emerge, hacked two loud coughs.

Then, with a wet *ptui*, he spat out a piece of green jade from his mouth.

The object twitched in his palm before unfurling—revealing itself to be a Thousandmile Silkworm.

"This thing has been squirming in my throat since earlier.

"It took this elderly man every ounce of willpower to suppress the urge to spit it out.

"So I knew you were nearby.

"What are you waiting for?

"There’s no one else here. Even the people of Dragonwood Island avoid approaching the Abomination’s lair."

"Senior is truly remarkable. Even the mind-fogging tricks of Dragonwood Island couldn’t fully control you."

A voice suddenly reached his ears, making the Poison Lord jump. He spun around to see Su Mo, carrying Little Situ Taoist on his back, standing before the iron door—having appeared at some unknown moment—staring through the top hatch into the glowing crimson eyes inside.

Su Mo waited until the Poison Lord faced him before speaking:

"The Abomination... it’s *human*?"