Chapter Ten: Poisoning

A gentle breeze swept by as Mo Bai slowly rose from the carriage. Gazing up at the tranquil sky, he smiled and said, "On such a fine day, why would there be wind without reason?"

A sharp voice echoed from above, "Hmph, do you think driving a carriage wouldn’t stir up the wind?"

Mo Bai replied, "The Gale Powder of the Four Venoms Hermit is indeed formidable, but you have overlooked the matter of wind direction. Driving the carriage, the wind would only come head-on, not sweep from side to side."

He added, "I’m afraid that once the wind picks up, your Gale Powder loses much of its lethality."

"How did you know that I would use Gale Powder only when the wind blows? Boy, the real show is yet to come. Now I, the Four Venoms Hermit, truly wish to play with you." At last, the voice in the sky revealed its owner’s name.

Mo Bai nodded slightly. "Since Senior has named yourself, why not show yourself as well?"

The Four Venoms Hermit’s laughter rang out. "Mo Bai, I’d only heard of your prowess before, but seeing you today, you do have some skill. If you want to force me to reveal myself, you’ll have to try harder. This trick of goading your opponent is far too simple."

"Aren’t you worried that I’m saying all this just to pinpoint your location?" Mo Bai asked meaningfully.

Mo Bai shook his head helplessly. "Senior truly is knowledgeable. I indeed do not possess the Li family’s divine blade. A pity, what a pity."

The voice taunted, "Mo Bai, with your mastery of the Horse King’s riding arts, you’ll surely reach the Cloud Sky Sect in three days. So, let’s amuse ourselves along the way—perhaps you’ll surprise me yet! Ha ha ha!" Suddenly, a huge cloak swept through the sky. It billowed wide, releasing a swarm of poisonous bees that buzzed menacingly toward Mo Bai and his companions.

Mo Bai smiled gently and murmured, "It seems Senior holds me in some regard, even using these creatures to mask your escape." With that, he pressed his palms together. A massive golden bell materialized in the air with a resounding clang. The poisonous bees, startled by the powerful vibration, lost all sense of direction and scattered wildly.

Wu Luohua stepped from the carriage as well. "Brother Mo, from what you said just now, it’s clear the Four Venoms Hermit fears your Spirit Leaping Art. But I’ve never known from whom you learned such a skill, ha ha."

Mo Bai explained, "Xiaohua, the Spirit Leaping Art is a fundamental technique for all cultivators. Once mastered, it lends the body extraordinary lightness and agility, and at higher levels, one can soar through the air. I’ve never shown it in your presence—how would you know its true power?"

Wu Luohua laughed. "The Four Venoms Hermit is a master of poisons, but his Spirit Leaping Art is formidable too. Even as he fled, he unleashed those bees—clearly, he’s wary of you pursuing him."

Mo Bai mused, "Or perhaps he wants me to pursue him."

Wu Luohua wondered aloud, "Do you mean he feigned weakness just now, luring you after him, and the bees were only a special ruse?"

Mo Bai shook his head. "I’m not sure, but I do know one must be cautious with such a man."

Wu Luohua nodded. "But Brother Mo, you shouldn’t have faced that poisonous wind alone."

Mo Bai smiled. "It’s nothing—such poisons are not enough to overwhelm me."

Shun Qing watched Mo Bai in terror, his mouth agape as if to speak, but Wu Luohua laughed, "Master Shun Qing, don’t be so shocked. My Brother Mo knows countless things—if you’re this astonished now, by the time we reach the Cloud Sky Sect, your jaw may never close again." Shun Qing could only gape in silence; the spiritual arts Mo Bai displayed were far beyond anything he could ever aspire to.

After half a day’s journey, the carriage finally reached the next town. It was even smaller than Yun Jian Town. Before they even entered, Wu Luohua had already caught a whiff of a delicious scent. Sniffing the air, he announced, "This is Pine Peak Town, named for the blue pines that cover more than half its land."

Mo Bai continued, "And the townsfolk have cleverly infused the aroma of pine resin into their unique crisp cakes, which is the source of this fragrance. I suppose that’s why you never filled your jade pouch with snacks."

Wu Luohua replied sheepishly, "That’s thanks to my Sixth Uncle, who never ceased telling me about the culinary delights along the road."

Mo Bai said, "Your Sixth Uncle has always been good to you."

Wu Luohua nodded suddenly. In the Wu family, everyone strove to cultivate the highest spiritual energy, and as the eldest grandson, Wu Luohua bore immense pressure. At nine, he suffered a disastrous setback in his cultivation and was left unable to gather spiritual energy ever again. From that day, his Sixth Uncle became his closest companion—the only two in the Wu family who did not cultivate, one by fate, the other by a love that left its mark for life.

Mo Bai, noting Wu Luohua’s excitement, remarked, "Yet your Sixth Uncle never knew that after he left, we encountered real trouble. I fear you won’t get to taste those cakes after all."

Wu Luohua’s face fell. "Brother Mo, don’t joke about such things—that’s too cruel."

Mo Bai went on, "Since ancient times, poisons have come in many forms. Most dangerous are those that attack from without the moment they touch blood, and those that kill from within when ingested. If any of us suffers a wound, poison powder or insects would attack. And if we eat something tainted, the poison could be deadly inside us. So I’m afraid you’ll have to forgo the cakes this time."

"That’s too much! You mean the Four Venoms Hermit would poison the cakes?" Wu Luohua said uneasily.

"It’s his specialty," Mo Bai replied.

But Wu Luohua smiled. "Brother Mo, you might be mistaken here."

"Oh?" Mo Bai asked.

Wu Luohua explained, "There are dozens of cake vendors in Pine Peak Town. How could the Four Venoms Hermit poison them all? He couldn’t possibly know which one we’d choose."

Mo Bai nodded. "The Four Venoms Hermit is no evil priest, and the evil priest is not the Four Venoms Hermit."

Wu Luohua pondered. "You mean that, though he uses poison, he does not kill indiscriminately?"

Mo Bai answered, "I believe so."

Wu Luohua clapped in delight. "That’s exactly what I thought!"

Mo Bai shook his head. "Not quite."

"Why not? I don’t see the difference," Wu Luohua asked in confusion.

Mo Bai explained, "Because no matter which vendor you choose, there will be no poison on the cakes. But the moment they come into your hands, they will be poisoned."

Wu Luohua was dumbfounded, staring at Mo Bai in horror. "The Four Venoms Hermit’s skills are truly that refined?"

Mo Bai nodded. "Otherwise, why would he be so confident before killing?"

Wu Luohua forced a laugh. "Then we’ll be starving for three days and nights. Brother Mo, as a cultivator, you can endure it, but what about me?"

Mo Bai smiled. "Xiaohua, don’t worry—there’s always a way out."

Wu Luohua muttered, "You only know hunger when your belly aches."

Just then, the two noticed Shun Qing’s pitiful expression. Wu Luohua snapped, "What are you looking at?"

Shun Qing smiled weakly. "Hero Mo has sealed my spiritual energy for so long, I’m actually hungry. Since the Four Venoms Hermit is after you two, it should be safe if I buy a cake, right?"

Wu Luohua retorted, "Starve, you fool! You’ll starve along with us!"

Shun Qing looked utterly miserable.