Chapter Fourteen: Ambushed on the Road

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In the end, Qian Dacai reluctantly left the plaza. The Second Elder cast a sharp, dark glance at Chen Xuan, his mind heavy with gloom. The bell tolled, and a large number of disciples gathered on the plaza. The Second Elder began to call out names personally. Those chosen were all at least at the third level of Qi accumulation, with a minimum of eleven years of internal strength—this alone suggested just how perilous the upcoming mission to Qingxia Town would be.

One name after another echoed through the air. Finally, twenty-eight individuals were selected, each a formidable warrior. Chen Xuan was among them. “Return and prepare yourselves. In half an hour, we will regroup at the foot of the mountain. Anyone who is deliberately late or tries to escape will not be spared by this Elder’s ruthless hand,” the Second Elder warned coldly, his gaze sweeping over the others.

The disciples responded in unison. Many of those chosen had previously stood aside with arms crossed, exuding arrogance and disdain. Chen Xuan had noticed them during his duel with Zheng Yun. Seeing them all selected for the mission to Qingxia Town, his heart stirred with renewed ambition. Once there, he planned to challenge one of them again to boost his reputation. It would be best to do so within the sect, where his opponents would hesitate to kill him. Outside the Five Poisons Sect, without the protection of his master Qian Dacai, enemies would likely not hesitate to finish him off. There was a distinct difference in safety.

While the others went to prepare, Chen Xuan scrutinized the chosen disciples before running towards his master. “Master, your disciple is about to bring honor to you. Do you have anything to send with me?” he asked shamelessly with a grin. Qian Dacai’s face was complex. With a sigh, he retrieved a package from his room and handed it to Chen Xuan. “Boy, this is all I can give you. You must work hard and survive.”

Chen Xuan accepted the package with many thanks before opening it with curiosity. Inside were numerous bottles and jars—about a dozen in total—along with a palm-sized dagger, darkly gleaming and exquisitely crafted. A quick glance revealed the containers held various deadly poisons and corresponding antidotes: Five Poisons Water, Soft Tendon Powder, Life and Death Pill, Rotten Intestine Powder, and so on. There were also two healing pills, both Bear’s Hundred Tendon Pills.

Setting the package aside, Chen Xuan drew the dagger carefully. A faint azure glow radiated from the blade. “What a fine knife!” he whispered to himself. “Don’t touch it recklessly. This weapon can cut through iron and is laced with a deadly poison. If it grazes the skin, even a master at the Tongmai Realm will not survive,” Qian Dacai warned gravely.

Chen Xuan was taken aback. Such a weapon could kill a Tongmai Realm expert? Yet, could it pierce his own defenses? He dared not test it and carefully sheathed the dagger again. “Master, your disciple will take his leave now,” he said, looking at his master with hopeful eyes.

Qian Dacai watched him go with a silent sigh, feigning indifference. “Go, just be careful.” Only after Chen Xuan was out of sight did Qian Dacai turn back, reluctant to part. Although they had known each other only a few days, Qian Dacai had grown fond of Chen Xuan—a feeling no other disciple had ever inspired. “Damn it, I kill without hesitation, but when did I start worrying like this?” he cursed himself.

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At the sect’s mountain gate, the Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Sixth Elder had already assembled. The other disciples were hastening toward the gate—twenty-eight in total, all formidable, their eyes cold and brows clouded with darkness. It was obvious none were ordinary.

In a great sect like the Five Poisons, disciples were not allowed to leave the mountain casually. To venture out, one had to be at least at the third level of Qi accumulation and pass a series of tests. This was common practice among major martial clans and ancient families. Without reaching a certain realm, a successor would never be permitted to roam the martial world; otherwise, they would only bring shame upon their sect.

Thus, this journey to Qingxia Town was extremely dangerous. Anyone sent by the righteous factions was certainly no weakling. “Ready? Mount up!” the Second Elder barked. The disciples mounted their horses. This was Chen Xuan’s first time riding, and he felt somewhat nervous. Fortunately, with his martial skills, riding alone posed no problem. He climbed onto his horse, looked around, and felt it was manageable.

“Before we depart, remember this: the righteous are cunning and treacherous, vicious and ruthless. When dealing with them, speak little and ask no questions. Better to kill mistakenly than to let one escape. Only by killing them can you truly ensure your own safety!” the Second Elder warned coldly.

Many disciples nodded grimly. It was clear they had ventured out before and clashed with the righteous, so they took this seriously. Chen Xuan needed no further explanation. Having read countless novels in his previous life, he understood well the unpredictability of human nature. The battles between righteousness and evil were mostly ideological. Righteous factions were not always good, nor were evil ones always bad. Nothing was absolute; he had always kept an open mind.

His plan was simple: complete the mission at Qingxia Town first, perfect the Iron Cloth skill, then find a chance to eliminate the Green Infant, and finally leave the Five Poisons Sect—this was the best strategy.

“Set off!” the Second Elder shouted. “Giddy-up!”

Hooves thundered, dust flying. Over thirty riders departed the Five Poisons Sect’s mountain gate, galloping toward the horizon.

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Time passed swiftly. Half a day later, Qingxia Town was not far off. Along the way, no unusual events or ambushes occurred, and many disciples began to relax. Facing the dense forest ahead, Fourth Elder Zhou Rulong frowned and urged his horse to a halt. “The forest is thick and the mountains deep ahead. There may be an ambush. We should abandon the horses and enter the forest on foot to reduce exposure. Once we cross this mountain, Qingxia Town will be just beyond.”

The Second Elder nodded. “An excellent plan. The Six Doors have already intervened. Their hawks are excellent trackers. If they spot us, countless enemies will be drawn here. We cannot take the main road. We must enter through the forest entrance ahead.”

He immediately ordered the group to advance a bit further. They were still far from the mountain entrance. The group spurred their horses forward. As dusk fell and darkness deepened, a fierce wind stirred up sand and stones.

Just as they neared the forest entrance, the horses of the Second, Fourth, and Sixth Elders suddenly stumbled and let out loud neighs, plunging into deep pits. The three elders’ faces changed sharply as they leapt from their saddles. At the same time, the horses of the following disciples were caught in hidden tripwires, stumbling and throwing their riders to the ground.

Suddenly, a volley of arrows whistled from the dense forest on one side. The air was filled with the sharp rush of countless feathered shafts, as if an entire army lay in ambush. Many Five Poisons disciples were struck before they could react, screaming and dying instantly.

The rest panicked wildly. The Second Elder’s eyes blazed with fury as he shouted, “Don’t panic! Break through at once!” Sweeping his sleeve, he deflected a dozen arrows hurtling towards him. These arrows were forged from refined iron, capable of easily piercing stone, yet they struck his sleeve as if hitting a mountain.

This was because the Second Elder’s profound internal energy enveloped his body, rendering him nearly invincible. Leaping up amidst the chaos, he charged into the rain of arrows with a violent gust of wind trailing him. With a mighty sweep of his hand, he unleashed the Five Poisons Divine Palm.

Boom!

A surge of azure-green energy blasted forth, sweeping through the forest with overwhelming force. Screams erupted as seven or eight righteous warriors were blasted backward, their bodies bruised and bleeding from every orifice, bones and meridians badly broken. They crashed into the distance with resounding thuds.

“Demonic bastards! Kill them all, leave none alive!” a fierce shout rang out from within the forest. Suddenly, the righteous warriors hidden in ambush charged out with a cry.

The arrow ambush was only effective for a moment. Once the enemy reacted, it was no longer useful. The true battle was close quarters. In the darkness, shouts and the howling wind heralded the approach of numerous righteous experts.

The Five Poisons disciples could only brace themselves for the fight. It was Chen Xuan’s first time witnessing such a grand battle. When his horse’s hooves were caught by the tripwire, he was violently thrown off. Before he could recover, seven or eight arrows struck him. Fortunately, his Iron Cloth skill had reached mastery, and even the iron arrows did him no harm.