Chapter 5
A Pack of Poison Wandering the Jianghu

“Good stuff!”

Wen Nan Tian tucked it away with satisfaction. Then he picked up another bottle of medicine: “What about this one?”

“Eight Flavored Soft Tendon Powder.”

“Eight Flavored Soft Tendon Powder?”

“This thing is colorless and odorless, can be mixed into water or scattered into the air, making it impossible for enemies to guard against. Once they’ve been hit, their tendons will become weak, their internal energy will be unable to gather, and they’ll be at your mercy.”

After hearing Wen Hu Jiu’s introduction, Wen Nan Tian’s eyes lit up. A similar medicine came to mind, and he suggested: “Eight Flavored is too harsh, why not call it Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder!”

“Whatever you say, we’ll call it Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder then.”

“And what about this one?”

“...”

Amazing!

That was Wen Nan Tian’s evaluation of the poisons Wen Hu Jiu had made. Every single bottle targeted the effects of the Heavenly Soaring Realm and up, some even posed a threat to Great Heavenly Soaring, only slightly less of a threat to those on the cusp of the Divine Wandering Realm.

With these things, Wen Nan Tian felt like he could lie flat in the world of martial arts.

“A cup of strong wine, to toast the heavens and the vast expanse.”

“With the gentle rain, offer a toast to two or three close friends, carry dreams of mountains and rivers, cross the rivers of the moonlit world, not reaching shore until all magnificent sights have been witnessed…”

Wen Nan Tian, carrying his pack, put the poisons his second uncle prepared for him on his back, humming a little tune. It made Wen Hu Jiu stare in a daze.

“To toast the heavens and the vast expanse, offer a toast to two or three close friends, not reaching shore until all magnificent sights have been witnessed.”

“The little tune you’re humming truly captures the aspirations of a young man in the martial arts world.”

Wen Hu Jiu clicked his tongue in amazement. When he first entered the world of martial arts, he had the same mindset as Wen Nan Tian now. He was unaware of the dangers, only harboring aspirations.

“Haha, second uncle, why are you still standing there? I’ve already packed everything, we’ll be late if we don’t leave.” Wen Nan Tian laughed and nudged his head towards a certain direction in the main house.

His meaning was almost saying, “If we don’t run, grandpa will come and catch us.”

“A heart filled with youthful martial arts spirit, yet carrying a bag of poison to traverse the world of martial arts, my good nephew, you’re a bit different.” Wen Hu Jiu said as he walked outside.

“There’s a saying, ‘It’s better to harm the heavens than to harm people.’ What does it matter!” Wen Nan Tian didn’t care. Who doesn’t have a few aliases when they’re out in the world? He’d call himself ‘Ren He’ (lit: Harmony with People) in the world of martial arts from now on!

In addition to the poisons specifically targeting experts, Wen Hu Jiu had also specially produced several types of poisons to deal with large numbers of enemies (grunts). It can be said that he truly achieved a comprehensive approach.

...

In this way, the two of them snuck out of the Wen family under the cover of darkness.

Once they reached the outside, they mounted their fast horses and sped off into the night, racing southwest towards the vastness of the world.

Unbeknownst to them, on the city wall behind them, a figure cloaked in a black robe watched their backs as they left. They didn’t return to the Wen family until they could no longer see them.

Wen Family, Wen Yang Hall.

An elderly man with white hair and beard was looking at the list of requests for medicine he’d received this year.

This was Wen Lin, the current head of the Wen family.

Despite his seemingly kind and benevolent appearance, Wen Lin, the head of the long-established Wen family, was definitely not someone to be trifled with. Anyone who dared to underestimate him even slightly would pay a heavy price.

“Shwoop!”

At this moment, a black-clad figure appeared behind him and bowed respectfully: “Master.”

“Hmm, what’s the brat Nan Tian up to again?”

“Yes, the young master left the city under the guidance of the second master.”

“Hmm?”

Upon hearing this, Wen Lin’s tiger-like eyes narrowed, and a cold murderous aura emanated from him: “That little bastard Wen Hu Jiu, has he gotten tired of living? Dare he sneak Nan Tian out without telling me?”

“This…”

The black-clad man hesitated for a moment, explaining: “Master, it was the young master who insisted on going.”

Then, he recounted the conversation between Wen Nan Tian and Wen Hu Jiu in the tavern that day, word for word, without missing a beat. The furious Wen Lin, who had originally wanted to immediately send people to capture Wen Hu Jiu and break his legs, immediately calmed down.

“A fledgling eagle needs to soar through the sky.”

“Indeed, it is time for Nan Tian to spread his wings and soar.”

Wen Lin said this, but he still quickly gave orders: “Send out a team of the most elite Shadow Guards to protect Nan Tian’s safety. If he encounters any danger, immediately rescue him.”

“If he suffers even the slightest mishap, the entire Shadow Guard need not return!”

“Yes!”

The black-clad man solemnly accepted the order.

The Wen Family Shadow Guard was a force of death warriors cultivated at great expense by the Wen family. Each one was prepared to die for the Wen family and would never question any orders from the head.

“Also, Nan Tian is after all a newcomer to the world of martial arts. Young people are impulsive and sometimes make mistakes. Leave the task of eliminating any threats to the Shadow Guard. If you encounter enemies or forces you cannot defeat, report back immediately!”

“Yes!”

The black-clad man immediately accepted the order.

Just as he was about to leave, Wen Lin suddenly called out to him: “Right, how much did Nan Tian take with him this time? If he’s not prepared enough, remember to send him some.”

Wen Lin originally asked whether Wen Nan Tian had prepared enough gold and silver for his first foray into the world of martial arts.

But the black-clad man’s answer made his eyes light up.

“He did. The second master emptied the young master’s medicine garden of precious herbs and poisons and made a whole bunch of poisons for the young master to take with him.”

???

“Hahaha, that good-for-nothing Wen Hu Jiu, it seems he isn’t that useless after all. Interesting.” Wen Lin laughed. He had some reservations about his son who didn’t study medicine but instead delved into poisons.

This time, he couldn’t help but praise him for a job well done.

Wen Hu Jiu’s poison techniques were unparalleled in the world of martial arts. With the poisons he had prepared, as long as his grandson didn’t encounter a group of unscrupulous old monsters on his first outing, he could rest assured.

“Go, keep a close eye on him. Poisons are not foolproof, they can be used and countered. Don’t let Nan Tian suffer any mishaps.”

“Yes!”

“Go.”

The black-clad man bowed once more, then instantly vanished into the darkness, disappearing without a trace.

“This little rascal has entered the Heavenly Soaring Realm, and with those poisons from his unreliable second uncle, won’t he tear the heavens apart this time?”

Wen Lin stared at the horizon, lost in thought.

But soon, he laughed. He was the head of the Wen family, his grandson was the future head of the Wen family, even if he tore the heavens apart, what of it?

As long as he didn’t go to the Heaven’s Mandate City to assassinate the emperor, he, Wen Lin, could handle it!

......

The journey was extremely boring.

Although Wen Nan Tian often rode horses, he was still rattled after riding for so long, galloping tens of miles every day. After a few times, he felt like his butt was going to explode: “Riding the fastest horses, who the hell made up that nonsense? Aren’t you afraid of being jolted to death!”

“Boy, you’re just getting started.”

Wen Hu Jiu sipped his wine and said with a smile, “I guess I’m still too inexperienced. Once you get used to it, you won’t feel uncomfortable anymore. Riding under the moon, racing with the wind, how exhilarating.”

“Exhilarating your butt, I’m almost falling off!”

“You brat, you’re ruining such a poetic scene with your rough language.”

“Am I not stating facts?”

“.....”

Wen Hu Jiu was speechless. He couldn’t argue with that: “Alright, you’re right. Stop complaining, we’re already in the territory of Runzhou. We’ll reach Caisang City soon, just hold on a little longer.”

“Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to go out and experience the world of martial arts?”

“If you can’t even handle the hardship of riding a horse, how are you going to experience the world of martial arts?”

Wen Hu Jiu ended his statement with a playful tone.

“Alright!”

Wen Nan Tian didn’t expect that the first hurdle of his escape from home and adventure in the world of martial arts wasn’t encountering an expert, but being jolted around by a horse. After the initial novelty wore off, all that was left was suffering.

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