Chapter 290: Entering the Poison Hall

The fierce winds of the Red Lotus Mountain Range cut at the skin like knives, causing stinging pain. The monotonous, pale red landscape grew tiresome to the eyes, causing extreme fatigue.

From time to time, fingertip-sized bugs crawled past, damp and foul-smelling, turning the stomach.

“These are the unique Damp Worms of the Red Lotus Mountain Range,” one figure explained. “They feed on medicinal herbs and are their natural enemies. Strangely though, their corpses are excellent fertilizers for herbs. Herbs grown with them as fertilizer become incredibly potent, vibrant, and full of spiritual energy. Many herbs that are difficult to cultivate can not only be easily grown with these worms but also thrive remarkably. This is precisely why Red Lotus City has become the largest medicinal herb trading center among the thirteen surrounding kingdoms!”

Deep within the lotus-shaped mountain range, two figures walked forward on foot. One of them, observing the worms crawling across the ground, offered the explanation.

“No wonder,” the other figure said, “I’ve been wondering how such a remote place, with no vegetation, could become a hub for medicinal herbs. So that’s how it is.”

The second figure nodded, walked a few steps forward, and looked at the mist overhead that obscured the sun. He then asked, “Is this the poisonous miasma you spoke of?”

The two figures were Zhang Xuan and the Grand Apothecary, who had left Red Lotus City and were heading towards the Poison Hall.

Because the journey to the Poison Hall was too dangerous, they hadn't brought Mo Yu, letting her return to Tianwu Royal City by herself.

The Grand Apothecary had deliberated for a while but still decided to take him there.

He owed Zhang Xuan his life, and having already agreed, he couldn't refuse.

They had traveled continuously and had been walking for five full days.

“That’s right!” the Grand Apothecary explained. “The Red Lotus Mountain Range sits atop a large volcano. The surface is scorching hot, which is why nothing grows here, and the rocks are all fiery red. Under the rising heat, poisonous miasma floats dozens of meters above the ground, hundreds of meters thick. Flying beasts can cross from high altitudes, but descending is very difficult. Once they pass through this layer of poison, they will be harmed. Even Master Realm flying beasts won't last a moment; they’ll bleed from all orifices and die!”

“Therefore, this path can only be traversed on foot; flying beasts are useless! It’s also why the Poison Hall has stood here in the Red Lotus Mountains for so many years, unexterminated by those so-called righteous individuals.”

The Poison Hall, which concocted and sold poisons, employed insidious and terrifying methods, making it impossible to guard against. It always offended many people, yet it had stood for thousands of years without falling. Powerful support from its headquarters was only part of the reason; more importantly were the poisonous miasma and its secret location.

It was difficult to even find, and even if found, without the ability to use flying beasts to go straight in, it wouldn't pose a threat.

“Truly formidable.” Zhang Xuan nodded.

No wonder many people couldn’t find the Poison Hall, or had never even heard of it. With these poisonous miasma as cover, even if they knew of it, probably no one could enter.

These things didn't just float in the sky; a part of them was also tightly connected to the ground. If the Grand Apothecary hadn't known the path and avoided them in advance, both of them would likely have been severely poisoned by now.

It could be said that without someone leading the way, finding it would be almost impossible.

He had heard before that those who sought the Poison Hall alone rarely returned. Now it seemed, it was indeed true.

Fortunately, Mo Yu had led him to the Grand Apothecary, instead of him coming by himself.

Otherwise, even if his Heaven’s Path zhenqi could dispel some poisonous gas, too much exposure would still be very troublesome.

“How much further is it to the Poison Hall?”

Looking forward, he saw the mountains still rising and falling, with no end in sight and not even the shadow of a building. Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but ask.

They had already walked for five days, and still hadn't arrived. This Poison Hall was surely too far!

“We’re almost there, just ahead!” The Grand Apothecary pointed forward.

“Ahead?” Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

Ahead, there was nothing but bare rocks. Where was the Poison Hall?

“Follow me!”

Smiling, the Grand Apothecary walked forward, rounded a huge rock and a small hill, and a valley appeared before them.

Looking down into the valley, Zhang Xuan was immediately filled with surprise.

He saw a massive city standing within it.

The city was built to conform to the terrain; its ancient buildings, somewhat similar to those in Red Lotus City, made it clear at a glance that it had existed for countless years.

“This is the Poison Hall?”

This city of the Poison Hall was in no way inferior to the Beast Hall they had seen before. Various pale blue buildings rose and fell, embedded within the fiery red mountains, like a beautiful painting.

“It is said that when the Poison Hall was built,” the Grand Apothecary explained, “a formation master was specifically invited who used the mountains as formation flags to set up a hidden formation. If you don’t know the path, you wouldn’t see it even if you were standing right in front of it.”

Zhang Xuan nodded.

It was true.

He had stood there for a long time just now, only seeing continuous mountain ranges, not even a hint of a structure. Yet, after rounding a few rocks and a small hill, such a massive city appeared before his eyes. He wouldn’t have believed it if there wasn’t a hidden formation.

“Physician Bai, that’s the Poison Hall ahead,” the Grand Apothecary asked again. “Are we just going to walk straight in?”

Recalling the other party's idea, he felt his heart tremble with fear.

To be honest, no one had actually seen a special envoy from the Poison Hall. But… if they were discovered to be imposters, they wouldn't even know how they died.

“Hmm, my current identity is a physician,” Zhang Xuan mused. “Perhaps someone has seen me before… I must change it!”

Zhang Xuan’s current appearance was still that of Bai Chan. Many poison masters from the Poison Hall also traveled around, and perhaps some had seen him; it was better to be cautious.

With a thought, he activated his Disguise Art. His muscles and bones creaked as his entire person, both in appearance and height, changed. When seen again, he was a middle-aged man of about forty.

He put on a pre-prepared blue-gray outfit. Zhang Xuan at this moment seemed like a different person, bearing no resemblance to Bai Chan or even his true self. Not to mention the Grand Apothecary, even if Zhao Ya and the others were there, they would certainly not guess that the person before them was their teacher.

It was not easy to disguise as someone who had been seen before, but disguising as someone who had never appeared before was very simple.

“This is… the Disguise Art?”

The Grand Apothecary's body trembled.

Even he hadn't expected this move from Zhang Xuan.

No wonder this Physician Bai dared to impersonate a special envoy; so he had this reliance.

“But… if you disguise yourself and others don’t recognize you or can’t find you, what about me?”

“I am the Grand Apothecary of Red Lotus City; I can't escape the consequences.”

“Bringing a fake special envoy here, if discovered, even if he escaped, he would surely be caught, torn into pieces, and minced on the spot.”

Originally, he had thought they would advance and retreat together. Only now did he realize the other party hadn't even shown his true face, and even if investigated, nothing could be found…

In any case, he was the one being set up.

Understanding all this, the Grand Apothecary's face contorted; he wanted to cry but couldn't.

“Don't worry,” Zhang Xuan said, reading his thoughts. “When we reach the Poison Hall in a moment, you can declare in advance that I found you, claimed to be a special envoy, and you, without confirming, brought me here. That way, it has nothing to do with you. As for the contract Gu on you, you can say I took action to resolve it, to make you lead the way.”

“This…”

The Grand Apothecary's face flushed.

He hadn't expected the other party to have already thought of a retreat for him. How foolish of him to have doubted such a generous person!

He had to admit, this suggestion was indeed the best excuse.

He wasn't a member of the Poison Hall, so it was normal for him not to recognize a special envoy. If they themselves were so blind as not to recognize him, then even if they wanted to blame him later, they couldn't.

Furthermore, while the matter of the Grand Apothecary signing a contract Gu with the Hall Master was a secret, it was still known by some within the Poison Hall. Now that the Hall Master was dead, and he was still alive and well without an explanation, everyone would be suspicious.

A single sentence resolved his hidden worries and also ensured others wouldn't suspect him or dare to harm him again. Truly, it was killing three birds with one stone.

However…

“If I say that, they will surely become suspicious of you…” The Grand Apothecary hesitated for a moment and asked, “Physician Bai, how much do you know about poison masters?”

Saying this would make him safe, but this Physician Bai would fall into an even more dangerous situation.

The people of the Poison Hall would certainly find a way to test him. If he knew a lot about poison masters, it would be fine, but a slight mistake would easily expose him.

“I only heard of this profession half a month ago,” Zhang Xuan said. “I had never heard of it before!”

“Half a month ago… you only heard of it then?”

The Grand Apothecary rolled his eyes and nearly spat out blood.

“Brother, are you kidding me?”

“You only heard of it half a month ago, don’t even know what a poison master is, yet you dare to impersonate a special envoy…”

“That’s right!”

“Impersonating a special envoy,” the Grand Apothecary continued, “without even an emblem to represent your identity or an identity token from headquarters, to gain their trust, you’d definitely need to display your poisoning skills. You know nothing, understand nothing…”

Seeing the other party's casual affirmation, without the slightest fear, the Grand Apothecary felt a mouthful of blood well up in his chest, ready to burst out at any moment.

If you had an identity token from headquarters or a high-level poison master emblem, people would believe your impersonation of a special envoy!

Without these, solid poisoning techniques could also convince people…

You only heard of poison masters half a month ago, know nothing, understand nothing, yet you dare to impersonate. Is your heart truly so big, or are you unaware of the danger?

This isn’t child’s play. Once they discover you’re a fake, they will truly kill you!

“No matter. When the time comes, I'll adapt to the situation!”

Knowing what the other party was worried about, Zhang Xuan waved his hand. “Alright, we’re already here. Thinking too much is useless. Let’s go down!”

Although he didn't understand poison masters, with his abilities, he could even disguise as a master teacher. Impersonating a formidable poison master should be no problem.

Seeing the other party's indifferent expression, the Grand Apothecary was filled with dismay. The little bit of confidence he had just gained vanished once again.

He truly didn't know where this fellow in front of him got such confidence.

However, since things had come to this, there was nothing he could do. He could only take it one step at a time.

They walked down the path in the valley and soon arrived before the city.

“Who goes there, daring to trespass into the Poison Hall?”

Before they even entered the city gate, they heard a loud shout. Several black-robed middle-aged men darted out, their gazes cold, like those of eagles.

“Poison Master Zhou, Poison Master Liu, everyone, it’s me!”

Stepping forward, the Grand Apothecary quickly said.

“Oh? So it’s the Grand Apothecary?” the middle-aged man called Poison Master Zhou narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here, not staying in Red Lotus City?”

“In this situation, others are too busy hiding, yet you rush over yourself. Are you tired of living?” Poison Master Liu also snorted.

The Poison Hall was in turmoil, and everyone was looking out for themselves. Coming here at this time was definitely seeking death.

These two had known the Grand Apothecary before, and having received many good things from him in the past, they naturally spoke up for him.

“I’ve come to see the three Vice Hall Masters…”

Knowing the others' intentions were good, the Grand Apothecary was about to explain his purpose when he saw a poison master approach Zhang Xuan.

“Who is this person? Do you not know that bringing someone here without permission is a capital offense?”

Looking at Zhang Xuan, this poison master's eyes held intense killing intent. “Outsider, blame your bad luck. However, to die by my newly developed poison, you should consider it an honor!”

“Wait, this is…”

Seeing him about to act immediately, the Grand Apothecary’s face changed. Just as he was about to say that he was a special envoy, he saw the “Physician Bai” before him raise his foot and kick.

The poison master who wanted to kill him, before he could even react, flew backward, crashing heavily against the city wall like a meat patty. His neck twisted, and he stopped breathing.

“What?”

“How dare you!”

They hadn't expected this trespasser of the Poison Hall to dare to attack them. Poison Master Zhou, Poison Master Liu, and the others were all stunned, then exploded in anger. They swiftly surrounded the two, radiating killing intent.

“It's over…”

No emblem of identity, no knowledge of poison masters. The Grand Apothecary had thought it would be best to keep a low profile, gain others' trust, and then think of other methods.

This guy, however, killed someone as soon as he arrived…

Big Brother, do you really think we’re not dying fast enough?

Seeing this scene, his body swayed, and the Grand Apothecary felt his tears could no longer be held back.

Damn it, others have god-like teammates.

Mine… he’s a teammate who will get me killed without consequences!