Chapter 409: Under the Heavens, Who Doesn't Have a Grudge with Your Master?

"Do you like it when women look at you with an expression of disgust?"

Meng Jingzhou thought Lu Yang must be seriously ill. It seemed to him that Lu Yang's condition had worsened significantly since entering Barren Province.

"Here's the thing: I found the Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley, Shuang Feiyan. Valley Master Shuang has some connection with Fourth Elder and is willing to help you resolve the karmic backlash. However, her abilities are limited; she can only mitigate a portion of it, not completely resolve it."

On his way to find Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yang had considered that if Valley Master Shuang's cultivation wasn't sufficient to completely resolve it, perhaps the former Valley Master or the Grand Elder of Seven Emotions Valley could intervene. Valley Master Shuang's reply was, "Do you think everyone senior to me has achieved the Tribulation Transcension stage?"

"Valley Master Shuang can change the effect of the karmic backlash from 'being unable to see women' to 'all women you meet will dislike you'. We'll need to continue brainstorming for a way to completely resolve it later."

Meng Jingzhou's expression was odd. "I feel like these two effects are six of one, half a dozen of the other."

"How can you say they're the same? Before, you couldn't even enter the doors of a brothel; now you can."

"Next time, please use a more normal analogy."

Meng Jingzhou squatted on the ground, stroking his chin in thought. If a portion of the curse were resolved, he wouldn't have to spend every day hiding in mountain valleys, listening to Lu Yang boast about his romantic encounters. He could also enter cities, go anywhere without restrictions, and wouldn't have to worry about being chased hither and thither by sudden disasters.

"Alright, then I'll trouble Valley Master Shuang. Uh, how should I tell her?"

Lu Yang sighed. Since Valley Master Shuang and Meng Jingzhou couldn't meet, and Old Ma wasn't reliable, he would have to act as the messenger. Resigned, he returned the way he came and found Valley Master Shuang meditating under a tree.

"Did you find your companion?"

"Yes, I did. He's willing to accept your treatment."

Valley Master Shuang nodded, then frowned slightly as another thought occurred to her.

"Is something wrong?"

"His curse is extremely difficult to resolve. Even a partial mitigation presents a great challenge. I need to observe his specific condition to determine the best method of resolution."

"But you and Old Meng can't meet, can you?"

"Exactly, that's the problem."

Having lived for over two thousand years, Valley Master Shuang's experience far surpassed Lu Yang's, and she quickly came up with a solution. "I have an idea: I can perform diagnosis by silk thread. However, there's too much vegetation here, which would interfere with the diagnosis. Bring your companion to the entrance of Seven Emotions Valley; there are no obstructions there."

With these words, Valley Master Shuang flew back to Seven Emotions Valley to prepare the artifacts needed for the silk thread diagnosis. Lu Yang returned to the desolate mountain where Meng Jingzhou was, and had Old Ma bring them both to Seven Emotions Valley. This time, Old Ma didn't drag his feet, using spatial magic to quickly transport them back.

By this time, all the people who had come to Seven Emotions Valley for curse resolution had dispersed, and the attending disciples had carried their stools back into the valley. Meng Jingzhou returned to Seven Emotions Valley without incident. Lu Yang entered Seven Emotions Valley and received the silk thread diagnosis artifact from Valley Master Shuang.

Diagnosis by silk thread was an ancient diagnostic method originating from the Great Qian Dynasty. When the Qian Emperor's concubines fell ill, imperial physicians were needed for diagnosis. However, as the Emperor's women, they could not be touched by other men. The imperial physicians of Great Qian devised a method: they would tie one end of a silk thread to the concubine's wrist and hold the other end. The physician would then diagnose the illness based on various factors transmitted through the silk thread, such as sensation, pulse, spiritual energy, and their extensive medical knowledge. More skilled imperial physicians, proficient in stealth techniques, would secretly attend to the concubines at night, completely undetected.

"I understand the principle, but why are you tying me up so tightly? You said diagnosis by silk thread only requires wrapping it around the wrist!" Meng Jingzhou was furious. His entire body was wrapped in white silk threads, with only his mouth still uncovered.

"Quiet, quiet." Lu Yang wrapped his mouth as well. "What choice do we have? This isn't an ordinary karmic backlash. For a proper diagnosis, one thread isn't enough. Tying you up completely allows for a better diagnosis. Bear with it; this is Valley Master Shuang's instruction."

Meng Jingzhou conceded, patiently waiting for Valley Master Shuang's diagnosis. Lu Yang entered Seven Emotions Valley. Valley Master Shuang held a large bundle of thread ends in her hand, meditating with closed eyes, contemplating a solution. Lu Yang held his breath, not daring to disturb Valley Master Shuang's diagnosis.

"Two bachelor Golden Cores, quite daring."

"You recognized it as a bachelor Golden Core?" Lu Yang was surprised; it was the first time someone outside of Dao Inquiry Sect had recognized Meng Jingzhou's Golden Core.

"When I was younger, I saw a bachelor Spirit Root. Their talent was quite high, but not as good as your companion's. This bloodline signature, and the surname Meng... So it's the Meng family's lad." Valley Master Shuang chuckled, recalling some events from her youth.

"This karmic backlash is quite interesting. It's a bit more severe than what the mountain man described, but thankfully, it hasn't exceeded my expectations." Valley Master Shuang already had an idea of how to resolve a portion of the karmic backlash.

"Have you studied the principles of curses?"

"No."

"Curses have dual attributes: spiritual and physical. To resolve a curse, treatment must address both the physical and spiritual aspects. Here's toad skin, dried centipede, Five-Venom Insect Powder... Feed these to the Meng family's lad in the order I've arranged them. Remember, they must be eaten raw to resolve the physical curse. Then, use this set of Seven-Star Silver Needles to puncture and bleed him. After the wound heals, puncture and bleed him again. Repeat this three times. The Seven-Star Silver Needles have the ability to connect to the soul, which can resolve the spiritual curse."

"Have you remembered everything I told you?"

"Let me confirm: are you sure these things like toad skin must be eaten raw?"

"Eating them cooked is fine too, but eating them raw is more efficient."

"More efficient absorption?"

"More time-efficient, it saves the cooking time."

"Alright, I've got it." Lu Yang turned to leave but was stopped by Valley Master Shuang.

"Wait a moment, I need to confirm something with you."

"What is it?"

"Is that old scoundrel Buyu really still alive? I know some sect masters prefer to keep their deaths secret, fearing too much impact. If old scoundrel Buyu is truly gone, tell me. I'll personally take you to the Corpse Herding Sect to learn how to refine living corpses."

"Do you have a grudge against my master?"

Valley Master Shuang sneered repeatedly, "Under heaven, who doesn't have a grudge against your master? I recall when your master was imprisoned, the mountain man and I visited him. When your master saw me, he claimed to be immune to curses, saying no curse could harm him, and that if I didn't believe him, I could try. Of course, I didn't believe him, so I cast several curses on him. Then your master was released on medical parole."

Lu Yang was speechless.

"Later, when the incident came to light, the constables arrested both your master and me for escaping prison."

"...My master is still alive. He was in prison just a while ago; I don't know if he's out yet."

"What a pity."