His movements were slow, each step a measured imitation of the Taiji forms of later generations. The bright sunlight bathed him, yet offered no warmth; it felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, a bone-deep chill spreading through his body, threatening to freeze him solid.

His spirit focused, his body relaxed, unmoved by external factors. The Da Long Xing (Great Dragon Form) remained flawless.

With each movement, his blood flowed like a surging river, delivering waves of warmth. His mind was entirely concentrated on the movements, allowing no distraction.

When the blood moved, the qi moved; when the qi moved, the poison followed. The icy aura crashed over him in successive waves, his inner consciousness feeling like a boat adrift in those surging tides, on the verge of being overwhelmed.

He poured his entire attention into the Da Long Xing, and slowly, the grey pallor receded from his face, his complexion regaining its soft warmth. Ji Wuming drifted over, seeing the ground littered with corpses.

Li Muzhan, meanwhile, was practicing his martial arts. Believing Li Muzhan had achieved some fresh insight, Ji Wuming assumed he was meditating on a breakthrough.

Not wishing to disturb him, Ji Wuming turned to report back to General Hua, whose interest was piqued. The General approached with light steps, dismissing the surrounding knights, an act that drew their silent resentment.

………… A zhan cha (a short while) passed, and Li Muzhan continued his practice without pause. General Hua frowned; he naturally recognized the Da Long Xing, and noted that every repetition was identical, suggesting not a moment of sudden realization but something else entirely.

Seeing the General frown, Ji Wuming moved to speak, but General Hua waved a hand, silencing him. He observed Li Muzhan’s movements—unremarkable and seemingly lacking in power—and also sensed that something was amiss.

Another zhan cha elapsed. Li Muzhan’s movements remained slow and deliberate, and with each motion, the grey color would momentarily surge across his face before vanishing.

Sensing the abnormality, Ji Wuming lowered his voice, “General…” General Hua frowned and stated in a deep voice, “Little Ji, the Master has been poisoned, hasn’t he…” “…It seems so!” Ji Wuming nodded, quickly circling the corpses nearby. His hands returned empty, and he returned with a furrowed brow.

“They have smiles on their faces. It seems the Master’s poison is severe…” General Hua remained silent, his brow tight, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing motionlessly at Li Muzhan.

Ji Wuming and the others remained still too, watching Li Muzhan’s movements, which proceeded slowly. His face would alternate between ashen-grey and a soft, luminous white, the changes relentless.

After about half an hour, white smoke began to emanate from Li Muzhan’s body, coiling and swirling in fine tendrils, dense enough to hover in the air, causing the surrounding temperature to drop slightly. Ji Wuming suddenly exclaimed, “That’s the poison vapor!

General, fall back…” General Hua paused, but instead of retreating, he took several steps forward, stopping to Li Muzhan’s north—directly upwind, ensuring the vapor would not reach him. Ji Wuming followed, whispering, “So the Master is forcing the poison out.

This method is strangely arcane…” General Hua nodded slowly. He had not expected the Da Long Xing to be employed for purging poison; it was truly an ingenious conception, and he felt immense admiration: truly worthy of a Master.

He turned and asked, “Little Ji, what sort of poison is this…” Ji Wuming shook his head, “I don’t know either! These fellows didn’t carry any antidote!” He had swiftly searched the bodies earlier, reaching into their clothes several times, yet found nothing.

These men were utterly clean, carrying nothing at all. Li Muzhan slowly ceased his movements.

The white smoke had coalesced above his head into a cloud, quite beautiful to behold, and the surrounding temperature had dropped yet again. He slowly opened his eyes.

His face was grey and lusterless. “How is the Master?” General Hua pushed Ji Wuming aside and stepped forward to inquire.

Ji Wuming shook his head helplessly. If the Master’s martial arts could not overcome this poison, its potency must be terrifying.

For the General to approach so rashly seemed like treating his life as a game! Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile.

“Alas…” he murmured, “I appreciate the General’s concern, but I am ashamed. To be capsized in a shallow ditch—this pass may prove difficult…” “The Master’s abilities are heaven-defying; you will surely turn misfortune to blessing,” General Hua assured him.

Li Muzhan quickly calmed himself, joining his palms in a smile. “Then I shall take your auspicious words, General… We should be on our way.

We mustn’t delay our journey or jeopardize the important matter…” “Master, let me see…” General Hua extended his hand. Li Muzhan hesitated for a moment, then offered his left hand.

General Hua closed his eyes and felt the pulse, his brow deeply furrowed. Ji Wuming and the others watched his face intently, trying to gauge the severity.

Seeing the General’s expression, their hearts sank slightly. “Master, this is indeed troublesome,” General Hua said, releasing the wrist and shaking his head.

Li Muzhan smiled. “I can suppress it for now, it’s no matter.

We’ll discuss it in the capital. There should be many renowned physicians there who can likely treat it…” General Hua frowned and shook his head, asking about the symptoms.

Li Muzhan described them one by one: “It seems sentient, targeting the internal qi. It is cold as ice, freezing to the bone.” General Hua’s expression shifted subtly, and he turned to look at Ji Wuming, whose face also paled.

Seeing this, Li Muzhan asked with a smile, “What is it? General, do you know this poison…” General Hua took a deep breath and stated solemnly, “If I’m not mistaken, this must be the Xue Xiang San (Snow Fragrance Powder) from the Yu Han Palace… Isn’t that right, Little Ji…” Ji Wuming’s expression was heavy.

“Based on the Master’s description… it’s close…” “Xue Xiang San? Yu Han Palace…” Li Muzhan inquired with a smile.

General Hua explained, “Yu Han Palace is one of the four great sects of Eastern Chu martial arts circles—mysterious and immensely powerful. Xue Xiang San is their proprietary medicine; no one outside the Yu Han Palace can cure this poison.” “Yu Han Palace…” Ji Wuming murmured, then smiled, “If I ever have the chance, I should certainly pay them a visit.” General Hua’s brow remained locked in a frown.

“If it is truly Xue Xiang San, it will be very troublesome.” “What trouble is there?” Li Muzhan asked. General Hua elaborated, “This poison is strange.

It first erodes the body’s internal power. Once the power is gone, it invades the five viscera, starting with the liver, then the lungs, eroding them one by one.

A person will expire after eighty-one days, nine times nine.” Li Muzhan’s eyebrows shot up. “What a potent Xue Xiang San!”… Ji Wuming interjected, “It is said this medicine is used by the Yu Han Palace to punish traitors.

It rarely circulates externally. I never imagined these wretches possessed it!” He raised his foot, intending to kick the nearby corpses, but ultimately lowered it, snorting, “These curs are utterly vicious; death is too light a punishment for them!” If the Master hadn’t kept them occupied, he, the guards, and the General fighting them would certainly not have escaped this poison.

The General would have met a tragic end. Now, the Master must bear all of this, leaving Ji Wuming filled with both guilt and anger.

Li Muzhan waved his hand and smiled. “Brother Ji, no need for such anger… General, if that’s the case, this poison is incurable; we can only await death?” General Hua fell silent, his expression grim.

Ji Wuming said, “The Yu Han Palace has always been mysterious; few disciples ever leave. Outsiders do not know their location, and since they are accustomed to dominance, they would never release an antidote outside the palace.” General Hua sighed.

“I have tired the Master!” Li Muzhan laughed. “It’s too early to speak of such things.

I refuse to believe there is a poison in this world that cannot be cured!” General Hua frowned. “Though the Da Long Xing is marvelous, I fear it won’t be enough.” Li Muzhan replied, “I can suppress it for now.

Let’s continue our journey and discuss it when we reach the capital.” “I’m just afraid…” Ji Wuming started. General Hua interrupted, “So be it.

The Master possesses divine abilities; the Buddha will surely protect him. Let us depart… We will find a carriage at the next town!” “Yes!” Ji Wuming glanced at Li Muzhan, then nodded reluctantly.

Li Muzhan held the reins of Chiying (Scarlet Shadow), gazing down from his saddle at the six corpses below, letting out a long sigh. “General, let’s give them a proper burial.” “Master…” General Hua started, but Li Muzhan cut him off.

“They were loyal men in their own right. Let them rest in peace.” General Hua shook his head helplessly, waving his hand.

Two guards in bright armor dismounted, walked to the roadside, dug a large pit with their long spears, placed the six bodies inside, covered them with soil, and finally erected a grey stone stele. Li Muzhan dismounted and traced the characters on the stele with his finger.

He raised his hand to examine them, then nodded. General Hua dismounted and approached for a look.

In large, flowing script, the stele bore the inscription: “Tomb of the Six Heroes of Eastern Chu.” Li Muzhan turned and smiled. “General, let’s go!” “Good!” General Hua nodded, saying nothing more, and mounted his horse.

The group spurred their horses away, and the area returned to tranquility, the occasional breeze sweeping over the lone, newly mounded grave. … Soon after, the group passed through a town named Nankou.

Though small, it boasted numerous inns and was bustling with traffic—exceptionally prosperous and lively. Nankou Town’s geographical location was excellent; most official roads leading to Shenguang City passed through it, which explained its vibrancy despite its size.

Li Muzhan and his party did not linger, riding straight through the town. After passing Nankou, the procession was augmented by a magnificent carriage pulled by four horses, which kept pace effortlessly with the riders.

Li Muzhan did not stand on ceremony and settled into the carriage. His face still bore a faint grey tinge, not severe, but indicating the poison was spreading.

This Xue Xiang San was truly insidious; it had merged with his internal qi, inseparable like ink dropped into water. Using his internal power to expel the poison was now impossible.

He conceived a method of ventilation to suppress the toxin. Throughout the journey, he constantly channeled palm strikes while circulating the Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu (Heavenly Origin Breathing Technique).

As internal power left his body, true qi rushed in to replace it, an unending cycle of input and output. This breathing method was intended to dilute the concentration of Xue Xiang San within his true qi, thereby weakening its effect.

He vaguely understood that as long as his internal power was not entirely consumed and frozen, the Xue Xiang San would not attack his physical body. The poison was terribly bizarre, consuming true qi with incredible speed; even a protective qi membrane would be frozen.

He was fortunate to possess the Tian Yuan Tu Na Shu to continually inject fresh qi and vitality. The carriage sped onward.

General Hua was desperate to reach the capital quickly to seek renowned physicians, and Li Muzhan’s ability to suppress the Xue Xiang San gave him hope. Li Muzhan sat upon the thick, soft cushions, his eyes flickering.

He contemplated whether to use the San Gong Jue (Meridian Dissipation Art) to completely dissipate his internal power. That might dissolve the Xue Xiang San.

He pondered this for a long time, probing with his intuition, but sensing ill omen, he discarded the idea. Now, his only recourse was the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing (Observing Heaven, Man, and Spirit Illumination Scripture).

If even that failed, he would truly be helpless. He shook his head internally with a sigh.