Transcending the Nine Heavens

(TLN: again a common saying meaning that someone is devious and unscrupulous at heart)

It can’t be left unsaid that what Shi Qian Shan felt was correct. All the misery he currently suffered was single-handedly caused by Chu Yang. During this period, Chu Yang ‘meticulously’ took care of Shi Qian Shan, checking on him once a day.

“Eldest Martial Brother, how are you? Today, I have advanced beyond fifth grade martial pupil.”

“Eldest Martial Brother! Today, I had broken past the sixth grade.”

“I have achieved seventh grade…!”

Every ‘good news’ made Shi Qian Shan felt as if he was being pierced by a thousand arrows. He became very upset making his recovery very slow; it even worsened.

However, the thing that Shi Qian Shan should not have done was let his hatred for Chu Yang spread to Meng Chao Ran and Tan Tan as well. This hatred was seeped to the bones! How could Chu Yang have advanced so fast? It certainly must have been a favor from Meng Chao Ran. The master must have had some sort of elixir to speed up cultivation! I have been with him for so many years and he didn’t give it to me. Instead he gave it to Chu Yang!

That must be it! The hatred in Shi Qian Shan’s heart gradually grew more severe, until it became immeasurable.

In the days that followed, even though his attitude was indifferent, Meng Chao Ran took a lot of care with Shi Qian Shan. He did not hesitate to waste his energy to heal Shi Qian Shan’s meridians as well as help reduce his pain. Furthermore, he spared no effort in searching for medicine to help Shi Qian Shan recover…

However, Shi Qian Shan has allowed his hatred to cloud his judgment. He went as far as grinding his teeth with the master who had given him so much.

So… Shi Qian Shan wanted revenge!

Outside of Shi Qian Shan’s room, there was a small pond, approximately the size of half a room and deeper than a meter. Water flowing from the peak go through here before continuing downward making a winding stream through the mountains.

The water in this pond was so clear, you could see the bottom. Everyday Chu Yang and the others drank water from here.

Currently Shi Qian Shan was trying to get up from his bed. He then stealthily took out a paper parcel from under his bed. This was ‘Before Dawn Soul Scattering Powder’. This was mixture of five highly toxic poisons, without color or taste. But mostly important, without antidote! When mixed with food, they become a wonderful tasting additive that stimulates your appetite.

Shi Qian Shan’s lips were trembling and even his fingers were shaking. However, he remained steadfast in his resolve. He reached for the candle next to his bed. With his right hand he broke off part of the candle…

His face seemed alternate between red and white, as if his heart was under a lot of conflict. However, his hands did not stop. He emptied the entire parcel of poison into a newly formed wax pellet.

Afterwards, he hid everything under the blanket.

If I am like this, you people shall not live well either! Anyway, I am so heavily wounded, even if everyone here was dead, no one would suspect me!

If Purple Bamboo Garden has only me left, then the Sect Master would surely show some preferential treatment! That way I would still have a chance. Even if I can no longer lean on Meng Chao Ran, I can still succeed.

Die! You can all die!

At this point, Shi Qian Shan had apparently entered a state of frenzy.

The sun slowly rose to its peak, Shi Qian Shan listened, then clenched his teeth… A small container flew straight outside from his hand.

Plop! It dropped into the pond.

Shi Qian Shan breathed a sigh of relief. He slumped in his bed. There was a look of anxiousness as well as shame in his eyes. But immediately after, he became crazed. He gritted his teeth, his hands gripped tightly onto the blanket, tearing a hole in it. disquiet

A moment later, he finally relaxed. A smile appeared on his mouth revealing pleasure and satisfaction.

The water in the pond flowed constantly, if the poison was released directly, then its effect would fade. However, if it were placed in a wax container, it would release more slowing.

Based on the daily meal time, this moment was perfect. He calculated the time carefully. After about a second, there was a creaky sound. It was the sound of the two wooden buckets that Tan Tan used to carry water. Shi Qian Shan immediately went back under his blanket, closed his eyes and moaned…

After a while, the clacking sound of pots and pans were heard, followed by Tan Tan’s monstrous singing. Finally, the fragrant smell food arose.

Shi Qian Shan smiled evilly.

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The three, Meng Chao Ran, Tan Tan, and Chu Yang, sat around the dining table looking at aromatic food. Tan Tan’s puppy dog eyes was currently looking at his master, but his stomach was growling. He was waiting for Meng Chao Ran to open his mouth, then he would attack the food.

However, when Meng Chao Ran looked at the food, he frowned. The food today did not seem like normal. The smell was much stronger, almost… excessively fragrant.

There was something strange!

He felt that something was not right.

Meng Chao Ran was in deep thought; he picked up his chopsticks, just to put them down again. He tilted his head and looked over at Chu Yang. It seemed that Chu Yang was also staring at the food on the table and thinking about something.

Meng Chao Ran was surprised. The reason he found the food strange was due to his decades of experience in Jiang Hu in addition to his careful personality and heightened senses borne from countless dangerous encounters. If it were normal people, then they would not have noticed any anomalies in the fragrant smell of the food. It’s likely that they would want to eat it even more.

But how could Chu Yang realize this? He was only 16 years old. Moreover, he had never been outside of the sect. How could he have such keen perception?

“Tan Tan, did you make this food?” Chu Yang calmly smiled and asked.

“That’s right, let’s eat everyone. It smells so good… I can’t wait any longer.” Tan Tan begged pitifully.

Chu Yang seemed to have figured out something as he looked at the rippling water in the small pond outside. With a flick of his wrist, there appeared a small black jade pin in his hand. He poked it into a soup dish on the table.

It immediately changed to a frightful purple blue color. Tan Tan’s color changed immediately, he almost screamed out loud. As if he already knew Tan Tan’s reaction without even looking at him, Chu Yang covered Tan Tan’s mouth with his hand. His gaze did not leave from the food on the table. He said in a serious voice, “Tan Tan is not capable of poisoning us. The problem is in the pond water!”

Meng Chao Ran was shocked, because he also just thought of the same thing. Tan Tan was the cook but he was not the poisoner. After all, he took care of Tan Tan since he was little. Tan Tan never had any exposure with poisons. How could he have done it?

Meng Chao Ran took a deep breath. Suddenly, there was anger in his face as he turned his head and looked straight at Shi Qian Shan’s room.

“Let me go!” Chu Yang said quietly.

“You? What do you plan to do?” Meng Chao Ran’s countenance was unsightly.

“Basically, I plan to satisfy him,” Chu Yang said casually.

Meng Chao Ran’s eyes narrowed. With a slight laugh, he said, “In that case, you should go then.”

After a pause, he continued, “Don’t say too much. Let him have a chance to explain himself. It’s possible he doesn’t know the extent of his actions.”

His voice was very soft, but within it, there was bitterness and fatigue. No matter what, Shi Qian Shan was still his disciple for the past 7-8 years! Chu Yang wanted to help him handle this matter because he understood Meng Chao Ran’s dilemma.

Meng Chao Ran was currently furious. But inversely, Chu Yang completely understood him and felt very happy.

Chu Yang nodded. He carried the tray of food that was previously prepared for Shi Qian Shan. When he arrived in front of Shi Qian Shan’s room, he smiled slightly and said, “Eldest Martial Brother, it’s time to eat!”

“Doesn’t Tan Tan always bring my food? Why is it you today?” Shi Qian Shan asked, looking suspiciously at Chu Yang.

“That Tan Tan is so tired today, he couldn’t even get up.” Chu Yang smiled warmly and said. “We are all brothers; Tan Tan or me, what difference does it make? You have helped us so much with such deep love and care. I thought I should at least do something to repay you.”

Shi Qian Shan answered in agreement, “Hm. My appetite is not so good today, I don’t want to eat. Just leave it right there.”

What a joke! He clearly knew there was poison in the food. It was his own doing! How would he dare eat it?

Outside, Meng Chao Ran was concentrating all his energy to listen to everything being said in that room. When he heard Shi Qian Shan saying that, he could not help but snort. He still could not imagine that his disciple of 7-8 years now wanted to kill him. Even though everything was already clear, he still told Chu Yang to give Shi Qian Shan a chance to explain himself.

Still holding onto a ray of hope.

However, after hearing Shi Qian Shan, he has lost all hope.

With a big grin, Chu Yang asked, “How could you not eat? The body is iron and rice is steel (TLN: another saying, people can’t function on an empty stomach). Plus you are wounded, you need nutrition to recover quickly. Eldest Martial Brother, you must eat at least a little bit! If you finish the whole thing, I am sure you would feel better.”

Shi Qian Shan frowned and said in a disgusted tone, “I already told you, I won’t eat! Just get out!”

“Why not… is there poison in there?” Chu Yang said sincerely, “Eldest Martial Brother, we have been brothers for many years. Is it possible that you believe that I would poison you? Hurry up and eat!”