Chapter Ch168 - Unraveling a Conspiracy

Chapter Ch168 - Unraveling a Conspiracy

Gongyi Tianheng pondered.

When they returned to the Qingyun Continent today, they hadn’t once met anyone while on the flying boat. If there was anything planned, it could’ve only been in Market Street. People came and went, and they’d gone to many places…

After a moment passed, Tianheng said: “Ah Zuo, take a look at all of the clothes and items we’ve purchased today. See if there was any tampering.”

Gu Zuo startled: “Big brother suspects that—”

Tianheng faintly nodded: “Since that person could block the road we were returning on, there’s a possibility that information had been obtained earlier and we were secretly traced at Market Street. Just in case, we’d better examine all the new things we obtained today.”

Gu Zuo understood: “Then I’ll take a good look.”

After the two made their decision, Gu Zuo first walked two laps around Tianheng. Although, he felt that with his big brother’s strength, there shouldn’t have been any martial artists surpassing the Immortal Realm wandering nearby who could hide from him — Basically, Immortal Realms simply wouldn’t do such a thing, but it was better that they were a bit more prudent.

This matter didn’t go beyond Gu Zuo’s expectations. There was nothing wrong on Tianheng’s body.

Following that, he would inspect the other things.

Because it was a large-scale purchase paid by Tianheng, many resources were directly put away using Fangcun Cloths and were kept with Dragon Three and the others for safe keeping. It would’ve been distributed after returning. At this moment, Gu Zuo called all the Tianlong Guards over, and had them take out those resources. At the same time, the clothes and other items kept by the Gongyi Clan children were also brought out.

Everyone felt that this was very odd. At the time, they were still listening to Dragon One and Dragon Two’s lectures, so how could they be gathered together after separating only a few moments ago?

Tianheng didn’t conceal anything from them, and told them about his and Gu Zuo’s analysis.

Everyone heard this, and their expressions changed.

Tianyang was somewhat worried: “Then, we’ll quickly take out all the new things we got.”

The others didn’t dare to neglect anything.

This inspection project could only be undertaken by Gu Zuo, who had the strongest psychic power and was the most sensitive toward medicaments. Because he carried a heavy responsibility, he didn’t dare lower his guard. He simply crouched down in front of that pile of resources and spread his psychic power out. First, everything was wrapped up. Then, he separated a portion of new psychic power, and delicately searched and scrutinized each item.

“Nothing wrong with these…”

“These also don’t have anything inappropriate…”

“These…also…”

After all kinds of things were repeatedly verified, Gu Zuo finally inspected the clothing. And this time, his psychic power immediately discovered something fishy the moment it made contact — Obviously, there wasn’t anything wrong with the clothing’s materials, workmanship, and defensive capabilities. So why did it give a type of lousy feeling?

Gu Zuo’s mind paused.

After that, he put aside the clothing in his hands and inspected several other articles of clothing… No good. There was also something strange. Unexpectedly, all of the clothes gave a faint, unsettling feeling!

Gu Zuo couldn’t help lifting his head and looking at his dear big brother.

Tianheng inquired: “Ah Zuo, what’s wrong?”

Gu Zuo’s expression was a little grave: “There’s definitely a problem with these clothes.”

Tianheng looked pensive: “If it’s the clothing… Ah Zuo can consider the aspects of ‘pursuing’ and ‘harming’. Let’s see if you can identify anything.”

Gu Zuo nodded: “Rest assured, big brother.”

He didn’t believe that a random person could hide from him when he had so many item books and was proficient in so many points of knowledge on the path of medicine refinement!

In his mind, Gu Zuo quickly started searching through the things he knew.

Generally speaking, even if the other party used some methods, it certainly wouldn’t have exceeded the Human-Level category. Furthermore, it was most likely a medicament — If it was some other strange method, it would certainly need time to prepare. It wouldn’t have been that easy to use with only the period of time they strolled through Market Street.

The situation with the highest probability was that they encountered a scheme while in the ready-made clothing store. Merely, they didn’t know whether the clothing store was the scheming person’s property or the store was being treated as a screen.

As Gu Zuo thought about things, the movements of his hands weren’t slow. Not only was the psychic power condensed even more finely to cover the outer robe in his hand, he also used his nose to sniff it. He carefully distinguished the odors mixed with the original smell of the clothing, searching for differences.

That group of scheming people didn’t expect that an Inner Sect disciple who’d just established himself would actually have an unusual figure like Gu Zuo. Not only did he quickly discover that there was a problem, but he really could identify it!

After about fifteen minutes passed, Gu Zuo slowly exhaled.

Gongyi Tianxiao couldn’t hold himself back: “Pharmacist Gu, did you find the problem?”

Tianyang and the others all looked over with expectant gazes.

Mingxia moved closer: “Big Brother Ah Zuo, please tell us about it?”

Gu Zuo looked at Tianheng and found that he didn’t make any move to stop them. He realized that this was to let those clan siblings understand the malice in people’s hearts and comprehend the methods to defend against them.

Hence, he nodded and explained: “The person who made this is very crafty. The coating of medicinal powder contains two types: Spider Silk Powder and the Demon Frenzy Pill. The former should be a type of Trick Pill. When refining, so long as one adds spider silk, the grounded-up Trick Pill can be scattered onto another person’s body. Using a live spider that spat out this silk, it will respond to the direction of the powder, and one can conduct a pursuit. The Spider Silk Powder’s smell is very light. Practically no martial artists below the Immortal Realm would be able to detect it by scent.”

Listening to these words left the Gongyi Clan children dumbstruck.

Mingxia was deeply interested: “Then, what about the other type?”

Gu Zuo smiled at her and continued to explain: “The Demon Frenzy Pill is a type of Poison Pill. If given to a human, it can cause a person to go crazy and die. If given to a wild beast, it can also cause the beast to go crazy. In addition, this type of Demon Frenzy Pill has a very powerful allure to wild beasts. Once this type of medicinal pill is exposed, it will make the nearby wild beasts gather. But the peculiar thing is that if the Demon Frenzy Pill is ground into powder and scattered onto a person, the odor becomes very light and undetectable.

“Only, in the wake of a martial artist’s violent movements, once the body starts sweating, the Demon Frenzy Pill powder will combine with the sweat. The scent will become a faint, bloody stench — The martial artist may think it’s the bloody odor of the wild beasts they slew, but it’ll undoubtedly be an intense allure to other beasts.

“Thus, the Demon Frenzy Pill becomes an exceptionally good thing for plotting against martial artists below the Immortal Realm. In most cases, a martial artist sprinkled with this powder won’t leave behind a skeleton when they go out to adventure.” Speaking up to here, Gu Zuo’s eyes flashed with a bit of discomfort, “The vilest point is that when the Demon Frenzy Pill powder and Spider Silk Powder are set by themselves, the odors are faint, but can still be discovered by a careful pharmacist. But once these two are mixed together, the scents are somehow cancelled out, and even common pharmacists would be unable to detect it… Moreover, it would be hard for even Immortal Realm martial artists to discover! But it won’t influence a wild beast’s sense of smell. The methods of the person targeting us behind our backs are really too sinister!”

If it wasn’t for Gu Zuo being different from the average pharmacist, if he and Tianheng weren’t extremely keen, this time’s deadly trap might’ve successfully done them in.

After she finished listening, Mingxia bit her rosy, lower lip and softly asked: “If Big Brother Ah Zuo hadn’t discovered this, would us putting on these clothes while out adventuring be the same as those who were plotted against with the Demon Frenzy Pill? Having our nonexistent skeletons gnawed upon by a group of wild beasts?”

Gu Zuo nodded: “The Spider Silk Powder can also be traced by them. Even if the destination doesn’t have any wild beasts, it’s equally possible to be tailed by them and killed secretly.”

The faces of Tianyang and several others all showed furious expressions.

Truly, too despicable!

At this time, Gongyi Tianheng suddenly opened his mouth: “This matter should be a double pitfall. The Spider Silk Powder and Demon Frenzy Pill is the true method used. On the contrary, the subsequent and straightforward assassination is to cover up the former.”

Gu Zuo held his breath: “So to say, under normal circumstances, our energy would be focused on investigating the assassination after the attack. In particular, since that assassination was simple and crude, there would’ve clearly been a problem. The more skeptical we are, the more focused we’d be on researching and checking on this matter. It would’ve been very easy to overlook the trick on the clothes.”

Tianheng nodded his head: “This matter may only be a single person’s plan, where a botched assassination and refined scheme are deliberately carried out at once. Although it’s a one-person plan, it’s also possible that while those assassins were indeed reckless and stupid, this refined scheme is the hidden hand of the one who planned all this.”

Tianyang and the others heard this, and only felt shaken to their cores.

If it was the former, that person calculated very deeply! And if it was the latter… Not only did that person calculate deeply, but that person also found a scapegoat early on. Even if they were killed, it would be impossible to know the cause. For anyone investigating after the event, all sorts of evidence would still point towards those foolish and direct assassins!

Gu Zuo frowned: “Which does big brother think?”

Gongyi Tianheng smiled: “If it was me, I’d naturally feel that the latter is smarter.”

Gu Zuo had a helpless expression.

However, regardless of which, none of it mattered.

In any case, they’d already discovered this hidden hand. During the investigation, there were originally two lines of inquiry. Since it was like this, when all was said and done, was there any difference between which kind of situation it turned out to be? After investigating, everything would naturally be made clear.

In addition, if the person of this scheme was Lu Jiusi…

Before, they had their doubts. Only, there was hesitation in their hearts because the assassination was too clumsy. However, after placing their guess on this hidden hand through careful considerations, they felt that the probability of it being him was very high.

With his meticulous mind, it really was possible for him to issue this kind of plan!

As such, perhaps their current energy could be mainly used for the “scapegoat” prepared in advance? Merely, they’d returned to the current problem: Lu Jiusi’s mind was inscrutable, but the person who used the assassination method certainly had intentions of killing them… In the end, who hated them so much?

Gongyi Tianyang and the other children had just arrived and they had almost lost their lives. They had lingering fears in their hearts, but there was also abhorrence towards that person behind the scenes. When Tianyang looked at his eldest brother, he couldn’t help asking: “Big brother, what’ll we do now?” He also asked Gu Zuo, “Brother Ah Zuo, how should we deal with these clothes?”

— Those things like medicinal pills couldn’t be disposed of so casually.

Tianheng said: “We’ll beat them at their own game. The clothes can’t be dealt with for the time being.”

Gu Zuo had a mutual understanding with Tianheng, and said: “Rest assured, big brother. These two medicinal pills are somewhat unfamiliar, but I can resolve their effects.”

Mingxia looked curiously at Gu Zuo: “Big Brother Ah Zuo, how are you going to do it?”

Tianheng heard what was said, and reprimanded her in a low voice: “Mingxia!”

She suddenly closed her mouth. She remembered that a pharmacist’s methods were normally kept secret. Her asking such a question had the suspicion of snooping. Thus, she said apologetically: “Big Brother Ah Zuo, it wasn’t on purpose…”

Gu Zuo possessed many things and was well-off. How could he make a fuss over such minor matters? He shook his head and said: “It’s no problem, I’ll just tell you all.” His face turned solemn as he said in a deadpan voice, “Tianyang, you guys listen up, too. If you encounter the same thing in the future, you can stay vigilant.”

Tianyang, Tianyin, and the others didn’t expect there to still be this kind of benefit. Naturally, their eyes lit up as they watched this teenaged youth. He wasn’t that old, but at this moment, he seemed a bit mature and poised.

“We’ll listen obediently!”

The smile on Mingxia’s face also became more and more bright and beautiful.

Gu Zuo cleared his throat and started to lecture: “Spider Silk Powder and Demon Frenzy Pills are rarely seen types of Human-Level medicinal pills which few people know about. They’re ideal methods for secretly killing others. But relatively speaking, their solution is comparatively easy. When someone scatters the powder onto the victim’s clothing, the victim only needs to take off the clothing and soak it in boiling water with a dissolved Blood Purification Pill for about four hours. This is capable of thoroughly removing its effects. If the medicinal powder comes into contact with the skin, using this type of medicinal decoction to wipe it clean and taking several baths will suffice.”

Mingxia couldn’t help asking: “Big Brother Ah Zuo, the two types of pills have the same solution?”

Gu Zuo nodded: “Correct. I also don’t know if this matter is a coincidence or if the person who originally created these two medicinal pills deliberately set it up this way. However, the solution really is just that simple.”

Tianyang understood without the need for an explanation: “So, what we need now is the Blood Purification Pill?”

Gongyi Tianheng had a smile on his face as he looked at Gu Zuo.

When Gu Zuo lifted his eyes, their gazes just happened to meet. Following which, he said with some embarrassment: “…En. I can refine it.” Then, he supplemented, “The medicinal herbs are relatively common.”

The remaining Gongyi Clan children all set aside their worries.

Yet, Tianyin, who already calmed down, suddenly opened his mouth: “Pharmacist Gu, is the usefulness of that Blood Purification Pill only to act as an antidote for those two medicinal powders?”

Gu Zuo showed him an appreciative smile: “As the name implies, the Blood Purification Pill is a pill that eliminates poisons within the blood. Simply put, it’s a type of Poison Purification Pill. If one normally takes many inferior quality pills, it can also be used to eliminate the impurities within the blood…”

Tianyang found the important point: “Could it be that the Blood Purification Pill has no impurities?”

Gu Zuo replied: “It has impurities.” After that, he paused, “But it can clear away most of impurities of the commonly-used medicinal pills. Even though it also leaves behind a few impurities, it can still greatly reduce the impurities in the blood.”

The few Gongyi Clan children heard this, and they all understood.

It seemed…that this made sense.

There was a moment of silence.

Then, Gongyi Tianheng said: “You guys, leave your things behind and mill around. Wait until after Ah Zuo has dealt with all these resources before reconvening and collecting them.”

Tianyang and the others had no objections:

“Yes, big brother.”

“As you command, cousin!”

The numerous Gongyi Clan children went their separate ways, while the Tianlong Guards stayed behind.

Tianheng said: “Dragon Three and Dragon Four. You two will listen to and obey Dragon One’s orders. Dragon Five and Dragon Six, you two will listen to and obey Dragon Two’s orders. Dragon Seven, henceforth you will follow beside Ah Zuo and be his personal bodyguard.”

These five Tianlong Guards knelt on the ground, hung their heads deferentially, and complied.

Dragon One and Dragon Two also promptly accepted these orders.

Gu Zuo knew that, because Dragon One and Dragon Two had arrived a long time ago, they would be entrusted with heavy responsibilities. Previous matters like constantly following him wasn’t a good use of their time. As a result, although he’d gotten rather familiar with Dragon Two, it wasn’t bad to switch to Dragon Seven now. Moreover, there’d be even more placements in the future. After the Tianlong Guards were all gradually brought to the Sect, the people beside him should also be replaced.

Hence, he attentively looked at Dragon Seven. This was also a solemn and tall, young man. He seemed a bit younger than Dragon One and Dragon Two… Although the Tianlong Guards had different appearances, their temperaments all seemed to be cast from the same mold. Steady and quiet. Neither anxious nor impatient.

Gu Zuo could only sigh.

His big brother truly could re-educate people — At the very least, he felt that after Dragon Three and the rest understood the Sect’s situation, they would strive to become his big brother’s left and right arms at the fastest speed.

The Tianlong Guards were truly too handy.

Afterwards, Tianheng set down his second command: “Dragon One, you lead Dragon Three and Dragon Four to investigate the matter of the assassination attempt. As for the Spider Silk Powder and the hidden hand, since that person acted in this way, it certainly won’t be easy to detect them. We can temporarily bide our time, and postpone hooking the big fish for another day.”

Gu Zuo understood instantly.

Presently, his big brother wanted to put on the facade of what that person behind the scenes wanted to see.

…To speak frankly, this was about duping each other.

Tianheng said to Dragon Two: “Lead the two Tianlong Guards to purchase some medicinal herbs.”

Gu Zuo realized Tianheng’s intent. He gave a timely interruption: “Of the herbs for refining the Blood Purification Pill, we’ve previously stored up seven of them. But we’re still lacking two herbs. I’ll rewrite some lists here. You guys carry out some bulk purchases to mislead anyone paying attention.”

Tianheng’s expression turned slightly solemn: “When procuring, be absolutely careful. Don’t let others realize that it’s for refining Poison Purification Pills.”

Gu Zuo thought it over, and said: “Big brother doesn’t need to be too concerned. I also said before that the herbs for refining the Blood Purification Pill are very common. The two we’re lacking coincide with the herbs for refining the Snowy Ginseng Pill. The remaining herbs just need to be purchased in matching quantities with the two herbs. On the whole, the great majority of pharmacists will be able to tell that this prescription is primarily for refining a blood replenishing medicinal pill. Once Medicine of Life opens for business, the release of Snowy Ginseng Pills naturally won’t attract attention.”

Tianheng nodded his head: “It couldn’t be better if it’s like this.”

After settling things, the Tianlong Guards accepted their orders and went on their way.

Gu Zuo calculated. First, he’d refine several other types of medicinal pills to warm up — After all, he hadn’t refined any medicine for quite a few days while on the flying boat. He was worried he’d make mistakes.

It didn’t take long for Dragon Two to return with the medicinal herbs. Gu Zuo squeezed right into his own medicine refining room, and in a brief period of time, he’d already refined enough Blood Purification Pills.

Soon after, under the ministrations of Dragon Two and the other three Tianlong Guards, all the clothes were quickly washed once, which returned them to their original condition. They no longer bore any negative influences.

But because the methods of the person behind the scenes were too loathsome, Gu Zuo’s heart stirred. He carried the medicinal decoction steeped in poison into the medicine refining room, and tinkered with it, producing a new type of powder. This powder also had some of the orienting functions of the Spider Silk Powder. However, while it could let that spider constantly orient itself, as the spider got closer, it would quietly make that spider go crazy.

And once the spider went crazy… It would teach the tracker a lesson.

Gu Zuo carved out this new type of Trick Pill from another Trick Pill’s prescription. Although it couldn’t be called a new invention, it still gave some feelings of accomplishment.

After Gu Zuo came over to share this matter with him, Tianheng couldn’t help reaching out with his fingers to pinch Gu Zuo’s cheek. Following which, he said: “Ah Zuo has done well.”

With this medicinal powder, they could better grasp the initiative.

With such praise, Gu Zuo couldn’t help showing off the “antidote” he refined for the camouflage powder. It only required the leaves of a medicinal herb to be chewed and smeared onto the body. Within three seconds, it could immediately remove the effects. The desired outcome was perfectly quick and safe!

Upon seeing this, Tianheng naturally ruffled his hair and patted his shoulder. It was the greatest encouragement.

The following matters were simple.

Because Gu Zuo displayed his own refining results to Tianheng, Tianheng rectified anyone’s deficiencies once more. He had Gu Zuo give them some things for self-protection.

For example, the specially refined Blood Purification Pill and this new type of medicinal powder; the commonly-prepared medicinal pills like the Rejuvenation Pill, Qi Generating Pill, Snowy Ginseng Pill, Poison Purification Pill, and so on; small dosages of the Bewildering Beast Mist that could knock out wild beasts; Trick Pills that exploded with a poison that knocked out people or other pills with first-rate destructive power… In any case, the Gongyi Clan children were all equipped with anything he had or could think of.

As for the equipment issued to the Tianlong Guards, after including the previously mentioned stuff, there were even more things that shouldn’t be exposed to the light of day. That was another matter.

Seeing so many “good things”, Tianyang and the others had no doubts and steadied their points of view.

Which was that — Pharmacists really weren’t ones to be trifled with.

At the minimum, the one their big brother had raised wasn’t someone to be pushed around…

Aside from Gu Zuo giving things, Gongyi Tianheng didn’t leave himself out.

For instance, there were general knowledge books within the Sect, contribution points, commonly prepared weapons forged by the Sect, and martial skills that targeted each person’s body attribute.

…For the time being, there weren’t any cultivation methods.

Because Tianheng had previously only visited the first floor, the nonconventional inner cultivation methods had been read countless times. However, he hadn’t ascertained any of the higher ranked inner cultivation methods, which he felt were more suitable.

Tianheng thought that, if he couldn’t improve the ones that were the most suitable for each person, he needed to go exchange some high ranked body cultivation methods. However, he could still give it a few more tries right now. He didn’t need to make his three brothers and the others recklessly replace their inner cultivation methods.

Tianyang and the others followed Dragon One and Dragon Two to experience the Sect’s matters. Now that they obtained some capital to stand on their own, they were all eager to give it a try.

They also wanted to know what kind of an understanding they could get if they relied on themselves.

On the other side of things, Dragon One returned to relay information.

It was unfortunate that this news wasn’t good news at all.

Because Tianheng commanded Dragon to investigate the matter of the attempted assassination, those people’s identities were checked in a short time with the identity tokens obtained from the ambushers’ Fangcun Cloths.

But what was the use of just finding out their identities? There was certainly someone backing them. The people investigated were usually low-key, and there were no visible disputes with any powers. For a short while, it was only natural that there was no way to discover any clues. Merely, it would’ve also been good if presenting this kind of spectacle could make that person expose some mistakes.

Gongyi Tianheng waved his hand, and ordered the kneeling and apologetic Tianlong Guards to stand up: “No matter. You all can just investigate on your own.”

After saying this, he dispatched the Tianlong Guards to go handle matters.

Gu Zuo asked: “What’s big brother’s next move?”

Tianheng smiled, but didn’t say anything.

When Gu Zuo’s already shiny gaze became a little dejected, he unhurriedly extended two slender fingers.

“First, Ah Zuo will work hard in the valley. I’ll take a Life Extension Pill and go see Zhao Yuheng. I’ll request his enforcement squadron to start an open investigation of the person behind this assassination attempt.”

Gu Zuo looked at Tianheng’s face and listened earnestly.

Tianheng smiled and said: “Secondly…”

Gu Zuo held his breath.

Tianheng said meaningfully: “After returning, you’ll pay Xu Lingxiu a visit. You and I will bring some things along and ask Xu Lingxiu and Xi Yangyun for help.”

Gu Zuo immediately understood.

Arriving in front of the Violet Tower, Gu Zuo didn’t dare to rashly bring Tianheng in. He just asked the person guarding the tower to pass along the message whether Tianheng could meet his superior in person.

Originally, the Violet Tower only received pharmacists. But because exceptions were made for Xi Yangyun and Lu Jiusi, it didn’t take long for the news brought by that guard to be one of approval.

— Although they’d met before, it was only after getting along with Gu Zuo for a long time that they became rather interested in this young master whom Gu Zuo followed. They took advantage of this opportunity to interact.

Hence, following this, Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo entered side by side.

Soon after, they went directly to the third floor.

Right across from them, Xu Lingxiu was still refining Steadfast Heart Pills.

Gu Zuo was slightly surprised.

Ah, that’s not right. In the period of time he and his big brother had gone back to the Cangyun Empire, Xu Lingxiu should’ve already finished refining all the Steadfast Heart Pills that Sister Xi Shuangyun needed. Why was he still refining?

But this question wasn’t good to ask. When thinking about it, one could guess that it was probably because of the idea that it was better to prepare more, just in case. As an outsider, Gu Zuo didn’t think too deeply about it.

This time, coincidentally, Lu Jiusi was also present.

Gu Zuo couldn’t help feeling somewhat interested — He could sound things out right in front of him…

[Big brother, you said that if the person behind the scenes is really Lu Jiusi, wouldn’t his frame of mind be very interesting?]

[Ah Zuo, don’t be naughty.]

[I’m just saying…]

[Ah Zuo, don’t worry. I’m only joking.]

Gu Zuo sat in front of Xu Lingxiu, and fumbled around his sleeve. He took out a gift for Xu Lingxiu and handed it over: “This time, I went back home to visit my family. Along the way, I had a fortuitous encounter and got some things. I’ll just pass the stuff I stumbled upon to Senior Sect Brother Xu.”

Xu Lingxiu raised an eyebrow.

He actually didn’t expect Gu Zuo to bring him back “regional specialties” after his departure. He rarely experienced this kind of genuine goodwill.

After this, he awkwardly took it, and opened the lengthy, wooden case to have a look.

With this glance, even Xu Lingxiu was emotionally moved.

Because the things placed within the case really were things that Gu Zuo obtained through fortuitous encounters…

The first item was a pearl-shaped, top grade Fire Essence Stone, which was as glorious as a red sunset.

Extremely rare and hard to come by. So long as it was a pharmacist who’d yet to subdue a Wondrous Fire, none would reject it — It would also be of some use to those who had subdued Wondrous Fires.

And the second item was a small pile of fingernail-like Fire Mushrooms.

T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.

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