"Really... really?!"
Silence descended upon the space. True Master Huaiwu cautiously approached, afraid to disturb Xu Mu, who was meditating, or Lin Qing, who was also meditating before him.
Their postures and demeanor were such that if he made a sound and disturbed either of them, he felt he would be beheaded.
This astonished the elders and disciples of Longhu Mountain and Wudang Mountain who knew True Master Huaiwu.
As a Grand Elder, True Master Huaiwu had dared to roar in anger even at Tianshi Mountain. Who would have believed he would exhibit such a demeanor for a mere disciple?
True Master Huaiwu squatted down and gently checked Lin Qing's gradually stabilizing breathing. He then gently injected his energy and examined Lin Qing's body.
"Though residual internal injuries remain in the acupuncture points of his bones, the poison has been cleared. Recovery is merely a matter of time!"
True Master Huaiwu was overjoyed. He immediately fed Lin Qing several nourishing pills. The others from Wudang Mountain also let out breaths of relief, filled with excitement and gratitude.
Most of the people from Longhu Mountain sighed with regret, but some remained calm. They were all proud, talented cultivators who believed it was only a matter of time before they surpassed Lin Qing and defeated him. Therefore, his life or death was of no concern to them.
"Thank you, young friend. Whatever your request, please state it. We Wudang Mountain will do our utmost to satisfy it!"
True Master Huaiwu reviewed Lin Qing's condition three more times to ensure there were no lingering issues. Only then did he cup his hands in gratitude towards Xu Mu.
Xu Mu wearily shook his head.
Seeing this, True Master Huaiwu's expression turned slightly serious.
He did not believe Xu Mu wanted nothing. The more something was freely given, the more expensive its price, as it often involved unseen factors.
He worried that Xu Mu had ulterior motives.
Suddenly, True Master Huaiwu frowned and spoke again, "I don't know what you intend to do, but before that, I believe I should know your name and your sect."
He stared at Xu Mu, his expression hinting at displeasure.
This was because True Master Huaiwu had suddenly thought of a problem.
This mysterious and potent poison, which no one could cure, had been resolved by a young man no older than twenty. There were only two possible explanations for this.
The first was that the young man was an unparalleled prodigy, hence capable of curing it. However, upon closer thought, this possibility seemed unlikely. If he were truly that brilliant, how could he remain hidden? He should have already become as famous as that Xu Mu!
"The most probable explanation," True Master Huaiwu said to Xu Mu, enunciating each word with seriousness, "is that you are the one who administered the poison, and therefore, you know how to cure it."
Upon these words, the entire scene fell silent.
Some nodded, while others shook their heads, only to quickly nod again. It was clear that everyone was more inclined to believe Xu Mu was the poisoner rather than an unparalleled genius.
True Master Huaiwu looked at Xu Mu and continued earnestly:
"Of course, you have the right to prove yourself."
"Proving yourself is simple. You only need to cure the three poisons I have set in front of us, and you will have succeeded."
With his spiritual energy depleted and his soul excessively consumed, Xu Mu, feeling both exasperated and amused, slightly lifted his eyelids. He wanted to speak, but when he opened his mouth, he found his throat was hoarse.
Seeing this, True Master Huaiwu let out a cold snort.
Everyone thought he was feigning weakness to avoid proving himself.
"There's no need for such trouble," True Master Huanglong of Shengyang Peak, a supporter of Zuo Mingqiu, said with a solemn expression. Pointing at Xu Mu, he declared, "This young friend is a cultivation genius from Xianyou Peak of our Tianshi Mountain."
"His surname is Xu, and his given name is Xu Mu. He is a sworn brother and a loyal friend to our Daozi, Zuo Mingqiu, someone who would protect him with his life."
"What!"
"A cultivation genius from Xianyou Peak!"
"A sworn brother who would protect Zuo Mingqiu with his life?!"
Upon hearing this, True Master Huaiwu stared at Xu Mu with shock and suspicion. He then turned to True Master Huanglong and asked:
"Are you sure you are not deceiving me?"
True Master Huanglong chuckled and replied:
"Do you think I would lie to you about something like this?"
"Furthermore, to be frank, most of us at Tianshi Mountain only recently learned about this young friend Xu Mu. However, His Highness the Daozi and Grand Master Taiwu of the Enforcement Hall have known him for a long time."
On the other side, Yuan Tian Daoist, the Discipline Elder from Baiyun Taoist Temple, raised an eyebrow and said with his hands behind his back:
"So, you're saying that this Xu Mu is actually a genius secretly cultivated by your Tianshi Mountain."
True Master Huanglong nodded:
"That is precisely my meaning."
"Ridiculous!" an old woman in a deep yellow Taoist robe scoffed from the other side. She continued, "Regarding this child, in terms of medical skill alone, he is comparable to the elders in Medicine King Valley!"
"A genius of this caliber, even if secretly cultivated, would absolutely not have remained completely unheard of. At least someone should have caught wind of rumors!"
"But I have never heard a single word!"
"We haven't heard anything either!"
Others from various Taoist temples also shook their heads. Due to Lin Qing's poisoning, more and more people had gathered here.
Elders, core disciples, and even sect leaders from various factions were present. They were all discussing amongst themselves, yet not a single person had heard of Xu Mu.
"I find it credible."
Yuan Tian Daoist spoke.
"Major clans in the world, especially sects, often cultivate their successors in this manner, fearing that their prodigies might perish prematurely."
"As the saying goes, a hidden dragon will soar to the heavens once it emerges. It is not surprising that Tianshi Mountain, the ancestral land of Taoism, could produce such a figure silently."
Hearing this, True Master Huanglong secretly thought his thanks and then said with a smile, "As expected, Daoist Yuan Tian has a discerning eye."
"Daoist Yuan Tian's words sound reasonable, but in reality, the possibility is slim," the old woman retorted coldly, shaking her head. "If this boy is truly a genius secretly cultivated by Tianshi Mountain, destined to succeed the position of Heavenly Master, then what were Zuo Mingqiu and Zhao Qingdong doing!"
"It's not enough for Tianshi Mountain to have Zuo Mingqiu and Zhao Qingdong; they would also secretly cultivate a third person, and this third person would be a sworn brother to the current Daozi, willing to protect him with his life. Who would believe such a story!"
Yuan Tian remained silent.
Someone from another sect analyzed:
"Perhaps it's mutual admiration?"
The old woman sneered, "When it concerns the position of Heavenly Master, would mutual admiration extend to the point of risking one's life? Do you believe that yourself!"
The person who spoke then also fell silent.
"Perhaps he is simply a genius secretly cultivated by Tianshi Mountain and will not contend for the position of Heavenly Master?"
The young True Master with white hair and a childlike face said indifferently.
"The Five Arts of Taoism – Mountain, Medicine, Fate, Physiognomy, and Divination – each have their own profound variations. Since this Xu Mu has reached the pinnacle in the art of medicine, he might be lacking in other aspects."
"Perhaps he is merely an assistant to Zuo Mingqiu. His appearance today to help Wudang Mountain is merely to help Zuo Mingqiu consolidate his influence. This would make everything logical."
"This makes sense."
A moment of silence fell over the gathering. An old Daoist said.
"This makes sense, this makes sense..." More and more people agreed with this explanation, until finally, True Master Huaiwu and the old woman had to accept this conclusion.
After all, they had no better explanation.
...
After another incense stick's worth of time.
Xu Mu's soul had been nourished by his sea of consciousness, and the pain in his head had largely subsided.
Thus, he opened his tightly shut eyes.
Looking at the crowd surrounding him with various expressions, Xu Mu licked his dry lips and stood up.
He then looked at True Master Huaiwu, who was standing still, and cupped his hands in response to his previous question:
"There's no need for formalities, True Master."
"Wudang Mountain need only remember that I saved Lin Qing. If that's not enough, you can consider it a favor I've done you. As for when this favor will be repaid..."
Before Xu Mu could finish, True Master Huaiwu waved his hand to interrupt him, frowning, "I detest owing others, especially favors."
"Let me be clear beforehand, if it goes against my Taoist heart, I would rather break my promise than help you."
Upon hearing this, Xu Mu smiled slightly:
"In that case, True Master can rest assured. I will certainly not do anything that harms Taoism, the world, or others. You may find it difficult at that time, but it will never go against your Taoist heart."
True Master Huaiwu was about to say more when he heard Xu Mu continue with a smile:
"Please, True Master, stop dwelling on this."
"Shouldn't the matter you should be considering now be finding out who administered the poison? I can save Lin Qing once, but what if there is a second or third time? What if they directly kill Lin Qing?"
"Furthermore, and most importantly, the poison was directly administered into the Golden Lotus Pond. This means they didn't care whether it was Lin Qing who was poisoned. They only knew they wanted to kill a genius of Taoism, so everyone present is in danger."
As Xu Mu spoke, a flicker of flame appeared in his eyes.
He was certain that this was the work of someone within Tianshi Mountain, and it was definitely among the list of suspects he had compiled earlier.
Such indiscriminate poisoning was surely intended to create chaos, just like how a third party instigated the conflict between Zuo Mingqiu and Zhao Qingdong.
Their goal was to divide Tianshi Mountain and plunge it into internal strife!
As for the ultimate purpose, it remained unknown!
"Right!"
Hearing this, True Master Huaiwu suddenly realized, and others also wore solemn expressions.
They still didn't know who administered the poison. True Master Huanglong had searched with all his might, only to end up spitting blood and returning empty-handed.
And if they couldn't find the poisoner, Lin Qing, and even everyone in Tianshi Mountain, could be in danger at any moment.
Seeing that panic was about to erupt, True Master Huanglong, who was in charge of the area, extinguished his communication jade pendant and then solemnly addressed everyone:
"Please rest assured, this issue stems from within Tianshi Mountain. Tianshi Mountain will thoroughly investigate this matter and will absolutely not let the perpetrator escape justice!"
"Indeed, for this matter, I will give all fellow Taoists in the world an explanation!"
A majestic voice descended from the sky. Everyone looked up to see a person wearing a pure black Taoist robe, with a Taoist sword hanging from his waist and fierce, sword-like eyes. It was none other than Grand Master Taiwu of the Enforcement Hall.
"It's Grand Master Taiwu."
"The Peak Lord of Rakshasa Peak has arrived!"
In the crowd, many elders and disciples sensed the pressure and quickly recognized the newcomer, bowing in greeting.
Grand Master Taiwu glanced at Xu Mu, then at Lin Qing, who was held in True Master Huaiwu's arms, and the sealed Golden Lotus Pond not far away. His expression turned extremely grim.
"For this matter, I will ensure justice is served and will not let the poisoner escape."
"However, it may take some time to uncover the truth. Therefore, before that, I hope all fellow cultivators will remain vigilant and pay close attention, so as not to give the villain any opportunity."
"If you feel unsafe, you can come to the Enforcement Hall of my Rakshasa Peak. I will activate the Rakshasa Grand Formation day and night to protect everyone, ensuring absolute safety."
Upon these words, the people who had been somewhat panicked mostly quieted down and breathed a sigh of relief.
Xu Mu also nodded. Grand Master Taiwu's words were timely. He knew that what everyone needed most right now was safety, hence the mention of the Rakshasa Grand Formation.
Those smaller Taoist temples or exceptionally talented individuals no longer had to worry about being inexplicably killed.
Grand Master Taiwu stabilized the situation. After a moment, the crowd dispersed, and the elders of the Enforcement Hall began to gather around the Golden Lotus Pond, pondering how to investigate.
Grand Master Taiwu looked at Xu Mu and asked:
"Do you have any suspects?"
Xu Mu recalled the matter of the lightning pool and shook his head, saying:
"No."
"Grand Master, I am unable to assist with this matter. Please leave it to you. I have suffered too much damage and need to rest."
As Xu Mu spoke, he slowly moved away with the crowd.
Grand Master Taiwu held his sword and watched Xu Mu's departing figure. His gaze, beneath his sword-like eyebrows, never left Xu Mu's back.
His eyes were like a snake hidden in the darkness, watching its prey that was about to fall into its grasp.
...