Clear Essence Detoxification Pill

Zhou Wenwu no longer looked at Zhao Qiyuan's nauseating face. Forcibly suppressing the boiling Killing Intent within him, he turned to a trusted disciple behind him and gave a grave order, his voice carrying clearly to everyone present:

"Immediately invoke the Steward's Office's Level 1 Investigation Order in my name!

Investigate three matters thoroughly. First, from Chou Hour to Yin Hour tonight, the exact locations, personnel movements, and communication records of every patrol squad in the Southwest District—especially Captain Zhao Qiyuan and his directly subordinate squad. I want it down to every moment!

Second, conduct a comprehensive search of all known and suspicious hideouts within the Marketplace!"

The disciple solemnly accepted the order. "Yes, Steward Zhou!" He immediately turned and hurried away, his figure swiftly vanishing into the night.

Zhou Wenwu's gaze swept across Zhao Qiyuan and his men, his tone leaving no room for dispute. "Captain Zhao, and the rest of you, until this matter has been thoroughly investigated, please remain at the Steward's Office as well, to 'assist' in clarifying tonight's details. This way!"

Zhao Qiyuan's face darkened until it seemed ready to drip water. He knew this was imprisonment in all but name, but Zhou Wenwu now held the righteous cause of an investigation. If he openly resisted, it would only prove his guilty conscience. He could only grit his teeth.

"Hmph! Since Steward Zhou insists on investigating, Zhao will accompany you to the end! I only hope that, in the end, you won't regret today's decision! Let's go!"

Zhao Qiyuan led several subordinates toward the Steward's Office, keeping an obvious distance from Zhou Wenwu's people.

Zhou Wenwu ignored them and strode quickly to the unconscious Li Chengjie. Carefully helping him up, he instructed another disciple, "You, go to the storeroom at once and bring the finest Clear Essence Detoxification Pill and Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Ointment! Deliver them directly to my quiet chamber! Quickly!"

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard of Hundred Herbs Hall, Chen Kun paced back and forth through the room like an ant on a hot pan, his face pale and his forehead drenched in cold sweat.

The trusted subordinate Chen Kun had sent to gather information had just stumbled and crawled back with news that nearly scared the soul out of him—Li Chengjie was not dead!

Old Hei and Viper of the Wu Han Gang had been killed on the spot! Steward Zhou Wenwu was enraged and had already launched a full investigation!

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" Chen Kun swept the teacup from the table, sending it crashing to the floor with a crisp shatter. He growled,

"Two Qi Refining Level 6 cultivators couldn't kill a Qi Refining Level 5 brat?! What the hell is Wu Kui good for? He took my Spirit Stones and gave me this result?!"

The more Chen Kun thought about it, the more terrified he became. Since Zhou Wenwu had begun investigating, it was only a matter of time before the trail led to him! He did not know whether Zhao Qiyuan could withstand the pressure either... No, he could not just sit and wait for death!

A flash of ruthlessness and panic crossed Chen Kun's eyes. He swiftly changed into an inconspicuous gray cloak, hid his face, and slipped silently out through the back door, heading straight for the Wu Han Gang's secret hideout—the rear courtyard of Wangyou Tea House.

Inside a familiar private room in the tea house's rear courtyard, Wu Kui wore an ugly expression as he listened to his subordinate report the same terrible news.

The door was violently shoved open, and Chen Kun burst in, carrying the chill of night dew and an air of panic.

Wu Kui dismissed his subordinate with a wave, then looked at the distraught Chen Kun with tightly furrowed brows and an unhappy tone. "Shopkeeper Chen? Why have you come at a time like this? Didn't I say we needed to avoid suspicion lately?!"

Chen Kun yanked off his hood, revealing a pale, twisted face. He rushed before Wu Kui and roared in a lowered voice, "Avoid suspicion?! Wu Kui! Tell me what the hell happened?! Old Hei and Viper are dead! Li Chengjie isn't dead! Zhou Wenwu has already ordered a thorough investigation! You took five hundred Spirit Stones from me, and this is how you handled it?!"

Wu Kui was already in an awful mood. Being questioned with a finger pointed at his nose made his anger flare as well, and he slammed a hand onto the table. "Chen Kun! What the hell are you yelling for?! Two of my men are dead, and I haven't even settled accounts with you yet! Who knew that brat would be so hard to handle? He was slippery as a loach and had plenty of trump cards! A Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator actually held off the joint assault of two Qi Refining Level 6 cultivators, then escaped to the main street and happened to run into Zhou Wenwu! Is that entirely my fault?!"

Chen Kun trembled all over with rage. "If not you, then who?! You said it was foolproof! You said it would be as easy as taking something from the palm of your hand! And now look—he isn't dead, and we've gotten ourselves covered in filth! Zhou Wenwu has already gone to 'invite' me! Zhao Qiyuan probably won't be able to hold out either! Wu Kui, I'm telling you, if this gets exposed, I'm finished, and you won't get off easy either! Spit out those five hundred Spirit Stones!"

A vicious glint flashed through Wu Kui's eyes. He abruptly rose to his feet, and the pressure of Qi Refining Level 8 bore down on Chen Kun. "Chen Kun! Say that again, you bastard?! Once Spirit Stones enter my Wu Han Gang, there's no such thing as spitting them back out! At this point, do you think returning a few Spirit Stones will settle everything? Since Zhou Wenwu wants to investigate, do you think he won't trace it back to you? The most important thing now is to wipe our asses clean—not fight among ourselves here!"

Intimidated by Wu Kui's fierce aura, Chen Kun took half a step back, though he still put on a brave face to hide his fear. "Then... then what do you say we do now?! Zhou Wenwu definitely won't let this opportunity pass!"

Wu Kui's eyes flickered as he lowered his voice. "At present, first, every person under you and me who knows anything must shut their mouths immediately—either flee far away, or... shut their mouths forever! Second, and most importantly, deny it to the death! There are no survivors and no irrefutable evidence. Even if Zhou Wenwu suspects us, he can't convict us! As for Zhao Qiyuan, he can barely protect himself. He'll certainly find a way to clear his own name. As long as our stories match, he'll have to shoulder this with us!"

Chen Kun's expression shifted repeatedly. In the end, he slumped down into a seat and muttered, "That's all we can do... Let's hope... let's hope we can keep it hidden..."

Inside Zhou Wenwu's personal quiet chamber at the Flowing Cloud Sect Steward's Office.

Li Chengjie had been placed on a soft Prayer Mat. Zhou Wenwu personally fed him a Clear Essence Detoxification Pill the size of a longan, emitting a cool medicinal fragrance. Then, with great care, he removed Li Chengjie's torn clothing and applied the pearly-white Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Ointment to the wounds so deep that bone showed through, as well as the blackened poisoned injuries.

Once the pill entered his stomach, it transformed into a gentle yet powerful stream of Medicinal Power that swiftly flowed through his limbs and bones. Wherever it passed, the bone-eroding numbness and agonizing pain slowly receded like snow and ice melting away. When the ointment touched his skin, it brought a cool, tingling sensation, and the Flesh and Blood around his wounds began to wriggle and heal at a visible rate.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Chengjie's long eyelashes trembled. A faint groan escaped his lips, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing that entered his sight was Zhou Wenwu's face, filled with concern and gravity.

"Steward... Steward Zhou..." Li Chengjie's voice was hoarse as he tried to struggle up.

Zhou Wenwu gently pressed him back down. "Don't move. Your injuries are severe, and the poison has only just been cleared. You need to rest and recuperate. How do you feel?"

Li Chengjie examined his condition. Though he was still weak, the deadly poison and severe injuries had indeed been contained and were rapidly improving. Gratitude filled his heart. "Thank you, Steward, for your Life-Saving Grace... I feel much better."

Zhou Wenwu looked at him gravely. "Alchemist Li, what exactly happened? Do you know who attacked you?"