Arriving at the Chen Family

"Use it!"

"Copy target: Red Serpent!"

After hearing the system prompt, Chen Cheng stopped talking with Red Serpent and communicated with the Copy System instead.

"Copy successful. Host has obtained the ability: Poison Art!"

Chen Cheng slightly closed his eyes. At that moment, a flash of insight passed through his mind. Then, he felt a sudden influx of knowledge in his head.

This was Red Serpent's complete understanding of Poison Art, including pharmacological knowledge and how to prepare poisons.

As the system implanted these memories, Chen Cheng did not feel the slightest discomfort. In an instant, he had been transformed into a master of Poison Art.

"View personal information," Chen Cheng commanded.

At that moment, the Copy System and the Summoning System simultaneously brought up Chen Cheng's personal panels.

Copy System:

Name: Chen Cheng

Cultivation: None

Abilities: Low-Level Combat, Poison Art

Summoning System:

Name: Chen Cheng

Cultivation: None

Comprehensive Combat Power: Dou Qi Ninth Stage

Summoned Characters: Red Serpent, Huang Yaoshi

Because he had gained the ability of Poison Art and could use poison against enemies, the Summoning System's evaluation of Chen Cheng's Comprehensive Combat Power had also risen.

Chen Cheng briefly absorbed the knowledge in his mind. His thoughts became exceptionally clear, and he instantly understood the principles behind the poison-related knowledge Red Serpent had discussed with him earlier.

After a while, Chen Cheng opened his eyes.

At that moment, Red Serpent was writing something. When she had seen Chen Cheng close his eyes in thought earlier, she had not disturbed him. Instead, she had been organizing some information, hoping to explain it to him in the simplest possible manner.

"Red Serpent," Chen Cheng called.

Hearing his voice, Red Serpent put down her pen and looked at Chen Cheng. "Master, I saw that you were thinking just now, so I organized the things we discussed earlier. Take a look."

Red Serpent handed the unfinished document to Chen Cheng. He accepted it and read its contents.

Red Serpent's handwriting was quite beautiful. The neat, graceful small script was clearly the work of a skilled hand.

Chen Cheng skimmed through it rapidly. Since he now possessed Red Serpent's Poison Art ability, he could easily understand the contents.

"Mm, your idea is good. The effects of Zhen Yu Qian Ye are indeed excellent, but preparing it is far too troublesome. If you prepared it yourself, it would take at least a thousand nights to complete, and during the process, it could not be exposed to even the slightest bit of sunlight." Chen Cheng put down the draft and said to Red Serpent.

"You proposed having a high-level alchemist refine Zhen Yu Qian Ye the way they refine pills. That would greatly shorten the time required, and because of the special properties of an alchemist's flames, it would also increase Zhen Yu Qian Ye's toxicity," Chen Cheng said.

"I approve of this plan. Once we reach the Chen Family, I'll try to recruit an alchemist to assist you," Chen Cheng said.

Earlier, Red Serpent had proposed preparing Zhen Yu Qian Ye, but the poison took far too long to make. It required a thousand nights to complete, and during that time, Red Serpent would be unable to leave the process unattended or stay by Chen Cheng's side to help him.

Thus, Chen Cheng had refused Red Serpent's request to prepare Zhen Yu Qian Ye.

However, after Red Serpent learned that Chen Cheng was Marquis Anyang's only son, she thought of using Chen Cheng's status to recruit an alchemist to help her prepare the poison.

Previously, Chen Cheng had not understood Poison Art and had not dared to rashly agree to Red Serpent's proposal. But now that he possessed Red Serpent's Poison Art, he could easily guess her intentions after reading her draft.

Therefore, Chen Cheng strongly approved of Red Serpent's method of combining Poison Art with alchemy.

"Thank you, Master." A trace of excitement appeared on Red Serpent's face as she hurriedly thanked him.

Afterward, Red Serpent took out another sheet of paper, quickly wrote something on it, and handed it to Chen Cheng.

She said, "Master, these are the materials needed to prepare Zhen Yu Qian Ye. I've circled the ones I've already collected. Please help me obtain the remaining ones."

"Mm." Chen Cheng nodded.

If Zhen Yu Qian Ye could be successfully refined, it would be of great help to Chen Cheng as well.

After Red Serpent left the room, Chen Cheng continued reviewing the Poison Art knowledge in his mind.

It was late before Chen Cheng finally went to sleep.

The next day, after everyone had made their preparations, they set off.

Chen Cheng, who had no cultivation, rode in the same carriage as Red Serpent, while the others each rode a fine horse.

The small town was still some distance from Anyang City. At the carriage's speed, including rest stops along the way, it would take at least five days to reach Anyang City.

The carriage was very stable, and even at high speed, it did not feel bumpy in the slightest.

The interior was also very spacious, with specially prepared snacks.

With Murong Zhi clearing the way ahead, no blind guard dared to obstruct them when they passed through other cities, and the journey was completely unimpeded.

During breaks along the way, Chen Yuan occasionally explained some cultivation knowledge to Chen Cheng. However, at this initial stage, one could not cultivate a Cultivation Method. To gather Dou Qi within one's body, one needed another person's guidance.

Traveling was rather inconvenient, so Chen Yuan did not guide Chen Cheng in cultivation. He merely explained some things related to cultivation.

To begin cultivating, he would still have to wait until they reached the Chen Family, where he could have a stable environment.

A carriage was simply far too slow compared to Dou Qi Transformation Wings. Chen Yuan was used to traveling with Dou Qi Transformation Wings and might not have been able to endure such a pace, but with Chen Cheng accompanying him, he made the journey this way nonetheless.

Five days later, Chen Cheng finally arrived in Anyang City.

Anyang City was an extremely prosperous major city, excelling in commerce, martial arts, and culture.

On its broad streets, the passersby were all fairly capable. Dou Zhes, Dou Masters, and Da Dou Shis could be seen everywhere. In a nation where strength reigned supreme, such a sight perfectly demonstrated a city's prosperity.

"Cheng'er, I've already had someone arrange a courtyard for you. You've endured a long journey by carriage, so go back and rest in your courtyard first. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet everyone."

After entering Anyang City, Chen Yuan slowed his horse and came alongside the carriage as he spoke to Chen Cheng.

"Alright, Father," Chen Cheng replied.

The Chen Family's grand estate stood at the very center of Anyang City.

The words on the plaque above the residence were not something tied to an imperial title, such as "An Yang Marquis Estate" or "Yan Ling Prince Estate." Instead, it simply bore the family-style name, "Chen Estate."

After entering the Chen Estate, Chen Yuan summoned a steward and gave him several instructions before swiftly departing. Led by the steward, Chen Cheng arrived at the private courtyard Chen Yuan had prepared for him.

The private courtyard was called Linjiang Courtyard. According to the steward, it was considered one of the finest courtyards in the entire Chen Estate.

Linjiang Courtyard covered a vast area. Its flowers and plants were arranged with great care, and it even had a sizable pond.

More than a dozen maidservants and servants were cleaning the courtyard and tending to the flowers and plants.

"Young Master, this is your courtyard. Are you satisfied with it? If there's anything unsuitable, just give this humble servant your orders." The steward who had brought Chen Cheng over was somewhat plump. With a smile plastered across his face, he spoke to Chen Cheng cautiously.

No matter what, Chen Cheng could be considered half the master of this family. For servants like them, currying favor with their master was their "duty," was it not?

"I'll take a look first." Chen Cheng nodded and followed the path into the courtyard.

At this moment, the maidservants and servants working in the courtyard also noticed Chen Cheng's arrival. They all stopped what they were doing, came over to him, and lined up neatly.

With their heads lowered, they bowed without daring to look directly at their master.

"This servant greets Young Master." More than ten of them called out in unison, as though they had rehearsed it beforehand.

"Mhm." Chen Cheng smiled and nodded, then continued deeper into the courtyard. Under the steward's guidance, he arrived at his room.

Once Chen Cheng had gone far away, the maidservants and servants finally relaxed slightly.

"So this is Young Master? He's so handsome," one maidservant said softly as she looked in the direction Chen Cheng had left.

"Of course! The girl in red beside Young Master is so beautiful too. She and Young Master are truly a perfect match," another person said.

"You two are such lovestruck fools. I really can't stand you. So what if Young Master is handsome? It's not as if either of you have a chance. What I care about more is what his temperament is like and whether he's easy to get along with. From now on, we'll all be working under him," a servant said.

"Ah, I just hope he has a better temper. I was only just transferred from Young Master Zihang's side. I hope I won't run into another spoiled young master," one servant said mournfully.

"What? You used to serve Young Master Zihang? I had no idea. You're really pitiful. Young Master Zihang's temper is famously violent. It's lucky he didn't beat you to death," a maidservant said with glee.

"Hey, what are you talking about? Discussing the master behind his back is a serious offense. Hurry up and get back to work," a servant said.

"Right, right, back to work. Young Master has only just arrived. If he sees us slacking off, our days ahead won't be easy," a maidservant said.

"Back to work!"