Poison Curse

Jing Prefecture, a certain mountain cave.

The cave was deep and dim, sunlight unable to penetrate it. Only the stones embedded in the walls, giving off a soft, faint white glow, lent this small cave a little light.

Through that feeble illumination, one could barely make out the state of the cave.

The mountain cave was largely naturally formed, with only a few traces of man-made carving.

Against a corner of the inner wall stood a narrow stone bed. There were no blankets or mattresses on it, not even a pillow. It was utterly bare.

At this moment.

An elderly man, gaunt as a skeleton and with white hair, sat cross-legged on the stone bed.

The wrinkles on his face were like dried kelp in the sun. His eyebrows were sparse and pale, his eye sockets conspicuously protruding. Because he was so emaciated, the cheekbones on his face stood out with extraordinary prominence.

His eyes were half-closed, his brow tightly furrowed, and what sounded like unconscious muttering escaped his lips.

Upon closer inspection.

One would discover an indistinct fluctuation lingering over the old man's body, binding all the moisture and dust in the air within an inch of his surroundings.

Suddenly.

The old man's expression changed drastically. Opening his mouth, he spat out a great mouthful of thick, inky-black blood. Wisps of white smoke rose when it landed on the ground, as though acidic water were corroding it.

"Failed again."

The old man gritted his teeth. Waves of sinister, chilling light shone through his somewhat clouded eyes.

Tap. Tap.

Clear footsteps rang out within the cave.

Before long, a middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face and high cheekbones walked in. Upon seeing the skeletal old man, a strange glint flashed deep within his eyes.

"Master."

"You're back." The old