"I remember that person saying the reason no one in the world knows where Di Mang is lies is the fact that someone deliberately concealed it. The only ones who knew the clues about Di Mang were the leaders of the eight most prominent sects twenty years ago, including Shaolin, Wudang, Xuanyang, Yisheng Valley, and Liuyun Manor, among others. So far, four of them have been silenced. I fear the perpetrator will continue targeting the remaining sects," Ouyang Yixun explained, his expression grave.
"Then... what exactly is the clue about Di Mang?" Su Ran asked impatiently, noticing that the others seemed hesitant to press further.
Ouyang Yixun gave him a strange look and replied, "I don't know. My father never told me." His eyes reddened as he spoke, as if recalling painful memories.
Xue Yao placed a comforting hand on Ouyang Yixun's shoulder and said gently, "It's over now. Don't dwell on it too much. So, to get this information from you, Xu Zhen tried to extract clues about Di Mang and then had you arrested?"
"Yes," Ouyang Yixun said bitterly. "My father always considered Xu Zhen his closest friend, but in the end, he betrayed us for the sake of an illusory treasure..." His voice trembled with hatred as he spoke of Xu Zhen, his fists clenching as if he wished he could tear the man apart.
Ji Chun had been deep in thought since Ouyang Yixun began speaking, his brow furrowed. If what Ouyang Yixun said was true, then his Shifu and the others were in grave danger. Di Mang... In all his years of training, his Shifu had never mentioned anything about it. How could someone with such power have killed the once-revered leaders of the martial world?
"Don't worry," Xue Yao said, trying to lighten the mood. "Many martial artists have gathered in Jeju City recently, all seeking your help in light of the recent tragedies in the martial world. You can expose Xu Zhen's true nature publicly." He recalled the numerous small sects that had appeared in the city, all eager to meet Young Master Ouyang, the sole survivor of the massacre, and to uncover the truth behind the chaos.
The heavy topic cast a pall over the room, making the atmosphere feel suffocating. Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Wan Yao, calling them to dinner. The conversation came to an abrupt halt as they prepared to eat.
That night, after finishing his evening meditation, Ji Chun was about to retire when he faintly heard the sound of a scuffle not far away. Wan Yao, being the only woman in the household, lived on the east side of the courtyard. Among the four men staying there, the only ones likely to be involved in a dispute were Su Ran and Xue Yao. Worried that something might have happened to Xue Yao, Ji Chun quickly threw on his robes and rushed out.
Before he could reach Xue Yao's room, he saw dozens of men in black kneeling in the courtyard, facing the open door of Xue Yao's room. Su Ran emerged, dragging an unconscious Xue Yao behind him.
"What are you doing?!" Ji Chun shouted, leaping forward to block Su Ran's path. His eyes were icy as he glared at Su Ran.
"A bunch of idiots! What are you still standing there for?!" Su Ran roared at his kneeling men. He tossed Xue Yao to the ground and lunged at Ji Chun, the two immediately engaging in a fierce fight.
While Su Ran and Ji Chun clashed, several of the men in black moved to carry Xue Yao away. The rest joined Su Ran in the fight. Seeing Xue Yao about to be kidnapped, Ji Chun felt helpless. Su Ran's attacks grew more vicious with each move, as if he were determined to kill Ji Chun. Fortunately, Su Ran's skills were not what they once were, and Ji Chun managed to hold his own.
At the critical moment, a cool breeze swept through the courtyard, and the men in black carrying Xue Yao collapsed to the ground. Out of nowhere, a tall, slender figure appeared on the high wall. Dressed in white, he looked strikingly noble and radiant under the moonlight.
He leaped down gracefully, picked up the unconscious Xue Yao, and carried him into the room, completely ignoring the ongoing fight between Ji Chun and Su Ran. Gently placing Xue Yao on the bed, the man waved his slender, pale hand over Xue Yao's face. Moments later, Xue Yao's eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Why did this elegant, noble young man seem so familiar? Especially the faint smile on his lips—it was captivating. Suddenly, Xue Yao jolted awake and threw himself into the man's arms, exclaiming, "Shixiong ! Shixiong! Is it really you? I'm not dreaming, am I?"
The man chuckled softly and gently pushed Xue Yao away. His voice was warm and pleasant, though his words carried a hint of sarcasm. "Shidi, in just a few months, you've managed to be knocked out by such a low-level drug. Truly, you've brought great pride to Yisheng Valley."
"Um... Shixiong, I... I..." Xue Yao stammered, fidgeting awkwardly and lowering his head in embarrassment. He knew his Shixiong was teasing him, but that didn't diminish his admiration for the man.
Outside the room, Su Ran, seeing his men defeated, lost all interest in continuing the fight with Ji Chun. Both men stopped at the same time. Just as Su Ran was about to make his escape, the man inside called out, "Su Gongzi, please come in!"
Su Ran hesitated for a moment, then followed Ji Chun into the room. He glared coldly at the handsome man sitting beside the bed and demanded, "Who are you?"
"I am Mu Miefeng, the fourth disciple of Yisheng Valley," the man introduced himself, a faint smile still playing on his lips, though his eyes carried a hint of coldness. The two men locked eyes, and Mu Miefeng was the first to speak. "The reason Sect Leader Su has repeatedly tried to take my Shidi away is to find the location of Yisheng Valley, isn't it? Your goal is to seek a cure for your condition, am I right?"
Su Ran pursed his lips and regarded Mu Miefeng with indifference. He said nothing.
"Before leaving Yisheng Valley, all disciples swear an oath never to reveal its location to anyone. So, even if you capture me or my Shidi, you will never achieve your goal," Mu Miefeng continued, taking a few steps forward until he stood directly in front of Su Ran, his gaze unwavering.
"Shixiong, he wasn't poisoned. It's a Reincarnation Pill," Xue Yao interjected, rising from the bed and stepping closer to his Shixiong. He whispered, "But this Reincarnation Pill is different from the one recorded in the valley. It's been modified by someone, and it can't be removed."
Mu Miefeng turned his head sharply, glaring at Xue Yao. "Silence!" he snapped coldly before turning back to Su Ran. "Since the pill has been modified, there must be a way to counteract it. Would you allow me to try?"
"Why should I trust you?" Su Ran asked, his tone skeptical. He was naturally suspicious and wouldn't easily place his trust in someone he had just met.
Mu Miefeng smiled faintly. "You're overthinking this, Sect Leader. You were planning to seek treatment in Yisheng Valley, and I am from Yisheng Valley. Isn't that the same? If you still don't trust me, you can keep both my Shidi and I under your watch. We will never reveal the valley's location."
Su Ran considered this. Seeking treatment would put him in a vulnerable position, but if this man was willing to help, it would save him the trouble of searching for the valley. His tone softened slightly. "Very well. I'll stay here for now. If you succeed, I'll reward you handsomely."
"I have one more condition," Mu Miefeng added. "For our safety, I'd like this Dashi" he gestured to Ji Chun, "to accompany me during the treatment."
Mu Miefeng had already assessed the situation. Neither he nor Xue Yao were a match for the leader of the Demonic Sect, but Ji Chun, with his kindness and strength, could keep Su Ran in check. Moreover, Ji Chun's friendship with Xue Yao made him a reliable ally.
Su Ran's expression darkened, but after a moment of hesitation, he nodded reluctantly. His fading internal strength left him with little choice. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth.
Ji Chun, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, simply nodded. He felt a responsibility to ensure the safety of the doctors, especially after everything that had happened.
"Then let's begin," Mu Miefeng said, motioning for Su Ran to sit at the table. He took a seat across from him, his expression turning serious. He placed his hand on Su Ran's wrist, feeling his pulse, then withdrew it and studied Su Ran's face carefully. "Sect Leader, may I ask if your beard has been falling out gradually?"
Su Ran's eyes flickered with discomfort, and he muttered a curt "Hmm." His beard, though it appeared thick, was mostly glued on. Ever since the effects of the pill had begun, his facial hair had started to fall out, and he had resorted to using a fake beard to maintain his appearance.
"And the hair on other parts of your body..." Mu Miefeng continued, his face a mask of professional seriousness, though inwardly he was amused. He was deliberately trying to embarrass the Demonic Cult Leader. The people of Yisheng Valley were fiercely protective of their own, and Mu Miefeng was no exception.
Xue Yao, standing nearby, stifled a laugh but was quickly silenced by a subtle pinch from his Shixiong. Ji Chun, too, struggled to maintain his composure. Though he usually remained stoic, he couldn't help but glance at Su Ran's face, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Su Ran's expression darkened further, his anger barely contained. You bald donkey, what are you looking at? he thought, glaring at Ji Chun. When my power returns, I'll make you all pay!
Mu Miefeng, sensing Su Ran's rising temper, quickly moved on. "Since you've been affected by this... condition, what other symptoms have you experienced? Please describe them in detail so I can better understand your situation."
Su Ran clenched his fists, his voice cold. "My internal strength has been disappearing for no reason."
Mu Miefeng raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "According to the records of my sect, the Reincarnation Pill is a... unique substance. After a man takes it, his body gradually changes until male characteristics disappear and female characteristics emerge. The most notable effect is that a man can conceive and become a dual-bodied individual, neither fully male nor female."
Bang! The table shattered into dust under Su Ran's palm. He trembled with rage, his eyes burning like fire, as if he were ready to destroy anyone who dared to provoke him further.
"Continue," Su Ran growled through gritted teeth, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room like a blade, warning everyone not to test his patience.
"The Reincarnation Pill I mentioned isn't inherently harmful," Mu Miefeng explained calmly. "It was developed by our ancestors to allow male partners to conceive offspring. However, the pill in your body has been altered, making it far more complex. I am the only one in the world who knows the details of the Reincarnation Pill. May I ask... how did you come to take this pill?"
Mu Miefeng was genuinely curious. How had the leader of the Demonic Cult, of all people, ended up with such a pill? This medicine was exclusive to Yisheng Valley and had been unused for over a century. What had led to this situation?