Volume 1, Chapter 3: Encountering Initial Danger (2)
Section 2 Wind-Assisted
I was on horseback when the first arrow pierced the air.
Before I could even realize what was happening, Chasing the Sun suddenly turned around and galloped away. I quickly pulled on the reins, and all I could hear behind me was a cacophony of neighing, screaming, and the sound of the wind rushing past...
Someone attacked!
Could it be that a whole host of ghosts from the mountains arrived so quickly?
Several rockets flew towards me, almost whizzing past my ear. Suddenly, Chasing the Sun lifted its hoof, throwing me off its back. Luckily, a pair of arms reached out and grabbed me, and after a few rolls, I came to a stop behind a rock.
I was slightly surprised—Bai Li Chenfeng! When did he catch up?
Just as we regained our footing, an explosion rocked the rocks, sending debris flying everywhere. We quickly dodged to the side.
A few pebbles hit my hand, and a name immediately popped into my mind—Thunderbolt Hall!
Only the Thunderbolt Hall could produce gunpowder with such power.
The wind carried the smell of gunpowder; it was headwind here.
I exchanged a glance with Baili Chenfeng, who had already pursed his lips and let out a long howl, rushing towards us through a storm of arrows, fire, and rain as he chased the sun.
"Come here!" He grabbed my hand with a sudden, tremendous force. Before I could even cry out, I was already in mid-air. A flash of darkness appeared before my eyes, and he covered me with his cloak. I heard his very low voice in my ear: "We'll reach the upwind side soon, don't be afraid."
Fear? No, I'm not afraid. I just feel a little flustered—this man, with just one glance, already knows what I'm thinking. Such perfect understanding and seamless coordination, how... flustered I am.
Suddenly, Zhui Ri dodged to the right, and I saw a flash of light, which quickly swept past my eyes, and the two attackers blocking his way immediately fell to the ground.
"Go!" Baili Chenfeng sheathed his sword and ordered his horse to continue galloping forward. The wind whistled past his ears, and the flashing blades and sea of fire seemed to fade into the distance in an instant.
We soon reached the windy spot. He didn't rein in his horse, but rolled off with me in his arms. He slapped Zhui Ri's rump and gave a soft shout of "Run!" Then he turned to me and growled, "Hurry!"
I tossed him the small bottle: "Take the antidote first!"
Before the sound had even faded, a sleeve was lightly waved—the purple shadow was initially just a thin line, but it expanded with the wind, instantly stretching into mist, and then faded away again. As the color disappeared, a unique fragrance spread out.
From afar came the exclamations of several people: "The Scent of Purple Cornelian Cherry! It's The Scent of Purple Cornelian Cherry..."
Indeed, the fragrance of the purple dogwood is slow-moving. It flows when it encounters air and is carried by the wind. As long as the wind continues, the fragrance will not cease. It will not completely disappear until half an hour later.
Those who smell it will instantly fall into a coma. The poison spreads even faster than its fragrance, hence the name "Slow-Spreading Fragrance".
"It is absolutely the most powerful poison in the world." Ye Fei, the king of poisons, commented, "The speed and extent of its spread are unmatched in the world today. It is truly ashamed that Feng Qiansu, a young woman, could develop such a miraculous poison. Even I, a veteran who has been immersed in the art of poisons for forty years, am ashamed."
Looking into the distance, large numbers of people and livestock had collapsed, and the noise was gradually fading...
The fragrance of purple dogwood lingers, how could it ever disappoint me?
Just then, Baili Chenfeng's body tilted, and he fell to one knee. Only then did I notice that he had been shot in the right leg with an arrow. Upon closer inspection, the arrow had penetrated deeply, a full three inches into the flesh, and his entire trouser leg was stained red with blood. Surprisingly, he endured the pain without uttering a sound.
"Give me the knife!" I deftly tore open his trouser leg and held out my hand to him.
He hesitated for a moment, but still handed over the knife.
"There are barbs on the arrow, bear with it." I said without looking up, and with my knife down, I cut open the rotten flesh around the arrow as quickly as possible, pulled it out forcefully, and kept pressing acupoints with my left hand to stop the bleeding, but blood still splattered all over me.
A figure darted over and tossed a box to me with a thud. I glanced at the newcomer; it was Xiao Zuo.
"A secret imperial medicine, to stop the bleeding and promote tissue regeneration." Even at this moment, Xiao Zuo still smiled and teased, "It seems that Chief Steward Feng is quite ruthless when it comes to saving people, so decisive and efficient. Chen Feng, does it hurt?"
"You flatter me," I replied casually, opening the box to apply the medicine. But I was inwardly astonished: I only gave Baili Chenfeng the antidote, so how did Xiao Zuo come to be here? He wasn't even tempted by the Purple Cornelian Cherry Fragrance!
A legend from the martial arts world flashed through my mind: Baili was famous but lived a lonely life, yet he had an adopted son who had a miraculous encounter and was immune to all poisons. Could it be Xiao Zuo?
However, it was widely rumored in the martial arts world that the adopted son was extremely particular about his food, clothing, and daily necessities, possessing a refined taste rarely seen in the world. He also had a severe case of mysophobia. It was said that Lu Xian, the leader of the Suizi Sect in Shanxi, in order to curry favor with Baili City, specially sent someone to present him with a pair of jade dragon cups that had been passed down from the imperial palace of the previous dynasty. Wine poured into them would cool down without ice, making them a priceless treasure. But he didn't even glance at them, explaining, "I never use things that others have used."
These words caused a stir in the martial arts world. To dare to criticize even something used by the emperor—that's truly extraordinary arrogance.
What's even more outrageous is that he has no name or surname. When others don't know how to address him, he says, "You can call me the adopted son of Lord Baili City."
Don't you find it troublesome to address me like that?
He said, "The trouble is yours, not mine."
From then on, everyone in the world knew that Baili Wentian was an old monster, and his adopted son was a little monster.
Two monsters, one old and one young, I really don't know how they ran into each other.
Looking at Xiao Zuo, his slovenly clothes and lazy demeanor were a far cry from the legendary figure.
Am I overthinking it?
Xiao Zuo looked into the distance for a moment, then said, "Truly worthy of being called the most potent poison in the world, Purple Cornelian Cherry Fragrance, it easily resolved this meticulously planned attack."
I smiled, but the smile didn't reach my eyes: "Fortunately, they weren't Young Master Xiao, otherwise wouldn't my efforts have been in vain?" I believed he understood what I meant, but his smile remained unchanged, and he answered without even blinking: "The moment I saw Steward Feng flick his sleeve to apply the poison, I held my breath and followed you to Fengkou. Tell me, when Ziyu Xiangman was applying the poison, was there anywhere in the world safer than by her side?"
"That's why I said they're not Young Master Xiao, and they're not even half as clever as you." I lowered my head and continued to treat my wound, but I was secretly sneering.
He's lying. Xiao Zuo is lying.