Half an hour later, the poison in Ling Chen's body was finally purged completely.
PFFT!
A wisp of black, poisonous blood was expelled from Ling Chen's body, shooting out from his fingertip and splattering on the room's floor.
"Finally, it's cleared out."
Ling Chen slowly exhaled a turbid breath. The Mind Confusing Powder's poison was finally neutralized.
Thankfully, the Ling Tian Sword Scripture he cultivated was unusual. The Lingtian True Qi was different from ordinary True Qi; its sensitivity to anything was exceptionally strong, let alone a mere poison.
At this point, I'm afraid the others have been poisoned too.
Ling Chen's countenance darkened slightly. This Liu Chengfeng posed a serious problem.
This guy was clearly targeting them.
Xu Ruoyan is in danger.
Ling Chen frowned. Liu Chengfeng had earlier shown a vague interest in Xu Ruoyan; this act of poisoning was likely aimed mostly at her.
At this thought, Ling Chen found the situation rather grim. He knew he was in a dangerous situation, but he had no choice but to rescue Xu Ruoyan.
Firstly, he wouldn't stand by and watch someone die. Secondly, Xu Ruoyan was, after all, his nominal fiancée. If her purity were to be sullied now, wouldn't that mean he'd be cuckolded before even marrying?
Picking up his Long Sword, Ling Chen left the room, sprinting towards the inner courtyard.
Han Cuier's room was located in the inner courtyard. According to their plan, Xu Ruoyan should be in Han Cuier's room now, waiting for the appearance of the flower-picking thief "Ten Miles of Fragrance."
Ling Chen used his Light Skill to arrive outside the room.
As soon as he arrived, he heard a burst of laughter coming from inside.
"These Sect Disciples are really foolish. Trying to investigate a case with such meager intellect? In the end, they're merely played in the palm of my hand, dying without even knowing how."
The owner of this voice was, indeed, Liu Chengfeng.
"How would they know that Young Master is actually the 'Ten Miles of Fragrance' they want to catch? Shouting 'catch the thief' inside the thief's den—isn't that a joke?" The other voice was a woman's, clearly Han Cuier.
Ling Chen frowned. So, we did fall into their trap. I had my doubts about Liu Chengfeng before, but I never expected him to be the flower-picking thief himself.
Inside the room, Liu Chengfeng was staring unblinkingly at the stunningly beautiful young woman lying on the bed, a trace of lust rising in his eyes.
"This woman is so breathtakingly beautiful! She's truly a great gift bestowed upon me, Liu Chengfeng, by the heavens!"
Although Xu Ruoyan was awake, she couldn't move. The Mind Confusing Powder's poison had been neutralized, but Liu Chengfeng had forced her to ingest a new one. Now, her body was completely limp, rendering her incapable of resistance.
"This Miss Xu is the daughter of the Sky Void Palace Master. Her status is said to be distinguished, different from others," Han Cuier reminded from the side.
"Distinguished status? So what? Even a mighty dragon cannot crush a local serpent. Here in Yun City, my Liu Family calls the shots! As long as I hide this woman well and eliminate the other Divine Intent Sect Disciples covertly, who would ever know I was responsible?"
"If some Expert from Sky Void Palace really comes looking, I'll just find some random person to take the blame. Besides, to this day, no one knows who 'Ten Miles of Fragrance' truly is."
Liu Chengfeng's lips curled into a thin, sinister smile, his gaze growing increasingly feverish. He was determined to have Xu Ruoyan; no one would stop him.
"Cuier, you may leave now. Tonight is a big night for me, this young master. Don't let anyone disturb me."
Liu Chengfeng gestured dismissively.
"Yes."
Han Cuier retreated, closing the room door behind her.
"Beauty, after tonight, you will be my woman—Liu Chengfeng's woman!" Liu Chengfeng grinned, his handsome face contorting into a somewhat savage and twisted expression. He reached out a finger and unsealed Xu Ruoyan's mute acupoint.
"You beast in human clothing! I never imagined that someone from a supposedly distinguished family like you would stoop to such despicable acts! It's not too late to repent!" Xu Ruoyan, having regained her voice, immediately admonished him sharply.
"Repent? Why should I repent? Life's pleasures are meant to be enjoyed to the fullest; one shouldn't waste their youth, don't you agree?"
Liu Chengfeng seemed in no hurry, as if he was waiting for something, not making an immediate move on Xu Ruoyan.
"With my father's Divine Power, even if your deeds are immaculate, he will undoubtedly find traces and clues. Liu Chengfeng, you are, after all, a young master from an aristocratic family, a man well-versed in books and poetry. Don't let desire cloud your judgment!" Xu Ruoyan said, gritting her silver teeth.
"Heh, Miss Xu, don't waste your breath. I've grown tired of such words," Liu Chengfeng said, unmoved, a mocking expression on his face. "I know what you're up to. Stalling for time? It's useless. Don't think anyone will come to save you. Your friends have all been poisoned by the Mind Confusing Powder. They're probably all fast asleep by now."
"Besides, do you know what I fed you earlier?"
Hearing this, Xu Ruoyan's pretty face instantly turned deathly pale.
"Did you think I genuinely wanted to listen to your nonsense? I'm waiting for the drug's effects to kick in, so I can then thoroughly 'cherish' you."
Liu Chengfeng's face was filled with a lewd smile.
By now, Xu Ruoyan's heart was like dead ashes. She was filled with regret: regret for not listening to Ling Chen, for accepting this mission in the first place, and for not being more wary of Liu Chengfeng. To only realize it at this critical juncture—it was too late.
Is my purity to be ruined by this lecher? I would rather die!
Just then, she felt a strange sensation spreading through her body, making her flesh begin to heat up.
The drug's effects were kicking in.
"Hahaha, Miss Xu, stop struggling and just enjoy it!"
A twisted smile appeared on Liu Chengfeng's face. He had already removed his outer coat and was preparing to climb onto the bed.
Just then, BANG! The room's door was suddenly thrust open, and a Long Sword shot in like a meteor.
His expression changed drastically. In his panic, Liu Chengfeng abruptly leaned back; the Long Sword streaked past his neck, bringing a cold sensation with it.
It was a hair's breadth away!
A chill ran through Liu Chengfeng's heart. If my reaction had been just half a beat slower, that sword would have killed me!
"Who?"
The desire in his heart, startled by this sword strike, vanished like smoke. Liu Chengfeng abruptly looked towards the doorway, where a youthful figure stood.
"You?"
Liu Chengfeng's pupils contracted slightly. Then, he sneered, a cold glint appearing in his eyes. "The Martial World's foremost genius, Ling Chen. Alas, you only possess the Cultivation of an Eighth Layer Martial Practitioner. Do you truly intend to save someone from the hands of a First Layer Martial Master like me?"
Seeing it was Ling Chen, Liu Chengfeng relaxed. His Cultivation far surpassed Ling Chen's, so he had nothing to fear.
"You actually managed to neutralize the Mind Confusing Powder's poison on your own. Quite surprising. However, I must say, you truly are foolish. If you had fled immediately after detoxifying, I wouldn't have had the time to bother with you. Yet, you actually delivered yourself to death's door."
A grim killing intent surfaced on Liu Chengfeng's face.
Xu Ruoyan also felt a pang of exasperation. Yes, what an idiot. His actions are far too reckless! Now, both of us will die, without even a chance for revenge.
"Xu Ruoyan is my fiancée, after all. As long as I am a man, I can't just stand by and watch my own woman be humiliated. I know I'm not your match, but even if it costs me my life, I absolutely will not let this happen!"
Ling Chen's expression was composed. After speaking, he reached out, and with a drawing motion, the Long Sword flew back into his hand.
He spoke with such righteous conviction only to make Liu Chengfeng further believe he was an idiot, thereby making him more careless.
But when Xu Ruoyan heard this, her thoughts were different. Her gaze towards Ling Chen instantly became complicated.
When I came to the Divine Intent Sect this time, I clearly told him I wanted to break off the engagement. Yet, he's willing to sacrifice his life for me?
"Haha! Then today, I'll insist on making you watch with your own eyes how I ravage this fiancée of yours!"
A perverse smile spread across Liu Chengfeng's face. He suddenly found himself very interested in making Ling Chen witness firsthand how he would toy with Xu Ruoyan.
WHOOSH!
The moment his words fell, Liu Chengfeng's figure shot out. The powerful aura of a Martial Artist First Layer pressed down fiercely upon Ling Chen.