Chapter 317: No Gate to Hell (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 317: Gates of Hell Are Closed—(Please Vote for the Moon Ticket)

Chen Yì need not say much at all.

The mere mention of the plague sent the neighbors, who had been itching to gawk, scrambling out of their homes in a panic.

They were both frantic and terrified.

“Yuan’s aunt, your family’s caused a plague—why are you shouting like you’re trying to drag us all to Yuan’s funeral?”

“I heard Yuan’s women calling for help, so I rushed over in a hurry—how can I let you down?”

“Damn it—”

Yuan’s aunt clutched a girl’s hand and stepped out a few paces, ignoring the insults hurled around her.

She glanced at the life-or-death Yuan Hào, then at Chen Yì inside, and knelt on the ground, forehead pressed to the earth.

Bang, bang, bang—

“Rescue my son, rescue him—please, rescue him!”

Chen Yì glanced sideways, then murmured softly to the flustered Yuan:

“Help your aunt to her feet. Take them away.”

“My brother, I can save him!”

Yuan Hào stared at the stranger’s face—familiar yet unknown—and took his word for it.

Without thinking further, she hauled her aunt and two younger sisters to their feet and led them out of the courtyard.

“Aunt, the benefactor says he can save Hào. We’ll wait outside.”

She soothed her aunt, then called out to the gathered crowd:

“Thank you all for your kindness. The man inside can save my brother, so he can save us too.”

“Please, show mercy.”

“What plague—?”

Before anyone could finish speaking, Yuan Hào narrowed her eyes and spoke clearly:

“Uncle Zhao, my brother and I touched Hào first.”

“Remember, if this plague is truly deadly, we Yuan kin would die too.”

The man hesitated, his face flickering between light and shadow.

The neighbors around him fell silent.

Yet some muttered under their breath: “Can’t even confirm if the ones inside can save your brother.”

“If the plague spreads, your family Yuan will be the scourge of our Kangle neighborhood.”

Yuan Hào scoffed, her brow cocked. “I’d rather die than fear guilt.”

The crowd fell utterly quiet, peering through the fence slats at the courtyard’s turmoil.

Even Yuan Hào herself stood frozen, her earlier bravado a mask.

In truth, she was trembling with urgency and self-reproach.

She recalled the day’s events and deduced that Yuan Hào had likely caught the plague while playing with refugees outside the city.

If she’d been the cause of his death, she’d never forgive herself.

With these thoughts, she clenched her jaw and stepped back into the courtyard, forcing calm as she stood beside Chen Yì.

“Benefactor, whatever is needed—”

Chen Yì probed Yuan Hào’s internal qi, then waved dismissively:

“Boil some water.”

“Ah—yes, I’ll do that right away.”

Yuan Hào hurried to the fire, while Chen Yì ignored her, his eyes glinting as he peered into Yuan Hào’s body.

The qi within Yuan Hào had become a tangled mess.

Chen Yì frowned.

Inside Yuan Hào’s body, a black current of energy coursed through his entire being, while threads of gold, red, and green qi assaulted his organs.

Not a lethal toxin, but the five elements—wood, metal, fire, water, earth—spiritual energies clashing.

Yet these elements did not align with their corresponding organs; instead, they clashed in their cycles of control.

Fire qi invaded the kidney’s water, water qi assaulted the heart’s fire, halting the body’s qi circulation entirely.

And worse still: tiny poison insects, like gnats, lurked in his blood, multiplying with each blink.

Such a state demanded caution from Chen Yì.

Medical knowledge and occult principles surged through his mind—Yin and Yang, the five phases in opposition, ascending and descending…

A solution formed swiftly.

First, extract a silver needle to trap the poison insects outside the organs, sparing the heart.

Then untangle the elemental qi, dispel or expel the plague toxin, severing the insects’ sustenance.

Finally, remove the insects themselves.

But this method suited only Yuan Hào.

If the plague spread to others, entangled with their ailments, the cure would grow unbearably complex.

Chen Yì understood this.

He did not rush to heal Yuan Hào but placed both palms on his wrists, checking his pulse.

Then he parted Yuan Hào’s lips, examined his tongue, and pondered deeply:

“Fire qi invading kidney water—yang heat and malevolent qi surge toward the kidney’s shu point, disrupting the transformation.”

“Water qi assaulting heart fire—yin cold water qi climbs to the heart’s king, disturbing the spirit.”

“Metal qi harming liver wood—violent metal qi clashes with liver wood, suppressing authority.”

“Wood qi affronting spleen earth—wind wood qi ravages the middle realm, disrupting transformation, causing reversal and chaos.”

“Earth qi oppressing lung metal—dense earth qi clouds the celestial dome, blocking decree and breath, choking the meridians.”

“The five elements in mutual control have trapped the organs’ qi, sealing all pathways of the body’s circulation.”

“And these poison insects…”

“In twelve double hours… no—given the refugees’ frail bodies outside, they won’t last that long.”

“Six double hours at most…”

If the plague-infected refugees were not saved in time, they’d become nests for the insects.

And when those nests burst open, the insects would claim others as their new lairs.

Chen Yi sought to understand these things, and a chill of ice crept across his face.

“Five Poison Sect—this one must be killed!”

The poison insects writhing within Yuan Hao’s body required no further thought; they were unmistakably cultivated by the Five Poison Sect.

Yet why had they done this?

Such a thing…

Suddenly, Liu Hong’s image flashed through Chen Yi’s mind—only he could have orchestrated this.

“That old dog, relentless in battle, his ambitions must be vast indeed!”

Upon contemplating this, Chen Yi no longer hesitated. He withdrew a silver needle and plunged it into Yuan Hao’s chest.

Through the flow of spiritual energy, the needle connected him to the world’s qi, allowing him to dissect the poisonous essence within Yuan Hao. As the five elements of spiritual energy aligned, Yuan Hao’s internal qi flowed freely. Chen Yi then spoke:

“Hot water!”

“Coming!”

Yuan Lao’er timely brought a basin of hot water, placing it beside Chen Yi.

With one hand, Chen Yi sliced open Yuan Hao’s wrist to draw blood, using spiritual energy to expel the poison insects within him. With the other, he controlled the energy to seal the area around the wooden basin.

After a moment, Chen Yi retrieved the silver needle from Yuan Hao’s body, peering into the basin of hot water where the poison insects—normally invisible to the naked eye—flitted and fluttered, yet remained trapped beneath the spiritual seal.

He glanced once, then used a breathing technique to scan Yuan Hao and everyone nearby, calmly declaring:

“The plague poison has not spread. You are all safe. Return home now.”

“Remember, obey the official edict. Do not venture out for the time being.”

“Yes, yes, certainly.”

Once Chen Yi gave his final verdict, the people outside the courtyard exhaled in relief, one by one returning to their homes. Even those who sought to spread the news dared not step outside.

Yuan Hao’s mother and sisters entered, bowing deeply in gratitude for Chen Yi’s countless kindnesses.

Chen Yi waved a dismissive hand, about to offer reassurance, when the unconscious Yuan Hao blinked awake.

“Sister, elder sister, second elder sister, third elder sister—what happened?”

He looked around in confusion, his gaze settling on Chen Yi, and blurted:

“Master?”

Chen Yi examined him closely, shaking his head. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

The boy’s pure, naive spirit recognized a faint echo of his own essence in Chen Yi.

Yuan Hao blinked, touched his head, and was lifted into his mother’s and sisters’ arms before he could rise.

“My goodness, my goodness—I nearly died of fright!”

Realizing what had transpired, Yuan Hao wept, overcome with regret.

Seeing this, Chen Yi turned to Yuan Lao’er: “Tell me, where did you all go today?”

Yuan Lao’er glanced at the sobbing Yuan Hao, recalling: “Outside the Lin Zhuang, east of the city gate.”

“We stayed there all day, returning only after dark.”

Chen Yi pondered, asking: “On your way back, did you encounter anyone suspicious or touch anything odd?”

By day, he had paid them little heed, noticing no abnormalities. He could only infer Yuan Hao had come into contact with the plague poison after parting ways.

“Suspicious…?”

Yuan Lao’er suddenly remembered, calling out: “Brother, your candy!”

Through his tears, Yuan Hao withdrew a square sugar wrapped in red lacquer.

“Sister, this…”

Yuan Lao’er reached for it, but Chen Yi waved his hand, using spiritual energy to pull the candy into his grasp.

A glint sparked in his eyes as he examined it.

After a moment, a faint smile touched his lips.

“So it is so.”

Plague poison.

Forged through forbidden techniques from the pestilence, it was a potent toxin. Its reach was greater, its lethality more insidious. And those who crafted it mixed in other venoms, making antidotes far harder to devise.

Yet if plague poison existed—its formula, every ingredient—would flash through Chen Yi’s mind in an instant.

He resolved, issuing orders without hesitation: “Fetch paper and take notes.”

Yuan Lao’er blinked, nodded, and scurried off for paper and brush, lying on the ground to write.

Chen Yi recounted the plague poison’s ailments, then dictated three prescriptions.

When Yuan Lao’er finished, Chen Yi reviewed the notes, then copied three sheets in her handwriting.

He handed her one. “Take this to the pharmacies in the city. Have them prepare the ingredients listed here.”

Yuan Lao’er carefully stored the paper. “Which pharmacy, master? Which one should I deliver it to?”

Chen Yi glanced at her, a slap echoing on her forehead. “No need to ask. Bring it to the Jieshi Pharmacy.”

Yuan Lao’er, having seen through his intent, remained unperturbed. She studied his face, then bowed: “Master, your name? I shall repay this kindness.”

Chen Yi smiled, “Liu Wu.”

He then rose swiftly, vanishing into the night.

Yuan Lao’er watched him disappear, then turned to Yuan Hao: “Brother, why did you call him master just now?”

Yuan Hao wiped his eyes, sniffling: “I… I just thought he looked… familiar.”

Yuan Lao’er gazed at the northern sky, then nodded, setting out with him beyond the courtyard.

For any stranger to enter the capital city of Shu Zhou with plague news would be to rupture the heavens themselves—she would not risk even a breath of carelessness.

Neither would Chen Yi.

Having left the Lane of Happy Happiness, he sped straight toward the North Gate’s Peace and Safety Street.

Now that the followers of the Five Poison Sect had already made their move, the people of the Mountain Clan must stir as well.

Otherwise, even if he used the Way of Medicine to save a life, it would be difficult to prevent the Five Poison Sect’s next strike from following suit.

Just then:

[At the 18th hour and six minutes, you saved Yuan Hao’s life with the Way of Medicine, and also provided a formula for detoxifying plague poison.]

[Reward: Sugar Making Technique, Fortune +12.]

[Evaluation: A person heard, a scene seen. Performance: Excellent.]

Chen Yì glanced at the message and paid it no further mind.

This time it was a stroke of luck that it was Yuan Lao’er—if it had been someone else, he might have remained indoors cultivating the Four Symbols Art.

If that were the case, by the time he realized the plague poison lurking within the manor, hundreds of citizens would already have fallen victim.

Chen Yì mused over these thoughts, his eyes growing colder still.

He then let his true energy surge, wind rising beneath his feet, his body transforming into a wisp of dark shadow, and in a few breaths arrived at Peace and Safety Street.

He crouched low and listened intently.

Chen Yì located Pei Wanglei and Pei Qian and others’ whereabouts, then strode directly toward that residence.

Before he had even stepped inside, a raspy voice echoed from behind him: “Who approaches?”

Chen Yì looked back and saw an elderly man of the Mountain Clan—lean, black-faced, with black eyes and a prominent nose.

“I am Liu Wu, here to seek the Mountain Clan’s assistance.”

“Liu Wu? The ‘Dragon and Tiger’ Liu Wu?”

“That is I.”

The old man scrutinized him from head to foot, then grinned broadly, his black face creasing.

“Not unremarkable for a man famed throughout Sichuan. No wonder Pei Xiao’er kept talking about you.”

“I am Pei Zi of the Mountain Clan. What brings you here?”

Chen Yì nodded and followed him inside. But just a few steps in, he detected strange sounds from outside the gate.

Hundreds of insects had hidden in the shadows.

Pei Zi noticed his discovery and chuckled: “A little warning device of our clan. Forgive the intrusion, young friend.”

Chen Yì said nothing of his own accord.

But what followed next was beyond his wildest expectations.

Ten paces in, and a thousand insects burst forth.

A hundred paces in, and ten thousand insects all turned to face him.

Though they posed little threat, Chen Yì’s heightened senses still found them unsettling.

After all, ten thousand pairs of insect eyes.

Even their emotionless gazes, and the faint rustling of their collective whispers, were enough to make his hair stand on end.

Only when he entered the inner chambers did the sensation begin to fade.

“Wait a moment, young friend. I shall—”

Before Pei Zi could finish his sentence, a tinkling sound came from afar, growing nearer.

Chen Yì glanced over, his heart growing colder once more, and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Pei Wanglei ran up, her hair disheveled and eyes red from sleep, stumbling as she rubbed them.

When she saw Chen Yì, her eyes brightened, and she bounded forward in her thin white socks.

“You… Master, why have you come?”

“I thought Xiao Hua Hua had mistaken the scent.”

Chen Yì smiled slightly, “Some matters demand my presence.”

Pei Wanglei’s smile soured, and she leaned close to whisper: “What? Aren’t you here to take me away?”

Chen Yì patted her head, “Not yet. Wait a while.”

“Oh, I know, I’ll wait, I’m not in a hurry, hehe…”

“Not in a hurry?”

Pei Zi looked at the two of them, his expression strange: “Pei Xiao’er, who’s always complaining this place is boring?”

“Third Uncle, you—stop saying that, or I’ll pull your beard…”

As they spoke, Pei Qian and several other Mountain Clan members arrived together.

“Master, Master—?”

Pei Qian had previously seen the man behind a black iron mask, but this was the first time seeing Chen Yì’s true face, and he could only gape.

“You, you’re…?”

Before Chen Yì could answer, a young girl squeezed past him, peering up at Chen Yì.

“You’re the ‘Master’ Pei Wanglei spoke of?”

“Indeed, your manners are impeccable. I accept your marriage proposal, though you must not mistreat elder sister, or else—”

Pei Wanglei quickly covered the girl’s mouth, cheeks flushed: “Lan Yan Ni, stop! Or else what? If you keep saying such things, I’ll rip your mouth open!”

“Huff… it’s too thick, I can’t win this…”

Two middle-aged men and women also arrived, glancing at Chen Yì with expressions similar to Pei Zi’s earlier.

Though Chen Yì found it all amusing, the matter at hand was urgent.

After exchanging pleasantries with Pei Qian and others, he withdrew a square sugar tablet from his sleeve, his tone turning serious:

“The Five Poison Sect has struck!”

“What?”

Pei Qian, Pei Zi, and the others fell silent, their faces grave. Without waiting for further questions, several insects flew from their bodies and settled on the sugar tablet.

After a moment, Pei Zi stared at the insects now lifeless on the tablet, his brow furrowed: “Indeed, the poison-forging techniques of those turtle-like sons of the Five Poison Sect.”

“But… the poison insects above.”

Pei Qian took up his words: “They resemble our Mountain Clan’s insect-summoning transformation art.”

Li Runqun, a middle-aged man with a murderous gleam in his eyes: “Thirty years ago, members of our clan were seized by the Five Poison Sect.”

“They must have obtained the insect-summoning art from them.”

After a pause, he turned to Chen Yì: “May I ask where you obtained this poison?”

Chen Yì closed the sugar tablet, replying: “From the refugees outside the East City Gate. The Five Poison Sect had somehow hidden within them, spreading these substances.”

"Thankfully, the time was short, and so far no one has perished because of it."

Pei Mu heard the words and blinked, her brow furrowed with doubt as she glanced at Pei Ze and the others. "Uncle Third, Brother Ze—you said you’d been keeping a tight watch on the Wudou Sect. Have they left the capital?"

"How could they?" Pei Qian pursed his lips silently.

But Pei Ze’s face darkened. "My companions and I have been keeping a close eye on the Wudou Sect’s forces in Xinglin Pavilion. Yet if they came from outside…"

Li Yunhou nodded slowly. "This poison-alchemy is cruel and malevolent, compounded with necromancy and sorcery…"

"Among the Wudou Sect, few could master such arts. In all likelihood, it can only be him."

"The Wudou Sect’s eldest grandmaster—Yan Jingchen!"

Pei Ze’s lips curled into a grim smile. "An old friend returning to Shu—how fortunate!"

He turned to Pei Qian. "Find him!"

Pei Qian hummed, twisting his wrist. A jade-like, palm-sized bamboo shoot materialized in his palm. He bit one end, inhaled deeply, and blew.

A high, piercing whistle erupted.

From the bamboo’s other end, a plump, clumsy white caterpillar slowly inched its way out. Once fully emerged, it curled into a tight ball, its body swiftly encasing itself in a silken cocoon.

Like a caterpillar transforming into a moth.

When Pei Qian saw this, he waved to the others. "Another half-hour should suffice."

Pei Ze nodded. "Prepare yourselves."

Except for Pei Mu, the others returned to their chambers, clearly preparing for battle.

Chen Yi watched their movements silently, unwilling to leave.

A representative of the Wudou Sect had arrived, and he wished to observe.

Yet before he could speak, a flash of golden light erupted:

[Daily Intelligence: Grade Below-Prime. At the third hour of the ox, Yan Jingchen leads the Wudou Sect to attack Lin Zhenghong and Liu Lang and others. Reward: Abundant opportunities await.]

What?

Chen Yi blinked, then turned his gaze westward, his expression icy.

The Wudou Sect had gone there?

They knew about the grain merchants’ dealings with Liu Lang and his allies.

Liu Hong?

Yes—Li San Yuan had mentioned earlier that Liu Tao was to be manipulated into the scheme.

It seems Liu Hong, that old fox, struck first.

As he pondered this, Chen Yi’s lips curled into a sly smile:

"Jade Emperor’s road is blocked, gates of Hell barred—yet you dare stride in here. Hah…"

(Chapter Complete)