Chapter 143: Stay Away From Drugs
“…Later, I became their dog.”
Ye Huang’s voice was low and weary. “I learned that they called themselves ‘Shen Li,’ and that Divine Son was their leader.”
“Their main goal is to find Chosen Ones all over the world and invite them to join their organization.”
“They possess the power of the Heavenly Dao Fragment, a terrifying and mysterious power that transcends cultivation and spiritual energy.”
“And the candy they gave my wife and daughter… was made from something called the Life Returning Herb.”
Ye Huang’s body trembled as he mentioned the Life Returning Herb.
Qingying, having already learned about its effects from the System, also paled.
Chen Yin took a deep breath, his eyes as deep and still as a dark pool when he opened them.
“I see.” His voice was calm, but his words seemed to be forced through gritted teeth.
…Life Returning Herb. The characters for it literally meant “above life, below pot,” forming the character for “poppy.”
It was clearly a poisonous substance similar to opium.
To use such a thing on children… Chen Yin closed his eyes slowly.
He had to admit, a surge of murderous intent filled his heart.
“I took A-Xing and Ling’er to countless physicians and healers,”
Ye Huang continued, his voice trembling, his posture defeated and slumped, “But no one had ever seen or heard of this poison. No one knew how to cure it.”
“I knew it was something they obtained using the Heavenly Dao Fragment. It didn’t exist in this world.”
“It’s a potent drug. At first, it brings euphoria and excitement, but once you stop taking it, the withdrawal symptoms are agonizing, a living hell.”
His voice choked with emotion.
He would never forget…
…His once vibrant and loving wife, withered and emaciated, her hair falling out, her skin clinging to her bones, her eyes bloodshot as she pleaded with him, her voice raspy:
“Ye Huang… kill me…”
He would never forget finding his daughter, Ling’er, curled up in the darkest corner of their house.
Her eyes were dull and lifeless, her arms covered in fresh cuts and dried blood.
As a husband, as a father…
He was powerless. He could only watch as his wife hanged herself and his daughter withered away, like a broken doll.
His only reason for living was his daughter.
As long as Ling’er was alive, even if there was only a sliver of hope, he couldn’t give up.
Qingying, her eyes cold with fury, couldn’t contain her anger any longer.
“I thought the Mist Spirit Sect’s secret division was ruthless.”
“It seems I underestimated the depths of human depravity.”
Ye Huang knelt down again, his voice trembling. “My lord, please…”
“Please, save my daughter.”
“Her addiction is getting worse. The amount they give me is no longer enough.”
“Please, I beg you, give me more—”
“I can’t give you any more.”
Ye Huang stared at Chen Yin, who was looking at him with a cold, indifferent expression.
“It’s poison. Giving you more would only prolong her suffering.”
“If you truly want to save your daughter, stop relying on that drug.”
Ye Huang stammered, “B-but if I don’t use it…”
“There are other ways.”
Chen Yin said firmly, “Every poison has an antidote.”
“Qingying, ask your System.”
Before Qingying could speak, the System said, “I just checked the System Shop. There’s no direct antidote for the Life Returning Herb. But there are several pills that can alleviate or suppress its effects, enough to save the little girl’s life.”
“However…”
Qingying looked at Chen Yin with a troubled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“I-I don’t have enough points…” She lowered her head in shame, like a child who had done something wrong.
But Chen Yin didn’t scold her. He gently patted her head and said softly, “It’s alright. Tell me the names of the pills.”
As Qingying, guided by the System, listed the names of the pills, Chen Yin produced them from his pocket one by one.
“This!” Qingying and the System exclaimed in disbelief.
“How… how did you get these? But you’re not a—”
“I’ll explain later.” Chen Yin’s gaze was calm as he turned to Ye Huang.
“These will save your daughter’s life.”
Ye Huang’s eyes lit up with a desperate intensity as he stared at the pills in Chen Yin’s hand. He said, his voice trembling:
“What do you want in return? Anything, I’ll do anything, just save my daughter—”
“Tell me. What do you know about this ‘Shen Li’ organization?”
Ye Huang hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, “Not much. Because I’m not a Chosen One. I don’t have a Heavenly Dao Fragment.”
“I only know that their numbers are small, but all of their members are Chosen Ones.”
“Each Chosen One possesses a Heavenly Dao Fragment and unique System abilities, powers that transcend cultivation and spiritual energy.”
Each of them? Chen Yin glanced at Qingying.
“What?” Qingying pouted and glared back at him. “Of course I have one too. But why should I tell you? It’s my secret.”
“…You’re just embarrassed to tell him because your System ability is assassination, which is useless.” The System couldn’t help but comment.
“Shut up!” Qingying silently cursed.
Ye Huang continued, “They’re incredibly secretive and cautious, with dozens of hidden bases scattered throughout the continent. I’ve only been to one or two.”
“They seem to be searching for Chosen Ones everywhere, trying to recruit them into their organization.”
“The Divine Son offers generous rewards. Once you join, you’ll be provided for, and the organization will help you achieve your goals.”
“Like that Yao Zhuang I was protecting.” Ye Huang lowered his eyes. “He was a true scumbag. Despite being a Chosen One, all he cared about was defiling women.”
“So the organization arranged for him to become a minor official, allowing him to abuse his power and prey on mortal women. And they assigned me as his bodyguard.”
Qingying snorted coldly. “That scumbag deserves to die!”
“Wait a minute.” Chen Yin thought for a moment, then asked, puzzled, “The Divine Son should also be a Chosen One, right?”
“Why is he gathering Chosen Ones? To establish his own sect?”
Ye Huang hesitated, then said in a low voice, “This is just my speculation… but whenever the Divine Son finds a Chosen One, he takes them aside and does something… I heard Yao Zhuang mention that he can absorb the abilities of other Chosen Ones. And those who have their abilities absorbed can still retain their Heavenly Dao Fragment and basic System functions. So most of them, like Yao Zhuang, who don’t have any grand ambitions, agree to it.”
Chen Yin nodded in understanding.
…If that was the case, it explained the miniature Heavenly Dao Fragment he had obtained from Yao Zhuang.
It must have been a discarded remnant after the Divine Son had absorbed its power.
“That’s all I know.” Ye Huang shrugged.
Chen Yin pondered for a moment, then asked, “Do you know where the Divine Son was last seen?”
“…I’m not sure.”
He took a deep breath. “After the members of Shen Li discussed their plans against you at their base in Kunlun Province, they gave me that black energy and sent me after you.”
“From their tone, they seemed confident that it would kill you.”
Chen Yin chuckled coldly. “Well, thanks to them, that black energy did cause me quite a bit of trouble.”
Ye Huang lowered his head and, after a long silence, said with a bitter smile, “I apologize.”
“I had no choice but to pursue you. If you can save my daughter, I’m willing to die to atone for my sins.”
“Don’t bother.” Chen Yin waved his hand dismissively.
“Blaming the weapon instead of the wielder, huh? I’m not that naive.”
“But this Shen Li…” His eyes narrowed slightly.
Now, with Ye Huang’s information, the mysterious organization was finally coming into focus.
It was an organization of Chosen Ones.
And the Divine Son was collecting them for some unknown purpose.
If this was true, then this organization might be the most powerful and secretive force on the continent.
Chen Yin suddenly remembered something.
…When he had encountered Master after emerging from the Heavenly Path Perilous Domain, she had been severely injured, her recovery taking a long time.
He had wondered who could have injured a Grand Clarity Realm expert like Yu Ling so badly. And why she had refused to talk about it.
If his suspicions were correct…
“Then this Divine Son deserves to die a thousand deaths.” Chen Yin’s lips curled into a snarl.
“Let’s go.”
He stood up. “We’ll go to your home and find your daughter first. After she’s safe, I’ll settle the score with these bastards.”
“Fuyu, send Ye Huang out of the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.”
“Aren’t you leaving as well, Young Master?” Fuyu asked.
Chen Yin smiled faintly.
“There’s a silly fox waiting for me at the entrance.”
“I understand.” She bowed gracefully, and a gentle stream of water enveloped Qingying and Ye Huang.
As Chen Yin stepped onto the teleportation formation, he paused.
“One more thing,”
“…Your master,” he said casually, “went through all that trouble to create Ephemeral Mountain and slaughter Chosen Ones…”
“Was it to prevent something like this from happening?”
Fuyu didn’t answer.
In the last second before the formation activated, Chen Yin saw her faint smile and heard her melodious voice.
“…You’re half right.”
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