Chapter 1228: Castrating the Emperor (Part 1)

Others might not know, but Zhang Xuan's feelings for these students were something he, having followed him all along, understood very clearly.

For Lu Chong, he had challenged an entire kingdom alone; for Zhao Ya and Wang Ying, he had threatened a major power; for Wei Ruyan, he had willingly walked into danger...

The bond between teacher and student rivaled the sun and moon.

If Liu Yang really came to harm, it was foreseeable that his young master would charge straight to the Qingyuan Imperial Palace and not rest until he had turned it upside down.

"What to do?"

An anxious expression appeared on his face.

Outwardly, he claimed the young master was in seclusion, but he knew he had gone far away and wouldn't return anytime soon.

If something happened to Liu Yang during this time, when he returned, he would surely skin him alive.

"Thank you, Young Master Chuxiang, for informing me. I am deeply grateful. I will now go report to the young master."

After asking for details and learning the situation, Sun Qiang clasped his fists to Chu Xiang, turned around, and walked back.

Before long, he arrived at Hall Master Zhou's residence.

"...That's how it is. I hope the hall master can send someone with me to the palace to rescue the person!"

After recounting the information he knew in detail, Sun Qiang said.

"Rescue someone from the palace?" Hall Master Zhou hesitated. "This involves the relationship between the War Master Hall, the Master Teacher Hall, and local powers. Although I can send war masters to demand the person, it could easily provoke conflict! I need to report to the Master Teacher Hall first, and then to headquarters for a decision."

"Report to the Master Teacher Hall and headquarters?"

Sun Qiang frowned deeply.

Liu Yang was imprisoned inside, and no one knew the exact situation. Every day of delay was a day of danger. If they had to go through procedures, who would bear the responsibility if something went wrong?

Just like when he himself was imprisoned, he had suffered greatly.

"The war masters of the War Master Hall are like the empire's army; to deploy them, a writ from the Master Teacher Hall is required! I have no choice... Don't worry too much for now. Liu Shao is Zhang Shi's student; Chu Tianxing surely won't act recklessly..."

Hall Master Zhou offered a word of comfort.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to help, but sending war masters to the imperial palace to demand a person would be equivalent to tearing up relations. The responsibility was so great that even as a hall master, he couldn't bear it.

If the hall chief were here, he might be able to make a decision, but unfortunately, he wasn't. If a major conflict erupted, not only would he lose his position as hall master, but even his status as a war master could be stripped away.

War masters were the heavy instruments of the master teacher profession; they couldn't be used casually.

If everyone used them for personal matters, what right would the Master Teacher Hall have to command the world?

"Since you won't agree to rescue him, I'll find my own way!" Seeing the other's various concerns, Sun Qiang's face turned ashen. He waved his hand and turned to leave.

Since the other had so many concerns, he would solve this matter his own way.

Leaving Hall Master Zhou's residence, he soon arrived at the place where the War Master Hall had housed the poison masters.

"Benefactor!" Seeing him arrive, all the members of the Poison Hall came forward with joyful faces.

Elder Xu was especially full of gratitude.

If not for this person before them, they might have been tortured to death by Prince Zhongqing long ago, let alone becoming war masters and walking in the light!

"Mm, I came this time to ask for your help!" Without any pretense, Sun Qiang stated his purpose directly.

With his strength, it was impossible to rescue someone from the palace; he had to rely on others.

And these poison masters, for some reason, held great respect for him and willingly followed his orders—they were the most suitable.

"Benefactor, please speak! If it's within our power, we will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

The poison masters looked at him with bright eyes.

Having cultivated the poison arts passed down by the founder, everyone's strength had greatly improved, especially Elder Xu You, who had now reached the third level of the Saint Domain.

The improvement in strength was secondary; the main thing was their understanding and use of poison, which had become even more profound.

As long as the poison level was high enough, even Nascent Soul realm experts could be killed.

"Don't agree so quickly. Listen to me first, then decide."

Seeing them agree directly, Sun Qiang waved his hand and continued, "It's like this: Young Master Liu Yang was captured by the Qingyuan Emperor. I hope to use your help to rescue him!"

Soon, Sun Qiang explained his plan.

"Rescue someone from the Qingyuan Imperial Palace?"

"That dog emperor, shielding Prince Zhongqing—clearly not a good person!"

"Daring to lay hands on Liu Shao, obviously not putting the benefactor in his eyes. What do we need to do?"

"Should we poison the entire royal family? Stir things up and turn it upside down!"

Hearing Sun Qiang's request, all the members of the Poison Hall erupted.

Not one declined, nor refused.

The benefactor's matters were more important than their lives, and besides, they were not master teachers, so they had no rules to constrain them.

"Very good!" Seeing that these poison masters agreed without any hesitation, Sun Qiang nodded, deeply moved.

For some reason, these people from the Poison Hall had a special affection for him, showing great respect at first sight. More importantly, they agreed to such a dangerous task without any fear...

This must be... charisma!

Even someone as formidable as the young master didn't receive such respect from them, yet they were so deferential to him. This alone showed that in the eyes of the Poison Hall, he was truly outstanding and heroic.

"Then let's discuss a strategy and prepare to act!"

Filled with pride, feeling he finally had a kingly aura, Sun Qiang waved his hand grandly.

Although so many poison masters acting together were formidable, the enemy was the imperial family of a titled empire, even more terrifying!

If they charged in recklessly, they might be annihilated before even seeing Liu Yang. They had to plan carefully.

"The reason we were wiped out by Prince Zhongqing was because it was late at night, everyone was asleep, and we were unprepared... It's not that we poison masters are easy to bully!"

Xu You's eyes narrowed.

The hatred of clan annihilation could not be diminished. The ones who acted, though following Prince Zhongqing's orders, were in fact soldiers of the Qingyuan Empire, and the authority was granted by this Chu Tianxing.

So in their hearts, the greatest enemy was this emperor.

Already harboring hatred, and now seeing even the benefactor's people bullied—how could they let it go?

"Benefactor, Prince Zhongqing gave us many herbs to refine Qingfeng Powder. These herbs are enough to refine a full ten tons!"

A poison master stepped forward: "At that time, captured and seeking death, we didn't refine it, but the herbs were placed in storage rings and brought along. These days, while learning the poison arts you taught, we refined some in our spare time... We've accumulated quite a bit, all at the Supreme level! If we really want to rescue someone from the palace, we can use this..."

"Supreme Qingfeng Powder?" Sun Qiang was taken aback.

He knew nothing about poisons and had never even heard the name.

But as the benefactor and a great expert in everyone's eyes, how could he admit ignorance!

Frowning slightly, he asked, "How much is there in total?"

The defenses of a titled empire's imperial palace were formidable; if the quantity was too small, success was impossible.

"As for quantity, benefactor need not worry. There's over 500 jin!" The poison master laughed.

Having learned the founder's legacy, they had no other way to practice, and with plenty of herbs on hand, they had refined it casually.

"Over 500 jin?" His mouth twitched, Sun Qiang was stunned.

Even though he didn't know much about poisons, he knew that such things were usually measured in qian; a few qian could poison a large group of experts. Over 500 jin... the thought was terrifying.

"Qingfeng Powder is colorless and odorless, and can drift with the wind. If we scatter it into the palace under cover of night, no one can escape!"

Elder Xu said.

"Alright, it's decided! We'll act at midnight..." Sun Qiang, who was naturally fearless, decided to rescue the person first since they had the poison ready.

After refining the plan several times and finding no issues, they rested on the spot to conserve energy.

Soon, it was midnight.

Led by Sun Qiang, the group of poison masters stood up simultaneously and quietly left the War Master Hall.

Having been incorporated into the War Master Hall, and with Zhang Shi's steward personally leading them, they didn't attract attention.

Under cover of night, they moved swiftly and soon arrived at the upwind side of the palace.

Patrolling guards and soldiers guarding the walls were poisoned on the spot before they could react, without even a chance to send a message.

"Alright, let's do it here. The wind isn't strong, but the position is high enough to spread the powder throughout the palace..."

After circling around and finding the most suitable spot, Elder Xu, a seven-star poison master, looked around and confirmed the location.

Their target was the Qingyuan royal family; they couldn't harm the common people while rescuing someone, so the location had to be chosen carefully.

"Mm!"

Everyone nodded simultaneously, flew into the air, and took their positions.

Swish!

Spreading their palms, they released the poison powder.

Supreme Qingfeng Powder drifted with the wind, slowly settling over the palace without anyone noticing.

Although the palace had many formations, they only activated against attacks. Normally, even a titled empire's royal family wouldn't be extravagant enough to keep them running constantly.

Moreover, Qingfeng Powder could enter through pores; as long as one breathed, it was unstoppable.

That was why, back then, the alien spirit race had caught them off guard and caused countless casualties.

Even the War Master Hall, when suddenly encountered, had nearly been wiped out, let alone the sleeping royal family.

The poison powder drifted slowly, and before long, those in the air saw the palace guards collapse one by one, all losing consciousness.

Qingfeng Powder only rendered people incapacitated for a short time, not fatal. The Supreme grade was more potent, but it only extended the coma by a few hours.

"Alright, they're all unconscious. Let's go find that dog emperor now!"

After the powder had settled for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Elder Xu swept his divine sense and nodded.

"Good, let's catch that dog emperor and castrate him first!"

Sun Qiang's eyes turned cold.