Chapter 277: Another One Arrives

Just as he was wondering how this Physician Bai would handle the three deputy殿masters and many elders, he heard these words, and the Great Medicine King felt his vision go dark.

The Poison Heart Gold Token represented identity. As a special envoy arriving here, it was perfectly normal for the other party to request an inspection—there was no issue.

To say 'are you qualified'...

Now that the殿master had died suddenly, only the three deputy殿masters and many elders remained. If they weren't qualified, who was?

Even if the special envoy was of noble status, there was a limit to arrogance. Being this arrogant... could easily get you killed!

"The special envoy is joking!"

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Deputy殿master Liao Xun, who had been all smiles just moments before, looked displeased: "I am the first deputy殿master of the Red Lotus Branch. Now that the殿master is absent, I hold the highest position, so naturally I am qualified!"

"I am already aware that your殿master has fallen. Standing here today, I am here to handle the matter of the new殿master. Otherwise, why would I come to such a remote and backward place?"

"Before a new殿master is appointed, everyone's status is the same. If you truly wish to be qualified, don't tell me what positions you hold, but rather... show me your mastery of poison and your understanding of it."

Zhang Xuan flicked his sleeve, his eyes showing authority: "Our Poison殿 needs skilled poison masters, not mediocrities!"

"Mastery of poison?" Liao Xun was taken aback: "Is the special envoy testing us?"

"Correct. I have no time to waste with you, nor do I wish to dawdle. For poison masters, strength should be determined by the potency of their poison. You will prepare poisons while I observe. Whoever can concoct a poison I have never seen or propose a theory I have never heard will be qualified to see my Poison Heart Gold Token and become the next殿master!"

Zhang Xuan looked at them expressionlessly: "Otherwise, it would be better to let the Poison殿 perish than hand it over to a useless figurehead."

"Yes..."

Hearing him speak so bluntly, everyone exchanged glances, their faces full of gravity.

In the past, when special envoys came, they mostly just took bribes and made demands. As long as they were well attended to, their requests could be satisfied.

But now it seems these tactics don't work with this special envoy.

The one before us gave us a warning as soon as he arrived, set the boundaries—if you want to rise, rely on your strength!

If you lack strength, don't bother with useless talk.

…

"As expected of someone who can resolve the Contract Gu—impressive!"

Hearing that "Doctor Bai" had defused the crisis with a single sentence, the Great Medicine King breathed a sigh of relief, filled with admiration.

This Doctor Bai was not only skilled in medicine but also possessed an unexpectedly precise grasp of human hearts.

Knowing that the three hall masters were all coveting the position of hall master, he used it as bait.

They were already locked in a fierce struggle, none willing to yield to the others. Now that a set of rules had been laid out, they naturally complied immediately.

Even if they had doubts about his identity, they couldn't verify it now—unless... you lack the ability to command respect!

With one sentence, he redirected the矛头 aimed at himself onto the three hall masters, making them fight to the death.

Truly impressive!

However...

To assess the three, he himself must understand the use of poison. If you don't even know what a poison master is, how can you evaluate them?

If the three hall masters actually concoct poisons and he can't identify a single one, even without testing the Poison Heart Gold Token, he'll be exposed immediately!

At this thought, the Great Medicine King's face turned into a bitter gourd again.

Others play for the thrill of the heartbeat; he was gambling with his life!

…

Once the rules were set, the crowd no longer lingered outside. Led by several deputy hall masters, they soon arrived at the most imposing hall.

"Special envoy, how shall the assessment be conducted? Please establish the rules," said Deputy Hall Master Liao Xun.

After everyone was seated, Liao Xun spoke.

"Very simple, only two rounds. First, each of you will demonstrate your skills in preparing poison; the one with the higher-grade poison wins. Second, prepare a poison of your own invention; whoever concocts the most toxic one, which even I cannot identify, also wins."

Zhang Xuan said calmly.

Hearing this, the three deputy hall masters nodded simultaneously.

Like alchemists, a poison master's grade is determined by the level of poison they can prepare, and the potency of their self-developed poison indicates how far they can go in the future.

The two assessments—one testing strength, the other testing talent—if one excels in both, there would be no objection to becoming hall master.

"Good, I'll give you two hours to prepare!"

Waving his hand casually, Zhang Xuan stood up: "Where is your library? I also came this time on orders from headquarters to find a book."

"Looking for a book?"

Everyone looked puzzled, but upon hearing it was an order from headquarters, they hesitated but did not ask further.

"Special envoy, the library is over there. I'll send someone to take you there!" Liao Xun said hurriedly.

"No need, I'll go alone. You all prepare for the upcoming assessment. Since it concerns the position of hall master, I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer so I can report back."

Zhang Xuan clasped his hands behind his back.

"Yes!"

Liao Xun and the others nodded.

Ignoring the others, Zhang Xuan strode toward the library.

The Poison Hall of the Red Lotus Mountain Range had stood for thousands of years, and its collection of books was extremely rich. Although not as vast as the Tianxuan Kingdom's library, it was comparable to the previous Beast Hall.

Entering, he immediately saw countless books placed on shelves, stretching beyond sight.

There were bamboo slips, thread-bound books, and even those carved on ceramics and animal bones.

Having never experienced war, these books were also well preserved.

"I didn't expect to get in so easily..."

Seeing no one following, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

His purpose in coming to the Poison Hall was to read these books. He had thought there would be many troubles, but it turned out to be so simple.

In fact, thinking about it, he understood: although the people of the Poison Hall had doubts about his identity as special envoy, they dared not question him too openly.

After all, if he were real, he represented the will of headquarters, and a falling-out could doom the entire branch.

If he were fake, as long as he didn't escape, they would eventually find a way to expose him.

"Forget it for now. I'll read the books and deal with the poison in my body first!"

The poison in his body, though temporarily suppressed by the Heavenly Dao true energy, he knew that once it rebounded, it would cause major problems. If not for the pressure of survival, he would never have taken the risk to come here.

Now that he had smoothly arrived at the Poison Hall and openly entered the library, he had to make good use of the time.

Although the vice hall masters were intimidated by him for the moment, there was no guarantee they wouldn't come to their senses and turn hostile at any moment.

There were many books, but with his new 'running reading method,' he could finish them in about an hour—time was sufficient.

"Let's begin!"

Letting out a breath, Zhang Xuan focused his mind, placed his hand on the first row of bookshelves, and started running again.

…

"Vice Hall Master, do you think this envoy… is genuine?"

Inside the room, Liao Xun sat in his seat, while the Black Pupil Elder across from him couldn't help asking.

Everyone knew the Black Pupil Elder was impartial, but in reality, they didn't know he was actually Vice Hall Master Liao Xun's man.

"Without seeing the Poison Heart Gold Token, I can't be sure either!" Liao Xun hesitated for a moment, then said, "However, although the Poison Hall has been secluded for a long time, its reputation still stands. Surely no one would be bold enough to come here seeking death!"

"That's true…" The Black Pupil Elder nodded.

Though the Poison Hall lived in seclusion, that didn't mean it could be bullied at will. To impersonate an envoy… unless one truly didn't want to live!

"Moreover, every action must have a purpose. If he were a fake, there would have to be a reason worth risking his life…" Liao Xun continued. "Our Poison Hall, aside from poisons, doesn't have many valuable items. I doubt anyone would take such a risk!"

Every action must have a purpose, a reason.

The Poison Hall had only some poisons, and the most valuable were a few medicinal herbs. To impersonate an envoy, once discovered, meant certain death. Taking such a huge risk couldn't be just for these things!

He didn't think these poisons and herbs, which could be bought with money, would drive someone to do this.

Of course, if he knew that the other party wasn't after the poisons at all, but only to read books… he would probably vomit blood and go mad on the spot.

Poisons at least had value… what use was reading?

Most importantly, he was running back and forth…

"Could Vice Hall Master have forgotten… that thing?" The Black Pupil Elder hesitated, then said.

"You mean the one under the volcano?"

Liao Xun's expression turned grave.

"Yes!" The Black Pupil Elder nodded. "Our Red Lotus branch guards this godforsaken place mainly for that thing. Could it be that someone knows it has matured, and that the old hall master died because of it?"

"It's not impossible!"

Hearing this, Liao Xun was no longer as calm as before. "Go bring the Great Medicine King in. I want to question him!"

"Yes!" The Black Pupil Elder withdrew, and after a while, brought the Great Medicine King in.

"Greetings, Vice Hall Master Liao, Black Pupil Elder!" The Great Medicine King clasped his fists.

"Tell me, how did you meet this envoy? Also, if I'm not mistaken, you should be dead by now. How are you still alive?"

Liao Xun narrowed his eyes.

"I was infected with a Contract Gu and was indeed about to die. That envoy helped me resolve it. Then he asked me to bring him to the Poison Hall. As for the rest… I know nothing!"

The Great Medicine King quickly recounted the story they had agreed upon earlier.

"You really don't know?" Liao Xun snorted coldly. "Do you know the consequences of hiding things from me?"

"I know!"

The Great Medicine King knelt down, his face full of fear. "Every word I say is true. Vice Hall Master knows that I am just a puppet, a spokesperson for the Poison Hall. That senior claimed to be an envoy, and I dared not stop him, so I brought him here. As for the rest, I truly don't know!"

"Mm, you may leave!"

After asking a few more questions and getting nothing, Liao Xun waved his hand.

"Yes!"

The Great Medicine King, as if granted amnesty, hurried out.

"The Contract Gu merges with the blood. Even my teacher couldn't resolve it. For this guy to be completely free of it, he must be at least a Four-Star Poison Master!"

After he left, Liao Xun tapped the table with his fingers, analyzing bit by bit. "A Four-Star Poison Master—only the headquarters has them!"

The most powerful poison master in the Red Lotus Poison Hall was only Three-Star.

Four-Star—only the headquarters could dispatch one.

That said, this envoy should be genuine.

"But it's better to be cautious. Black Pupil Elder, please quietly go to the library and see what books this envoy is looking for, and what he intends to do!"

After hesitating, Liao Xun said.

"Alright!"

The Black Pupil Elder acknowledged and withdrew.

About an hour later, he returned, his face full of confusion and oddity.

"What's wrong? Is there something off? Did he have any particular books he wanted to find?"

Seeing his expression, Liao Xun couldn't help asking.

"Nothing wrong… and no particular books he wanted to find!"

Recalling what he had seen earlier, the Black Pupil Elder shook his head vigorously.

The previously cold and ruthless envoy was running around the library like a madman, never stopping, and though he said he was looking for books, he didn't pull out a single one…

Even an experienced elder like him was utterly baffled, not knowing what he was trying to do.

If he weren't sure that this was the same envoy, he would have suspected he was insane.

"That's good then!"

Liao Xun breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems this envoy should be genuine. No need to doubt anymore! Let's focus on figuring out what medicine to concoct that will impress him!"

The Black Pupil Elder nodded and was about to speak when they saw the Poison Master Liu rushing over with a panicked look.

"Vice Hall Master…"

"What's wrong?" Liao Xun frowned.

"Someone has come outside, demanding to see you and the other two vice hall masters… and he claims to be… an envoy!"

Poison Master Liu's voice stammered.

"An envoy?"

Liao Xun and the Black Pupil Elder exchanged glances, their eyes wide with confusion.

Hadn't the envoy already arrived? How…

Another one had appeared?