Lei Tian watched her go.
He followed her.
Mei's residence was a lavish pavilion surrounded by a high stone wall and a beautiful garden. It was a clear demonstration of Elder Lei Shan's wealth and status within the inner forges.
Lei Tian circled the perimeter until he found a section of the wall obscured by a large tree. He channeled his Qi, leaping effortlessly over the stone barrier and landing silently on the soft grass inside.
He extended his Spiritual Sense cautiously.
There were no guards patrolling the inner garden. Mei had likely dismissed the night staff to ensure privacy for her grim task.
The only aura he detected was a powerful presence on the second floor… a Middle Stage Golden Core expert. Elder Lei Shan.
Lei Tian moved from shadow to shadow, positioning himself near a large decorative rockery that offered a clear view through the open paper screens of the pavilion's lower floor.
He watched as Mei entered the kitchen, a separate building attached to the main house.
She moved frantically, dismissing the single cook who was still cleaning up.
Once alone, she took a prepared tray of delicate pastries and a steaming pot of tea.
With trembling hands, she uncorked the glass vial and emptied the clear liquid into the teapot, swirling it gently.
She stood there for a long moment, staring at the pot, before taking a deep breath and lifting the tray.
She carried the tray into the main house and up the stairs.
Lei Tian channeled Qi into his legs and scaled the outside wall of the pavilion like a spider, clinging to the shadows beneath the eaves of the second floor balcony.
He positioned himself just outside the sliding doors of Elder Shan's private study.
He could hear everything perfectly.
Knock.
Knock.
"Husband?" Mei's voice was sweet. "It is late. I brought you some tea and snacks."
"Leave it in the outer room, Mei," a gruff voice replied from within. "I am busy."
The sliding door opened despite the command.
"I know you are busy, Shan," Mei said, stepping into the room.
From his vantage point, Lei Tian could see into the study.
Elder Lei Shan was a broad shouldered man, his hair graying at the temples, poring over a stack of scrolls at a large desk. He looked up, frowning in irritation.
"Mei, I said… "
"I know what is important to the forge," Mei interrupted, her voice taking on a gentle tone.
She walked to the desk, placing the tray down. "But your health is also important. I am your wife, Shan. We are married, yet you spend more time with these scrolls than with me."
She reached out, gently taking the brush from his hand. "Please. Just rest for a moment. Drink some tea."
Elder Shan's frown softened. The irritation in his eyes replaced by affection. He looked at his beautiful wife, taking in her concerned expression.
"You are right, my dear," Shan sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I am sorry. The pressure from the Patriarch to increase production has been... intense."
He smiled. "You are always looking out for me."
"Always," Mei said, returning the smile.
She began to arrange the table, placing a small plate of pastries before him. "Here. The lotus cakes you like."
"Thank you," Shan said, looking pleased.
He reached for a cake.
"Wait," Mei said, picking up the teapot. "Let me pour the tea. It must be drunk hot."
She poured the tea slowly, the poisoned liquid filling a delicate jade cup. She handed it to him.
Shan took the cup, inhaling the aroma. "It smells wonderful."
He took a sip, then another. He took a bite of the pastry, chewing thoughtfully.
"Delicious," he praised. "Truly, Mei, your tea is always the best."
Mei stood beside him, watching him eat and drink.
"If we have more time together," she said, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper, "will you continue to praise my tea? Or is this just because you feel guilty for ignoring me?"
Shan chuckled. "I will praise your tea every day of my life, Mei. I promise you that."
"I hold you to that promise," she said softly.
Shan finished the cup of tea. He reached for another pastry.
Suddenly, his hand stopped in mid air.
A sharp gasp escaped his lips. The pastry dropped from his fingers, rolling across the desk.
"Shan?" Mei asked, taking a step back, her hands flying to her mouth.
Shan clutched his chest, his face contorting in sudden pain. He slumped forward in his chair.
"My... my chest," he wheezed, his eyes wide with panic. "A cramp... no, an attack..."
He struggled to sit up, his face turning a sickly shade of gray. "The... the inner demon... I must have pushed my cultivation too hard..."
"Oh, heavens!" Mei cried, putting on a flawless display of panicked concern. "Shan! Are you alright? Should I call the healers?!"
"No," Shan gasped, closing his eyes in concentration. "No healers. I need... I need to circulate my Qi. I must suppress the deviation."
He forced himself into a cross legged position on his chair, his hands forming a meditation mudra.
He began to forcefully circulate his powerful Golden Core Qi, desperately trying to combat what he thought was an internal spiritual rebellion.
It was the worst thing he could possibly do.
The Violet Vein Poison was designed to attack the cardiovascular system.
By forcefully circulating his Qi, Shan was pumping the poison through his bloodstream at ten times the normal speed, driving it directly into his heart valves.
His condition deteriorated catastrophically.
He let out a strangled cry, his body arching violently. Blood began to leak from the corners of his mouth.
His powerful Golden Core aura flickered and sputtered chaotically, thrashing against the confines of the room.
"Shan! Shan!" Mei wailed, hovering near him, playing the role of the terrified wife perfectly.
Outside on the balcony, Lei Tian watched the scene unfold.
"System," he whispered in his mind. "If he dies from the poison, can I plunder his cultivation?"
[Negative. The Plundering System requires the Host to directly strike the fatal blow or be the primary cause of death to initiate the extraction protocol. Death by a secondary agent administered by a third party will void the harvest.]
Lei Tian's eyes narrowed.
"Understood."
He watched as Elder Shan's aura weakened dramatically, the man's eyes rolling back in his head, his body convulsing in the final throes of heart failure. He was moments away from death.
Lei Tian channeled every drop of his Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Qi into his legs and lunged through the open paper screens.
The sliding doors shattered inward with a loud crash.
Mei screamed, spinning around.
Lei Tian crossed the room in a fraction of a second, drawing his iron dagger.
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