Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan,
Ning Rongrong, who was about to turn twelve, had already grown into a graceful young girl.
That day, she skipped the Spirit Master lessons arranged by the clan and sat on a stone at the back mountain, gazing into the distance.
"Who exactly was that little boy?"
The boy Ning Rongrong referred to was Wu Qi from years ago.
Because of Azure Luan Douluo's arrival, Wu Qi had been taken away before he could even say his name.
Over the years, Ning Rongrong had remained curious about the matter, though it was only simple curiosity.
Back then, he had clearly been handsome. She wondered what he looked like now.
Her thoughts began to wander.
Gifted with extraordinary talent and as Ning Fengzhi's daughter, she had long been designated as the clan's successor.
From childhood to now, the only men she regularly interacted with were Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. Whenever boys from the clan or outsiders tried to speak with her, the guards would drive them away without mercy.
It was no wonder she was curious about Wu Qi's identity and background.
Gathering her thoughts, Ning Rongrong suddenly came up with an idea.
Within the clan, her actions were always supervised. But if she left the clan, would anyone still be able to control her?
On the official road, the sun was setting in the west.
Wu Qi and Chang Kong leaned against the carriage, physically and mentally exhausted, their expressions dazed.
Noticing a roadside inn sign, they urged the carriage forward and arrived at the inn about half an incense stick later.
The map in their possession did not mark this inn.
The building was constructed of wood, and its exterior looked brand new. It was clearly recently built.
Several carriages were parked outside, and traveling merchants had unanimously chosen this place to rest.
After securing their carriage, Chang Kong urged, "Brother Wu, let's go. I'll treat you to a big meal."
They were only a few days' travel from Heaven Dou City. Sitting in the carriage and enduring constant jolting had left their bones feeling as if they were about to fall apart. They truly needed proper rest.
Before departure, their elders had given them ample spending money.
Upon entering the inn, Wu Qi requested a private room to avoid the noise of the main hall.
Inside the room, a waiter enthusiastically served them food and tea.
Wu Qi released the small deer from his soul tool and fed it fine fodder.
"Finally, some hot food," Chang Kong said, picking up his chopsticks eagerly.
Wu Qi replied helplessly, "If you hadn't been so eager to reach Heaven Dou City, we wouldn't have been jolting along the road for so long."
Along the way, they had passed through many small and mid-sized cities.
Chang Kong seemed unimpressed by the backwardness and slow pace of smaller cities, focusing solely on witnessing the prosperity of Heaven Dou City.
As a result, they had barely stopped, traveling day and night without pause.
If there had not been an inn here, they would likely have had to grit their teeth and press on.
Just as the food was about to reach his mouth, the short antler atop the Poison Flash Antler Deer's head emitted a flickering multicolored glow.
Chang Kong jolted in fright, and the food he was about to eat fell to the floor.
Seeing him about to react angrily, Wu Qi pressed down on his arm and subtly shook his head.
Night was falling. A newly built inn. Poison in the food.
The situation was suspicious from every angle.
Wu Qi furrowed his brows. In his previous life, he had seen similar scenarios. This inn was likely run by bandits, specifically targeting passing merchants.
Chang Kong steadied himself and leaned close to Wu Qi, whispering, "This place isn't safe. Should we slip away quickly?"
They probably would not be able to leave.
Wu Qi shook his head slightly.
The bandits had already set their eyes on them. How could they let such easy prey slip away?
And they were not the only targets. Once things began, the scene would certainly descend into chaos. Escaping amid that chaos would be the correct choice.
They did not know the strength of this bandit group. If they tried to flee alone, it would surely provoke a full pursuit.
Since the bandits had opened an inn here, it was clearly for profit. Once they chose to act, they would eliminate all risks.
Wu Qi gently stroked the small deer and let it pass over each dish on the table.
With such a large spread, it was impossible for every dish to be poisoned.
After the deer's inspection, they confirmed that three of the meat dishes contained poison.
Wu Qi stored the poisoned meat into his soul tool, then lightly patted Chang Kong's shoulder and whispered, "The rest isn't poisoned. Eat without worry."
A quarter of an hour later, the waiter entered the private room again under the pretense of refilling tea.
Seeing that the poisoned dishes had been completely eaten, his breathing noticeably changed.
As night fell, all the guests in the inn gradually sank into a deep sleep.
Those who had not completely collapsed behaved like drunkards, disoriented and unable to stand steadily.
The innkeeper clapped her hands, and a group of fierce-looking men stormed into the tavern. At their head was a woman.
Through a crack in the door, Chang Kong watched and said in a low voice, "Brother Wu, what do we do?"
Without knowing the enemy's strength, fighting head-on was the worst option.
Wu Qi took out a packet of medicinal powder from his soul tool.
Back in Spirit City, whether Chrysanthemum Douluo truly believed he could produce the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum seeds or not, he had given Wu Qi many materials, including knowledge beyond immortal herbs.
Among them was a formula for antidote powder.
Before setting out on a long journey, Wu Qi had prepared some antidote powder in case of trouble.
"Pretend to be unconscious. Find a way to sprinkle this powder on a few of them."
When they entered earlier, he had noticed several powerful individuals in the main hall. Once awakened, they would become the main force against the bandits.
As several burly men approached the private room, Chang Kong casually lay flat on the floor. Wu Qi rested his head against his hand, feigning that he had succumbed to the poison.
Before long, the men gathered all the guests into the main hall.
The leading woman's gaze was cold and venomous, like a serpent flicking its tongue.
"Take all the valuables from them. Don't spare the carriages outside either."
Then her tone shifted. "Those without value, send them on their way. Give them a quick death. Consider it mercy."
The men cracked their knuckles, greed undisguised on their faces.
"After this job, I can finally redeem Xiaoyu," one man muttered to himself as he bent down, reaching to search Wu Qi for valuables.
Suddenly, Wu Qi's eyes snapped open. The short blade hidden in his sleeve flashed out.
The edge sliced across the man's throat, blood pouring out instantly.
Clutching his neck, unable to utter a sound, the man collapsed in terror as Wu Qi rose calmly to his feet.
"Oh? So someone saw through it."
The leading woman noticed the scene and let out a soft laugh, making no move to save him.
The other men turned at the commotion but merely watched coldly.
One less person meant a larger share of the loot. They were bandits. Brotherhood meant nothing compared to gold spirit coins.
The leading woman examined Wu Qi carefully, her tone softening slightly. "What a handsome young man."
"Good-looking and clever. That's rare. Big sister almost doesn't have the heart to kill you."
Wu Qi smiled inwardly.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Chang Kong still lay "unconscious," but subtly and slowly, he began to inch his body into position.
-----
If you like story please donate some power stones and leave a review
For additional chapters
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu