Chapter Thirteen: Where Is the Truth?

As Huang Yisheng recounted the events in detail, Chao Jin’er realized that everything had been much simpler than she had imagined.

After Withered Leaf stole the Golden Arhat Statue, he learned that Dantai Mingjing was searching everywhere for him. Not only that, but the Thousand-Ox Guards and the Tea Bureau were also on his trail.

So he sought out Huang Sanshi, because he knew the one secret that Huang Sanshi found most shameful in his life.

For a man, there is nothing more important than this.

When Huang Sanshi heard that Withered Leaf claimed to have a cure for his ailment, and further promised him great rewards, he finally accepted the task.

Yet, knowing his own limitations, Huang Sanshi brought in his clansman, the tenth-ranked Evil Swordsman, Huang Yisheng.

For tasks such as these, Huang Yisheng was well-versed. He first killed Liao Buping of the Golden Lion Escort Agency, then infiltrated the agency himself. With Huang Sanshi as an insider, Huang Yisheng could imitate Liao Buping’s mannerisms almost perfectly.

Together, they set a trap at an inn to hunt down Dantai Mingjing.

Withered Leaf’s instructions were clear: protect the Golden Arhat Statue and eliminate those pursuing him.

At the forefront of these was Dantai Mingjing.

At this point in the story, Huang Yisheng looked up at Lu Zhou. “Never thought we’d run into the Poison Lord…”

By now, all the earlier confusion was resolved.

Chao Jin’er blushed; she had previously mistaken “Liao Buping”—actually Huang Yisheng—for Withered Leaf. Fortunately, Lu Zhou had remained calm.

But who could have foreseen such twists and turns?

Even Lu Zhou had initially thought Withered Leaf would hide the Golden Arhat Statue within the escort agency.

Dantai Mingjing, too, had been pursuing the wrong lead all along.

It seemed it wasn’t a matter of being foolish, but rather that Withered Leaf, this monk, was as cunning as a fox, always with a trick up his sleeve.

After Lu Zhou finished listening, he drummed his fingers lightly on the table. “Then why did you kill Huang Sanshi?”

Huang Yisheng replied, “Do you really think Withered Leaf sought him out just for help? In truth, Withered Leaf was after me all along.”

Lu Zhou glanced at Withered Leaf, who sat with eyes closed, reciting sutras. Withered Leaf did not deny it; he even nodded slightly.

Clearly, Withered Leaf had investigated Huang Sanshi thoroughly.

Huang Yisheng lowered his head and sighed, “Huang Sanshi was just an ordinary escort. The moment he agreed to Withered Leaf’s demand, his fate was sealed. Neither Withered Leaf nor I would ever allow him to live. He was simply too greedy.”

Lu Zhou chuckled. “His mistake wasn’t greed, but in trusting his own kinsman.”

Huang Yisheng’s ashen face flushed with a trace of red at these words.

Lu Zhou continued, “When you saw the task could not be completed, you simply decided to go all the way. Seizing the chaos when Withered Leaf and Dantai Mingjing fought, you repeated your tricks. With the two of them out of the way, you could eliminate Huang Sanshi—who had already taken the antidote. If all went well, you’d kill everyone and take the fortune for yourself; if not, you could flee far away, as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately…”

“Unfortunately, I ran into you.” Huang Yisheng said helplessly.

“You should have expected I would come,” Lu Zhou replied.

Huang Yisheng nodded. “People always harbor hopes—perhaps you wouldn’t come, or perhaps you wouldn’t arrive so quickly. There’s always risk in this kind of work.”

Lu Zhou laughed softly. “Indeed—fortune favors the bold.”

“But did you ever consider that the wily Monk Withered Leaf might have left himself a way out?”

Huang Yisheng’s expression changed instantly.

He looked toward Withered Leaf, who sat silently. Withered Leaf merely furrowed his brows, pressed his palms together, and intoned, “Amitabha. I had not expected that a single Golden Arhat Statue would draw not only Dantai Mingjing, third on the Azure Cloud List, but also the top-ranked Poison Lord of a Hundred Faces. Alas, my little tricks perhaps amount to nothing before the Poison Lord.”

The Poison Lord of a Hundred Faces had appeared on the Azure Cloud List thirty years ago, ranked first. In his very first battle, he slaughtered the entire family—over thirty people—of Gu Changfeng, son of the Grand Preceptor of Southern Zhou, who had previously held the top spot.

Southern Zhou lost a peerless genius, while the Poison Lord ascended to the top of both the Azure Cloud and Evil Rankings in one stroke.

After all, only the Poison Lord could enrage the Grand Preceptor Gu Wujie of Southern Zhou enough to issue a bounty for his life throughout the land.

Chao Jin’er pressed her lips together, nearly laughing aloud. She knew well that Lu Zhou, after so many years in the Lingyun Pavilion, spent most of his days refining poisons. In his own words, cultivation was what everyone saw, but poison was what truly killed.

Lu Zhou was simply more versed in poison, yet these men had mistaken him for the Poison Lord of a Hundred Faces.

Chao Jin’er thought their intelligence ought to be taxed.

Still, Lu Zhou had always left Huang Yisheng in awe, and with a little guidance, it was natural for him to suspect the Poison Lord.

Lu Zhou did not refute Withered Leaf’s comment, only smiled faintly.

“Poisoning the oil lamp—such a method truly is not worth showing off.”

Only now did Dantai Mingjing and Huang Yisheng look toward the room’s only lamp. Its flame flickered, sending out wisps of blue smoke.

Dantai Mingjing forced a bitter smile. “Never in my life have I suffered such a crushing defeat.”

Lu Zhou glanced at him. “That’s because you’ve always believed your strength could solve any problem.”

Dantai Mingjing nodded, “Lesson learned.”

He had long known the darkness of men’s hearts, but never before had he encountered someone as ruthless as Withered Leaf. Of course, such people were rare.

Suddenly, he thought of the man before him. Today, it seemed he’d met a second one.

But perhaps “ruthless” wasn’t quite right for this man—“cautious” was more apt.

Lu Zhou suddenly smiled. “Brother Dantai, you’ve been searching for the Golden Arhat Statue. Look behind Huang Sanshi—is that what you seek?”

Dantai Mingjing walked over to the object wrapped in black cloth, lifted a corner for a peek, and quickly covered it again, pressing his palms together. “Amitabha, it is indeed the Golden Arhat Statue.”

Lu Zhou nodded, “Then take it and go. Withered Leaf’s poison is not fatal; with your cultivation, you’ll be fine in a day.”

Dantai Mingjing paused in disbelief. “You’re…letting me take it?”

He could hardly believe it. At this moment, all of them—himself, Withered Leaf, Huang Yisheng—had been poisoned. By all rights, he was the last person who should be able to take the statue.

Lu Zhou sighed. “Do you think I want the Golden Arhat Statue? Look at Withered Leaf—he had it, and you chased him halfway across the world. Huang Sanshi thought he had it, and was cut down by Huang Yisheng. Huang Yisheng thought he would be the fisherman profiting from the fight, and still fell into Withered Leaf’s trap. This thing brings nothing but disaster—what good is it?”

Dantai Mingjing lowered his head, thoughtful. After a long silence, he said, “I am not as open-minded as the Poison Lord. The Golden Arhat is a great Buddhist treasure—if I take it, I will not keep it for myself. I will return it to the Vajra Monastery. I have no fear.”

With that, he hoisted the statue onto his shoulder.

Holding his monk’s staff in one hand and the statue in the other, he looked rather comical. He could not press his palms together, so he offered Lu Zhou his thanks aloud.

“Dantai Mingjing is grateful for the Poison Lord’s help today. Should you ever need it, my life is yours.”

He did not linger, but turned and walked straight out of the tavern.

What if this man changed his mind?

Chao Jin’er did not try to stop him. Though she often teased Lu Zhou, she always supported his decisions. She cared little for treasures like the Golden Arhat Statue.

To her, no treasure could compare to Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou’s fingers continued tapping the table. The room fell into a tranquil silence, so quiet that Huang Yisheng’s pounding heartbeat could be heard.

After a long time, Lu Zhou rose to his feet.

“Master Withered Leaf, the fake has been taken. Where is the real one?”

Withered Leaf’s eyes, which had been closed in meditation, snapped open.