Chapter Eight: The Arrival of the Disgusting Ones

The middle-aged man was none other than Zhou Shuo, the Peak Master of Dan Peak and Zhou Tong’s own father. Standing behind him was Bai Qitai, the senior elder of Dan Peak.

Seeing his beloved daughter’s face restored to its former beauty, Zhou Shuo could hardly contain his emotions. For years, the scar on Zhou Tong’s face had been a constant source of anguish for him as a father.

Zhou Tong’s mother had passed away early, and Zhou Shuo had cherished his daughter like a precious gem since she was a child—so delicately that he feared she might shatter if handled roughly. Yet fate was cruel. When Zhou Tong was just eight years old, Sect Leader Lin Qiaosheng of their sect received an invitation to attend a longevity banquet.

The guest of honor was the Supreme Elder of the Xian Yi Sect, and the congratulatory gift was a seventh-grade pill personally crafted by Zhou Shuo. Therefore, Lin Qiaosheng asked Zhou Shuo to accompany him. The young Zhou Tong, reluctant to see her father leave the sect, wept like a little tear doll.

Seeing this, Zhou Shuo’s heart nearly broke, so he took her along.

They had thought it would be a simple banquet with no danger, but on their return, they were ambushed by a group of man-eating monks from the Mo Luo Sect seeking revenge against Lin Qiaosheng.

Zhou Shuo fought with all his might to protect the sect leader. In the end, the two managed to fend off the attackers despite being outnumbered.

But when they regained their senses, they found eight-year-old Zhou Tong lying in a pool of blood.

Back at the sect, Zhou Shuo applied every ounce of his knowledge to save her life. Though he succeeded, the scar on her face could not be healed.

The man-eating monks’ methods were sinister—their inner energy tainted with a potent corpse poison. This toxin clung to Zhou Tong’s face like a bone-deep parasite, impossible to eradicate without a unique antidote. But the vast sect was already at odds with the Mo Luo Sect, so there was no way they would ever hand over the cure.

For all these years, the scar on Zhou Tong’s face was not only a torment to Zhou Shuo but also a burden on Lin Qiaosheng. Whenever he saw her, waves of guilt washed over him.

Now, looking at his daughter’s radiant smile from afar, Zhou Shuo’s voice trembled as he spoke to the elder behind him, “Old Bai, is Tong truly healed?”

Bai Qitai shook his head with a sigh. “Peak Master, hasn’t that youth just said it was only a temporary cover-up?”

Zhou Shuo nodded, then forced a bitter smile. “Yes, I suppose I was hoping for too much.”

Seeing this, Bai Qitai hurried to console him. “Sect Leader, no matter what, this is still good news.”

He didn’t want to add salt to the wound and quickly changed the subject. “I didn’t expect that young man to have such skill. A simple ointment has eased the young lady’s burden. Though it’s not a cure, it gives us hope. I believe it won’t be long before we find a way to heal her completely.”

By then, Zhou Shuo had composed himself, regaining the commanding presence of the peak master.

He nodded toward Bai Qitai. “Indeed, such a simple method never crossed my mind before, and because of my ignorance, Tong has suffered scorn and ridicule for more than a decade. It’s my failure as a father.

But that little scamp’s action has inspired me. Maybe we can try other methods to remove the corpse poison from Tong’s face.”

He then shifted the conversation. “How is the investigation I asked you to carry out?”

Bai Qitai stepped forward and handed Zhou Shuo a jade slip. “Peak Master, I have completed the inquiry.

This young man’s name is Wan Yi. His background is clean. He entered the sect at ten years old but, due to mediocre talent, has been assigned menial tasks outside the inner sect.

All the details are recorded here.”

Zhou Shuo did not take the jade slip but instead turned his gaze back to the two figures laughing and chatting in the distance. He murmured, “I once thought he approached Tong with ulterior motives, but it seems I overthought it.

He does not know Tong’s true identity and yet treats her sincerely, without prejudice. This shows he has a noble character.

In the past six months he has been around, Tong has become much more cheerful and less self-conscious.

Now with this concealing ointment, I believe it won’t be long before Tong can fully come out of her shell.”

At this, Zhou Shuo paused, then smiled as he turned. “Old Bai, what do you think about bringing him here?”

Bai Qitai shook his head gently. “I don’t think that’s wise.”

Zhou Shuo frowned, his tone sharp. “Why? I am the proud Dan Peak Master. If I ask the Inner Affairs Hall for a lowly servant disciple, would they dare refuse?”

Bai Qitai smiled wryly. “Peak Master, the issue isn’t with the Inner Affairs Hall but with the young lady.

Since she has hidden her identity to associate with Wan Yi, she must have her reasons. If you intervene rashly, it might upset her.

I think it’s best to let things take their natural course. When the time is right, she will make her own arrangements.”

Zhou Shuo nodded. “You’re right.”

Meanwhile, the two in the distance had reached a critical point in their conversation.

After Wan Yi explained the nature of glycerin, Zhou Tong seemed to have discovered a new world.

She chattered excitedly to Wan Yi, suggesting ideas like adding glycerin to the Hundred Herb Pill to stabilize its potency or soaking the Purple Dragon Grass in glycerin to remove its inherent toxicity.

Wan Yi nodded continuously in agreement while thinking, “Little girl, you only know how to use glycerin in pill-making, but you don’t realize it can also make explosives!”

In his previous life as a special forces demolition expert, Wan Yi was thoroughly familiar with glycerin’s properties.

With his skills and current resources, he could easily handcraft powerful explosives—making nitroglycerin or dynamite would be a breeze for him.

As the two enjoyed their lively discussion, suddenly a streak of light shot across the sky.

Zhou Tong, having a higher cultivation level than Wan Yi—already at the Foundation Establishment stage—felt the surge of magical fluctuations first and quickly turned her gaze skyward.

Wan Yi raised a brow in confusion. “What is it?”

Zhou Tong’s expression darkened with disdain. “Some disgusting pests are coming.”

No sooner had she spoken than three figures descended from the clouds.

The moment the trio appeared, Wan Yi’s expression changed drastically.

His inner skill, the “Slaying Emperor Technique,” spontaneously activated, accelerating rapidly.

As the technique operated, an imperceptible heavenly force instantly enveloped and protected him.

Wan Yi was startled. “Among these three, one is an Emperor-level powerhouse!”

At that moment, one of the three—an arrogant young man—spoke, “Where’s the steward elder of your Dan Peak Pharmacy Garden? Hurry him over to pay respects to my master!”

To be continued...