Chapter 72, The Mucus’ Effect and Silencing

Translator: Raznick

 

After Zhou Chun and his two companions returned to the clan and reported the results of their underground river investigation to Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi, the latter expressed great interest in the situation. He proceeded to inquire in detail about their journey and even examined the bizarre fish demon corpse they had brought back.

 

As anticipated by Zhou Chun, Zhou Daoyi was also unable to identify the origin of the strange fish demon. This was not unusual because demon beasts that dwelled in underground rivers were rarely encountered by cultivators. Even if some cultivators happened upon such creatures by chance, they might not bother to document them specifically.

 

After questioning them about the circumstances and inspecting the bizarre fish demon corpse brought back by Zhou Chun, Zhou Daoyi nodded slightly and said, “I understand the situation now. As for the matter of the underground river, we’ll hold off on it for the time being. Once our Foundation Establishment cultivators have some free time, they can explore it in detail.”

 

Shifting his gaze toward Zhou Chun, he added, “By the way, Zhengchun, I want you to take all the remaining fish demon in your possession and bring them to Medicine Peak. Hand them over to Jiawei; from what I hear, he has managed to achieve some results by studying the mucus on the fish.”

 

Zhou Chun felt delighted. He quickly responded, “Yes, I will deliver it to Fourteenth Uncle right away!” and rushed outside.

 

Zhou Jiawei, ranked fourteenth among his peers, was already over seventy years old. He was one of the earliest to learn alchemy under the late High Elder Zhou Mingshan at Medicine Peak, having studied under him for over forty years. Unfortunately, his talent in alchemy wasn’t particularly exceptional. Despite having studied for the longest time, he was not among the most skilled. However, when it came to poison, Zhou Jiawei showed a remarkable aptitude.

 

Earlier, Zhou Chun had brought some strange fish, which Zhou Daoyi had entrusted him to study. Although it had only been less than a month since he began his research, he already had some findings. When Zhou Chun arrived with more strange fish, and inquired about his research findings, Zhou Jiawei willingly shared the details he had discovered.

 

“Mixing the mucus from this strange fish with a powder poison I’ve formulated can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the poison. Even a superior first-grade demon beast touched by this poison would suffer unimaginable pain!”

 

Zhou Chun was slightly startled. He hesitated for a moment before looking at Zhou Clan Wei and asked, “Could Fourteenth Uncle give me a little of that powder to test?”

 

Zhou Jiawei immediately refused, saying, “No. I haven’t formulated an antidote for this poison yet. If you dare to come into contact with it yourself, you might be in agony for the next half month!”

 

[The effectiveness of the drug is that powerful?] Zhou Chun was intimidated.

 

He looked at Zhou Jiawei, who had a serious expression, and then thought for a moment before asking again, “Then in your opinion, Fourteenth Uncle, can this powder be mass-produced? Can it be sold at Spirit Beast Pavilion?”

 

Zhou Jiawei answered, “While obtaining the powder’s raw materials is no easy task, with clan support, small-scale production shouldn’t be an issue.

 

“However, the problem lies in securing a stable supply of the mucus and preserving it over time,” he continued.

 

“The powder only remains effective for half an hour once mixed with the mucus. After that, as it dries, its potency diminishes significantly when diluted with water!”

 

“And if we plan to sell this on the market, we must develop an antidote first. Otherwise, if someone were to use it to ambush Zhou Clan cultivators, it would be like shooting oneself in the foot!”

 

Zhou Chun’s face lit up with excitement.

 

Zhou Chun then spoke earnestly, “Securing the mucus supply isn’t a concern—I’ll handle that personally. As for preserving it, Fourteenth Uncle, why not try using vials with double-layered linings? By adding water to the outer layer, we can protect the contents effectively.

 

“Regarding the antidote, I’m not well-versed in its creation, but since the strange fish is unaffected by the mucus’ poison, perhaps we can derive something from its skin?”

 

Zhou Jiawei looked at Zhou Chun with surprise and blurted out, “Zhengchun, you know poisons? Why haven’t I heard about this?”

 

Zhou Chun shook his head and quickly waved his hands, deflecting the praise to a book. “Fourteenth Uncle, you misunderstand. I don’t know much about making poisons, but I happened to read some theories in a records once.”

 

Zhou Jiawei nodded, satisfied with this explanation. He said, “I see. Well that’s why I asked you to gather more materials for me—I wanted to do some experiments.”

 

Zhou Chun smiled and bowed, then left Medicine Peak.

 

Although the exploration of the underground river wasn’t as successful as hoped, Zhou Jiawei’s research was an unexpected surprise.

 

If Zhou Jiawei hadn’t exaggerated the effects, once he developed the antidote and released the mixed poison at Spirit Beast Pavilion, it would definitely sell like candy!

 

Demon beasts were different from cultivators. Many demon beasts had tough skin, scales, or armor that made them resistant. They didn’t know defensive mystical arts, or even if they did know, they wouldn’t use them immediately.

 

If Zhou Jiawei’s poison was as potent as he claimed—capable of taking effect just upon skin contact—then many cultivators would be willing to purchase it.

 

Following his departure from Medicine Peak, Zhou Chun returned to Pagoda Peak and spoke with Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi about this matter. He mainly requested that Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi classify the information as clan confidential and prohibit Zhou Jiahe and Zhou Jiahui—who already knew the source of the mucus—from spreading it outside.

 

As for the other cultivator who was aware of the mucus’s origin, Zhou Chun had already decided how to handle him.

 

After spending two days at the clan, Zhou Chun returned to Red Cliff Market with the good news.

 

“Great! This is fantastic!

 

“Should the poison mentioned by Fourteenth Brother indeed be sold at our Spirit Beast Pavilion, we might not only regain lost popularity but even surpass them!”

 

Zhou Jiasheng, upon hearing the good news from Zhou Chun, became so excited that he jumped with joy, his face glowing with delight. No one understood better than him how the store’s poor business was a heavy burden. Now, knowing there was a way to turn things around, it was no wonder he was overjoyed.

 

When Zhou Chun mentioned needing to leave again to address the leak, Zhou Jiasheng readily agreed without hesitation.

 

Meanwhile, upon Zhou Chun’s second departure from the market, he quickly made his way to Luo Guangshun’s home. At that time, Luo Guangshun had just taken three new concubines and was indulging in nightly revelries, busy with fathering children. He could never have imagined the misfortune that would soon befall him!

 

When Zhou Chun appeared in his house, he was initially furious at being disturbed from whatever private matters he had been attending to. But the moment he saw Zhou Chun, his legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.

 

“F-Fellow Daoist Zhou!” Luo Guangshun stammered.

 

“What brings you here at such a late hour?”

 

With great effort, Luo Guangshun managed to keep himself from fainting right there. His face was tense as he anxiously gazed at Zhou Chun, his tone and demeanor betraying obvious humility. He didn’t even bother to inquire how Zhou Chun had found out where he lived.

 

At that moment, his mind was in complete disarray.

 

For a rogue cultivator, what was the greatest fear?

 

Having one’s residence discovered by other cultivators.

 

It was known that the residences of rogue cultivators lacked arrays. Especially for a rogue cultivator like Luo Guangshun, who indulged in worldly pleasures, if his whereabouts were discovered by other cultivators, it became easy for them to eliminate him. Now, Zhou Chun had suddenly arrived at Luo Guangshun’s residence late at night, and the words silencing could not be shaken from Luo Guangshun’s mind.

 

In response to Luo Guangshun’s inquiries, Zhou Chun merely maintained a calm expression as he said, “I apologize for the intrusion. I came here late at night and disturbed your affairs.”

 

Without waiting for Luo Guangshun to reply, Zhou Chun continued, “It is said that an honest man speaks openly. If I had traveled all this way in the middle of the night solely to chat with you, you would not believe me anyway.

 

“So I will speak plainly,” Zhou Chun declared.

 

At this point, Zhou Chun raised his hand and extended two fingers, stating, “I now offer you two choices: either come with me to live at the Zhou Clan for several years, where you will be provided with an excellent cultivating environment, or fight me here and now, and die.”

 

“The first!”

 

Luo Guangshun almost immediately made his decision as soon as Zhou Chun’s words fell, releasing a sigh of relief. He had been afraid that Zhou Chun wouldn’t even give him a choice! As for attacking Zhou Chun, that was no joke at all. He had heard from Liu Qingshan about Zhou Chun’s record, and even if he were tied up with two or three of himself, Zhou Chun would likely still be able to dispatch him without much trouble.

 

“Wise decision,” Zhou Chun said with a slight nod. “I will give Fellow Daoist Luo the night. Tomorrow morning, please join me at Nine Peaks.”

 

“Yes, I understand,” Luo Guangshun replied respectfully.

 

He called his concubines and children together and made arrangements for his affairs.

 

He was unwilling to part with these people, but he knew he had no choice. Grateful to Zhou Chun for his kindness, he reflected on the cultivation world’s brutality. Assassinations to keep secrets were common; he had even participated in a few.

 

The night passed quickly, and the next morning, Zhou Chun and Luo Guangshun, who had settled his affairs, rode to Nine Peaks.

 

Author: Originally, I didn’t want to comment, but I felt compelled to address something that bothered me. It seems recent developments have led some readers to criticize my portrayal of the protagonist as overly saintly. However, let’s clarify this: While others may disagree, my protagonist is someone who adheres to his own moral code. Whether you choose to label him as such is entirely up to you.