Chapter Thirty-Two: Another Wave Arises

Within the trial world of the Toad Dragon Mountain and River Pearl, Chu Youcai did not pause for even a moment, cultivating tirelessly until the very last day of the allotted year.

Then, on this final night, he entered the desolate city for the third time.

This time, he no longer confronted his adversary’s scaled-blade head-on. When the blade lashed out again, he weaved left and right, darting through the tangled streets and alleys, advancing step by step.

When only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea remained, he hesitated no longer. His body soared, leaping towards the city’s depths.

For he sensed that Lei Yinyang, who wielded the scaled-blade, was hiding within the inner city.

At that very moment, the scaled-blade materialized in an instant, stabbing at him from the sky.

Chu Youcai could not even react before his body was pierced through.

Yet, in that final instant, he glimpsed a lofty tower deep within the inner city, atop which Lei Yinyang sat cross-legged.

At the brink of death, just as his life was about to end, Chu Youcai’s trial time expired, and he was transported out of that world. But in that same moment, he saw clearly where Lei Yinyang was—and on Lei Yinyang’s fingertip, there was unmistakably a blood fox hair!

How could Lei Yinyang within this trial realm possess a blood fox hair? Where did it come from?

…

Chu Youcai’s consciousness slowly returned. He found himself still lying beside Yun Cuixian. The sky was already bright, but his body was utterly exhausted, his spirit drained near to collapse.

His lifespan, too, had diminished from six years to five.

Yet the scaled-blade in his arms remained, neither vanishing nor shattering.

Recalling the final scene, Chu Youcai’s eyes gleamed with resolve—he did not know why Lei Yinyang had the blood fox hair, but no matter what, he must complete this trial and seize that blood fox hair for himself!

His current strength was still woefully inadequate, but at least he now saw hope.

Then sleep swept over him in waves, and he fell into a deep slumber.

He slept until dusk before finally awakening.

When he opened his eyes, Yun Cuixian and the others were at his side, watching him anxiously. Chu Youcai’s heart warmed, and he sat up.

“My lord, you still don’t look fully recovered. You should rest a while longer,” Yun Cuixian said earnestly.

“I’m all right,” Chu Youcai replied softly.

Though he spoke thus, his heart clenched with unease.

This trial had shown him just how weak he truly was. In a month, his father would return and convene the clan assembly to select candidates for the civil and martial examinations. The principal wife, wishing to strip him of his eligibility, would doubtless employ other means.

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Though he had eliminated Lei Yinyang and foiled the scheme to disgrace him with the storyteller’s slander, the principal wife would not easily let matters rest. The Lei family was also closely allied with her, and it was not impossible they would investigate and trace things back to him.

The previous victory was sheer luck, but what if she sent someone even stronger than Lei Yinyang? He could not depend on fortune alone!

He had to pass the trial as soon as possible and discover the origin of the blood fox hair in Lei Yinyang’s possession.

A sense of urgency burned within Chu Youcai.

But not wishing to worry Yun Cuixian and the others, he instead asked, “By the way, how is the old madam recovering?”

“Your medicine is truly miraculous. The old madam was able to get up and walk today. She originally wanted to come thank you at noon, but when she heard you were still resting, she decided not to disturb you,” Yun Cuixian said gently.

“That’s good. Ju Xue, please fetch more herbs to prepare. We should always keep some on hand, but be sure not to let anyone see through the prescription,” Chu Youcai instructed.

Ju Xue’s gaze was filled with both curiosity and reverence—she had never imagined his medicine would be so effective. If it were auctioned, it would surely fetch a sky-high price. She replied, “Don’t worry, young master. Whenever I buy herbs, I always add several with similar properties.”

Yun Cuixian then took out a gold bracelet for Ju Xue to buy more medicine.

Chu Youcai could not help but ask, “Cuixian, is there enough money at home? Should I auction some of the medicine?”

“No!” Yun Cuixian immediately refused. “I still have some jewelry left; we can make do for now. This medicine is so precious—if anyone discovers we have the prescription, disaster will soon follow.”

Chu Youcai nodded. Without absolute strength, possessing treasures only courts disaster.

After dinner, he chatted with Hongyu and Yun Cuixian. The setting sun cast its warm rays, and a gentle tranquility settled in, a rare and precious warmth.

Occasional moments like these brought true joy—this was what life should be.

But before long, Ju Xue returned with the medicine, her face stricken with panic as if pursued by some invisible menace.

Upon seeing Chu Youcai, she seemed to find her anchor, hastening to him and speaking in a trembling voice, “Something’s happened!”

Chu Youcai started, asking, “What is it?” A vague sense of foreboding crept over him.

Yun Cuixian quickly stepped forward to steady Ju Xue. “Let’s talk inside.” She checked the doorway to ensure no one was around, closed the door, and returned before asking, “What happened?”

Hongyu poured a cup of tea and handed it to Ju Xue.

After taking a sip and gathering herself, Ju Xue said, “When I went out to buy herbs, I noticed that the neighbors all looked at me strangely, whispering with faces full of disdain. When I approached, they avoided me…”

Yun Cuixian was taken aback. People had always treated her and Ju Xue kindly and with respect. Why this sudden change?

Ju Xue continued, “Later, I overheard someone at a teahouse mention both the young master and miss’s names, so I hid nearby to listen. I heard that today, storytellers sprang up all over the city’s taverns, telling tales about the young master and miss. They say the young master sold the miss to a brothel, only for the miss to bring him home, where he discovered her family was fabulously wealthy. Then the miss berated the young master so harshly that his very liver and gall were shattered…”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai’s expression changed drastically.

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Lei Yinyang had once mentioned this scheme, but hadn’t Chu Youcai already killed both him and the steward? Had their vengeful spirits returned to slander him even in death?

He quickly dismissed that thought. If their ghosts had returned, they would surely have come to seek vengeance directly.

It seemed more likely the principal wife had made her move after all. What Lei Yinyang could devise, she could just as easily conceive.

At this realization, Chu Youcai’s expression grew cold as ice.

The tree wishes for calm, but the wind will not cease!

He could not remain passive any longer. If these storytellers spread the tale far and wide, it would be one thing for his own reputation—already poor—to suffer further. But if Yun Cuixian was believed to have been sold to a brothel, her name would be utterly ruined.

Ju Xue, too, had been implicated. No wonder people looked at her differently.

He could not allow this to continue!

Chu Youcai immediately rose to his feet, ready to go out.

But Yun Cuixian stopped him. “My lord, you must not act rashly.”

He paused, taken aback by the calm on her face. “What do you mean, Cuixian?”

Yun Cuixian explained, “For so many to appear overnight, there must be a mastermind behind this. We must first find out where and from whom these rumors originated. Only then can we discern their purpose and the people involved, and strike a decisive blow. Otherwise, we risk alerting the enemy prematurely.”

Chu Youcai had not expected such far-reaching and thorough consideration. He nodded, the anger on his face gradually subsiding. “You’re right, Cuixian. I was too impetuous.”

“It’s only because you worry for me that you lost your composure. I thank you for your concern. Let Ju Xue and me investigate this matter. It’s late already—once we know more, we’ll decide how to respond tomorrow.”

Chu Youcai nodded, watching Yun Cuixian and Ju Xue leave with poise and serenity. His mind eased somewhat, but the flames in his eyes burned ever fiercer—he cherished the warmth of this life, and would never permit anyone to shatter it.

He must become stronger!

With strength, who would dare to torment him so?

Cultivate—cultivate!

Chu Youcai steadied himself in the courtyard, drew the scaled-blade, and began to practice his blade technique.

But in that instant, he suddenly felt a wave of weakness. When he raised his arm, a sharp pain shot through him, and his head throbbed as though pierced by countless needles.

His face changed dramatically. What was happening to him?

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