Free Web NovelChapter 46: Chapter 46: Falling into the Trap
Chen Shouheng lowered his head, dejected. "I don’t know. I just feel like I have no energy and don’t want to move. When I train, it feels like something is blocking my meridians, making me feel weak and unable to exert any force. And... and..."
At this, his face suddenly turned red. "My mind keeps picturing the women from the Drunken Creek Pavilion."
A chill shot down Chen Li’s spine. He took a step forward, his right index and middle fingers held together like a sword, and tapped the point between Chen Shouheng’s eyebrows with lightning speed.
A stream of pure, gentle Inner Qi, brimming with vibrant life force, was carefully transferred into his son’s body. At the same time, Chen Li’s Spiritual Sense unfurled, meticulously combing through his son’s meridians and Acupoints, inch by inch.
Shouheng’s body immediately relaxed, letting his father work.
The Inner Qi circulated slowly. At first, nothing seemed amiss. But Chen Li soon discovered a faint, chilly, and sinister aura coiled silently within his son’s Acupoints, clinging to their depths like maggots to a bone.
Its nature was of the same origin as the evil energy that had afflicted Liu Yuejin, only it was more insidious, smaller in quantity, and had not yet fully erupted.
’So they got him!’
A cold glint flashed in Chen Li’s eyes. This sinister energy was extremely subtle and hidden; if not for his Spirit Realm Cultivation and sharp Spiritual Sense, it would have been impossible to detect.
At the same time, he felt a surge of relief. If he had waited until this sinister energy had grown stronger, even if he could have saved his son, his foundation would have been damaged. His journey on the Martial Dao would have likely come to a halt, and by then, it would have been too late for regrets.
He immediately instructed, "Sit down cross-legged."
"Father... what’s happening?" Chen Shouheng asked hurriedly, fear gripping him as he saw the sudden change in his father’s expression.
"Don’t move!"
Chen Li barked, his expression grave.
He took a deep breath and circulated his Inner Qi at full power. The pure energy began to clash with the sinister energy in Chen Shouheng’s Acupoints.
Unlike the evil energy in Liu Yuejin’s body, the energy in Shouheng’s seemed to sense the threat. It didn’t engage with Chen Li’s Inner Qi at all, instead attempting to burrow deeper.
Like unraveling silk from a cocoon, Chen Li maneuvered his Inner Qi, carefully coaxing the chilly, sinister energy from the depths of Shouheng’s Acupoints, wisp by wisp.
"Ugh..."
Chen Shouheng grunted, feeling sharp, needle-like pains erupt from several places inside his body. His face grew pale, and his body trembled slightly.
A full stick of incense worth of time passed before the dozen or so stubborn wisps of evil energy were completely forced out.
Enveloped by Chen Li’s exceptionally pure Inner Qi, the energy was like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun. It let out a few faint SIZZLES before being completely refined and dissipating into nothingness.
Chen Li withdrew his fingers and let out a long sigh, his face showing a hint of exhaustion.
Afraid of damaging his son’s meridians and affecting his future on the Martial Dao, Chen Li hadn’t dared to be the slightest bit careless. The process had consumed far more of his Heart Spirit and Inner Qi than treating Liu Yuejin had.
Chen Shouheng felt his body lighten as the strange feeling of sluggishness and fatigue vanished in an instant. His spirits lifted considerably. He looked at his father, still shaken, and asked, "Father, is it gone?"
"You’re fine for now."
Chen Li looked at him with a stern gaze. "I’ve forced out and refined the evil energy. Rest for a few days, then resume your training. But you are not to go to that brothel again."
"Yes, Father. I know I was wrong."
Chen Shouheng lowered his head, his face a mixture of lingering fear and regret. "It’s just... I... I didn’t expect that place to be so sinister. I was very careful after I went in. I didn’t do anything."
"Think back carefully. How did you fall into their trap?" Chen Li asked.
"Chen Zhengtong called over a girl named Yun Xiu to sing and dance for me. She offered me a toast, but I didn’t drink. Later, she said I must be tired from my martial arts training and wanted to give me a massage. I couldn’t refuse, so I agreed."
Chen Shouheng tried hard to recall, a look of confusion and fear appearing on his face. "She just gently kneaded a few Acupoints on my shoulders and back. It actually felt very comfortable. I felt completely relaxed and my mind was clearer afterward... It couldn’t have been then, could it?"
"That must have been it."
Chen Li’s expression changed slightly. He warned, "Do not go to the Drunken Creek Pavilion again. It’s treacherous and unpredictable, far beyond what you can handle. No piece of information is worth mentioning in the face of absolute danger. Protecting yourself is the top priority. As for the Jingwu Bureau, they are also using you. You don’t need to risk your life for them."
"Yes, Father," Chen Shouheng nodded in agreement.
After a moment of thought, Chen Li said, "Go ask for leave from Master Zhou. Just say you have some family matters to attend to. You’ll come back home with me for a while."
’My eldest son, Shouheng, has clearly been targeted. When the hard approach failed, they decided to try a soft one.’
’As long as he stays in the county seat, he’ll be constantly preyed upon and corrupted.’
’He’s still young and inexperienced, unfamiliar with the methods used to drag people down.’
Chen Li didn’t feel at ease letting him stay in the county seat any longer.
’I’ll take him home first and temper his character.’
’We have plenty of Medicinal Cuisine at home. It’s the perfect opportunity for him to consume it without restraint and break through to the Blood Refining realm sooner.’ freewebnoveℓ.com
’If there’s a chance, I’ll arrange a marriage for him too.’
’After reaching Marrow Refining, the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts Hall allows disciples to travel outside. It shouldn’t be difficult.’
Chen Shouheng agreed and immediately got up to find his master.
...
Before leaving, Chen Li paid another visit to Liu Wende’s home.
It was simply because Liu Wende had written him a letter, begging for two more portions of Medicinal Cuisine.
Seeing Chen Li, Liu Wende’s voice was tinged with excitement. "Nephew, please, come in, come in."
Perhaps hearing the voice, a young man also walked out from the main hall into the small courtyard.
It was Liu Yuejin. Although his face was still somewhat pale and his figure a bit thin, his eyes were clear. The crazed turbidity from before was long gone, replaced by the gratitude and composure of someone who had survived a great ordeal.
Liu Yuejin stepped forward and knelt on the ground. "Brother Chen, I have no way to repay this debt of a new life."
Liu Wende also bowed deeply. "Nephew, my son’s recovery is all thanks to your treatment. My Liu Family will never forget this immense kindness!"
Chen Li helped him up. "Uncle, Brother Yuejin, there’s no need for this. Brother Yuejin’s recovery is also due to his own deep fortune."
Liu Yuejin stood up, still unable to hide his emotion. "If not for my worthy brother’s treatment, I would have been nothing but dust and bones in a grave, my consciousness lost to the abyss forever. This kindness is like that of a parent."
After they entered the main hall and sat down, Liu Wende gave a wry smile. "Regarding Chen Yongquan, I had intended to keep him locked up in jail. I never thought he would find a connection to the Governor. The County Magistrate himself ordered his release. Please, Nephew, I hope you can be magnanimous."
"Uncle, there’s no need for that." Chen Li nodded, then changed the subject. "How is Brother Yuejin’s recovery coming along?"
Liu Yuejin smiled wryly. "After taking the Medicinal Cuisine from my worthy brother, I’ve improved a lot. But this has been a long-standing affliction. Sickness leaves as slowly as silk is pulled from a cocoon. It will take some years of recuperation to fully recover."
Chen Li nodded and handed him two more packets of the Mysterious Black Tortoise Tribulation Secret Medicine.
Liu Wende asked about the price of the Medicinal Cuisine and was about to get up to fetch some silver for Chen Li. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Chen Li smiled and politely refused. "Uncle, please, just accept it. I actually have something to ask of Brother Yuejin."
Liu Yuejin immediately straightened his back. "Please, just give the word. I would go through fire and water for you without a second thought."
