Cultivating for Immorality: I Evolved Martial Arts into the Immortal Path – Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Return

The Nettle Poison Powder was quite vicious.

Once poisoned, it was difficult to cure, like a maggot attached to the bone, and would likely remain for life.

When it flared up, the whole body would be both painful and itchy, causing the poisoned person to suffer greatly, wishing they could tear and rip off all their skin.

Therefore, many martial artists paled at the mention of it, fearing contact with this poison.

Chu Liang was calm. Among the poisons he carried, many were more potent and tormenting than this one, and he had the antidote for the Nettle Poison Powder obtained through evolution.

“Miss Qin, do you want to take this poisoned arrow back?” Chu Liang inquired.

“Thank you, Mr. Chu. My father might want to examine this poisoned arrow.” Qin Yu nodded gently.

Hearing this, Chu Liang handed the poisoned arrow over.

Qin Yu’s fair hand took the arrow and thanked him again, her voice soft.

Qin Zhong rushed over, anxiously asking, “Eldest Miss, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Qin Yu chuckled softly. “Uncle Zhong, you forgot, I have a ranked treasure armor. Ordinary weapons can’t harm me.”

“I was just afraid that the arrow was a specially made ranked treasure arrow.”

“No, it was just an ordinary arrow.”

As she spoke, Qin Yu handed the poisoned arrow to Qin Zhong.

Qin Zhong was experienced and, with a simple sniff, immediately identified the poison on the arrow.

His expression changed slightly, and he said, “It’s Nettle Poison Powder. That Hu Luózi is truly disgusting. No one in the county town can cure this poison, and even in the prefectural city, it would take considerable effort.”

Fortunately, Hu Luózi had failed.

Qin Zhong looked at Chu Liang, his expression solemn, and he cupped his fists, saying, “Young Hero Chu, thank you!”

From this moment on, his form of address for Chu Liang changed from his given name to “Young Hero Chu,” his tone full of sincerity.

In terms of strength, mentality, and actions, Chu Liang deserved his respect.

The other members of the Qin family also arrived at this moment.

Chu Liang’s speed just now was truly astonishing, leaving them deeply shocked.

In their shock, their jealousy towards Chu Liang unknowingly dissipated a great deal. After all, the gap was simply too large, making comparison unnecessary.

“Young Hero Chu, thank you for your help!”

Everyone spoke in unison, their words respectful and their tone sincere.

They all knew that even disregarding strength, their mentality alone was inferior to Chu Liang’s.

If they possessed Chu Liang’s strength, they would likely be incredibly arrogant, unable to be as approachable as Chu Liang.

Chu Liang smiled and said, “Everyone be careful. Those bandits might return.”

“Yes.”

The Qin family members responded in unison.

A sudden attack had marred the otherwise great victory and also shattered the arrogance of these Qin family members.

For the rest of the night, until dawn, everyone remained vigilant and on guard.

An hour later, the sky brightened.

The Qin family caravan packed up and resumed their journey home.

Horses neighed, and cartwheels rolled.

On the road, Qin Zhong walked alongside Chu Liang, a question weighing on his mind. He really wanted to know but didn’t know how to ask, opening his mouth several times.

Seeing his complicated expression, Chu Liang smiled and asked, “Do you want to know about the movement technique?”

“Yes.”

Qin Zhong smiled awkwardly and asked, “Young Hero Chu, why is your movement technique so powerful? This is your personal matter, I’m just curious, I apologize for being presumptuous.”

“It’s nothing. My master taught me this movement technique,” Chu Liang said with a smile.

“Young Hero Chu, you have a master?”

Qin Zhong was taken aback. He was considered well-informed in the county town but had never heard of Chu Liang having a master. Could it be that Skin Tempering Realm expert from the Martial Alliance?

Nearby, Qin Yu turned her head slightly, her beautiful eyes swirling, seemingly also curious.

The surrounding Qin family members all pricked up their ears.

Chu Liang’s expression was relaxed as he slowly explained.

◈◈◈

“Back in the mountain village, I once took an old hunter as my master…”

In Chu Liang’s account, the old hunter not only taught him archery but also imparted to him the movement techniques for survival in the mountains.

“I didn’t think much of that movement technique before… Later, I saw a few movement technique manuals in the Martial Alliance, and recalling what my master taught me, I had an epiphany and went into the mountains to cultivate…”

Everyone listened intently, so much so that the entire caravan’s speed slowed down considerably.

At the end of the story, Qin Zhong couldn’t help but exclaim, “Young Hero Chu, your hunter master was probably a Skin Tempering Realm expert! It’s just a mystery why he didn’t tell you his name before he died. Perhaps he was worried about his enemies and past entanglements coming after you.”

Qin Yu, who was beside him, also said, “Uncle Zhong is right.”

As she spoke, she began to ponder, recalling the renowned Skin Tempering Realm experts in the prefectural city in recent years.

But among the Skin Tempering Realm experts she knew, none were known for their movement techniques. Movement techniques were too difficult to master, and many martial artists couldn’t grasp their essence, ultimately wasting their time.

The other Qin family members were also guessing, wondering who that old hunter was.

Looking at everyone’s expressions, Chu Liang smiled without further explanation.

Let them guess.

For the next few days, the journey was peaceful, and they encountered no more bandits.

On the evening of the fifth day, the county town finally came into view.

The wide official road led directly to the northern gate of the county town.

Compared to the majestic and towering prefectural city, the county town was indeed small and insignificant, with low walls that seemed like mere decorations. At the city gate, there were only a few listless guards.

Today was not a market day, and the traffic at the city gate was sparse, lacking any bustling atmosphere.

Before long, the guards at the city gate noticed the Qin family caravan.

“It’s the Qin family.”

“The Qin family is back, everyone be alert!”

Facing the renowned first family of the county town, the guards’ expressions turned serious. They gripped their weapons tightly and stood on either side of the city gate.

Qin Zhong rode ahead, nodded slightly, and said, “Thank you all for your hard work. Take this small sum of money and buy yourselves some wine.”

With that, he tossed out a few bags of silver and rode into the city.

The others followed behind, holding high the Qin family banner, moving in an orderly fashion as they entered the city, their presence imposing.

Inside the city, pedestrians on the road moved to the sides, looking at the Qin family caravan with eyes full of envy and respect.

“It’s the Qin family. They’re back from the prefectural city.”

“They must have made a lot of money again. They’re really impressive.”

In the county town, many people wished they were born into the Qin family or had some connection to them.

Just a slight connection would ensure a life of comfort.

Hearing the surrounding chatter, the Qin family members couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride, their heads held a little higher. But when they saw Chu Liang ahead, that newly sprouted pride dissipated.

At the front of the procession, Qin Yu invited, “Mr. Chu, it’s been a tiring journey. Please come to the Qin family for some tea.”

Chu Liang politely declined, saying he had other matters to attend to.

Many people thought he was missing, so he needed to show his face at the Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall to reassure Qi Xiuliang, Song Zhong, and the others.

And at this moment, many people around had already noticed Chu Liang.

His attire was simply too eye-catching, dressed in animal hides and adorned with a string of demon beast teeth, looking like a savage who had just emerged from the deep mountains.

“Who is that? He looks familiar.”

This was the north side of the city, after all, where the Martial Alliance and the three major martial arts halls were located.

Many martial artists were sitting in the teahouses along the road, and many of them stared intently at Chu Liang, finding him increasingly familiar.

After a moment, someone suddenly shouted.

“It’s Chu Liang!”