Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One: The Effect of the Poison

Inside a modest room, Ning Bai wiped the sweat from his brow. In the pot before him simmered a carefully prepared red bean and lotus seed porridge, made especially for Master Huo Tianqing.

The kitchen was filled with a captivating aroma. He took a spoonful, gently lifting it to his lips to taste.

The flavor was fresh and delicious.

Not bad at all—the taste was exquisite.

If Master were to try it, he would surely enjoy it immensely.

Having finished the porridge, Ning Bai ladled it into a delicate porcelain bowl and carefully made his way toward Huo Tianqing’s fragrant chamber.

Huo Tianqing sat upright in the room, composed and dignified. His gaze was imperious, his features as exquisitely drawn as a painting, clad in flowing white robes like a celestial being from an artwork.

Ning Bai knocked softly at the door. “Master, your disciple has come in,” he said, gently pushing the door open.

Huo Tianqing remained seated at the bedside, his eyes immediately fixated.

Clearing his throat, Ning Bai spoke sweetly, “Master, you were resting, so I prepared a delicious red bean and lotus seed porridge for you. It’s very tasty and nourishing—please take some to strengthen your body.”

His voice was as sweet as honey.

Huo Tianqing’s delicate eyes opened slowly, his gaze cool and emotionless as it fell upon the beautiful porcelain bowl.

“Take it away. I have no appetite,” he said coldly.

His voice was as chilling as his demeanor, repelling anyone who dared draw near. Ning Bai felt as if a wave of ice had frozen him solid.

He coughed awkwardly a few times, feeling a pang of hurt.

“Why not, Master? I specially prepared it for you after a whole day of careful cooking. It’s very delicious. No matter what, please have a taste—your health is the most important.”

Just as Huo Tianqing’s eyes closed, they snapped open again in irritation.

“Do you not understand human speech? I said I have no appetite.”

Huo Tianqing had long been known for his ill temper.

Ning Bai felt deeply wronged but was captivated by his master’s face. No matter how his master treated him, Ning Bai found himself enchanted, as though spellbound by that one visage.

He refused to give up and persisted.

“Master, why is that?”

“I have tired of playing at the foot of the mountain. I have eaten, drunk, and played to my heart’s content. Do you think I have any appetite left?”

Ning Bai froze.

“Master, with whom did you descend the mountain? Your disciple was unaware.”

A fierce jealousy ignited within Ning Bai like a blazing inferno, enveloping him utterly.

Why would Master not even spare a glance for him, but instead choose to venture down the mountain and enjoy the scenery with someone else, without bringing him along?

“Ning Bai, what’s this? Do you have a complaint? I will go down the mountain with whomever I please. Do you have the authority to question me?”

Ning Bai was so frightened that he immediately fell to his knees.

“No authority! No... Your disciple admits his mistake and will take the porridge away at once.”

He gritted his teeth in frustration. After all the effort he had put into serving his master, the master would not even look at him but considered him superfluous. Meanwhile, that little vixen Xie Yingying was allowed to accompany Master on excursions.

Why was it like this? It felt as if he and Master were like water and fish—without Master, he could not survive; yet if Master were gone, he might find peace.

Grudgingly biting his lip, Ning Bai retreated, moving cautiously. Through the thin windowpane, his longing gaze lingered inside, filled with infatuation.

After stepping outside, the porridge in the bowl lost all appeal. Without hesitation, he poured it into the well with a splash.

“You little vixen, just wait. This is what you get for seducing my master,” Ning Bai muttered, then returned to the kitchen to retrieve a treasured medicine he had long kept.

This remedy was no ordinary thing.

“Little vixen, if you consume this, you must die. My master belongs to me! If you dare to compete with me, you’ll go straight to hell!”

At that moment, Ning Bai’s delicate features twisted into a grimace. Holding the lotus seed porridge, he stepped slowly into the backyard and beckoned to a maid.

“Little one, come here. I have a task for you.”

The young maid bounced over, smiling brightly.

“Miss, what would you have me do?”

“Take this porridge while it’s still warm to Xie Yingying. Hurry, or it’ll lose its flavor.”

The maid was puzzled. From what she knew, their relationship with Xie Yingying was distant, so why this sudden attentiveness? Still, she smiled faintly and said, “Very well, Miss. Don’t worry—I’ll deliver it promptly.”

Just as she turned to leave, Ning Bai called her back.

“Wait, there’s one more thing.”

“Yes, Miss?”

“Don’t let anyone know I sent this porridge. After all, we’ve quarreled before; I wouldn’t want any misunderstandings.”

The maid nodded in understanding.

“Understood, Miss.”

On the mountain, where Xie Yingying cultivated, the scenery was pristine—clear waters, fragrant blossoms, and birdsong. A waterfall cascaded down nearby.

Xie Yingying sat quietly, eyes tightly shut, meditating on the Heart Sutra.

For some reason, the sound of the waterfall and the birdsong made her increasingly drowsy, and she yawned involuntarily.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. Turning slightly, she saw the maid Xiao Qing, carrying a bowl of porridge.

Xiao Qing’s jet-black hair framed her astonished face as she smiled and approached Xie Yingying.

“Miss Xie Yingying, I have brought you some porridge. It’s very tasty.”

Xie Yingying, absorbed in meditation, had no time to eat and replied casually, “Just leave it here. I’ll drink it when I have a moment.”

“Very well. I’ll leave it here then. Goodbye.”

Xiao Qing left promptly.

At that moment, Bo Mengxian, feeling bored, came up to find Xie Yingying for company. His sharp eyes caught sight of the porridge resting on a rock. With nothing to do, he hungrily picked it up and began drinking greedily.

Unexpectedly, as he swallowed, a burning sensation roiled in his throat.

“Huh? Is there poison in this?”

Initially, he feared the poison would harm him, but the next moment, after the fiery sensation, he felt as though the toxins inside his body were being driven out.

When the realization dawned, his spiritual power visibly surged. Bo Mengxian raised his wrist, marveling at the newfound strength coursing through him.

He shook Xie Yingying gently.

“Xie Yingying, open your eyes and see! This medicine is incredible—it not only purged the toxins from my body but also enhanced my spiritual power. It’s truly a divine elixir!”

Xie Yingying opened her eyes, her face filled with puzzlement.

“What medicine? This is just a bowl of porridge.”

Bo Mengxian explained, “You don’t know? There was poison in it, but it turned out to have this effect!”