Chapter 10: First Battle of the Dragon Knights

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Although Chen Nan hadn’t received a clear answer, the situation had fundamentally shifted. His “value” now stood on par with the Sima family, and the emperor had no choice but to win him over, not easily offend him.

After leaving the palace, he felt much more at ease.

Upon arriving at the new Qishi Mansion, the first thing he saw was the old poison master, his eyes bloodshot, glaring at him like a rabid wolf.

A chill shot down Chen Nan’s spine. He turned to flee.

“You damn brat! Stop right there!” the old man roared. “You destroyed the Qishi Mansion, frightened all my precious pets into scattering… I’m going to poison you ten thousand times over!”

“Take this! Corpse Rot, Red Crane’s Crown, Heartbreak Grass… Bone-Melting Pill, Seven-Step Soul-Severing Powder…” The old poison master hurled handfuls of poisons at Chen Nan. Packets of powder burst open around him, enveloping his body in a thick, toxic mist.

Chen Nan cried out, “You insane old man, you’re really going all out?! Quick, throw me the antidote! I can’t hold on…” The moment he opened his mouth, the poisonous mist seeped into his nose and throat. A wave of dizziness washed over him.

“I said I’d poison you ten thousand times. If you die, I’ll revive you. If you live, I’ll poison you again…”

Chen Nan didn’t dare speak again. He channeled all his focus into his family’s profound technique. Flecks of golden light shimmered, and a faint golden glow emanated from his body, forming a thin, shimmering halo around him that repelled the poisonous mist. Simultaneously, the Qi within him surged, circulating rapidly through his meridians. The trace of poison he’d inhaled moments ago was forcibly expelled.

Seeing Chen Nan still standing after so long, the old poison master increased the dosage, hurling over twenty packets of poison at once. The entrance to the Qishi Mansion became shrouded in a swirling, multicolored haze. The guards on duty scrambled away in terror.

The commotion drew a crowd of other Qishi. Two of them, standing too close, were felled by the drifting poison. The old poison master casually tossed a few antidote packets their way, saving them from certain death.

Most of these Qishi were highly accomplished cultivators. With a single glance, they could tell Chen Nan had successfully blocked the poison, and they were deeply shaken by the young man’s formidable skill.

Step by step, Chen Nan walked through the poisonous haze toward the old poison master.

“You crazy old man, are you done yet? Do you want to keep playing?” He clenched his fists, deliberately making his knuckles crack loudly.

The old poison master’s expression shifted dramatically, finally settling into a look of utter misery. “This is unjust! Just a few days ago, you looked like a stiff wind could knock you over. Now you’re this ridiculously strong, and you’re not even afraid of poison? I’ll poison you… I’ll keep poisoning you… I’ll poison you ten thousand times!”

Packets of powder burst open around Chen Nan once more. The watching Qishi collectively took several steps back.

Even Chen Nan hadn’t expected that after his family’s profound technique broke through to the third Heavenly Layer, he’d gained such resistance to poison. This unexpected discovery filled him with joy. He strode through the toxic cloud again, flashing a toothy grin at the old poison master. He pointed a finger at the ground by the old man’s feet.

Whoosh!

A streak of brilliant sword Qi shot from his fingertip, piercing clean through the marble slab beneath the old poison master’s feet.

The old man yelped and leapt backward in fright.

Among the onlookers in the distance were many high-level martial artists. When they saw that dazzling sword Qi, expressions of shock spread across their faces. They could scarcely believe that a junior of this age was actually a third-rank martial warrior, having reached the realm of projecting sword Qi from the body. He was no weaker than any of them who had cultivated for decades.

Sima Lingkong’s eyes burned with jealousy and hatred. He clenched his fists so hard they turned white, wishing he could rush over and pummel that formerly insignificant nobody to a pulp.

“You damn brat, don’t come any closer…” the old poison master stammered, retreating.

Chen Nan stepped forward and grabbed his arm. “Still want to play, you crazy old man?”

Looking at the faint golden halo still shimmering around Chen Nan, the old man shook his head frantically. “No, no more playing! Why is my luck so rotten? The neighbors I get are crazier and more monstrous, one after another…”

Chen Nan lowered his voice. “Stop complaining. I’ll give you something. You’ll definitely be happy.”

The old poison master looked listless. “What lousy thing? I’m not interested in martial arts. Having a little self-defense skill is enough.”

“A Poison Manual.”

“What?!” the old man gasped. “Really?”

“Of course it’s real. I originally planned to give it to you when I left the Qishi Mansion. But seeing how you look like you want to eat me alive right now, I figured I’d better give it to you sooner.”

The old poison master grabbed Chen Nan’s sleeve and pulled him toward his own courtyard. After shutting the gate tightly, he asked urgently, “Where is it? The Poison Manual?”

Chen Nan reached into his robe and pulled out a roll of wrinkled, coarse paper. “Here, take it.”

The old man nearly jumped out of his skin. “You damned, wretched brat! Are you still making fun of me at a time like this? Handing me a roll of rough toilet paper to fool me…”

Chen Nan stuffed the paper roll into the old man’s hand. “Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

With a suspicious look, the old poison master unrolled the paper and began to read. The more he read, the more excited he became, until he finally couldn’t help but shout, “It really is the Poison Manual! Excellent!” He flipped through the pages rapidly. When he reached the last page, he cried out, “Why does it seem like a few pages are missing?”

Chen Nan scratched his head. “Last time I went to the latrine… I think I used three sheets.”

“You…” The old poison master looked like he was about to cough up blood. He pointed a trembling finger at Chen Nan. “You… you used the Poison Manual as toilet paper? Heavens! Poison Ancestor, bear witness! Poison this brat ten thousand times!”

“You crazy old man, have you lost your mind? I’m the one giving you the Poison Manual, and you curse me like that?”

The old man’s face was a mask of misery. “Who told you to ‘defile’ the last three pages?! Do you remember what was on them?”

“Hmm… I think I have some impression. Probably the next time I visit the latrine, I’ll remember it all.”

“You…” The old poison master was so angry that he was left speechless.

“Crazy old man, look at your bitter gourd face. The content on the last three pages was actually very little. Listen carefully…”

Overjoyed, the old poison master committed it to memory with all his focus.

“Alright, got it all? Don’t come chasing after me to the latrine to ask me later.”

The old poison master glared. “You rascal, how on earth did you get this book? Did you find it in the Royal Archives the other day?”

“Correct.”

“I don’t know how to thank you. This book is truly too important to me. Well, consider the debt from you scaring away all my pets cleared.”

“Aren’t you being a bit stingy?”

The old poison master said, “Earlier, I heard you say you originally planned to give me this Poison Manual when you were leaving. Are you planning to go?”

Chen Nan replied, “In the Qishi Mansion, you’re the only one I’m familiar with, and the only one I trust. So I won’t hide it from you. Sooner or later, I will leave. But please keep it secret.”

The old poison master nodded. “I figured you’d leave. Is it after you marry Princess Chuchu? Don’t forget this old man after you’re gone.”

“You, insane old coot. Don’t worry. I’ll think of you every time I visit the latrine from now on…” Chen Nan laughed, turning and striding away.

Three days later, the sixtieth birthday celebration of the Chu Emperor, Chu Han, was held with great pomp within the imperial palace. All civil and military officials came to offer their congratulations. Priceless treasures, amassed as birthday gifts, were piled high like mountains.

Of all the birthday gifts, the most dazzling was the crystal-clear, fiery-red petal of the Blazing Immortal Lotus sent by the little princess, its faint fragrance refreshing the heart and mind.

The magnificent imperial hall was filled with music, song, and celebration. Officials vied to sing the emperor’s praises. After receiving his ministers’ congratulations, Emperor Chu Han ordered the banquet to begin. Soon, the hall echoed with the clinking of cups, the air thick with the aroma of fine wine.

Although the gifts from the Qishi Mansion weren’t the rarest treasures, they were seated as esteemed guests, their tables close to the emperor himself, on par with the most important officials. Cups were raised frequently, the drinking growing merrier.

The great hall overflowed with festive cheer. Graceful dancers swirled, melodies wafted, and ruler and subjects drank happily together.

After a few rounds of drinks and a succession of fine dishes, the expected event arrived. A figure stood up from the banquet, bowing to Chu Han. “Your Majesty, does it not seem that these songs and dances are overly delicate? The Great Chu spans tens of thousands of miles, and its founding emperor established the nation with martial prowess. Yet, as his descendants watch over this vast land, have they learned only to appreciate these soft, decadent tunes?”

The words were brazenly impudent. The faces of the ministers darkened, and they angrily denounced the speaker.

“Are you not an envoy from the vassal state of Tianyang? How audacious, to speak with such disrespect!”

“A petty envoy from Tianyang dares to question the Emperor of a Hegemon State? Do you intend to rebel?”

“How dare you! Is Tianyang harboring sinister designs?!”

The envoy from Tianyang remained unflustered. “This lowly servant has no intention of offending the imperial majesty. I merely wish for His Majesty to appreciate the power and vigor of martial artists.”

Emperor Chu of Chu smiled. “Fine. I’ve long heard that Tianyang produces extraordinary figures. Though its land is small, its number of supreme experts is no less than that of any great power. Let this emperor broaden his horizons today.”

With a wave of his hand, Chu Han dismissed the singing girls, dancers, and musicians.

Soon, three men entered the grand hall. They all looked to be in their twenties, each of towering stature, with muscles coiled like powerful dragons, radiating explosive strength.

After bowing to Chu Han, one of them spoke, “Performing martial arts alone holds little interest. We wish to invite the young heroes of Chu to spar.”

A Chu minister demanded, “Are you openly challenging us? Do you seek to test your strength against the heroes of Great Chu?”

One of the three replied, “If that is how you interpret it, that is acceptable.”

The minister fumed, “You… you are far too bold!”

“The land of Chu has always produced heroes. I imagine they would not fear a challenge from the three of us?”

At this moment, the Eldest Princess, Chu Yue, spoke up. “If you wish to witness the skill of Chu’s young cultivators, I can answer on their behalf. They accept your challenge.”

The three men were pleased.

“We are Dragon Knights. We have our own dragons. Combat within the great hall is impossible.”

Emperor Chu Han then spoke, “Then we shall proceed to the royal training grounds. I did not expect my birthday celebration to be so thrilling that I might witness Dragon Knights in a duel. Heh…” A faint smile touched his face, as if he already saw the three Dragon Knights meeting a crushing defeat. Indeed, with Chen Nan—the one capable of drawing the Houyi Bow—present, he had not a shred of worry.

The most delighted, however, was the little princess. She was the first to jump up. “Excellent! I’ll finally get to see the big, clumsy dragons fighting in the air! Hehe…”

The assembled ministers looked at each other, speechless.

The Empress grabbed the little princess, tapping her forehead. “You little imp! You revel in chaos, don’t you? Honestly!”

The little princess merely giggled.

The civil and military officials accompanied the emperor to the royal training grounds. Chu Han took the central seat on the high viewing platform, the Empress beside him. On his flanks were several princes and the two princesses. The officials took their seats on the lower viewing stands.

One of the three Dragon Knights walked to the center of the grounds. He tilted his head back and let out a long roar, the sound rumbling like thunder, carrying far into the distance. Before long, a black dot appeared in the distant sky. It grew larger, revealing a flying dragon six or seven zhang in length, which circled above the training grounds.

The Dragon Knight gestured to the sky. The flying dragon dove down, landing beside him with a gust of wind that sent the civil officials shrieking in alarm.

The Dragon Knight leapt onto the dragon’s back, addressing the onlookers. “Before we begin, certain matters must be clarified. The three of us cannot battle consecutively. Therefore, Chu must select a limited number of representatives. Nine would be best. Each of us will face three opponents, but they must come one at a time.”

The Dragon Knight’s arrogance was clear. He implied that three Chu heroes were no match for a single Tianyang Dragon Knight, provoking a chorus of angry retorts.

The members of the Qishi Mansion sat together. The old poison master muttered, “Arrogant enough. But he has the capital to be so.” He turned to Chen Nan. “Did you know? Although Tianyang is small, it has many cultivators. The number of its high-level practitioners is no less than Chu’s. So, masters emerging from that nation absolutely cannot be underestimated.”

Chen Nan nodded. He had already sensed the formidable power of these three men; each had reached the level of a second-rank cultivator. However, among them, only the one who hadn’t spoken caught his attention. He sensed that man was on the verge of stepping into the third rank, a truly powerful opponent.

Chu Yue stated, “Nine are unnecessary. Three will suffice.” She turned to the spectators. “Who wishes to test the mettle of these three Dragon Knights?”

Young elites from the military stood up one after another, eager to engage the Dragon Knights.

Fewer from the Qishi Mansion volunteered, primarily because there were few among them who were young enough.

Finally, the representatives were chosen, all from the Qishi Mansion. The first selected was a young intermediate-level Mage, whose strength had already reached the second rank. The second was Sima Lingkong, whose injured flying dragon had long been healed by the old witch’s holy light magic. The third was Chen Nan. Before he could even volunteer, he was selected by the Eldest Princess.

The Mage was the first to take the field, floating gently from the viewing stand to the center.

The Dragon Knight laughed. “Mages are rare, seldom seen. I never imagined I’d have the honor today of dueling a Mage who’s reached the second rank. Truly an honor!”

The Mage replied, “Think nothing of it. But Dragon Knights also seem to be a rare breed. To see three dragons at once today is truly a novelty!”

The Dragon Knight sneered, “Heh, as I recall, Dragon Knights are the bane of Mages. Today, you’re doomed!”

The Mage smiled. “Defeat me first, and then you can boast.”

The two traded pointed barbs, neither holding back.