Chapter 1: Poisoned Demon Prince & The Servant Contract

Volume 1: Fox Demon Prince

Spring waves rippled, intoxicating. On the willow bank, a young woman with twin buns bowed her head as she led her horse forward. Water shimmered beside her—the vast expanse of the lake. Faint sunlight streamed from the east, casting a long shadow on the ground. Her figure was slender and graceful.

Her surname was Zhong, her given name Chunji. She was Xue Xianzi's apprentice, a man of high status in the martial arts world. A disciple's reputation rose with her master's. Although she had been in the jianghu for less than two years, everyone knew of Xue Xianzi's beautiful and chivalrous deeds—accomplishments that even most men could not achieve.

Yet despite the beautiful spring weather and her young fame, she seemed unimpressed. Holding the reins of her renowned horse "Meihuaer," they walked slowly along the bank of Xiaoyan Lake. The beautiful scenery—willows swaying like smoke along the lakeside—seemed like passing clouds to her. She took no notice, thinking only: He... he... Alas...

The "he" she was thinking of was Wan Yu Yuedan, the Palace Master of Biluo Palace.

Xue Xianzi's whereabouts were erratic, and even she rarely saw him more than a few times a year. She lived in Xuetu Mountain Villa, nestled at the foot of Maoya Peak—a remote and isolated place. She grew up there, feeling profoundly lonely.

A few years ago, the mysterious Biluo Palace relocated to Maoya Peak and became her neighbor. There, she met Wanyu Yuedan, a man as gentle and elegant as jade, his conversation soothing and refreshing. She had been in love with him since she was fifteen. But as time passed, she learned he already had a wife, though she had never met her.

After nearly two years of wandering the jianghu, she'd hoped to forget him. However, the more she wandered, the lonelier she felt, and the more she missed him.

And surely he wouldn't miss her at all?

Zhong Chunji smiled a faint, wry smile. She looked up, seeing the dreamlike shimmer of water and a fishing boat on the lake. The scenery was peaceful, the fisherman's life seemingly fulfilling.

She led her horse forward. After about ten feet, she suddenly noticed another row of horse hoof prints on the ground, along with wheel tracks. A carriage had passed by not long ago.

Zhong Chunji's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Xiaoyan Lake was remote, the roads rough—not suitable for a carriage. Who had the means to drive one here?

As a disciple of a master, she took one quick look and knew the occupants were martial artists. Curious, she mounted her horse and slowly followed the carriage's tracks.

The tracks moved along the lakeside, the hoof prints somewhat scattered. The more she walked, the more puzzled she became. Could the occupants have left the horses unchecked, allowing them to wander freely?

Not long after, she saw a carriage parked at the foot of the cliffs at Xiaoyan Lake's edge.

She dismounted and lifted the door curtain with her whip. Suddenly, she was startled.

The occupant had fallen onto the seat, a flying knife lodged in his chest, piercing all the way to the hilt. The silver ring on the snow-white blade was unmistakable—the "One Ring Crossing the Moon"!

Zhong Chunji looked around, feeling a sense of wonder. This "One Ring Crossing the Moon" was the famous weapon of Chi Yun, also known as "Sky Cloud." He was known to be eccentric and a loner. Although a member of the underworld, he had a good reputation.

Why would Chi Yun kill the carriage's owner? Could he be a corrupt official? Or perhaps carrying rare and valuable loot that Chi Yun had stolen? But Chi Yun never killed anyone during robbery, so why did he strike this man so hard?

She gently lifted the corpse's face with the handle of her whip. It was covered in red spots—a terrifying sight—yet its features were regular, its youthful appearance vaguely familiar.

"Shi Tinghe?"

Zhong Chunji was startled. The dead man was none other than Shi Tinghe, the young hero who had defeated "Sword King" Yu Qifeng two years earlier!

She had met Shi Tinghe once before. Ever since defeating Yu Qifeng, he had become renowned, slaying the remnants of the Blood Sacrifice Society, breaking into Bingzhu Temple and defeating the Five Butterfly King. He had accomplished many earth-shattering feats, hinting at his potential to replace Jiang Nanfeng as the new leader of the martial arts world.

How could he suddenly die here?

The death of "Sword Saint" Shi Tinghe at Chi Yun's hands was undoubtedly a momentous event that would shake the martial arts world, but why? Why did Chi Yun kill Shi Tinghe? Were his martial arts skills superior?

She set Shi Tinghe's body down and reached for his neck, wondering if he was still warm. If so, Chi Yun might still be nearby.

Just as she reached out her hand, someone suddenly said coldly above her head, "Touch him, and you will be exactly like him tomorrow."

Zhong Chunji was startled and jumped back. Looking up, she saw a man in white clothes as white as snow, sitting cross-legged on Shi Tinghe's carriage, looking at her with contempt.

"The dagger 'Xiao Taohong' that the girl carries must mean you're the disciple of Xue Xianzi? Didn't Xue Xianzi teach you not to touch other people's things?"

The man was not very old—about twenty-seven or twenty-eight—with a tall figure, dashing and unrestrained. Yet he called her "little girl." She was not angry, pointing at Shi Tinghe's body. "Could this dead man be yours?"

Judging from the man's temperament and dress, this should be "Sky Cloud" Chi Yun without a doubt.

"I killed this man, so he belongs to me," Chi Yun said coldly. "If you killed pheasants and wild ducks in the mountains, wouldn't those pheasants and wild ducks be yours?"

Zhong Chunji said, "Shi Tinghe is a dignified young hero. Why did you kill him? And what kind of strange poison did you put on him? It is said in the martial arts world that Chi Yun is an upright man in the underworld, but I don't think so."

Chi Yun said coldly, "Whether I am upright or despicable is not your place to judge. Shi Tinghe took banned drugs and poisoned himself until he looked neither human nor ghost. I killed him because I had no choice. Otherwise, wherever he went, the poison would spread. Who could stand him?"

Zhong Chunji asked in surprise, "Taking banned drugs? What banned drugs?"

Chi Yun said, "The Gorilla Nine Hearts. I don't think you know what it is."

Zhong Chunji said, "I really don't know. Young Master Shi has such a great reputation—why would he take banned drugs?"

Chi Yun said coldly, "If he didn't take banned drugs, how could he beat Yu Qifeng?"

Zhong Chunji was stunned and stopped talking. She only listened to Chi Yun continue.

"After taking the 'Gorilla Nine Hearts,' the martial artist's power will more than double, but the toxicity will take effect, making your face full of red spots—ugly and itchy—and your power will be reduced. It hurts terribly. If he wants to live, he must take more of this poison. Even the Golden Immortal cannot survive. Hehe, the scary thing is that when the poison takes effect, the poisoned person becomes full of poison. If others get even a little bit, they will end up exactly the same as him. The 'Gorilla Nine Hearts' pills are very expensive. Even if Shi Tinghe, the top talent in the martial arts world and a rising star, takes this poison, he will inevitably burn, kill, rob, and commit crimes..."

Zhong Chunji said, "That may not be the case..."

Chi Yun said coldly, "Why do you think he killed the remnants of the Blood Sacrifice Society and broke into the Bingzhu Temple?"

Zhong Chunji said, "Of course it was to eliminate harm to the martial arts world."

Chi Yun said, "This 'young hero' stole jewelry and valuables totaling one hundred thousand taels of silver from the Blood Sacrifice Society and the Candlelight Temple, spending it all. Today, he went to Yan Town to rob Mr. Chen, but I caught him there and followed him, killing him with a single blow."

Zhong Chunji's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "How can I believe your one-sided story? You killed Shi Tinghe, and the Central Plains Sword Society will certainly not let you off."

Chi Yun rolled his eyes. "If I were scared, I would have killed you to silence you." He leaped from the carriage. "Get out of the way, little girl."

Zhong Chunji stepped aside. Chi Yun waved his sleeve, and flaming folds landed on the carriage roof, igniting the oil rag. It burst into flames.

She was secretly astonished at how swift Chi Yun was. In the blink of an eye, he had leaped to his feet. A white shadow flashed several times on the cliff, then disappeared.

What a quick move!

She stood beside the flames, watching Shi Tinghe's body catch fire. Suddenly, she picked up some dead wood and weeds and threw them into the fire, increasing the flames. Gradually, the body turned to ashes.

She sighed softly. Even if it really was poisonous, it wouldn't be a problem now, right? But was what Chi Yun said about the "Gorilla Nine Hearts" true? If so, wouldn't it be terrifying for everyone seeking peerless martial arts?

She led her horse back slowly, wondering—what would happen if he were here? Why did Yuedan, such a smart man, isolate himself on Maoya Peak and never join the martial arts world? He was still so young.

Riding across the picturesque Xiaoyan Lake, the fishing boats had disappeared. She whipped her horse again, shouted, and galloped out of the mountain.

---

In the bushes beside Xiaoyan Lake, two young men in gorgeous clothes were grilling fish.

When they saw Zhong Chunji's plum blossom horse running by, the one in green laughed. "Xue Xianzi is too difficult to deal with. It's better not to provoke the girl he raised."

The one in purple said lightly, "Hua Wuyan has always been kind to women."

The green-clothed man called "Hua Wuyan" said, "Ah? I am kind to women, so why don't you kill me? I know Cao Wufang is no match for Chi Yun, hahaha."

The purple-clothed man "Cao Wufang" said, "Since you know it, why bother to say it out loud? It damages my dignity."

Hua Wuyan said, "Yes, yes, but I let Zhong Chunji witness today. Shi Tinghe died of poisoning. If I don't kill her, I'll have a hard time explaining it to the Lord when I return."

Cao Wufang took a bite of the grilled fish and said calmly, "That's easy. Wait until she leaves and Chi Yun isn't around, and I'll kill her with a single blow."

Hua Wuyan smiled. "I can't bear to kill her with a single blow. I'd rather poison her with 'Dream Drunk'—I guarantee she'll be painless."

Cao Wufang closed his eyes. "You can poison her or drown her. If she's not dead by three o'clock tonight, I'll kill her with a single blow."

---

Zhong Chunji rode out of Yanshan at full speed. Near noon, she spotted a roadside teahouse not far away and dismounted.

"Boss, do you have any steamed buns?"

A middle-aged man wiping tables was startled to see such a beautiful young woman approaching on horseback. He wondered if she was a fox spirit. Where on earth could a fairy appear in broad daylight, in these desolate mountains?

"I...I..." the shopkeeper stammered. "We don't sell steamed buns, only noodle soup."

Zhong Chunji smiled slightly. "Then give me a bowl of noodle soup."

She found a stool and sat down. The tea shop was at the village entrance, and not far away was the village proper. Spring was warm and flowers were blooming, the village bustling with people—very peaceful.

She sighed softly. Ordinary people didn't know martial arts and spent their lives quietly farming and weaving in the mountains. However, they had fewer worries than those in the martial arts world.

The shopkeeper served her a bowl of noodle soup. She took a sip and suddenly felt something was strange. She put it down and looked. "Shopkeeper, there is rice paste mixed in this soup. What's going on?"

The shopkeeper exclaimed, "I'll change it right away. The pot has just been used to boil rice soup. Maybe my wife didn't wash it thoroughly. I'm really sorry, young lady."

Zhong Chunji smiled slightly. She tasted that there was no poison in the soup and didn't care about this mere bowl of noodles. "Shopkeeper still has a baby at home. No wonder he is not prepared enough."

The shopkeeper said embarrassedly, "No, no, my wife and I are both in our forties and fifties. It was Mr. Tang from the inn who asked my wife to help boil the soup."

Zhong Chunji was a little surprised. "Mr. Tang?"

The shopkeeper said, "Mr. Tang came from the capital with a four or five-month-old child. Unlike us rough people, he is a scholar. Haha, he seems to be a good match for your ladyship."

He talked to Zhong Chunji for a few words and felt familiar with her. Country people don't have any taboos, so they say whatever they think. Zhong Chunji knew he meant no offense and simply smiled.

She ate her bowl of noodle soup, paid for her tea and meal, and asked, "Where is the road to the village inn?"

"There's only one road through the village," the shopkeeper said with a smile. "Just walk over and you'll see it."

Zhong Chunji patted her horse and, leading Meihuaer, saw the village's only inn within a few dozen yards—called "Xiankelai."

Such a shabby little inn had such an elegant name.

She walked inside. The only person inside was a middle-aged woman in her forties, simply squatting on the floor, washing vegetables, not even looking up.

Zhong Chunji frowned slightly. "Shopkeeper?"

"She's a fool. Are you foolish too?" a familiar voice suddenly called from inside the room. "Why do I keep running into you, little girl?"

Zhong Chunji took a few steps back. The door curtain was lifted, and a dashing figure in white strode out. It was none other than Chi Yun.

"You..." She was genuinely surprised, her face pale. "Why are you here?"

Could Chi Yun be walking faster than she on horseback?

"I'll go wherever I want," Chi Yun glared at her. "Why are you here?"

Zhong Chunji gathered herself. "Jiang Cheng and I have an appointment. We'll meet at Xiaoyan Lake."

Chi Yun said, "He won't be coming."

"'Xinyan' Jiang Cheng always keeps his word and would never break an appointment without a reason."

She gathered herself and looked Chi Yun up and down, secretly wondering why he was there. But seeing the spots on his body—traces of rice soup—she felt amused. Could he be the "Young Master Tang" the tea shop owner had mentioned?

"'Xinyan' Jiang Cheng would naturally not break his promise without a reason. He was chopped into four pieces by Shi Tinghe a long time ago and kicked into Xiaoyan Lake." Chi Yun said coldly. "Jiang Cheng made an appointment with you—he must have something to ask for help from that old immortal Xue Xianzi. If this matter is related to Shi Tinghe, he would naturally want to kill to silence him. What's so strange about that?"

Zhong Chunji was shocked again and said in a lost voice, "What? Jiang Cheng is dead?"

Chi Yun said impatiently, "He couldn't be deader. His body has been fed to the fish."

Zhong Chunji's face changed. "He said he had something important to see my master. I... I don't know what the matter is."

Chi Yun sneered. "It's probably about the Gorilla Nine Hearts. Anyway, I've already killed Shi Tinghe for him, so he doesn't have to worry about it."

Zhong Chunji raged, "How can you say that? You're no fool, and you've earned such a great reputation, but why are you so cold and mean?"

Chi Yun rolled his eyes. "Little girl, you're being disrespectful. I won't argue with you." He flicked his sleeves and was about to return to his room.

Zhong Chunji chased after him. "Wait a minute, you saw Shi Tinghe kill Jiang Cheng..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly caught sight of the scene inside the room and froze.

The simple, shabby guest room contained only a bed and a chair. Someone was sitting on the bed, and a baby was sleeping beside them.

The person half-sitting on the bed was a young man, no more than twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with fair complexion and a delicate, gentle appearance. If it weren't for a faint scar on his left eyebrow, he would have been considered a handsome man. Unfortunately, the knife mark cut off his eyebrow, which inevitably gave him a look of misfortune. He had his eyes closed, his hands folded on the quilt, his brow slightly furrowed, as if feeling unwell.

On the bed slept a baby, no more than four or five months old, plump and adorable, seemingly contentedly asleep.

She couldn't help but shudder, taking a step back, wondering what was going on. Who was the patient? Who was the baby?

The slightly sickly-looking young man slowly opened his eyes. "Guests are welcome, Chi Yun. Serve the tea."

Chi Yun angrily demanded, "How dare you ask me to pour tea for this little girl?"

The young man replied calmly, "Guests are welcome."

Chi Yun clenched his fingers into fists, gritted his teeth, and after a long pause, managed a forced "Yes!" and went to the kitchen to pour tea.

Zhong Chunji was both surprised and amused. Chi Yun was so arrogant! How could someone in the world order him around like a servant? It was truly a case of one thing conquering another. But who was this person?

"My last name is Tang," the patient on the bed smiled. "Chi Yun is always arrogant, mean, and vicious. I'm sure he's irritated the young lady."

Zhong Chunji couldn't help but ask, "I wonder if Young Master Tang is Chi Yun's..."

Young Master Tang pulled something out of his bosom and shook it slightly.

Zhong Chunji saw it clearly and cried out, "Ah!"

It turned out to be a contract of sale. Chi Yun had been sold to the Tang family as a servant at the age of eight.

The Tang family in the capital was well-known—the current emperor's father-in-law. The father-in-law, Tang Weiqian, held the position of one of the Three Dukes in the Ministry of Revenue. His daughter, Tang Yun, was granted the title of Consort Yun.

Since this young master's last name was Tang, he must be Tang Lici, Tang Weiqian's adopted son, who had been recognized by the emperor over three years earlier.

Although Chi Yun had already become a renowned figure in the martial arts world and lived his life on his own, he was still a servant when he met his former master. It was no wonder Tang Lici sent him to serve tea.

But why did Chi Yun, with his status, temper, and peerless martial arts skills, obey Tang Lici's orders?

She was puzzled, unable to guess. Seeing that although Tang Lici smiled, there was always a hint of pain between his brows, she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, young master?"

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