C17 Poison Lin Xi!

Chapter Seventeen: The Poisoning of Lin Xi

Lin Erpo returned from the market with a heart full of trepidation and anxiety. Elder Qiu had entrusted him with a packet of poison, instructing him to slip it into Lin Xi's lunch to ensure his demise. Recognizing the poison, Lin Erpo's fear of Lin Dong's merciless cruelty deepened.

This lethal substance originated from a demonic bird atop the Weeping Mountains, known as the Red Crane. The creature was cloaked in snow-white feathers, gleaming except for a bare patch on its crown. That patch of skin was a striking red, impossible to miss. Once removed, dried, and ground into powder, it became a devastating poison. Even the most advanced Warriors and those on the cusp of becoming Martial Masters, lacking a developed Dantian or Genuine Qi, would stand no chance against it—death was certain.

Despite being a cook with a volatile temper, Lin Erpo was far from foolish. Elder Qiu, Lin Dong's loyal henchman, had sought him out for this dark task, leaving him no choice but to comply. They both knew of his discord with Chef Lin and his mistreatment of Lin Xi, who had become nothing more than a plaything for his abuse.

Lin Dong and Elder Qiu were convinced that Lin Erpo would be among those wishing Lin Xi's swift departure from this world. Yet, even if Lin Erpo had maintained a peaceful relationship with Lin Xi, never once having a cross word, he wouldn't dare refuse Elder Qiu's demand.

You've learned of Lin Dong's sinister plot to poison Lin Xi and chose to act as if nothing was amiss, rejecting the plan? Are you unaware that only the dead can keep secrets best?

Amidst these thoughts, Lin Erpo's emotions were a tumultuous mix of complexity and despair. Elder Qiu had offered him a way out: poison Lin Xi's lunch and immediately leave the Lucky Mug. With the Qiu family's token in hand, he would travel to the Qiu family in Rosehaven City, Rosehaven Province. There, he would no longer toil as a chef but would be welcomed as a true disciple of the family, with the promise of one day rising to the esteemed rank of Martial Master.

Lin Erpo was inherently malicious, harboring many schemes in his mind. He realized that even if he succeeded in poisoning Lin Xi, the Qiu family would likely silence him to prevent any leaks.

At the moment, he was indecisive, sensing danger drawing ever closer.

Whether it was Lin Xi or Lin Dong, getting entangled in this affair meant his life was no longer in his own hands.

Fleeing was his sole option.

He would leave Rosehaven Town and steer clear of Rosehaven City.

With his exceptional culinary skills, starvation was the least of his worries.

The one dilemma he couldn't resolve was whether to actually go through with poisoning Lin Xi.

Recalling the morning's events, a fierce glint flashed in Lin Erpo's eyes.

"Lin Xi, you good-for-nothing, having me prepare your breakfast is one thing, but causing me to lose a year's wages? You've earned your fate..."

With that thought, he brought the knife down on the chunk of green ape meat before him.

The cauldron simmered with various spiritual herbs, primarily rare ingredients to dispel any gaminess and demonic presence.

As he added the soup base to the pot, Lin Erpo tossed in the chopped Azure Ape meat to steam.

Surrounded by workers busily prepping for the midday rush, Lin Erpo steeled himself, retrieved the Red Crane Top, and stealthily sprinkled the powder into the pot reserved for Lin Xi's stew.

Covering the pot, he exhaled deeply and discarded the medicine wrapper into the furnace.

"In four hours, it'll be lunchtime. That's when I'll make my escape..."

...

Lunchtime arrived.

Rosehaven Town came alive with activity as diverse carriages emerged, and the wealthy rode their demonic beasts through the streets with abandon.

Many of these affluent individuals were headed to the Lucky Mug Restaurant.

The buzz from the previous day was about the capture of a level three Azure Ape Demonic Beast, which the Lucky Mug had promptly purchased for a premium. Today, its meat was on the menu.

The Azure Ape Demonic Beast meat, a formidable creature from the outskirts of the Weeping Mountains, contained an essence far surpassing that of many other beasts of its caliber.

At this moment, aside from the Lin family's Patriarchs and Elders, the heads of the other three great families, as well as the business owners from the city who had come to purchase various products from the Weeping Mountains, all hurried out, fearing they wouldn't secure a seat.

"Hey, isn't that the Patriarch of the Feng family? Are you also here for the Azure Ape meat? Haha, no problem, please come inside. Lin Erpo's culinary skills are still quite decent..."

"Ah, Master Lu, your timing is impeccable. Would you prefer a private room or the main hall? The main hall? Got it. Waiter, set up a large table for Master Lu... Oh, and isn't this Miss Lu? Joining your father today, I see. You've grown even more radiant—truly the most talented and beautiful young lady in Rosehaven, hahaha..."

"Hello, Master Hua. As you can see, the main hall is nearly full. How about a private room for you? No, you want to see everyone's reactions to the Green Ape meat? Very well, right this way..."

Uncle Lin personally stood on the steps at the entrance of the Lucky Mug to welcome guests.

With the masters of the three great families arriving, as well as notable figures from the city's business community and the formidable leaders of mercenary organizations, he dared not show any arrogance.

Following them, the young heirs of various families strutted in with their entourages, taking their seats and eagerly awaiting the steamed Green Ape meat.

In truth, they could hardly handle the energy of the Green Ape meat; they were fortunate if they could sip the soup without getting a nosebleed.

Moreover, they were intrigued by the tales of Lin Xi's remarkable ascent from obscurity. They came to witness firsthand how this once-considered loser had managed to defy expectations.

At this time, the masters of the three great families each claimed a table, fully aware that their simultaneous presence was not merely for the meat and soup, but to meet Lin Xi.

The masters of the three great families exchanged pleasantries with one another.

Feng Buyi and Lu Xincheng greeted each other with clasped hands, and Feng Buyi let out a hearty laugh.

"Ah, if I hadn't known that Master Lu would be here today, I would have come to your door to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. It's no secret that my son and your daughter have taken a liking to each other. I'm sure you're well aware. Let's plan for another day. I'll bring some fine gifts to formally request her hand for my son, haha!"

Lu Xincheng responded with a forced smile, "You flatter me. My daughter is devoted to the martial arts. She won't consider marriage until she reaches the Realm of Essence. It's simply too soon, haha..."

This was effectively a polite refusal of the Feng family's proposal, leaving Feng Buyi unable to save face.

But, having mentioned it was too soon, did that mean it would be suitable once the younger generation achieved the Realm of Essence?

'You... Once my son has reached the Realm of Essence, it remains to be seen whether he'll even be interested in your daughter.'

'You sly old man. You're just here today to check on Lin Xi's progress. If he truly turns the tables and becomes a warrior, will you stop ignoring the match?'

...

The elders exchanged pleasantries, each with their own hidden agendas.

The younger ones, however, all turned their attention to Lu Xiaoyun, who was seated at the same table as Lu Xincheng.

She was the heartthrob of every young warrior in Rosehaven!

At that moment, Lu Xiaoyun was feeling utterly frustrated.

Having been summoned home from the Feng family by Lu Xun, her father, Lu Xincheng, had the audacity to bring up Lin Xi.

He wanted to see if the rumors of Lin Xi's transformation from a good-for-nothing to a martial artist were true.

If they were, the Lu family couldn't afford to renege on their promises.

Lu Xiaoyun protested, declaring she'd rather die than marry that good-for-nothing.

She insisted that her love for Feng Jiaju was deep and genuine. "We're in love, don't you understand what that means?"

Lu Xincheng gave Lu Xiaoyun a long, cold look before delivering a comment that nearly made her choke.

"Love... What's that supposed to be?"

...

Meanwhile, Lin Xi stood beside the water platform, casually gripping a knife. With his eyes closed, he slashed wildly at the demonic beasts on the table, lacking any semblance of technique. Chunks of meat piled up, unfit for any dish except perhaps porridge.

Just four hours earlier, he had been violently ill, developing a severe aversion to the raw taste of demonic beast meat.

The overpowering fishy stench was something Lin Xi never wanted to experience again.

Therefore, Lin Xi could only wait for Lin Er to prepare a pot of Green Ape Bone and Meat Soup for his lunch.

While waiting, Lin Xi found himself too distracted to focus on cutting meat or chopping bones properly.

Every time he swung his knife, the image of the stick man practicing the first move of the saber technique—One Saber, One Flower, One Bloom—would surface in his mind.

The nine-petaled saber flower kept flashing back to him, and as he mulled over its intricacies and the precise angle and force of each cut, bursts of enlightenment filled his heart.

He was eager to practice this move on the road after the Lucky Mug closed for the night.

He had seen the Lin family's disciples practice the Falling Flower Saber Technique before.

One Saber, One Flower, One Bloom was merely the initial form of the first level.

To master this move, one had to slash out a nine-petaled saber flower.

Yet, almost none of the disciples who practiced the saber technique could achieve a nine-petaled slash.

Even Lin Yunzhi, the Lin family's most skilled practitioner, who could perform the entire Falling Flower Saber Technique, couldn't manage a single slash that produced a nine-petaled flower.

One Saber, One Flower, Nine Petals—it was a feat that seemed beyond human capability.

Lin Yunzhi's ability to slash out five petals was already considered extraordinary, earning the awe and fear of the heads of the other three great families.

The notion of a single slash yielding nine petals was unheard of in the practice of this saber technique.

Lin Xi didn't know how many petals he could produce with a single slash.

True knowledge comes from practice, and without actually attempting it, one simply cannot know.

At that moment, Lin Mao, visibly nervous, approached Lin Xi to inform him that Lin Er was nearly done with the Green Ape Bone Meat Soup and inquired where he would like to dine.

Naturally, the main hall was the place to eat! Why would he need a private room? He wasn't so indulgent.

After washing his hands, he secured the tiger skin knife in the iron box beneath the water platform.

Lin Xi, with a casual stride, made his way through the kitchen and headed to the main hall.

...

At that moment, Lin Shao appeared in the main hall with a pot of soup, steam billowing from it.

The entire main hall fell silent, everyone's eyes filled with anticipation as they watched Lin Shao, wondering if he would bring the first pot of soup to their table.

Lin Xi, carrying a soup pot, didn't pause at any of the tables but went straight to the only vacant one by the window. He set the pot down and stood by, waiting for someone to join him.

Just then, a figure emerged from behind the screen dividing the kitchen from the dining area, shuffling with the notorious gait that had become a talking point in Rosehaven. The figure made a beeline for the table with the soup pot.

Meanwhile, Lin Erpo peeked out from behind the screen, his eyes cold as he spotted Lin Xi seated at the table.

Without hesitation, Lin Erpo turned and made for the backyard.

"Hey, just to let everyone know, I've got to take a leak. I'll be right back. Third Scoop, keep an eye on the dishes and stir-fry if needed..."

Now was his chance to get away.

In the backyard privy, Lin Erpo punched through the ventilation window and leapt out into freedom.