Chapter 47: The Dark Iron Mask

Xue Muhua had arrived at the Beggars' Sect headquarters, and regardless of whether it was a matter of official business or personal ties, Zhang Fang ought to go and welcome him in person.

However, this time, he received the news just a little bit late.

By the time the news reached him, Xue Muhua had already arrived at the Beggars' Sect headquarters, and by the time Zhang Fang rushed over, the renowned Divine Physician Xue had already felt the pulses of Elder Wu and the others. "The poison they have contracted is the unique Invisible Powder of the Star Absorbing Sect. This poison is colorless, odorless, and yet extremely formidable. Even martial arts experts who fall victim to it will instantly lose their physical mobility, plunge into unconsciousness within the span of a single incense stick, and absolutely cannot last more than two hours!"

"Yet Elder Wu and the others were poisoned several days ago, and the fact that they have managed to hold on until now is truly remarkable indeed!"

Elder Xu, who had rushed over a step ahead of Zhang Fang, immediately pressed on upon hearing this, "Divine Physician Xue, I wonder if Elder Wu and the others can still be saved?"

"This..."

Xue Muhua hesitated for a moment, a conflicted expression crossing his face. His gaze instinctively swept around the room and happened to land on Zhang Fang, who had just arrived wearing a black iron mask. He beckoned to him, saying, "Tanzhi, let us step aside and speak."

Leaving the living quarters of the wounded, the two men took their respective seats in a pavilion thirty paces away.

Only then did Xue Muhua shake his head with a bitter smile, complaining to Zhang Fang, "Tanzhi, oh Tanzhi, this time you have truly handed Uncle Xue a massive dilemma!"

Zhang Fang countered with a question, "When Uncle Xue speaks thus, is it because you fear retaliation from that old monster of the Star Absorbing Sect after saving these people?"

Such a fear-of-death mentality was hardly glorious, and in the Jianghu, it belonged to a category of political incorrectness that no one was willing to admit to. Yet Divine Physician Xue cared little for such things; his primary profession was that of a physician, not a swordsman, and the unwritten rules of the martial arts world held binding force only when he chose to observe them. Moreover, in his eyes, Zhang Fang was not an outsider. After hesitating for a moment, he gently nodded and admitted to it.

Upon hearing this, the corners of Zhang Fang's mouth beneath the mask curved into an elusive smile.

Just as he had expected!

Ever since Wuyazi was ambushed by Ding Chunqiu back then and knocked off a cliff, the entire Xiaoyao Sect had lived under the shadow of Ding Chunqiu. Not only had Su Xinghe feigned deafness and dumbness for decades, but he had also expelled all eight of his disciples—including Xue Muhua—from the sect entirely, never to see them again. The eight men dared not address each other as senior and junior brothers anymore, yet yearning for the deep bonds of their apprenticeship, they commemorated their place of learning at Hangu Pass by jointly calling themselves the "Eight Friends of Hangu."

Over the years, whenever Xue Muhua treated the sick and saved the dying, he would demand that the patients impart a few of their sect-guarding ultimate techniques to him, all for the sake of one day achieving mastery, avenging his sect, and wiping away his humiliation.

Yet even he himself knew very well that doing this was merely a way to seek a modicum of self-consolation.

Leaving aside the second- and third-rate martial arts he managed to learn in the martial arts world, which were simply no match for the demonic Star Absorbing poison arts that Ding Chunqiu had forcibly modified from the foundations of Xiaoyao Sect martial arts, his own passion for medicine far outweighed his dedication to martial arts. Even if the most orthodox *North Demonic Divine Art* of the Xiaoyao Sect were handed to him, it would be impossible for him to cultivate it to a realm capable of contending with Ding Chunqiu.

Faced with anything related to Ding Chunqiu, he was already too late in trying to avoid it; how could he ever dare to actively provoke him?

As an old-school fan deeply versed in the original lore, Zhang Fang was naturally well aware of these hidden secrets of the Xiaoyao Sect. Therefore, he said leisurely, "If Uncle Xue is worried about this matter, there is actually no need at all."

Right then and there, he recounted the entire process of how Elder Wu and the others were poisoned from beginning to end, without concealing anything and without adding any exaggerations.

He concluded by summarizing, "Clearly, that purple-robed maiden who used the poison is definitely not Ding Chunqiu himself; at best, she is merely a disciple of the Star Absorbing Sect."

"According to the rumors your junior has heard in the Jianghu over the past two years, the Star Absorbing Sect is hardly an upright sect characterized by benevolent masters and filial disciples. Within the internal ranks of the sect, it is entirely a Gu-raising model where the strong prey upon the weak, and disciples slaughtering one another is an everyday occurrence."

"Even if it is merely a disciple of the Star Absorbing Sect, should she die, Ding Chunqiu would not necessarily care in the least, let alone care if the poison she administered merely happened to be neutralized by someone else. Ding Chunqiu certainly would not personally make a move and make a huge fuss over such a trivial matter."

Hearing this, Xue Muhua nodded gently, yet he still did not immediately agree to undertake the treatment.

He still needed to consider the matter further.

To this, Zhang Fang was not in the least anxious. He had absolute confidence that he could use the *Longevity Saint Qi* to sustain the lives of Elder Wu and the others for another month or two.

However, since waiting meant waiting, Zhang Fang casually brought up another matter: "Uncle Xue, this junior knows that you are not a martial arts fanatic, and that every time you treat the sick and save the dying you demand martial arts manuals as your consultation fee, which presumably is for the sake of revenge?"

Before the other man could reply, he continued, "Let this junior guess. Might your esteemed enemy happen to be that old monster of the Star Absorbing Sect, Ding Chunqiu?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Muhua was stunned at first, then let out a sigh and said, "What you say is correct; that Ding Chunqiu shares a sea of blood and deep enmity with my sect. When I went to Leigu Mountain last year, many martial arts compatriots witnessed it, so it can hardly be considered a secret."

"Tanzhi, for no good reason, why did you suddenly bring this up?"

Zhang Fang replied, "Naturally, it is to discuss the consultation fee with you, senior. You and I are no outsiders, Uncle Xue, and as for imparting martial arts and the like, I do not have anything particularly impressive to pull out. How about this: let this junior avenge this bloody enmity on your behalf, sever that Ding Chunqiu's head, and hand it over to you, Uncle Xue, to dispose of as you see fit. How does that sound?"

Only at this moment did Zhang Fang finally reveal his true intentions!

The three main quests issued by the Reincarnation Tower seemed quite troublesome at first glance, but upon careful analysis, one would find that they were truly just bare-bones main quests; whether in terms of content or rewards, they could by no means be described as bountiful.

To maximize his gains, Zhang Fang decided to develop some hidden quests.

Anyway, according to the main quest, he was already destined to have a one-on-one duel with Murong Fu; taking on one extra duel with Ding Chunqiu was no big deal, right?

However, far from readily agreeing to Zhang Fang's proposal to avenge him, Xue Muhua instead solemnly expounded upon Ding Chunqiu's formidable prowess, urging him never to do anything so foolish.

In response, Zhang Fang simply demonstrated his immunity to all poisons right before the other man's eyes, and invited him to witness his duel with "Yan Shanhe" the following day, asking him to make his final judgment only after seeing his current martial arts proficiency.

At last, Xue Muhua finally set his mind at ease and agreed to first step in and save the patients. As for having Zhang Fang help kill Ding Chunqiu to avenge his sect, that matter would have to wait until after he observed the battle the next day.

With Xue Muhua stepping in to administer treatment, the Invisible Powder poison that Elder Wu and the others had contracted was soon neutralized. However, because they had been poisoned for several days, even with the poison cleared, they would still need to recuperate quietly for a few days before returning to their normal states.

As for Zhang Fang, after arranging for the hard-working Xue Muhua to rest, he impatiently rushed over to the Luoyang Blacksmith Shop within the city to retrieve the exclusive equipment he had commissioned Master Ouyang to forge.

Mysterious Iron Mask (Golden): Forged entirely from the supreme treasure of the martial arts world, mysterious iron. Its surface is densely covered with microscopic pores fine as hairs for ventilation, ensuring that even when worn for extended periods, one will not feel stifled.

Special Effect: Indestructible, Special Demeanor

Indestructible: Although this mask is light and thin, the mysterious iron material is exceptionally sturdy. Sharp blades and precious swords below Diamond grade find it difficult to inflict even the slightest damage upon it!

Special Demeanor: A mask meticulously forged by a master craftsman. Wearing it endows one with a special demeanor, which not only draws the gaze of others more easily but also makes every word and action of yours carry greater infective power.

...

These two simple special attributes could basically be seen from its material and appearance.

The sturdiness of mysterious iron went without saying, while the deep black hue with faint red undertones inherent to mysterious iron, combined with the aesthetically pleasing exterior meticulously carved and polished by Master Ouyang, made this mask look exceptionally distinct. Even when held in the hand, it faintly imparted a mysterious and noble special sensation, so it was only natural that speaking and acting while wearing such a mask could achieve eye-catching effects.

With a deep sense of satisfaction, Zhang Fang put on the mysterious iron mask, genuinely feeling the breathability and comfort mentioned in the description, and could not help but give a thumbs-up to Master Ouyang. Just as he was about to offer a couple of words of praise, he suddenly saw a familiar figure storm in from the outside.

It was none other than Elder Chen Guyan, one of the four guardian elders of the Beggars' Sect headquarters.

As soon as he entered the room, Elder Chen said to Zhang Fang with an excited expression, "Elder You, guess who I've captured and brought back?"

Seeing him looking so delighted, Zhang Fang frowned slightly, pondering for a moment without finding any clue. He could only say helplessly, "I can't guess it. You might as well reveal the answer directly."

"Hehe!" Elder Chen wore a smug expression, striking a pose of vindication as he said, "That little vixen of the Star Absorbing Sect who almost poisoned Elder Wu and the others to death has finally been caught by me!"