Turmoil Within the Sect: Chapter 26 - A Moment of Peril

They certainly recognized him—the treasured grandson of Elder Lu from the Qingyun Sect, Lu Mingchuan. Usually, he relied on his status to act recklessly and indulge in pleasures. Although he had been publicly reprimanded by the sect leader before, he remained incorrigible, with countless female disciples in the sect having fallen victim to his vice.

Now, seeing this man appear in the wild mountains and cast such a lecherous gaze upon their young lady, both of them felt a chill in their hearts, silently sensing trouble.

“Lu Mingchuan, stop slandering here! Our young lady’s affairs are none of your concern!” one of them snapped.

Lu Mingchuan’s eyes darkened as he swept them with a cold glance. “Two dogs, and you dare to bark in front of me?”

Before the words had even left his mouth, his foot shifted slightly, and a shadow flickered as he closed the distance in an instant.

His speed far surpassed that of a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator!

The two burly men only saw a blur; before they could react, a heavy force struck their chests, sending them flying backwards. They crashed severely into the trees, groaning softly before falling silent.

One move—just a single move!

Luo Shuyao’s heart jolted violently. She instinctively tried to gather her inner energy, but a faint prickling pain spread across her wrist.

Looking down, she saw a slender silver needle, as fine as a hair, had been secretly embedded in her wrist.

A numbness swiftly coursed through her limbs. Her inner energy seemed frozen, her body softened, and she could barely remain standing.

“You... you despicable villain, poisoning me!” Luo Shuyao gritted her teeth, both furious and anxious.

“Despicable?” Lu Mingchuan stepped closer with a slow, triumphant smile. “To deal with a junior sister like you, some trickery is necessary.”

Admiring her helpless expression, Lu Mingchuan chuckled softly. “This is called ‘Tender Bone Fragrance,’ specially concocted by your senior brother for you. It’s not fatal, but for an entire hour, you won’t be able to use a single drop of your inner energy.”

“Oh, and the more you struggle, the more intoxicating this tingling numbness feels. Junior sister, you must enjoy it.”

The mixture of humiliation, anger, and powerlessness on her face made Lu Mingchuan’s mind conjure the breathy moans that set his blood racing.

Today, at last, he could personally claim her and savor her properly.

Chu Xing observed everything carefully. This Lu fellow was clearly a first-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, formidable, ruthless, and resorting to despicable poison needles.

Although the girl was difficult and cunning, Chu Xing could see that deep down she wasn’t malicious—just spoiled.

But since he had no acquaintance with this stubborn girl, there was no point in offending someone clearly more dangerous.

Moreover, Lu Mingchuan’s speed had genuinely unsettled him.

This murky business was not one Chu Xing wished to get involved in. He prepared to quietly slip away.

“After watching the show for so long, you want to leave now?” came Lu Mingchuan’s sinister voice.

At the same time, a poisoned iron nail shot through the air, grazing Chu Xing’s cheek before embedding itself deeply into a tree trunk behind him.

Chu Xing paused, turned, and spread his hands innocently. “Brother, this is an internal matter of your sect. As an outsider, it’s not appropriate for me to meddle.”

“Outsider now, huh?” Lu Mingchuan sneered. “You saw things you shouldn’t have; stay put and be quiet. I’ll deal with you after I’m done.”

Ignoring Chu Xing, Lu Mingchuan refocused his lascivious gaze on Luo Shuyao, eyes nearly dripping with lust.

“Lu Mingchuan! If you dare touch me, my father will never forgive you!” Luo Shuyao struggled to sit up, threatening fiercely.

“Your father?” Lu Mingchuan chuckled even more gleefully, then reached out to touch her flushed face, reddened by the poison.

“When he finds this place, he’ll only discover that you were defiled by this wild brat and both died together. Who would ever know the truth then?”

Luo Shuyao felt as if struck by lightning; her color drained instantly. The fiery anger in her eyes was replaced by genuine terror for the first time.

She tried to retreat but found her legs weak and powerless, an endless coldness spreading from her heart.

“Miss!”

“Don’t touch our young lady!”

The two severely injured bodyguards, summoning their last breaths, struggled to crawl toward them, each desperately clutching one of Lu Mingchuan’s legs.

“Get off!” Lu Mingchuan’s eyes flashed with cruelty as he kicked them hard.

They coughed up blood but refused to let go.

“You reckless dogs!” Furious, he kicked one man’s arm sharply. A crisp crack sounded as the arm bent grotesquely.

Though wracked with pain, the man clenched his teeth and held on.

Luo Shuyao watched in agony, tears streaming down her face. She shouted desperately, “Run! Leave me! Go now!”

Chu Xing stood to the side, moved inexplicably by the two battered men who fiercely protected their mistress despite their wounds.

Though he despised the girl’s previous misdeeds, he could not help but admire their loyalty and courage at this moment.

Lu Mingchuan’s patience snapped completely. His eyes filled with murderous intent as he raised his palm, gathering inner energy to strike the man’s head fiercely.

At that critical moment—

A hand suddenly shot out from the side, gripping Lu Mingchuan’s wrist tightly.

The palm strike, infused with inner energy, was stopped dead in its tracks.

Lu Mingchuan turned sharply, eyes wide with shock.

The one who grabbed him was the very person he had always considered an insignificant ant, intending to crush casually later—Chu Xing.

Lu Mingchuan shook his wrist, trying to break free, but to his astonishment, the hand holding him did not budge an inch.

This strength was beyond what a seventh-stage Qi Condensation cultivator should possess!

The two men, who had been barely holding on, finally snapped when they saw Chu Xing block Lu Mingchuan’s attack.

They slumped over, completely unconscious.

When Luo Shuyao saw that it was Chu Xing who intervened, a flicker of hope lit her dimming eyes.

But the hope quickly vanished, replaced by deeper despair.

How could this guy possibly defeat Lu Mingchuan?

Fool! Why not take this chance to run?

That rush of anger and impatience was overwhelmed by waves of regret.

It was all her fault for dragging him into this mess by coming along.

The shock on Lu Mingchuan’s face faded swiftly, replaced by a dark gloom.

He had failed to break free from this ant’s grip at the first moment!

“I don’t care who you are,” Lu Mingchuan’s voice grew cold, “let go now, and I’ll let you die quickly.”

Chu Xing ignored him and instead turned to look at the limp Luo Shuyao, a harmless smile playing on his lips.

“Miss, look at the mess you’ve caused.”

Chu Xing spoke slowly, completely unfazed by the murderous glare Lu Mingchuan shot him.

“You said you wanted to teach me a lesson earlier, right? How about you discuss with this senior brother here to see who strikes first?”