The Tang Sect of Bashu is renowned for its expertise in poison and hidden weapons. Its members possess unusual skills and are difficult to track; by the time you realize how they strike, your life is already in peril. The Tang Sect has existed for several centuries, and when it comes to assassination techniques, no other sect dares to claim superiority. This is largely due to their elusive movements and ever-changing weaponry, especially the legendary “Rain of Pear Blossoms Needle.” To this day, the Tang Sect stands firm in the martial world, its prestige undiminished.
Since the death of the former leader, Tang Fan, two years ago, the sect has been under the leadership of Old Lady Tang, Qin Jian. In fact, during Tang Fan’s final years of illness, it was Qin Jian who had the final say in all matters of the sect, and no one within the Tang Sect doubted her authority.
However, a major incident has recently occurred within the Tang Sect: the young master, Tang Jiugong, has been mysteriously poisoned. Despite consulting many doctors, none have been able to cure him, and as his condition worsens, Old Lady Tang grows increasingly anxious. Having lost her son in middle age and her husband in old age, Tang Jiugong is her only grandson and the last of her kin; she cannot bear to lose him as well.
Because of this poisoning crisis, the Tang Sect has tightened its security. Anyone wishing to visit is not granted entry.
Feng Guang looked at the long staircase ahead, noting that at every few steps stood a man dressed in dark, fitted clothing. The Tang Sect uniforms appeared neat and crisp and worn by these spirited individuals, they looked quite handsome, especially with the masks covering half their faces, adding an air of mystery… so many handsome men!
Qing Yu scoffed, “Can you wipe the drool off your mouth?”
“Oh…” Feng Guang raised her hand to wipe her mouth, realizing there was no drool at all. She glared at Qing Yu, “You little brat, you tricked me.”
“Crybaby, it’s you who’s being infatuated; I was just reminding you to be a little more reserved.”
“Everyone loves beauty; what’s wrong with that?” Feng Guang laughed as she walked over to Xue Ran, adding, “Besides, my heart has long been claimed. Everything else is just a game. Dr. Xue, you must believe my feelings for you are unwavering.”
Xue Ran sighed, “Miss Xia, please stop fooling around. We should be thinking about how to meet Old Lady Tang; that’s what matters.”
“Oh… right!” Feng Guang suddenly remembered something. She hurried over to the carriage, took out something, and ran back, exclaiming, “This is something the world’s greatest trickster gave me. He said I could use it as a token to meet Old Lady Tang.”
“A token… that makes things easier,” Xue Ran said, although he didn’t understand why Sun Yidao would give the token to Feng Guang instead of him. However, having a token was a good thing. He approached one of the Tang Sect disciples standing on the steps and said, “This brother, I am Xue Ran, here to see Old Lady Tang.”
Upon hearing Xue Ran’s name, the Tang disciple was not surprised, as he had heard the news circulating recently: anyone who could heal the young master of the Tang Sect would be rewarded handsomely. Many people had come claiming to be the famed doctor Xue Ran, but in the end, it was proven that those claims were false.
“How can you prove you are Xue Ran?”
“By the request of an old friend, I have come to the Tang Sect to treat Young Master Tang. Here is the token entrusted by my old friend to Old Lady Tang.”
“What token?”
Feng Guang stepped forward, tugging at the hem of Xue Ran’s clothing, whispering, “About this… I just had a look, and I think it’s better if we don’t show this token.”
“Why is that?”
Feng Guang glanced at the puzzled Xue Ran, then at the Tang disciple, “In short… it’s better not to take it out.”
If this is revealed, it would cause big trouble!
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1