Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Scared Away Alive

Although Lou Yun hadn’t seen any of Short Winter Melon’s actions, Chang Xiang knew it perfectly well!

"Poison?" Lou Yun’s lips curled upward: "Alright, seems I haven’t tormented him enough. I’ll play along then!"

Lou Yun really went to buy ointment, then returned to the tavern. Naturally pretending nothing was amiss, he tossed the ointment to Short Winter Melon: "I asked around—this ointment works best. Give it a try!"

Short Winter Melon took it, also faking deep gratitude: "Many thanks! So sorry for troubling you. Must be tired from running? Sit down, have a drink. Rest up!"

Lou Yun nodded, lifted the wine cup before him, and brought it to his lips. At the same time, he watched Short Winter Melon’s expression from the corner of his eye. Short Winter Melon’s mouth unconsciously fell open in a circle, his face brimming with expectation!

Lou Yun coldly chuckled inside. He suddenly set the cup back on the table and softly sighed.

Short Winter Melon had thought Lou Yun would surely drink but never expected him to withdraw at the last moment. Instantly frantic, he asked anxiously: "Brother, what’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing. I’m just worrying about this forging conference. The future looks bleak—heard many skilled weapon makers are participating. My own crafting skills? Not sure if I’ll have any hope."

Hearing this, Short Winter Melon thumped his chest thunderously: "That’s it? What a trivial worry! Brother, you can relax one hundred twenty percent! With me, your elder brother, here, I’ll make sure you suffer no loss!"

"Haha, much appreciated! Come, I’ll toast you first!"

As he spoke, Lou Yun lifted his cup once more and thrust it steadily toward Short Winter Melon.

Short Winter Melon hastily grabbed his own cup: "Good, good! I’ll drink to that!"

After gulping it down impatiently, he fixed his eyes on Lou Yun.

Lou Yun raised the cup to his lips. Smiling faintly inside, he summoned the ice crystal jade weapon into his grasp. Then, as he tilted his head back, he poured both wine and the weapon into his mouth.

Seeing Lou Yun drink, Short Winter Melon’s heart finally settled. Full of vigor now, he urged Lou Yun to eat and drink more, seeming utterly certain he’d finish Lou Yun off and seize his treasures.

After feasting, Lou Yun stood to pay but suddenly swayed and collapsed back into his seat.

Short Winter Melon knew the drug was taking effect—ecstatic internally, but feigning concern: "Brother, what’s wrong? Feeling unwell?"

Lou Yun actually wasn’t acting. Genuine dizziness struck him, sparking alarm. Had the ice crystal jade weapon failed? Couldn’t it counter Short Winter Melon’s poison? If so, he’d played too bold. His life might end right here!

Regret flooded Lou Yun. Why had he wasted time provoking Short Winter Melon? Now his life was thrown away!

Just then, faintly glowing characters flickered into Lou Yun’s mind—utterly abrupt, unexpected.

Yet their content stunned and thrilled him:

"Tianyang Poison Water: highly toxic, colorless, odorless. Brewed from Sanyang grass, Tianmai fungus, and Fengchan dew over civil-military fire! On consumption: dizziness, rapid unconsciousness. Sleeper’s body heats, turns feverish, reddens. Leads to death via toxin. Cure: mix three-color grass with didan root."

This detailed the poison. Since Lou Yun touched no other toxin, clearly it described the one he’d drunk.

Why this sudden insight?

Lou Yun didn’t know, but guessed it stemmed from knowledge imparted by his master, Mr. Commoner.

Meaning: his body absorbed the poison, instantly analyzed its nature and cure, and relayed it!

The revelation delighted Lou Yun. Immune himself, but others weren’t. If allies got poisoned later, he could find the cure by tasting it!

He wondered: could tasting blood reveal cures too? Poisoners rarely left toxin samples behind.

Still, such worries could wait. For now, practical matters prevailed.

As the text appeared, Lou Yun’s dizziness vanished. The sensations were linked to the insights—not true poisoning.

Since unharmed, Lou Yun relaxed. And knowing the poison’s symptoms, he faked them perfectly.

All this transpired in a flash—Short Winter Melon oblivious, still gazing with feigned concern.

Lou Yun frowned: "No idea why—suddenly dizzy, entire body weak. So sleepy. Wanna sleep!"

These matched Tianyang Poison Water exactly. Short Winter Melon, convinced his trick worked, hurried over: "You’ve over-exerted from travel. Need rest. There’s an inn opposite! No need to journey today. Stay overnight and depart tomorrow."

Lou Yun pretended to ponder: "Fine, whatever you say. Rest for the night. Too weak to walk now!"

So Short Winter Melon eagerly supported Lou Yun, escorting him to an inn room.

Helping him onto the bed, Lou Yun purposely collapsed, closed his eyes instantly, and softly snored.

Standing nearby, Short Winter Melon called exaggeratedly: "Brother? Brother? Asleep yet?"

Getting no response, he persisted: "Brother? Don’t rush to sleep. Have some water to unwind first."

Lou Yun stayed motionless. Short Winter Melon then nudged him lightly—Lou Yun didn’t flinch, resolved to see his move.

Cautious, fearing Lou Yun faked it, Short Winter Melon sat in a chair instead. He loudly announced: "Ah, this young brother—so reckless with health! Traveling like it’s a death wish! Better I guard him tonight—prevent accidents."

Suddenly Lou Yun groaned painfully. Short Winter Melon dashed close—saw Lou Yun’s face flushed, touched his body—searing hot! Tianyang Poison Water symptoms confirmed. Discarding pretense at last, he laughed uproariously: "Ha! Boy—chased you all afternoon! Finally got you! Who cares if you’re from powerful families or sects? In this shabby town—if I kill you, even the most godly won’t know! Blame only yourself—too careless with such treasures!"

After this, Short Winter Melon materialized his magical weapon fan, raised it high, and savagely swung at Lou Yun’s dantian.

Utterly ruthless—poisoning wasn’t enough. He aimed to shatter Lou Yun’s magical weapon and ensure death.

Upon impact—kung! A crashing sound echoed! Simultaneously, massive recoil surged back through the fan into Short Winter Melon’s arm, numbing it entirely.

Stunned, he glanced down—Lou Yun’s body shimmered with silver-white armor! Strangely, the armor wasn’t spiritual energy formed—it appeared solid, forged from sturdy material.

Short Winter Melon gasped sharply. What now? Armor transformation wasn’t new—but this manifested without Lou Yun’s magical weapon.

Moreover, Lou Yun lay unconscious from poison—without awareness, how could the weapon shape-shift defensively itself?

Most might suspect trickery now—but greed had consumed Short Winter Melon. How abandon a feast at its peak? Clenching his teeth, he infused the fan with raw power—a blaze of white light—and struck again.

This time, roaring flames erupted from Lou Yun’s form! Surging flames singed Short Winter Melon’s face! Terrified, he froze mid-swing, staggered backward, and gaped at Lou Yun horror-struck.

No blame—the sight before him chilled to core: Lou Yun lying motionless yet blazing furiously. Curtains and sheets stayed unburnt—yet Short Winter Melon felt searing heat earlier!

Eyes darting twice, Short Winter Melon suddenly shrieked! Like a massive ball, he lunged through the room’s window—threw his fan skyward—and rode it swiftly away!

Once gone, Lou Yun rolled upright. Flames and armor vanished instantly. Watching Short Winter Melon’s fading silhouette, Lou Yun heartily laughed while shaking his head: "Ha! Expected more from you! But just flee scared? How dull! Still—no escaping me! I’ll see you at the forging conference!"