TGCFNM -Chapter 163 No Need for So Much Trouble

In the courtyard.

Cao Tong and Yan Sheng sat together, trembling. Xiao Hua carried over two cups of hot tea and handed them over, shaking her head pitifully.

Qingtong hung up lanterns, making the courtyard a little brighter.

Chu Ling sat upright opposite them, raising her brows as she questioned, “How did you end up mistaking us for ghosts?”

Cao Tong looked as if he were about to cry. “My lord, those scattered flickers of firelight were truly terrifying.”

“And it was the middle of the night,” Yan Sheng added miserably. “Who would’ve thought anyone would still be coming in from outside at that hour—without even carrying a lantern?”

Chu Ling examined their bruised and swollen faces and let out a snort of laughter. “Looks to me like you got knocked senseless at the martial arts marriage contest and can’t even tell the difference between people and ghosts anymore.”

Cao Tong and Yan Sheng both instinctively touched their cheeks. They had indeed been beaten rather badly.

“For the sake of that martial arts manual, everyone went mad,” Cao Tong spat, only to wince as pain shot across his cheek.

Chu Ling looked at them deliberately. “Were you planning to run away overnight because getting beaten like that was too embarrassing?”

Yan Sheng answered awkwardly, “…Yes.”

Cao Tong quickly added, “Not entirely. Don’t you think today was strange?”

“What was strange about it?” Chu Ling lifted her teacup and took a light sip.

“Before the contest began, that Fort Master Guo served each of us a cup of tea and gave some encouraging words. Some people drank it on the spot. We arrived later and were worried someone might have put something in the tea, so we didn’t drink it,” Cao Tong said.

Chu Ling paused mid-motion and set down her cup. “Don’t tell me that everyone who drank the tea ended up winning.”

“That’s right. All of them won,” Cao Tong confirmed.

Chu Ling immediately raised her brows. “Then there’s definitely something wrong. There might have been some kind of frenzy-inducing drug in the tea—something that accelerates blood flow after being consumed, temporarily boosting one’s strength. But there would certainly be side effects.”

Yan Sheng hurriedly asked, “My lord, what kind of side effects?”

“Everything comes at a price. If someone chooses to burn their blood to temporarily enhance their strength, then once the effect fades, what was consumed earlier will inevitably backlash. Their strength might even drop by an entire level.” As she spoke, Chu Ling tilted her head slightly and glanced at Bai Su.

Am I right?

Bai Su’s expression was extremely grim as she nodded. “It’s not just that. They could even lose their lives.”

Chu Ling murmured, “In severe cases, they could lose their lives… What kind of drug is this?”

“It’s not a drug,” Bai Su said, her entire ghostly figure tensing instantly, her face ashen. “It’s blood powder refined from gu worms—something that feeds on human essence and blood! Why would that Fort Master Guo possess gu worms? What exactly is he trying to do?”

Chu Ling turned to look at the two men, who were staring wide-eyed, clearly frightened out of their wits. “I’m not trying to scare you. People really could die.”

Fu Qingyu, who had been silent at the side all this time, suddenly looked at Chu Ling and asked, “My lord, how do you plan to handle this?”

“Naturally, we deal with it immediately!” Bai Su said through clenched teeth. “Gu worms must never be allowed to mature. Otherwise, the consequences will be endless.”

“How about we take action tonight—” Chu Ling had barely begun speaking when Bai Su placed a hand on her shoulder. “Gu worms are most active at night. We must wait until tomorrow during the day.”

Chu Ling looked at Yan Sheng and Cao Tong. “There’s definitely something wrong with that tea. And if we don’t stop it in time, I’m afraid everyone who came this time might end up dead.”

Yan Sheng’s eyes widened in panic, cold sweat instantly breaking out across his forehead. “My lord, do you already know something?”

Chu Ling gave a slight nod. “Tomorrow—will the martial arts marriage contest continue?”

Cao Tong nodded. “It will. And there’ll be tea served every day.”

Chu Ling stood up. “Tomorrow we’ll have to pay a visit to the Guo residence and see for ourselves. If my suspicions are correct, then this Guo Tieyun truly deserves to die.”

Cao Tong rose as well. “My lord, Yan Sheng and I will head back now and try to gather more people.”

“Go on,” Chu Ling said.

Cao Tong and Yan Sheng cupped their fists in salute, then turned and left.

Fu Qingyu stood up and looked at Chu Ling. “I’ll go with you tomorrow, my lord. That Guo Tieyun is indeed somewhat strange.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Good. The more hands we have, the better.”

After all, if Aunt Su was right, Guo Tieyun currently carried the inner force of two people within his body.

—

The next day.

Quite a few martial artists had already gathered outside the Guo residence. Compared to yesterday’s excitement and anticipation, many of those who came today wore gloomy, unpleasant expressions, an eerie air of dejection surrounding them.

The passing townsfolk took one glance and hurried away.

When Chu Ling arrived with her people, Cao Tong and Yan Sheng immediately stepped forward to greet them.

“My lord, I’ve asked around. Those who drank the tea truly showed the symptoms you mentioned. After the competition, they all experienced blackouts and fatigue. It really does feel as if their essence and blood were drained,” Cao Tong said nervously.

Chu Ling gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and looked at the tightly shut gates of the Guo residence. “What’s going on? They’re not opening the door?”

“They won’t,” Yan Sheng replied. “We’ve been knocking for quite a while. No response.”

Chu Ling gestured directly to Xiao Hua behind her. “Xiao Hua, break it.”

Xiao Hua drew out her firewood stick and strode up to the gates. With a single swing, she smashed it forward.

A thunderous bang rang out. Several cracks instantly split across the wooden doors. With another hard shove, the doors tore apart like strips of cloth, ripped clean open.

“It’s done, my lord.”

Chu Ling nodded, then turned to the gathered martial artists. “Guo Tieyun should possess the inner force of two people. I suggest we split into groups to search.”

The martial artists all agreed.

Chu Ling, along with Wan Sanjin, Fu Qingyu, and the others, began searching the Guo residence.

Bai Su surveyed the place, a trace of familiarity flashing in her eyes. When she spotted a peach tree, realization suddenly dawned on her.

“I know this place. Though it’s been expanded, if one were to hide something—or someone—there’s only one possible spot.”

With that, Bai Su stepped forward to lead the way.

Chu Ling called out to the others, “My intuition tells me to head this way.”

Gradually, everyone gathered behind Chu Ling as she followed Bai Su deeper inside, until they stopped before a rockery.

“Is there a mechanism here?” Fu Qingyu asked. “Everyone, look around.”

“No need.” Chu Ling turned to Xiao Hua. “Smash it.”

Gripping her firewood stick, Xiao Hua struck with a loud crash. A section of the rockery shattered into pieces, revealing a flight of stone steps leading downward.

“My lord, should we go down?” Fu Qingyu asked.

“Wait.” Someone stepped forward. “Perhaps we should go down first. We don’t know if there’s an ambush below. How could we trouble you again, my lord?”

Chu Ling waved her hand. “No need for so much trouble.” She then looked at Wan Sanjin and Su He.

Wan Sanjin tied several packets of medicine to a stone and tossed it down the steps.

Su He lit a fire starter and aimed it at the stone, throwing it down as well.

Before the crowd could react—having only seen a wisp of blue smoke—Zhang Dong swiftly sealed the rockery entrance with a piece of cloth.

Chu Ling lightly flicked her sleeve and lifted her chin. “We’ll simply smoke them out with medicine.”