Chapter 292: The Venomous Emperor of the West

Wushuang City!

The construction by cultivators progressed rapidly. Most of the buildings that were previously dismantled by Zhongshan's mobilization of the people were now rebuilt and restored by the citizens. However, the new structures seemed as if they had been relocated, appearing quite different from before.

Shui Wuheng was training troops at the military school, while Zhongshan continued to study the geography of the surrounding areas.

War? There was no rush. A blade needs sharpening before it can cut wood! Soldiers need training before they can fight! Wushuang City was developing methodically, and Zhongshan's army was growing rapidly.

These days, Nie Youyou was nowhere to be found, and Ada and Zhihuo didn't bother Zhongshan, giving him a rare moment of peace.

However, on this particular day, a strange old man walked toward the southern gate of Wushuang City. He appeared exceptionally eerie.

The old man wore robes of various colors. His hair was slightly white, and his face was smooth, except for the deeply lined eyes, which gave him a sinister appearance.

Waving his multicolored sleeves, the old man smiled to himself and muttered, "This old man finally has someone to pass on his legacy! Taking on a disciple was truly difficult. It took more than ten years, and I still have to help her find things. But finally, she agreed!"

In a very good mood, the old man swaggered toward the gate of Wushuang City.

The guards at the gate noticed the strange old man early on. Two guards immediately rushed forward and asked, "Who goes there?"

"You little brats dare to block this old man's path? I'm in a good mood today and won't bother with you. I'm here to see your city lord. Let your city lord come out and meet me!" The old man said bluntly.

"Bold!" One of the gate guards exclaimed angrily.

A single angry shout caused the old man to furrow his brow. He glared at the guard.

With just one glance, the guard's face suddenly turned black, and he collapsed, unconscious. Strangely, he fainted instantly.

It was too eerie, too uncanny. The other guard immediately shouted, "Intruder!"

With a loud shout, the guard tried to carry the fallen guard away. However, as he lifted the man, his own face turned black, and he too fainted.

A look of disdain crossed the old man's face.

Moments after the guard's shout, a large number of city guards swarmed in. In the blink of an eye, the civilians at the city gate were cleared away, leaving only the army surrounding the old man.

In the lord's mansion, Zhongshan was studying the map.

"Commander, Commander, something bad's happened!" A general rushed into the main hall.

Zhongshan furrowed his brow and looked at the anxious general.

"What's wrong? Take your time and explain!" Zhongshan said.

"Commander, at the southern gate, a peerless expert has arrived. Nearly a thousand of our men have already been... been..." The general said strangely.

"What happened to them?" Zhongshan asked, his brow furrowing.

"They were all poisoned and fell unconscious just by being looked at by him!" The general said.

"Oh? Just by a glance?" Zhongshan frowned.

"Yes!" The general immediately replied.

"Why did he poison the city guards?" Zhongshan asked with a frown.

"He wants to see you, Commander!" The general said.

"Has anyone died?" Zhongshan asked again.

"I don't know. Nearly a thousand people have fallen unconscious, and no one dares to check because they would also be affected and immediately faint!" The general said.

"Hmm, inform Zhihuo and Ada. I'll go take a look." Zhongshan thought for a moment and said.

"Understood!" The general immediately responded.

Outside the southern gate of Wushuang City:

In the center of an empty space stood the strange old man. Around him lay nearly two thousand people who had fallen unconscious. Even two powerful cultivators in the Yuan Ying stage were lying on the ground.

Surrounding the area, more guards were preparing for battle, bows drawn and aimed directly at the strange old man in the center. They waited for the commander's order to release a barrage of arrows toward him.

However, being a commander required more than just strength; it also demanded composure. After all, if they launched this round of arrows, the nearly two thousand brothers on the ground would truly die. Moreover, the old man's background was extraordinary. Could these arrows really deal with him? It was better to wait for the commander's decision!

"I don't have much time. Let your city lord come to see me!" The old man said impatiently.

"Senior, please wait. I have already sent someone to inform him. We will have news shortly," the leading general reassured.

"Hmm," the old man nodded.

At that moment, Zhongshan, accompanied by Ada and Zhihuo, flew to the city gate. Nie Youyou, however, was still out and hadn't returned yet, leaving them unaware of her whereabouts.

"Commander!" The guards near the gate immediately greeted Zhongshan with respect.

At the same time, Shui Wuheng, Liu Wushuang, and Zhao Chuan also received the news and flew over.

"Commander!" They respectfully bowed to Zhongshan as he approached the city gate.

"Hmm," Zhongshan nodded and took the lead.

With Zhihuo and Ada guarding on either side, the others followed behind as they walked through the long passage leading out of the city gate.

Upon reaching the gate, the soldiers cleared a path, allowing Zhongshan to see the strange old man standing in the center.

"Sir, that's the Venomous Emperor of the West, a pinnacle expert of the Imperial Realm. His true abnormality lies not only in his strength but also in his use of poison. He once single-handedly poisoned an entire city in pursuit of revenge," Ada quickly briefed Zhongshan on the old man's background.

Clearly, this old man had quite a reputation.

The Venomous Emperor of the West? Poisoning an entire city? What a ruthless heart and powerful poison, truly worthy of the title of Venomous Emperor.

However, that wasn't the main point. The key was that Zhongshan had seen this Venomous Emperor before.

During the journey from the Kaiyang Sect to Wushuang City, escorted by Zixun, they passed through the Eastern Sea. Along the way, they encountered a young girl riding a dragon, accompanied by a large number of sea dragons. Following behind her was the Venomous Emperor, earnestly trying to take the girl as his disciple. In the end, the girl managed to escape, but the Venomous Emperor continued to pursue her.

Was it him?

As Zhongshan appeared, the guards on both sides respectfully made way for the group of Wushuang City's leaders.

Meanwhile, not far away, the Venomous Emperor also looked at the approaching group with curiosity.

The Venomous Emperor immediately recognized Zhongshan's strength. Seventh level of the Golden Dan stage? However, he was being protected by a group of peerless experts. Moreover, their demeanor seemed like they were his subordinates?

"Senior Venomous Emperor, we meet again!" Zhongshan smiled and spoke first.

Zhongshan's words caught the Venomous Emperor off guard. Do we know each other? And why are you trying to establish such a relationship with me?

"Who are you?" the Venomous Emperor frowned and asked.

"More than seven years ago, on the Eastern Sea, I was with Elder Zixun from the Seven Star Hall, passing through the Eastern Sea. At that time, a group of sea dragons was running amok. To save his beloved disciple, the Venomous Emperor, without hesitation, chased after the sea dragons. I wonder how his beloved disciple is doing now?" Zhongshan said with a smile.

Although what Zhongshan said was not entirely accurate, it sounded pleasant to the Venomous Emperor's ears. At least, it sounded pleasant to be addressed that way.

With Zhongshan's words, the Venomous Emperor remembered. Although he didn't remember Zhongshan, he did remember Zixun. After all, powerful individuals were more memorable.

However, the Venomous Emperor had no interest in getting close to Zhongshan or engaging in pleasantries with him.

"Where is your city lord?" the Venomous Emperor asked directly.

"I am Zhongshan. I am currently overseeing Wushuang City, in charge of both military and political affairs. I have the authority to make decisions regarding anything in Wushuang City. If you have any business, you can discuss it with me," Zhongshan said confidently.

"You?" the Venomous Emperor widened his eyes skeptically.

Although these people showed respect to Zhongshan, it was unimaginable for the Great Luo Dynasty to entrust the impregnable Wushuang City to a cultivator in the Golden Dan stage. However, seeing the confident demeanor of the other generals and officials, the Venomous Emperor could only reluctantly accept this fact.

"I'm here to collect something from you," the Venomous Emperor said straightforwardly.

Seeing the Venomous Emperor, Zhongshan smiled faintly. A poison expert? They were also a peculiar type of individual. If used properly, they could be incredibly useful. Zhongshan had been gathering resources from all over the world, but not soldiers, spiritual stones, magic weapons, or precious materials. He only sought talent because he had long known one thing: what was the most valuable thing?

Something money couldn't buy was the most precious! Soldiers could be recruited with money, spiritual stones were just currency, magic weapons could be bought, and even the most precious materials had a price. However, talents were priceless!

"I have long admired you, Senior. If you have any requests, I will do my best to assist you. Why don't we go to my residence and discuss it slowly to see how I can help you?" Zhongshan said with a smile.

"Huh?" The Venomous Emperor was slightly stunned.

Because the Venomous Emperor couldn't imagine Zhongshan's response. The intimidation and bribery they had prepared in advance seemed to have suddenly burst like a bubble. A strange feeling pervaded their body.

Go to his residence? Looking at these people, the Venomous Emperor felt no fear at all!

"Very well!" The Venomous Emperor nodded.

Only then did Zhongshan wave his hand, and all the soldiers who were ready to shoot their arrows put away their bows. Through a few probing words earlier, Zhongshan had already understood the Venomous Emperor's attitude. At the very least, he was reasonable.

Seeing Zhongshan's actions, the Venomous Emperor also noticed that the soldiers were obedient to Zhongshan's command. He nodded and walked toward Zhongshan.

Although the generals were somewhat worried, Zhongshan waved his hand at them.

When the Venomous Emperor approached, Zhongshan said, "Senior, take a look at my subordinates."

Zhongshan pointed to the two thousand people lying on the ground.

Facing the poisoned soldiers behind him, the Venomous Emperor didn't even turn around. Instead, he waved his sleeves, and a gentle breeze blew from behind him, sweeping across the area.

"Daring to speak disrespectfully to me, if it were my old self, you would already be a pile of bones!" The Venomous Emperor left these words and didn't bother to turn back.

"Senior, please!" Zhongshan directly ignored the Venomous Emperor's pretentious words.

"Hmm," the Venomous Emperor nodded and followed Zhongshan into Wushuang City.

As soon as everyone entered Wushuang City, the two thousand soldiers who had been lying on the ground as if poisoned all slowly sat up, as if they had all been detoxified. They were covered in cold sweat, clearly frightened by the Venomous Emperor's presence.