This time, Old Man Meng was rather kind and gave Yang Kai a few extra herbs, but he wouldn't let Yang Kai go without asking why his cultivation had progressed so rapidly.
It seemed that the trouble Yang Kai caused to Su Mu and others had reached Manager Meng's ears.
Yang Kai had a good impression of Manager Meng, despite his being somewhat unreliable, lecherous, and thick-skinned. He found the old man's temperament quite to his liking.
This matter was hard to explain, so Yang Kai could only say that he accidentally ate a fruit while in Black Wind Mountain, which suddenly enlightened him on how to cultivate.
Manager Meng pondered for a while, considering the time Yang Kai spent in Black Wind Mountain and his recent performance, and could only attribute it to a stroke of luck.
Leaving the Contribution Hall, Yang Kai was worried.
All his contribution points had been exchanged for herbs, which would probably last for three or four days. Where could he get more herbs afterward?
Although he could earn two points a day by challenging others, he could only receive those points on the eighth of each month. There were still about twenty days left, and he couldn't wait that long.
Unable to think of a good solution, Yang Kai could only bury himself in his cultivation.
In the hurried days that followed, Yang Kai's strength at the sixth level of the Body Tempering Stage gradually stabilized, showing signs of advancing to the seventh level. His hard work and dedication finally paid off.
In contrast to Yang Kai's good days, Su Mu and others were in deep trouble. Yang Kai came to trouble them every day, leaving them frustrated and helpless, unable to beat or hide from him.
Su Mu had confidence in defeating Yang Kai, but their difference in levels was too great. Su Mu always thought Yang Kai was only at the fourth or fifth level of the Body Tempering Stage.
Su Mu knew this couldn't continue. If things went on like this, their morale would be shattered.
After much thought, Su Mu gritted his teeth and gathered all the disciples of Lingxiao Pavilion who had been tormented by Yang Kai. With a grim expression, he declared, "Tonight, we will ambush Yang Kai and avenge our humiliation!"
If they couldn't play by the rules, then they would abandon them!
Everyone was startled. "Ambush?"
"Yes," Su Mu nodded.
"This doesn't seem right," Li Yuntian hesitated. "Although Yang Kai is somewhat unscrupulous, he beat us fair and square. If we ambush him at night and word gets out, we might be punished."
Li Yuntian's words were met with general agreement.
Su Mu, enraged, said, "But he's gone too far! He doesn't respect us at all. If we don't teach him a lesson, who knows how long he'll keep this up. I'm definitely going to trouble him tonight. Anyone willing to join me can come along. If not, I won't force you. If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility and won't drag you into it."
Su Mu's sincerity moved everyone, even those who felt it was wrong. They couldn't argue, seeing how Su Mu shouldered all the responsibility.
Li Yuntian thought for a moment and said, "Well, if it succeeds, that bastard will know we're not to be trifled with. Su Shao, I'll risk my life with you this time!"
"We'll go too," everyone echoed.
Su Mu smiled and nodded. "That's more like it!"
That night, the group was brimming with energy. At the third watch, they gathered in Su Mu's room.
"Ready?" Su Mu asked solemnly.
Everyone nodded.
"Good. This time, we'll make sure that bastard never forgets!" Su Mu covered his face with a black cloth, revealing only his eyes. The others followed suit, filled with excitement.
"Move out!" Su Mu ordered.
A dozen shadows darted out, merging into the night.
Lingxiao Pavilion's night watch was lax, but Su Mu and his group, being members of the Pavilion, were familiar with the patrol routes and easily avoided them.
That's why they say a house thief is hard to guard against. Su Mu's actions exemplified this perfectly.
Before long, they gathered in front of Yang Kai's small wooden house, a dozen yards away, holding their breath as they stared at the dark building.
"There's no light inside. Yang Kai must be asleep," Su Mu felt assured and turned to Li Yuntian, saying, "Yang Kai's not weak. You and I will go in first and capture him. Then everyone can beat him up."
"Alright," Li Yuntian nodded.
"Don't kill him. Anything else goes," Su Mu reminded them, and everyone whispered their agreement.
"Go!" Su Mu waved his hand and charged towards the small house. A dozen shadows moved silently, their hearts filled with anger, dreaming of avenging their humiliation by beating Yang Kai.
They had been tormented by Yang Kai for days.
As they approached the small house, Su Mu's eyes gleamed with cold light, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
Getting closer, the wooden door was right before him. Su Mu reached out to touch it.
Suddenly, a strange fragrance wafted into his nose. Su Mu sniffed lightly, finding the scent peculiar but not unpleasant, something he had never smelled before.
Though curious, Su Mu paid it no mind and continued forward.
With one step, Su Mu's body went limp, almost collapsing. The sudden change made him break out in a cold sweat. For a moment, it felt like all his strength had been drained, his head buzzing and feeling dazed.
With another step, Su Mu fell flat on his face, nose hitting the ground first, blood flowing from his nostrils, filling his mouth with a metallic taste.
"Thud, thud..." A series of sounds followed as the other Lingxiao Pavilion disciples, charging towards the small house, fell just like Su Mu, lying on the ground, weak and bruised, their groans filling the air.
"What's going on?" Su Mu forced himself to ask Li Yuntian, turning his head.
Li Yuntian tried to get up but lacked the strength, lying on the ground, panting weakly, his face pale. Hesitantly, he said, "Su Shao, we might be poisoned."
"Poisoned?" Su Mu was horrified.
"And it's a strong poison..." Li Yuntian's hand trembled. "Su... Shao, I don't think I'll make it. You... must avenge me!"
After speaking, Li Yuntian's head dropped, and he fell silent.
Su Mu was terrified, calling Li Yuntian's name, but he couldn't wake him. Looking around, none of his companions had escaped the fate, all lying motionless.
An inexplicable fear and deep sorrow filled Su Mu's heart, making his mind unusually clear.
This was Lingxiao Pavilion. How could they be poisoned? And the poison was so potent that in just a few breaths, it had claimed so many lives.