Chapter 6 Overcoming a Mountain

Hou squeezed out of the gap in the compounds wall and out into the back mountain. After investigating his fathers poison he esrimated he had only around 10% of his qi left. This wouldn't do. Reaching into his robe Hou pulled out a glowing blue pill. Clouds ebbed and flowed along its surface changing shape like smoke in the wind. This was a precious perfect Qi restoration pill he had received from his father back when his herbs were taken the first time as a consolation. If there was any time to use it, it was now. 

Swallowing the pill Hou felt an immense energy rush towards his dantian. He didn't have time to fully absorb it so he decided to get what he could and continue. Although this was a waste he was in a hurry and couldn't afford to spare the time required to circulate his qi while absorbing it for maximum effect. Channelling all the fresh Qi into his legs Hou utilised his qinggong to its most extreme. Expanding due to the incoming qi, vessels bulged in his calves as his muscles swelled. Now he was ready. With a green flash he began racing across the mountain. In order to conserve qi Hou wasn't as careful as he usually was and didn't dodge what wasn't strictly necessary. Slowly cuts from branches began to accumulate as he whipped past them breaking them as he went. He WOULD NOT return without the medicine his father needed. 

Cao Tang sat in his estates garden pavilion. Across from him sat what could only be described as an old man. No qi, no sword, no innate presence. Just an ordinary non-descript old man. And yet...he was one of the most feared men of the era, one of the three evils of New Sichuan...The faceless master. 

A master of assassination nothing was known about his origins or his current existence. Despite this, his title was feared across the whole of Jianghu. He had slain countless masters and common folk alike. He would take any job that could pique his interest no matter who the requester or the target was. 

"How is our plan coming along?" 

"Excellent sir. I slipped some of the poison into Bai Tangs wine while he was drinking in despair and the idiot drank it down happily."

"Good. You know HE can't be disappointed. As long as you secure Bai Tang's position we'll be able to take control of the Tang clan and then YOU will be patriarch."

Rightfully so, Cao Tang thought. The old man took one last sip of tea before standing. 

"I look forward to seeing your results."

With no sound to speak of the old man was gone. Cao Tang couldn't possibly fathom what level his qinggong and stealth techniques were at to achieve such a feat. 

Hou Tang stood in front of the cave. It was the only place he hadn't checked in this entire mountain. He just needed to find JUST ONE natural chelating agent and he could enhance it with his alchemical skills to treat his father. After hours of searching his condition wasn't good, but he had no other choice but to continue his search. Hou lit a torch and stepped into the cave. 

Treading carefully as he went Hou stuck close to the cave walls observing the ground for any animal tracks. Slowly the initial passage he had entered wound its way through the mountain before opening up into a grand chamber. Hou stayed alert as he scanned the area for any sign of useful compounds. These types of wide open caves made perfect lairs for powerful beasts so he made certain to conceal himself to the best of his abilities as he went. 

As he crept along the cave wall Hou could suddenly feel...a breeze? He paused and scanned the wall next to him. A crack! Only as thick as a single finger but through this crack there was fresh air. That could mean a hidden chasm! As the energy of nature is extremely strong and thick in secluded areas like this powerful herbs are often able to grow into old age developing incredible powers decade by decade. Even if this wasn't the herb he needed maybe he could distill it into something that could extend his fathers survival time. 

Hou channelled all his remaining qi to his fist. Even if he wasn't very good at palm techniques this would surely have to have some effect. Having explored the cave this much he was pretty certain there wasn't anything here that could threaten him. There were no tracks on the way in just smooth dirt floor and no signs of habitation either. It wouldn't matter if he had to rock the cave a bit to create a gap in the wall for himself. As such Hou was able to release his energy with a thunderous roar and channel everything he had in him into the wall. 

Pulling back his hand which had embedded itself in the wall the rock flaked away in front of him and a slit big enough for him to squeeze through began to appear. Crawling into the crack Hou took a moment to compose himself before continuing forward. As he reached the other side he could feel the air getting heavy. Peaking out of the crack Hou was met with an astonishing site. There was a huge cavern open to the sky with a giant mound in the centre surrounded by a shallow moat of water. Most important of all, atop the mound there was the most spectacular flower he had ever laid eyes on. An almost crystalline chrysanthemum sat basking in the sunlight, the golden evening rays reflecting off its petals. 

Forgetting himself Hou sprinted for the flower. Could this be what he was looking for? Getting close he took a moment to analyse it before harvesting it. Praying to all the gods of this world Hou checked the window next to the plant...'can target heavy metals'. He couldn't believe it. Maybe he truly was blessed in this life.

However, this thought wouldn't last long as when he went to reach for the flower Hou felt a sudden pain in his abdomen. Looking down he could see a... a dagger? No that couldn't be right. Turning to face his attacker Hou was overcome with the realisation that this wasn't a dagger but in fact the tail of a demonic beast. In that moment all that Hou could think was...

Damn.