Volume One: The Young Man Enters the World Chapter Forty-Three: The Human Heart

In the Zhou family’s sitting room, Zhou Yunshu had already instructed the servants to prepare the wine and dishes. Then, he took a small vial from his bosom, poured its contents into the wine, and subsequently filled the cups. The bottle Zhou Yunshu produced was unmistakably the one that had been stored in the box a few days prior. It was clear he intended to act—was it possible he meant harm to Fang Tian?

He swirled his own cup thoughtfully, then sat down nearby, regarding the outdoors with an impassive face as he waited for Fang Tian and the others to arrive.

After a short while, Fang Tian and Zhou Xiaodie entered, accompanied by Zhou Quan. As for the others, Fang Tian had requested Zhou Yunshu not to make a great affair of his departure; just a few people would suffice, for he did not wish too many to know he was leaving. If the whole Zhou family came to see him off, he would likely be delayed for quite some time. Such attention would be troublesome—far better to leave quietly, with as few people as possible.

“You’re here! Please, everyone, have a seat,” Zhou Yunshu greeted them with a smile.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhou,” replied Fang Tian.

Once they were seated, Zhou Yunshu raised his cup to Fang Tian and spoke, “Xiaotian, thank you for all you have done for my family. As your elder, it is only right that I offer you this toast.”

“You’re too kind, Uncle Zhou. Allow me to toast you in return.”

With that, the two drained their cups in a single motion. Afterward, Zhou Yunshu smiled at Zhou Xiaodie and said, “Xiaodie, you should also toast Fang Tian.”

“Alright. Brother Fang Tian, I toast you.”

Fang Tian took another cup of wine. Once his cup was refilled, he turned to Zhou Quan and said, “Zhou Quan, let me toast you as well. I’m glad to have met you; it’s made this journey worthwhile.”

“Brother Fang Tian, on the contrary, I should be toasting you—you are the benefactor of our Zhou family. Come! I toast you.”

“Very well.”

But just as Fang Tian was about to drink, he suddenly felt something amiss. A wave of weakness overcame him; he felt dizzy and lightheaded. Stumbling, he fell heavily onto his chair, bewildered, and turned to Zhou Yunshu. “Uncle Zhou, what’s wrong with this wine?”

Zhou Yunshu slowly rose, a faint smile on his lips. “Xiaotian, it isn’t the wine itself. I poisoned it.”

Fang Tian was utterly shocked. Had he heard that right—poisoned?

“Uncle Zhou, I must have misunderstood. Poisoned? You must be joking.”

“I am not. The wine is indeed poisoned.”

With that, Zhou Yunshu circulated his spiritual power, expelling the wine he had just drunk. He looked at Fang Tian with a trace of mockery.

Zhou Xiaodie, overhearing their conversation, stared at Zhou Yunshu in disbelief. “Father, you poisoned the wine?”

Zhou Yunshu ignored her and addressed Zhou Quan instead. “Take Xiaodie away. Watch her closely—don’t let her run off.”

Zhou Quan nodded. “Yes, patriarch. Xiaodie, come with me.”

With that, Zhou Quan supported Zhou Xiaodie and led her away, casting a cold glance at Fang Tian. Having drunk the wine herself, Zhou Xiaodie was powerless to resist and could only let Zhou Quan lead her out. In her confusion and distress, she shouted desperately at Zhou Yunshu, “Father, what are you doing? Don’t hurt Brother Fang Tian, please!”

Her anxious cries faded as she was led away, becoming more distant until they could no longer be heard.

Zhou Yunshu glanced back at them before shifting his gaze to Fang Tian, his malicious intent plain on his face. Fang Tian tried to muster his spiritual power but found his body utterly devoid of it; no matter how he tried, he could not summon any strength. It was then he realized what poison had been used.

“You used Spirit Crumbling Powder?”

Zhou Yunshu sat down, picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, chewed thoughtfully, and then looked at Fang Tian. “Very astute. Yes, it was Spirit Crumbling Powder. How does it feel? You can’t use a single trace of your spiritual power, can you? And I used a generous dose—you’ll find it difficult to move at all.”

Fang Tian drew a deep breath, forcing himself upright in his chair. He asked in a low voice, “Why are you doing this to me?”

Zhou Yunshu chuckled, set down his chopsticks, and stood, walking over to Fang Tian. He spoke slowly, “Xiaotian, truth be told, I take no pleasure in this. After all, you saved me and the Zhou family. But the fault lies in where you came from—I have no choice.”

“What do you mean? Where I came from?”

“Don’t play the fool. You know full well. Fine—I’ll be more explicit.”

“Qingchuan Village,” Zhou Yunshu enunciated each word clearly.

“Qingchuan Village?”

“That’s right. Now you understand.”

Fang Tian fell silent, recalling past events. In that moment, the truth became clear—Zhou Yunshu was after the treasure in his possession.

“So, it’s the treasure you want? Unfortunately, I have nothing of the sort on me,” Fang Tian replied.

Zhou Yunshu turned his back to Fang Tian, gazing out the window with a sigh. “When a divine light descends from the heavens, a treasure is sure to appear. How could there be nothing? Especially when a boy from some remote village emerges with cultivation power.”

He turned back, greed written plainly on his face. “Xiaotian, hand over the treasure, and I’ll spare your life.”

Staring at the man who had become a stranger before his eyes, Fang Tian shook his head. He hadn’t realized his identity had long since been uncovered. He had foolishly believed he’d met good people and had done all he could for them. Now it was clear—he had been fatally mistaken.

“I truly have no treasure on me. If you don’t believe me, search me as you like.”

“Xiaotian, I’m not a fool. If it’s a treasure, who knows where you might have hidden it? You’d best tell me honestly.”

Fang Tian’s eyes flashed. Apparently, Zhou Yunshu did not know that some treasures could be stored within the body. Was it possible that in this backwater, they were ignorant of such things?

“Believe what you will. I have nothing.”

Zhou Yunshu sighed. “Since you insist, I have no choice but to harden my heart. I’ll kill you and take your body to Wufeng City to claim the reward. That will also avenge my cousin.”

Fang Tian frowned in confusion. When had he killed his cousin? He hadn’t killed anyone from the Zhou family that night.

Seeing Fang Tian’s perplexed expression, Zhou Yunshu sneered and continued, “That night, when the strange phenomenon appeared, the three great families all sent people to investigate, but they found nothing. Still, I was unwilling to give up. After a few days, I secretly sent men to search again, ordering them to use any means necessary. Judging by your cultivation, our Zhou family would rise above dependence on Redleaf Town if we obtained that treasure. We would no longer suffer under others’ control. I must have it!”

He paused, then leaned close to Fang Tian, his tone intense. “Do you know, in this wretched place, I’ll never reach a higher level, never live longer. I can only wait for death. But then you appeared before me—a mere mortal, yet so young and already possessing such power. For the first time, I had hope—a hope of becoming strong…”

Beside him, Fang Tian grew increasingly irritable as he listened, his face darkening. He demanded, “So all those men were sent by you?”

“Yes. Since you’re going to die anyway, I’ll tell you. My cousin was Zhou Yunhu, and with him were his two sworn brothers. People like us usually use aliases for such matters; even if we fail and die, our true names won’t be revealed, to prevent enemies from seeking vengeance.”

Zhou Yunhu? Wang Hu?

In an instant, Fang Tian understood why the leader that night had so readily revealed his identity. Observing Zhou Yunshu’s features, he realized the resemblance between the two.

So, it was the Zhou family responsible for the massacre of his entire village! All for the sake of some unknown treasure, they had slaughtered everyone but him!

Such wickedness deserved death!

An inexpressible fury welled up inside Fang Tian. He ground his teeth, his eyes fixed on Zhou Yunshu with a murderous hatred, as if he could tear him to pieces.

“So, it was your Zhou family. You are truly without conscience!”

“What of it? They were just a group of mortals. Besides, didn’t you kill my cousin—Zhou Quan’s father?”

Fang Tian was shaken—he had never imagined that man was Zhou Quan’s father! No wonder Zhou Quan had always regarded him with such coldness.

But that did nothing to erase their crime of wiping out his entire village. Since they had committed such atrocities, they would pay the price.