Chapter 56: The Awakening of the Fierce Hero

Lu Han slowly walked to the bedside. At this moment, Lie Xiong’s face was pale, a black line stretched between his brows, and his lips were frightfully white.

“What kind of poison is this?” Lu Han wondered. Normally, poisoning would turn the complexion dark.

“Boy, these are the symptoms after being poisoned by Black Flood Dragon Grass,” Old Man Ling’s voice suddenly echoed in Lu Han’s mind.

“Black Flood Dragon Grass?”

Lu Han had never heard of it.

Old Man Ling explained, “Wherever the Black Flood Dragon lives, the Black Flood Dragon Grass grows. Normally, the Black Flood Dragons are at the Earth King level—how could anyone get their hands on such grass?”

Old Man Ling was puzzled. The strongest in Maple Leaf City were only at the Profound Lord realm; who would dare provoke a Black Flood Dragon?

He continued, “Black Flood Dragon Grass is one of the more potent poisons. Anyone at the Postnatal realm who comes into contact with it won’t survive three days. If not for the special cultivation method of the Lie family, even someone at the Ninth Heaven of the Innate realm wouldn’t last three months.”

“Ninth Heaven of the Innate realm?” Lu Han was shocked. He knew Lie Xiong was powerful but hadn’t expected him to be that strong—a single step away from the Profound Lord.

“What’s so surprising? If it weren’t for… never mind, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you,” Old Man Ling sighed with regret.

“Old friend, once we were so glorious, and now I’ve become this shadow of myself, your descendants… ah, fate truly toys with people.” Old Man Ling’s heart was filled with emotion.

“After being poisoned by Black Flood Dragon Grass, ordinary grade-four antidote pills are useless. Only grade-five will do. I doubt there’s a grade-five alchemist in your Great Xia Empire.”

Lu Han’s expression changed.

“This poison requires either a specialized pill, or a Clear Origin Pill, or a higher-grade antidote. Coincidentally, I have a Clear Origin Pill.” Old Man Ling said gently.

Lu Han breathed a sigh of relief. “On behalf of Uncle Lie, thank you, Master.”

He was truly grateful. The Clear Origin Pill was clearly extraordinary, far more precious than a grade-four antidote.

“Lu, even without you, I would have saved him. As for the reason, I can’t tell you yet. All you need to know is that his family name is Lie,” Old Man Ling sighed.

“In such a vast Lie estate, not even a single Profound Lord? Bloodline restrictions!” Old Man Ling sensed the entire estate; the three strongest auras were all at the peak of Ninth Heaven of the Innate realm. One was in this room, two others elsewhere—not obvious, but still within his perception.

“This is the Clear Origin Pill. Give it to him. He will awaken within three hours.”

Lu Han took the pill from his pocket. It was the size of a dragon’s eye, emerald green. The fragrance filled the air, and Lu Han felt his fatigue vanish.

“Just the scent alone is invigorating—worthy indeed of its name.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Han gently administered the pill to Lie Xiong.

“All right, now we wait. Uncle Lie will awaken within three hours.” Lu Han finally relaxed.

Everyone stepped forward to look. The black line between Lie Xiong’s brows was already lighter, though still faintly visible. Once it vanished, he would surely awaken.

“Lu, we owe you so much this time.” Lie Ying stepped forward and patted Lu Han’s shoulder.

“Child, that pill must be very precious. We spent a fortune to buy a grade-four antidote and it was useless. Our Lie family truly doesn’t know how to repay you. If you have any requests, we’ll do our best to fulfill them,” said the old master of the Lie family.

He knew Lu Han had fallen off a cliff seeking the Purple Spirit Flower to cure Lie Xiong, and had even personally visited Lu Tianhong for help.

A grade-four antidote was the lowest of its rank, yet it was still grade-four. Lu Han’s pill was clearly even more advanced.

“Grandpa Lie, please don’t say such things. My father and Uncle Lie are sworn brothers. Saving him is my duty,” Lu Han replied.

“Lu, is that all?” Lie Ying glanced mischievously at Lu Han, then at Lie Ruge.

Lie Ying was still childlike at heart; otherwise, he wouldn’t have played chess with Lu Han, a boy barely in his teens.

“Uh… Father is about to wake. Let’s not disturb him. Whatever we need to say, let’s go to the main hall.” Lie Ruge, embarrassed, dragged Lu Han toward the hall.

“Truly, daughters grow up and can’t be kept,” the old master sighed.

“Let things take their course—I think it’s for the best,” Lie Ying replied.

“Lie Miao, stand guard at the door. No one is allowed in. When the master awakens, come notify me in the hall,” the old master instructed, then went with everyone to the hall.

…

In the splendid hall, everyone sat down.

Lie Ying spoke. “Lu, what happened to you these past three months? Wait—you’ve already reached the eighth heaven of the Postnatal realm?”

He’d been focused on Lie Xiong’s poisoning, but now saw Lu Han’s aura: eighth heaven of the Postnatal realm.

Everyone present was Lie Ruge’s kin. Lu Han had a vague sense that his master and the Lie family were somehow connected, though his master wouldn’t speak of it, so he never pressed. Thus, he saw no reason to conceal anything.

“Back then…”

Lu Han recounted briefly the events of the past three months, omitting any mention of Old Man Ling.

“Child, you’ve suffered so much,” the old master said, understanding how hard it was for a boy not yet sixteen to survive under such circumstances.

Lie Ruge, sitting beside Lu Han, tightened her embrace around his arm, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears.

If not for her, Lu Han wouldn’t have endured so much hardship. She felt it was all because of her.

“Brother Lu Han, I’m sorry.”

Though her voice was soft, Lu Han heard it clearly.

He gently rubbed her head. “Little one, it’s not your fault. Without the Purple Spirit Flower, Uncle would have had another plan.”

“Lu, from what you say, your uncle is involved in this matter,” Lie Ying analyzed.

Lu Han nodded. “That’s why I disguised myself when entering the city—so no one would know I’d returned. I want to see what tricks my uncle will play at the family gathering.”

“By the way, Lu, what kind of pill did you give my brother? How did you know what kind of poison he had?”

Seeing their curious gazes, Lu Han could only bluff, “I once found a medical book and learned a bit. As for the pill, I happened upon it by chance.”

He had never studied medicine, and could not reveal Old Man Ling’s existence, so he made up an excuse.

As Lu Han spoke about the Black Flood Dragon Grass, a voice came from outside: “Old master, the master has awoken.”

“He’s awake? Quick!” The old master and everyone rushed to Lie Xiong’s room.

Lu Han and Lie Ruge followed behind.

“Brother Lu Han, you didn’t tell the truth just now!” Lie Ruge clung to his arm.

“Uh… I…”

Before he could respond, Lie Ruge interrupted, “I know Brother Lu Han must have his own reasons, so I won’t ask. Hehe…”

Now that Lu Han had returned and Lie Xiong had awakened, the lively, cheerful young lady of the Lie family was herself again.

Lu Han gently patted her head. “You know everything, don’t you?”

They hurried after the others.

Lie Ruge tightened her grip on his arm, as if afraid he’d run away.

Creak—

“Xiong’er!”

“Big brother!”

“Father!”

“Cough, cough… Though I was unconscious, I could sense everything you said these past months.” Supported by Lie Ruge, Lie Xiong sat at the bedside.

“That day, Lu Tianlin sent word, saying he had urgent business. I went, drank a cup of tea, finished discussing matters, and when I returned, felt a dull pain in my chest and then lost consciousness.”

“Uncle?”

“Him again!”