Chapter 47: The Mischievous Old Child, Zhou Xiaoxiao

“What? Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass, this—”
At Prince Mo’s words, everyone except Qin Lang was struck with shock, their faces turning pale as paper in an instant.
Qin Lang might not know what the ‘Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass’ poison was, but the others understood it all too well, and they knew precisely how terrible its effects could be.
‘Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass’ was among the most sinister and chilling poisons in the world. Though its effects were slow and it did not claim lives outright, it condemned its victims to a fate worse than death.
Without an antidote, one would suffer endlessly, longing for death over life. Thus, anyone who consumed ‘Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass’ would rather seek oblivion than survival.
Their eyes fixed intensely upon Prince Mo, Liu Man’s expression was icy. “Mo, are you certain the poison in us is Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass?”
“I am absolutely certain. Only such a poison could remain undetected and lie dormant within a person’s body. I saw someone afflicted by it a year ago.”
Prince Mo nodded gently, his expression somewhat grim.
Though this poison’s harm was not fatal, it could be used to control others, making them tools for the poisoner’s purposes.
They had already been struck by ‘Thousand-Mile Bewitching Powder,’ and now by ‘Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass’—it was not difficult to guess that someone wanted to control them.
While everyone’s faces grew darker, Qin Lang, not far away, muttered, “Huh! Why is there a box here?”
At his words, all turned to look. Qin Lang produced a jade box, colored deep azure, its surface gleaming brightly, intricate runes etched all over it.
Upon seeing the peculiar box, Liu Man and the others furrowed their brows, full of confusion, unable to grasp the situation.
“Don’t open it—”
But before anyone could react, Qin Lang had already opened the jade box, shocking everyone.
Yet the next moment, they were dumbfounded—the box released no hidden mechanism.
This only deepened their confusion; they stared blankly, unable to make sense of it.
By all logic, such a strange jade box should conceal some surprise, but this was not the case.
Having opened the box, Qin Lang looked at Liu Man. “Brother Liu, there are six golden pills in the box, and a letter as well.”
Liu Man, his brows tightly knit, stepped forward.
Looking inside, he saw indeed six golden pills and a letter.

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Man chose to take the letter in hand and opened it to read.
As he finished reading, Liu Man’s face grew ever more grim, murderous intent flickering between his brows.
From the letter’s contents, he learned exactly who had drugged them and who was behind their poisoning.
The Old Mischief, Zhou Xiaoxiao.
Don’t be fooled by the feminine name—he was, in fact, an old man, a notorious prankster who delighted in tormenting others.
The Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao was infamous throughout the Immortal Dynasty for picking on lone travelers and powerful teams alike…
Observing the silent, brooding Liu Man, Hua Manlou, who had just approached, asked with curiosity, “Brother Liu, what is it? What does the letter say?”
“See for yourself.”
With that, Liu Man handed the letter to Hua Manlou.
Taking the letter, Hua Manlou scanned it quickly. His face darkened like ink, and his mouth twitched with anger.
“This Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao really has guts, daring to target us.”
“Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao?”
Qin Lang looked at the two with genuine confusion. “Brother Hua, who is Zhou Xiaoxiao? Is he a man or a woman?”
He feigned bewilderment, even putting on a puzzled face, all to divert attention.
He already knew the group was poisoned, knew it was Luo Yun’s doing, and knew the antidote had been left behind, with the blame shifted onto Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao.
All of this was meant to distract the others…
“Zhou Xiaoxiao is an old man, but he loves playing tricks on people. No matter which faction you belong to or how powerful your background, he never hesitates to make mischief.”
Hua Manlou replied darkly.
The letter was mostly mocking, all courtesy of Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao’s taunts.
The old rogue ridiculed their lack of vigilance, calling them pig-headed fools, easily knocked unconscious… The pills in the jade box were, of course, antidotes for the ‘Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass’ poison.
After a long silence, Liu Man looked toward Prince Mo. “Mo, come and see if these antidotes are genuine.”

Since Prince Mo had seen ‘Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass’ before, he surely knew the antidote—what it looked like, only he could tell.
At Liu Man’s request, Prince Mo came over without delay and carefully examined the pills in the jade box.
After a thorough inspection, Prince Mo said calmly, “Brother Liu, these are indeed antidotes for the Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass. However, I need to check if there are any other poisons.”
With those words, Prince Mo took a pill and swallowed it whole.
Liu Man wanted to stop him, but seeing him take the pill, could only sigh in silence, praying that the pill was truly an antidote.
As the medicine’s power spread through his body, Prince Mo felt the poison lift—the Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass was dispelled. He was now certain the pill was genuine.
He turned to the others. “The pill is indeed an antidote. Everyone, take yours quickly.”
Exchanging glances, Liu Man and Hua Manlou each took a pill and swallowed it without hesitation.
Qin Lang, too, took a pill and consumed it.
Luo Yun had informed him these pills were antidotes for the Peacock Kirin Nine-Leaf Grass, and that after taking them, the poison would naturally be cleared…
Once everyone had taken their pills, Liu Man put both the jade box and the letter away, then signaled for the group to leave, his vigilance heightened.
They were lucky to have encountered Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao; had it been anyone else, they could have all perished. If it had been the demon clans, it would have spelled certain death.
Though dawn had not yet broken, they needed to leave at once, unable to linger here, lest trouble find them.
Under the night sky, the group soared on their swords. Su Momo, carrying Liu Qingyao, watched as the girl struggled desperately, even hoping to fall and perish, but nothing went as she wished.
Qin Lang flew alongside Hua Manlou. Though their pace was swift, Qin Lang felt no fear—now that he was an immortal cultivator.
Had he still been a mortal, Qin Lang would never have dared, and the speed would have frightened him into cursing and begging for a slower pace.
“Brother Hua, could you tell me more about this Old Mischief Zhou Xiaoxiao?” Qin Lang asked, his face full of curiosity.