Soul-Slaying Maiden: Master Of Ancient Divine Weapons

Han Zhen chose his "first stop" to be the home of the young man who had delivered his meals.

Finding the young man's residence wasn't difficult.

When the meal-delivery youth saw Han Zhen appear at his doorstep, he was somewhat surprised. "Saint Master?"

Han Zhen waved his hand. "Just call me Han Zhen."

News of Han Zhen saving Jiang Yue had already spread throughout the Jiang clan village.

The clan members called this foreign healer "Saint Master" as a mark of respect.

Without wasting time on small talk, Han Zhen continued, "Today, I received a pill recipe from Clan Leader Jiang Huai, said to be left behind by the Saint Master Shennong. As repayment for saving me from prison, I'm willing to share it with you."

The young man widened his eyes in disbelief. "How can you repay kindness with harm."

His voice was urgent, and he waved his hands repeatedly, as if afraid Han Zhen would truly take out the recipe.

It seemed he also knew the recipe was problematic. Han Zhen observed the young man's expression and speculated inwardly.

Feigning confusion, he asked, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this recipe?"

The young man hesitated but eventually spoke honestly, "I don't know much, but I do know that everyone who studied this recipe ended up dead. Clan Leader Jiang Huai later forbade anyone in our clan from further researching it."

"He probably gave it to you, thinking that as a foreigner, you wouldn't be cursed."

'A foreigner?'

'Right, I am an outsider. That's the key difference between me and those physicians.'

'I don't belong to this world. If the recipe truly carries a curse, it might have no effect on me.'

Prompted by the young man's words, clarity dawned in Han Zhen's mind.

After a brief conversation, Han Zhen waved goodbye.

His second stop was Jiang Huo's house.

When he arrived, Jiang Huo and Jiang Yue were preparing dinner.

Seeing Han Zhen, Jiang Huo was surprised. "It's almost dark. Why are you still wandering outside? Didn't I warn you not to go out after sunset to avoid danger?"

"I was just out for a look and will head back soon."

Han Zhen said this while turning his gaze to Jiang Yue.

He didn't know many people in this world. Jiang Huai, the clan leader, might not be trustworthy, so he had to rely on the few people he knew to gather information.

He also had questions about Jiang Yue.

"Jiang Yue, why did your illness flare up prematurely? Did you go somewhere unusual before it happened?"

Hearing the question, Jiang Yue glanced at Jiang Huo first. Seeing no reaction from him, she answered, "I was just playing hide-and-seek with everyone and lost track of time. When I came out of my hiding spot, it was already late. Realizing the time, I hurried home as fast as I could. After that, I don't remember anything."

"I'll add to that," Jiang Huo chimed in, showing his cooperation. "The day Yue was late coming home, I was worried sick. When she finally returned, she was already thirty minutes past the curfew."

"The moment she got home, something strange happened to her body. It was like something was trying to crawl out of her. The chilling sensation was terrifying."

"Thankfully, it didn't fully emerge. You know the rest—Yue fell into a coma and didn't wake until you saved her."

"Can you tell me where you were hiding during the game? The specific location?" Han Zhen asked immediately.

"I... I can't remember clearly. I only know there was a big tree near the edge of the forest outside our clan. It's far from the village. I hid there because I didn't want to be found."

Han Zhen nodded, indicating his understanding.

As the day was ending, Jiang Huo insisted that Han Zhen head home for safety and didn't invite him to stay for dinner.

Han Zhen quickened his pace and managed to return home before the curfew.

Night gradually deepened.

Outside the tightly closed door, the wind began to howl.

The doors and windows rattled noisily.

With his sharp hearing, Han Zhen could discern footsteps amidst the howling wind—something was moving outside in the night.

He glanced at the window, but it was pitch black, and nothing was visible.

The temperature in the room plummeted, and he instinctively wrapped himself tighter.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but the unsettling noises gradually faded into the distance.

Curiosity stirred within Han Zhen, compelling him to approach the door and peek through the gap.

As he lowered his head to look, he abruptly recoiled several steps in fright.

He had seen something through the crack.

A pair of blood-red eyes.

And the owner of those eyes—was Jiang Yue.

Wasn't it forbidden to go out after six o'clock?

Jiang Yue! Why was she outside?

Han Zhen was certain he hadn't mistaken her identity. It was undoubtedly Jiang Yue.

But her crimson eyes pressed against the gap, meeting his gaze directly.

Startled, Han Zhen decided not to investigate further. He leaned against the mud wall, keeping an eye on the door as he warily drifted to sleep.

The next morning, he was awakened by a loud knock.

The herbs Clan Leader Jiang Huai had sent for had been delivered to his doorstep, seemingly in haste.

Han Zhen noted Jiang Huai's unusual behavior silently, taking the herbs without comment.

The clan members delivering the materials repeatedly urged,"Saint Master, these herbs are extremely valuable. The clan leader insists you must complete the pill as soon as possible, or great disaster may follow."

'A threat?'

Han Zhen glanced at them and nodded.

Without further words, they bowed and left.

After comparing the herbs with the recipe, Han Zhen confirmed that the materials matched the requirements for the Little Revival Pill.

Jiang Huai had clearly prepared everything, yet he hadn't attempted to refine it. Or had he failed?

Returning inside, Han Zhen resolved to refine the pill.

First, he had no other leads—without refining the pill, there was no way to progress further.

Second, if the curse truly only affected this world's inhabitants, it might not harm him.

Summoning the Shennong Cauldron, Han Zhen followed the recipe's instructions, carefully adding each ingredient.

As the last herb was added, a faint radiance began to emanate from the cauldron.

The pill was extraordinary, its surface smooth and jade-like—a top-quality creation at first glance.

Just as Han Zhen thought he had succeeded and felt relieved, a sinister human face suddenly appeared on the pill.

The white pill was instantly shrouded in dense black mist.

The face on the pill turned toward Han Zhen, grinning eerily.

The next moment, the black mist surged out like claws, engulfing Han Zhen before he could react.

The pill was indeed problematic.

Jiang Huai must have known something others didn't, yet he withheld the information.

But it was too late for Han Zhen to regret it now.

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