Chapter Sixteen: Returning Home

"Blood Soul Banner?"

As Lei Yan turned to leave, his attention was caught by a small, blood-red banner not far away. In that instant, a flood of memories concerning the Blood Soul Banner surged through his mind. Though unfamiliar, these memories gave Lei Yan a certain understanding of the artifact. He walked over slowly, picked up the now faded banner, and tucked it into his chest before heading out of the woods.

"Huff... huff..."

Lei Yan leaned against a tree, gasping for breath. His frail body, after barely half an hour’s walk, was already exhausted. Shaking his head helplessly, he knew that if he didn’t find a place to rest soon, this body—gifted to him by his gentle and kind mother—would truly collapse. Despite its weakness, Lei Yan felt no resentment, for it was a blessing from his mother.

Inside a cave deep in the forest, Lei Yan held several green fruits in his hand.

"Joy Fruit," as its name implied, was a fruit that brought happiness when eaten. However, it contained a large amount of toxins. Lei Yan was aware that this fruit was akin to drugs from his previous life—consuming it would induce hallucinations, and eating too much could lead to addiction. After a brief hesitation, he stuffed the fruits into his mouth, knowing that if he didn’t eat something now, he might never leave these woods.

"It actually tastes pretty good!" Lei Yan took a few more bites, and an eerie smile began to spread across his face. "Hahaha, it’s delicious... Mother, you should try some too..." He was already hallucinating.

Inside the cave, his strange laughter echoed endlessly...

The next day, Lei Yan rose, his body damp and aching. He rubbed his throbbing temples. The aftermath of eating the fruit left him shaken; it was as if he’d surrendered control of his body, letting the fruit’s side effects send him crashing about, laughing and smashing things—while his consciousness hovered as an observer. It was terrifying! Looking at the few remaining Joy Fruits, Lei Yan vowed that unless he was on the brink of death, he would never touch them again.

For three months, Lei Yan’s small figure wandered the mountains and forests, taking six months to return to the borders of Jiangzhou. Lei Wanchun had taken only two hours to cover the distance that cost Lei Yan half a year, further impressing upon him the terrifying power of cultivators and deepening his longing for such strength.

During these six months, Lei Yan also gained a shallow understanding of the Ghost Poison Sect. The jade pendant given to him by Xue Dan—he had discovered how to observe it on the third day after leaving the woods. He hadn’t expected that the “divine” abilities Xue Dan spoke of were so similar to his own powers.

Through studying the medical techniques left by Xue Dan and the complete "Medical Poison Manual," Lei Yan’s skills reached a new level—perhaps even surpassing Xue Dan, for he understood principles Xue Dan had never grasped. The "Medical Poison Manual" was essentially the "Pharmacopoeia": when medicines are used correctly, they heal; used wrongly, they become poisons.

This was the fruit of his half-year’s labor, though the price was the deaths of one hundred thirty-seven people and twelve wild beasts. Among them were ordinary martial artists, robbers, bandits, and possibly civilians—anyone who approached Lei Yan with hostility would silently depart this world. Of course, Lei Yan’s luck played a role, for the martial artists he encountered were all ordinary.

The Qing River, which bisected Jiangzhou, split the province into eastern and western halves.

Under the night sky, only the faint lights from rows of fishing boats along the riverbank could be seen. A lone boat drifted slowly across the water.

There were two people aboard: the boatman and Lei Yan himself. Lei Yan sat beneath the mast, seemingly enjoying the cool breeze sweeping over Qing River. In truth, his heart was anything but calm. The trials of the past few years felt like a dream, yet reality reminded him otherwise.

As the boat slowed, Lei Yan rubbed his swollen temples and looked toward the riverbank, where the brightly lit docks signaled his arrival.

Just then, a boatman dressed in coarse garb approached from the stern, bowed unwillingly beside Lei Yan, and said, “Young Master, we’ll arrive at Jiang Family Town soon!”

Lei Yan paid little mind to the boatman’s reluctance, but he noted it carefully, wanting to discern who among them truly served the Lei family with loyalty. Rising slowly from the deck, he glanced at the nearby dock and said, “Please thank your leader for me.”

A hint of disdain flickered in the boatman’s eyes. Ever since the news of Lei Yan’s uselessness had spread, he doubted his leader would ever associate with such a failure. Yet, under the Lei family’s influence in Jiangzhou, he forced a smile and replied, “It’s nothing, Young Master—serving you is the Qing River Gang’s duty.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the boat shuddered gently, coming to rest at the dock of Jiang Family Town. Usually bustling with crowds, tonight it was strangely quiet.

“Young Master, this is Jiang Family territory. From here onward, the Jiang family will ensure your safety!” The boatman gestured for Lei Yan to disembark, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.

No sooner had he spoken than a man in a blue robe drove a carriage onto the dock with an air of arrogance, followed by about thirty mounted guards.

The carriage stopped a short distance from Lei Yan. The blue-robed man pushed off his horse, leaping through the air and landing steadily before Lei Yan.

“Jiang Fei of Jiang Family Town, by order of the master, has come to welcome Young Master!” Jiang Fei announced with a respectful bow.

“Who would have thought the eldest son of Jiang Family Town would come in person?” The boatman’s voice dripped with mockery, revealing the strained relations between the Qing River Gang and Jiang Family Town.

Jiang Fei snorted coldly. “Master Ding, you jest. With Young Master passing through Jiang Family Town, our master takes this matter very seriously!”

Jiang Fei seemed disinclined to converse further with the boatman, turning to Lei Yan with respect, “Young Master, shall we go?”

“Hmph!” The boatman snorted disdainfully.

Lei Yan nodded and walked toward the carriage. Jiang Fei hurried forward, lifting the brocade curtain with deference.

The boatman’s earlier tone made it clear to Lei Yan: the Qing River Gang was not truly loyal, merely coerced by the Lei family’s power. Little did Master Ding of the Qing River Gang suspect that, in the near future, his momentary disrespect would lead to a thorough purge.