"The Chen Clan owns dozens of acres of fertile land, and they keep a good number of martial cultivators stationed around it. What method could we possibly use to destroy all that Blood Rice without leaving any trace?"

The others nodded in agreement. Even as cultivators, ten or more acres of Blood Rice was no small quantity. Mobilizing that many people would take time—and risk exposure.

"Since Pojing proposed the plan, I assume he has something in mind. Why don’t you share it with us?"

A clan member spoke from the side, prompting Shi Pojing to step forward without hesitation.

"Ordinary methods won’t do. The Chen Clan’s Blood Rice grows thanks to a natural underground Blood Spring. That spring flows constantly beneath the land, and its coverage actually exceeds that of the farmland above. If we poison the spring directly, then by the time the taint spreads, the Chen Clan’s entire crop will be ruined—without us lifting a finger."

"If they can’t deliver the Blood Rice, even if Zhou Huaian has a personal connection to them, that won’t be enough to smooth things over. The other Zhou elders won’t be so lenient."

"And once it’s done, our clan can strike. At that point, we simply offer a portion of the Blood Rice as tribute. The Zhou Clan will have no grounds for complaint."

A thoughtful silence settled over the hall, broken only by a few approving nods. The plan sounded simple, but that was what made it clever.

Above them, Shi Chenghong nodded as well. “Not bad. This plan is workable.”

"Pojing, I’ll entrust this to you. Once we’ve taken the Chen Clan down, you’ll be credited as the chief contributor. At that time, the clan will grant you one wish."

"Clan Leader, I promise—I’ll complete this mission perfectly!" Shi Pojing replied, unable to keep the excitement from his face.

A clan wish wasn’t just any reward. So long as it was within the clan’s means, they would do everything possible to fulfill it—even drawing on their internal resources. It was the kind of reward only those with great merit ever received.

And if his plan succeeded—if the clan obtained both the Blood Rice and the hidden Earth-grade technique—it would certainly qualify as such.

Still, the finer details needed to be considered carefully. The poison couldn’t be too weak, or the spring would dilute it. But if it was too strong, it could ruin the Blood Spring entirely, making the soil unusable even after the clan took control.

The Blood Rice would become a vital clan resource. It couldn't be damaged permanently.

Shi Pojing left the hall deep in thought.

...

"Awoo!"

"Qinghe! How does it feel riding the wolf?" Chen Qingxiu called out, grinning as he watched Chen Qinghe test-ride a Green Wolf in a clearing outside Chaotic Burial Mountain.

Due to the recent increase in the number of wolves raised, the clan had cleared a section of land near the mountain to house them and provide space for riding practice.

Though the wolves had been tamed, their wild nature hadn’t disappeared completely. Without enough strength or riding experience, even a clan member might find them difficult to control.

Today was a rest day from the academy, so Chen Qinghe and a dozen others had gathered here to practice. The ride had been rough at first, but with guidance from their elders, Chen Qinghe eventually managed to steady himself and control the wolf beneath him.

He had ridden horses before, but this was entirely different. These Green Wolves were stronger and more muscular than ordinary steeds, with broad shoulders and a thick, bristling mane that made them look especially fierce.

If trained well, a rider and beast could move as one, unlocking a power far beyond what either could do alone.

"Brother Qingxiu, does each of us get one wolf?"

"Mm. The Clan Leader said these wolves are proud by nature. Though partially tamed, they shouldn't be ridden by multiple people. That could cause trouble. This one’s yours now, Qinghe. Take good care of it.”

Chen Qinghe beamed and ran his fingers through the fur at the wolf’s neck. Though it was only a Body Tempering Realm beast, having such a mount was something he had long dreamed of.

"Ah! Qinghe! Help me!"

A sudden wail came from nearby.

Chen Qingmeng, who was also riding a Green Wolf, was being tossed about like a sack of grain. His wolf bucked wildly, trying to throw him off, but Chen Qingmeng clung desperately to its neck, both arms locked tight.

After a brief but chaotic struggle, the wolf collapsed, frothing at the mouth and passing out cold. When it awoke again, it didn’t resist. Instead, it submitted completely.

Everyone around was silent.

...That worked?

...

“Milord, I’ve done as you asked. The item’s buried. No one saw a thing.”

Just outside Chaotic Burial Mountain, a farmer with a pointed chin and monkey-like features grinned from the seat of a horse-drawn cart.

Shi Pojing gave a small nod. "Well done."

"Heh… then, milord, about the jade tokens?"

"They’re already in your cart," Shi Pojing said.

The man turned—only to slump over a second later, his lifeless body crumpling inside the cart.

With the task finished, Shi Pojing took the reins and slowly made his way toward Yong’an City. He had already planned out every step of this mission.

At first, he’d considered using one of the clan’s own cultivators, or even doing it himself. But after factoring in the Chen Clan’s protective wards and the nearby villagers, he chose a much simpler method:

Send an ordinary person to bury the poison. Crude, but effective. Who would suspect a commoner with no cultivation?

And the dead... kept secrets best.

Over the past two days, he had selected the poison carefully. It was called the Hong Lady, a rare toxin in liquid form with a faint but peculiar scent. Normally, it wasn’t used for poisoning.

But this poison was unique. It came from a rare plant and had a particularly destructive effect on vegetation. Most importantly, it was red—perfectly blending in with the hue of the Blood Spring.

The poison was potent and highly mobile. Once buried, it would slowly seep into the soil and spread, eventually contaminating the spring itself. The burial site had been scouted carefully by the clan—far enough from the visible farmland to avoid suspicion, but close enough to one of the spring’s tributaries to ensure effectiveness.

All that remained now... was to wait.

And while he waited, he would have his people monitor the Chen Clan’s response—ready to adapt the plan as needed.

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