Chapter 63: A Genius Born of Heaven

What was going on here? Was he really behaving so brazenly in front of everyone? Nangong Zhenyu, that old fox, pretended not to notice a thing, for he was well aware that someone like Ling Tian would never take advantage of the situation. Of course, even if he did, the old fox would be more than happy—after all, the Nangong family would then have a powerful son-in-law.

Nangong Xue’er stared helplessly as Ling Tian's large hand reached for her chest, her wide, watery eyes round with shock. By the time she thought to resist, Ling Tian's hand was already pressed against her chest.

Feeling the softness beneath his palm, Ling Tian felt not the slightest ripple in his heart. At this moment, he was troubled—the corpse poison had already attached itself to her heart, and if he wished to expel it quietly without harming Nangong Xue’er, the task would be extremely difficult. “I need complete silence for a while. I hope no one disturbs me, or Nangong Xue’er’s life may be in danger,” Ling Tian said in a low voice.

Nangong Zhenyu immediately signaled everyone to be silent, then led the crowd to the doorway, doing his best not to disturb Ling Tian.

“Don’t get agitated, or your rapid heartbeat will severely affect the treatment,” Ling Tian turned to Nangong Xue’er and said gravely.

Nangong Xue’er shyly closed her eyes, doing her best to forget that Ling Tian’s hand was upon her chest.

With spiritual senses as fast as light, Ling Tian precisely locked onto the location of the corpse poison through her chest cavity. His vital energy, like formless tendrils, wrapped around the poison and slowly separated it from her heart. The steps were simple in theory, but extremely difficult in practice—every minute, he could only move it a mere millimeter…

Wisps of dark green-black vapor seeped from Nangong Xue’er’s body, then were drawn into Ling Tian’s palm. Enveloped by vital energy, it formed a dark green liquid the size of a pearl.

With the corpse poison finally expelled, Ling Tian breathed a sigh of relief. He casually applied a healing talisman to Nangong Xue’er, then channeled some pure vital energy into her to help restore her vitality. Only then did he carry the poison aside.

“Although I can’t say for certain how Nangong Xue’er was infected with corpse toxin, I am sure of one thing—this was definitely an act of sabotage,” Ling Tian said in a deep voice.

Nangong Zhenyu hurried over, glanced at the poison in Ling Tian’s palm, and asked, “Young Master Ling, what makes you say that?”

“Contact with the dead might expose one to corpse miasma, but because skin acts as a barrier, the chance of infection is extremely low. Only corpses that have decayed to a certain extent produce corpse poison. Based on my observations, I believe Nangong Xue’er was framed,” Ling Tian said gravely.

Nangong Zhenyu’s expression darkened. “I agree—someone must have set her up. Xue’er would never come into contact with decayed corpses.”

“I’ve never touched a corpse, not even seen one,” Nangong Xue’er said. “But before I fell ill, I tripped and hurt my knee. When I returned, I applied some medicinal lotion myself. The color of that lotion was very similar to what you’re holding in your hand.”

Nangong Zhenyu’s face grew even more grim at her words. This likely meant that someone within their own family was trying to harm Nangong Xue’er. But as for who, he could not yet be certain.

Ling Tian sneered. “Guard against thieves day and night, but it’s hardest to guard against those in your own house. Head of the Nangong family, it seems it’s time for a thorough housecleaning.”

With that, Ling Tian tossed the toxin, still wrapped in vital energy and the size of a pearl, into the air. Producing a fire talisman, he flung it toward the poison. A burst of flame erupted from nowhere, enveloping the corpse poison, and in the blink of an eye, it was completely consumed—vanished without a trace.

Ling Tian brushed off his hands. “It’s done. However, Nangong Xue’er is still very weak and needs to recuperate quietly. Don’t let her take too many tonics—her body is too frail to handle them.”

“Should we have a prescription prepared for regular medicine?” Nangong Zhenyu asked.

“Medicine is for illness. Nangong Xue’er is only weak—she doesn’t need prescriptions. Just eat light food and rest,” Ling Tian instructed.

Standing at the door, Nangong Mei gazed unwillingly at Nangong Xue’er, who had now returned to normal. A cold glint flashed at the corner of her eye. In her heart, she thought: Ling Tian, I’ll remember you.

Ling Tian had no idea he had just earned the enmity of a woman.

After chatting briefly with Nangong Zhenyu and checking Nangong Xue’er once more to ensure that no trace of the poison remained, Ling Tian finally felt at ease.

Nangong Zhenyu ordered a servant to serve Ling Tian tea, then sent Nangong Ye to the pharmacy to inspect the bottle that Nangong Xue’er had used. He was determined to uncover the culprit who had framed her. The first rule of the Nangong family was that no member was allowed to harm another; anyone caught would be executed on the spot.

An Qi stayed behind to accompany Nangong Xue’er as she rested, while Nangong Zhenyu brought Ling Tian back to the main hall for tea.

After they were seated, Nangong Zhenyu personally poured Ling Tian a cup. “Let me offer this tea in place of wine, in gratitude. From today on, you are a benefactor to the Nangong clan. As for your reward—would thirty million suffice?”

Ling Tian took a sip of tea and waved his hand. “I acted because of Nangong Ye, not for money.”

Knowing that someone of Ling Tian’s caliber cared little for wealth, Nangong Zhenyu dropped the matter and instead pointed to the old Daoist priest, who was tied up like a dumpling. “Young Master Ling, what do you think we should do with this old fraud?”

Ling Tian cast a cold glance at the Daoist. “You should decide, but if you want my opinion—a man of such corrupt character is best not left in this world.”

With those words, Ling Tian sealed the Daoist’s fate.

Nangong Zhenyu immediately ordered his men to deliver the Daoist to the police, even writing a personal letter to the chief of the Yunhai City Public Security Bureau. It was likely that the old Daoist would spend the rest of his days in prison.

After a few more words, Ling Tian felt there was nothing left to discuss with Nangong Zhenyu. The age gap between them was nearly thirty years, and they had little in common. When Nangong Ye returned, Ling Tian took his leave.

The father and son saw Ling Tian to the door, watched him depart, then returned to the main hall.

“Tell me, how did you come to know such a person?” Nangong Zhenyu asked.

“Father, he’s with the Qingcheng Group,” Nangong Ye replied. “Rumor has it he’s Mu Qingcheng’s fiancé. Also, the expert selling spiritual talismans that An Qi was looking for last time—he’s the one. An Qi just confirmed it. In my view, he is unfathomably powerful, a remarkable individual.”

Nangong Zhenyu nodded. “With my strength, I couldn’t even discern his cultivation.”

Nangong Ye was astonished. “Father, you’ve reached the early stage of Qi Training. Even with your abilities, you can’t see through Ling Tian?”

Many spend their entire lives unable to set foot on the true path of the martial artist, let alone reach the Qi Training realm. Nangong Zhenyu had spent decades to reach the early stage. As for Ling Tian—so young, yet already so powerful—there was only one explanation: he was a peerless genius.

There and then, Nangong Zhenyu made an important decision: he must find a way to win Ling Tian over, or at the very least, maintain a good relationship with him.

It was just as Ling Tian had said—have strength, and you will command respect wherever you go.