Chapter 303 - Gifts from the Dongluo Family

The Palm of Thousand Venoms was originally a combat technique that had been born from the Body of Thousand Immunities. But after centuries of refinement, Lord Er had managed to improve it further, making it a skill that was independent of the cultivation technique.

But even so, the Palm of Thousand Venoms was almost just as difficult to pick up as the Body of Thousand Immunities itself.

To even begin practising the combat technique, a martial artist had to first collect a long list of poisonous materials. After which, the martial artist had to expose his body to the poisons, enduring through the agony while allowing his body to absorb the essence of these poisons.

The toxicity of the poisons would then be imprinted upon the body, forming the basis of the combat technique and eventually allowing the martial artist to perform the Palm of Thousand Venoms.

So for starters, Lu Tianzi would have to gather the required poisonous materials.

The good thing was that he already had quite a few of them in his possession after his visit to Wondertrap Mountain, but it was still insufficient.

Lu Tianzi took a mental note of the rest of the items on the list.

That would be the next thing on his list – to collect whatever he was still lacking.

With that, Lu Tianzi retracted his perception from the jade slips in his hands.

Since he was not able to practise the Palm of Thousand Venoms, he would just leave it for now and concentrate on his cultivation.

For the rest of the night, Lu Tianzi sat cross legged with his eyes closed in deep meditation. The Moon Culler and Torrential Sabre drew a circle around him as they slowly rotated in the air.

When morning came, Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue left their house to meet the Iron Claw Brigade.

Perhaps it was because of the worries in his head, but Dongci Ze was out and about even before sunrise.

After Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue met up with the Iron Claw Brigade, the group found Dongci Ze in the garden, accompanied by a well dressed lady.

A few metres away, two female servants stood at attention, seemingly ready to attend to them should the need arise.

Donning a white silk dress, the lady looked like she was in her late thirties. Her long black hair was tied up neatly in a bun, held together by an exquisite golden hairpin. Each movement of hers was graceful in its essence, giving off an aura of elegance that reminded Lu Tianzi of Formation Master Beimu.

Or perhaps it was partially because of her cultivation level as well.

Just like Formation Master Beimu, this graceful lady was also at the Fourth Cycle Origin Core realm!

"That's Master Dongran's wife, Dongxie Chan. We usually just call her Madam Dongran," Jue whispered to Lu Tianzi before walking up to them. "Greetings, Madam Dongran."

"So it is Captain Jue," Madam Dongran flashed a radiant smile upon seeing who it was. "Did everyone have a good rest?"

"Thank you for your concern, Madam Dongran. We certainly had a good rest," Jue replied before turning towards Dongci Ze. "But I didn't expect Brother Ze to be up this early."

"Dongci Ze got up early to help me with tending to the garden," Madam Dongran explained. "It has been a really enjoyable chat."

"I enjoyed our chat as well," Dongci Ze answered with a smile.

"How kind," Madam Dongran used a hand to hide a slight giggle. "Looks like Dongluo Xi really found a good man."

"I surely won't let her down," Dongci Ze answered firmly.

"I am sure you won't," Madam Dongran laughed before turning her attention back to Jue. "Well then, what is everyone intending to do today? As long as it is within our means, I can get the servants to prepare the things you need."

"The Iron Claw Brigade will be discussing some matters, so that won't be necessary for us," Jue shook his head. "What about you, Young Brother Tianzi? What are you and Young Sister Qianxue intending to do?"

Nanlan Qianxue looked over at Lu Tianzi, who returned her gaze immediately. "I am intending to get some items from the market. Do you want to come along?"

They had only just arrived the day before, so Lu Tianzi was planning to walk around and take a look at what the town had to offer. At the same time, he wanted to look for the materials needed for the Palm of Thousand Venoms.

"Sure," Nanlan Qianxue nodded.

"Wait, Young Brother Tianzi, We have never met, but please hear out a few words of mine here," Madam Dongran interjected. "I heard about what happened yesterday from Master Dongran, and it is likely that the townsmen still recognise you. If they are still as rowdy as before, there is always a chance that they might create trouble for you. If there is something you really need, I can ask the servants to get it for you instead."

"What Madam Dongran said makes sense," Jue nodded. "If there is nothing urgent, it might be better for the two of you to just stay within the Dongran Residence for a while longer."

"That makes sense," Lu Tianzi turned towards Nanlan Qianxue. "You should probably stay here for now then."

"…Okay," Nanlan Qianxue revealed a look of disappointment, but still agreed in the end.

Seeing this, Madam Dongran let out a sigh of relief. In the first place, the only person she was worried about was Nanlan Qianxue.

Instead, it was Jue who frowned at this suggestion.

"Young Brother Tianzi, you might have misunderstood a little, but Madam Dongran was not just referring to Young Sister Qianxue. It could be troublesome for you as well," Jue said.

"Don't worry, Captain Jue. I won't get into any trouble and will be back soon enough," Lu Tianzi assured.

"This…" Jue was obviously not convinced.

However, he understood that it was not exactly his place to tell Lu Tianzi what to do either. Since Lu Tianzi refused to listen to his advice, he could only hope that everything go smoothly.

At this moment, a white haired servant walked over to them. This white haired servant looked to be in his late sixties but his movements showed no signs of frailty whatsoever, likely owing in part to his Peak Essence Condensation realm cultivation level.

"Madam," the white haired servant greeted Madam Dongran in a dignified manner. "There is a guest looking for the Master. Since the Master has gone to meet with the Town Lord, do you wish to see to the guest instead?"

"A guest is visiting us this early in the morning?" Madam Dongran asked in surprise. "Housekeeper Heng, do you know who he is?"

"I only know that he is from the Dongluo Family," Housekeeper Heng answered.

"The Dongluo Family?" Madam Dongran stole a quick glance at Dongci Ze before turning back to the servant. "Let him know that I will be there shortly."

"Understood."

Lu Tianzi's gaze followed this Housekeeper Heng as the latter turned around and walked away.

Lu Tianzi could not help but find him to be an interesting character.

Apart from speaking politely to Madam Dong, Housekeeper Heng's mannerism was by no means befitting of a servant. He had his hands clasped behind his back and his chest pushed out in pride, as though he was talking to a junior rather than a master.

Nevertheless, the gentle Madam Dongran did not seem to mind.

"Everyone heard what Housekeeper Heng said," Madam Dongran turned to them with an awkward smile. "Does everyone want to come along with me?"

She said that to everyone, but she was actually only really asking Dongci Ze.

After all, Dongci Ze had a rather special relationship with the Dongluo Family.

Everyone else understood this point as well, and all of them turned their attention towards him.

"I would like to go," Dongci Ze nodded with a determined look on his face. "Please allow me to do so."

"That's the spirit," Madam Dongran smiled. "Since you'd have to face her family members sooner or later, it might be better to let them get used to seeing you around."

"Thank you for the advice, Madam Dongran."

Since Dongci Ze had decided, the group followed Madam Dongran's lead to the front hall, where her guest was patiently waiting.

The front hall was designed with two rows of chairs on each side of the chamber. Two host seats were placed at the very end, reserved specially for the masters of the Dongran Family.

The guest was a tall young man who looked to be in his mid twenties, dressed in luxurious long robes and accompanied by three servants. As for his cultivation level, he was actually at the Second Cycle Origin Core realm.

When he saw Madam Dongran step through the door, the young man calmly stood up and clasped his fists in respect.

"Greetings, Madam Dongran. This one is named Dongluo Guo," the young man introduced himself. "I apologise for the sudden visit, but-"

Dongluo Guo froze halfway through his speech when he spotted Dongci Ze walking in behind Madam Dongran.

"Greetings, Sir Dongluo Guo," Madam Dongran nodded in acknowledgement as she walked past him to get to the host seats in the front hall. "Everyone, please have a seat."

By her instruction, the Iron Claw Brigade, Dongci Ze, Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue all took a seat in the row of chairs opposite of Dongluo Guo.

"Ahem!" Dongluo Guo cleared his throat loudly before sitting down as well. "I have long heard of Madam Dongran's grace and beauty, and have been always wanted to meet you. Today, I can safely say that the rumours do not do you enough justice. It is truly a pleasure to be in your presence. However, I didn't know that Madam Dongran had other guests, or I would have chosen another day to visit instead."

"Don't worry about it," Madam Dongran flashed her trademark radiant smile. "Isn't it better this way? We can all get to know each other better then."

Dongluo Guo only gave a quick nod towards Captain Jue and Lu Tianzi before turning back towards Madam Dongran.

Seeing this, Dongci Ze could not help but feel disappointed.

"That sounds like a great idea, but it is unfortunate that I am short on time today," Dongluo Guo let out a regretful sigh. "In any case, I brought gifts by the instructions of my uncle Dongluo Chen. He wants to thank the Dongran Family for taking care of my cousin Dongluo Xi last night. I hope they will be to Madam Dongran's tastes."

Dongluo Guo passed a spatial ring into the hands of one of the Dongran Family servants, who in turn brought it over to Madam Dongran.

When Madam Dongran sank her perception into the spatial ring, her eyes immediately narrowed in surprise.

"What we have done is nothing special. These gifts are far too valuable for us to accept," Madam Dongran handed the spatial ring back to the servant. "Hurry and return it to Sir Dongluo Guo."

"Please don't do that, Madam Dongran. The gifts were personally prepared by my uncle. If I return with them, how am I supposed to explain the situation to him?" Dongluo Guo shook his head. "Even if Madam Dongran doesn't find the value of the gifts appropriate, please just accept them for now. I will let my uncle know and perhaps he can come over and explain himself in the future."

"My apologies, I failed to think from Sir Dongluo Guo's point of view earlier," Madam Dongran nodded. "Since that is the case, I shall not make things difficult for you anymore and accept the gifts."

"Now that I am done with my task, I'd better get going. There are still many matters that I have to attend to," Dongluo Guo stood up from his seat. "Farewell, Madam Dongran."

"Send my regards to Master Dongluo as well," Madam Dongran smiled before turning to her servants. "Send Sir Dongluo Guo out."

This meeting ended as abruptly as it had started, once again leaving Madam Dongran in the front hall with the earlier group.

Dongci Ze let out a loud sigh.

Not for a single moment had Dongluo Guo acknowledged his existence the whole time he was here.

Madam Dongran felt bad whe she saw how downcast he was, and started thinking of ways to console him.

But before she could speak, Housekeeper Heng who had been silently standing by the side stepped forward. "Madam, perhaps it is not wise to have accepted those gifts. Do you understand what it means for you to do so?"

"I naturally understand, Housekeeper Heng," Madam Dongran let out a helpless sigh. "Thanking us for Dongluo Xi's matter is just an excuse. The Dongluo Family is starting to make their move, and this is them wanting to bring the Dongran Family over to their side."

"Yet you still accepted the gifts?" Housekeeper Heng questioned.

"I'm sorry, but can you leave us for a moment?" Madam Dongran turned towards Jue and Lu Tianzi.

"They don't have to leave. As long as you answer my question, I will be the one to leave," Housekeeper Heng snapped before anyone could reply.

"Housekeeper Heng, you were here too. You should have seen that I didn't really have a choice either," Madam Dongran explained. "How do you expect me to reject him after what he said?"

"What's so difficult about it? You can just reject him!" Housekeeper Heng harrumphed. "The one problem about you husband and wife is that both of you are simply too soft! There's no helping it. I would have to report this matter to your father-in-law. Let's see what he says about this!"

"That's not it at all," Madam Dongran frowned.

But before she could continue explaining herself, Housekeeper Heng simply turned around and left, obviously uninterested in what she had to say.

Bang-!

The door closed behind him, leaving the entire front hall in an awkward silence.