Chapter 6, The Secret

These two brothers simply cannot remember Le Yang, calling out for Wen Le Yang all day long, a habit he has long since gotten used to

Uncle received the box and quickly took a step forward, gently pushing Wen Leyang's back: "Your purpose in coming this time is to study the ancient texts of your predecessors in the Shengzihao. If you gain some insights, it will naturally elevate your understanding, which will greatly benefit your search for poison formulas that suit your own constitution. Even if you do not gain insights, simply memorizing a few poison formulas will be beneficial in the future. Fourth Uncle appears cold on the outside but is warm-hearted; you will understand this after spending some time with him. Hurry and catch up, and if you work hard for two years, you will learn a lot. I will come to pick you up in two years!"

Wen Leyang followed his uncle deep into the mountains, accompanied by two silly uncles who occasionally made a fuss and laughed heartily. Wen Jiu and Wen Shisan, with their innocent minds, were like children who had just learned to walk. Especially when they were beside their relatives, they became even more spirited, curious about everything they saw and eager to make a commotion for a while. They quickly became familiar with Wen Leyang.

The two brothers laughed and joked as they made the puppets fight, their loud shouts startling the crows within several miles, causing them to caw chaotically

Wen Shisan was upset after being tricked by his uncle and refused to sleep. He took out a string puppet from his pocket, which seemed to be a toy he had cherished since childhood. However, the toy in his hand was far more complex than an ordinary string puppet, with countless control strings intricately intertwined. After skillfully manipulating it a few times, the puppet appeared almost lifelike, with its joints moving exceptionally flexibly.

Wen Jiu and Wen Shisan seemed as if they had seen a ghost, each letting out a strange cry and hiding behind the back of Wentu Hai. Wen Jiu, displaying great loyalty, even reminded, "The sun should hurry and run, the old witch is coming!"

After a while, Wen Tunhai chuckled and said, "It's done!" He then leaped down from the big tree, reached for the incense burner, opened it to check and confirm that everything was fine, before handing it to Wen Leyang: "Kid, do you know what this is?"

With a slow and gentle nod, he still wore a smile on his face: "This is a larva. Once it spins its cocoon and transforms into 'Buddha's Lamp,' it will become something extraordinary, the most potent fire poison in the world! Put your hand in!"

The sick number: raising a large quantity of poison

Whoever dares to bully our Sun, I will rip out their intestines

Wen Leyang was greatly alarmed; once the fiery red thread spread to his chest, even a deity could not save him. He hurriedly fumbled to take out the poison-removing powder used by the Wen family and applied it to his palm. With his other hand, he pressed and lifted at a spot three inches below the pulse on his poisoned arm. The poisonous thread quickly ceased its spread and began to retract slowly. After a moment, several drops of blood, as red as could be, oozed from the wound in his palm. With his other hand, he continued to press and lift at the same spot three inches below the pulse on his poisoned arm. The poisonous thread quickly ceased its spread and began to retract slowly. After a moment, several drops of blood, as red as could be, oozed from the wound in his palm.

Wen Leyang felt a bit mentally strained. This time entering the mountains, he first encountered two foolish uncles he had never known before, then met a fourth granduncle he had never heard of, and finally came across a place in the Wen family where life and death were intertwined.

Wen Leyang stuck out his tongue; since even his uncle did not know, he need not rack his brain over it. However, the thought of a bug recognizing its master, especially a plump little bug, still amused him. The Wen family had dealt with venomous creatures since childhood, and generally speaking, the more toxic a bug was, the more grotesque and fearsome its appearance. It was indeed rare to see one that looked so endearing.

Two silly uncles perched on a tree branch, blinking their eyes with a curious expression as they gazed down at the ground, yet none of them were willing to make the first move. It seemed as if their eyes, fixed on the incense burner, were about to reach out with tiny hands.

Master Wen Si, with a blank expression, listened to Wen Tunhai finish speaking. He then regarded Wen Leyang with the discerning gaze of a housewife selecting cabbage, before slowly raising two fingers at him: "Two years. The precinct will only allow you two years for life, aging, illness, and death. You may browse the texts within the precinct, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. You need not inform me when leaving the precinct, but it is only for two years. How much you learn in that time is of no concern to me. If, after two years, you still linger in the precinct and do not leave, then you shall never leave for the rest of your life."

The three parents in Wengjia Village are all around eighty years old, yet they maintain themselves so well that they appear to be just over sixty. However, the elder among them, known as Fourth Grandpa, looks as if he could be over a hundred years old. The shallowest wrinkles on his face are at least half an inch deep, and it is impossible to discern his gender due to his advanced age

Wen Tunhai watched as he skillfully extracted the poison for himself, a hint of satisfaction crossing his expression: "In the future, when you have time, play with it for a while. When the day comes that it is willing to leave the incense burner along your arm, it will signify that it has recognized its master. From then on, you can carry it with you. If by chance it can break free from its cocoon and transform into a butterfly, becoming a guiding light, hey, kid, then your fortune will be immense"

Wen Leyang looked puzzled: "Not very toxic?"

Master Wen Si is the owner of the Birth, Aging, Illness, and Death Workshop. Without his consent, even Master Wen Da cannot disclose matters pertaining to the workshop to others

Wen Tunhai hurriedly shouted to Wen Leyang: "Come quickly to meet the elders of our Wen family!"

Wen Jiu and Wen Shi San cheered loudly

Old Brand: It houses the bodies of the generations of the Wen family heads, all of whom were exceptionally skilled in poison during their lifetimes. Their bodies accumulated a large amount of toxins, and after death, the corpses do not decay or rot. When thrown into water, they poison fish; when buried in the ground, they prevent grass from growing; and when exposed to fire, they turn into toxic smoke that erodes bones. For the sake of environmental protection, they have all been collected into the Old Brand workshop

Wen Tun Hai spat and said: "Sleep, sleep, anyone who doesn't sleep is a bastard"

Wen Shisan showed no signs of weakness: "Let me see your family's ancestral Damo Divine Fist!"

Wen Shisan let out a strange cry and jumped down from the tree: "I didn't move!"

The caterpillar circled the incense burner several times, then suddenly leaped into the pot, as if it were filled with utmost joy, letting out a few chirps before falling silent.

Wen Jiayi has stood firm for two thousand years, and his toxic skills have gradually improved, largely relying on this workshop

This firefly, although not considered a particularly venomous creature in the eyes of the disciples within the Wen family, is undoubtedly seen as fatal to ordinary people. This insect belongs to the element of fire, is inherently mischievous, and enjoys playing with young boys. However, for most people, encountering it often leads to death.

Wen Tun Hai displayed not a trace of impatience; on the contrary, his gaze towards them was tinged with a sense of reluctance. From time to time, he would remind his two foolish brothers: "In the future, if Le Yang is bullied, you uncles must not turn a blind eye!"

Wen Leyang had never heard of having a fourth granduncle, and calling him "aunt" was purely a result of being misled by his two uncles. Generally, male creatures are referred to as monsters, while female ones are called fairies.

Wen Jiu and Wen Shi San also jumped over, reaching out to grab Wen Le Yang's sleeve, and asked earnestly: "Sun, can we come back to play with you?" As they spoke, they mysteriously added: "We will teach you how to play with string puppets in a fight."

The cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death is the greatest secret of the Wen family

Wen Tunhai shook his head and glanced at Wen Leyang, who was beside him with a bewildered expression, but did not say a word

Before the two individuals could finish their conversation, a hoarse voice, indiscernible in gender, suddenly interrupted: "You two have arrived, and there is meat to eat, why didn't you come!"

Every faction, whether it be a family, sect, or organization, possesses its own secrets. The Wen family, inheriting from "Tuo Xie," has occupied Jiu Ding Mountain for two thousand years, once regarded as a forbidden area by the world, and naturally, it is no exception.

Wen Leyang's face turned crimson, yet he still respectfully inquired, "What are the rules in the workshop? I kindly ask for the Fourth Uncle's guidance."

The collection contains various classics, including the insights collected and summarized by past ancestors in the "Wen Bu Cao," the five elemental properties of all things and actions, antidotes and medicinal prescriptions, as well as folk techniques and remedies. In short, it is a diverse array of knowledge, and even if a person studies for several hundred years, they would not be able to master it all.

The mountains stretch endlessly, with peaks rising one after another. Wen Leyang had long lost his sense of direction, only remembering that they were heading west, constantly traversing mountains and ridges. Whenever they had a moment, he would reach into the incense burner, playing with the firefly-like insects beside the Buddha lamp for a while, and then grimace as he extracted the poison, until three days later, when his uncle pointed to a nearby grove of red leaves: "Leyang, we have arrived"

Wen Tun Hai completely ignored his distressed expression, first pointing to the grove of red leaves, and then said loudly: "In the grove of red leaves lies the stronghold of my Tuo Xie Sect: the Place of Birth, Aging, Illness, and Death"

The Firefly, embodying the element of fire within the Five Elements, transforms into a luminous insect after its metamorphosis. Consequently, the toxicity inherent in its body increases dramatically, making it one of the most poisonous creatures in the world. However, according to the records of the Wen family ancestors, most of these insects die within their cocoons before they can emerge as butterflies. The specific reasons for their premature demise remain unknown.

Warm and slow, laughing heartily: "No prospects, don't worry, this kind of bug is called a firefly, and despite burning the grass and trees along the way, it actually has very little toxicity"

Wen Leyang withdrew his palm and, illuminated by the moonlight, noticed a thin crimson line slowly spreading along his veins towards his shoulder. The center of his palm was dotted with countless tiny holes, all caused by the hard hairs of the insects.

Wen Leyang fell directly to his knees, his head striking the ground: "Wen Leyang has seen... grandmother..." Before he could finish his sentence, Wen Leyang felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, followed by a sharp contraction of his skin, as if it had been stripped like the hide of a cow, tightly adhering to his bones and flesh. The intense pain made it nearly impossible for him to breathe.

Lord Wen Si, with an impatient wave of his sleeve, signaled Wen Tunhai to speak. His icy gaze began to scrutinize Wen Jiu and Wen Shisan from head to toe. The two foolish men, who usually could not stop chanting their incantations for even a moment, now stood frozen in place under the old man's gaze, which was colder than that of a venomous snake, not daring to move an inch and remaining obediently still.

Wen Leyang did not understand why his uncle wanted him to do this, but he still cautiously reached his hand into the incense burner. A plump little worm suddenly straightened its body and leaped onto his palm, its fat body wriggling and rolling around as if it were playing. Wen Leyang felt a burning heat in the center of his palm, and as he shivered, it seemed he was about to pull his hand back. His uncle quickly grabbed his wrist: "Don't move! You must not move!" The plump body continued to wriggle and roll around as if it were playing, and Wen Leyang felt a burning heat in the center of his palm, and as he shivered, it seemed he was about to pull his hand back. His uncle quickly grabbed his wrist: "Don't move! You must not move!"

Wen Leyang felt distressed, realizing that for the next two years, he would have to follow this Fourth Uncle and eat meat.

Master Wen Si's face bore no expression, and he stiffly shook his head: "What does it matter if such goods last for ten years or a hundred years"

Since he began soaking in highly toxic medicinal liquor from www.hetushu.com, and practicing the wrong fist technique, poisonous creatures like scorpions and centipedes have always avoided him. On one occasion, a nearly three-inch long centipede, entirely red, was driven to a dead end by him and bit him in a last-ditch effort. As a result, the centipede turned over and died, while he himself was completely unharmed

Wen Jiu was also drawn over, shouting: "Yue Buqun, you despicable scoundrel, return the lives of the five hundred members of my independent regiment!" He also manipulated a marionette, coming over with a series of squeaks and cries.

In the midst of the non-isothermal conversation, Wen Jiu approached, taking Wen Leyang's hand: "Sun, I know, this is the home of the old witch!"

Old Master Wen Si's cold snort pierced through the air like an icy needle, sharply embedding itself deep into Wen Leyang's eardrum

Wen Shisan also nodded vigorously, seriously saying: "That's right, the old witch's family has many people, eating meat every day! If you go, you will also have meat to eat!"

The "Buddha Lamp Bug" played in Wen Leyang's palm for a while, and seemed to grow weary. It shook its head and wiggled its tail before jumping down, curling up in the incense burner, and beginning to sleep

A small reptile no longer than a little finger, sparsely covered with a few backward-facing spines, its entire body a dark red and exceedingly plump, resembles a clumsy, over-nourished caterpillar that has just crawled out of a can of red paint

Master Wen's gaze flashed with a hint of disdain: "There aren't many rules; I'll explain them to you later. As for everything else, there are no restrictions. If you think you have the ability to burn this place down, feel free to give it a try." After saying this, he no longer glanced at Wen Leyang, but turned to Wen Tunhai and suddenly asked without any preamble: "What happened?"

Wen Leyang first nodded with delight, then asked with some confusion: "A fortuitous coincidence?"

Behind the insect, a charred black line was left, as if both the grass and trees, as well as the mountains and stones, had been scorched by a fiery clamp

Wen Leyang gave a bitter smile: "I wouldn't dare to say that Uncle is a bastard." After a moment of pause, he hurriedly added, "Nor would I dare to say that Uncle is a bastard either!"

"How did you jump down without moving?" Wen Tunhai laughed heartily while slyly winking at Wen Leyang, whispering, "If those two brothers start bothering you, just use this trick."

The thin line finally drifted into the clearing in the woods, and a faint smell of burning began to rise. Wen Leyang squinted his eyes and finally discerned what was approaching.

Wen Tunhai furrowed his brows: "Fourth Uncle, isn't two years too short? There are so many classics in the workshop..."

Wen Leyang smiled bitterly and said, "Uncle, it is time to tell me where this is, right!"

The surrounding green mountains are lush in spring, and amidst the vast expanse of verdant greenery, a small patch of red forest stands out like a leaping flame, exceptionally striking

Wen Tunhai hurriedly supported his nephew, saying: "You little rascal, are you blind? This is your great-grandfather, quickly bow down again!" He then turned to the old man and said: "Great-grandfather, this child has always been a bit muddled, please do not..."

Dead Zone: The secret base for cultivating power and masters by Wen Jia

Master Wen Si took out a small red square box from his pocket and casually tossed it to Wen Tunhai: "Keep this with you, just to be cautious in everything, and do not overexert yourself!" After saying this, he turned his back and walked towards the Red Leaf Forest

Wen Leyang trembled in pain, and with the support of his uncle, he managed to bow slightly: "I have met Great-Grandfather Si. I, Wen Leyang, am being unreasonable. Please forgive me, Great-Grandfather Si."

Wen Tunhai finally withdrew his hand: "Kid, from now on, play with it for a while every day. Remember, your palm must never leave the incense burner until it chooses to leave on its own"

Lord Wen Si unexpectedly sighed, which was the only sound imbued with some emotion that Wen Leyang had heard from him since their meeting

Wen Tun Hai smiled charmingly, first bowing to the four old men before speaking: "Four fathers, please don't say that. After spending some time together, you'll realize that this child has some redeeming qualities! Would you like to speak to him, or shall I?"

The sound of light footsteps echoed as an elderly woman, dressed in a long robe, with a head full of white hair and a face covered in deep wrinkles, approached unsteadily from a distance. In no time, she arrived before Wen Leyang and the others.

After giving his nephew a stern warning, Wen Tun suddenly pointed at Wen Shisan and shouted, "Shisan, you moved, you are a bastard!"

Wen Leyang shook his head while holding the incense cauldron. The large caterpillar that had made quite a scene upon arrival was now curled up comfortably inside the cauldron, motionless, leaving one to wonder whether it was asleep or already dead. He wanted to reach out and poke it, but hesitated; any creature that could be attracted to the incense cauldron possessed a toxicity that even the disciples of the Wen family would not dare to touch lightly.

Old Master Wen Si then gently waved his hand: "Is this the disciple from the Wen family who has passed the major examination this time? Each generation is worse than the last!" Wen Leyang suddenly felt a release throughout his body, and the excruciating pain that had been gnawing at his bones had abruptly faded away

Wen Leyang nodded with a smile, then took large strides to chase after his fourth uncle. Da Bo Wen Tun Hai watched his figure, his mouth moving slightly as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately shook his head and reached out to pat his two foolish brothers: "Come on, big brother will accompany you to play in the mountains for a few more days"