This is an aside, merely a reflection of my youth at that time

"Master, I do not care about the certainty of success," Xin You replied casually, seemingly without any consideration. "My father advised me before he passed away: true brothers should not keep a meticulous account—no good thing can last a lifetime, but friends are for a lifetime. Losing anything is never more important than losing a friend"

He had only heard that the new leader of the Poison Sect was a frail young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old, and that this young man was quite impressive compared to his father, but he had not heard that this child was actually so formidable

Xin You seemed unsure of how to respond. However, Jing Yuan, with a smile brighter than the winter sun, asked: "A You, is there anything that you would contest with me? Are you afraid of me?"

After tidying up the poison and the medicinal formula from the Golden Light Cave, Jingyuan routinely asked, "You, is there anything you desire?"

The two walked silently for a while, when Jingyuan suddenly asked: "I know that the thing you desire is precisely what I am reluctant to give to others. You, do you want to know what your chances of success would be if you were to compete with me for it?"

Jingyuan truly wishes to see those who remain unyielding until death, who do not seek mercy

Xin You shook his head and said, "There is nowhere else to go, we are going home"

Is this sarcasm? Jingyuan lowered his eyes to look at his small hands, which appeared even paler when placed on the bear skin

Jingyuan struggled to push the bear away, pointing at the arrowhead embedded in its heart, and smiled faintly, "Your arrow has struck its heart. Even if there is no poison on the arrow, it cannot survive."

Everything is too easy. Challenges, victories, and subjugation; his poison easily destroys the self-esteem of these adults. Where have those who would rather die than submit gone? He truly wants to see the stubborn expressions of those tormented by his poison, to see if he would feel pity for those who refuse to give in—unfortunately, the world of martial arts has not given him this opportunity. They always shout, "Give me a quick end"—tch! If you have the ability, then end it yourself! He truly wants to see the stubborn expressions of those tormented by his poison, to see if he would feel pity for those who refuse to give in—unfortunately, the world of martial arts has not given him this opportunity. They always shout, "Give me a quick end"—tch! If you have the ability, then end it yourself! Defeated opponents, what qualifications do they have to make demands?

Xin You directly shook his head and replied calmly: "I am not afraid. I do not want to harm the brotherly relationship over a trivial matter."

Only the old lady Ren from the Yaozong remains. Xin You shrugged and said, "She does not admit to using poison—though she has used it quite a lot. Ever since the old sect master, she has claimed to retire from the martial world, not understanding our poison practitioners"

The black bear's fur seemed to quiver slightly, and its moist nose appeared to emit faint white vapor with a "hiss". Jingyuan knew that this was not an illusion. His poison would allow it to live long enough to painfully listen to their discussion about its fate, yet it would not even have the strength to struggle in its dying moments. Although it was just a small bear, it should not have harmed Jingyuan's dog.

Yao Hui could not believe his eyes—within this spacious hall, everyone was as if carved from wood or molded from clay; they were either staring wide-eyed and unable to move or collapsed on the ground, completely unresponsive. The only ones who could move were the calm young man in the blue robe, leisurely fanning himself, and another youth behind him, resembling an iron tower—two youths! ... These two youths had brought order to the Golden Light Cave.

"Um..." Jingyuan took the prescription and glanced at it, "It is indeed good. When we have time, we should try making it. Where are we heading next?"

This simple answer suddenly left Jingyuan feeling a bit lost. He looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh: "In fact, I don't have anything that I am reluctant to give to others. I really want to know what it is that you are asking of me. I truly wonder if there is anything that I would be unwilling to part with..."

Of course not! Xin You widened his eyes and said, "It is commendable that the young master makes such good use of poison!"

Since we are friends, there is no need to measure who contributes more or who receives less—this is also the teaching my father imparted on his deathbed

Jingyuan did not smile

The leader of the Poison Sect, Xu Quanzi... This is not your real name. May I ask your esteemed surname and given name? Yao Hui's tone became respectful, completely devoid of the previous disdain and pity! Just a moment ago, he almost wanted to recruit this young man into his Golden Light Cave! This thought, he would never dare to let anyone know in his lifetime—truly overestimating himself! It is simply laughable!

Young Master

Xin You sincerely replied: "No regrets"

Jingyuan lowered his head, unsure of what expression to wear, "I have never done anything for you. Don't you think it's a loss to have such a friend?"

Jingyuan raised his head, wearing a sly and mischievous smile, "You better not regret it!"

"Send it again," Jingyuan said softly, as if some emotion had been stirred within him. "I don't believe she would be willing to hide all her abilities in the valley."

He walked up to the bear, his small hand grasping its ear—its warm body heat still lingering. He cradled the bear's head in his arms, stroking it gently, and raised his bright eyes to the much taller boy beside him, asking, "Ayu, will you really give it to me?"

He turned around and smiled at Xin You, "The Medicine Sect is on par with our sect, so there should be quite a few good things. It is the last sect, and once you subdue it, you must tell me what you want—you're always wanting nothing, which makes me feel as if I am taking advantage of you."

Xin You smiled, and his cheerful voice echoed through the snowy forest: "It is not something I am giving to you. It was originally yours—your prey obtained through poison."

However, Xin You merely shook his head as usual. He examined the formula on the prescription, his face lighting up with joy: "Master, there is a good recipe here! If we add this to 'North of the Mountain, South of the Water', we can create a fine 'trap'!"

The bitterness in Yao Hui's heart spilled to the corners of his mouth—yes, he lost

"Do not talk too much." Jingyuan mounted the pony, his face slightly flushed, unsure whether it was due to embarrassment or because today's exercise was a bit excessive for him. "I never wear black things—black makes me look more like a sickly person... Yuu, if there is anything you want—just tell me!"

The young man in the blue shirt raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Since you have entered my door, you will naturally know my name."

Is there none left? Have I already gathered all the sects that use poison in the world?" Jing Yuan scoffed lightly.

Brother?" Jingyuan lightly chewed on these two words in his heart, but did not show it at all. He simply patted the dirty snow on his body that had stuck to the bear carcass and said, "Drag this thing back. The meat is inedible, but you can use the skin to make a vest.

Eight years later · Golden Light Cave

"Master Yao, you have lost," the young man lightly tapped Yao Hui's hand with the handle of his fan.

I, Yao Hui, am willing to serve with utmost dedication and loyalty