Li Huai Sheng took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. A moment later, a thumb-sized pouch of blood bulged beneath the skin of his withered, stick-like left forearm, squirming faintly.

The skin then split open, and a small, blood-red insect crawled out. It was shaped like a young silkworm but covered in strange, dark patterns.

Chen Sheng’s gaze was sharp as he scrutinized the Lifebound Poison Insect, a creature whose existence was intertwined with its master’s very life. He confirmed that its appearance matched the description from the fragmented pages of the *Hundred Poisons True Skill* and that its aura was inextricably linked to Li Huai Sheng. Only then did he produce a prepared jade porcelain vial and carefully guide the lethargic, blood-red insect inside before sealing it shut.

"You’ve made a wise choice."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

By controlling this Lifebound Poison Insect, he now held Li Huai Sheng’s life in his hands.

The submission of a Marrow Transformation Realm expert was undoubtedly a significant boost to his power.

Li Huai Sheng forced a bitter smile. His aura had weakened slightly from the poison insect leaving his body. He asked in a raspy voice:

"Sir, what kind of Pledge of Loyalty must I offer?"

Now that Li Huai Sheng was under his control, Chen Sheng didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

"Are you aware of the Spirit Marrow Gu that the Huang Family keeps hidden?"

Li Huai Sheng nodded, though his heart went cold.

The Spirit Marrow Gu was one of the Huang Family’s most protected secrets. He had only learned of its existence by pure chance, thanks to his status as a Tributor. Within the Huang Family itself, only a few core members knew of it.

’How could Chen Sheng know about this? Does he truly have a spy among the Huang Family’s core members?’

"Bring it to me. That will be your Pledge of Loyalty."

Chen Sheng’s voice was quiet, but it carried an authority that could not be questioned.

Hearing this, Li Huai Sheng’s eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked tentatively, "Sir, are you perhaps hoping to use the Spirit Marrow Liquid to break through to the Marrow Transformation Realm?"

"That’s right," Chen Sheng admitted freely.

"Well... forgive me for being blunt, but,"

Li Huai Sheng chose his words carefully, watching Chen Sheng’s expression. "As far as I know, the Spirit Marrow Liquid from the Huang Family’s Spirit Marrow Gu was already extracted six years ago. The next batch won’t be ready for at least another five or six years."

Chen Sheng’s eyes narrowed. ’Could the Celestial Book’s prediction from Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil be wrong?’

’But the book is miraculous; it has never been wrong before.’

’So where is the problem?’

His expression darkened, and he fixed Li Huai Sheng with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.

Li Huai Sheng had been watching Chen Sheng’s face intently. Seeing his gaze turn cold with displeasure, his heart clenched. He quickly changed his tune and said in a rush:

"Sir, don’t worry just yet! I know of another method. Even without the ready-made Spirit Marrow Liquid, it can help one break through to the Marrow Transformation Realm. In fact, its effects are far superior to the liquid’s!"

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes, his fingertips tapping a soft rhythm on the wooden table beside him.

"Go on."

Li Huai Sheng didn’t dare keep him in suspense and quickly explained:

"Sir, you must understand, the Spirit Marrow Liquid is merely an essence that the Spirit Marrow Gu slowly nurtures by absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism and combining it with its own. Using the Spirit Marrow Liquid for a breakthrough is a reliable method, but it requires patient waiting. The method I know, however... is more like draining the pond to get the fish."

He paused, a strange glint in his eyes.

"If we can manage to seize the Spirit Marrow Gu itself, there’s no need to wait for it to produce the Spiritual Liquid. We can kill it directly, take the essence of its flesh and blood, apply it to the key acupoints on the body, and absorb it with our Inner Breath.

The profound power it contains far surpasses that of the Spirit Marrow Liquid. Not only will it greatly increase the chance of a successful Marrow Transformation, but it will also nourish and refine one’s vital energy and blood, solidifying one’s foundation. The effects are simply miraculous."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, realization dawning on him.

’So when the Celestial Book pointed to the "Spirit Marrow Gu," it meant the Gu Insect itself, not the Spirit Marrow Liquid that takes a dozen years to produce a single drop. The Celestial Book is as precise as ever.’

"I am familiar with its habits. I’m confident I can find it and bring it to you, Sir."

Li Huai Sheng took the opportunity to show his value, but his expression immediately turned troubled. "However... for this to succeed, I will need your full support, Sir."

"What kind of support?" Chen Sheng asked.

"The Huang Family’s foundation is far deeper than that of the Seven Stars Gang. As far as I know, they have three Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Masters in their clan. My strengths lie in poisons and stealth. If I’m discovered while stealing the Spirit Marrow Gu and get surrounded, escape will be impossible.

Therefore... I implore you, Sir, to create a significant diversion outside the Huang Family’s estate before I make my move. It would be best if you could draw some of their people away, creating an opportunity for me."

"I can do that."

Chen Sheng agreed after a moment of thought.

The Huang Family was indeed the strongest of the three great families. Sending Li Huai Sheng in alone would be a death sentence. ’If I’m going to use him, I naturally have to provide the necessary support.’

"Thank you, Sir!"

Hearing this, a great weight was lifted from Li Huai Sheng’s heart, and he let out a long sigh of relief. He had been terrified that Chen Sheng would order him to brave the lion’s den alone, which would have been no different from sending him to his death.

...

While Chen Sheng and Li Huai Sheng conspired in the dungeon, their sights set on the Huang Family’s prized Spirit Marrow Gu, the hidden currents of Changshan County did not rest. Instead, they began to surge with even greater intensity.

The three great families had already begun to quietly enact their revenge against Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang.

After secret negotiations with the Qinglin Water Bandits outside the city, the two sides came to an agreement. This time, Gao Yuanfeng intended not only to eliminate the great threat that was Chen Sheng, but also to seize the opportunity to ambush and kill the elite troops Wu Kuang had brought from the Border Army, thereby completely severing his military power base in Changshan County.

The Qinglin Water Bandits acted with extreme speed.

They launched frequent raids, stirring up trouble on the bustling Qinglin Waterway. They plundered every passing merchant ship, regardless of whether it had paid the "Peace Coins," their methods ruthless. Soon, panic gripped the entire waterway.

The Qinglin Waterway was a vital trade route, connecting several counties and leading to the Prefecture City. Any obstruction would have a massive impact.

If they were to abandon the waterway for land routes, not only would transportation costs skyrocket, but the various mountain bandits entrenched in the rugged mountain passes posed an equal threat. For a time, the merchants of Changshan County who relied on the waterway for transport suffered disastrous losses and immense hardship.

Left with no other choice, a large group of merchants went together to request an audience with the Patriarchs of the three great families. They pleaded with them to intervene, pressure the water bandits, and recover their stolen goods.

However, since this was a scheme orchestrated by the three great families themselves, why would they genuinely mediate on the merchants’ behalf?

On the surface, Gao Yuanfeng, Huang Dongchun, and the others placated the merchants, expressing sympathy and concern. Secretly, however, they cleverly shifted the blame onto the Government Office.

They earnestly declared that in the face of such rampant water bandits, only the Government Office, by dispatching a large force, could completely annihilate them and restore peace to the trade route. They "suggested" that the merchants band together, go to the county government office to present their case, and urge them to send troops.

With the covert instigation and guidance of the three great Noble Families, the merchants quickly came to a consensus. They decided to gather at the county government office the next day to formally file a report and request that the government dispatch troops to eliminate the bandits.

And just as these hidden powers were clashing and a storm was brewing, Chen Sheng, having completed his meticulous planning, finally decided it was time to act.

Luring the Huang Family’s experts—especially their Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Masters—away from their stronghold was no easy task.

He had to create a crisis so severe that the Huang Family would feel the sting and be forced to respond with all their might. Just as he had annihilated the Seven Stars Gang with lightning speed, Chen Sheng was now preparing to take another risk, employing the classic "feint east, attack west" strategy.

His target was the western part of the city.

After the fall of the Seven Stars Gang, its remaining members scattered.

Some chose to pledge allegiance to Yang Hu, but others fled to the western part of the city, seeking refuge with the Baisha Gang.

And this Baisha Gang was the very same force the Huang Family secretly backed to control the city’s western district.

If he moved against the Baisha Gang, the Huang Family—learning from the lesson of the Seven Stars Gang—would never stand idly by. They would certainly dispatch experts to either provide aid or restore order.

Chen Sheng’s plan was to use the pursuit of these remnants as a pretext to draw out the Huang Family’s masters.