Chapter 158 Becoming the Master of “Nightshade”

Qi Yanzhou had long studied the terrain of the Youming Mountain.

He led Ye Chutang down the mountain through a narrow, hidden path toward the direction of the fire.

A quarter of an hour later, the two arrived at the entrance to Nightshade’s base.

Nightshade was located deep within a neatly arranged bamboo forest.

The traps and formations had already been destroyed, with broken bamboo scattered across the ground and faint traces of blood.

Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou tied their horses to the bamboo and ventured inside.

As they moved forward, the bloodstains grew heavier. Occasionally, they came across corpses—all belonging to members of Nightshade.

Past the bamboo forest lay a stone formation, known for confusing one’s sense of direction.

Heat radiated from beyond the stone formation, bringing with it the sharp smell of burning wood.

Qi Yanzhou grasped Ye Chutang’s hand and led her through the formation, stopping in front of a wooden building engulfed in flames.

Nan Xiao approached Qi Yanzhou, holding the severed head of Nightshade’s leader.

The thick stench of blood made Ye Chutang frown.

Noticing her discomfort, Qi Yanzhou immediately kicked the bloody head aside and shielded her behind him.

“Stop and report the situation.”

Sensing Qi Yanzhou’s displeasure, Nan Xiao quickly stepped back two paces and knelt on one knee.

“Your Highness, twenty-six were captured alive, seventeen killed, and two escaped. The number of members currently out on missions is still being tallied.”

He glanced at the burning wooden structure behind him.

“The fire started where the wooden plaques were stored. I managed to salvage some, and we’re currently checking whether the one you wanted is among them.”

Just as he finished speaking, a voice shouted, “Found it!”

Then, a wooden bounty plaque from the Kong family fell into Qi Yanzhou’s hands.

With this, they now had the evidence needed to convict the Kong family.

Qi Yanzhou looked at the twenty-six captives kneeling on the ground.

They made no effort to resist or struggle. Their faces were ashen, as if they had already accepted their fate.

“Even though your master is dead, and the antidote that kept you alive is gone, you still have a chance to live.”

His words didn’t stir any reaction among the members of Nightshade.

They had been sold to Nightshade as children, surviving only through brutal training and life-or-death missions.

Later, after earning money from assignments, they realized no one survived past the age of thirty and began trying to escape the organization’s control.

But no physician could cure their poison, no matter how many they consulted.

Some even risked stealing the antidote—only to fail and suffer torment worse than death.

“I’m the only one with the antidote. If you want to die early, I won’t stop you.”

That statement cut deep into every heart.

When Nan Xiao beheaded Nightshade’s leader, they knew they wouldn’t survive and gave up resistance immediately.

Qi Yanzhou understood what kind of organization Nightshade was. He turned to Ye Chutang.

“Ah-Tang, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Ye Chutang nodded and looked at the twenty-six kneeling individuals.

She raised her hand and pointed at one of them. “Bring that one forward.”

Qi Yanzhou’s men dragged a woman before Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang lifted the woman’s chin with the tip of her foot and stared coldly at her pale, almost lifeless face.

“If you find life so meaningless, why haven’t you chosen to die?”

The woman’s vacant eyes finally focused as she looked at Ye Chutang—and was startled by her beauty.

“You’re the one who brought ruin to Nightshade and cut off our path to survival—Ye Chutang?”

“Wrong. I’m the one who’s giving you a chance to live.”

As soon as Ye Chutang finished speaking, she kicked the woman hard in the chest.

The woman fell to the ground, coughing up black blood. Her pale face turned blue and purple, her gaze dull and lifeless.

The poison had flared up.

Ye Chutang shouted, “All of you, look over here!”

Then she pulled a temporary antidote from her spatial storage and fed it to the woman.

Before their eyes, the woman’s complexion quickly returned to normal, and clarity returned to her eyes.

“Feel it—has the poison in your body been suppressed?” The woman had endured many episodes of poisoning and taken countless antidotes; she didn’t need to check—she could tell the poison had been subdued.

She stared at Ye Chutang in disbelief. “How do you have the antidote?”

With twenty or so intense gazes fixed on her, Ye Chutang’s lips curled into a confident smile.

“My medical skills aren’t bad. Not only have I created a temporary antidote, I can even completely cure the poison in your body.”

Her words made the woman’s eyes light up, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Really?”

“You’d know better than I do whether it’s real.”

“Tell me—what do I have to do to get the antidote and break free of the control?”

The woman was fully aware—there was no such thing as a free lunch. If Ye Chutang spared their lives, she must have her reasons.

Ye Chutang swept her gaze across the people of Nightshade.

“Work for me. I’ll guarantee your lives. If any mission is too dangerous, you can choose not to take it. But if you do—and complete ten missions—I’ll cure you and free you from the poison’s control.”

For Nightshade’s people, this was a deal with nothing to lose.

Everyone immediately dropped to one knee before her.

“Greetings, Master!”

“If you want to acknowledge me as your master, then you’ll first need to confess everything—your background, your past missions, and how you performed. I’ll assign future missions based on your skills and abilities.”

She might not be a saint, but she wouldn’t let true villains go unpunished.

Use them while they’re useful—when they’re not, kill or release them as needed.

Ye Chutang’s conditions were reasonable, and Nightshade’s people accepted without hesitation.

She handed the temporary antidote to Nan Xiao.

“I’m putting them under your command for now. Make sure to dig into their backgrounds. If anyone lies—kill them immediately.”

“Yes, Miss Ye.”

“Leave behind a trail so those who escaped or are out on missions can find you.”

“Understood, Miss Ye.”

Ye Chutang turned to Qi Yanzhou. “Let’s head back to the city.”

Qi Yanzhou nodded and told Nan Xiao, “Destroy this place completely.”

Then he took Ye Chutang’s hand, retraced their path, mounted their horses, and rode away.

—

They galloped straight back to the capital, then entered Qi Yanzhou’s secret estate—a tea warehouse—through a tunnel outside the city.

Surrounded by the strong scent of tea, Ye Chutang said, “The assets of the Prince of Chen’s household on the surface will probably be confiscated after the exile. Is there a way to keep them?”

“The emperor has his eye on the Prince of Chen’s holdings. If we move the assets carelessly, it’ll raise suspicion. I’ll send some gold, silver, and jewels to the northwest first—but I’ll leave some behind to be confiscated.”

Qi Yanzhou said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind Ye Chutang’s ear.

“If the emperor wants to seize them, let him. They won’t end up in his hands anyway.”

Ye Chutang understood what he meant and nodded. “I’ll let Ghost Thief know.”

“Ah-Tang, you and Ghost Thief…”

“Not something I can talk about.”

Ye Chutang had never intended to tell anyone about her spatial ability or supernatural powers.

Some things are best buried deep.

Qi Yanzhou quickly promised, “I won’t ask again.”

Then he asked with concern, “Ah-Tang, after riding all the way, are you holding up okay?”

Ye Chutang yawned wearily.

“It wasn’t that far tonight. We didn’t ride too fast, and the saddles were padded. I’m not tired.”

Seeing how sleepy she was, Qi Yanzhou said, “It’s very late—I’ll take you home.”

“No need. The curfew hasn’t started yet. I can go back myself.”

Since they weren’t married yet, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to be seen together. Qi Yanzhou didn’t insist.

“Alright, I’ll walk you to the door.”

The two stepped out of the warehouse.

A cool night breeze blew past, instantly refreshing Ye Chutang’s mind.

It also reminded her of something.

“Ah-Zhou, after we marry, our fates will be tied together. Can I know who your enemies are—and who your allies are?”

Before exile, she planned to clear out every last storeroom her enemies had!