Chapter 260: The Old Ancestor Is Brilliant!

The poison from the Blood Prison of the Poisoned Feather had somehow been neutralized. Even now, Bian Suwen still couldn’t wrap her head around how it had happened.

Wang Haoran’s explanation just now sounded like complete nonsense—but if the Old Medical Immortal was still alive, then it could be plausible.

The problem was… she was right at the Old Medical Immortal’s side when he passed.

Divine Doctor Xue cut in, “Senior, I actually think that’s possible. You know what kind of temperament Master had. Maybe he faked his death to pass the Valley Master’s position to you, and just wandered off again.”

“And now, coming back suddenly only to discover that the Poison Sect used a forbidden toxin… he couldn’t just stand by, so he secretly stepped in to help!”

Seeing Doctor Xue unintentionally feed her the perfect assist, Wang Haoran gave him an invisible thumbs-up in his mind.

Hearing that, Bian Suwen looked conflicted, caught between doubt and belief. She began to contemplate it seriously.

The Old Medical Immortal had always been a free-spirited eccentric, often vanishing for years at a time. It wasn’t unusual for him to disappear for three or four years before returning to the valley again.

So faking his death and walking away from it all wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.

After all, it had only been four years since his “death.”

Even so, without seeing the Old Medical Immortal with her own eyes, Bian Suwen could never fully believe it.

“This is all just speculation. We still have no proof.” She sighed softly.

Wang Haoran offered a solution. “Why not send a letter to the Poison Sect? Propose a temporary ceasefire and gauge their reaction.”

“If they agree, it means their old ancestor still has some scruples—it would imply the Old Medical Immortal is alive. But if they refuse and continue their aggression, then we know our assumption was wrong.”

“That’s actually a great idea,” Bian Suwen’s eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement.

One side: stabilized.

Seeing her response, Wang Haoran smiled inwardly. Now, he just needed to settle things with Shao Wanwan.

Fortunately, that part would be easy. After all, Shao Wanwan already believed he was the Poison Sect’s Ancestor.

And the Ancestor’s words—who would dare disobey? Still, he’d have to make one more trip himself.

Once Bian Suwen made her decision, she immediately wrote the letter and handed it to Divine Doctor Xue to deliver.

Wang Haoran declared he was fully recovered and asked to return to school.

Bian Suwen was a bit uneasy, so she checked his pulse herself. Finding nothing amiss, she gave her permission.

After leaving the hospital, Wang Haoran quietly followed after Divine Doctor Xue.

——

Poison Sect Headquarters.

Shao Wanwan reported everything that had happened at the hospital to the Fifth Elder.

“You’re saying… the Ancestor and that Yixian girl were together—and they seemed close?” The Fifth Elder was stunned at the news.

“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. And I really think… the Ancestor was deliberately protecting Bian Suwen.” Shao Wanwan frowned. “I just don’t get it. It’s one thing to not attack Yixian Valley… but to help her?”

The Fifth Elder fell silent, clouded eyes flashing with deep thought. After a long pause, his old and wrinkled face suddenly lit up with glee.

“Brilliant. Brilliant! The Old Ancestor is truly brilliant!”

“What are you talking about?” Shao Wanwan looked at him in surprise.

“The Poison Sect and Yixian Valley have been enemies since the day they were founded. The Old Ancestor has always loathed them. Why would he help Bian Suwen?” The old man smiled like he had seen through everything. “It’s obvious. He’s getting close to her… to exact revenge!”

Shao Wanwan blinked. “But with the Old Ancestor’s power, he could crush Yixian Valley whenever he wants. Why go to such lengths?”

The old man’s eyes gleamed with cunning. “Ah, you’re still too young. That’s exactly why this method is brilliant. Think about it—what if the little Yixian girl ends up pregnant?”

“Wouldn’t that make her the biggest joke in all the hidden sects? If the Old Medical Immortal were alive, it might just kill him from anger!”

“Now that’s revenge. Isn’t it deliciously satisfying?”

Hearing that, Shao Wanwan suddenly understood. Her eyes lit up as she gasped, “As expected of the Ancestor. This kind of payback is far more satisfying than simply wiping them out!”

After a moment of admiration, she turned pale. “The poison inside Bian Suwen must have been secretly cured by the Old Ancestor. And I—without knowing—challenged her to a duel! I nearly ruined his grand plan… what if he punishes me?”

The Fifth Elder raised both hands. “That’s on you. Pray he’s feeling merciful.”

At that moment, a Poison Sect underling came to report. “Sainstess, Fifth Elder—someone from Yixian Valley is here.”

“Who is it? What’s the matter?” the old man asked.

“He gave the surname Xue. Says he’s here to deliver a letter.”

At the mention of “Xue,” both elders immediately understood—it could only be Divine Doctor Xue, the one nicknamed King Yama’s Rival.

“Bring him in,” the Fifth Elder instructed.

Soon after, Divine Doctor Xue was led into the room.

“This letter is from our Valley Master. Please take a look.” Though deep in enemy territory, his voice remained calm and composed.

Shao Wanwan took the letter and opened it with the Fifth Elder.

The message was simple: The duel had ended in a draw. Both sides would cease hostilities for the next twenty years. The grudges between them would be postponed—settled only after those two decades had passed.

Reading it, Shao Wanwan and the Fifth Elder exchanged a silent, pleased glance.

This letter—without a doubt—had been written at their own Ancestor’s urging. He had clearly persuaded Bian Suwen himself.

And the message behind it was obvious: The Ancestor had his own clever revenge in motion. No one from the Poison Sect was to touch Yixian Valley. Anyone who interfered would ruin everything.

Understanding the real meaning between the lines, Shao Wanwan quickly penned a reply as the Saintess, agreeing to the proposal.

Divine Doctor Xue was delighted and immediately set off to return the message to Bian Suwen.

“Didn’t I say so?” The Fifth Elder smugly turned to Shao Wanwan.

“Fifth Elder, your insight is unmatched!” Shao Wanwan eagerly began to praise him—but before she could finish, she froze.

A man had silently appeared in the room.

His face was covered with a mask, his appearance completely hidden.

But Shao Wanwan recognized his build instantly. She dropped to her knees and bowed deeply. “Greetings, O-Old Ancestor!”

The Fifth Elder jumped in fright, then quickly followed suit. “Greetings, Ancestor!”

Naturally, Wang Haoran wore the mask for a reason.

Shao Wanwan was young. She had likely never even seen the real face of the Poison Sect’s Ancestor—so there was no risk in standing before her.

But the Fifth Elder was different. Wang Haoran had no idea if the old man had met the real patriarch before, so he played it safe.