Chapter 951 - 956, - 957: Arrival at Poison King Valley (2)

As for not being able to afford meat, first promote the cultivation technique. Once Great Wei’s national power increases and the people’s lives improve, they will naturally start cultivating."

Chen Mo doesn’t intend for the cultivation technique to immediately turn everyone into martial artists upon its introduction.

It needs to be done gradually; this is a long process.

Regarding the threat to governance mentioned by Chen Cultivator.

Chen Mo isn’t afraid; only basic cultivation techniques are being passed down.

Besides, he doesn’t hope for his dynasty to last for eternity.

Every generation has its own mission.

He can guarantee that he won’t harm the people.

But can he guarantee his descendants will all be wise and benevolent rulers, avoiding foolish ones?

That’s impossible.

Chen Cultivator understood Chen Mo’s meaning, bent down and cupped his hands respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty is truly virtuous."

Chen Mo waved his hand and looked at Nalan Yiren: "Yiren, how much longer until we arrive?"

"Not long now."

Once out of this forest, Nalan Yiren pointed to the distant mountaintop and said, "Do you see the highest peak over there? Once we cross that mountain, we’ll reach the Poison King Valley. I’ve already sent the Poisonous Bees back to deliver the message. Once the elders receive it, they’ll send people to greet us."

...

Two days later.

Chen Mo and his group walked along the mountain path, leading their horses. At this moment, they were on a narrow path halfway up the mountain, beside a cliff shrouded in mist where the bottom couldn’t be seen. Everyone knew that if one fell, it would be fatal or at least result in severe injury or paralysis. They walked along the side close to the mountain, not daring to ride the horses.

Not only the people were scared, but the horses were too.

If not for Nalan Yiren’s skill in taming animals, at the entrance to this path, the horses would have stopped and refused to move, resisting all attempts to force them.

"Everyone, hold hands and be careful not to fall." Sun Meng instructed.

"Initially, there was only the path below to enter Poison King Valley, but that path is home to many poisonous creatures from our valley. And they are currently in their mating season, making them particularly aggressive. Even our own valley people get bitten passing through. That’s why our ancestors spent over ten years constructing the path we are on now." Nalan Yiren, leading the way, heard Chen Mo’s words and turned back to explain.

There is another point Nalan Yiren didn’t share.

Chen Mo’s team includes many ordinary people, whom Nalan Yiren must look after; otherwise, they would have reached the valley much sooner by using the Lightweight Skill.

"An Niang, are you tired?"

This mountain path winds extensively; if the path were laid out straight, it’d stretch for ten to twenty miles. Han Anniang, having led a pampered life for many years without hard labor, would likely have blisters on her feet by the end.

"Not tired." Han Anniang tightly held Chen Mo’s hand, the cliff beside them making her fearful.

"Just a little further; let me carry you"

"No... there’s no need."

Han Anniang initially didn’t want to trouble Chen Mo, but Chen Mo had already crouched down before her, offering no room for refusal.

She could only blush, lying on Chen Mo’s back. As she felt her bottom being lifted, she shyly glanced back, fearing others might comment.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for her to adjust, clenching her legs around Chen Mo’s waist as he held her thighs.

Chen Mo’s stride was steady; on his back, Han Anniang no longer feared the adjacent cliff, even closing her eyes to rest.

Soon, there was movement ahead.

The people from Poison King Valley had come to greet Chen Mo and his group.

There were five in total: two elders, three middle-aged.

"Second Elder, Third Elder, Uncle Mo, Uncle Mu, Uncle Yang..." Nalan Yiren greeted with a smile, saying, "Why are you all here to greet us?"

"As it’s the first time the son-in-law is visiting, naturally, we had to personally come out; manners mustn’t be neglected." The Second Elder, dressed in a purple robe, replied.

"We should have been here earlier, but the Great Elder ordered us to put away the valley’s poisonous creatures first to avoid disturbing the guests, which delayed us for a while." The Third Elder, wearing a black robe, glanced at Chen Mo and laughed, "Yiren, is this the son-in-law?"

Nalan Yiren blushed, not denying, nodding lightly.

Seeing this, the five all turned their gaze towards Chen Mo with eyes full of appraisal and approval, akin to those looking at a son-in-law.

"Yiren, won’t you introduce him?"

Chen Mo set Nalan Yiren down and stepped forward.

Nalan Yiren’s face reddened even more; her fair complexion made it particularly noticeable.

At this moment, she resembled a shy young girl, softly introducing everyone: "This is Elder Qin, the valley’s Second Elder; this is Elder Liu, the valley’s Third Elder; this is..."

The Second Elder and the others saw Nalan Yiren behaving this way for the first time, chuckling quietly but heartily.

Once Nalan Yiren finished introducing, the five solemnly bowed to Chen Mo: "Commoners greet Your Majesty."

Earlier they addressed him as the son-in-law when speaking to Nalan Yiren, but they wouldn’t neglect proper manners in a direct greeting.

"You all are too courteous. As Yiren’s elders, there’s no need to bow to me, a younger one. Just call me Little Mo." Chen Mo stated.

"How could that be appropriate."

"Not at all."

"Yiren has told us, you’re the Great Wei Monarch, decorum can’t be forsaken."

The five shook their heads, growing increasingly impressed with Chen Mo, noting the lack of airs in his demeanor.

"By the way, where is the Great Elder? It’s been over two years since we parted in Yelang." Chen Mo smiled.

But upon those words being spoken.

None of the five elders answered immediately.

Nalan Yiren sensed something was wrong, her expression changed as she spoke urgently: "Second Elder, what has happened with the Great Elder?"

Seeing Nalan Yiren’s anxious gaze, the Second and Third Elders exchanged glances before the Second Elder sighed and said: "Originally, the Great Elder instructed us to keep it from you. But I knew, upon seeing him, you would discern it yourself.

The Great Elder may not have much longer to live."

"What?!"

Nalan Yiren’s body shuddered violently, then began to tremble, her voice quaking: "How could... this happen? He was fine before I left..."

"In fact, even before you left, Yiren, the Great Elder’s health was deteriorating. He forced himself, even taking Revitalizing Pills, just to reassure you he was alright. But ultimately, when he forcibly advanced the Poison Technique to the 8th Layer, his condition became irreversible." The Second Elder explained.

Nalan Yiren’s body trembled more fiercely, tears flowing: "Then why didn’t you... tell me sooner, why, why only now..."

"It was the Great Elder who instructed us not to tell you. He believed that since you finally had your own life, you should continue living it. If he had told you then, you wouldn’t have left." The Third Elder stated.

"I don’t want my own life; I just want him to be okay." Nalan Yiren cried intensely.

The Second Elder saw her distressed state and felt a deep sense of pity himself; if the situation hadn’t reached the point of no concealment, he wouldn’t have disclosed it.

He sighed deeply, saying: "Yiren, let me be honest; at that time, the Great Elder’s condition was beyond any remedy. Even if you stayed, it would have been of no help. His sole wish was to see you settled before departing, ideally to hold your child in his arms, so he could have some solace when facing the Old Valley Master."

"Yiren, even if you hadn’t returned now, we’d have sent word asking you to come back within a month or two." The Third Elder added.

Nalan Yiren was sobbing inconsolably, slowly crouching down as her body shook.

Chen Mo remained silent, having not anticipated encountering such an incident before even reaching Poison King Valley.

Chen Mo helped Nalan Yiren to her feet.

Han Anniang handed her a handkerchief.

Second Elder comforted: "Yiren, don’t be too sad. The Great Elder knows you’re back and married, making him very happy. If he sees you like this, he’ll feel saddened too.

In his remaining days, let him spend them joyfully."