Great! I'm surrounded by villains!
Chapter 118 - 38: The Old Poisoner

Chapter 118: Chapter 38: The Old Poisoner

At the same time, in the Cloud Sea Academy’s dining hall.

After lunch, when people were the most likely to relax during the day, a sneaky figure lurked outside the kitchen, waiting for everyone inside to leave.

He took off his clothes as a Chess Institute disciple and changed into a chef’s attire; soon, the "Chess Institute disciple" transformed into a middle-aged man in his forties.

The middle-aged man appeared calm and unruffled, having already learned from other disciples about the canteen’s rest timings.

After lunch, the kitchen would have about two hours of idle time. Some students who couldn’t control their hunger would sneak into the kitchen to steal food, but lately with internal and external troubles plaguing the academy, no one was focusing on stealing food.

The moment was perfect.

If one wanted to infiltrate the academy, the most efficient means was naturally to poison the food.

This wasn’t his first time doing such a deed.

Blending into Qing Chi Peak through the barrier and disguising himself as a disciple, then waiting for an opportunity to act, he had mastered this routine to the point of ease.

Disguise Techniques, among the Strange Gates and Devious Techniques, was considered a marginal existence, largely because it was almost ineffective in direct confrontations, and for a long time, its practitioners were not well received in the Imperial Court.

Until suddenly, the name "Old Poison" began to spread among Yin Die.

Even within Yin Die, no one had ever seen "Old Poison’s" true face; they only knew that this person constantly changed their appearance, was adept at poisoning, and was rumored to have helped the Second Prince kill hundreds of rebels without shedding blood. Therefore, he became one of the most feared people by the Second Prince’s side.

The only regret was that this time the Second Prince needed the victim alive, so he had to concoct a poison that would scatter one’s consciousness and render them immobile in a short time.

Old Poison pulled out a glass bottle and gave an ominous smile.

Just by adding this powder into the ingredients, tonight would be the academy’s downfall...

Before Old Poison could set foot in the kitchen, he suddenly froze and hid behind the door the moment he heard movement inside.

Why was there someone else in the kitchen?

To ensure that his mission would be flawless, he remembered the faces of every cook and assistant and only snuck into the kitchen after seeing everyone leave.

He peered out halfway and scoped the area.

A fox?

Why was there a fox in the kitchen?

Wasn’t it afraid that its fluffy tail would shed fur into the dishes?

Wow, it could even spin a ladle!

The spicy aroma spread throughout the kitchen, and upon seeing the bright red stir-fried chicken on the counter, Old Poison couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. The fox’s culinary skills were far superior to those of the academy’s chefs; its cooking was more diligent and refined.

Old Poison quickly grasped the situation— a professional Poison Master must be bold in making judgments. The stir-fried chicken was surely the academy’s higher-ups treating themselves in secret!

After the incident with the confidence, the academy’s purchase of food ingredients stopped, and recently, the academy’s meals were made from stock with declining quality each day. To avoid public outrage, the academy’s higher-ups could only ask a specialist to cook for them in secret.

In other words, this was an opportunity that came once in a blue moon!

Just by putting the poison into these plates of stir-fried chicken, he could ensure that all the academy’s higher-ups would be hit!

Once the remaining three deans were knocked out, Qing Chi Peak would be defenseless, and at that time, Yin Die could penetrate deeply.

He must think of a plan...

"Click—!"

The sound, so close at hand, sent Old Poison’s soul flying out of fear. Looking towards the source of the sound, he was shocked to find a young girl at the kitchen door who had appeared out of nowhere, holding a cell phone that caught him hiding behind the door. She then raised her voice and shouted, "Jiuyue, there’s a man dressed as an assistant here with a bottle of strange powder!"

Damn student!

Old Poison, despite his wit, was caught red-handed by a little girl who had emerged from who knows where!

It seemed that the girl knew the fox in the kitchen.

This is outrageous. With the academy on the brink of disaster, you brats still have the leisure to sneak into the kitchen to steal chicken!

Old Poison wanted to curse. He quickly assessed the situation and silently reached for the dagger at his waist.

Although the Disguise Technique wasn’t good for direct combat, compared to the assassins of Yin Die, dealing with a delicate young girl like her should be effortless.

Even if it caused a commotion, once he got out of the current situation, he could immediately disguise himself as someone else.

"Qianqian, what happened?"

Several more voices came over, and the group that ran to the kitchen to steal food after lunch suddenly grew much larger.

There were five supporters in total, blocking the kitchen door so tightly nobody could get through.

"This man is very suspicious, and he’s holding some strange powder in his hand!"

Upon hearing this, the old poison flared up violently, lunging towards the door, but he had not even taken half a step when his body suddenly stiffened and he fell straight to the ground.

Ning Ruyue and the others looked on admiringly at Yang Ping, who had decisively pulled his gun.

This junior brother was truly a typical case of being ruthless and not much of a talker, always carrying a plethora of highly practical weapons, fully embodying the principle that "there is a high barrier between unarmed and armed combat."

"What are you doing?"

After being grabbed by the arms and legs and hauled to the table, the old poison was completely panicked. He tried to rally his spirits, demanding loudly, "And you, why did you sneak into the kitchen secretly, what are your intentions?"

"Of course, because our master’s wife wanted to treat us to some special food."

Su Qin pulled up several chairs, the Cloud Sea Five Champions were living it up, even getting to eat some fried chicken at noon.

This fox looked so young, but she’s already a master’s wife?

"What’s this white powder for?"

Tang Qianqian confiscated the old poison’s powder, not leaving him any room to quibble, and shook her smartphone at him, "You being sneaky behind the door has all been filmed by me. If you’re not convinced, we can confront each other in front of the dean."

"It’s pepper powder."

The colors of the old poison’s face shifted between green and red, "The kitchen ran out of seasoning, and I came to replenish it."

"You’re all too nervous; perhaps he was simply drawn here by the scent of the fried chicken."

Jiuyue hummed a tune as she plated the last portion of fried chicken.

This plate was prepared for Mr. Mingyuan, and in a while, she would personally make a trip to the Ghost Prison and deliver this lovingly made meal.

Every time she thought of Mr. Mingyuan, a tender smile appeared on her face, "Considering his attire, he looks like a kitchen helper. Recently, the academy has been short on food supplies, putting a lot of pressure on the kitchen staff, and it’s been a long time since they’ve tasted delicious food."

"Master’s wife, you should have seen him trying to run away just now."

Ning Ruyue was extremely surprised.

"Let him go; a visitor is a guest."

Turning around, Jiuyue took out an empty bowl and filled it with the clear chicken soup she had stewed, placing it in front of the old poison.

Even the old poison was dumbfounded by this scene.

Could this fox be one of those foolish simpletons lacking common sense?

Gazing into his eyes, Jiuyue still smiled gently, then in front of the old poison, she unscrewed the glass bottle and poured all the powder into the chicken soup right before his eyes, "This chicken soup is somewhat bland; it tastes much better with a bit of pepper."

With that, she pushed the chicken soup towards the old poison.

"Drink it."

............

At this very moment, somewhere outside Qing Chi Peak.

"Would’ve never thought that even the old poison would come into play this time."

On the desolate ground, two individuals dressed in black were cleaning up the aftermath on orders.

Within Yin Die, there was a strict ranking system; bottom-rung personnel like them seldom had a chance to distinguish themselves, only left to handle some cleanup tasks.

The other person, clearly new to the organization, asked curiously, "Old poison? Does he have a big background?"

"Didn’t you ask who the strongest assassin in the organization was before? While it depends on the situation, if we’re talking sheer numbers of kills, it’s undoubtedly the old poison—he’s the one who has poisoned thousands to death."

The senior black-clad person seemed to enjoy the feeling of being a senior, adding, "He’s a genuine killing demon, the academy is completely doomed this time."