Chapter 023: So Smelly It Made Him Question His Existence

“What is this?” Qingzhen asked in astonishment.

“Blue Beauty Clam,” Qinghu replied. “The little fish said it’s delicious and also good for clearing internal heat.”

“Really?” Qingzhen was skeptical. He’d never heard of any river clam that could clear heat.

“Why would I lie to you? We’ll have it for lunch.” With a wave of her small hand, Qinghu made the decision.

“I’m on board,” Qingzhen agreed. He’d never seen such a thing before, but just because he hadn’t tasted it didn’t mean he wouldn’t like it, right? Lunch it was.

At midday, Qinghu called Uncle Zhao to join them.

As soon as Old Zhao entered the small hall on the first floor, he noticed that today’s lunch looked different. Although he could tell it was meat, there were faint blue threads running through the white flesh.

“What kind of meat is this? Is it really edible? Is it poisonous?” he asked in surprise.

“No, it’s good for reducing internal heat,” Qinghu replied, inviting Uncle Zhao to sit down and preparing to start eating.

“It’s probably to reduce dryness, right? Eating too much beast meat can make one feel dry and overheated. But what is this exactly?” Uncle Zhao had just taken a bite when his expression changed dramatically. A cool, gentle flow seemed to wash through his entire body, instantly reducing all the internal heat and dryness he’d been feeling.

It was simply incredible.

Seeing the disbelief in Old Zhao’s eyes, Qinghu could barely suppress her laughter. She tasted a piece herself—oh, how exquisitely fresh and tender, melting in the mouth, the texture was divine.

“Fourth Brother, hurry and try—this is amazing!” Qinghu urged her brother, pointing at the clam meat before pulling a plate over for herself and devouring it enthusiastically.

With every bite, the gentle, soothing energy continued to cleanse her body. All the heat and accumulated toxins were swept away in an instant. It was as if her internal organs had been bathed in a medicinal spring, leaving her in indescribable comfort.

Eat, eat, eat! This was a delicacy worth having regularly. She decided to tell the little fish to raise the Blue Beauty Clam so they could always enjoy it.

Qingzhen also quickly noticed the difference. After just a couple of bites, the blisters in his mouth were gone. The clam meat was so delicious—he fell in love with it at first taste. He bent over his plate and ate, ignoring even Old Zhao’s questions.

Seeing the siblings engrossed in their meal, Old Zhao realized they wouldn’t answer him until the food was gone. Before long, both large platters were empty.

He didn’t ask any more questions for the moment. He’d wait until they were finished.

The three of them ended up eating until they were stuffed.

Old Zhao rubbed his belly, marveling to himself. It was good to follow the lord and settle in the Eastern Wilderness. He had been here before, but the gains had never been great, and once he had almost lost his life. This time, following the young lord and lady to establish a territory, he’d only been here a few days and already his belly was rounded and he’d grown plumper.

“Qinghu, what kind of meat was that—oh, never mind, I’ll ask later.” Suddenly clutching his stomach, Old Zhao rushed off to the latrine.

Qingzhen frowned. “Wait, I need to go out for a bit too.”

He too ran off, and only then did Qinghu feel the rolling in her own belly—she needed the privy, too. No wonder they’d run off so quickly.

Afterward, the stench was overwhelming!

What they expelled was so foul that the staff cleaning up began to question the meaning of life.

Not only them, but Uncle Zhao and Qingzhen were both shocked as well.

In Uncle Zhao’s case, there were streaks of foul, dark-red matter in what he passed.

Qingzhen likewise expelled pieces of foul-smelling, dark green matter.

Qinghu fared better—hers was just black and smelly.

Two hours later, the three gathered again. By then, Qinghu had bathed, changed into fresh clothes, inside and out, and even sprayed on some perfume.

Qingzhen could only purse his lips at her.

Uncle Zhao merely chuckled. What girl doesn’t love being tidy?

They had all changed noticeably. In Qingzhen’s case, there was a faint bluish tint at the base of his eyes, and his skin looked as if it had been renewed, the previous roughness all gone.

Uncle Zhao’s hands, once calloused and scarred, looked as if they’d been replaced with new ones. His entire presence had changed—from someone who blended into the background, to someone you might not even notice sitting beside you unless you were paying attention. Once almost invisible, he now exuded an aura that could not be ignored. This was a remarkable transformation.

From Qinghu’s perspective, Uncle Zhao had made a significant breakthrough.

As for Qinghu herself, her change was just as great. She had always been pretty, but before, she’d seemed a bit frail, like a withered bean sprout.

Now, she actually looked a little more grown-up, and her skin glowed with a jade-like radiance.

“It was only a bath—why did you take so long?” Qingzhen grumbled.

“A bath isn’t a race to the afterlife—what’s the hurry?” Qinghu retorted, exasperated. The truth was, after detoxing, she’d smelled terrible and needed a thorough wash.

“Qinghu, what exactly did you feed us? Not only was it delicious and cooling, but it also helped us expel toxins and impurities. It’s almost like a Purification Pill, though without the effect of improving cultivation aptitude,” Old Zhao pressed.

“I heard from Little White that you and Fourth Brother really detoxified?” Qinghu asked, her curiosity piqued.

Old Zhao reddened with embarrassment.

Qingzhen, ever straightforward, was unfazed. “I must have been poisoned at some point, but I never noticed anything before.”

“You hardly ever leave Yinzheng City, and you’re always careful when you do. The poison must have come from within the family. I’ll write to your father about this,” Old Zhao said severely. If Qingzhen had indeed been poisoned within the Shen family, it was a serious matter. Old Shen would be heartbroken.

“What about that foul red stuff you passed, Uncle Zhao?” Qingzhen asked.

“Ahem. Years ago, I suffered a serious injury and was poisoned. I thought a third-grade healing pill had purged it all, but clearly it only drove the poison deeper into my body. I’ve been stuck at the peak of the Qi-Refining Realm for ages, failed three times at Foundation Establishment—all because of this,” Old Zhao replied with a bitter smile.

He was about the same age as Old Shen, and while Old Shen had reached the peak of the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, he himself was still stuck at the peak of Qi-Refining. He’d always thought it was due to old injuries, never suspecting poison.

Three attempts at Foundation Establishment! Qingzhen and Qinghu were both stunned.

“So now that you’ve detoxified, does that mean you can try to break through again?” Qingzhen asked eagerly.

“Yes. If I eat that meat a few more times, I should be able to sense the opportunity for Foundation Establishment. I may not even need a Foundation Pill this time—I’ve accumulated enough already.”