[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dao-dust-pearl":3,"chapter-the-dao-dust-pearl-the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dao Dust Pearl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2359519,4614,"Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen: To Break the Four Seas, First Kill Huang Yuhuan","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>Qian Chen saw clearly that although the two brothers spoke quickly, they were not foolish—they had sensed the truth Hong Sihai and Kongming Chan Master refused to voice: that the Twelve Yuan Chen’s theatrical antics aimed to muddle the waters among the righteous heroes, so Hong Sihai, as the righteous camp’s leader, could not let the heroes begin distrusting one another before even confronting the Twelve Yuan Chen face-to-face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a move would inevitably be exploited by the Twelve Yuan Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the quick-tongued brothers had grasped this, their nature was straightforward, and they disliked such constant caution and restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, their status was not that of a righteous leader; everyone knew they were habitually blunt, so having them expose this truth would both raise vigilance among the crowd and make the Twelve Yuan Chen lurking among them hesitate—without provoking resentment from the heroes, making it the most suitable course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also prepared everyone mentally for the betrayal to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though blunt, the two brothers were no fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen took out bedding from his satchel and spread it on the ground; around him, disciples of the Four Seas Hall had already prepared small cots and quilts for the heroes who owned nothing. As he turned his head, he saw Huang Yuhuan standing at the main hall’s entrance, signaling him to come out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He led Qian Chen to a secluded spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples guarding on either side moved to stop them, but Huang Yuhuan shook his head: “I trust this young brother… you two wait outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yuhuan pulled out a jade box from his robe and smiled: “These are secret medicines from our household, many of them penned by renowned masters. I know you’re skilled in medicine and carry no suitable remedies, so I brought these unused items from our storehouse—and I’d like to ask you a favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen accepted the medicine box and replied: “Brother Huang, speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The famed physician Qi Qiuzi, originally scheduled to attend the birthday banquet, failed to arrive—you saw that. Just now, the hall master’s expression was grim, his right hand weak. The ambush with that chicken earlier still wounded him severely, yet to stabilize morale and because he’s been occupied with the Twelve Yuan Chen’s schemes, he never treated it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I ask you to examine the hall master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen naturally agreed wholeheartedly, thinking inwardly: “It’s better Qi Qiuzi didn’t come—if he had, and the Twelve Yuan Chen’s Shenjun of Misting Clouds treated Hong Sihai, trouble would be inevitable… It seems I’ve unintentionally thwarted another assassination attempt by the Twelve Yuan Chen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yuhuan smiled: “I gave the poisoned rat you cured to other sick rats—and the poison was completely gone! Brother Qian, your medical skill is unparalleled. The heroes of the Five Lakes Hall probably still underestimate you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen’s heart jolted—he understood what Huang Yuhuan meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen had deliberately displayed to the martial world a rigid, textbook-style medicine—like following a map to find a horse, copying prescriptions—creating the impression he’d merely stumbled upon the lost medical texts of Wangchen Jushi, hence his ability to counter the Five Poisons Sect’s Shenjun of Misting Clouds; his antidote sachets and formulas all followed this pattern… Only once, in a moment of carelessness, had he revealed his true ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when he cured the rats. At the time, Huang Yuhuan had appeared worldly, mediocre, merely acting to preserve the Four Seas Hall’s dignity by spending a fortune—even treating rats—making Qian Chen look down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, in front of him, while pretending to deduce the antidote, Qian Chen had concealed some of his skill but still slipped, revealing a few flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, using one rat to breed an antidote that cured all the poisoned rats—that technique drew from Five Poisons Sect principles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew Huang Yuhuan was so deeply concealed? Earlier, his coordination of Four Seas Hall disciples and elite warriors had been meticulous—he was clearly a man of extraordinary attention to detail. Qian Chen’s lie to Kongming Master had instantly exposed itself before him. Now Huang Yuhuan had likely seen through Qian Chen’s true level—he was a medical master on par with Qi Qiuzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Qian Chen’s pretense, Huang Yuhuan’s performance was truly flawless: when unneeded, he appeared beneath notice—even fooling Qian Chen; when needed, he could turn the tide…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yuhuan had always seemed unskilled in martial arts, merely the Four Seas Hall’s chief steward of daily affairs—but Qian Chen had long seen through him: his martial cultivation had reached the Master level, a peer to any renowned martial master in the Five Lakes Hall… Though Qian Chen’s standards were too high to find such cultivation remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Huang Yuhuan proved to him… it truly was remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had cultivated martial prowess equal to any man’s amid the Four Seas Hall’s myriad duties, managed disciples with meticulous precision, and possessed top-tier prestige, wisdom, and strength—most importantly, when pretending to be a pig, he had truly concealed himself from Qian Chen, the tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yuhuan sensed Qian Chen’s origins were suspicious, yet dared to risk the entire hall’s safety by meeting him alone—this was an act of trust, gentle as spring rain, silently nourishing, and it genuinely won Qian Chen’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen smiled openly: “My little schemes amuse you, Brother Huang. But why not expose me? Why risk everything to meet me? That doesn’t seem wise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah… I’m no wise man, just a steward of the Four Seas Hall. I’m ordinary in everything else—except I have some confidence in judging people. Young Brother Qian, you’re no ordinary man. And… you’re a good man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen laughed and shook his head: “Brother Huang, you’ve known me how long, and already know I’m a good man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You refused to poison innocents even while pretending to be Shenjun of Misting Clouds—used only rats and cockroaches… and you still say you’re not a good man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Qian Chen was truly startled by this unremarkable man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yuhuan stepped back and bowed respectfully to Qian Chen: “Young Brother Qian, the Four Seas Hall is my home. If the Twelve Yuan Chen want to destroy it, I will never allow it. I see you’re a good man, so I’ll deceive you once—please help these innocent Four Seas Hall disciples!” Qian Chen was moved: “Brother Huang, why bow like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When asking for a favor, one must do so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yuhuan wanted no hint of coercion, so he did not wait for Qian Chen’s reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough… we’ve talked too long—someone outside may grow suspicious!” Huang Yuhuan said. “Wait—I’ll take you to a quiet place to treat my hall master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen watched Huang Yuhuan summon Four Seas Hall disciples to arrange a place and all necessary preparations for Hong Sihai’s treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stroked his chin, thinking: “Huang Yuhuan is the true core and weak point of the Four Seas Hall’s defense. Perhaps his actual importance to the hall exceeds Hong Sihai’s. The Twelve Yuan Chen must have realized this—even if they hadn’t before, tonight’s probe has surely revealed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To break the Four Seas Hall, first kill Huang Yuhuan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So they must have plans too… but no matter how they scheme, they could never imagine this man hides so deeply. Huang Yuhuan’s martial strength is already equal to any of the Twelve Yuan Chen except the Dragon Head—if they think they can take him easily, they’ll suffer a great loss! I was worried about this before, but now I see I needn’t have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen smiled faintly—he’d met an interesting man.\u003C\u002Fp>",1259,"2026-06-21T05:39:58.326Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","264f38e2382812de4e9a2f202d33901fefbd7254a065aa02c70722aca60f2ce1","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-19","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-17",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dao-dust-pearl-cover.jpg"]