The Grand Elder would never know that Lu Wuming had kept a drop of his blood with him all along, privy to his every action and word.
"Using poison, huh..."
Lu Wuming frowned.
He was indeed immortal, but that didn't mean he couldn't be injured. The Grand Elder was right; if he drank the poisoned wine, death would manifest upon him.
When he resurrected, everyone around would call him a monster again.
He didn't care what others thought of him, but he didn't want Liu Buli to be implicated.
He was certain that even if everyone looked down on him, insulted him, and mocked him, Liu Buli would still stand in front of him.
He would shield him from all malice with his own body.
This couldn't happen.
Lu Wuming's gaze darkened.
His light should be brilliant and dazzling.
Unblemished by any impurity.
But he didn't know how to handle this. Should he kill the Grand Elder? That was an option, but if he did, would it be blamed on Liu Buli?
For the first time, Lu Wuming realized he had so many concerns.
And all these concerns were for just one person.
It felt strange.
But it was also good.
He tightened his grip on Liu Buli's hand, and as expected, Liu Buli immediately turned to look at him. Their eyes met, and Liu Buli smiled gently, asking, "Wuming, what's wrong? Did that old man scare you just now?"
The "old man" he referred to was the Grand Elder.
Lu Wuming thought for a moment, then shook his head. He spoke the truth: "Master, Wuming has something he doesn't understand and doesn't know how to handle. I want you to decide for me."
"Of course," Liu Buli smiled. "If there's anything Wuming doesn't understand, just ask your master. At this stage, you don't need to consider too many complicated things. I can arrange everything for you. When your strength is sufficient, you won't have to follow my arrangements anymore. Just do what you want to do. Master hopes you become the freest person in this world."
As he spoke, he ruffled Lu Wuming's hair.
Lu Wuming took his words to heart.
If Master decided everything, he would act according to Master's arrangements.
This was much better than him overthinking things himself.
He pursed his lips and thought about how to bring up the matter. After much deliberation, he could only state the plain truth: "Master, I overheard the Grand Elder arranging to poison me during the discipleship ceremony."
Liu Buli's brow furrowed.
Lu Wuming thought he was going to ask how he heard it, to prove its veracity.
But to his surprise, Liu Buli simply pulled him back to the Sect Leader's courtyard, raised his hand to cast a barrier, ensuring no one could overhear them, and then turned to Lu Wuming, asking, "Besides that, did you hear anything else? For example, why he wants to do this, what his goal is? Does he just want you dead, or something else?"
A string of questions, yet not a single one doubted the truth of Lu Wuming's words.
Lu Wuming felt a warmth spread through his heart. He recalled the Grand Elder's words and began to explain, "He said it was a transaction, as if he wanted to give me away to someone else. Poisoning me is meant to make everyone see me as a monster. If I resurrect during the discipleship ceremony, they will all think I'm a monster, and you won't be able to protect me anymore."
"You won't be able to protect me?" Liu Buli spat indignantly. "That old fossil, his brain must be failing with age. He has no idea what he's getting into. With his abilities, he wants to snatch you from me? How highly does he think of himself?"
His voice dropped, and Liu Buli narrowed his eyes.
A cold glint flashed in his gaze. He said coldly, "Wuming, don't worry about this anymore. I will handle it. I guarantee he won't be able to harm you."
Lu Wuming naturally believed him.
But he couldn't help but tug at Liu Buli's sleeve again, asking nervously, "Then Master, will he harm you?"
"Of course not," Liu Buli looked into Lu Wuming's eyes and smiled again. He said, "Master guarantees that until you can rely on your own strength to survive, no one will be able to harm you, and I will absolutely be fine. Because I am your shield. If I die, who will protect you?"
Lu Wuming bit his lip, then firmly shook his head. "Master, I don't need you to be my shield. I am immortal, I can protect you. So, can you tell me, are we going to kill the Grand Elder? If so, I'll do it."
Liu Buli frowned.
He reached out, cupped Lu Wuming's cheeks, and squeezed them.
Seeing the wronged expression on his face, he loosened his grip and began to educate him earnestly, "Wuming, didn't Master tell you? When interacting with others, don't always resort to fighting. Killing is bad, and it's wrong. If we directly confront a fool who comes looking for trouble, we will become the passive ones. So you don't need to worry about anything, don't do anything, just listen to my arrangements when the time comes."
Lu Wuming listened, half understanding, but he felt his Master was incredibly capable.
After all, this matter seemed like something very simple and ordinary to his Master, not worth his worry.
Seeing the happy expression on Lu Wuming's face, Liu Buli smiled with satisfaction and added, "Oh, right. If it's not too much trouble, help me keep an eye on that old man these few days. Listen to what else he says and tell me his plans. This Dan Sect has been ruined by these old pests for so long; it's time for a thorough cleansing."
As he spoke, a hint of ruthlessness appeared in Liu Buli's eyes.
Lu Wuming watched, growing happier.
But he couldn't help but ask, "Master, aren't you afraid I'm lying to you?"
"Lying to you? What of it?" Liu Buli reached out and pulled Lu Wuming into his embrace, whispering in his ear with a smile, "Anyone you perceive as a threat, even if they are lying to me, I will eliminate for you. I don't care if what you tell me is true or false; you decide. As long as you say it, I believe it all."