Chapter 30: Breaking Bad - Poison Upon Poison

At the moment Dahuang peacefully closed his eyes, Lu Wu felt the awe-filled gazes of the onlookers surrounding her.

Those looks seemed to say, "This person is too vicious, isn't she? Poisoning a dog that is already on the verge of death—adding insult to injury, this is truly going too far."

For a moment, Lu Wu was left speechless.

"Come on, wake up."

The body of Dahuang beneath her hand was still rising and falling, and the rhythm was much stronger than before. Did these people not have eyes? Could they not tell that the dog was still alive? She could only silently root for Dahuang, hoping he would wake up quickly to clear her name.

Perhaps Lu Wu’s prayers were answered; the eyes of the closed-eyed Dahuang were once again tempted by the mortal world. He was a bit confused—how could he smell the fragrance of meat from the human world even after death? Could it be that hell had someone as exceptional as Boss Lu?

Amidst the endless aroma of meat, Dahuang opened his eyes.

The moment his large dog eyes fluttered open, he saw Lu Wu’s pleasantly surprised face.

"Woof, woof, woof?"

Boss Lu, why are you dead too?

"Woof, woof, woof!"

Don't worry, Boss Lu. Even in hell, I, Gou Aotian, will remain your most loyal dog.

Although Lu Wu didn't understand dog language, she could inexplicably read the sentiment. However, that was completely unnecessary.

"You aren't dead yet."

She said, gesturing for Dahuang to look around. Because of Dahuang’s awakening, the crowd that had viewed Lu Wu as a lethal poisoner widened their eyes in shock.

The state Dahuang was in when he left the valley made it clear to anyone with eyes that he didn't have long to live. In the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, such an outcome was normal. The toxins within could claim a life at any moment, let alone that of a weak spirit beast. They had all been waiting for Dahuang to perish, but the dog that should have died was not only alive but bouncing with energy.

Yes, Dahuang was running in circles, venting his energy. He couldn't believe it himself. After trotting around, he realized that the toxins that had been corroding his body were disappearing. The burning sensation had also subsided significantly. He—no, he, Gou Aotian—was back!

"Woof, woof, woof!"

Boss Lu, you really are a good person. From now on, I’m your dog; don't even think about getting rid of me.

Gou Aotian circled Lu Wu excitedly, barking. Lu Wu, whose brainwaves happened to sync with his, twitched her lips. Had she just been "碰瓷" (framed/scammed) by a dog?

"Ahem."

"Come, eat this pork knuckle."

Glancing at the bewildered looks from the crowd, Lu Wu pursed her lips to hide a smile. To Dahuang’s delight, she lifted a large pork knuckle from the pot and placed half of it in front of him.

"If I can't sell it, the rest is yours."

Lu Wu was determined never to sell leftovers. If the pork knuckle didn't sell by the time she closed up, she might as well give it to Dahuang to gnaw on. Seeing that the person in the shade was still lying there like a corpse, Lu Wu indignantly picked up a piece of the knuckle and started eating with Dahuang.

It must be said, it was delicious. The aroma easily stirred one's appetite. In the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, unless one was exceptionally powerful, most people were too busy ensuring their own safety to spare any time for culinary desires. The fragrance of this pork knuckle was simply heavenly.

"Damn it, I'm drooling."

"This is too much!"

Why make a pork knuckle smell this good? Isn't this corrupting one's inner peace? Some people cursed, staring at the woman and the dog.

Because of the severe consequences caused by the "delusional emperor" earlier, even with the "shining example" of Dahuang before them, the onlookers were unwilling to come forward to make a purchase. Lu Wu could only tear into the pork knuckle to vent her frustration. She poured her full heart into every dish she prepared, and the resulting delicacy was naturally rich in flavor, making it impossible for people to resist. It could conquer humans, and it could conquer dogs.

"Woof!"

Pork knuckle, my big pork knuckle, delicious, truly delicious. Nom nom!

The expressive face of Dahuang clearly displayed just how delicious the knuckle was. Dahuang, who usually only knew how to express himself through barking, was so excited he wished he could go back and fight that cold-blooded snake for three hundred rounds. He, Gou Aotian, was back at full health!

His tail wagged so hard it took flight, kicking up dust that got into Lu Wu’s eyes. She had to stand up to eat. The tender, braised meat turned into savory juices in her mouth, warming the heart that had been wounded by the delusional onlooker. After a few bites, Lu Wu’s anger faded.

As the lingering taste remained on her palate, she looked toward the entrance of the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons and saw three more people emerging. However, one of them was in a bad state—he was being carried out.

The man was covered in blood, and there were marks on his exposed arm as if something had been pecking at him. The black color around the wounds was shocking, and there wasn't a hint of healthy red in the blood dripping from them. The man was poisoned. His lips were pitch black, and although he was still conscious, his vitality was rapidly fading. His eyelids hung weakly; one look and it was clear he had been summoned by the King of Hell.

The blood-stained face made Lu Wu feel a sense of familiarity, so she couldn't help but linger on him for a few extra moments. Perhaps sensing her gaze, the man on the stretcher struggled to turn his head.

When their eyes met, the man’s gaze suddenly brightened.

It looked remarkably like... a final burst of clarity before death.

Being stared at with that expression, as if he had seen something miraculous, made Lu Wu shiver. It was weird and unsettling.

"Ah..."

The man on the stretcher suddenly began to struggle, using all his remaining strength to lift his hand and point in Lu Wu’s direction. If Lu Wu didn't know she was innocent, she would have thought this man was using his final strength to identify his murderer before he died. Lu Wu felt chilled by her own imagination.

"Big brother, what's wrong?"

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. We will definitely find someone to save you."

"Big brother, hold on! If you're gone, what are we going to do?"

The two younger brothers didn't understand their big brother’s intentions and wailed in grief. Their cries were enough to sadden anyone who heard them.

"Ah."

The man’s trembling hand pushed away the younger brother who was leaning on him. He summoned all his remaining strength to look toward Lu Wu. The longing in his eyes was something the younger brother could no longer ignore.

The two brothers looked over as well and saw Lu Wu, who was trying to hide.

"What is that? It smells so good."

The youngest one sniffed the air, and his eyes became glued to the spot. "Why is there someone selling pork knuckles here?"

The scent was just too authentic. The aroma alone was enough to make one’s mouth water; if the timing weren't so inappropriate, he would have wanted to go over and buy some.

"Big brother must have been hit by the smell of this meat. Let's go quickly."

After some thought, the second brother decided he had figured it out. He signaled for the third brother to continue carrying the stretcher. Little did he know that when the man heard this, he exerted his final bit of strength and rolled directly off the stretcher.

This behavior left everyone stunned. The man on the ground looked at Lu Wu with teary eyes, and that familiar look finally made Lu Wu understand something. This man, it seemed, wanted to eat the pork knuckle. This expression was exactly like that of her group of fanatical diners.

"Big brother seems to want to eat that pork knuckle." The third brother finally deciphered the man's meaning and said hesitantly.

"Impossible!" the second brother retorted flatly, only to see his big brother grab the third brother’s pant leg and nod hoarsely in agreement.

Well done, third brother; I didn't dote on you for nothing, big brother thought.