Chapter 143 - 126: Complication
Xie Yuan’s expression changed instantly upon hearing the number.
’This breakthrough took so long!’
He had been completely unaware while in his meditative state.
He hadn’t expected the effects of the Nine Yang Flower combined with the secret medicinal liquid to be this potent. Even Situ Qin probably hadn’t anticipated it, since she had never used them in this way before.
Counting the days, he realized the Escort Agency’s duel with the Vajra Sect... was tomorrow!
Xie Yuan glanced at the sky outside, his brow furrowing.
’There’s no time! I have to leave immediately and travel through the night if I want to make it!’
He shot out of the guest courtyard like the wind, not even bothering to wash up or pack.
In a waterside pavilion, Situ Qin was playing her zither.
Her daily practice was sacrosanct. Xie Yuan had thought she was simply passionate about music—and while that was true, she was also practicing as a form of cultivation. Her diligence was second to none.
The lingering notes of the zither drifted across the pavilions and ponds when a figure suddenly burst in.
When Situ Qin saw who it was, her serene face brightened, and she said warmly:
"Master Xie, you’re finally out... Why are you in such a hurry?"
She asked quickly, seeing his urgency.
"Has Mr. Qingyang sent word?"
Xie Yuan asked, his words coming quickly.
Situ Qin understood at once. She rose to her feet, the layers of her skirt cascading to the floor. Her willow-green dress, set against the early spring scenery and the lake’s reflection, was refreshingly lovely and a beautiful sight.
Xie Yuan, however, was in no mood to appreciate the view. Situ Qin didn’t hesitate either. She grabbed his arm and led him out, speaking as they walked:
"Mr. Qingyang came by yesterday. He said the medicine concocted from the formula is no simple matter. Come and see."
The two of them quickly made their way to a study, where Situ Qin took out a box and opened it.
Xie Yuan looked inside to find a black, paste-like lump, and before he could make sense of it, Situ Qin explained:
"This paste can be burned, and its smoke is colorless and odorless. If someone inhales it, they won’t feel anything at first but will gradually grow weak all over. For a Martial Artist, the more they circulate their energy and the more their Blood Qi surges, the faster the poison takes effect. It requires profound Inner Strength just to suppress it, but that isn’t a cure. The only solution is the antidote.
"It’s a very sophisticated poison—extremely potent and particularly devastating to Martial Artists. It’s also incredibly subtle, almost impossible to detect. Even Mr. Qingyang had never seen a formula like this before. Who knows where Peng Yue managed to scrape it up."
’A colorless, odorless knockout drug actually exists? And the stronger a Martial Artist’s Blood Qi, the harder it is to resist?’
Peng Yue oversaw the prisons and punishments for an entire prefecture; it wasn’t surprising he would have encountered countless crooked and unorthodox methods and obtained this formula. But for Yu Chunsheng to get his hands on it...
Xie Yuan’s expression turned grim.
"This is bad! I have to get back and warn the Escort Agency immediately, or there will be a disaster! Miss Qin..."
Before he could finish, Situ Qin handed him a porcelain vial containing a single brown pill.
"Here’s the antidote. Mr. Qingyang just delivered it today. But since he had to reverse-engineer it on short notice, there’s only this one for now."
Seeing that Situ Qin seemed to know exactly what he was thinking, Xie Yuan took the vial. A warmth spread through his chest as he said gratefully:
"Miss Qin, thank you."
Zheng Qingyang was truly worthy of his title as Yunzhou’s foremost doctor. Given a mere draft of an unknown formula, he had managed to concoct the poison, determine its effects, and develop an antidote, all within three days.
But even for him, it must have taken a great deal of effort. Needless to say, the time of a foremost doctor was incredibly valuable. Xie Yuan knew he himself didn’t have the standing to make Mr. Qingyang work overtime like this.
Situ Qin waved her hand dismissively and added:
"My family keeps several fast horses in the stables. Hmm, since I know you’re in a hurry, you can borrow one."
Xie Yuan followed Situ Qin to the stables and chose a magnificent, tall steed, which eased his heart slightly. The distance between Yunzhou Prefecture and Yunzhao County was immense, but with a fine horse, he could make it in a day and a night.
Leading the horse, he gave Situ Qin a solemn, cupped-fist salute.
"Miss Qin, thank you for your care these past few days in Yunzhou Prefecture. I have gained a great deal. I won’t say any more words of thanks. I’ll take my leave now. We’ll meet again."
A smile touched Situ Qin’s pretty face.
"That’s more like it. Have a safe journey. Once you’ve settled your affairs, you must come visit again when you’re free!"
"Definitely!"
Xie Yuan swung himself onto the horse, gave Situ Qin another cupped-fist salute, then turned the horse’s head, ready to depart.
Situ Qin waved from behind him, then suddenly called out:
"Master Xie!"
Xie Yuan turned in his saddle, puzzled.
"What is it?"
"It’s nothing. You... be careful."
Xie Yuan let out a hearty laugh, his voice filled with heroic spirit.
"I wouldn’t have dared say this when I arrived, but now that I’m going back, the Vajra Sect are mere clowns. They can’t touch me!
"I’m off!"
The fine steed carried Xie Yuan away at a gallop, its hooves clattering on the road. To Situ Qin’s eyes, he gradually shrank to a tiny dot.
She stood on her tiptoes, watching for a while, then suddenly stamped her foot lightly, her tone hinting at dissatisfaction:
’I already told him I’m very capable. Why didn’t he ask for my help?’
"If you wanted to help, Miss, why didn’t you offer?"
Her attendant, Xiaoqing, asked from the side, not understanding.
’When her friends are in trouble, my lady is always generous, proactive, and eager to help. Why is this time different?’
Situ Qin paused, twisting a lock of hair around her finger, and said slowly:
"He didn’t ask me to go. I can’t just impose myself on him..."
Xiaoqing was even more bewildered. ’What’s gotten into her now?’
The young attendant was still too young to understand the subtle complexities of her mistress’s heart.
Xie Yuan spurred his horse out of Yunzhou Prefecture and galloped north toward Yunzhao County, kicking up a trail of reddish dust on the main road under the setting sun.
The red sun gradually sank behind the mountains, and a silver moon leaped above the treetops.
The main road was now empty of travelers. Only the thunder of Xie Yuan’s hooves broke the silence as he used his Martial Artist’s vision to navigate by moonlight.
He rode through the night, traveling by the light of the stars and moon. Thanks to the astonishing stamina of his steed, by the time a golden glow rose again from the east, Xie Yuan could faintly see the city of Yunzhao County in the distance.