Chapter 787 - 789: Who’s the Real Poisoner?
"It seems to be a mutated poison, and one that was administered some days ago," Chu Hai said. "I’ve never seen this poison before, so I’m quite keen to try and help you neutralize it. You must agree."
As he spoke, he bowed deeply, a picture of sincerity. Could Bai Ruozhu have seen, she would have found his eyes intensely bright, reminiscent of a man who hadn’t tasted meat for days at the sight of succulent roast beef. His fascination with medical skills was so great it was as if he had discovered a new world.
"There’s no need for you to trouble yourself, Sir Chu," Bai Ruozhu politely declined. She initially wanted to see if Chu Hai knew this poison, or perhaps could think of something. As it turned out he did not know either, there was no need to waste time then. She was capable enough to neutralize the poison herself.
Chu Hai’s face darkened so much it almost froze. After a moment, he sighed and said, "If you take me as a disciple, I will not betray you."
"I am not worried about betrayal. I am young and my medical skills are not specialized. How can I take a disciple? You have excellent talents and should travel across Zhongyuan to learn from renowned doctors," Bai Ruozhu advised earnestly.
Concerned that Chu Hai would notice Bai Ruozhu’s blindness if he stayed longer, Jianqi moved to block his view. "Our lady needs rest, please leave now, Sir Chu."
"You will definitely take me as a disciple," Chu Hai declared, then left the room.
Bai Ruozhu gave a bitter smile. Where did this man get his confidence from?
"Jianqi, how is the search for the sword?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
"I found Concealed Clumsy and confirmed he has a black gold sword. However, when I snatched it, I found out it was not mine, only very similar. So, perhaps it is really not him," Jianqi replied, his tone tinged with disappointment.
Bai Ruozhu suddenly thought of a possibility, "Very similar? Could it be a paired masculine and feminine sword? Concealed Clumsy’s master, Elder Xuan Jizi, is proficient in setting up arrays. We found traces of an array near the Sword Washing Pool, and they were very recent. I suspect Concealed Clumsy set up the array, confused the dark guards, and then stole your black gold sword."
"I was going to check with Elder Xuan Jizi initially, but then I was poisoned and fell unconscious, delaying the investigation. Now, you go to Elder Xuan Jizi, tell her my guesses, ask her to investigate and purge her door," Bai Ruozhu scoffed, "Even if it wasn’t Concealed Clumsy’s deeds, it still happened under the Huashan Sect, and their own array spells were used. They owe me an explanation."
"Alright, I will leave now," Jianqi replied, getting ready to leave.
At that moment, a voice from a guard outside reported, "My lady, Elder Xuan Jizi and the young master are here."
"Put me in a coma with acupuncture. Do not let them in until I am completely unconscious," Bai Ruozhu commanded softly.
Chenfeng acted swiftly, pointing an acupuncture point to make her unconscious.
If she did not pretend to sleep, Elder Xuan Jizi would undoubtedly notice her blindness. She didn’t want many people to know about it, nor did she want Xiaosi to worry about her. But Elder Xuan Jizi was a skilled martial artist. Pretending to sleep wouldn’t fool him, so she had to genuinely lose consciousness.
"Has my sister woken up? We’ve brought some medicinal materials for detoxification," Xiaosi asked the guards before entering the room.
Watching Xiaosi and Xuan Jizi enter the room, Chenfeng declared, "Madam had just woken up for a while, gave us some instructions, and then fell asleep again. She said the poison isn’t Chu Hai’s doing, and has asked Jianqi to find Elder Xuan Jizi for the lost sword."
Elder Xuan Jizi, having heard from Xiaosi that traces of an array could be found near the Sword Washing Pool, had already asked someone to inform Xuan Jizi to investigate.
"Did my sister say how badly she’s poisoned? Is her life in danger?" Xiaosi asked worriedly.
"Madam said not to worry. She doesn’t have readily available medicine at the moment, but she can detoxify herself when she gets home," Chenfeng hurriedly replied.
Xiaosi heaved a sigh of relief, his face not as wrinkled as before.
Since Bai Ruozhu was a lady, it wouldn’t be proper for Elder Xuan Jizi to stay too long. After leaving the herbal medicines, he left. Having remembered Bai Ruozhu’s request, Chenfeng advised Xiaosi to rest and not to disturb her while she was recovering.
When Xiaosi reluctantly left, Chenfeng quickly released Bai Ruozhu’s coma points. Bai Ruozhu asked about the situation and, upon smelling the various herbs given to her, identified a plant bearing tiny red berries which can neutralize many poisons. She picked and placed the berries one by one in her mouth.
"My lady, how are you feeling? Are you better?" Jianqi asked worriedly.
"The poison has subsided a little. I can see blurry outlines now," Bai Ruozhu smiled. It was better than complete darkness.
"Jianqi, you go find Xuan Jizi and the sword. Let Chenfeng and Muyu take me home early tomorrow morning, and you can catch up with us after you find the sword," Bai Ruozhu gave her orders.
Jianqi looked conflicted. He clenched his teeth, saying, "My lady, I think I should escort you back first. The Huashan Sect should give me an explanation. I cannot risk your safety for personal matters."
"This is not your personal matter. It’s official business that you lost something important. So I order you to find it and then return," Bai Ruozhu intentionally put on a stern face.
"But...," Jianqi tried to argue but was cut off by Bai Ruozhu. She insisted that her word was final and Jianqi was expected to obey without question.
Chenfeng, observing Bai Ruozhu, didn’t fully agree with her decision, but he couldn’t help but admire her nevertheless. With the memories of his lady’s decisions, he felt more than ever that they were alike. Wasn’t there a saying that birds of a feather flock together?
After dinner, Xiaosi visited Bai Ruozhu again. Taking advantage of the dim light, Bai Ruozhu assured him she was fine, that she could find the antidote upon returning home and the poison was merely causing physical weakness.
"Who poisoned you? I must avenge you!" Xiaosi clenched his fists in anger.
"I didn’t notice, don’t worry about these minor poisons. You focus on learning martial arts. In the future, our whole family will depend on you for protection," Bai Ruozhu smiled and once again ruffled Xiaosi’s hair. This time, Xiaosi did not protest and let her make a mess of his hair.
The next morning, just as the sky was turning light, Bai Ruozhu had Chenfeng and others take her down the mountain, leaving Jianqi behind in the Huashan Sect to search for the sword. For fear of further complications, they pushed on hard for Beiyu City without taking any breaks.
Jiang Yichun in Beiyu City had a sense of unease. As a precaution, he took a few of his men to meet Bai Ruozhu. He had responsibilities in the military and could not leave his post, but he could wait at a border town. Even if people in the military knew of this, they couldn’t fault him.
After about a day’s wait, he saw Chenfeng’s group.
"Ruozhu!" Jiang Yichun called out. Without even mounting a horse, he relied on his light martial arts skills to sprint towards Bai Ruozhu’s carriage and swung himself inside.
Chenfeng and Muyu looked at each other and relaxed, glad to have safely delivered Bai Ruozhu to Jiang Yichun.