Pu Jujian didn’t notice at all that someone in the distance had been watching him.
Zhao Ya was trailing far behind, not following too closely.
For Zhao Ya, the scent of Exotic Insect Fragrance on Pu Jujian was as conspicuous as a torch in the night, so there was no worry about losing track.
Thus, Zhao Ya followed Pu Jujian through most of the city, eventually arriving at the front of a medical clinic called Ciji Hall.
This clinic wasn’t very large, but many people were coming and going, making it appear quite bustling.
Moreover, Zhao Ya noticed that nearly all the visitors to the clinic were women with their hair in buns.
Could this be a clinic specializing in gynecological diseases?
Watching Pu Jujian enter the clinic, Zhao Ya stood across the street without rushing in.
He was almost certain now that this Ciji Hall clinic was a stronghold of the Five Poison Sect, and possibly related to the Beast Taming Sect.
Currently, the influence of the Five Poison Sect in Wanshou County is growing, claiming to be the Five Immortals Orthodox Sect, attracting many factions to join them.
But upon closer investigation, Zhao Ya found that the apparent altars set up by the Five Poison Sect were just for show.
They contained no genuine members of the Five Poison Sect, merely some gullible disciples caught in their deception.
Zhao Ya knew this was a deliberate ruse by the Five Poison Sect to draw the attention of opposing forces to these apparent altars, while the true strength lay hidden beneath.
This strategy not only protects their strength to the greatest extent but also entices enemies into revealing themselves.
Should any careless force target them, the hidden powers could immediately act, neutralizing the threat invisibly, a truly clever tactic.
This is why Zhao Ya values Pu Jujian so highly, for only through him can the hidden Five Poison Sect be found.
The target now identified, but rushing in carelessly could alert the enemy.
To be prudent, Zhao Ya needed to make some preparations.
Meanwhile, in a medicine room behind Ciji Hall, an elder with white hair and youthful appearance, exuding an air of immortality, was taking the pulse of a patient.
The patient was a charming young woman, but she looked worried, adding to her delicate allure.
"Madam, do you often feel hidden pain in your left rib, and irregular menstrual cycles?"
"That’s right, doctor. I do often feel pain in my left rib, especially at night when it gets worse," the woman said hurriedly.
"Hmm, this is caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis combined with liver Qi depression. I’ll prescribe you some medication to promote Qi and blood circulation. Do not get angry during this period, and make sure not to fully close the windows at night to ensure ventilation."
With that, the elder swiftly wrote a prescription and handed it to the woman.
The woman accepted with many thanks, then left.
After she left, the elder, who had maintained a serious demeanor, suddenly sniffed under his nose and chuckled quietly, silently noting the woman’s situation.
He only prescribed her medicine for three days, knowing she would certainly return, at which point he could make his move and likely have her in bed soon.
Just as the elder was contemplating the pleasant thought, Pu Jujian pushed the door open and came in, kneeling immediately upon seeing the elder.
"Elder brother, I come to seek your help."
Despite the age difference, the elder forbade Pu Jujian from calling him anything else but elder brother.
"Oh, it’s Jujian! What’s so urgent?" the elder lazily asked.
"Elder brother, didn’t I tell you before? I have my eyes on a woman from the Song Family. I went to propose today but was not only unsuccessful but also humiliated. I seek your guidance on what to do next," Pu Jujian said.
"Oh, that’s what happened. Tell me the details," the elder said casually.
Pu Jujian then recounted the events, especially mentioning the words of Song Peiwan.
When he got to the emotional parts, Pu Jujian’s tears began to fall.
The elder, however, was amused.
"I thought it was something big, but it’s just that the lady isn’t interested in you?"
"Yes!" Pu Jujian said sullenly.
"This is easy to fix. I have an Immortal Elixir that will turn the most chaste woman into a wanton one."
"You give me one hundred taels of silver, and I’ll give you this elixir. Find a way to make that woman take it. Once the rice is cooked, she won’t have a choice but to be with you." The elder said matter-of-factly.
Pu Jujian was initially opposed to this behavior, but today’s blow was too great, so upon hearing the elder’s suggestion, Pu Jujian immediately nodded.
"Alright, I have money with me."
For today’s matter, Pu Jujian brought all the money from home, never expecting it would be used now.
Pu Jujian took out a silver note from his pocket and handed it to the elder.
The elder accepted it, then reached into the drawer and took out a small pink bottle.
"Here it is. Remember, it’s enough for three doses. Don’t use it all at once, or it will be fatal."
"Understood." Pu Jujian happily took the bottle and was about to leave.
"Wait a moment."
"Elder brother, what else is there?" Pu Jujian asked.
"Remember, you weren’t here today; you haven’t seen me," the elder said sternly.
"Mm-hmm, I know. I won’t say a word." Pu Jujian said earnestly.
The elder waved him off, "Go, go."
Pu Jujian left.
After he left, the elder sat in his chair, pondering for a while, then said, "Next."
He didn’t realize that at that moment, someone was lying on the rooftop, silently watching everything inside through the gaps between the tiles and the beams.
The conversation between Pu Jujian and the elder had been heard by Zhao Ya on the roof.
Besides confirming that this place is indeed a stronghold of the Five Poison Sect, Zhao Ya made an even more important discovery.
That is, this old man is absolutely not normal.
Don’t be fooled by the white hair and the wrinkles etched by the passage of time; Zhao Ya’s first impression of him was that this is a young man.
The reason is simple: his gaze is too youthful.
Makeup can be applied, posture can be disguised, but the look in one’s eyes cannot be altered.
This is also an important factor in determining a person’s age.
And if this old man is indeed an impersonation, then his disguise skills are considered extremely advanced.
Thinking of this, Zhao Ya suddenly recalled a remark that Li De mentioned during the cleansing of the Five Poison Sect.
He said their sect leader, Cong Bo, excels in rhetoric and is highly skilled in disguise, especially remarkably adept at impersonations.
Could this old man be the Cong Bo that Li De mentioned?
The more Zhao Ya thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and he felt a flicker of excitement.
Never did he expect his luck to be so good; what began as an intention to probe the depths of the Five Poison Sect through Pu Jujian led to such a big catch.
Xiao Yan had once said this Cong Bo’s master is the Fifth Elder of the Beast Taming Sect, a person of significant authority and true power.
Although Cong Bo is not highly skilled, he is greatly valued by the Fifth Elder.
If he can capture him, surely more secrets about the Beast Taming Sect can be uncovered.
But now is not the time to take action.
Since he already knows Cong Bo’s identity, there’s no rush; he can let him continue acting mysteriously for a few days.
With this in mind, Zhao Ya silently placed the lifted roof tile back, then employed his body technique and left.
When Zhao Ya returned to Song Yuanrui’s house, it was already noon.
Tan Dong had been on the roof for half a day, both tired and hungry, and did not dare to stand up for fear of being discovered, enduring hardships silently.
So when he saw Zhao Ya returned, Tan Dong couldn’t help but exhale a long breath and said in a lowered voice.
"Zhao, you’ve finally come back."
"How is it, anything unusual?" Zhao Ya asked.
"What else could there be? Just a lot of swearing. This shrew really knows how to shout at the street, cursing for half a day without repeating a single word."
"Has Song Yuanrui mentioned how to deal with this side?"
"No, except for advising his wife a couple of times at the start, he didn’t utter a word afterwards."
Zhao Ya nodded, "Let’s go, let’s head back."
"Ah, just go back like this?"
"Otherwise?" Zhao Ya asked.
"I thought at least we’d beat that couple up." Tan Dong said disappointedly.
Zhao Ya laughed, "Alright, beating them won’t solve anything, let’s just head back."
Actually, Zhao Ya didn’t say one thing.
He let Tan Dong stay here to see what Song Yuanrui and his wife planned to do.
If Song Yuanrui had some sense, all would be well.
If this couple really planned some cunning plan, Zhao Ya wouldn’t mind dealing with them.
But for now, it seems Song Yuanrui is sensible.
Let’s just let them off for now.
Zhao Ya took Tan Dong and left.
Unaware that she had escaped disaster, Mrs. Song was still in the room cursing away.
Meanwhile, Song Yuanrui was silently contemplating how to handle this matter.
At the same time, thousands of miles away in Yan Capital City, Yan Tingshan was also pondering over something.
At this moment, he lay all alone on the expansive Dragon Bed, attended only by a few junior eunuchs, with no concubines accompanying him.
Especially his beloved Noble Consort Rong, who was nowhere in sight.
Yan Tingshan felt angered by this, wanting to shout, only to realize he lacked the strength to even get angry.
Moreover, he discovered something terrifying.
Ever since he fell ill, not a single court minister had come to visit.
This could mean one of two things: either news of his illness had been concealed, or someone was preventing him from meeting outsiders.
Either possibility leaked a strong sense of foreboding.
Yan Tingshan is not foolish.
In fact, to become emperor and command the court for so many years, Yan Tingshan has some skill.
It’s just that seeing the situation deteriorate, losing hope, he resigned to neglect.
Now seeing himself critically ill and alone, he knew something was seriously amiss.
"Someone come!" he called weakly.
"Your Majesty, what is it?"
"Issue a decree, summon Yan Xizhao to the palace."