Promise Me

"Huh?" The little girl gazed at Song Qingshu with astonishment. "The world may be familiar with the Poisonous Hand Medicine King, but only a few know of Master Wu'an. Impressive that someone as young as you possesses such knowledge. Not bad, not bad..."

Song Qingshu noticed her feigned air of wisdom and suppressed a smile. "My own knowledge pales in comparison to yours, young miss. I humbly seek your guidance."

Narrowing her eyes, the girl offered a sweet smile. "Though I know you flatter me, it still brings me joy. Very well, if you seek Yaowangzhuang, follow me."

Song Qingshu's heart leaped with delight, and he hastily pulled Mrs. Hu to follow. Mrs. Hu swiftly retracted her finger, unable to shake off the lingering irritation and anxiety. "I wonder if this uncle did it intentionally..." she mused.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Song Qingshu, and this is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Hu. May I inquire about the young miss's name?" Song Qingshu inquired, feigning ignorance.

"I don't understand why you gentlemen play these games. My surname is Cheng, and my name is Lingsu," the girl replied, her words rushed and anxious.

"Lingsu, the combination of 'Ling' and 'Su Wen'? Could it be that you are the esteemed disciple of the Medicine King?" Song Qingshu feigned surprise.

"You're not fooling anyone. You already guessed it. No need to pretend to be surprised," Cheng Lingsu retorted coldly.

Song Qingshu chuckled wryly. He hadn't anticipated Cheng Lingsu to be so young and astute.

"Next," Cheng Lingsu tossed two blue flowers their way. "The Dwarf Chestnut plants surrounding Yaowangzhuang exude a highly toxic aura. These blue flowers happen to be their natural antidote."

Hastily pinning the blue flowers to their chests, Song Qingshu and Mrs. Hu listened intently as Cheng Lingsu continued, "Once we enter Yaowangzhuang, remember not to utter a word regardless of what you witness. Do not ask questions."

"Of course," Mrs. Hu replied softly.

Cheng Lingsu cast a surprised glance at Mrs. Hu, then directed her gaze downward, studying her own withered chest. Her lips pursed slightly, an inexplicable restlessness washing over her. Song Qingshu, observing the scene, couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, realizing that Cheng Lingsu was inadvertently displaying signs of jealousy towards her future mother-in-law.

"Master, I have returned," Cheng Lingsu announced, placing her medicine basket down and bounding through the door.

"Feier!" Madam Hu's eyes lit up as she gazed at the hall with sudden excitement. Hu Fei, with wide eyes, sat motionless in the center of the room, flanked by a scholarly man and a monk with a long white beard.

"Hehe, you managed to find your way here unscathed," the scholar glanced unexpectedly at the two newcomers and noticed Madam Hu's eager anticipation. "I advise you not to make any sudden moves. Your son is already poisoned, and even if you try to save him, it will be in vain."

Madam Hu was struck dumb by his words, her body trembling. She was about to rush forward and confront him with all her might when Cheng Lingsu swiftly grabbed her arm. "Auntie, they are engaged in a battle of poisons. This young brother will be fine for a while."

Having spent many years by Mrs. Hu's side, Cheng Lingsu knew that these two masters of poison were accustomed to engaging in a deadly contest. One administered the poison while the other sought to detoxify it, and they alternated until a victor emerged.

The thought of Hu Fei enduring such suffering left Mrs. Hu feeling despondent, but she dared not cause a commotion. If she were to interrupt before Hu Fei's poison was neutralized, both she and her son would face certain death.

"Don't worry, my master won't let anything happen to my little brother," Cheng Lingsu reassured her hastily.

"Master, this is the closed-door disciple you took in... He looks truly unsightly," the scholar commented after a long pause, his words striking Cheng Lingsu like a blow.

"I believe it's time your old self handed over the Medicine King God Chapter to me," the impatient scholar threatened. "Your martial arts prowess is no longer a match for mine. Why bother maintaining the charade of master and apprentice?"

The old monk with white hair smiled faintly and spoke in a calm voice, "Since when did the Poisonous Hand Medicine King rely solely on martial arts for self-protection?"

The scholar's expression changed, revealing his intense envy. He snorted coldly, "Don't get too cocky. I have come to Yaowangzhuang once a year for the past few years. Despite your ability to detoxify me in the past, I doubt you can neutralize the poison this time."

As the Medicine King carefully examined Hu Fei's body, the scholar chuckled. "Master, I am being generous with you. Originally, I planned to poison your beloved disciple. However, I feared that if you couldn't find a solution, it would cost the life of your junior sister. She was so furious that she refused to hand it over, so I deliberately found an unrelated target."

Mrs. Hu's heart turned cold upon hearing this revelation. She had thought that once Feier was safe, she would chase after him to the ends of the earth.

"What a devious scheme. You have subjected this child to the Seven Insects and Seven Flowers Ointment," the Poisonous Hand Medicine King scowled, his heart trembling as he observed Madam Hu and Song Qingshu.

"In the past, I have encountered various rare poisons, but you have never posed a challenge for me. This time, I shall alter my strategy. The poison itself is not difficult to counteract. The real challenge lies in discerning which seven insects and which seven flowers are involved. Ah, if I withhold this information from you, you will be forced to test them one by one, and in the process, this child will be poisoned to death. I suggest you surrender 'The Medicine King God Chapter' sooner, so that you may save the child's life," the scholar gloated, his pride evident. With thousands of possible combinations, he believed it would be impossible to solve it in a short span of time.

The Poisonous Hand Medicine King hesitated for a moment, then produced two items and handed them to Hu Fei. The scholar's pupils contracted, shock evident in his voice as he exclaimed, "Crane Top Red and Peacock Gall!"

Madam Hu, too, was taken aback. Both items were highly toxic, capable of causing instant death. She was about to step forward in panic, but Song Qingshu held her back, shaking his head. "I trust in the Medicine King."

Swiftly, the Poisonous Hand Medicine King pricked Hu Fei with dozens of needles, finally releasing a relieved sigh. The scholarly man wore a grim expression. "Using poison to counteract poison... I never expected you to employ conventional detoxification methods. Well, I concede. However, I fail to comprehend why you utilized two poisons instead of one."

A slight smile played on the Poisonous Hand Medicine King's lips. "In this child's body, it is possible to achieve a delicate balance between the two toxins. While theoretically feasible, it is too risky in practice. A slight deviation would result in his demise. The three poisons counterbalance each other, and I possess greater control over the situation."

The scholar suddenly comprehended, emitting a disdainful snort before vanishing into the distance. His voice carried back from afar, "Until next year, when I shall come seeking knowledge."

Overwhelmed with joy, Madam Hu rushed to Hu Fei, embracing him tightly and profusely thanking the Poisonous Hand Medicine King.

"Do not express gratitude prematurely," the Poisonous Hand Medicine King frowned. "Although I have temporarily suppressed the toxicity of the Seven Insects and Seven Flowers Ointment within his body by employing two other highly toxic substances, in the long run, the equilibrium within his body is destined to collapse. Without treatment, I fear he will not survive for more than three years."

"I implore you, Master, to aid him," Song Qingshu also stepped forward and beseeched.

"You two, usually so astute and quick-witted, why are you so perplexed now? If my master says he will be saved, then he will be saved," Cheng Lingsu emerged from behind the Medicine King, her eyes gleaming with determination.

The Poisonous Hand Medicine King regarded her and smiled faintly. "It will take three to five years to completely eradicate the poison from his body. After investing so much effort, I require one condition in return."