chapter 4 ：Discovering the Gu Poison

Sijiang spent half a month at Jade Lake, restoring much of her spiritual power. Though not as strong as before, it was still far beyond the reach of any human. Time at Jade Lake flowed differently, and it was now spring in the outside world.

After returning to Fuqu Palace, Sijiang changed into a clean dress. Under the black linen skirt, her slender figure appeared fragile, but she was no delicate flower. As a highly talented spiritualist, she had achieved her unparalleled power through relentless practice and determination. Her hair was simply tied back, and her expression, usually cold, now bore a hint of deadly resolve.

She walked to the desk and opened the box left by Ying Jiu, finding a letter inside. Quickly reading through it, she understood:

Ying Jiu and Yi Bo had been secretly at odds for years. Ying Jiu had long known that Yi Bo was up to no good and had been gathering evidence. He also knew that Yi Bo would eventually make a lethal move against him but wasn't sure of the exact method.

As Jun Yu's health deteriorated, Yi Bo had to act swiftly to remove Ying Jiu, the obstacle in his path. Ying Jiu anticipated his fate, which is why he instructed Jun Yu to pass the box to Sijiang in winter, ensuring that whatever happened, the matter would be settled by then.

Sijiang couldn't comprehend why Ying Jiu, with his character, would willingly walk into Yi Bo's trap. There had to be more to the story.

At that moment, Shan Nai rushed in, panicked. "My lady, something terrible has happened. The Lord has fallen into a coma and seems to be nearing the end! You must come quickly!"

"That heartless scoundrel!" Sijiang cursed under her breath. She immediately disregarded all protocols and used her spiritual power to hasten to Jun Yu's chamber.

Outside the chamber, the leaders of various regions knelt with sorrowful expressions. Inside, Jun Yu lay on the bed, barely breathing. The physician was sweating profusely, performing his treatments and praying for divine intervention. Jun Qi stood to the left, accompanied by Jun Yu's wife, Tu Shan, who watched anxiously. Yi Bo stood on the right, his brow furrowed in apparent worry, glancing outside nervously.

One of the regional leaders spoke up outside the chamber, "Lady, the Lord remains unconscious, but the decision on the successor cannot be delayed. The affairs of the capital need to be managed by the next in line."

All the leaders echoed, "Please, make a swift decision."

"Oh? You all seem eager. I assume you already have a preferred candidate for the next Lord?" Tu Shan stepped out, her cold gaze sweeping over the scheming leaders.

"Jun Yu has not yet passed, and you are all so impatient. Speak, who is your choice?"

The leaders were taken aback, not expecting the usually gentle Tu Shan to speak so bluntly. Anyone who spoke now would reveal their hidden ambitions.

"Forgive us, Lady, the leaders are simply anxious and spoke without thinking. There is no disloyalty." Yi Bo approached and knelt, speaking smoothly.

"Hmph, Yi Bo, you certainly have a way with words. Are you suggesting that I am delaying state affairs?" Tu Shan sneered, leaning down to whisper to him, "You think that by eliminating Ying Jiu and gaining popular support, the Lord would abdicate in your favor?"

Tu Shan knew well of Yi Bo's ambitions but felt powerless. She suspected many of the regional leaders had already been swayed, but she needed more time, hoping Jun Yu would awaken.

"Absolutely not, Lady. Please, be careful with your words." Yi Bo's tone was apologetic, but his glare was menacing. He thought, "So what if you know? Without evidence, you can't do anything to me."

As the tension peaked, a loud crash echoed. The leaders felt a powerful gust as a wave of spiritual power blew open the chamber doors.

Ignoring everyone, Sijiang strode into the chamber, sealing the doors with a wave of her hand. "Mother, please take care of the leaders. No decisions will be made until my father awakens." With that, the water in the courtyard formed a barrier over the door.

Relieved, Tu Shan addressed the leaders, "You've heard my daughter. Will you wait here, or join me for some tea in the side hall?"

"At your discretion," the leaders replied, subdued.

Yi Bo, still kneeling, was stunned. Sijiang had awakened, and her power seemed undiminished. How was this possible? Fear gripped him as he realized the danger he was in.

By Jun Yu's bedside, Sijiang asked the physician about his condition.

"Physician, how is my father? Is there anything unusual?"

"Lady, I have a theory, but I'm not sure if I should speak it," the physician hesitated.

"Speak freely; there are no outsiders here," Sijiang reassured him, glancing at Jun Qi.

"Yes, what is it?" Jun Qi prompted.

"I heard that Ying Jiu struck the Lord with a blow to his heart, but upon examining him, I found no such injury. His pulse indicates a blockage in his blood flow, and it seems… it seems there are numerous living things inside him, feeding on his life force."

"What!" Jun Qi exclaimed. Sijiang's face darkened, her eyes filled with fury. Jun Yu had been poisoned with a deadly parasite.

"Is there a way to save him?" She asked, striving to remain calm.

"I'm not sure how many there are or where the queen parasite is located. Forcing them out might kill the Lord. But with your water spirit skills, we might be able to extract some and alleviate his condition."

"Do it," Sijiang said decisively. "Qi, bring a basin of water." She instructed Jun Qi to assist.

The physician inserted six needles into Jun Yu's arm, and Sijiang used her power to draw the parasites to his wrist. As tiny lumps moved under his skin, Jun Yu convulsed in pain.

"Hold him down!" Sijiang commanded. With the lumps gathered at his wrist, the physician removed the needles and inserted five more into his fingers. Sijiang pushed the parasites to his palm, where they were extracted into a water sphere and thrown into the basin.

"Ugh!" Jun Qi gagged at the sight of the writhing black worms. Black blood oozed from Jun Yu's fingers, and Sijiang realized his condition was dire.

Over the next three hours, they extracted the parasites from Jun Yu's limbs. Sijiang transferred some of her spiritual power to him, and his color improved slightly. Looking at the nearly hundred grotesque worms in the basin, Sijiang's anger burned. She vowed to crush the mastermind behind this.