Chapter 233: Banxia

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Perhaps due to Bochang mentioning his fondness for tails last time, Stelle now felt an inexplicable curiosity towards such stores.

This was not appropriate.

Moreover, Qingque and March 7th were hesitant to approach such establishments.

Under their gentle nudging,

Stelle reluctantly gave up, casting pleading glances at Bochang as if seeking his approval.

On matters like these, Bochang did not allow Stelle any leeway. Just as before, he firmly declined with unwavering conviction. Taking her hand, he led her away.

Their leisurely time didn't last long.

While Bochang's group strolled through the market,

an Alchemy Commission Yaoshi named Banxia approached them. As a native of Xianzhou, she sought help for her beloved—Liang Mu.

He was a member of a short-lived race who had come to Xianzhou seeking treatment due to a terminal illness. Hoping against hope, they had ventured to Xianzhou Luofu in search of a cure.

According to Banxia, this is how they fell in love.

"Liang Mu's condition is extremely rare; even renowned physicians here have been unable to treat him, so..."

"So you're hoping to find Bai Lu?" March 7th asked, hands on her hips.

"Yes," Banxia replied. "Following the usual process, securing Lady Bai Lu's personal consultation would take over thirty years, and we cannot afford to wait that long. Thus, I must boldly seek your assistance."

As she finished speaking, Banxia lightly coughed twice, indicating her own precarious state.

Bailu observed her closely.

"It seems...you already show signs of Mara-Struck affliction. Would you like me to treat it, Miss?"

"No...no need for that. I am well aware of my condition," Banxia shook her head. "I only hope Lady Bai Lu can help treat my lover."

"This..." Bailu hesitated, unsure what to do, and glanced at Bochang.

With a soft sigh, Bochang replied, "Bailu, if you wish to assist them, go ahead. We don't mind; after all, we have no pressing matters."

"Really?" The young dragon girl scratched her head. "But honestly, I'm not too keen on going..."

"Oh..."

Bochang was momentarily speechless.

Desperation filled Banxia's voice as she pleaded, "Lady Bai Lu, please help us. You're our last hope now."

Initially, Banxia had planned to escape from the Alchemy Commission with Bai Lu.

In exchange, she offered to help cure her lover's ailment—a deal Bai Lu couldn't easily refuse.

Unfortunately...

fate is unpredictable, and life's fortunes can swiftly change.

Despite having made up her mind, when Banxia arrived at the Dragon Maiden's restricted residence, she discovered that Bai Lu had already fled, leaving the Alchemy Commission entirely.

This left Banxia disoriented for some time, forcing her to escape alone.

After searching extensively outside, she finally encountered Bai Lu at the Central Starskiff Haven.

Banxia's persistence until this point was solely due to sheer willpower; otherwise, she would have succumbed to Mara-Struck long ago.

Feeling troubled, Bailu deliberated for a moment.

Bailu sighed and said, "Considering we're both physicians from the Alchemy Commission, I'll assist you this once. Banxia, where is the patient?"

"He's currently...at Cloudford," Banxia replied, her voice growing increasingly hoarse, with a grim expression on her face.

Bochang's eyes flickered.

"This symptom suggests...she's about to become Mara-Struck?"

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, countless unsightly brown branches burst forth from Banxia's body, tearing through her Alchemy Commission robes. The yellow ginkgo leaves fluttered wildly amidst the air.

This was happening right on the bustling street.

Banxia's sudden transformation into a Mara-Struck state elicited screams from nearby Xianzhou residents, who hastily fled in all directions. The area quickly emptied.

March 7th, Stelle, and Qingque prepared for combat.

"Uh...what...what happened to me?" Banxia looked at her body, feeling incredulous as it involuntarily straightened itself. "Is this...the Mara-Struck state?"

Startled, Bailu took half a step backward but then realized something. She asked, "How...how can you still maintain your clarity? Could it be...you're a Disciple of Sanctus Medicus?"

The Dragon Girl's suspicion wasn't unfounded, based on the current situation.

After becoming Mara-Struck, only members of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus could maintain their clarity of mind.

For others...

Regardless of their reluctance, once afflicted by Mara-Strike, they would lose all reason and viciously attack those around them.

Although the Cloud Knights had conducted a major purge within the Alchemy Commission against the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus,

it was not uncommon for some stragglers to evade capture outside the commission's reach.

"I...I am indeed from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, but...I didn't intend any harm towards Lady Bai Lu, truly..."

Before Banxia could finish her sentence,

Bochang reached out, gently tapping her shoulder with a burst of white light emanating from his palm.

The symptoms of Mara-Strike swiftly vanished, as if they never existed.

Banxia stood frozen on the spot.

"So...what exactly is going on? Please explain yourself clearly," Bochang said, arms crossed. "If your intentions are malicious, I advise you to abandon those schemes promptly and come forward honestly."

Banxia, a woman aboard the Xianzhou, had short black hair and an ordinary appearance, nothing particularly noteworthy about her.

Bochang scrutinized Banxia's green eyes intently. If she harbored ill intent and chose to resist, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate another member of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.

Recalling the events of yesterday, it had been a relentless slaughter.

Bochang and Welt Yang had executed their mission ruthlessly, effortlessly sweeping away the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus like mere trash, leaving no room for resistance.

Despite her curiosity, Banxia suppressed it and proceeded to recount the entire sequence of events.

March 7th furrowed her brows and said, "Can we really trust this person? What if it's just another ploy by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus...? It seemed they were all captured within the Alchemy Commission, but in truth, only a minor leader was dealt with."

"The true mastermind has yet to reveal themselves," March 7th continued gravely. "If we go to Cloudford and Banxia triggers some signal, hundreds of assassins could instantly emerge, dismembering us on the spot."

Qingque found her reasoning persuasive and chimed in, "Then perhaps...we should hand her directly to the Cloud Knights and wash our hands of this matter."

Bochang shook his head, "March, you're exaggerating a bit."

"That's how it always goes in books." March 7th placed her hands on her hips defensively.

Bochang looked at the pink-haired girl, slightly exasperated. "But you know that's just fiction..."

"In any case... Banxia is here seeking Bailu, and ultimately, the decision lies with you. I will support you unconditionally, regardless of whether there's truly a conspiracy behind this or not."

Bochang gently patted the little dragon girl's head.

Does it really matter if there's a trap...?

He remained confident in his abilities; at worst, he could simply eliminate any threats with force. Moreover, Bochang didn't believe the Medicine King's teachings held any hidden dangers.