Machinations

"What can we do to resolve the effects of this poison?"

Hearing this, Chi Huo looked at Bai Ming then to Mu Bai lying in Si Niang's hands in silence. Not a word was uttered in this instance.

At the side, Cui Rong looked at Bai Ming for a moment. A corner of her lips rose up slightly, and then she withdrew her gaze. 

After some consideration, Chi Huo no longer reserved himself and spoke truthfully.

"As it is, resolving the poison is impossible."

Wu Zhengyi and Li Tian stiffened upon hearing this. Even though they felt pity for Mu Bai, they could not bear to see the same happen to Bai Ming.

"Are you sure?" Li Tian asked.

"Is there really nothing?" Wu Zhengyi pressed.

Chi Huo looked at Mu Bai once more, then remained silent for what seemed to be a minute, then answered once more.

"There is a way, but it is extremely risky,"

Upon hearing this, the few interested perked their heads up once more.

"What is this method?" Cui Rong finally asked with interest.

"I'm sure you're all aware that finding a cure can be an extremely difficult process, especially for an unknown poison such as this…"

"…but if the cause can be determined and examined, there is a slight possibility. Of course, this is assuming that this poisoning was caused by a plant type species and not an animal."

"What good would it do if it is caused by a plant species?" Bai Ming asked.

Chi Huo looked at him and added, "Heaven does not block all paths. There is always a balance to all everything."

Everyone present heard this and looked on in confusion, waiting for Chi Huo to explain further.

"Such an extreme poison is like no other poison I have ever seen, it should not be environment friendly and if it really came from a plant type species, then wherever it grows would likely be a baren wasteland, possibly if there is any vegetation that can survive near it might possibly provide a clue to making a remedy"

Hearing this, Bai Ming nodded in agreement. This was quite logical.

They did not know how much time they had left, but they knew time was of the essence.

"Oi oi oi, are you out your minds, that would mean going to wherever this brother contracted this poison?" Wu Zhengyi immediately chimed in.

After listening to the whole idea, he was sure that going wherever this poison was found was not a good idea. He did not want to get poisoned, too. Unsurprisingly, he was not the only one who found this dangerous.

"Chi Huo, are you sure you want to risk your life for nothing?", a tall stout man from the group which had returned with Li Tian spoke at this moment.

Hearing these words, Bai Ming's group members frowned.

This guy clearly had ill intentions. Since arriving, he had likely waited without offering any sort of assistance, watching and listening in silence as if this was a pleasing show. Only when Chi Huo seemingly meant to accompany Bai Ming's group did he finally speak. He had a bald head and exuded the air of a veteran hunter. Looking at him, one could tell he was very skilled and could not be trifled with.

Cui Rong's brow furrowed in annoyance. Since did a person like this get to talk like this in front of her. This was clearly disregarding her.

The big man and the rest of his group were clearly aware of this and looked on with indifference. They could not care whether the one before them was a potential family head, after all in their eyes looking at the current situation, it was no different from a rat ready to waste away at any moment.

"Zi Yan…" Chi Huo muttered, looking at the stout man.

In fact, Zi Yan already had devised a plan. He did not mind joining in on this little excursion of theirs, but he had no intention of going to lend out charity service without any benefits in return. In his eyes, if they want such things, then its best they pray to their supposed Heavenly Immortal.

Zi Yan had never believed in any of the folktales.

Heavenly Immortal???

What a load of crap!

He was a full-fledged atheist, believing that even if this deity truly existed, it clearly had no good intentions. The so-called belly of blessings, he was always revulsed by such thoughts.

What blessings had this deity given them?

Life?

This was an even bigger joke he did not even have the patience to entertain such thoughts. 

Chi Huo, who was still looking at him, replied flatly, "Yes."

He did not give any reasons or explain himself because he knew what kind of person this Zi Yan was. He was not trustworthy, so bringing him who was most likely cooking up some recipe for this excursion's failure was not the best of ideas. It was best to push him away. Even Cui Rong thought the same, too.

In fact, Chi Huo had his own little thoughts when he agreed to help. He had always been passionate in the way of healing. So, this excursion would not only give him this, but if he could study the source of this poison and successfully make a remedy, he could use this research to get immense rewards from the village chief. 

And naturally, if he was aware of this, there is no way Cui Rong had not thought of this.

How can someone just randomly choose to help others, disregarding their own safety in the process. It had already become apparent to her that he had his own selfish intentions. Realizing this, she had already planned that this poison can be quite useful in warfare, if this Chi Huo can succeed in finding a remedy, she would not allow him to give this information to the village head.

It was unknown what the chief would do with it, and in her eyes, this was no different from giving wings to a tiger. She would rope Chu Huo into their family side branch. Such a contribution would be enough to ensure the long-standing power struggle between the two branches of the Cui ends in their favour. 

Bai Ming, who was only focused on healing himself, did not realize that many schemes and plots were already in play.

Hearing Chi Huo's answer, Zi Yan tried to persuade against this, but Chi Huo did not change his stance. Seeing that it was of no use, he could only give up and leave Bai Ming's group and Chi Huo to their own means.

He and his group members immediately left.