After returning to Cangwu Town, Qin Hongdao first escorted the three of them back to the private residence to rest, then went out to gather spirit herbs.
There were still many spirit herbs required this time—nearly four hundred varieties. She searched throughout all of Cangwu Town and even called in a few favours, yet there were still several she could not find.
Although Cangwu Town was situated beside Cangwu Mountain and an enormous quantity of spirit herbs circulated through it, the town was simply too remote. The variety of spirit herbs available here still could not compare with those found in the major cultivation cities of the Central Continent.
With no other choice, Qin Hongdao returned to find Ning Yuzhou and discuss whether they should leave Cangwu Town for the time being and search the larger cultivation cities instead. Had they not been so far from Scarlet Heaven Sect, she would have wanted to bring her junior brother back to the sect first. With the resources of the entire sect, gathering all these spirit herbs would not have been difficult.
Ning Yuzhou looked through the spirit herbs she had collected, then supplied the few that were still missing.
In truth, Ning Yuzhou had already known roughly how many Qin Hongdao would be able to find. Several days earlier, he and Wen Qiao had visited every spirit-herb shop in Cangwu Town and knew exactly what varieties were available there.
Accordingly, the treatment plan he had proposed was based on the spirit herbs currently available in Cangwu Town.
Had the range of spirit herbs in Cangwu Town not been so limited, he would not have needed to use such a troublesome method to suppress the poison in Sheng Yunshen’s body through several separate treatments.
Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen looked at them in surprise.
“You have them?”
Thinking of the Seven-Leaf Tongue Lingzhi and Crimson-Blood Spirit Fruit that Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao had supplied the previous day, Qin Hongdao did not know what to say. She could not shake the feeling that these two were covered in secrets from head to toe.
Although Seven-Leaf Tongue Lingzhi and Crimson-Blood Spirit Fruit were not particularly rare high-grade spirit herbs, they were still not easy to obtain at a moment’s notice.
Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao’s cultivation levels were not high, and they came from the remote land of Nanming. No matter how she looked at them, they did not seem like people capable of possessing such expensive spirit herbs.
Ning Yuzhou smiled faintly. “We only recently returned from training in Cangwu Mountain. We harvested these there.”
In truth, they had traded Jade Spirit Pills with the demonic beasts of Cangwu Mountain for them.
During the more than two months they had spent in Cangwu Mountain, they had exchanged pills with the demonic beasts for many spirit herbs. The more precious and uncommon medicinal herbs, such as Scarlet Star Flowers, Seven-Leaf Tongue Lingzhi, and Crimson-Blood Spirit Fruits, had been stolen by the White-Bellied Wolf Spider.
Although the White-Bellied Wolf Spider was not especially formidable in battle, its poison was extremely powerful. Many demonic beasts had been incapacitated by it, making it very convenient for the spider to steal their spirit herbs.
Although these spirit herbs were rare and valuable, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao had plenty of them in their spatial realm. Wen Qiao had accelerated their growth.
Whenever they obtained a rare spirit herb, Wen Qiao first ripened it and collected a large quantity of seeds. Apart from leaving several plants growing in the spirit-herb fields, whenever they needed more, she only had to scatter a handful of seeds across the spiritual field and accelerate their growth directly.
Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen were unaware of all this. Even so, they were deeply moved and unwilling to take the herbs without payment. They stated that they would purchase them for thirty per cent above market price.
Once the poison in Sheng Yunshen’s body had been fully suppressed, they would also offer Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao a separate, generous reward.
Afterwards, Sheng Yunshen continued soaking in the medicinal bath.
This medicinal bath would take longer and required twenty hours. After explaining the necessary precautions, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao did not remain to watch over him. They intended to deal with some personal matters first.
After the battle at noon, Qin Hongdao no longer needed to worry about their safety, so she did not insist that they remain this time.
…
Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao returned to the inn in Huliu Alley.
Apart from Qianshou, who remained hidden in the shadows gathering information, the other Hidden Scale Guards had obediently stayed inside the inn. Fortunately, Mu Shan and her companions had previously been so determined to seek revenge against Wen Qiao that the Hidden Scale Guards had not ended up confronting them.
“Young Master, Madam, you’re back.”
The Hidden Scale Guards were extremely excited to see them return safely.
When Qianshou learned that Ning Yuzhou had returned, he also appeared and reported the latest developments in Cangwu Town.
After what had happened that day, no one in Cangwu Town dared provoke Wen Qiao or Ning Yuzhou again. The town’s impression of them had also undergone a complete transformation.
This was not only because Wen Qiao had been so ferocious that even Qingyun Sect’s little junior sister had suffered a terrible loss at her hands, but also because Qin Hongdao had openly declared her intention to protect them and because Ning Yuzhou possessed outstanding alchemical abilities.
It could be said that Cangwu Town now had an extremely favourable impression of Ning Yuzhou, all because of those supreme-grade detoxification pills.
Few alchemists were as generous as he was. He did not treat supreme-grade spirit pills as precious treasures. As long as someone wished to buy one, he sold it directly without the slightest reluctance.
A generous and capable alchemist was naturally popular. Even public opinion had begun leaning heavily towards the couple. Mu Shan’s reputation, meanwhile, had been utterly ruined. Had these people not feared offending Qingyun Sect, word of the incident would probably already have spread elsewhere.
None of this exceeded Ning Yuzhou’s expectations.
Ning Yuzhou dismissed the Hidden Scale Guards but asked Qianshou to remain. After giving him several instructions, he handed him several storage bags and told him to make the necessary arrangements.
Wen Qiao sat quietly nearby. After Qianshou left, she asked, “Yuzhou, you’ve told the Hidden Scale Guards to head to Heavenly Pill Valley first. Are you planning to go there next?”
Heavenly Pill Valley belonged to the Alchemist Alliance. Every Five Cities Alchemy Convention was held there.
Ning Yuzhou hummed in agreement.
“Heavenly Pill Valley isn’t far from Cangwu Town. It is where the Five Cities Alchemy Convention is held, and it is also a fairly large alchemy market during ordinary times. Many spirit pills and medicinal herbs from across Shengwu Continent are gathered there. Miss Qin and the others will probably go there as well.”
After hearing this, Wen Qiao nodded slightly and did not ask how he knew what Qin Hongdao intended to do.
A little later, a Hidden Scale Guard entered to report that Wang Xiuyuan had arrived.
Ning Yuzhou raised his brows slightly and told them to invite Wang Xiuyuan inside.
When Wang Xiuyuan entered and saw Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, he felt somewhat awkward inwardly, but none of it appeared on his face. Instead, he congratulated them with a delighted expression.
Ning Yuzhou smiled. “What happy occasion are you congratulating us on?”
Wen Qiao held Wen Tutu in her arms and silently watched him. Her clear black eyes reflected the visitor’s face, as though nothing could escape their scrutiny.
Wang Xiuyuan’s expression stiffened.
He could not help recalling how he had stood aside the previous day when Mu Shan and her companions barged into Hu’an Inn to cause trouble for Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao.
At the time, he had indeed decided to abandon Ning Yuzhou. From his perspective, once Ning Yuzhou and his wife offended Mu Shan of Qingyun Sect, they had no possibility of recovering from it.
A clever person would not place himself in danger. More importantly, the Wang family could not afford to offend Qingyun Sect.
There had been no reason to offend Qingyun Sect for the sake of an alchemist whose future accomplishments remained uncertain.
Who could have expected such an astonishing reversal?
Ning Yuzhou actually knew Qin Hongdao, the eldest senior sister of Scarlet Heaven Sect.
Qin Hongdao hated evil and injustice. She especially disliked people like Mu Shan, who distorted right and wrong and bullied the weak through superior strength. It was no surprise that she had stopped Mu Shan and protected Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao.
Furthermore, Ning Yuzhou had been invited to treat Sheng Yunshen. Qin Hongdao naturally would not permit Mu Shan to oppress them.
The subsequent events had unfolded exactly as expected. With Qin Hongdao protecting them, Ning Yuzhou and his wife not only emerged unharmed but also caused Mu Shan to lose all dignity.
In fact, Wang Xiuyuan had attended that day’s arranged duel as well.
When he saw Wen Qiao brutally pinning Mu Shan down and beating her, he could scarcely believe it. She clearly looked like such a delicate and frail young woman, yet every punch struck flesh. She was even more terrifying than a body cultivator.
He had no idea how those pale, soft-looking fists contained so much strength.
After watching Wen Qiao beat Mu Shan, he had then seen Ning Yuzhou sell supreme-grade detoxification pills on the spot.
To be honest, Wang Xiuyuan regretted his decision.
Had he known that nothing would happen to the couple, he never would have chosen to protect himself. Instead, he would have done everything possible to help them. With a friendship forged through hardship, would he ever have needed to worry that Ning Yuzhou might not choose to cooperate with the Wang family in the future?
Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret in this world.
No matter how much Wang Xiuyuan regretted his actions, it was useless. He could only force himself to visit and see whether their relationship could be repaired to some degree.
Wang Xiuyuan was sufficiently thick-skinned. He quickly concealed the expression on his face and began speaking about the day’s events.
“I heard that the Qingyun Sect disciples hurriedly left Cangwu Town this evening. They have probably returned to Qingyun Sect.”
Ning Yuzhou’s response was extremely mild. He merely hummed in acknowledgement.
“May I ask what plans Young Master Ning has next?”
Ning Yuzhou replied, “I’ll first see how Young Master Sheng’s condition develops. Since I accepted Miss Qin’s request, I naturally have to do my utmost to help him.”
Because of the disturbance Mu Shan had caused, news of Sheng Yunshen’s poisoning had already spread.
Qin Hongdao therefore stopped concealing it. Anyone who investigated her actions in Cangwu Town over the past several days would be able to discover that Sheng Yunshen had been poisoned, so there was no longer any need to hide it.
This also allowed everyone to know that Ning Yuzhou was treating Sheng Yunshen and was Qin Hongdao’s benefactor. Anyone who wished to act against the couple would first have to consider whether they possessed the necessary strength.
Wang Xiuyuan’s gaze flickered.
He asked with concern, “How is Young Master Sheng now?”
Ning Yuzhou replied indifferently, “The poison has only been temporarily suppressed. I’m afraid I lack the ability to remove it completely.”
After hearing this, Wang Xiuyuan did not doubt his words.
Qin Hongdao had summoned both Black-grade alchemists in Cangwu Town, yet neither had been able to help. Ning Yuzhou was merely a Yellow-grade alchemist, so it was even less likely that he could cure Sheng Yunshen.
Even though he could refine supreme-grade spirit pills, they were still only low-level spirit pills.
Although Wang Xiuyuan wanted to repair his relationship with Ning Yuzhou, Ning Yuzhou remained neither warm nor cold, giving him the feeling that there was no opening he could exploit.
Wang Xiuyuan was actually highly skilled at cultivating connections. He had a smooth temperament and conducted himself meticulously. Unfortunately, in front of Ning Yuzhou, none of his methods could be put to use.
This also showed that Ning Yuzhou already knew about the choice Wang Xiuyuan had made at the time. He simply did not state it openly.
The realisation caused Wang Xiuyuan to regret his decision all over again.
After speaking for a while longer, Wang Xiuyuan finally understood the situation and stood to leave.
What else could he do? Remain until they openly drove him away?
Although Ning Yuzhou still looked warm and amiable, Wang Xiuyuan somehow felt that he was being urged to leave through both overt and subtle means.
Once he finally departed, Wen Qiao relaxed while holding Wen Tutu. The faint crease between her brows also disappeared.
“Ah Suo doesn’t like him?” Ning Yuzhou asked with a smile.
Wen Qiao replied coldly, “I don’t like him. He’s annoying! He changes sides with the wind and has no loyalty!”
Although she understood why Wang Xiuyuan had made that choice, since he had already chosen, why come to their door afterwards and act as though he wanted to repair their relationship?
Would it not have been better for both sides to remain indifferent and simply treat each other as strangers?
He wanted to protect himself while also receiving benefits. How could there be such a convenient arrangement in this world?
Ning Yuzhou looked at the obvious annoyance on his young wife’s face with amusement.
This was the first time Ah Suo had displayed such a clear dislike for someone, and he found it rather novel.
Of course, discovering that Ah Suo disliked another man also made him even happier.
“Then we won’t associate with him in the future,” Ning Yuzhou said gently.
Wen Qiao hummed in agreement. Her expression softened slightly. She ate a supreme-grade spirit pill, then fed another to Wen Tutu. Her mood finally improved.
…
Twenty hours later, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao visited again.
Because Ning Yuzhou had not yet arrived, Sheng Yunshen remained obediently soaking in the bathtub. The water was still completely black and emitted an unpleasant, fishy stench.
However, most of the lumps on Sheng Yunshen’s face had disappeared, and the remaining marks were much lighter than before.
Without those hideous and terrifying growths, Sheng Yunshen’s features could finally be seen clearly. He was a handsome young man with a bright, sunny smile that easily inspired goodwill.
Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen both looked eagerly at Ning Yuzhou.
After examining Sheng Yunshen, Ning Yuzhou smiled.
“Not bad. Half of the remaining poison has been removed. It can now be suppressed for two months. After one more treatment, the poison can be reduced to thirty per cent, and you won’t need to worry about it for six months. However, if an antidote still hasn’t been found after six months, the poison will erupt again.”
Once it relapsed, Sheng Yunshen would return to the ghostly appearance he had worn before.
Thinking of the agony he had endured when the poison flared up, even a strong-willed man like Sheng Yunshen shuddered in fear.
Qin Hongdao thought for a moment, then asked, “Young Master Ning, if the poison erupts again next time, will suppressing it be more difficult than it was during these two treatments?”
“Yes. It would be best for him to take a Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill as soon as possible and remove the poison entirely,” Ning Yuzhou replied solemnly.
Qin Hongdao pursed her lips and nodded with a grave expression.
“In that case, may I trouble Young Master Ning to write down the materials required for the Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill? I’ll have someone send a message back to the sect so they can begin preparing them.”
Ning Yuzhou naturally agreed.
He took out brush and paper, then once again began writing. He wrote down the formula for the Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill and handed it to Qin Hongdao.
Qin Hongdao had assumed she would merely receive a list of ingredients needed to refine the pill. She had not expected Ning Yuzhou to give her the entire pill formula, and she could not help staring blankly.
“Young Master Ning, this is…”
“This is the formula for the Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill,” Ning Yuzhou said with a smile. “Thank you for looking after my wife and me during this time, Miss Qin. I will give this pill formula to you.”
Alchemists treasured pill formulas greatly and rarely transmitted them to outsiders.
The pill formulas circulating publicly were usually common formulas with little value. Qin Hongdao had never even heard of the Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill, so she knew it had to be a precious formula from Ning Yuzhou’s personal collection.
Yet he had directly given it to them.
Given Scarlet Heaven Sect’s influence, it naturally possessed many pill formulas. Various factions wishing to curry favour with Scarlet Heaven Sect had also presented the sect with numerous formulas.
However, Ning Yuzhou was different from those people seeking Scarlet Heaven Sect’s favour.
In truth, Qin Hongdao had not helped the couple all that much. Although she had a straightforward personality, she was no fool. After interacting with Ning Yuzhou over the past several days, how could she fail to understand what kind of person he was?
He was profoundly calculating and always had a plan in mind. Even if she had not appeared at the time, Ning Yuzhou would probably have possessed some way to resolve the conflict with Mu Shan.
Providing help in a time of need had always been difficult, whereas striking someone when they were down was easy.
Ning Yuzhou’s gesture caused Qin Hongdao’s favourable impression of him to increase dramatically.
She said solemnly, “Young Master Ning, Miss Min, from this day forward, you are both benefactors of mine. Should you encounter any trouble in the future, come and find me. As long as it does not violate morality or righteousness, I, Qin Hongdao, will never refuse.”
Sheng Yunshen said passionately, “And me! You saved my life, so from now on, my life belongs to you. You may command me whenever you wish.”
Qin Hongdao’s face darkened. She laughed and scolded, “What nonsense are you talking about?”
Sheng Yunshen chuckled and scratched his head.
“I’m not good with words. Don’t mind me.”
Ning Yuzhou also smiled. “You both speak too seriously. We do not deserve such a response.”
Qin Hongdao then carefully examined the formula for the Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill.
“Young Master Ning, the spirit medicine you said grows in the Netherworld—is it this thousand-year-old Heart-Eroding Grass?”
“Yes,” Ning Yuzhou replied. “Heart-Eroding Grass grows from decaying bones, like a flower blooming from a corpse. A thousand-year-old Heart-Eroding Grass can erode the heart and consume the bones. It is extremely tyrannical. Should you come into contact with it, you must take every possible precaution.”
Both Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen sucked in a breath.
“If the Heart-Eroding Grass is this violently poisonous, wouldn’t the poison it counteracts be even more powerful?”
When Qin Hongdao remembered that Sheng Yunshen’s poison contained a toxin originating from the Netherworld, she became furious. She hated the person who had used such a vicious poison even more.
It would be best if she never caught that person. Otherwise, she would make certain they suffered.
After they finished discussing this, Qin Hongdao suddenly remembered something.
“May I ask what plans Young Master Ning and Miss Min have next?”
Ning Yuzhou replied, “I heard that the Alchemist Alliance is holding an alchemy convention in Heavenly Pill Valley. My wife and I would like to go and see the excitement.”
A smile appeared on Qin Hongdao’s face.
“My junior brother and I were also discussing going to Heavenly Pill Valley to see whether we could find the materials for the Two-Revolution Profound Yin Pill. We can also gather the spirit herbs needed for his final treatment there. Since that is the case, let us depart together. We can keep each other company along the way.”
Ning Yuzhou naturally did not refuse.
With an expert like Qin Hongdao escorting them, the journey would be considerably safer.
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