Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen: Promise Me One Condition

"Hey?" The little girl looked at Song Qingshu in surprise, "The world only knows of the Poisonous Hand Medicine King, few people know of Master Wuchan. You are so young, yet you have such knowledge, that's quite impressive, quite impressive..."

Song Qingshu, seeing her deliberately acting old and dignified, tried hard to suppress his laughter: "I must admit, my knowledge is far inferior to yours, so I need to seek your guidance."

The little girl's eyes narrowed into slits, and she smiled sweetly, "Even though I know you're flattering me, I'm still happy. Alright, if you want to go to the Medicine King Manor, just follow me."

Song Qingshu was overjoyed and quickly pulled Hu Furen to follow. Hu Furen hastily retracted her fingers but couldn't move them, feeling both angry and anxious: "I wonder if my younger brother is doing this on purpose..."

"I am Song Qingshu, and this is my sister-in-law, Hu Furen. May I ask for your name, young lady?" Song Qingshu asked knowingly.

"I don't understand your fancy words. My surname is Cheng, and my name is Lingsu," the little girl said quickly and urgently.

"The *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*, could it be that you are the Medicine King's distinguished disciple?" Song Qingshu asked in feigned surprise.

"You're not being honest. You clearly guessed it from the start but pretended to be surprised," Cheng Lingsu huffed.

Song Qingshu smiled awkwardly, not expecting Cheng Lingsu to be so perceptive despite her young age.

"Here." Cheng Lingsu threw two blue flowers over, "The area around the Medicine King Manor is filled with blood dwarf chestnuts, which are extremely poisonous. These blue flowers are their natural antidote."

As the two hurriedly pinned the blue flowers to their chests, Cheng Lingsu spoke again, "My master will be dealing with a major enemy soon. Once we enter the Medicine King Manor, no matter what you see, don't speak or ask any questions."

"Of course," Hu Furen said gently.

Cheng Lingsu looked at her in surprise, pouted her lips, and felt inexplicably annoyed. Song Qingshu found it amusing, thinking that Cheng Lingsu was jealous of her future mother-in-law.

"Master, I'm back." Cheng Lingsu put down her basket and skipped inside.

"Fie!" Hu Furen suddenly looked excitedly at the hall, where Hu Fei was sitting in the center, unable to move, with a pair of large eyes staring at the two. On one side sat the scholar, and on the other, a white-haired monk.

"Hehe, you actually managed to find your way here unscathed," the scholar looked at the two in surprise, seeing Hu Furen about to leap forward, "I advise you not to move. Your son is already poisoned, and even if you save him, it won't do any good."

Hu Furen felt as if struck by lightning, her body swaying, and she was about to rush forward to fight him to the death, but Cheng Lingsu quickly pulled her back, "Auntie, they are in the middle of a poison duel. For now, this young brother will be fine."

Having spent many years in the martial world, Hu Furen knew that the usual method for a poison duel between two poison experts was for one to poison and the other to cure, then switch roles until a winner was determined.

Thinking of Hu Fei's suffering, Hu Furen felt her heart breaking, but she didn't dare act rashly. If she rushed in, no one would be able to cure Hu Fei's poison, and he would surely die.

"Don't worry, with my master here, nothing will happen to the young brother," Cheng Lingsu reassured her.

"Master, this is your youngest disciple... he's really ugly," the scholar paused for a moment, his words infuriating Cheng Lingsu.

"I think you should just hand over the *Medicine King Scripture* to me," the scholar said impatiently, "Your martial arts are no match for mine. As a former master and disciple, there's no need to make things bloody."

The old monk with white hair smiled faintly and said calmly, "When has the Poisonous Hand Medicine King ever relied on martial arts for self-protection?"

The scholar's face changed, clearly very wary, and he coldly snorted, "You don't need to be so smug. In recent years, I've come to the Medicine King Manor every year. Although you've always been able to cure the poisons I've used, I doubt you can cure this one."

Seeing the Medicine King carefully examining Hu Fei's body, the scholar chuckled, "Master, look how good I am to you. I originally planned to poison your beloved disciple, but I was worried you wouldn't be able to cure it, which would have cost the young sister her life. In a fit of anger, I decided to find an unrelated child instead."

Hu Furen felt a chill in her heart, thinking that once Hu Fei was safe, she would pursue him to the ends of the earth.

"Such deep scheming. The poison you used on this child is the Seven Insects and Seven Flowers Ointment," the Poisonous Hand Medicine King frowned, causing Hu Furen and Song Qingshu to tremble.

"In the past, I always used rare poisons, but they never stumped you. This time, I changed my strategy. The Seven Insects and Seven Flowers Ointment isn't hard to cure, but the key is knowing which seven insects and which seven flowers. Hehe, if I don't tell you, by the time you figure it out, the child will be dead. I suggest you hand over the *Medicine King Scripture* and save the child's life," the scholar said smugly, knowing that with thousands of possible combinations, it would be impossible to cure in a short time.

The Poisonous Hand Medicine King hesitated for a moment, then took out two items and fed them to Hu Fei. The scholar's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed, "Cinnabar and Peacock Gall!"

Hu Furen was also shocked. These were extremely poisonous substances that could kill with a single touch. She was about to rush forward but was held back by Song Qingshu, who shook his head, "I trust the Medicine King."

The Poisonous Hand Medicine King quickly inserted dozens of needles into Hu Fei's body and finally sighed in relief. The scholar's face turned pale, "Using poison to counter poison, I didn't expect you to bypass the conventional methods. Fine, I admit defeat, but I don't understand why you used two extremely poisonous substances instead of one."

The Poisonous Hand Medicine King smiled faintly, "To balance the two toxins in this child's body, theoretically it's possible, but in practice, it's too risky. The slightest deviation could cost him his life. With three poisons, they counterbalance each other, making it easier for me to control."

The scholar suddenly understood and coldly snorted, leaping away into the distance, his voice echoing, "I'll come back next year to challenge you again."

Hu Furen was overjoyed and ran over to hug Hu Fei tightly, repeatedly thanking the Poisonous Hand Medicine King.

"Don't thank me too soon," the Medicine King frowned, "I've temporarily suppressed the Seven Insects and Seven Flowers Ointment with two other poisons, but over time, the balance will be broken. Without treatment, he won't last more than three years."

"I beg you to save him," Song Qingshu also stepped forward to plead.

"You two, usually so clever, why are you so confused now? Since my master said he will save him, he definitely will," Cheng Lingsu appeared from behind the Medicine King, her black eyes shining.

The Medicine King looked at her affectionately and smiled, "To cure the poison in his body will take three to five years and require a great deal of effort. You must promise me one condition."

Chapter Seventeen: No Laying a Finger on My Mother

"What condition?" Hu Furen asked anxiously, thinking that for her son, she would agree to anything.

"I want him to become my disciple," the Poisonous Hand Medicine King pointed at Hu Fei, sighing inwardly. As he grew older, he realized that relying solely on Lingsu in the future might not be enough to control the rebellious disciple.

Hu Furen and Song Qingshu exchanged glances, secretly relieved that the condition was so simple. However, Hu Fei suddenly spoke up, "Before I become your disciple, there's one thing I need to know."

"What is it?" the Poisonous Hand Medicine King looked at him in surprise.

"Is the Black Frost Cold Ice the Medicine King's creation?" Hu Fei asked, his voice firm.

"Yes, it is something I created in my early years, but due to its extreme toxicity, I never used it," the Poisonous Hand Medicine King thought for a moment and answered.

"Then why did my father die from the Black Frost Cold Ice?" Hu Fei asked angrily, Hu Furen feeling a mix of emotions, thinking that if he was the murderer, Hu Fei's life would be in danger...

The Poisonous Hand Medicine King looked remorseful, "In my early years, I chose disciples without considering their character, leading to the betrayal of my first three disciples. The one you just saw is my eldest disciple, Murong Jingyue, and I once gave him a portion of the Black Frost Cold Ice."

"What?" Hu Furen clenched her teeth, thinking that this long-standing mystery finally had a lead, "Fei, follow the Medicine King and learn well. With your father's family martial arts, you will be invincible. I will go find Murong Jingyue to investigate the true culprit, and we will take revenge together."

Hu Fei nodded vigorously. Seeing her ready to leave, Song Qingshu quickly said, "Sister-in-law, you are still recovering from your injuries, and the opponent is strong and skilled in poison. I should go with you for support."

Recently, being with Song Qingshu, Hu Furen felt uneasy, always sensing something else in his gaze. However, he had helped her and her son a great deal and was Hu Da's sworn brother, so she couldn't refuse him outright. Suddenly, she had an idea to refuse his company without hurting his feelings.

"Medicine King, my brother was severely injured, causing his meridians to be severed. He believes that only the Poisonous Hand Medicine King can cure him, so he came from afar to seek your help. I hope you can assist him," Hu Furen bowed slightly and pushed Song Qingshu toward the Medicine King.

"Uh, the last disciple of the Butterfly Valley Medical Immortal Hu Qingniu diagnosed me, but he was also helpless. I have thought about it, and I believe only the Medicine King can restore my meridians," Song Qingshu said nervously, thinking that if the Medicine King was also helpless, he would be a cripple for life.

"The medical skills of the leader of the Ming Sect are always admired," the Medicine King felt his pulse and examined him, then shook his head slightly, "Your meridians are completely severed, and even the finest metals cannot save them."

Hu Furen's face changed, feeling worried.