Chapter 4, Indigo
The Jinghu Mountain area is humid and rainy, with numerous streams in the mountains. Qin Lin remembers there was a small creek on the way, and he had no choice but to endure the pain, making his way step by step. The distance of about one hundred steps took the time of burning an incense stick.
Moreover, the snake venom caused excruciating pain, and Qin Lin, even in his unconscious state, furrowed his brows tightly. After the administration of the antidote, his brows relaxed, indicating a clear improvement
As they spoke, the two had already turned the bend of the mountain path, entering Qin Lin's line of sight
Qin Lin shouted for help loudly, but little did he know that this desolate mountain area was rarely traversed by people. The villagers from the nearby small mountain village never spent the night outdoors; they would return home as soon as the sun began to set. By this time, they had all long since returned to the village, which was located two miles away over a small hill. Naturally, no one heard his cries for help.
In a daze, the sound of someone speaking reached Qin Lin's ears, stirring his spirit. He wanted to call for help, but his throat was dry and painful, rendering him unable to utter a single word.
Qingdai pouted slightly, squatting down and idly using a medicinal hoe to dig the ground. After a few digs, her gaze returned to her grandfather and Qin Lin.
Being bitten by a venomous snake is extremely dangerous. If it is a highly toxic king cobra, the fastest time to death after being bitten can be as short as three minutes, and individuals typically succumb within half an hour
Eventually, he lost even the strength to call out, and could only weakly lean against the trunk of an old pine tree, gasping for breath.
The snake medicine took effect remarkably quickly. Qin Lin had been bitten by a Qishi snake, resulting in the introduction of blood-circulating toxins. The bite mark continued to bleed profusely; although the wound was small, he had already lost a considerable amount of blood. However, as soon as the snake medicine from the old man in the black robe was applied, the bleeding was immediately halted, with only a small amount of yellow fluid oozing out. After a moment, even the yellow fluid ceased to flow.
Qin Lin can endure the excruciating pain in his calf through sheer willpower, but this overall reaction is something that mhetushucomcom cannot overcome with will alone. His limbs and body are devoid of any strength, and only his heart beats violently, like a heavy hammer striking a drum.
Regrettably, the toxicity of this black-and-white striped venomous snake is exceedingly fierce, incomparable to that of ordinary venomous snakes. Before he had even walked a mile, Qin Lin began to feel dizzy and disoriented, unable to endure any longer
Listening to her grandfather, the girl named Qingdai had no doubts and felt relieved. Looking at Qin Lin, who was unconscious, she covered her mouth and chuckled: "Grandfather, your lengthy discourse has scared this person into a faint. If the snake venom didn't kill him, but you scared him to death instead, that would be too funny..."
Qin Lin's wound was swollen and dark purple, and a bluish pallor appeared on his face. Although Qing Dai believed in her grandfather's medical skills, she couldn't help but express her concern: "Look, the venomous bite is quite severe, but the injury is not trivial!"
In front was a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old, with an exceptionally beautiful appearance. Her hair, like clouds, was styled in double spiral buns, complementing her skin, which was as white and delicate as if it could be broken by a gentle touch. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from walking, adding to her beauty. A long skirt of blue cloth with colorful borders wrapped around her graceful figure, and she carried a delicate bamboo medicine basket on her back, while holding a small medicinal hoe in her right hand
After Qin Lin was poisoned, his mind became confused, and he relied solely on his willpower to avoid losing consciousness. Initially, upon hearing the old man's description of the snake's characteristics, which matched perfectly, he thought that the old man had a way to treat him, and he felt a slight sense of relief
The heart beats much faster than usual, and the rapid thumping causes a sense of agitation. Blood pressure seems to have risen to a terrifying height, with each heartbeat forcing blood into the brain, producing a dull rushing sound within the head
Qing Dai hurriedly turned away, her rosy cheeks already flushed with crimson.
Dong dong ... ... dong dong ... and * picture * book ...
The old man was approximately in his sixties, tall and thin with a gaunt appearance. His eyes shone with a bright light. He wore a long black robe and had an ivory-white silk sash tied around his waist. In his hand, he held a bamboo staff with nine bends and eighteen sections. His white beard and hair fluttered in the wind, giving him an air of ethereal grace.
The elderly man in the dark robe had taken out a golden needle to draw out the poison from the snake bite, performing the initial treatment. Upon hearing his granddaughter's joke, he couldn't help but blush, showing a hint of embarrassment.
Grandfather has long possessed the antidote for Qishe snake bites; otherwise, how would he dare to venture into the wild mountains of Qizhou in early spring and summer to seek medicine? If he encounters an old man like me, his life would be saved! Qingdai, look at my unique snake antidote, which is composed of twenty-eight excellent medicinal ingredients, including seven-leaf lotus, Qinglong gall, Jiejiesuo, ghost needle grass, and phoenix flower. It is designed to strengthen the body, dispel evil, alleviate wind and pain, and is remarkably effective in treating poisonous snake bites... Qingdai, look at my unique snake antidote, which is composed of twenty-eight excellent medicinal ingredients, including seven-leaf lotus, Qinglong gall, Jiejiesuo, ghost needle grass, and phoenix flower. It is designed to strengthen the body, dispel evil, alleviate wind and pain, and is remarkably effective in treating poisonous snake bites...
It was not a bite from the king cobra, but rather an exposure to a slower-acting blood circulation toxin, which can be considered a stroke of luck amidst the misfortune
Qin Lin quickly tore a strip of cloth from the hem of his clothing and tied it around his leg two inches above the wound to prevent the snake venom from entering the bloodstream in large quantities
In the distance, a sweet youthful voice could be heard: "... Grandpa, we found quite a few rare medicinal herbs today. I can add a few illustrations to your book! Hehe... We agreed before going up the mountain that when we get home, you must treat the whole family to mandarin fish."
Just as the spirit had just relaxed, suddenly a vague phrase "no remedy" was heard, causing an immediate tightening in the heart. The breath that had previously loosened could no longer be drawn back, and it felt as if the heart had suddenly contracted, the head was struck hard by a hammer, and instantly there was a cacophony of sounds in the ears, with golden stars flashing before the eyes, leading to a complete fainting.
Am I really going to die in this desolate mountain of *illustrations*, becoming the first time traveler in history to be bitten to death by a venomous snake? Having already experienced death once, Qin Lin at this moment is not afraid, but rather both amused and exasperated.
Her cherry lips slightly parted into a beautiful arc, her big eyes sparkling with innocence and cuteness, as she gazed at Qin Lin in surprise, unconsciously tugging at her grandfather's garment with her left hand
The old man stroked his grizzled beard, methodically examining his injuries while saying: "This was caused by a Qishe snake. The Qishe has a dragon-like head and tiger-like mouth, with a black body and white patterns, featuring twenty-four square markings on its sides, bead-like spots on its belly, four long fangs in its mouth, and a Buddha's fingernail on its tail. Its venom is extremely potent, and the locals refer to it as 'hundred steps down.' After biting, the wound swells and turns a purplish-black color, and the snake's venom can seal the throat upon contact with blood. In truth, there is no remedy in the world for it..."
Sitting by the small creek, I examined the injury and couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment: after just a few steps, the circulation of blood and energy accelerated, and the previously dark bruise had now turned a deep purple-black. If I had not initially bound the upper part of the injured limb with a cloth strip, wouldn't the poison have attacked my heart?
After Qin Lin was bitten by a snake, he stumbled while walking, his coarse cloth clothes being torn and swaying in the wind. From this angle, the young girl happened to see the large expanse of bare skin on his chest and abdomen, and couldn't help but be momentarily taken aback
Although not a professional clinical doctor, Qin Lin, as a forensic expert, naturally possesses basic medical knowledge. Different species of venomous snakes have different types of venom, which can be categorized into four types: hemotoxins, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, and mixed toxins. Symptoms of injury from hemotoxins include redness and swelling at the wound site, continuous bleeding, severe pain, and the surrounding skin turning a bluish color.
Indeed, "correcting the upright and dispelling the邪, dispersing wind and alleviating pain, with effects as miraculous as the divine," the old man in the black robe was not exaggerating.
The grandfather's voice was as simple and robust as the illustrations in a book, filled with a tone of affection for his granddaughter: "Yes, yes, what Qingdai said is true. The mandarin fish, its taste is as delicious as that of a pig, and consuming it is beneficial for energy, replenishing weakness, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. 'Before Xisai Mountain, the white egrets fly, the peach blossom water is rich with mandarin fish,' now is indeed the season to eat it.
Qin Lin is not a biologist and does not recognize the black-and-white striped snake that bit him. However, he deduces from the symptoms that it is a circulatory toxin. This toxin can spread to the head, neck, limbs, and lower back within hours after entering the bloodstream, causing systemic symptoms such as elevated body temperature, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, hematuria, and convulsions. If effective treatment is not administered within four hours after a snake bite, it can ultimately lead to death from heart failure or shock. This toxin can spread to the head, neck, limbs, and lower back within hours after entering the bloodstream, causing systemic symptoms such as elevated body temperature, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, hematuria, and convulsions. If effective treatment is not administered within four hours after a snake bite, it can ultimately lead to death from heart failure or shock
In fact, how could Qin Lin be considered timid? The government has offered a reward of 800 taels of silver for the capture of the White Lotus Sect's senior disciple, who is still buried in the pit! It is merely that after being bitten by a venomous snake, he became weak and fainted from not being able to catch his breath.
"Master, Miss, wait for us, in this desolate mountain wilderness..." The shouts of several people gradually approached from the road ahead
The elderly man in the dark robe was preoccupied with examining the wound, unaware that Qin Lin was unconscious. He took out a small porcelain jar from his bosom and continued to speak incessantly.
The Bodhi Ancestor approached calmly to examine Qin Lin's injuries. At first glance, the wound appeared purplish-black, with two fang marks bleeding profusely, which startled him. Upon noticing that a cloth strip was tied around the upper part of the calf to prevent the venom from reaching the heart, he observed that the blood flowing from the wound was a deep red, indicating that most of the snake venom had already been expelled. He couldn't help but nod in approval, showing a sense of commendation.
Only when the blood flowing out turned bright red and the swelling at the wound began to subside did Qin Lin bandage the injury. He loosened the upper bandage slightly to prevent ischemic necrosis of the right foot. Finally, he shouldered his burden and slowly made his way toward the small mountain village.
Strength gradually ebbed from his body, and Qin Lin endured the torment of pain every minute. The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet, with only his cries for help echoing across the desolate mountains and fields, and the increasingly violent beating of his heart striking against his eardrums. Each pulse of blood pumped from his heart made his head throb unbearably.
Qin Lin first extended his hand to scoop up clean water to wash the wound, then broke off a small section of bamboo. Enduring the excruciating pain, he used the sharp edge of the break to cut open the wound. Finally, he repeatedly pressed from the upper part of his calf towards the vicinity of the wound to expel the toxic, contaminated blood.
The elderly man in the dark robe has used the golden needle technique to extract the remaining snake venom. He carefully cleaned the golden needle and returned it to his pouch. Then, he took out a small brocade box, applied the snake medicine to the site of the snake bite, and finally bound it with a strip of cloth
The kind-hearted girl, upon seeing Qin Lin bitten by a snake and in a state of uncertainty between life and death, immediately tugged at her grandfather's sleeve and said in a tender voice: "Grandfather, please treat his wounds quickly; it looks like it must hurt a lot... Grandfather, you are the most capable, you will definitely be able to heal him, right?"
At this moment, the old man in the dark robe seemed to have completed a rather satisfying work. He stood up, clapped his hands in contentment, and with a beaming expression said to his granddaughter: "Look at how skillful your grandfather is"
Breathing has become difficult, as if each breath is insufficient to meet the body's demands. No matter how rapid or greedy the breaths are, there is always a feeling of tightness and discomfort in the chest, which is becoming increasingly severe
The patient has already received treatment, and Qing Dai's expression immediately relaxed. She circled around Qin Lin and disdainfully remarked: "This person has delicate skin and tender flesh, not at all like someone accustomed to mountain paths. Hmph, truly a coward! Just hearing the words 'no cure available' scared him into fainting. How timid! Tsk... coward!"
Qin Lin was in a daze, pondering to himself: "Have I encountered immortals, the Purple Cloud Fairy and Patriarch Bodhi?"