Chapter 4, Detoxification

In fact, my cheeks have already turned bright red

His sudden silence surprised me a bit, yet I did not know what to say. This person is truly peculiar, disliking conversation, as cold as an ice man

Emotionlessly, I slowly closed my eyes. My fingers deftly manipulated the needles, first sealing several critical acupoints, then blocking the meridians to suppress the spread of the potent poison. Next, I inserted the silver needles into other acupoints to expel the toxin.

The next day, he rose early as usual, taught Hao'er swordsmanship, and after breakfast, he immediately set out, saying he would return later, instructing Hao'er not to go up the mountain. I did not know the purpose of his outing, and felt a bit worried. Anxiously waiting until the afternoon, he still had not returned, but instead, a group of uninvited guests arrived.

He is not handsome, yet his appearance exudes a generous aura, with a hint of aloofness, a touch of sharpness, and a measure of heroism. While he may not be stunning, he becomes increasingly intriguing upon closer inspection. He is certainly no ordinary person, and he should have some inkling about the black-clad assailants.

When did I say that I am a swordsman

"So, have you guessed my identity?" I glanced at him sideways, trying to discern something from his face

He blinked blankly, "The hidden weapon struck squarely in the back."

I understand a little. I untied the silver needle pouch from my waist and placed it on the couch. His gaze shifted to the silver needle pouch, seemingly filled with doubt. I gently instructed, "Close your eyes, relax, and just pretend you are asleep."

The moon is bright and the wind is gentle, the stars shift and the constellations rotate, and the chirping of summer insects grows increasingly loud

At that time, Hao'er was practicing swordsmanship in front of the house, and I was watching from the side. As the sword blade swung, my emotions became increasingly chaotic

I was slightly taken aback; he is indeed formidable, able to deduce my identity and that of Hao'er. How did he manage to guess?

Do you understand medicine? His voice was low and muffled

What if I don't go with you

His steps were slightly unsteady, and he walked with great difficulty, devoid of emotion. I wanted to step forward and support him, but given his temperament, he would likely resent my kindness

Zhao Xian, you are despicable

"Trust me, I will detoxify." I said urgently, as there was no time left to explain too much.

Speaking with such a person can be summed up in one word: exhausting

Hao'er shook his head vigorously, "But I don't want to leave my master"

Life and death are determined by fate. Wu Qing slightly opened his eyes, his lips dark purple and nearly black.

After much toil, I am so exhausted that I feel dizzy. It is strange; no matter how tired I am, I shouldn't feel dizzy!

Silence

Sweat beads the size of mung beans oozed from his forehead, and he seemed to doubt my actions, asking, "What are you doing?"

I exclaimed in shock, "Toxic, do not touch."

Half an hour later, he vomited a considerable amount of dark, poisonous blood, the dark blue on his face faded, and the purple on his lips was no longer seen.

In an instant, darkness descended upon me like a tidal wave, and I closed my eyes

"The residual poison has not been cleared, how can you take drugs for me?" I exclaimed in exasperation. His poison upon poison, I fear, will make it even more difficult to detoxify. My medical skills are not exceptional, and I have rarely practiced them. This time, to detoxify him, I truly have little confidence.

Hao'er obediently sat to the side, not disturbing me. Suddenly, he picked up a concealed weapon, looking left and right, and asked, "Mother, what is this?"

When I opened my eyes, my right calf was numb and painful. I struggled to prop myself up and saw a merciless creature sucking on my calf, spitting out a mouthful of black venom, then sucking again, then spitting again. Could it be that I was bitten by a venomous snake

Zhao Xian wants me to return, what is the purpose? Is it to once again offer myself to King Qin and act as his insider? Or is it to forcibly keep us in Zhao, making Hao'er a hostage of the Qin state remaining in Zhao?

The voice, cold and heavy, spoke slowly and with difficulty, "The iron caltrop is often used on the battlefield, scattered on the ground to hinder the enemy's movements"

Wuqing suddenly asked: "Your medical skills are exquisite; who is your master?"

Indifferently, a conclusion was drawn: "Not bad in skills, merely a lackey."

Zhao Dexiao said with a smile: "As long as you go with us, whether he lives or dies is of no concern to me"

A cold tone, an irrefutable manner of speaking

By the way, it is the iron thorn

"What is there to guess? Ying Hao, Mei Ji." He gazed ahead, uttering two names softly yet firmly.

I will definitely not let you die I said stubbornly

I nodded, took his hand, and walked towards Zhao De, then got into the carriage and left the bamboo cottage in the mountains.

He is very strange tonight, why does every sentence feel like a stab? Why is he treating me this way? When did I offend him? It is truly baffling

If I do not return to the residence with Zhao De, Zhao Xian will certainly send someone to pursue me. How long can I hide? I can evade capture for the first day, but not for the fifteenth. Even if Wu Qing is willing to risk his life for us, Zhao Xian's pursuers will relentlessly pursue us. I cannot involve Wu Qing in this danger. Furthermore, even if I part ways with Wu Qing, Zhao Xian will still dispatch people to chase after him. Although Wu Qing may save his life, his peaceful days of seclusion will come to an end because of me, and I will still be the one to have implicated him.

The master said that the hour of the Rat is the most suitable time for detoxification. At this time, all is quiet and serene, making it ideal for absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, as well as the essence of the sun and moon. A person who is poisoned should lie naked in the wilderness; the vital energies of the sun and moon can counteract some of the toxic gases within the body. Additionally, by applying acupuncture to guide the process, the toxic liquid can flow out, thereby expelling most of the toxins. However, it is essential to be completely naked, without any covering; otherwise, the consequences could range from stiffness in the lower limbs to death on the spot.

I pulled back Hao'er and said, biting my lip: "Hao'er and I can return to the Marquis's residence with you, but you must not harm a single hair on him"

Are you wondering how I guessed your identities? The cold gaze turned to me, its sharpness piercing through the heart.

Without a sword, can one still be considered a swordsman

He remained silent, gazing at the vast galaxy, his expression calm

"You were bitten by a venomous snake, and you didn't even know!" He had already put on his robe, wiped his lips with his sleeve, and glared at me with raised eyes

Perhaps just now, when I was focused on pushing the palace and changing the blood for you... I vaguely recall a pain in my calf, as if I had been stung by something, "The poison on you..."

Suddenly, he collapsed softly onto the grass in front of the house. I hurried forward to steady him, but he pushed me away.

That evening, I stood in front of the house watching Hao'er chop wood, contemplating the sudden arrival of the men in black

In the woods not far from the bamboo house, weeds are rampant, and the grass is soft, still usable.

With my body lifted off the ground, he carried me in his arms and walked towards the bamboo house

The master mentioned the iron thorn to me, but unfortunately, I have never seen it, and I would not recognize it even if I did. This concealed weapon has a sharp tip resembling a "thorn," hence the name "iron thorn." In recent decades, some individuals with malicious intent have used the iron thorn as a concealed weapon, coating it with deadly poison, causing countless harm. The poison used is extracted from venomous creatures, such as scorpion venom, snake venom, centipede venom, toad venom, and others, resulting in a highly toxic mixture that is astonishingly lethal, with only poison makers possessing the antidote.

Hao'er said anxiously, "Mother, I will not go with them"

Heartless, never to meet again

"Return to the Qin State?" His words were concise and powerful.

Even if his voice is weak and lacking in strength, even if he is too feeble to resist, his gaze remains chillingly cold.

Please go ahead and tell me.

Therefore, there is only one possibility: Zhao State, Zhao Chenghou, Zhao Xian

He is truly a strange person ... I did not pay much attention to it; perhaps he is wondering who I am, why I possess such medical skills, or perhaps he is grateful that I saved his life

Perhaps you are not a swordsman, but your swordsmanship has already reached the pinnacle of perfection

"Are you thinking about those men in black?" A gentle voice suddenly echoed in my ears. I did not notice when, but Ruthless had already stood beside me.

The cold voice said: "I will escort you back to the Qin State"

My thoughts drift away, from the moment I woke up until tonight, every event, every moment, every detail, without exception, except for the name of Hao Er, he knows nothing, how could he possibly guess my identity? Could it be that he learned it from the mouth of the man in black?

Coldly interrupting me, pulling me up, "There is no need to worry about me, isn't it better to fight poison with poison?"

How can it not be extracted? The master has said that any kind of deadly poison in the world can be extracted, as long as the poison has not yet attacked the heart. Moreover, the stronger the poison, the more difficult it is to extract; given enough time, death is inevitable.

During the time we spent together, I realized that he is quite arrogant

Here for you

His complexion was dark blue, and his lips were a deep purple. I was greatly alarmed, and without considering anything else, I grasped his hand, pressing my fingers against his pulse, listening intently. "You have been poisoned, what happened? Were the swords of those men in black poisoned?"

After a while, I asked again: "As a swordsman, where is your sword?"

The lord has a message for you. The lord said: If you do not wish to return, I will not force you. If you desire to live a stable and peaceful life, I will naturally not hinder you. However, as for the swordsman who saved you, wherever he escapes to, I will send someone to pursue him.

Unfeelingly, he said: "Annoying"

My emotions are in turmoil, as Zhao Xian unexpectedly threatens me with a ruthless command

He furrowed his brows, suppressing something, "I am fine"

More than twenty uninvited guests arrived, dressed in an uncommon manner. The leader, over forty years of age, possessed remarkable skills. Even after a lapse of twelve years, I still recognized him, Zhao De, the steward of the Zhao Chenghou's residence.

The body is lean and toned, yet bears multiple scars, all of which are old wounds accumulated over the years, possibly remnants of the "battles" fought through the passage of time.

He responded with a smile, crossed his arms, and did not intend to pay attention to my sarcasm, nor did he pursue the matter further

Is it true

As the hour of the Rat approaches, the three of us arrive at this place. Hao'er stands in front to keep watch. I am worried that the time will pass, so I quickly remove my unfeeling robe. When I reach the last piece of clothing that covers my shame, he suddenly opens his eyes in a daze and grips my wrist, asking, "What are you doing?"

He sat on the couch in the room, I removed the hidden weapon, instructed Hao'er to boil water, and then began to take off his black robe, but my wrist was caught by him

I intentionally pricked him, "Are indifferent and heartless people also interested in such trivial skills?"

This person is truly unaware of what is good for them, wasting my good intentions. I feigned anger and said: "I worked so hard to save your life, how can you be so careless?"

The sound of chaotic footsteps approached, and as I looked up, I was taken aback. Hao'er also noticed this group of robust uninvited guests, she retracted her sword's momentum and came to my side, standing protectively in front of me, "Mother, who are they?"

I examined his back, and indeed, a strangely shaped iron hidden weapon was embedded in it. The area around the wound had turned black, and the deadly poison had already begun to spread

"The world is so vast, where can I not go?"

First, he administered the injection to prevent the spread of the toxic gas, allowing Hao'er to watch him, and then he went out in search of a suitable thicket.

I administered the acupuncture precisely, targeting the soles of the feet, the crown of the head, the chest, and the back, and fortunately, it coincided with the hour of the Rat

If Meng Tianyu did not bring back Mei Ji and Prince Hao, how would he report it? Would he say that they accidentally fell off a cliff? Regardless of the explanation, it would all boil down to the word "accident." Perhaps the King of Qin would not fully believe Meng Tianyu's account, and it is also possible that the King of Qin would send people to investigate discreetly. Moreover, those men in black did not reveal their identities, and they were certainly not sent by the King of Qin.

I never expected that a casual remark from Hao'er would lead him to deduce our identities

The more I think about it, the more terrifying it becomes, the more I think about it, the more my heart trembles, but can I refuse? Can I escape?

Here for you

Do you know what I am thinking? I smiled slightly to the side

Hao'er was so frightened that he let go of his hand, "Mother, this strange hidden weapon, I feel like I have seen it somewhere before." He tilted his head and thought for a moment, "That's right, once I saw Young Master Yonghe and the general discussing this kind of hidden weapon, I remember now, it is called 'Iron Thorn'."

The uninvited guest stood before us, both parties in confrontation, silent and unspoken

I was so astonished that I could not speak; he was actually able to guess my thoughts. Aside from admiration, I did not know what else to say. However, my mind was made up, and I said: "In any case, Hao'er and I cannot stay here any longer; you should find another place to settle down."

Ah, by the way, the iron thorn. When Hao'er mentioned the iron thorn, he referred to Young Master Yong, who is the third son of King Wu and is known for his ruthless methods in the world today. To be able to recognize Young Master Yong, one must be extraordinary. Moreover, not long ago, the coalition forces of the Three Kingdoms destroyed Wu, thus it is certain that Hao'er is indeed Ying Hao, who was held as a hostage in the state of Wu.

After being busy for quite a while, I was drenched in cold sweat, yet the deadly poison within him could not be expelled at all

Is it really necessary to detoxify in this way? His eyes blinked a few times, seemingly embarrassed

"To detoxify you." I broke free from his grasp, deliberately ignoring the flush of my cheeks and the racing of my heart, as I pulled his black robe down to his waist

Coldly closing your eyes, there is no longer any need for you to waste words with me

I blinked, gazing at every blade of grass and tree under the cover of night, feeling an unexpected reluctance in my heart. "Tomorrow morning, I will take Hao'er away."

I whispered in Hao'er’s ear: "If we stay here, they will kill your master. Hao'er, do you want your master to die?"

Zhao De chuckled, "With your keen and perceptive heart, how could you not know the purpose of my visit?"

I have a mind to probe and ask: "Have you had any encounters with those men in black? What have you discovered?"

I do not wish to implicate anyone, nor can I evade Zhao Xian's watchful eyes and pursuit

The deadly poison on the iron thorn, if there is no antidote, there is only one method to detoxify

Moments later, Zhao Dehang approached me and smiled, saying: "After many years, Mei Ji's charm remains undiminished, truly deserving of the title of the unparalleled beauty of our time"

Returning to the bamboo house, Hao'er rushed inside to pour tea for his master

Those men in black are likely not here for Wu Qing. If they were here for him, there would be no need to capture me and Hao'er. So, who wants to capture me and Hao'er? Is it the State of Qin? The King of Qin? Or perhaps the Queen of Qin? Or one of the ladies? However, the men in black do not seem to want to take our lives, while the Queen of Qin and any of the ladies would wish for me to be left to die in the wilderness, never to return to Qin. Therefore, it is possible that the men in black were sent by the King of Qin.

Hao'er stepped forward with a sword, exuding an imposing presence, and said with righteous indignation: "My mother and I will not go with you. Leave at once, otherwise, when my master returns, you will meet your end here"

You flatter me

I coldly declined, "No need."

I sat down in despair, deep in thought, pondering what poison had been infused into the hidden weapon

I am under the orders of the Marquis to take you and Ying Hao back to the Marquis' residence, where the Marquis has his own arrangements.

"Hao'er has mentioned Young Master Wu Yong, so it is not surprising that you deduce our identities from this." I feigned indifference.

I have not yet considered this question, but I will know by tomorrow morning. A bright smile appeared on my lips, "You have guessed our identities, and you should also know that I cannot stay here forever, nor can Hao'er."

Your master cannot see us, so he will come down from the mountain to find us

No one has ever held me like this, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment, I exclaimed: "Put me down."

Hao Er's face showed no fear, holding a silver sword, his gaze sharp as a blade. I grabbed him, "They will not harm us."

I looked at that concealed weapon, star-shaped, with four iron spikes, approximately three inches long. I have never seen such a concealed weapon before. What kind of concealed weapon is this

Emotionlessly, he asked: "Where to?"

He released his arms, turned around, and returned to the room, but a weighty statement followed, "Three days later, I will send you away."

I said with a smile, "You have gone through countless hardships to find this place; it cannot be that you came here specifically to praise me, can it?"

I have thought about it, and of course, you would think about it too. His hair remained disheveled, and being so close, I could clearly see his bright black eyes and his resolute and upright face.

If you are leaving because you are worried about implicating me, I will not let Hao'er leave just like that; if it is for another reason, I will not stop you. The voice was lazy, and the cold tone changed very quickly.

After the matter of detoxification, I noticed a change in his attitude. Although he remained taciturn and his expression was still indifferent, the corners of his mouth often curved upwards, and his gaze softened. Sometimes I noticed his eyes resting on me, which was different from before. I deliberately raised my gaze suddenly, and at the moment we made eye contact, his expression changed abruptly, and he hurriedly averted his eyes

Must a swordsman carry a sword

I was taken aback, why is he so resolute? Why does he insist on escorting us back to Qin? Is he worried that we might encounter unforeseen circumstances on the journey?

I can almost be certain that it is him; after twelve years, he still remembers his schemes

Then, I performed a palace exchange for him.

After taking the medicine for three days, the residual poison in my body has been cleared, and the venom from the snake has also been neutralized

"It must be done this way, for this is a unique medical skill," I declared firmly, closing my eyes as I tore away his last piece of clothing