Chapter 146 – Treatment Plan
He Xi pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Nangong Yu's illness, how old was he when this began to attack?"
Qing Long promptly replied, "This illness has accompanied Master since he began to successfully cultivate spiritual power, and he became able to draw vital energy into his body. Every seventh day, of the seventh month, it will flare up, attacking the blood throughout his body and causing it to freeze, while his meridians become stiff and frail. This situation lasts for three days, and only then does it slowly improve, so that by the fifth day, Master will be completely restored like usual."
Hearing what Qing Long said, He Xi's face slightly revealed her surprise. Turning her head, she looked all around the room, then said, "Every year when Nangong Yu's illness flares, does he use a strong Yang object to suppress the Cold Poison in his body?"
She pointed at the steam rising and curling out from a high quality fire crystal stone, "Not this thing or Yuan Yang Fruit; these aren't enough by far to suppress the Cold Poison in his body."
"How did you know?" Qing Long blurted out, his face full of surprise as an enthusiastic light burst in his eyes, "Yes, every year when it nears the seventh month, Master will enter the Flame Cave for seclusion. Only the Yang from the Flame Cave is able to suppress the cold energy in Master's body."
Qing Long was just about to explain why Nangong Yu hadn't yet entered the Flame Cave, but noticed He Xi nodding, the realisation on her face as she said, "I've heard about the Flame Cave. Located in the centre of the cave, there is Heavenly Yang Fire, it is said that it's able to entirely burn all living things on the world. If it's the Flame Cave, then it would indeed be possible to suppress Nangong Yu's Cold Poison."
Of course, this wasn't what she had heard, rather, she knew all this from before, when she had read the All Living Things Record.
"But…" He Xi frowned, her expression slowly becoming complex as she looked at Nangong Yu on the bed, "The fire element in the Flame Cave is violent and extreme, even to Nangong Yu's body. After entering for so long the body will start to suffer from irreversible damage. Therefore, for him to enter the Flame Cave, it is necessary his body is in peak condition, or else he would be unable to bear the intense Yang fire, but in order to save me he…"
This guy, in order to save her…did he go so far because he didn't treasure his life? However, they're both just strangers coming together by chance, so why? What did he really want?
The expressions on her face continuously changed between guilt and gratefulness, while there was even one of heartache. When she started feeling doubt, for a moment she even forgot to maintain the water spiritual power, causing her to nearly be unable to stand the impact from the heatwave.
Qing Long's face revealed his rapture. His eyes no longer glared at He Xi with condemnation and doubt, rather, they were full of hope.
He repeatedly nodded as he said, "What Princess said is true, every year near the seventh month, Master will enter seclusion, adjusting his cultivation base and strength to be the best they can be. Once the seventh day arrives, he withdraws to the Flame Cave. Outsiders think it's for seclusion, but just as princess said, every time Master leaves the Flame Cave, the injuries to his meridians and dantian increase. Each year we all worry for Master, wondering if he'll be able to hold on or not."
Pausing for a while, he then slowed his voice and asked in a whisper, "Princess, do you have a treatment method?"
He Xi didn't answer, instead, she lightly tapped the bed with her finger as she pondered.
After a long while, she frowned and said, "For now, I'm unable to think of a method to solve the root of the problem, but I have a plan to temporarily alleviate his illness. We just need to make it like he's cultivating in the Flame Cave to get him through this difficult time."
"But this plan is only an idea. I've never implemented it on other patients, and my treatment plan is completely different of that from your doctor, so I'll leave it up to you all to decide if you're willing to follow it or not."
Chapter 147 – I Will Definitely Cure You
Qing Long promptly asked, "May I ask Princess to describe the details of the treatment plan?"
He Xi nodded, then listed out a series of herb names, "Jade Marrow Mushroom, Seven Red Cloud Lotus, Heavenly Spirit Fruit, Yin Congeal Grass…you only need to find these herbs, that would do."
Qing Long's face immediately showed doubt when he heard what was said, "Yin Congeal Grass has an extremely strong cold attribute, if it's taken alone, taking too much can cause the Cold Poison to flare in an ordinary martial artist and they would lose their life. Currently Master's Cold Poison has flared up, how can you…"
He Xi lifted her eyes, her gaze indifferent as she looked at him and lightly laughed, "I that said my treatment plan is different compared to other doctors, so the medicinal ingredients I use will also be different. If you don't have any confidence in it, you may refuse to employ it."
Qing Long startled, momentarily hesitant as he requested, "Please allow this subordinate to discuss this with the others."
He Xi nodded, "You had best decide as soon as possible though, with Nangong Yu's condition it cannot be delayed. In another six hours, I can't be certain that I'll be able to save his life."
With anxiousness on his face, Qing Long's figure flashed as he instantly disappeared from the room.
Now, only Nangong Yu and He Xi remained in the room resembling a sauna.
He Xi quietly looked at the unconscious Nangong Yu, and after a moment of hesitation, she couldn't help but extend her hand, softly caressing his face.
Nangong Yu's slender eyebrows arched gracefully towards his temples, while the bridge of his nose is high and straight. He has thin and finely shaped lips, and long eyelashes that gently fluttered, casting faint silhouettes against his cheeks.
His skin is snow white, almost transparent, and under his thin skin it is almost possible to see faint blue-green veins, his aura fragile yet beautiful. Hexi will always remember that when those ink black eyes were open, they looked at all lands under heaven with arrogance, displaying a willfulness to all. How they burned like fire, with serene and hidden depths.
"Nangong Yu, the cold Yin object, was it your own blood?" She softly whispered in his ear, "You and I obviously only met by chance, so why do you go to such lengths for me?"
From when she was a child till now, if anyone around her was good to her, it was in order to take advantage of her. Squeezing her for everything she was worth.
So much so that finally, the partner who had braved fire and water with her, who had risked life and limb with her countless times, Lengye, betrayed her.
Such experiences had caused He Xi unable to believe anyone, unable to open her heart and accept anyone.
However, Nangong Yu's conduct and deeds were making her originally sealed heart crack. On one hand, she wants to believe him, while on the other hand, she is afraid she is being taken advantage of.
"In any case, I will definitely cure you!" He Xi murmured, "Even if it was just you being kind, I will definitely will cure your illness completely."
In fact, Nangong Yu's current condition isn't that severe, so she is utterly certain that she can use ordinary prescriptions to suppress what ails him.
Unfortunately, what made He Xi afraid, is that she had used countless methods to check Nangong Yu's body, but she still couldn't find the source of the cold energy within him.
Obviously there is no source, and also no sign of poison, but with the passage of time his body is gradually becoming colder, so much so that even his dantian is slowly showing signs of freezing. This caused He Xi to feel puzzled.
Apparently she wouldn't be able to find the cause of Nangong Yu's illness in such a short amount of time, so currently the only thing to do is alleviate his symptoms, putting the discussion on hold until later and helping him pass this stage first.
Qing Long went outside to inform Wu Xin and the others the details of He Xi's diagnoses, and her proposed treatment plan.
Chapter 148 – Sacrificing Your Lives
As he finished speaking, Zhu Que who had just rushed over, let out a sharp protest, "Qing Long, is there something wrong with your head? Yin Congeal Grass is a cold Yin plant! That slut wants to use Yin Congeal Grass and deliberately harm Master's life, yet you believe her?!"
Zhu Que's voice became sluggish, then she abruptly shouted loudly, "I can't cure Master's illness, but my Teacher can. She's a third generation Elder of the Doctors Association, any incurable disease will completely recover by her hands. As long as we invite my Teacher to come here, she will certainly be able to cure Master!"
As Zhu Que's voice faded, Wu Xin raised his hand, and a sudden attack of strong wind knocked her to the ground.
Zhu Que cut a sorry figure as she tumbled about, a trickle of blood flowing from a corner of her mouth. Her complexion was deathly pale as she glared at the people around her, her cold eyes containing fierce anger and hatred.
Wu Xin coldly snorted, his sword-like gaze thrust towards her, "Zhu Que, don't forget our oath! Anyone who leaks Master's condition is committing an act of betrayal, suffering heaven's punishment. Even if the person you leaked it to is your Teacher, it's still the same!"
Zhu Que's body trembled under the force of Wu Xin's power. When she remembered that she was now only so weak because of that slut Nalan He Xi, the resentment in her heart fiercely blazed, burning ever more vigorously.
"You're all a group of idiots! To actually be played with by an unknown woman and run around in circles, it's clear that my Teacher's ability is the one thing that will most likely be able to make Master recover, and yet none of you believe in me or my Teacher, instead believing in that slut." Zhu Que sneered as she laughed loudly, her face distorting with a sinister smile. Coupled with the scars on her face, it looked terrible and ugly, "In this case, this slut can't cure Master's illness, no! Instead this slut wants to make Master take Yin Congeal Grass, so she clearly wants to kill Master…if Master suffers a mishap because of your decision, then you will all be at fault! You will all have to apologize by sacrificing your lives for your offences!!"
Qing Long and the others looked at each other in dismay, their expressions revealing their indecision.
After all, if He Xi harboured malicious intentions, it's likely her treatment will harm Nangong Yu's life; but if they didn't use He Xi's treatment plan, they were still helpless.
Did they really need to request help from the Doctors Association? That would be introducing a potential source of future trouble, and if Master was awake, he definitely wouldn't approve of this decision.
In the end, what should they do?
"You said that if I can't cure Nangong Yu, they must sacrifice their lives; so then if I can cure him?" Suddenly, a clear and distinct woman's voice sounded from inside the door, causing everyone to immediately look towards the direction the voice came from.
Before their eyes, He Xi, disguised as a youth, unhurriedly walked out from inside the room. Although she is wearing men's clothes, without anything else to disguise her appearance, all it took was one glance for everyone to be able to see that she is clearly a woman.
Her exquisite, snow white skin glistened under the sunshine, and her hair is moist due to perspiration, causing some of it to stick to her cheeks and border her picturesque features. With her bright eyes and white teeth, it made her resemble a fairy born amongst the dawn mist, so beautiful that it stunned and dazzled everyone.
Everyone's heart became distracted as they looked at her, secretly thinking; no wonder the always cold hearted and emotionless Master treats Miss Nalan differently compared to anyone else.
Chapter 149 – Make A Bet
But when Zhu Que saw He Xi looking this way, she could only feel the jealousy in her heart burning. Her glaring eyes resembled a dead fish's eyes as they protruded out, and as she fiercely focused on He Xi, the scars on her face kept trembling.
Sucking in a deep breath, she spoke in a stern voice, "Nalan He Xi, I haven't asked what vicious thoughts you have in mind, but since Master's Cold Poison has flared up and you want to use Yin Congeal Grass on him, you clearly want to harm Master's life. Don't think your flowery words that can deceive Qing Long and the others can fool me, I'm a fifth rank doctor acknowledge by the Doctors Association. With just your three legged cats ability, you dare to say that you're more powerful than me!"
He Xi sneered, her gaze as she looked at Zhu Que full of contempt and disdain, "Such big talk Zhu Que. You should wait until you've healed the scars on your face before you say that to me again."
The expression on Zhu Que's face abruptly stiffened, and she subconsciously covered her face with a hand.
From the moment she saw Master carrying this slut back, she had forgotten everything else, her mind muddled by her burning jealousy. For a while she didn't have the time to care about the veil on her face falling off, but now, thinking of other people seeing her ugly appearance, fear started to appear in her eyes.
For a woman like Zhu Que who wished to appear beautiful to everyone, her appearance meant everything to her. She especially feared appearing so ugly like this in front of Master.
Zhu Que's features twisted, the expression in her eyes full of hostility as she looked at He Xi, "Slut, you…"
"You haven't yet realized that the scar on your face is growing bigger and turning blacker?" He Xi indifferently interrupted her, "To tell you the truth, one day that scar will spread to cover your whole face, emitting an unpleasant smell, ahh…it must feel wonderful, but aren't you a fifth rank doctor? I believe that you will certainly be able to cure it."
Zhu Que's eyes suddenly widened with her alarm, incredulousness filling her face. No! She totally didn't believe He Xi's words, there is no such poison in this world, but…but the way this slut said it, as if she was making a solemn vow, what if by chance it was true?
He Xi ignored Zhu Que's panic, instead restraining her expression as she said, "Let's return back to the point, about how I can use Yin Congeal Grass and the other medicines I mentioned, making Nangong Yu awaken and helping him get through his illness this time."
"Impossible!" Zhu Que blurted out, "Yin Congeal Grass is extremely cold, it will only increase Master's symptoms. How could cure you Master's illness?"
"Oh, then since you don't believe me, how about we make a bet?"
He Xi gently played with the jade ornament hanging at her waist, smirking as she said, "If I can't awaken Nangong Yu, I'll accept your punishment."
Zhu Que promptly raised her voice and roared, "If you can't cure Master, I shall cut your face and use poison to corrode the skin all over your body!!"
A sword-like coldness flashed in He Xi's eyes, and she slowly said, "I have no hesitations to agreeing, but…what if I cure Nangong Yu?"
Zhu Que blanked for a moment, then sneered as she coldly laughed, "Using these medicines you've listed you will absolutely be unable to awaken Master, you're just raving like a lunatic. If you're truly able to cure Master, I will discard my cultivation base and henceforth no longer be a doctor. Will this do?"
He Xi faintly smiled, and no longer paying attention to Zhu Que, she turned around and looked at Qing Long, "Immediately prepare the medicines I've asked for."
Chapter 150 – Dried Up Spiritual Plants
Qing Long looked hesitant, before he frowned and said, "Princess, there is something this subordinate forgot to tell you, but about preparing those herbs, there may be some difficulties."
"Ah?" He Xi raised her eyebrows, revealing her surprise. Those medicines were just common spiritual plants, only the Yin Congeal Grass is a fourth grade herb. Although it's considered precious, based on the Hell King Manor's wealth and influence, how could they not get it?
Qing Long glanced at her with a complex expression in his eyes, "Yesterday and last night, it appears that all the spiritual plants in the city were sucked dry, causing them to wither and die. Even the spiritual plants stored in jade boxes were not spared, especially all those stalks of Yin Congeal Grass. Although it's only a fourth grade spiritual plant, it belong to a rare species, so we really don't know where to find it."
He Xi startled, suddenly recalling that along the way when she came here, all the places she passed were indeed without any green, so actually…all the spiritual plants are dead.
Seeing He Xi frown, Zhu Que at once laughed loudly, "So as it turns out, you knew that all the spiritual plants had withered, and were only trying play me with this bet. You knew your method was unachievable, so you deliberately made a show of being earnest, as if you were actually taking things seriously. Slut, can you not be so shameless? Don't think that just because all the spiritual plants have withered that you don't have to fulfil our bet, I will still destroy your face!"
Qing Long and the others frowned as they listened, feeling that Zhu Que has already gone insane. In order to settle her grudge with He Xi, she was even ignoring Master's safety.
Bai Hu suddenly spoke, "Zhu Que, doesn't your Teacher have a portable medicine garden? That's a heaven and earth treasure, so the herbs inside were surely spared of having their spiritual energy sucked away. You should quickly ask her for several kinds of herbs, perhaps it's not too late!"
"For what reason?!" Zhu Que screamed, and then continued hysterically, "Why should I help this slut? If we want to cure Master, we only need to invite my Teacher to come! Even if I'm dead I will still refuse to help this slut!"
After hearing Zhu Que's rant, Qing Long, Wu Xin, and the other's glared at her with barely contained fury.
Regardless of the bet's result between her and Nalan He Xi, this type of Zhu Que absolutely mustn't stay in Hell King Manor. Once Master awakens, we'll see how he punishes her.
He Xi however looked calmly at Qing Long, saying, "Take me to see the Manor's medicine garden."
Qing Long startled, astonishment on his face, "Princess, the spiritual plants in the medicine garden have all died, not even a single stalk remains."
He Xi shallowly laughed, then slowly said, "What I want to see are the dead spiritual plants."
In this world, dead spiritual plants didn't have any value. This is why they used jade boxes to pack spiritual plants for business transactions, because once a spiritual plant withers, it's spiritual energy disappears. If you tried to refine pills with them, they wouldn't be able to mix with the other ingredients or withstand the heat needed to temper the pills, so they naturally didn't have any effect.
But He Xi is different, she wanted those spiritual plants to use like traditional Chinese medicines. For the so called traditional Chinese medicine, in order for long term preservation, it can be preserved through the processing of drying. If it's withered, it doesn't affect the effectiveness of the medicines at all.
Zhu Que eagerly wished to see He Xi's humiliation once she failed. Hehe, she had better be aware!
The medicine garden in Hell King Manor is very large. Moreover, because there was a spiritual formation placed around it, the spiritual energy had been extremely rich.
But at this moment, the field is barren; all the plants had withered and become ashes. The crystal stones strategically placed for the spiritual formation had also lost their spiritual energy, turning into dust.
He Xi sighed, "How could this be?"
As she met Qing Long's conflicted gaze, he said, "Princess, do you really not remember what happened last night?"