The two searched the tavern's main hall thoroughly, finding nothing amiss. Everything was neat and orderly, with no apparent irregularities.
However, Ye Qingcheng was more meticulous and, rather than focusing on obvious areas, proceeded to the kitchen.
The kitchen still contained some leftover fruits and vegetables, but they had become rotten and moldy due to prolonged storage.
Ye Qingcheng carefully examined them and, finding nothing out of the ordinary, moved on to the outdoor well.
If a strange illness originated from a tavern, it must be related to food and drink; otherwise, how could every customer be infected?
As Ye Qingcheng had predicted, when Xiao Wangye drew a bucket of water from the well as per her instructions, she detected something amiss in the water quality.
The water clearly contained a very subtle toxin, not common, and not lethal, but it caused people to fall ill.
The symptoms of this illness were mild. Those with weaker constitutions would react more severely upon infection.
Stronger individuals would not feel any discomfort at all.
As dusk began to fall, Ye Qingcheng took a cup of well water and temporarily left with Xiao Wangye.
To understand the origin of the pathogen, she spent the entire night researching the bacterium, not sleeping at all.
Xiao Wangye watched her with concern in his heart but ultimately did not dissuade her.
This was not only because he respected Ye Qingcheng's passion and dedication to medicine, but also because he too wished to understand the true cause of this strange illness.
As dawn broke, her research finally achieved a breakthrough!
"I know what's causing this illness!"
Ye Qingcheng exclaimed excitedly, smiling at Xiao Wangye, her eyes sparkling with intelligence, showing no signs of fatigue despite the all-night effort.
She stood up and walked towards Xiao Wangye, explaining the cause and progression of the strange illness.
The incident, it turned out, was a matter of unfortunate coincidence, as if orchestrated by fate.
The toxin in the water of the Lai Lai Tavern was originally very mild, neither fatal nor causing severe illness.
Let alone being highly contagious as it was now, or exhibiting obvious symptoms like red rashes.
This change was entirely due to the mutation of the toxin.
Those infected with this toxin at the Lai Lai Tavern would show obvious signs of weakness and fatigue if their bodies were frail. These symptoms would not attract much attention.
If someone sought medical help, most doctors would prescribe remedies to tonify qi and blood or strengthen the spirit.
A commonly used herb in such prescriptions was Long Huang.
This medicinal herb possessed extremely potent properties. Ye Qingcheng's research revealed that Long Huang mutated upon contact with the toxin.
The mutated toxin immediately became infectious. And adhering to the principle that what waxes must wane, this toxin further depleted the body, leading to death.
Under these circumstances, it had caused widespread panic.
Doctors, unaware of the source of the strange illness and unable to find a true solution, continued to prescribe the same remedies, causing the toxin to proliferate.
It had reached its peak until now, with clearly visible symptoms: red rashes!
The original form of this toxin was too mild. Even if investigated, it would be overlooked due to the differing symptoms.
If not for Ye Qingcheng's meticulousness and modern medical knowledge, knowing that viruses can easily mutate.
This culprit would likely have remained undiscovered forever.
Thinking this, Xiao Wangye and Ye Qingcheng exchanged a glance, a sense of suspicion arising simultaneously in their hearts.
Was this truly a coincidence?
A chilling feeling washed over them. They could not believe that such severe consequences could arise from a mere coincidence.
Moreover, who had administered the poison in the Lai Lai Tavern?
If they merely intended to poison people, why use such a mild toxin, and why target everyone indiscriminately?
This point sent a shiver down their spines, sensing an undercurrent of conspiracy.
Poisoning the citizens of Fengdu City was not something an ordinary person could do. Even Xiao Wangye dared not voice his thoughts.
All the clues combined suggested that the situation had become extraordinary, as if a vast net had been cast, waiting for him to fall into it.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Wangye suppressed his thoughts for the moment and asked Ye Qingcheng with a frown,
"What is our next step?"
In resolving this strange illness, as an outsider, he could only follow Ye Qingcheng's lead.
Ye Qingcheng's expression was also grim. After all, given the current development, the mutated toxin no longer possessed its original potency.
Finding a cure for the mutated toxin was not as simple as researching its original form.
"To find a cure for this poison, we need someone to test it."
Xiao Wangye was completely bewildered by this and could not offer any opinion.
Ye Qingcheng sighed and, without further detailed explanation, returned to the residence to inform the other doctors of the situation.
Given her current standing among the physicians, her word was law. Once she presented her conclusion, no one raised any objections.
"Then I shall test the poison!" exclaimed Old Physician Qi, leaning on his cane.
"Elder Qi, let us younger ones do it!" one of the doctors stepped forward.
Several other doctors immediately echoed this sentiment, all expressing their desire to test the poison.
Most of these doctors were robust young men. In terms of physical constitution, they were indeed much stronger.
Since the outbreak of the strange illness, despite considering themselves the most skilled physicians in the area, they had been unable to devise a solution.
What's more, some of them had even participated in prescribing the remedies that led to the toxin's mutation.
Under these circumstances, they were even more eager to test the poison, to atone for their mistakes.
Seeing their enthusiastic response, Ye Qingcheng's eyes welled up slightly, moved by the doctors willing to make such a noble sacrifice.
She had not even explained whether testing the poison would endanger their lives or health, yet these doctors were already eagerly volunteering, truly admirable.
However, she smiled and shook her head, refusing everyone's request.
"I understand everyone's intentions. But for this trial, I am the most suitable candidate."
Upon hearing this, the noisy hall suddenly fell silent, and all the doctors stared at Ye Qingcheng in astonishment.
She took a deep breath, her eyes conveying an unyielding resolve, and explained,
"Only by testing it myself can I clearly feel the changes the toxin undergoes within my body, and then, based on these changes, devise a corresponding antidote."
The others fell silent at her words, but their eyes unanimously conveyed agreement.
Ye Qingcheng was right. Even with the clearest explanations from others who tested it, there would inevitably be some omissions.
Given the city's critical situation, they could no longer afford to waste time on repeated experiments.