“How is it?”
Qingyao asked anxiously, reaching out to grasp Yin Xuan’s hand, forgetting all propriety at this moment.
Besides, the few subordinates in this tent knew of their relationship.
“Although Mao Xueqiu’s blood cannot fully resolve the poison, it has greatly alleviated it. This indicates that the Gu worm is being nurtured within an animal. We just haven’t found out which animal yet. However, to reduce everyone’s suffering, I suggest we immediately mix Mao Xueqiu’s blood into the water and have everyone take a small amount. Once we accurately identify the animal in which the Gu worm is harbored, taking that animal’s blood will render the poison harmless.”
“Alright, let’s do that?”
Qingyao, as if seeing a glimmer of hope, quickly raised her head and instructed Bingxiao beside her, “Fetch water from Stone City immediately.”
The water they consumed was natural river water, not the same as the water in Stone City. Fortunately, it was like this; otherwise, what would happen to the citizens?
“Yes, Marshal, your subordinate will attend to it at once.”
Bingxiao, pleased that the symptoms could be relieved, accepted the order and left. Qingyao then instructed Yin Xuan’s subordinate, “Immediately notify Lu Zhanyun and the others to gather all the infected patients together. They will take the antidote shortly to alleviate their suffering first.”
“Yes,” the two departed to notify each barracks. The entire military camp became active. The twilight glow illuminated dozens of tents. The usual liveliness was replaced by a more desolate atmosphere, with many people coming and going. Those infected with the Gu worm had ghastly pale faces, their eyes unfocused. The entire camp lacked any joy of victory; instead, it was permeated with a deathly silence.
Yin Xuan, seeing Qingyao’s pained expression, immediately took some blood from Mao Xueqiu and gave it to Qingyao.
About fifteen minutes later, the symptoms indeed lessened. Although she still felt uncomfortable, the needle-like pain was much better, and the excruciating agony was gone.
“This Gu worm is indeed nurtured within an animal.”
Qingyao recalled Wuqing. Wuqing had tested Mao Xueqiu’s blood and said that while it could neutralize all animal toxins, it could not neutralize plant-based toxins. In which animal was this Gu worm harbored?
Qingyao and Yin Xuan looked at each other, unable to fathom the answer. At this moment, a small figure rushed in from outside the tent. It was Xiao Yu’er, who had just woken up. Upon hearing about the matter, she rushed over, throwing herself before Qingyao and Yin Xuan, her face filled with anxiety as she pressed them.
“How are you? Are you feeling any better?”
Although Qingyao and Yin Xuan’s symptoms had lessened after taking Mao Xueqiu’s blood, the pain persisted, and their complexions remained terrible. Seeing their current state, Xiao Yu’er became anxious. She tugged at Qingyao’s hand and anxiously asked, “Who exactly inflicted this Gu worm? I’ll get the antidote for you. I will not spare this heartless wretch.”
As Xiao Yu’er spoke, she suddenly remembered someone. Her eyes widened abruptly. Could it be Young Master Wuqing’s father?
“It’s him? He came to Chentang Pass?”
Qingyao knew whom Xiao Yu’er was referring to and nodded immediately. Xiao Yu’er jumped up in anger. This man caused trouble wherever he went, killing his own father, killing his own son, and now he was harming her mother. How could such a person exist in this world?
“Mochou, let’s go to Chentang Pass and blow them to smithereens.”
Xiao Yu’er turned and ordered Mochou behind her. Mochou dared not respond and looked up at Qingyao. Qingyao’s pupils were as deep as the sea, and she slowly said, “You don’t need to go. I believe they will appear tonight. Hua Wenbo will surely try to catch us all in one swoop. However, I will not let his plan succeed. Tonight, we will use the strategy of ‘trapping the rabbit in its burrow.’ If they dare to come, we will dare to catch them and see who ultimately wins.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Yu’er nodded. Qingyao looked up at Mochou and softly commanded, “Immediately relay my message to General An Dingfeng to release the news that all ten thousand soldiers of Xian Yue have been poisoned.”
“Alright.”
Mochou accepted the order and left. Inside the tent, Yin Xuan’s dark pupils were like the sea as he gazed fixedly at Qingyao, his eyes brimming with concern.
“You should rest for a while, don’t overexert yourself.”
“I’m fine,” Qingyao shook her head. Seeing the soldiers afflicted by the Gu worm made her heart feel as if it were being roasted on an oil pan. As long as she could cure their affliction, she would not let Hua Wenbo go. She had come to the Danfeng Kingdom precisely to kill this man and retrieve the Hua Jiang Mi Ang.
In the main tent, Qingyao sat by the bed, looking at the generals lined up below. These were the generals who had not been infected, while those who were infected had already been accommodated in the barracks.
“How are things? Have the soldiers improved after taking the antidote?”
Qingyao asked with concern. An Dingfeng, leading the group, stood up respectfully and cupped his fists in reply, “Please rest assured, Marshal. Everyone is much better. Although the poison is not fully resolved, the Gu worms are no longer as active, so they are not suffering as much.”
“Mm, that’s good.”
Qingyao nodded. As long as everyone was fine, she would be relieved. Due to the suffering from the Gu worm and the effort and worry, her complexion appeared very pale. An Dingfeng spoke with concern, “Marshal, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Qingyao shook her head. Thinking that the one hundred thousand men still had no water to drink, she felt anxious. It seemed that their attack on Chentang Pass could not be delayed. Once they entered Chentang Pass, everything would be resolved.
However, the disparity between enemy and our forces was too great. She wondered how many men Hua Wenbo would bring tonight, likely not a small number. After all, they had one hundred thousand troops, plus tens of thousands from Stone City, totaling over a hundred thousand.
Tonight, they must strike a decisive blow, defeating them utterly. If they could achieve victory tonight, then once the poison was resolved, they could break through Chentang Pass.
Qingyao considered the situation and finally frowned, issuing an order, “Immediately order people to dig for water in the damp low-lying areas. For today, we will make do, and everyone must persevere a little longer.”
“Yes,” a参将 (canjiang - a military officer) immediately accepted the order and went to carry it out.
In the tent, An Dingfeng and several generals respectfully looked at the Marshal. They were unsure of the Marshal’s next course of action. Qingyao narrowed her eyes slightly. The thin veil conspicuously covered her face, concealing her expression, but her eyes revealed a cold and dangerous glint.
“General An, immediately move all personnel out of this tent. The movements must be cautious. Tonight, I fear someone might try to sneak attack us. Why don’t we set a trap and achieve victory in one go? If these people are allowed to come and go today, Chentang Pass will surely be breached tomorrow, and our water source will no longer be a problem.”
As her voice fell, An Dingfeng and the others immediately stood up and calmly accepted the order, “Yes, Marshal. You rest assured, we will handle this matter properly.”
“Mm, go.”
Qingyao waved her hand and closed her eyes wearily, leaning back on the cushion to rest. Steady footsteps sounded at the tent entrance. She didn’t move, sensing a familiar presence and knowing it was Yin Xuan. Without opening her eyes, she softly asked, “Your Gu worm hasn’t been resolved yet. You should rest properly.”