It was difficult not to feel distressed seeing Cong Fei, who had been so determined to survive just moments ago, now in such a state.
It also showed that the Gu poison's effect on Cong Fei was likely far more agonizing than any of them had imagined.
Dong Shuang stepped forward, had Cong Fei held down, and then inserted silver needles into his body.
She frowned slightly, her gaze serious, letting Song Chaoyu know that this task was likely not going to be easy.
As Dong Shuang worked, Cong Fei seemed to become even more pained.
He even required more people to hold him down, preventing him from struggling and allowing Dong Shuang to administer the needles.
"It's no good!"
After a moment, a fine sheen of sweat had formed on Dong Shuang's brow.
She shook her head, "My medical skills are likely insufficient. His Gu poison has already embedded itself into his bones and blood. I have two options, and I don't know which to choose!"
Cong Fei looked slightly better than before, at least his struggles were not as intense.
Mu Changxi looked at Dong Shuang, "Tell us."
Firstly, Dong Shuang stated, "I must inform everyone that although Su has only been afflicted for a few days, the Cong family patriarch's Gu poison is already extremely potent. I believe that if this poison is allowed to progress, we might not even reach Qinzhou City. Even if the poison doesn't claim the patriarch's life, it will cause him unbearable pain, rendering him unable to speak, and even losing the ability to think."
Song Chaoyu had not expected the legendary Gu poison to be so formidable.
This was why Dong Shuang felt they only had a choice between two paths.
First, she could use the available resources to forcibly extract the Gu poison from Cong Fei.
However, Dong Shuang clearly lacked confidence in this: "If my master or senior sister were here, the probability of success would be higher. But I am truly lacking in skill, and the supplies I brought are likely insufficient for me to completely remove this poison. Therefore, I can only say I will try my best, but everyone must be prepared for my failure."
Dong Shuang was not joking, and Mu Changxi's expression grew even more serious, "If you were to try, what are your chances of success?"
Dong Shuang answered truthfully, "Only twenty percent. Even if my master or senior sister were here, they would likely only have a forty to fifty percent chance. After all, Gu poison is truly too rare."
Mu Changxi understood a little more and asked, "What is the second option?"
Dong Shuang took a deep breath, "The second option is that I use the available resources to suppress the Gu poison for now. I can help the Cong family patriarch alleviate his pain, at least enough to last until we reach Qinzhou City."
However, her expression held no joy or relief, "But the method I can devise might worsen the patriarch's condition. This means the Gu poison will become deeper. Even if we find a way to remove the poison later, the patriarch will likely suffer even more during the extraction."
Temporary containment always came with a price.
Many principles in this world were like this.
Upon hearing this, those attending to Cong Fei lowered their heads in silence, despair etched on each of their faces.
Mu Changxi lowered his head and softly called Cong Fei's name, "Cong Fei, can you hear Dong Shuang? What are your thoughts?"
Cong Fei was now drenched in sweat, extremely weak.
Yet, he still slightly opened his eyes, as if responding to Mu Changxi.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but due to his sheer lack of strength, he could not utter a word.
Mu Changxi, disregarding everything else, had Song Chaoyu support him and leaned closer to Cong Fei, "Just say it."
Cong Fei's lips curved into a bitter smile, his voice extremely weak, "Since there is still a chance, let's discuss it when we reach Qinzhou. Let Dong Shuang... proceed."
Mu Changxi understood Cong Fei's intention and nodded in agreement, "I have the same thought. We don't need to worry about removing the poison later, because we must believe we can find the person who administered it. Once we have that person, the poison can naturally be removed, and Cong Fei will no longer suffer so much."
Although they all knew the consequence of this was that if they couldn't find that person, it would hasten Cong Fei's death.
But what did it matter?
They had no other path.
Dong Shuang immediately began to help Cong Fei alleviate his pain.
Looking at Cong Fei's pale face, Song Chaoyu couldn't help but shiver and said to Mu Changxi, "It seems that our journey to Qinzhou will still hold many unexpected events. I feel as if there's a net above us, ready to fall at any moment."
Mu Changxi also had this feeling.
He held Song Chaoyu's hand, "Ayu, with you here, I fear nothing."
Song Chaoyu felt the same way.
Moreover, she had not experienced death in her previous life.
Being able to return to Mu Changxi's side in this life, to have Little Monkey and such a life, she felt more than content.
However, Mu Changxi's words still brought a slight smile to Song Chaoyu's face, "I have no intention of dying. None of us will die. No matter who is behind this, we will find them."
No matter the circumstances, Song Chaoyu maintained such an optimistic attitude, which also influenced Mu Changxi.
---
Dong Shuang's actions were swift. In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Cong Fei felt the pain in his body lessen.
After a short rest, they were able to continue their journey.
Qinzhou City was not far now.
Fortunately, the rest of the journey was relatively smooth.
Tang Ming proved to be a capable guide, leading them to Qinzhou City at the fastest possible pace.
They arrived at Qinzhou City around lunchtime.
However, to their surprise, their horses were forced to stop outside the city gates of Qinzhou.
Like them, many others were also stopped there, completely blocking the entrance to Qinzhou City.
It was only after Xiao Rui approached to inquire that they learned something had happened in Qinzhou City!
The current City Guard of Qinzhou City was named "Fang You," personally appointed by the Emperor to Qinzhou City. He was originally from the capital.
This was his fifth year as the City Guard of Qinzhou City. He had always been diligent in his duties and cared for his people, earning the deep affection of the Qinzhou populace.
However, last night, he had been assassinated and died in the City Guard's mansion!
Therefore, from early this morning, the gates of Qinzhou City had been closed, and thorough investigations were being conducted throughout the city.
But those outside the city were unaware of the situation within, and rumors were rife.
Some said it was a "counterattack" launched by the remnants of the former royal Tan family of the small Qin kingdom that led to the death of Lord Fang.
Others claimed that Lord Fang was not the only one killed in the city, and that something very serious had occurred.
Still others, leaning towards the supernatural, knelt and kowtowed to the heavens at the city gates.