The medicine melted in his mouth, flowing down his throat and into his stomach. His stomach fluids churned, bringing a fresh scent, like a mix of osmanthus and tea, back into his mouth. The taste spread instantly, dancing on his taste buds.
Hui Jingxian suddenly felt a warmth within him, a flow of energy circulating through his veins before gathering in his Dantian.
His empty Dantian was once again filled with internal energy.
It really wasn't poison?
The changes in his body couldn't lie. At least Hui Jingxian didn't believe that, given the other party's wild and erratic nature, they would need to disguise poison as a tonic.
"This subordinate is dull-witted and presumed the master's intentions without authorization. I beg the master's forgiveness."
Hui Jingxian kowtowed again.
Ju De Manor was quite a renowned, established aristocratic family in the martial world. Hui Jingxian, as the manor lord, should not have been so humble. However, circumstances forced his hand, and the identity and status of the person before him far surpassed his own.
What of the Ghost Fiend Sect? What of the Myriad Caves Tower?
Compared to her, they were either dead or had fled.
The Medicine King Valley's status was already transcendent. Moreover, this person had the powerful Regent as her backer. In the court and the martial world, how many people could oppose her?
Ju De Manor's allegiance to her was like being covered by a tiger's skin. From then on, if anyone from the martial world or the court wanted to do anything to Ju De Manor, they would have to think twice. Even if the master was currently unwilling to publicize their connection, Ju De Manor was still backed by a mighty force and had gained a measure of confidence.
"Indeed dull-witted. How could someone as kind as I poison others so readily?" Nan Shiying nodded, feeling that Hui Jingxian had a bit of a persecution complex.
*Who, who is kind?*
Everyone fell silent.
Xiao Man glanced around, seemingly searching for the kind person who "wouldn't poison others so readily" that Nan Shiying spoke of.
Fortunately, Hui Jingxian kept his head bowed, so Nan Shiying didn't see his wide eyes and twitching lips.
Ying Yi and the others were far more professional. Upon hearing Nan Shiying's words, their expressions remained completely unchanged.
Hui Jingxian, suppressing the urge to retort, repeatedly agreed.
"Oh, right, don't let your son take this pill." Nan Shiying remembered the pill's effect and offered a reminder.
Hui Jingxian looked up. His first thought was that his previous words had angered the other party, leading to such an instruction. However, he dared not speculate further or beg for mercy, nor did he dare to ask why. He could only agree.
Nan Shiying nodded with satisfaction, then explained, "Your aptitude is limited, and you've reached your limit. It's almost impossible to break through to the ranks of a top-tier master and enter the peak. This pill in the bottle can help you break through this impossibility, overcoming your insufficient talent to reach the peak. However, in return, it consumes your potential; it's like pulling up seedlings to help them grow."
"It's fine for you to take it, but your son has exceptional talent. Given time, he might be able to reach the peak through his own efforts. His becoming a peak master is merely a matter of time. Therefore, a pill that benefits you would be like arsenic to him."
"This subordinate understands."
Hui Jingxian willingly bowed deeply to Nan Shiying.
Her broad-mindedness and noble character filled him with admiration.
He had previously thought of her as fierce and sinister, perverse and crazed, an evil spirit whose methods were no less than those of the Ghost Fiend. But now, he realized that although she was ruthless and venomous, killing without blinking, she treated her own people with true sincerity and honesty, like a true gentleman.
No wonder the outside world's opinions of her were so polarized.
Being a subordinate to someone like her was truly a happy and fortunate thing.
If Hui Jingxian's previous allegiance was forced by circumstances and helplessness, then at this moment, a genuine sincerity and respect were added.
Nan Shiying grabbed a handful of hazelnuts and then stood up.
"Pin Lan Garden is Ji Hong's property. Pay close attention to it. Before Ji Hong issues an imperial decree to reward you, do not reveal our relationship."
Hui Jingxian was surprised.
Pin Lan Garden was actually the current Emperor's property?
Does that mean it's the Emperor's dark network?
But how did the master know about such a secret matter? Could it be just because she stayed there for one night?
Hui Jingxian's thoughts were somewhat chaotic. However, as a manor lord, he had weathered many storms and did not lose his composure.
"This subordinate obeys."
Nan Shiying hummed, eating hazelnuts as she walked out.
The matter was resolved, and she had to rush to Chang Ming Mountain.
Hui Jingxian saw them off. To outsiders, he didn't display excessive respect or eagerness, merely exchanging pleasantries before watching them leave.
Hooves kicked up dust as horses galloped away. Xiao Man looked at her silent mistress, feeling a sense of unease.
After leaving Ju De Manor, the two words she heard from Chi Sha echoed in her little head.
Poison Old!
How could it be Poison Old!
How could it possibly be Poison Old!
"Miss..."
The cold wind whipped up dust, pouring into her mouth. Xiao Man, her face stung by the wind, couldn't open her mouth. Her mind, not yet focused, blurted out a call to her mistress.
She quickly quieted herself, finding her mouth dry and bitter.
"Let's keep moving!"
Was speaking now meant to make the cold wind feel less harsh, or to make her mouth feel emptier, unable to taste the dust filling the air?
"Oh!"
Xiao Man responded, swallowing all her questions.
Since leaving Hu Jian and heading west, perhaps nearing the border, the distances between towns had become greater. Tonight, they would likely have to find a dilapidated temple.
The firewood ignited, crackling merrily. The scorching flames dispelled some of the damp chill of the night. Xiao Man leaned against a somewhat dilapidated stone stool, having just wiped away the thick layer of dust from it. It was no longer choking, but still not clean.
"Brother, lean on me!"
Xiao Man nudged towards Nan Shiying, trying to use her small body as a backrest for Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying patted her head and pushed her aside.
Outside the ruined temple, there was a pool of fresh blood, and beside it lay a whole rabbit skin. Unable to reach a town, they had hunted a rabbit while on the road.
After Xiao Man prepared the rabbit, she set up a simple grill over the fire. Leaning against the stone stool, she rotated one end of the stick piercing the rabbit, manually turning it to prevent one side from being overcooked while the other was still raw.
As the aroma of meat filled the air, the rabbit was likely cooked. Xiao Man held up the stick and presented the rabbit to Nan Shiying, "Brother, here."
Nan Shiying took it and tore off a whole rabbit leg, handing it to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man wiped her hands and, holding the rabbit leg, made a 'hissing' sound as the freshly roasted rabbit meat burned her mouth.
Xiao Man was truly hungry. She took a large bite and swallowed it down with little chewing. After a few bites, she glanced at her motionless mistress. They had traveled all day and, apart from the feast at Ju De Manor, had not eaten anything else. Her mistress couldn't possibly not be hungry, so was she thinking about Poison Old?
Could the person who had been supplying the Ghost Fiend Sect with poisons truly be Poison Old?