Chapter 116: I Must Save You
“This poison is named ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ (Baiyoujie). It has no cure.”
—This poison has no cure.
The paper drifted down, landing on the prayer cushion in front of the altar.
Wei Wanlan’s expression froze for a moment, followed by complete bewilderment.
He picked up the piece of paper again, rubbing the edges repeatedly with his thumb and forefinger. He looked at it over and over, as if hoping to stare some turning point into existence, looking until his eyes went straight and hurt.
The paper still bore those two cruel words: No cure.
“Cough, cough cough…”
Wei Wanlan hurriedly looked to the side. The Regent had coughed a few times, but he didn’t speak, only weakly opening and closing his lips.
Since entering this mountain temple, Su Jingzhi’s condition had deteriorated rapidly. The onset of the poison was overwhelming, crashing down like a worsening illness.
He began to lose the ability to understand what Su Jingzhi was saying.
The other party seemed to be trying his best to communicate, but his throat couldn’t form coherent sounds. In the end, he could only sink into silence.
No…
He can’t sleep…
Wei Wanlan’s lips trembled slightly, his face completely drained of blood. He spread open the Regent’s palm and pressed hard on the calloused center with his fingertips.
He wrote heavily: Wake, up.
But the sensation he could convey to the Regent was too weak!
It took a long while for Su Jingzhi to respond with force. But having lost track of time and space, his feedback was merely curling his fingers back, hooking onto Wei Wanlan’s pinky.
Wei Wanlan’s body went stiff.
That completely unintentional, tiny movement detonated all of Wei Wanlan’s emotions.
In that instant, he understood the other party was expressing unspoken concern and helplessness. It was an unspeakable farewell. Wei Wanlan felt a pain as if his heart and lungs were being soaked in strong acid.
He opened his mouth to gasp for air, no longer able to suppress his cries of grief.
He began to regret why his stance was so often opposed to Su Jingzhi’s whenever they met. He scratched Su’s palm with his fingernails, then rubbed the hand in heartache. He wanted to tell him that he had always been there…
The finger gently hooking his slowly dropped.
When all five senses are lost, a person falls into complete nothingness.
Will he be lost? Will he be afraid?
Wei Wanlan faced the altar again, piously repeating his plea for detoxification. Although he knew urgent illness required a doctor rather than praying to a god, there was simply no opportunity for a medical consultation right now.
Moreover, the Medicine King on the altar had actually given him feedback.
He hoped to receive feedback a second time.
Since the Medicine King knew the name of this poison, could he think of another way for them?
Even if it just prolonged his life like before, or changed the way it manifested—just don’t let him suffer like this anymore!
As Wei Wanlan thought, a flash of inspiration struck his mind. He remembered that every time he “treated” Su Jingzhi, the other party received some effect, more or less.
The situation was urgent; he didn’t want him to fall into a coma. Wei Wanlan leaned over and used all his strength to hold Su Jingzhi up. He pressed his lips against Su Jingzhi’s, and upon feeling their breath touch, the man’s body moved slightly.
“…”
Wei Wanlan was stunned; the movement was fleeting. He hurriedly tried to capture it.
The back of his hand supported the back of Su Jingzhi’s head, but one hand couldn’t support the Regent’s upper body. He hurriedly wrapped his arms around the other’s waist. Su Jingzhi’s head tilted slightly, so Wei Wanlan followed, pressing his lips and tongue deeper with force.
As their lips and teeth intertwined, the other party’s reaction became more obvious.
In the mingling breaths, he heard a “Little Wan.” Encouraged, he continued, but then he heard, “Let it end here.” He knew the Regent realized his physical condition could no longer be hidden.
He was trying to make him give up on him again.
Tears fell like broken beads.
Continuing this clumsy and flustered kiss:
“You defeated the Turks and did so many good deeds for the common people. A protagonist like you is supposed to live until the final chapter.”
“Don’t die… Regent… don’t die…”
“I don’t want you to die. I won’t do the mission, and I won’t let you die. Please, survive.”
Zhen is already used to days with you everywhere in this political intrigue novel.
Their lips parted.
Su Jingzhi lifted his fingertips, wanting to write but unable to control himself. His mouth opened and closed with difficulty. The breathy sound he emitted no longer had the mellow richness from when they first met in the Hanyuan Hall; it seemed to exhaust all his strength.
“Li… ttle… fool.”
Tears blurred Wei Wanlan’s vision. He had no time to be conscious of this discomfort. He listened quietly, capturing every weak syllable from the Regent.
He heard him say finally: “From now on… you have to rely on yourself.”
It turns out you are the most important person to Zhen.
No one can replace you.
With a face full of tears, Wei Wanlan looked up and gazed at the Medicine King Temple. His line of sight fell on the statue of the Medicine King and the four words on the plaque:
Benevolent Heart Saves the World.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
But another voice sounded beside his ear, coming from the direction of the statue. Strangely, there was clearly no one there just a moment ago.
“Madam Su.”
Wei Wanlan’s eyes snapped open. His pupils reflected the massive silhouette of the statue moving…
The Medicine King statue was actually hollow!
Behind the statue of Sun Simiao, there was just enough space to place a square table.
The surface of the statue had air holes unknown to outsiders, convenient for the person inside to look at the family members or patients coming for consultation. Coupled with the description of the illness left on the altar by the patient, the doctor could perform observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking—at least achieving the majority of the diagnostic process.
So where was there any Medicine King manifestation?
It was merely a healer who didn’t wish to show his true self, borrowing the name of the Medicine King to station himself behind this statue, treating the common people for free.
Hao Da, wearing a blue cloth robe, climbed down from the statue’s altar. Most of the frivolous madness on his face was gone. Clutching a bottle of medicine in his hand, he knelt before Wei Wanlan as if his soul had been lost.
Wei Wanlan raised his eyelids, his eyelashes trembling slightly.
“Madam Su.”
He repeated it, truly taking Wei Wanlan for Su Jingzhi’s wife. Thinking he was facing the female kin of the Su family, Hao Da continued to confess dejectedly:
“‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ was created a hundred years ago by the Hao family ancestors under Imperial orders. From the moment it was created, the prescription for the antidote was ordered to be burned by the Imperial Family.”
“Back then, Emperor Taizu feared the young and heroic sons of the Su family, while the Wei imperial heirs were few and weak. So, threatening the lives of my entire clan, he forced the National Physician, Hao Tongming, to create ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’.”
“When ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ is dissolved in water, it is colorless and odorless, and cannot be detected by silver needles. But it erodes a person’s body over the passing of days and months, disturbs the mind, and finally causes the loss of all five senses, driving the person into madness until death.”
“Every generation of Su generals drank farewell wine when setting out for war and had reception banquets upon triumph. Thus, this poison was administered unbeknownst to anyone.”
“To cover up the cause of death, rumors quietly spread in Chang’an that the Su family had committed too much slaughter, violating the harmony of heaven, and was cursed by the Dao of Heaven.”
Hao Da knelt before Wei Wanlan and pulled the stopper from the medicine bottle.
The small pills inside rustled.
A look of sorrow appeared on Hao Da’s brow:
“Ever since concocting this poison, National Physician Hao Tongming fled with his family overnight. Over a dozen people left Chang’an far behind, changing their identities… yet they never had a single day of peace! Descendants are forbidden from freely practicing medicine, forbidden from seeking fame, forbidden from casually treating people. ‘Hanging a pot to help the world’ became empty talk. The healer’s benevolent heart instead harmed the pillars of talent in this world who should not have been harmed.”
“My ancestor also died from taking ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved,’ dying after the Great General Su Wuyang.”
“I have also had enough of these days! Not fully human nor ghost, playing the fool. On one hand guarding against the Imperial Family, on the other hand feeling guilty towards the Su family. Today, seeing with my own eyes ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ separating a loving couple by life and death, the fault lies with my family’s cowardice back then.”
“No matter how many people I saved or how many good deeds I did afterward, a wrong is a wrong, it is irreversible. I should pay with my life for the generations of Su generals!”
Saying this, Hao Da revealed an expression that was halfway between crying and laughing, and tilted his neck to swallow the medicine.
The entire bottle of ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ flew into the air.
The porcelain bottle drew an arc in mid-air, spinning as it crashed to the ground. It shattered into pieces, the medicinal beads rolling everywhere.
Wei Wanlan didn’t even look at the pills or the shards. He was shocked by the belated truth. He now completely understood the reason why the loyal subjects in the book “The Regent King of Great Wei” turned into power-hungry officials.
—The fault does not lie with National Physician Hao Tongming.
—The fault lies with the Imperial Family.
Since he had transmigrated here and inherited the identity of the original Little Emperor, he should take responsibility for this matter to the end—save Su Jingzhi and clear the Su family’s name!
At this moment, Hao Da committing suicide would be useless.
Wei Wanlan steadied himself and looked at Hao Da. Without letting go of the Regent, he said hoarsely, “I don’t need others to die meaningless deaths. I just want him to live.”
Hao Da froze.
“You said ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ has no cure. Since you are the descendant of the National Physician, you surely can think of other methods besides an antidote. Regardless of the cost, and without considering feasibility.”
“Give me a line of thought. I will solve it. Let me save him.”
Saying this, Wei Wanlan stared at Hao Da.
In the dim lantern light of the Medicine King Temple, Hao Da suddenly felt an indescribably complex feeling.
This little woman seemed to have the unsophisticated innocence seen when they first met at the thatched cottage, but deep within this innocence, he could sense an unfathomably deep determination.
…Absolutely not an ordinary pampered wife from the inner chambers.
Hao Da sighed softly. After thinking it over repeatedly, he said: “When I was studying medicine, I heard my ancestor speak of many bizarre anecdotes.”
Hao Da took out an acupuncture kit from his sleeve pocket and spread out the silver needles:
“Rumor has it that witch doctors in the Miao territories are skilled in using Gu.”
“The effects of Gu worms are strange and varied. Among them, there is a type of Gu called ‘Twin’ (Shuangsheng).”
“The Twin Gu has two worms, a mother and a child. The two Gu worms are connected, creating a balanced symbiotic relationship between the two people implanted with them. They live and die together; their lives are linked.”
While speaking, Hao Da signaled Wei Wanlan to lay Su Jingzhi flat on the ground. Sharp silver needles pierced into the top of Su Jingzhi’s head, the philtrum, and the navel—corresponding to the Baihui, Renzhong, and Shenque acupoints.
This was the Lingshu Dingpo Needle (Spiritual Pivot Soul-Stabilizing Needle) to seal the body’s activity and temporarily buy time for emergency treatment.
“Twin Gu?”
“Correct.” Hao Da twirled the tail of the needle, focusing on the vibration of the silver needle, and added, “Back then, my ancestor said that the Twin Gu was actually a backup left by Miao villages when forming alliances, fearing allies would betray them. But later I considered, what if it’s used in reverse?”
Su Jingzhi had completely stopped moving.
Wei Wanlan was terrified and hurriedly touched Su Jingzhi’s forehead. Finding his temperature not yet cold and his body not stiff, it seemed he was not dead yet.
Wei Wanlan breathed a slight sigh of relief, then asked, “How to use it in reverse?”
“By linking a healthy person with a dying person via the Gu worms. To achieve balance between the two ends, the Twin Gu might be able to save a life.”
“Where is the Twin Gu?” Wei Wanlan asked.
“My ancestor was an Imperial Physician back then. He once mentioned that there were Miao doctors serving in the Imperial Academy of Medicine. If the news of the Twin Gu my ancestor spoke of was learned within the palace, then this Gu… is currently in the Chang’an Imperial Palace.”
Wei Wanlan’s doe eyes lit up again. He opened his mouth.
Hao Da hurriedly said, “But this has been at least a hundred years!!! I absolutely dare not guarantee if this Gu is still in the palace, nor do I know if the Gu worms are still alive.”
“I must go anyway.” Wei Wanlan murmured as if in a trance, “I have to look.”
Hao Da: “If you find the Twin Gu, Madam Su must absolutely not implant it in yourself…”
“Why?”
“Because from beginning to end, this is just my deduction. I don’t know the side effects, nor do I know if it will work. If ‘Hundred Sorrows Resolved’ killed General Su, and then the Twin Gu kills Madam Su, what face do I have to meet my ancestors? Madam must be cautious!”
“Then, before I find the Twin Gu, this needle of yours… how many days can he hold on?” Wei Wanlan asked.
Hao Da answered with a trembling voice: “At most, three days.”
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