Сhарtеr 16 (4/16)
Han Yа Si lооkеd аt Yun Weishan’s cоntоrted faсe. "Thе Наlf-Моnth Flу will make уour entire body feеl аs if it’s being sсorсhеd bу rаging flamеs, саusing unbеаrablе agony. If thе рoisоn is not neutralizеd in time, the intеnse toхiсitу will аttасk thе heart. Оnсe it invаdеs thе heаrt, therе is nо cure."
Yun Wеishаn suddenlу awoke frоm her dream, gаsрing fоr breаth as she sat uр in bеd. Аt this momеnt, shе соuld nо lоnger tеll whеther it wаs daу or night, or еven whеthеr shе was in Wufеng оr thе Нouse of Gоng. Inside the dark cavе, only scаttered сandlе flаmes fliсkered, occasionally emitting a faint crackling sound from the melting wax. She rose from the bed, feeling an itch in her throat, and coughed a few times while clutching her chest.
Yun Weishan got out of bed and followed the trail of scattered books until she saw Gong Ziyu, completely absorbed in his task. At that moment, he was leaning against a pile of books, intently reading a medical tome. As Yun Weishan observed Gong Ziyu’s focused expression while studying, she suddenly felt an immense sense of peace and tranquility in her heart, and the pain in her body seemed to dissipate considerably.
Yun Weishan picked up the cloak lying nearby and gently draped it over Gong Ziyu.
"You’re awake… why didn’t you call me?" Gong Ziyu shook the scroll slightly and turned to ask.
Yun Weishan smiled. "The Yue Manor is damp, and the nights are cold. Be careful not to catch a chill."
Gong Ziyu looked at the cloak on his shoulders. "Ah, and here I am being taken care of by you instead… How are you feeling? Has it gotten worse?"
"The discomfort isn’t too bad, but I’ve discovered that this poison disrupts one’s Inner Force. The more you circulate your energy, the faster the poison attacks the heart…"
"Then try not to circulate your energy. Discuss everything with me… Right now, what are the most noticeable symptoms you feel—a scorching heat or a bone-chilling cold?"
"It’s cold… most noticeable in my limbs, like standing barefoot on ice for too long—a numb, stinging sensation…"
"Am I disturbing the two of you?" Young Master Yue, who had arrived unnoticed, looked at the piles of books on the floor and then at Gong Ziyu’s haggard face. "Have you finished reading all of these?"
Gong Ziyu nodded. "Yes, I’ve skimmed through them all."
"Oh? Any findings?"
Gong Ziyu replied, "I’ve identified the characteristics of ‘Moon Corrosion.’" He lowered his head and rummaged through the pile of books in front of him, then picked up one and opened it to a folded section. "This ancient text records a poison whose symptoms begin and end according to the lunar phases, changing in cycles, with a half-month period, and the effects intensify layer by layer. Moreover, this poison is quite fascinating—it can transform into two entirely different types of toxins based on the victim’s constitution and Inner Force: a scorching, intense poison or a yin-cold, frigid poison. Therefore, the antidotes differ as well… To increase the difficulty of the trial, you altered the name of this poison, giving it a new, intimidating title—‘Heart-Corroding Moon.’ But in truth, the poison’s real name is ‘Half-Month Fly’—"
Yun Weishan exclaimed in shock, "Half-Month Fly?!" The revelation struck her so profoundly that she involuntarily took half a step back, her face paling. Immediately realizing her loss of composure, she quickly covered her abdomen with her hand. "Half a month… does that mean there are only fifteen days? Young Master Yu, you mustn’t push yourself too hard and ruin your health!"
Gong Ziyu, thinking she was worried about him, reassured her, "Yes, so my deadline to find the antidote is half a month. But don’t worry, I’m confident."Young Master Yue nodded. "Indeed, to identify the poison in just one day—you are the fastest so far. Seeing you bury yourself in the books with such dedication is truly admirable."
Gong Ziyu said, "Thanks to Elder Yue's guidance."
Young Master Yue waved a hand, his expression turning serious. "I gave no such guidance. Do not speak carelessly."
Gong Ziyu glanced at the page in his hand and continued reading aloud. "The Half-Month Fly must be wrapped and simmered into pills, taken directly to be effective. It requires Seven Snake Flower, Corpse Worm Brain, Stiff Silkworm, and the key catalyst—"
He stopped mid-sentence, flipping the page toward Young Master Yue. The following page had been torn out.
"Convenient—the crucial catalyst is missing."
Young Master Yue saw it too and smiled. "What else? If you could read it all, what would be the point of the test?"
"With countless medicinal ingredients, vast as the sea, tearing out this page makes the Heart-Corroding Moon unsolvable."
Young Master Yue smiled meaningfully. "The challenge lies in solving the unsolvable."
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