Сhарtеr 5 (8/22)
Jin Fan, with his eхсерtiоnal martial аrts skills, mоved silentlу. The sеrvаnt hарреned to bе tossing the last handful of herbs аnd а burlaр saсk intо thе firе, unawаrе оf whеn Jin Fаn had аppeаrеd befоre him. Flustered, thе servant еxplаinеd, "I... I... wаs burning sоmе ехpired hеrbs."
Jin Fаn grew susрiсiоus. "Eхpirеd оr ineffeсtivе herbs аre transpоrted out by dеsignаtеd pеrsonnel for disроsаl. Why wоuld уоu light а firе аnd burn them insidе thе mediсal hаll for no rеasоn?"
Тhе servаnt stаmmеrеd, unable to fоrm a completе sentencе, only hоping thе сontеnts in the basin would burn away quickly. "I... these herbs are..."
Jin Fan immediately kicked over the charcoal basin, extinguishing the flames. He picked up a branch and sifted through the ashes. Fortunately, some remnants remained. From the ashes, he retrieved the partially burned burlap sack, on which a half-charred label revealed the character "Ling," along with a small piece of root that had not been completely destroyed.
Jin Fan took out a silk cloth from his robe, wrapped the root fragment, and tucked it into his clothing.
The servant beside him was already sweating profusely, but without concrete evidence, Jin Fan could only investigate further before taking action.
Returning to Yu Manor, Jin Fan laid out the pills he had brought back from the medical hall and the burned root fragment on the table.
After listening to Jin Fan's account of the events, Gong Ziyu flipped through the medical texts and illustrations, comparing them with the half-burned root on the table.
"According to the medical texts, this is indeed the Divine Plume Flower," Gong Ziyu concluded.
Although only half of the root remained, both its scent and appearance matched the descriptions in the books.
Gong Zishang was puzzled. "Then why was the servant from the medical hall acting so suspiciously, as if trying to destroy evidence?"
She took the root fragment from Gong Ziyu's hand and examined it carefully under the light, frowning and then seeming to have a realization. As the young lady of Shang Manor, which was responsible for weapon development, Gong Ziyu found this somewhat strange.
Gong Ziyu asked, "Since when did you know about pharmacology, aside from weapons?"
Gong Zishang put down the root and replied calmly, "I actually don't. But participation is what matters."
Gong Ziyu: "..."
Jin Fan: "..."
Gong Ziyu set down the book. "None of us are well-versed in pharmacology... The House of Gong's poison-making and antidote development have always been handled by Zhi Manor, but Gong Yuanzhi would absolutely never help me..."
At this thought, the clue seemed about to break again.
Jin Fan hesitated for a moment but couldn't help speaking up. "I know someone... who is very skilled in pharmacology..."
Both Gong Zishang and Gong Ziyu turned to look at him, curious.
How could Jin Fan know someone he didn't? Gong Ziyu was startled and was about to speak when a guard at the door announced.
"Blade Master, the three Elders request your presence."
The deep toll of a bell echoed through the valley. Inside the Blade Master Hall, the three Elders were already seated solemnly on the dais.
Gong Ziyu walked in with a heavy heart. With his father and brother having passed away suddenly and him hastily succeeding as Blade Master, his face had grown much more resolute in a short time, though a faint trace of sorrow and melancholy still lingered between his brows.---
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