The Fangwai Sect’s ship was massive.
It was so large that those boarding it felt for a moment as if they were stepping onto a small island rather than a vessel.
However, this "island" seemed strangely deserted. From a distance, it appeared unremarkable, but once inside, an inexplicable sense of unease and eeriness crept into one’s heart.
If there weren't many people, why use such a gargantuan ship? Was it truly just for show? Setting aside the fact that the size of a ship clearly didn't determine one's actual strength, even if it had managed to save some face for the Fangwai Sect, that glory had lasted only for a fleeting moment during the first day’s appearance. By the second day, when the true martial trials began, a sect’s true worth would be laid bare, making this vast, empty vessel look like nothing more than a paper tiger.
The new Sect Leader of the Fangwai Sect had once dared to gather all his sect's forces, using Teng Hu’s name to seize the treasure chest at Baoshen Pavilion, and later managed to align himself with the Peerless Manor. Could such a person truly be so vain and hollow?
Qin Jiuye walked from the bow to the stern, still unable to puzzle out the answer.
The two in front of her clearly had their minds elsewhere. From the moment they boarded, they had been engaged in a silent struggle for dominance. One moment one was ahead, the next the other took the lead, their feet stomping with effort and the muscles in their faces pulled taut.
Though the large man had been the second to stand up and volunteer, he now quite naturally took the lead, completely ignoring the fuming Qi Gu behind him.
To these itinerant healers, arriving late meant losing out. There was only so much fodder in the trough; those with the ability took their place first, leaving nothing for those who followed.
Qi Gu was bitter, but with several footprints already marking her worn shoes, she knew she couldn't outmuscle the man. She could only swallow her resentment.
Since she couldn't bully the big one, she could only pick on someone even lowlier than herself.
Qi Gu turned her head to look at Qin Jiuye, venting her pent-up frustration on her.
"You, why do you keep sticking to me? And you claim you aren't trying to steal my business?"
Qin Jiuye glanced at her, clearly having no intention of getting into a verbal spat. She merely cupped her hands in a distracted gesture.
"I am but a humble village doctor. How could I possibly compare to Qi Gu’s prowess? I only followed along to broaden my horizons."
Suddenly hit with a face-full of flattery, the harsh words Qi Gu had prepared died in her throat. She cleared her throat and emphasized repeatedly, "First come, first served. I go first; you must stay behind me."
Qin Jiuye looked frail, but she was someone who responded to soft words rather than force.
If someone had tried to snatch her business like this before, she might have endured the loss for a moment, but she would have certainly found an opportunity to settle the score later.
However, after her experience diagnosing Su Muhe, her way of doing things had changed slightly. Moreover, she hadn't boarded this ship solely for money. She simply nodded and stepped aside.
The large man and Qi Gu followed the leading Daoist boy into the cabin. Qin Jiuye paused for a moment before following. She saw the boy walk straight past the rows of cabins without stopping, eventually turning a corner to a dark stairwell. He reached out to light an oil lamp hanging nearby and began descending toward the bottom of the hold.
The man at the front hesitated for only a second before following with feigned composure. Seeing this, Qi Gu refused to be outdone and followed close behind. Qin Jiuye, staring into the pitch-black entrance of the lower deck, felt as if every step she took was laden with an unspeakable reluctance.
She had heard Tang Shenyan mention that when wealthy families traveled by boat, they preferred the top-floor rooms. Thus, the painted pleasure boats and grand vessels designed for the rich were built with two or even three stories, as the high elevation provided good ventilation and sunlight. The dark, damp, and moldy bottom of the ship was usually reserved for cargo.
What game was Yuan Qi playing? On such a spacious and open ship, he chose not to stay on the deck, but instead lived deep in the bowels of the vessel. Could it be that the Fangwai Sect practiced some sort of "Earth Element" cultivation? Did their Daoist power increase the deeper they burrowed?
With her brow furrowed and her legs feeling weak, Qin Jiuye’s hand began to sweat as she brushed against the wooden walls of the cabin.
When they reached the end of the stairs, the surroundings remained dim. Aside from the oil lamp in the boy's hand, there was no other light. The darkness made the corridor ahead seem endless, filling one with a sense of dread.
This scene inevitably reminded her of the time she had gone to the Su residence for a consultation. At least then, it had been a courtyard where she could see the sky; if she had bolted for the door, there might have been a chance of survival. Here, in the deep bottom of the ship, if she encountered something truly terrifying, the difficulty of escaping would be vastly increased.
Qin Jiuye couldn't help but cast her gaze toward the man and Qi Gu ahead.
Though these two were just itinerant healers chasing coin, judging by their little skirmish on the deck, they weren't exactly pushovers. If things truly went south, their presence might provide her with a chance to escape amidst the chaos.
Qin Jiuye’s gaze was noticed by Qi Gu. Perhaps because Qin Jiuye had been submissive earlier, Qi Gu felt somewhat gratified. Seeing her expression now, she misinterpreted it, thinking the girl was nervous because it was her first time in such a place. She whispered a word of comfort.
"Don't be afraid. These prestigious sects love calling people into these dark, airless places for consultations. As the saying goes, walls have ears; they just don't want others spying on the secrets of their injuries and illnesses."
Was that it? Was it truly just to prevent other sects from prying?
But Yuan Qi’s illness was already known throughout the martial world. What was there to hide? This martial competition was taking place on the lake; even if someone with ill intent tried to approach, they could easily be spotted in the open. Why hide in such a deep place, choosing a location that felt like a dungeon?
The unease in Qin Jiuye’s heart did not dissipate; instead, it grew heavier. By the time they reached the closed door at the end of the hall, her palms were slick with sweat.
The Daoist boy knocked lightly on the door three times, then said respectfully, "Sect Leader, the people have been brought. Shall I let them in now?"
After a moment, a somewhat raspy voice sounded from behind the door.
"Let them in."
Qin Jiuye frowned the moment she heard that voice. Yuan Qi was likely even more ill than she had imagined; the black-faced man’s earlier talk of a "cold and headache" was almost certainly nonsense.
However, it was too late to retreat. The boy pushed the door open with a creak and gestured for the three of them to enter.
Stagnant air from the enclosed space rushed out to meet them, thick with the heavy scent of incense ash. A ghostly, sinister chill seemed to seep into their very bones.
In the center of the dim room stood three massive cast-bronze alchemy furnaces. Their bodies were covered in animal-mask patterns interspersed with delicate gold-inlaid inscriptions, making them quite beautiful to behold. At first glance, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but marvel that the Fangwai Sect truly was the foremost Daoist monastery; they even hauled these three cauldrons onto a ship for a gathering. But upon closer inspection, she noticed there was no fire in the furnaces, and the air lacked the pungent smell characteristic of burning charcoal for alchemy.
Qin Jiuye withdrew her prying gaze, thinking to herself that Yuan Qi must still be in the throes of grief over his lost kin. Though he still followed the rules left by Yuan Shuqing, he clearly had no heart for his sect's primary trade.
Behind the furnaces hung three layers of bamboo gauze curtains, perhaps to block dust or light. The Daoist boy in front stepped forward to pull back the three curtains in sequence. A man built like an ox, dressed in Daoist robes and carrying a sword, stood in the center. The green jade Daoist crown on his head looked tiny by comparison. Three paces behind him, another young man reclined on a wide, cushioned daybed. This was the current Sect Leader of the Fangwai Sect, Yuan Qi.
She had seen him from a distance at Baoshen Pavilion, but now that she was close, Qin Jiuye realized he had quite delicate features, possessing the refined silhouette of a cultivator. However, his complexion was slightly sallow, and there were dark circles under his eyes, giving him a somber, brooding aura.
An experienced doctor sees many patients; sometimes, a single glance is enough to form a partial judgment of their physical state. Looking at Yuan Qi’s face, Qin Jiuye knew he was someone born with a congenital deficiency—a frail and sickly constitution. Had he not practiced internal arts from a young age and been meticulously cared for by the sect’s physicians, he likely wouldn't have lived past twenty.
Yuan Shuqing must have spent years piling precious medicinal ingredients into him to bolster his health. However, a "good body" built on medicine can rarely compare to one naturally robust; the slightest disturbance could send it back to its original, broken state.
With such a body, it was no wonder he had coughed up blood and nearly died upon hearing the news of the Qingping Road incident.
She had discerned these hidden details, and the large man who had entered first clearly saw something as well. His eyes shifted, and he suddenly looked at Qi Gu, giving her a shove. Caught off guard, she was pushed to the front.
"This one spoke up first. I shall go second."
Witnessing this, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but sigh inwardly: one truly cannot judge a book by its cover. The man looked like a hulking brute, a martial ruffian, but he was actually sharp-eyed and cunning. He knew when to take the lead and when to trim his sails and retreat. He was a difficult character to deal with.
In the martial world, survival depended on who reacted faster. Qi Gu had been half a beat too slow and was now in a disadvantageous position. If she refused now, she risked offending her employer.
Seeing that Yuan Qi, waiting on the daybed, was already showing signs of impatience, Qi Gu was caught between a rock and a hard place. She had no choice but to steel herself and step forward.
"This humble one is Qi Gu. I have come to take the Sect Leader’s pulse."
Yuan Qi said nothing, only nodding listlessly. The sword-wielding Daoist beside him gestured for Qi Gu to approach.
Qi Gu lowered her head and shuffled forward, followed by a series of tedious actions like washing her hands. It took a long while before she finally reached out to place her hand on Yuan Qi’s wrist.
Qin Jiuye noticed that her pulse-taking technique was different from most doctors in Longshu. She used both hands simultaneously, one hand checking the heart and liver, the other probing the "Gate of Life." The lateral pressure of her first finger joints was exceptionally firm, resembling the "pressing the string" technique used when playing the zither. it was aesthetically pleasing to watch.
However, for a doctor, looking good was useless.
The room was so quiet that everyone’s breathing could be heard clearly. At some point, the Daoist boy who had led them in had vanished, replaced by the black-faced man who had been recruiting at Xuanyu Shoal. He and the sword-wielding Daoist stood guard—one by Yuan Qi’s bedside, the other by the door. Clearly, one was there to supervise, and the other was there to catch any runaways.
Qin Jiuye sighed silently and peeked at Qi Gu. She saw the woman’s face turning gray, her forehead slick with cold sweat. Even with her teeth clenched, she couldn't hide her look of utter bewilderment. Qin Jiuye felt a surge of anxiety for her.
*Even if Yuan Qi’s body is frail and his foundation is thin, surely you know how to prescribe some gentle tonics to stabilize his essence? Even if you can't cure him instantly, you could at least provide some relief. He wouldn't be able to find fault with that. It’s better than standing there speechless and looking helpless!*
Sure enough, after a moment, the sword-wielding Daoist spoke up impatiently.
"You've been checking for so long. Have you found anything?"
Qi Gu slowly withdrew her hand, instinctively wiping the cold sweat from her brow. She gave a forced smile and spoke cautiously.
"The Sect Leader is young and robust, in the prime of his vitality. Right now, it seems he is merely suffering from excessive worry, which has taxed his spirit. Once I prescribe a regimen and supplement it with some Ten-Light Powder for sleep, he will surely be refreshed and regain his former glory."
As soon as she said this, the entire room fell into a momentary silence.
Laymen might not know, but anyone in the medical profession knew what Ten-Light Powder was. It had been introduced to Longshu from the Southern Seas years ago. Its properties were aggressive and its effects long-lasting; just a few grams could put a grown man into a deep sleep for an entire day. But it had no curative power. To put it kindly, it was a potent analgesic; to put it bluntly, it was a numbing agent used to ease the pain of the dying. A doctor would not lightly utter its name.
Ordinary patients wouldn't know these secrets, but Yuan Qi hailed from a Daoist monastery. He was likely familiar with medicinal powders. Qi Gu was in for it.
Qin Jiuye’s eyes darted around, her anxiety nearly overflowing.
The next moment, a sigh came from the daybed. Yuan Qi finally spoke.
"Ten-Light Powder?" His voice carried a hint of a smile, but his tone was freezing. "What? Do you think I am beyond saving?"
At these words, Qi Gu was so terrified she fell to her knees, begging for mercy.
"Sect Leader is wise! This humble one... this humble one did not mean that! I only meant that Ten-Light Powder is the fastest-acting and can solve the Sect Leader’s immediate problem. If the Sect Leader dislikes it, I will immediately find another formula that yields instant results..."
*Instant results?* Yuan Qi’s broken constitution hadn't become this way overnight. If one truly wanted to uproot a chronic illness, how could they be so hasty?
Qin Jiuye shook her head repeatedly, but she had to devote half her mind to worrying about her own plans.
Earlier, she had hoped to act as the situation dictated once she boarded the ship, perhaps finding a way to speak privately with Yuan Qi and ask about the secret formula. But now she saw clearly: these people in the martial world were each more dangerous than the last. If she spoke up rashly, she would inevitably be suspected of ulterior motives. Forget gathering information—she might not even make it off the ship alive.
As she was thinking, a loud *bang* sounded behind her. A cloud of pungent smoke filled the air. It was the large man who had pushed his way to the front; he had thrown a smoke bomb and was now trying to burst through the door and escape in the confusion.
This move was entirely unexpected. Being close to him, Qin Jiuye was choked by the smoke and struggled to breathe. She thought to herself that high-quality smoke bombs were indeed useful and that she should get some for herself later. But the next moment, a flash of white light glinted through the haze. The thumping sound of retreating footsteps in the corridor stopped abruptly, and the hallway outside returned to a deathly silence.
A moment later, the black-faced man stepped out of the smoke, his expression unchanged.
"To dare board a ship of the Fangwai Sect without any real skill... Do you think we are easy to bully, that you can just come here to swindle us for silver?"
His voice was casual, but Qin Jiuye saw the blood staining the crossguard of his sword as he sheathed it.
For nearly three months, rumors had swirled through the martial world, painting the Fangwai Sect as a tragic, broken shell of its former self. Seeing them now, that was far from the truth. At the very least, this sword-wielding black-faced man was no ordinary disciple. He was filled with a murderous aura, nothing like the rumors of the weak, low-level survivors left at the monastery.
Had the Peerless Manor already intervened? What secrets was the Fangwai Sect still hiding? And where was this situation heading?
Qin Jiuye coughed heavily a few more times, finally clearing the smoke from her lungs. Then, having made up her mind, she stepped forward.
"This humble one is Yang Yuanzhi. I am..." She paused slightly, glancing at the woman slumped on the floor, and continued smoothly, "...an old acquaintance of Qi Gu. Hearing what she said just now gave me some inspiration. I venture to step forward and try."
On the floor, Qi Gu looked up at her tremulously, clearly confused.
Qin Jiuye didn't look at her. she walked straight forward, and before the sword-wielding brute could react, she had already spread her medicine box on the floor, claiming her spot.
With the large man’s fate as a warning, she knew her path to survival did not lie through the door behind her, but on that sickly, cushioned daybed.
As soon as she came within five paces of the daybed, a faint fragrance hit her nose. While she lowered her head to feign organizing her medicine box, she stole a glance at the small table beside the bed.
The small table, inlaid with delicate mother-of-pearl and gemstones, was piled with candles. Among them sat a celadon lion-shaped incense burner. The faint scent was wafting from it.
There was no longer any smoke rising from the burner, meaning whatever was inside had burned out, but she could still identify the lingering scent.
It was the powder of Wusongzi—Black Pine Nuts. It was of very high purity, with almost no other spices mixed in. Wusongzi had aggressive medicinal properties; just a tiny amount could send a person into a deep sleep. When made into incense, its effects were even more rapid. However, one could not be exposed to it long-term, as it would lead to mental cloudedness.
Most importantly, it was one of the primary ingredients in Ten-Light Powder.
She finally understood why Yuan Qi had reacted that way to the mention of "Ten-Light Powder."
He was already using pure Wusongzi; Ten-Light Powder was useless to him.
Qin Jiuye withdrew her gaze, bowing as she placed the pulse cushion in position. She then gestured for Yuan Qi to extend his hand.
The moment her fingers touched Yuan Qi’s wrist, Qin Jiuye instantly understood why Qi Gu had looked that way, and why she had spoken such nonsensical words as if possessed.
Because Yuan Qi was not just ill; he was poisoned.
It was a toxin that had been repeatedly refined, its formula and proportions incredibly clever. Though it was a poison, it could "tame" the internal organs, mobilizing the strength of a person’s entire meridian system in a short time. However, once the doses stopped, the toxicity would backlash, causing the victim to suffer the agony of their insides burning.
And that kind of pain could not be fully alleviated no matter how much Wusongzi powder was burned.
Qin Jiuye’s gaze shifted slightly, catching another quick glimpse of Yuan Qi on the daybed. She finally understood what the dim light and the three layers of bamboo gauze were meant to hide.
The man on the bed was thinly dressed, and his clothes could barely conceal the bloody scars on his body. Those were self-inflicted wounds, carved by someone unable to endure the agony of the toxin’s backlash. Old wounds had not yet healed before new ones were added. The open sores could not bear the friction of any coarse or heavy fabric, so he could only wear light, soft materials. Had he not been currently weakened by illness, those scars would likely be far worse.
If she were encountering such a strange poison for the first time, she might not have been entirely confident. But this was not the first time she had seen this toxin.
Steeling herself, Qin Jiuye looked up at Yuan Qi and said steadily, "The Sect Leader’s condition requires refined pills, taken for half a month, to have any hope of a permanent cure. If time is pressing, I can first perform a round of acupuncture to provide some relief..."
Before she could finish, she was impatiently interrupted by Yuan Qi.
"There is no need for pills or decoctions. Perform the acupuncture."
***
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