23: Chapter 23 Why do you insist on forcing me to kill you?

It was the third day since He Yunqi entered Shahe Stockade.

Many sick residents of Shahe Stockade were sent out one after another, and upon examination, their conditions had indeed improved.

"How strange! I have practiced medicine for many years, yet I have never seen such a bizarre, yet obedient epidemic!"

Old Master Sun twisted his beard, his cloudy eyes filled with astonishment and confusion. "What method exactly did Young Master He use? Could he have truly found the correct prescription?"

Several famous physicians nearby also looked at each other, feeling both relieved and somewhat ashamed of their own inferiority.

This strange illness, which they had been helpless against, had been brought under control within a mere three days by a young, disabled junior; such capability was truly humbling.

"Young Master He possesses a benevolent heart and superb skills, a rare talent! Shahe Stockade is saved!"

Chief Administrator Chen was beaming, his previous restlessness and gloom swept away, replaced by a joy that bordered on excitement.

This did not only mean the epidemic was controllable, but it was also a brilliant political achievement for his tenure.

Just then, a government runner responsible for perimeter reconnaissance hurried back to report that in a hidden river bend upstream of Shahe Stockade, they had discovered several fragments of artificially buried vessels and traces of burning.

The surrounding soil had an unusual dark red color, and after identification by the accompanying pharmacist, the residue indeed contained components of Rot-Blood Vine and several other insidious medicinal herbs.

"It truly was intentional poisoning!" Chief Administrator Chen slapped the table, his voice stern. "To dare commit such a heinous act within the territory of Linjiang Prefecture! Investigate! Have my officers investigate thoroughly! See which evil entity dares to defy the world's justice!"

Soon, a more experienced runner found half a piece of unburnt black cloth from the remaining ashes, on which was a vague yet distinct distorted rune mark.

"This... this is a variant of the 'Life-Devouring Rune'!" an experienced old pharmacist exclaimed in shock. "It is the Heavenly Evil Cult! The Heavenly Evil Cult that was thunderously wiped out by the imperial court twenty years ago! Have they actually risen from the ashes?!"

The atmosphere in the tent instantly became heavy.

The Heavenly Evil Cult was a Demonic Path organization that had once stirred up trouble across several provinces, using evil arts to plunder the Qi and blood of living beings for Cultivate.

Their methods were cruel and bizarre, causing both Jianghu and the imperial court to change color at the mention of them.

Twenty years ago, their main force was annihilated by the imperial court in alliance with major School, but no one expected that remnants were still lurking, and that they had stretched their hands to Three Rivers Estuary!

Chief Administrator Chen's face was as dark as water, and he said coldly, "A group of rats in the gutter, and they dare to reappear in the world? I will certainly investigate this matter in detail, report it to the Prefecture Magistrate, and submit a memorial to the imperial court! We must root out these pests and return Three Rivers Estuary to a bright and clear state!"

Just as they were discussing, the tent curtain was lifted, and He Yunqi walked in slowly.

He was still wearing the same half-old cyan scholar's robe; his face was even paler than three days ago, and his footsteps were somewhat unsteady, as if the three days of sleepless treatment had exhausted his heart and strength.

But those eyes were startlingly bright, carrying a fatigue of relief, as well as a faint, indisputable certainty.

"Young Master He!" "Nephew Yunqi!" Everyone stood up one after another, greeting him with expressions of respect.

Even the arrogant Old Master Sun nodded slightly at him at this moment.

Regardless of previous doubts, the tangible curative effect was right before their eyes; one could not help but be convinced.

He Yunqi returned the greetings one by one with humility, his voice slightly hoarse:

"I have not failed the mission. The situation of the patients in the stockade has been initially stabilized, and those newly infected have also been isolated and medicated. However, this epidemic is bizarre and difficult to eradicate; subsequent recuperation and prevention of recurrence will still require a large number of personnel."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the physicians in the tent, and said earnestly:

"Yunqi implores you gentlemen to accompany me into the stockade for centralized treatment. The patients are concentrated within the stockade, which makes it easier to observe the progression of the illness and dispense medication. And..."

He took a cyan porcelain bottle from his bosom and poured out several vermilion-red, dragon-eye-sized Medicinal Pills that emitted a bitter medicinal fragrance.

"Yunqi is untalented, but based on the characteristics of the source of the illness, I have developed this 'bihui pill'. After taking it, it can form a layer of gentle medicinal Qi within the body within twelve hours, isolating the erosion of that evil poisonous blood Qi and significantly reducing the risk of infection. You gentlemen can take this pill before entering the stockade to ensure safety."

A pharmacist immediately took the Medicinal Pill, carefully inspected it, observed its color, smelled its fragrance, and even scraped off a small amount of powder to taste it, and a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face:

"Wonderful! Using Jade Marrow Ganoderma as the monarch, supplemented by Heart-Clearing Grass, Anti-Poison Vine... the combination of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy is exquisite, the medicinal properties are neutral and balanced, and it truly has the effect of dispelling filth and protecting the body! Young Master He is truly a divine physician!"

Other pharmacists also passed it around and nodded, and the last trace of worry in their hearts vanished.

With this bihui pill, the risk of entering the epidemic area was greatly reduced, and being able to personally experience the treatment of such difficult and miscellaneous diseases was a rare training and Opportunity for a physician.

Seeing this, Chief Administrator Chen waved his hand:

"Since that is the case, then follow Young Master He's words! Old Qu, Old Sun, and everyone else, please work hard for this trip, follow Young Master He into the stockade, and completely resolve this epidemic! All the medicinal herbs and personnel needed will be allocated by me!"

The order was given, and everyone began to pack their medicine chests and prepare their Medicinal Pill.

Jiang Hanzhou stood beside Pharmacist Qu Fengchun, also silently organizing his own things.

When He Yunqi's gaze inadvertently swept over him and signaled an apprentice to pass a 'bihui pill' to him as well, Jiang Hanzhou took it with a calm expression.

The Medicinal Pill was slightly warm to the touch, vermilion and round, and the medicinal fragrance was bitter and pure, looking completely problem-free.

However, the moment his fingertips touched the surface of the pill—

The extraordinary perception belonging to Jiang Hanzhou's third-rank fate, like a deep pool into which a stone had been thrown, suddenly rippled with a subtle but clear ripple.

It was not the smell, not the color, and not even an abnormality in the ordinary sense.

It was like an insect egg about to wake up deep in the winter soil, perfectly wrapped by an exquisite shell of medicinal power, quietly hibernating.

If it weren't for the fact that Jiang Hanzhou's perception had been tempered to be unusually sharp through his fate advancement and repeated Cultivate, and if he hadn't already been suspicious of He Yunqi and deliberately focused on investigating, he would absolutely never have discovered this deeply hidden anomaly.

"Sure enough... there is a problem."

Jiang Hanzhou sneered in his heart, but his face remained calm, and he even followed the example of the other pharmacists, bringing the Medicinal Pill to his nose to smell it, and then, as if relieved, placed it into a spare small porcelain bottle in his bosom.

He raised his eyes and looked at He Yunqi, who was gently comforting everyone and arranging the entry into the stockade.

At this moment, He Yunqi, in the grateful and admiring eyes of the crowd, was like a benevolent physician turning the tide, his pale face adding a few more points of compassion and determination.

In Jiang Hanzhou's perception, the layer of cleverly hidden Qi and blood around the other person was not only not exhausted, but rather more surging than it had been three days ago.

This was not the state of exhaustion that should come from saving patients; combined with the "life wriggling" hidden in this Medicinal Pill, a vague and astonishing guess formed in Jiang Hanzhou's mind.

What Heavenly Evil Cult remnant poisoning, what benevolent heart and superb skills to develop an antidote...

I am afraid that the "epidemic" in this Shahe Stockade is itself a carefully planned trap.

And He Yunqi, this "divine physician" who hides his strength and pretends to be a cripple, is very likely the layout planner!

He uses "treatment" as a name to lure many experienced pharmacists into the stockade, using this "bihui pill" that hides secrets... what is his intention?

To absorb the Qi and blood of these medical practitioners who are full of pharmacological spirit? Or is there another more bizarre evil method?

Jiang Hanzhou did not know the specific details, but he knew very well that this Medicinal Pill must never be taken.

This stockade is also by no means as "safe" as it appears on the surface.

He Yunqi seemed to sense something, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Jiang Hanzhou again, lingering for a brief moment.

Jiang Hanzhou lowered his head at the right time, pretending to check the silver needles in his medicine chest, avoiding the other person's gaze.

In his heart, the killing intent had already condensed like ice crystals.

He originally did not want to meddle in other people's business.

The Jianghu is dangerous, and everyone has secrets; as long as they don't provoke him, he is happy to Cultivate in peace.

But now, this Medicinal Pill with hidden evil intentions has been handed to him, and this "invitation" full of traps has fallen upon him.

He Yunqi's move has already cast his calculations on all the pharmacists, including himself.

"I originally wanted to mind my own business, but you insist on seeking your own death."

"Heaven has a path you do not take, Hell has no gate you force your way in."

Jiang Hanzhou put the last pack of gold sore medicine into the medicine chest and clicked the lock shut.

Deep in the bottom of his eyes, a dark Tide surged quietly.

"He Yunqi... it seems that I cannot keep you alive."