73: Chapter 73 Following

Jiang Hanzhou opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, showing no surprise.

He straightened his unwrinkled cyan cloth robe and pushed open the courtyard door.

Steward was waiting outside the door. Seeing him come out, he nodded slightly and turned to lead the way.

The physicians from the other guest courtyards were also invited out one after another. The group silently merged into a stream of people, following Steward through various corridors and courtyards, and arrived once again at the main hall in the core area of the Li Residence.

The main hall was even more spacious and solemn than the courtyard where they had met previously.

Dozens of purple sandalwood chairs had already been arranged in order inside the hall, and Li Chongshan sat upright in the main seat at the north end.

He was still wearing the same dark red casual attire, with his red hair and short beard looking like flames. However, having not seen him for three days, his square face seemed to carry an extra, undisguisable layer of fatigue, with bloodshot eyes hidden deep within. Yet, the heavy, oppressive aura of a Dragon Elephant Realm Martial Artist surrounding him was even denser and more imposing than three days ago, like a volcano suppressing molten lava.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. After taking their seats, no one spoke; there were only the faint sounds of rustling clothes and slightly heavy breathing.

When everyone had arrived, Li Chongshan slowly swept his gaze across the room.

That gaze was heavy, carrying scrutiny as well as an unquestionable authority.

"Everyone, you have waited a long time." He spoke, his voice slightly hoarse yet still clear and forceful. "Over these three days, I have utilized all my power to thoroughly investigate my son's whereabouts before and after he fell ill, especially around 'Guanchao Cliff'."

He paused. The hall was so quiet a pin could be heard dropping, and everyone held their breath.

"It has now been verified," Li Chongshan said, enunciating every word with a decisive tone. "Around Guanchao Cliff, there are indeed remnants of a foul aura that does not belong to any exotic beast, along with signs of faint geological disturbances. Combining clues from all sides, it can be concluded that there are indeed traces of 'demon' activity."

The word "demon" was confirmed once again, and a wave of suppressed exclamations and gasps of cold air immediately erupted in the hall.

Many physicians turned pale, their eyes darting around in terror.

Li Chongshan took in the reactions of the crowd. His red eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly, and then his tone softened as he explained:

"Everyone, there is no need to be overly panicked. According to the investigation, what has appeared this time should be an 'infant demon' that has not yet fully formed. Its power is limited, and its range of activity is restricted to the desolate coastline within a dozen miles of Guanchao Cliff. I have urgently reported this situation to the Prefectural Governors Mansion and the Naval Yamen of Donghai Prefecture. The prefectural authorities attach great importance to this and have ordered the Naval Yamen to take the lead, uniting my Li Family, the Zhou Family, and the Wang Family—the three great clans—to select elites and set out immediately to clear it out, ensuring it is completely eradicated before it can cause a major disaster!"

His voice was steady and logical. He deliberately emphasized terms like "infant demon," "limited power," "joint efforts of the three great clans," and "led by the Naval Yamen," which successfully calmed the uneasy atmosphere in the hall slightly.

Many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief and began to whisper to one another.

"So it was just an infant demon..."

"With the three great clans and the Naval Yamen acting together, there shouldn't be much of a problem."

"It is fortunate that it was discovered early; if it had become a real threat, that would truly have been a monstrous disaster."

Jiang Hanzhou sat in the back row with a calm gaze.

Li Chongshan's explanation was half-true and half-false, with the obvious intent of pacifying the people.

Matters involving demons, regardless of size, are definitely not something that can be dismissed as "not much of a problem."

However, the three great clans have been rooted in Donghai Prefecture for a hundred years with deep foundations. With their core Family members and important industries all located here, it is truly a case of "how can one allow others to snore beside one's bed?" They would certainly go all out, perhaps even more so than the official authorities.

This might also be one of the reasons why Li Chongshan was so eager to define the situation and proactively report it for a joint clearing operation.

Bringing in the official authorities and other clans is both a way to share the risk and pressure, and a way to bring the matter into the open, preventing anyone from causing trouble in the shadows or blaming them later.

When the discussion in the hall subsided slightly, Li Chongshan turned his gaze to Guo Yanlin, who was sitting at the head of the left side, and his tone became gentle and solemn:

"Daoist Master Guo, since the root of my son's condition has been found, I wonder how we should proceed with the treatment? Whatever medicine or items are needed, the Li Family will certainly search for them with all our might, sparing no cost."

Everyone's gaze immediately focused on Guo Yanlin.

This wandering Daoist was still wearing the same washed-out cyan robe, his expression calm, as if the heavy topic about demons just discussed in the hall had nothing to do with him.

Hearing Li Chongshan's question, he slowly lifted his eyelids, twirled the clear beard under his chin, and pondered for a moment before speaking. His voice was not loud, but it carried a strange sense of penetration:

"Head of the Li Family, your son's condition is based on 'Gu,' with 'demon blood' as the catalyst. The two clash and stimulate each other, causing his vitality to fall into chaos and his Qi and blood to wither. Ordinary medicine is no longer effective."

He paused, seemingly weighing his words, and then spoke slowly:

"In my early years, I traveled through the southwestern borderlands and dabbled slightly in the Dao of Gu poison. Regarding such a complex situation, I do have a method that might be worth a try."

"Please speak, Daoist Master!" Li Chongshan leaned forward slightly.

"This method is 'fighting poison with poison, using filth to attract filth'." Guo Yanlin looked directly at Li Chongshan with clear eyes. "It requires taking some of the bone, flesh, and heart blood of the 'demon' that caused the disaster, combined with seven types of rare medicinal herbs with cold attributes, and supplemented with a special technique to refine a 'filth-guiding talisman' as a medicinal primer."

His speaking pace was steady, but every word felt like a hammer striking the hearts of those present:

"By placing this medicinal primer on your son's chest, we can leverage the homologous attraction between it and the demon blood and Gu in your son's body. Supplemented with the technique of golden needle acupuncture, we might be able to 'draw' out the detonated, restless Gu, along with the invading demon blood, from his body. At the very least, we can force it to a certain spot on the surface of his body, and then excise it."

The hall quieted down again, with only Guo Yanlin's voice echoing.

Using demon bone, flesh, and blood as a primer to refine a talisman-pill to attract the Gu and foul blood?

This method sounded extremely sinister and carried unpredictable risks.

Sure enough, Guo Yanlin added immediately: "However, this method is dangerous. Demon material is inherently foul and overbearing; if there is the slightest mistake in the refining process, the primer will turn into a deadly poison. When drawing out the Gu and foul blood, precise control is even more necessary. If there is the slightest carelessness, it might cause a complete eruption, devouring the host's vitality. Moreover, the Gu has been lurking for a long time and is deeply entangled with your son's Qi and blood; whether it can be successfully drawn out remains unknown."

He raised his head, meeting Li Chongshan's burning gaze calmly, and gave a cold number:

"According to my estimation, this method... only has a forty percent chance of success."

"Forty percent..." Li Chongshan repeated, muttering. The muscles on his face beneath his red hair tightened slightly, and a flicker of struggle flashed deep in his eyes.

A forty percent chance is really not high.

But thinking of his son's increasingly withering breath, and thinking of the strange symptoms that even Guo Yanlin declared "could not be solved by ordinary means," this forty percent might be the only hope at the moment.

The people in the hall also looked at each other. A forty percent chance—life and death are half and half—this bet is too big.

However, Li Chongshan did not remain silent for long.

About ten breaths later, he slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, making a crisp "snap" sound, and said decisively: "Good! We shall follow the Daoist Master's method! A forty percent chance is worth a gamble! Once the demon is eradicated, I will personally retrieve its corpse, bone, and blood and deliver them to you, Daoist Master!"

His tone was resonant, carrying unquestionable determination, as well as the ruthlessness of a father staking everything on one throw.

Hearing this, the crowd felt a little more at ease.

Since the Head of the Li Family had already made a decision, and there was someone like Daoist Master Guo, who seemed to truly have ability, handling things, perhaps there was a glimmer of hope.

Many even secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that at this point, there should be nothing left for them, these "filler" physicians, to do.

Next, it would merely be the Li Family uniting with the Naval Yamen to eradicate the demon, while Daoist Master Guo prepared to refine the "filth-guiding talisman." They would perhaps soon be able to receive that two hundred taels of "tea money" and leave this place of trouble.

However, Li Chongshan's next words made the atmosphere, which had just relaxed slightly, tense up again.

"However," Li Chongshan changed the subject, his gaze sweeping across the people in the hall again, pausing especially on the faces of a few older, experienced-looking physicians. "Demon material is strange and unpredictable. Even for its corpse, bone, and blood, special methods are required for collection and preservation to avoid the spread of filth or the loss of potency. Furthermore, in a battle to eradicate a demon, casualties are inevitable. Ordinary sword wounds or toxic miasma might be manageable, but if one is infected by the demon's aura, I fear it is not something ordinary medicine can solve."

He paused, his tone softening, but it carried an invisible pressure:

"Therefore, for this trip to Guanchao Cliff to eradicate the demon, in addition to the guards from various mansions and the elites of the Naval Yamen, we also need physicians who are proficient in medical theory and are bold and meticulous to accompany us. Firstly, to properly handle the demon's corpse materials, and secondly, to provide timely treatment for any special injuries that may occur."

His eyes gleaming, he looked at the crowd: "I wonder if anyone present is willing to lend my Li Family a hand? Of course, I will absolutely not let anyone take risks in vain. For all who are willing to accompany us, regardless of whether they take action afterwards, the Li Family will offer one thousand taels of silver as remuneration. If you perform meritorious service during the operation, there will be additional heavy rewards! Furthermore, I, Li Chongshan, guarantee with the Family's reputation that I will do my utmost to protect your safety!"

As his voice fell, the hall was deathly silent.

That bit of wishful thinking from just a moment ago was instantly crushed to pieces.

Go to Guanchao Cliff? Face a demon directly? Even if it is only an "infant demon," it is still a demon!

One thousand taels of silver is certainly tempting, but one must be alive to spend it!

The crowd's expressions changed, and they were inwardly complaining bitterly. Li Chongshan spoke politely, offering remuneration and guarantees, but everyone could hear that this was not a request; it was clearly a threat!

They had been "invited" to the Li Residence for the past few days; while they appeared to be guests, in reality, it was no different from house arrest.

Now that the Li Family was going to carry out this dangerous task, how could they possibly feel at ease letting these insiders leave safely and potentially spread the news to the outside world?

Taking them along was not only to utilize their medical skills, but also a form of disguised control.

Those who could sit here were all shrewd people.

They instantly understood the crux of the matter. Even though they were unwilling in every way and terrified to the core, they dared not show the slightest bit of it on their faces.

After a brief silence, several elderly physicians who appeared to be prestigious and respected were the first to stand up. They squeezed out sincere and slightly generous expressions on their faces and cupped their hands, saying:

"For the peace of the prefecture, the Head of the Li Family is personally eradicating the demon. Although my medical skills are shallow, I am willing to contribute a little effort!"

"Demons cause disasters, and everyone should rise up to slay them! Although I am old, I will not yield!"

"Rest assured, Head of the Li Family, we will do our utmost!"

With someone taking the lead, the others, regardless of what they were thinking, also stood up one after another to express their stance. For a time, the hall was filled with voices saying "it is my duty" and "willing to serve like a dog or a horse," as if the fear and hesitation of the previous moment had never existed.

Jiang Hanzhou also stood up with the crowd, appropriately revealing a hint of solemnity and determination on his face, and joined the crowd in cupping his hands to agree.

He did not have much resistance in his heart.

On the contrary, he was vaguely tempted by Li Chongshan's proposal.

Demons...

What exactly do these foul beings that only exist in rumors and history books look like?

What characteristics do they have?

Besides the "fighting poison with poison" that Guo Yanlin mentioned, do their bones, flesh, and blood have other uses?

Moreover, with the imperial Naval Yamen striking this time, plus the manpower of the three great clans, it would never be his turn to take action; he only needed to watch from afar.

With such low risk, it would be a waste of an opportunity not to go and see.

Seeing that everyone had agreed, Li Chongshan finally revealed a slight, not-so-obvious expression of relief on his face and nodded: "Good! Thank you all! I thank you all here! Steward will explain the specific departure arrangements to you later. Please return to the guest courtyards to prepare for a while; we... will set off early tomorrow morning!"