163: Secretly plant a backup plan

Jiang Donghua stared at the bottle of poison powder in his hand, which glowed with a dark purple light, his brow slightly furrowed.

"If what Yao Jidao said is true, the interceptors sent by Myriad Medicine City this time are at least two high-level Dou Huang!"

He muttered softly, his fingertip gently rubbing the jade bottle.

"Relying solely on this bit of poison powder might only buy us some time."

Red Silk leaned against the window, her arms crossed, casting a cold glance at the bottle of poison with a hint of disdain in her tone.

"Just this tiny pinch of powder can disrupt the Dou Qi and drastically reduce the combat power of a Peak Dou Huang for several hours?"

Jiang Donghua nodded.

"Yes, once the Myriad Ant Corroding Heart Poison enters the bloodstream, the toxicity spreads along the meridians and cannot be forced out quickly; even a Peak Dou Huang would have to expend most of their energy suppressing it, naturally resulting in a heavily compromised combat ability."

Hearing this, Red Silk couldn't help but rub her arms, feigning fragility as she shrugged her shoulders, yet her tone remained cold.

"Tsk, this is why I don't want to provoke Liu Qingsi; the methods of that female poison master are truly disgusting and vile."

Jiang Donghua laughed.

"Senior Sister, you are also a Dou Ling Expert, are you still afraid of this?"

Red Silk rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm not exactly afraid, I just find it troublesome. Poison masters never fight head-on; they rely entirely on insidious methods. You get hit if you're not careful, and it's extremely annoying."

Jiang Donghua put away the poison bottle, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"However, if someone truly dares to lay a hand on us, they shouldn't blame me for being ruthless."

Red Silk glanced at him and said indifferently.

"Suit yourself, just don't get yourself killed."

Hong Yu and Bi Yao jogged along, their hearts pounding like drums, fine beads of sweat trickling down their foreheads.

They had just escaped from Ninth Young Master's courtyard, their clothes slightly disheveled and their hair scattered, looking utterly distressed.

"Sister Hong Yu, do we, do we really have to go back?"

Bi Yao's voice trembled, her fingers tightly clutching her sleeve.

"What if Master Jiang already knows we belong to Ninth Young Master."

Hong Yu bit her lip and whispered.

"Not going back is even worse! Ninth Young Master is already suspicious. If we can't even stay with Master Jiang, do you think he will let us go?"

Bi Yao's face paled, and she dared not speak again.

The two nervously walked up to the door. Just as they were about to raise their hands to knock, they saw through the half-open crack that Jiang Donghua and Red Silk were sitting in the main hall, leisurely sipping tea.

Jiang Donghua's fingertip tapped lightly on the table, his expression calm, while Red Silk rested her chin on one hand, her gaze lazy, seemingly having already sensed their arrival.

"What are you doing standing at the door?"

Red Silk spoke indifferently without lifting her head.

"Come in."

Hong Yu and Bi Yao stiffened. They exchanged glances, pushed the door open, and immediately fell to their knees with a 'thump'.

"Master Jiang! Lady Red Silk!"

Hong Yu's voice was tight, her forehead pressed to the ground.

"We, your servants, know we were wrong!"

Bi Yao quickly followed suit and kowtowed, her voice laced with a sob.

"We beg Master for mercy! We truly didn't know anything; Ninth Young Master forced us."

Jiang Donghua set down his teacup, his gaze calmly sweeping over them as he slowly spoke.

"So, you've come to ask me to take you in?"

Hong Yu's body trembled. She didn't dare look up and could only whisper.

"We, your servants, only beg Master to give us a path to survival."

Red Silk scoffed, lazily propping up her chin.

"You two are quite clever, knowing you can't afford to offend either side."

Red Silk stood by the window, her fingertip gently rubbing a cracked soul jade tablet, a faint smile playing on the corner of her lips.

"Old Man Mo Xuan must be jumping with anxiety right now."

She muttered to herself, a hint of mischief flashing in her eyes.

At the same time, Mo Xuan, thousands of miles away, was sweating profusely as he held Lei Tian's hand, repeatedly smiling apologetically.

"Brother Lei! Brother Lei! I truly have to trouble you to make a trip this time! That troublesome Disciple of mine got into a bit of trouble in the Black-Corner Region, and the opponent might send out a high-level Dou Huang!"

On the other end, Lei Tian snorted irritably.

"Mo Xuan, are you old fool just bored? Why the hell did you let your Disciple go to a godforsaken place like the Black-Corner Region for 'experience'? If he dies there, who will refine the Dou Ling Pills for Jia Nan Academy later? Will you pay for it?"

Mo Xuan gave two dry laughs and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"He's young, isn't he? He needs to go out and see the world!"

"See the world?"

Lei Tian was so angry his beard bristled.

"Is the Black-Corner Region a place to see the world? That's a den of demons that devours people whole! You're quite the master!"

Mo Xuan repeatedly cupped his hands.

"Yes, yes, Brother Lei is right! But this time, I truly need your help. Donghua is extremely talented; we can't just let him..."

"Enough, enough!"

Lei Tian interrupted him impatiently.

"I'll leave right now! But Mo Xuan, you owe me big time for this favor!"

Mo Xuan, as if granted amnesty, nodded quickly.

"Absolutely, absolutely! I'll refine a few extra batches of Dou Ling Pills and send them to Jia Nan Academy later!"

Lei Tian snorted coldly. His figure flashed, transforming into a streak of Lightning Light that shot into the sky, speeding toward the Black-Corner Region, with Mo Xuan following close behind him.

Mid-air, he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"This old fool, even taking on a Disciple doesn't give anyone peace of mind!"

Meanwhile, Red Silk sensed the fluctuations of the soul jade tablet completely dissipate. She nodded with satisfaction and turned to look at Jiang Donghua, who was currently mixing medicinal agents.

But she couldn't tell him any of this yet.

The collection of medicinal ingredients was finally complete these past few days. When Bai Xiaofeng stepped into the Medicine Hut, he happened to see Hong Yu kneeling behind Jiang Donghua, her slender fingers gently massaging his shoulders.

Bi Yao was half-squatting nearby, cautiously massaging his legs.

Both had respectful expressions and skilled movements, clearly adopting the posture of personal maids.

Bai Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes, then smiled and said.

"Oh, has Master finally seen the light? Do you finally know how to enjoy yourself?"

Jiang Donghua leaned lazily against the back of the chair, not even lifting an eyelid, and said indifferently.

"Ninth Young Master has come to visit today, what business do you have?"

Bai Xiaofeng's smile stiffened slightly but quickly returned to normal. He waved his hand, feigning casualness.

"It's just that Master has been secluded for the past two days, so I specially came to ask if the medicinal ingredients are ready? Shouldn't we be setting off soon?"

Only then did Jiang Donghua slowly open his eyes, his gaze calmly fixed on him.

"The medicinal ingredients are complete, we can depart at any time."

A sharp light flashed in Bai Xiaofeng's eyes, and he smiled.

"Then why don't we leave now? After all, delays breed trouble."

Jiang Donghua suddenly stood up. Hong Yu and Bi Yao quickly retreated to the side, lowering their heads obediently.

He straightened his sleeves, his tone indifferent.

"Let's go then."

Bai Xiaofeng was stunned, not expecting him to agree so readily, not even bothering with courtesies.

He mused inwardly.

"He's so eager to rush me away? It seems the secret hidden within these two women is significant!"

But he showed nothing on his face, maintaining his cheerful smile.

"Master is truly straightforward! Shall we set off now?"

Jiang Donghua nodded and turned to Red Silk.

"Senior Sister, let's go."

Red Silk walked out of the inner room lazily, holding a string of candied hawthorns in her hand, taking a casual bite.

"Mm, let's go."

Hong Yu and Bi Yao exchanged glances and cautiously asked.

"Master, what about us servants?"

Jiang Donghua glanced at them.

"You two follow along."

The two immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.

"Yes!"

Bai Xiaofeng took all of this in, a cold sneer forming in his heart.

"Putting on an act! Once we reach our destination, let's see what tricks you can pull!"

The group walked out of the Medicine Hut, where a carriage had already been prepared outside the door.

Jiang Donghua boarded the carriage first, Red Silk followed closely, and Hong Yu and Bi Yao obediently trailed at the very end.

Only then did Bai Xiaofeng turn to board the carriage, a smile returning to his face.

"Master, we must look out for each other on this journey!"

Jiang Donghua closed his eyes to rest, acting as if he hadn't heard anything.

The carriage slowly drove away, and the Medicine Hut gradually disappeared from view.

What no one noticed was a dark shadow quietly flashing across the roof of the Medicine Hut, following them like a ghost.