142: Chapter 22 Wang Chuyi

After several water changes, most of the poison in Iron Foot Master's body was expelled, and his condition improved significantly.

Guo Jing brought dry clothes for him to change into.

After changing his clothes, Iron Foot Master further regulated his breathing.

Huang Rong entered the room, glanced at the bath barrel used for detoxification, and instantly judged: "Seventy to eighty percent of the toxins have been cleared."

Hearing this, Guo Jing couldn't help but praise: "Ronger, you're amazing! You said four barrels of water, and it was exactly four. How did you know?"

Huang Rong didn't answer but pulled him aside and whispered: "Brother Jing, look, this Daoist was severely poisoned yet could hold on for so long without dying; his Internal Energy is clearly profound. He is no ordinary person. One must always be wary of others; ask him about his background later."

"Ah?" Guo Jing was a bit surprised.

At this moment, Iron Foot Master finished regulating his breathing, his complexion looked slightly better, and he then opened his eyes.

Huang Rong quietly nudged Guo Jing to face Iron Foot Master.

Guo Jing quickly cupped his hands to Iron Foot Master and asked: "May I ask for your Daoist name, Master?"

Iron Foot Master replied: "I am one of The Seven Masters of Quanzhen, Iron Foot Master, also known as Yuyangzi."

Guo Jing's face immediately lit up with joy: "So it is Daoist Master Wang of the Quanzhen Sect. I am your Junior, Guo Jing. I once had the honor of being taught Internal Skill for two years by Daoist Master Ma Yu of your sect."

"This is Huang Rong, my friend."

"Senior Brother Ma taught you Internal Skill?" Iron Foot Master was very surprised, then smiled: "In that case, I suppose I am your Junior Martial Uncle."

Unexpectedly, Guo Jing waved his hand and said: "I wouldn't dare. Daoist Master Ma wouldn't let me call him Master; I always called him 'Daoist Uncle,' so I cannot call you 'Junior Martial Uncle.'"

Beside them, Huang Rong had a strange expression.

To push away such a good opportunity to establish a connection?

Thinking of Guo Jing's personality, she felt relieved again.

Iron Foot Master smiled and didn't force it: "That works too."

Seeing that he had not yet fully recovered, Guo Jing couldn't help but ask: "Daoist Master Wang, how can I help you?"

Iron Foot Master said: "I will write a prescription; go and buy the medicine for me."

"Alright," Guo Jing agreed and went out to get a brush and ink.

Mu Nianci was talking to Meng Li in the courtyard. Seeing Guo Jing leave the room in a hurry, she was puzzled and asked Huang Rong, who came out behind him: "Sister Rong, what is Brother Jing doing in such a hurry?"

Huang Rong had already met Mu Nianci while Guo Jing was changing the water. She knew she was Guo Jing's sworn sister, was engaged to Meng Li, and saw that she was a good person, so she was willing to be close to her.

In just a few words, the two women were addressing each other as sisters, one calling her Sister Mu and the other calling her Sister Rong.

Hearing Mu Nianci's question, Huang Rong walked over and said: "The Daoist's toxins are mostly expelled, but to fully recover, he still needs medicine."

"Brother Jing went to get brush and ink for him to write a prescription; he'll go buy the medicine in a moment."

Mu Nianci realized: "I see."

Meng Li then asked: "Have you asked about this Daoist's background and how he was injured?"

Huang Rong replied: "We've asked about his background. That Daoist is Iron Foot Master, one of The Seven Masters of Quanzhen. Brother Jing was taught Internal Skill for two years by the head of The Seven Masters of Quanzhen, Ma Yu, also known as Danyangzi, and mentioned this to Daoist Master Wang. I observed that his responses were normal, so his identity should be correct."

"As for how he was injured, we didn't ask about that."

"I'll ask in a moment."

A short while later, Guo Jing brought the brush and ink and let Iron Foot Master write the prescription.

Huang Rong took the opportunity to ask about the reason for his injury.

Iron Foot Master did not hide anything and recounted the entire encounter, just like in the original story.

After hearing it, Guo Jing straight up said that Master Lingzhi lacked martial ethics, and then prepared to go out to buy medicine. Unexpectedly, as he reached the Inn's lobby, he was suddenly called out to.

"Jinger, where are you going in such a hurry? Have you eaten lunch?" The speaker was Yang Tiexin.

He had just woken up from a hangover and met Meng Li and Mu Nianci, who were preparing to eat lunch, so he ordered some food to eat with them.

Guo Jing stopped at the sound, briefly explained the situation, and then said: "I'm going to buy medicine for Daoist Master Wang now; I'll eat lunch when I get back."

Hearing this, Yang Tiexin hurriedly said: "Then go quickly, saving a life is more important."

Meng Li, however, said: "I'm afraid you won't be able to buy this medicine in the city."

Guo Jing looked surprised: "Why?"

Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci also didn't understand, only Huang Rong looked thoughtful.

Meng Li explained: "The reason is simple. The poison in Daoist Master Wang's body was personally inflicted by Master Lingzhi; it's impossible for him not to know the cure. Since he struck Daoist Master Wang so ruthlessly, he must want to take his life. In this case, he has likely already bought up all the medicinal ingredients in the city that can make the antidote."

"Or perhaps he found a way to bribe the pharmacy owners so they wouldn't sell those ingredients."

"If you go to buy them now, it will most likely be in vain."

"This... that shouldn't be the case, right?" Guo Jing couldn't believe it.

He had never thought there could be such a malicious operation that leaves no room for survival.

Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci also found it a bit hard to believe.

They had drifted for many years and seen many things, but their level was not high, so they hadn't seen much of this kind of thing.

Huang Rong, however, believed it completely.

As the daughter of Medicine Master Huang, her outlook and experience were beyond what the three of them could compare to. Moreover, she was naturally clever and enjoyed outwitting others. Additionally, she hadn't known Guo Jing for long, and her temperament and sense of good and evil still bore the shadow of Medicine Master Huang, appearing somewhat demonic and unorthodox at the moment.

If she were the one with a grudge against Iron Foot Master, she might also be this ruthless.

The logic was simple: once a grudge is formed, strike to kill; lives and morality are not important.

Seeing that Guo Jing didn't believe it, Meng Li didn't say much more, only: "Whether it's true or not, you'll know if you try the nearby pharmacies."

"Alright," Guo Jing agreed and ran out.

Huang Rong sighed softly and stepped forward to follow him.

Seeing this, Mu Nianci and Yang Tiexin turned back.

Mu Nianci asked Meng Li: "Meng Li, if the medicine really can't be bought, then is Daoist Master Wang beyond saving?"

Meng Li replied: "Not necessarily. To untie a bell, one must seek the one who tied it. If the medicine can't be bought at a pharmacy, the only way to save Daoist Master Wang is to find Master Lingzhi."

"Find that monk?" Yang Tiexin frowned and then said: "If the other party really wants Daoist Master Wang dead, I'm afraid he won't hand over the medicine so easily. From Jinger's description just now, Daoist Master Wang's power is profound. For that monk to be able to seriously injure Daoist Master Wang, his Martial Arts must be at least as strong, if not stronger."

"If Jinger goes to find him, I'm afraid there will be danger."

Mu Nianci nodded slightly, then seemed to think of something and said to Yang Tiexin: "Adoptive Father, I heard Sister Rong say that Daoist Master Wang is one of The Seven Masters of Quanzhen. I remember you mentioned before that Daoist Master Qiu was also one of them. Do you think Daoist Master Wang might know Daoist Master Qiu's whereabouts?"

Yang Tiexin was stunned, then said excitedly: "It's highly likely! I'll go ask him."

Although he already knew that he could find Qiu Chuji at the Misty Rain Tower in Jiaxing later to find out the whereabouts of his wife and son, it would naturally be better if this could be done sooner.

Therefore, as soon as Yang Tiexin finished speaking, he got up and walked inside.

...