143: Chapter 23 Methods of Saving Lives
After a short while, Yang Tiexin returned in disappointment.
Although Iron Foot Master and Qiu Chuji were Senior and Junior Brothers and both members of The Seven Masters of Quanzhen, they often acted separately due to reasons like preaching, traveling, or handling affairs. Unless there was a major event, they rarely met up.
Iron Foot Master's arrival in Yanjing this time was merely passing through.
He had just finished some business and, calculating that the eighteen-year pact between Qiu Chuji and the Jiangnan Seven Monsters was approaching, he planned to head to the Misty Rain Tower in Jiaxing to check on the situation.
If things weren't right, he could also offer Qiu Chuji some support.
At the moment, he only knew that Qiu Chuji was on his way to the Misty Rain Tower in Jiaxing, but his specific itinerary was unclear, so he couldn't determine his current whereabouts.
Meng Li had expected this long ago, so there wasn't much to say.
Mu Nianci comforted Yang Tiexin, saying, "Adoptive Father, it doesn't matter. We already know that Daoist Master Qiu will be at the Misty Rain Tower in Jiaxing on the twenty-fourth day of the third month. As long as we go there on time, we can find out the whereabouts of my Adoptive Mother and Younger Brother. Not knowing Daoist Master Qiu's current location won't delay things."
"We've waited all these years; another ten days or half a month won't make a difference."
Yang Tiexin nodded and said with a smile, "That's right. As long as we go to the Misty Rain Tower on time, we can see Daoist Master Qiu and learn the whereabouts of Xiruo and her son. There's no rush."
After saying that, he let out a light sigh of pent-up air and continued eating.
The three of them finished their meal and returned to the courtyard.
Not long after, Guo Jing returned, but Huang Rong was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing this, Meng Li was somewhat puzzled: They went out together, so why didn't Huang Rong come back?
Did the two of them have a falling out?
It was possible!
It was likely because they couldn't buy the medicine. Guo Jing still wanted to save Iron Foot Master, but Huang Rong felt it wasn't necessary.
The two of them had a disagreement because of this, leading to a conflict.
However, according to the usual logic, the subsequent development should be Huang Rong getting angry, Guo Jing coaxing her, things turning around, and Huang Rong finding a way to get the medicine to save the person.
But this situation before him...
Could some accident have happened?
While Meng Li was speculating, Guo Jing walked over and said gloomily, "Elder Brother Meng, you were right. That Master Lingzhi really bribed all the pharmacies in the city. Ronger and I couldn't buy any medicine. I want to save Daoist Wang; do you have any ideas?"
Meng Li was stunned. Asking me for a solution?
"Didn't Miss Huang think of a way for you?" he asked.
Guo Jing said dejectedly, "She said Daoist Wang's poisoning has nothing to do with me. Extending a helping hand was already an act of benevolence and righteousness, and there's no need to labor over it further. I didn't agree with that, so I said a few words to her, and as a result, she left in a huff."
"I was anxious to save him, and remembering that you had anticipated the situation where no medicine could be bought, I didn't go after her and came back to ask you first."
Meng Li: "..."
So the problem originated with me!
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, then said, "There is indeed a way. He who tied the knot must untie it. Master Lingzhi collected the medicinal ingredients for the antidote in the city just to prevent Daoist Wang from buying them. A large batch of medicinal ingredients is worth a lot. Unless necessary, he probably wouldn't choose to destroy them, but would keep them for other uses."
"If you want to save Daoist Wang, you just need to go to Master Lingzhi's residence, which is the Zhao Kings Manor, find a way to locate the medicinal ingredients, and bring some back."
"That's right!" Guo Jing suddenly realized, then said, "I'll go to the Zhao Kings Manor to find the medicine right now."
Having said that, he turned to leave.
Meng Li felt helpless.
This guy really is a hothead!
Yang Tiexin also felt that Guo Jing was being impulsive and hurriedly called out, "Jing'er, wait a moment."
Guo Jing stopped and turned back to ask, "Uncle, is something wrong?"
Yang Tiexin sighed and said, "Your heart to save someone is good, but that Master Lingzhi has high-level Martial Arts; you might not be his match. Moreover, the Zhao Kings Manor is heavily guarded and not so easy to break into. It's very dangerous for you to go alone. I'll go with you."
Meng Li: "..."
You're not much better yourself!
Two blockheads!
At this moment, Mu Nianci also said, "I'll go too."
Great, three of them!
Meng Li covered his face.
After a moment, he lowered his hand and asked faintly, "Have you seen that Master Lingzhi? Do you know what those medicinal ingredients look like?"
Guo Jing and the other two froze.
Meng Li continued: "Besides, the purpose of this trip is to get the medicine, not to fight. Wouldn't it be better to sneak in at night?"
Guo Jing and the others fell silent. The atmosphere was a bit awkward, but only between Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci.
Guo Jing didn't know what awkwardness was. After hearing Meng Li's words, he immediately agreed, "Elder Brother Meng, you have a point. It's better to go at night. It's just that I've seen neither Master Lingzhi nor the medicinal ingredients... I've got it! I'll go ask Daoist Wang."
With that, he ran toward the room where Iron Foot Master was settled.
A short while later, Guo Jing returned, and Iron Foot Master came along with him.
Seeing Meng Li, Iron Foot Master was stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands in gratitude and said, "I am deeply grateful that you all are willing to take risks for this poor Daoist. However, the Prince's Manor is heavily guarded, and Master Lingzhi not only has high Martial Arts but also uses insidious methods. There is no need for you all to be implicated by me and take this unnecessary risk."
Guo Jing said, "Daoist Wang, those words are incorrect. Daoist Master Ma taught me Quanzhen Internal Skill. According to seniority, you are my Junior Martial Uncle."
"When my Junior Martial Uncle is in trouble, how can I, as a nephew, stand by and watch him die?"
Yang Tiexin also said, "I am an old friend of Daoist Master Qiu Chuji, and you are his Junior Brother. Now that you are in trouble, if I were to stand by with folded arms, how could I face him later?"
"Daoist Master, there's no need to say more. We are definitely getting this medicine."
Iron Foot Master was deeply moved. Seeing that he couldn't dissuade them, he said, "In that case, this poor Daoist will say no more. I only hope you all remember that if the task is impossible, you must prioritize your own safety."
Yang Tiexin stroked his beard and smiled, "Don't worry, Daoist Master, we will be careful."
Seeing this, Iron Foot Master stopped trying to persuade them. He described the appearance of Master Lingzhi and the medicinal ingredients, then returned to his room to adjust his breathing.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Meng Li said to Mu Nianci and the other two, "I'll go make some preparations."
Before long, he returned with several bundles.
Guo Jing opened one and asked in confusion, "Elder Brother Meng, why did you bring these black clothes? And two pieces of black cloth."
Meng Li replied, "Naturally, it's to facilitate tonight's operation."
"It's dark at night, and wearing all black is good for hiding. These two pieces of cloth are a headscarf and a face mask. Once worn, they can cover your face and hair bun. Even if you're discovered, as long as you're not caught, your identity won't be exposed."
"This way, we can avoid having people from the Prince's Manor come directly to our door afterward."
Speaking of which, he felt a bit like complaining.
Because in the original story, Yang Tiexin, Guo Jing, and Huang Rong had all sneaked into the Prince's Manor at night, but none of them wore Night-Traveling Clothes or masks.
Yang Tiexin's actions could be explained by a lack of means to acquire the gear, as he really didn't have much money.
But Huang Rong and Guo Jing had money, yet they still didn't use even a bit of disguise, sneaking in directly in their daily appearance.
The ridiculous part was that Wanyan Honglie's group knew what they looked like, yet after they escaped, they didn't even bother to send people to capture them.
Although there were other reasons, such as the plot's requirements, Meng Li still felt it was a bug.
Since he had the means now, Meng Li naturally wanted to patch the loopholes as much as possible to avoid any accidents.
After all, although this world was based on the 2008 version of legend of the condor heroes, it wasn't actually a TV show, but a real world. Many things would change; Huang Rong's departure in a huff was a prime example right before his eyes.
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