Chapter 577: Definitely won’t hold back (2/2)

Gu Qishao quickly chased after Long Feiye, who had tracked down Han Yunxi. When she saw them coming one after the other, she gave up any thoughts of cultivation. Her heart couldn’t help but feel depressed! I can’t even go hide in a corner now?

But Gu Qishao then told them both something unexpected. “The head of the Council of Elders at Medical City, Head Elder Ling, has gone to Tianning’s western capital with Lady Lianxin.”

Long Feiye grew alarmed. “Who invited them to help Tianhui?” That was the first thing that came to his mind. If Emperor Tianhui recovered, then the Chu Clan would have no chance to seize power anymore.

But Gu Qishao told them something even more surprising. “The Chu Clan invited them. Do you think they’re really there to save Tianhui?”

Although it had been years since Gu Qishao had been in Medical City, he still had ways of finding out secret information.

“Chu Qingge’s stomach?” Long Feiye immediately understood.

“Chu Qingge’s only four months into her pregnancy. What could they possibly do?” Han Yunxi couldn’t figure it out. If they really wanted her to give birth to a son, they could simply switch the baby at birth if it was a she. Why involve Head Elder Ling in all of this?

Lady Lianxin must have played an integral part in getting Head Elder Ling to accept the Chu Clan’s invitation at all. Just from that one point, Han Yunxi was certain the move was made to deal with them. After all, Lady Lianxin was still harboring a grudge from the events of the Grand Medicine Testing Convention. Gu Qishao couldn’t figure it out, either. A four-month old fetus was far too old to be subjected to the same experiments that he had undergone. But why else would Head Elder Ling show up in person? Lady Lianxin’s slutty charms weren’t enough to bribe him out for this mission otherwise.

“Find Gu Beiyue and ask him!” Gu Qishao blurted out.

“Right, send an urgent message to ask!” Han Yunxi said hastily.

A complicated look flickered past Long Feiye’s eyes, but he quickly agreed. Still, he didn’t end up sending any letter to Pill Fiend Pharmacy, but a messenger to Third Elder Shen Jueming instead. Chu Xifeng was dispatched to track down Gu Beiyue’s whereabouts instead. After they left Pill Fiend Pharmacy, Gu Beiyue had supposedly departed as well to work at one of the branch stores. But Chu Xifeng didn’t find any sign of him in those establishments.

Long Feiye was now very curious to know exactly where he had gone.

Gu Beiyue had planned to stay a few extra days in Medical City before hearing of Long Feiye’s arrival at Thousand Buddha Cave. He thus came over here instead since the distance wasn’t great. Han Yunxi now took the chance to tell him about the Wood of Ten-Thousand Poisons, leaving him both delighted yet bewildered.

“It’s on the thousand-year ginkgo tree? That’s a hypertoxic poison, so how could it coexist with a tree?”

Han Yunxi couldn’t figure it out, either. It was a pity they couldn’t see that tree for themselves, or else she might’ve been able to analyze something from it. She wasn’t certain if she could simply absorb the poison outright from the tree, either. Everything required sight on her end, but it was hard to even catch a glimpse.

Gu Qishao glanced at Long Feiye. “Shall we scope out a path tonight?”

Long Feiye agreed. The reason he and Han Yunxi had settled down in this little town was to 1) keep an eye on the movements of Western Zhou and the Chu Clan and 2) gain a better understanding of the Thousand Buddha Cave. He was looking forward to Emperor Kang Cheng’s actions against the Chu Clan over the next three months, as well as the Chu Clan’s own moves three months later, once Duanmu Baiye was out of confinement and the Thousand Buddha Caves opened up for prayer!

Of course, he was also anticipating Third Elder Shen’s reply. He refused to believe that the Chu Clan would comply with his threats and requirements lying down. Because Western Zhou wasn’t his permanent abode, it would take time and patience to stir up its waters.

—

Once business had concluded, Han Yunxi excused herself and had her guard Xu Donglin sent a letter to Pill Fiend Pharmacy addressed to Mu Linger. Now that Gu Qishao was finally back, she could give a proper update to the girl. Who knew if Mu Linger would cry with joy at the news?

Meanwhile, Long Feiye, Gu Qishao, and Tang Li all headed towards Thousand Buddha Cave that night. Although the managed to enter the gates of the temple, they couldn’t proceed any further than that for fear of startling all the sentries posted beyond the entrance. In the end, they had to retreat.

A few days later, news came from White City that someone had reported the Chu Clan for misappropriating soldiers’ pays and provisions. Emperor Kang Cheng issued a decree that confined General Chu within the capital until a thorough investigation had been made. Without a doubt, he was starting to make his move. Long Feiye expected the Chu Clan to be busying themselves into a sorry state, but their actions two months later stunned both him and all of Western Zhou!

Just what did the Chu Clan do?

1. Gu Blood (蛊血) – the Gu here is the same as the one found in Poison Gu human, and refers to a legendary venomous insect.