Chapter 1012: Why does it have nothing to do with this old man? (2/2)

“We can handle it! As long as he hands over the Returning Dragon Pill, I’ll definitely cure the poison!” Han Yunxi said. She didn’t want to force Gu Qishao’s hand.

But Gu Qishao only smiled even more carelessly and said, “Poison lass, you guys being tricked is the same as being tricked myself! In any case, I’m getting involved. If you guys won’t go in, I’ll enter myself!”

Gu Qishao didn’t give the couple time to react before slipping into the cave and vanishing in its darkness.

“All of you stand guard!” Long Feiye ordered Xu Donglin before pulling Han Yunxi in after him. They soon caught up with Gu Qishao, who glanced back with a chuckle.

“Follow me closely, don’t get lost.”

Han Yunxi and Long Feiye noticed that there wasn’t a hint of smoke within the cave. They didn’t ask Gu Qishao any questions, but simply followed in silence. Since Gu Qishao wanted to come in, they had no reason or right to stop him. In their impression, their first trip here led them to the medicine youth not long after their entry. The youth had wanted them to inspect and identify different pills before letting them pass. Soon enough, another youth emerged from the darkness while holding a plate.

Their fire had failed to affect any denizen of the cave. The little youth didn’t even mention it, but simply gave them the same set of instructions with the same expressionless face.

“As long as you identify the pills in this plate in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, you may proceed. Otherwise, you’ll have to stay at the medical cottage for the rest of your lives. Violators will be cursed with a hundred illnesses with no cure.”

Han Yunxi’s detox system didn’t recognize the pills at first glance, because the youth had carried out not regular pills, but dan pellets. She wasn’t familiar with them!

The medicine youth didn’t care whether they were ready or not, but stood five paces away and picked up a pill in his palms for them to identify. Han Yunxi could discern some of its components with difficulty, but it would be hard to name them outright. Long Feiye was even less likely as this wasn’t his strong point. He crossed his arms to observe. Since Gu Qishao wanted in, this would be his responsibility. Han Yunxi glanced at Gu Qishao, waiting to learn from him and his skills. Who knew…

Who knew that Gu Qishao would suddenly dart forward, snatch all the pills from the boy, and toss them at Han Yunxi!

“Poison lass, for you!”

Han Yunxi was still reeling from the sudden influx of pills when Long Feiye helped her accept them all. Scared to death, the medicine youth pointed at Gu Qishao and yelled, “You, you...you’ll be cursed! You’ll catch 100 ills without a cure!”

Gu Qishao smiled coldly before he hauled up the youth by his collar and snapped back, “Cursed? You’re scaring this old man to death!”

So speaking, he tossed the boy aside before kicking open the next stone door. Han Yunxi realized for the first time that Gu Qishao could be domineering too! She also recalled that during their last trip, the second test had made everyone fall ill. Moreover, the sickness had attacked their vital organs until Gu Beiyue managed to cure everyone. What about this time? Would they get sick again?

Admittedly, Han Yunxi was a little worried. Curing illnesses wasn’t Gu Qishao’s forte. Yet as they walked through the cave, they met with nothing out of the ordinary.

--

Meanwhile, news of the latest encounter had already been reported to Pill Furnace Master, who was sitting atop his giant pill furnace.

“What’s the name of that fellow who stole the dan pellets?” Pill Furnace Master asked.

“He’s called Gu Qishao, the former foster son of Medical City’s ex-Academy Head Gu Yuntian. He’s also the master of Pill Fiend Valley,” this was all the subordinate knew.

Pill Furnace Master’s face fell. “No matter who he is, those who steal this old man’s pills will die without mercy!”

Last time Han Yunxi’s group had passed the second test, but this time would be harder. Moreover, that medical expert Gu Beiyue wasn’t with them. He’d like to see just how long that fellow Gu Qishao could keep blustering!

Those were Pill Furnace Master’s intentions, but Gu Qishao’s actions at the second trial made him topple off his pill furnace…

1. For continuity’s sake, I’m going to capitalize Pill Furnace King from this chapter on so he can match Pill King.