Chapter 1168: Reduced to fodder (2/2)

Gu Qishao was part of the solution, after all. He needed to stick around and help Gu Beiyue research his blood.

“There are a few ingredients only I can get. I’ll leave in the afternoon and return within ten days,” Gu Qishao declared.

Han Yunxi arched a brow at him and suddenly felt something was wrong.

“What now, afraid of death?” Long Feiye said coldly.

“If I can recover, of course I want to do it quickly. Poison lass, promise me you’ll always keep this a secret. Don’t let that crybaby Mu Linger know or she’ll annoy me to death!” As Gu Qishao spoke, his gaze fell on her stomach. “And don’t tell that brat in the future too, in case it scares him into keeping his distance.”

Han Yunxi’s thoughts stopped wandering after the switch in topics.

“Princess, just take care of the baby. After delaying for so long, it’s time for His Highness to return to the baracks. Leave this to this subordinate, you don’t have to worry,” Gu Beiyue said seriously.

If it was anyone else but Gu Beiyue, Han Yunxi would still be uneasy. As it were, she had no more qualms. She couldn’t do anything about the matter herself, so it was up to Gu Beiyue and Gu Qishao. Although Long Feiye said nothing, she knew he had to return to the army as soon as possible. The world wasn’t peaceful yet!

--

Gu Qishao would depart that afternoon. Gu Beiyue had to analyze the blood samples quickly before they dried. Han Yunxi hesitated, then said, “We’ll leave in the afternoon as well. This way, we can set off together.”

To get to the Tianning army camps from Medical City meant traveling east, the same direction as Pill Fiend Valley. They would be sharing the same route for at least a day before one headed east and the other south. Gu Beiyue wanted to speak up, but held back as a complicated look flitted across his face.

With the princess’s smarts, she’ll get suspicious if I say any more. Since it’s only for a day, let Qishao do as he likes.

Gu Qishao was overjoyed and asked, “What do you want to eat? Qi gege will make preparations!”

Long Feiye was privately wondering whether he should laugh or cry. He was actually allowing Gu Qishao to treat Han Yunxi well! I must be losing my mind.

“No need!” As usual, Han Yunxi refused. “Just take a good look at that list to prevent any mistakes! Also, have Xu Donglin gather any ingredients you need. He’ll be loaned to you for now.”

In many cases, Xu Donglin could represent Long Feiye because he served directly at the man’s side. He had plenty of clout to his name.

Han Yunxi left Xu Donglin so it’d be 1) convenient for Gu Beiyue and 2) easy for the man to report updates to them. After everything was settled, Gu Qishao was the first to leave to do who knows what. Han Yunxi discovered that her fingers wre swelling up, but she kept it from Long Feiye to seek out Fourth Young Miss Ren.

As soon as she left, Long Feiye entered Gu Beiyue’s study and got straight to the point. “What’s the matter with Gu Qishao?”

Gu Beiyue gave a start before smiling helplessly. Even if they could hide many things from the princess, it was impossible to escape His Highness’s sharp eyes.

“At present, it’s uncertain. If you have a change during the travels tomorrow, Your Highness should take a look at his arm. His flesh and blood are currently being eroded away by vine roots,” Gu Beiyue clarified. “If we can find the antidote in time and destroy his undying body, the condition should vanish. Otherwise, I’m afraid that Qishao’s body…”

“Will be completely devoured by vines?” Long Feiye finished coldly.

Although Gu Beiyue was reluctant to admit it, he nodded his head. “Yes!”

Long Feiye creased his brows in silence. In the end, he only let out a long sigh. Without a doubt, his heart felt stifled.

“Your Highness, Qishao doesn’t want the princess to know. She’s currently pregnant, so it’s no good for her to feel too sad,” Gu Beiyue added.

“I know,” Long Feiye intoned. “How long will it take to gather all the ingredients on the list?” If he guessed right, Gu Qishao wasn’t planning to go plant-picking at Pill Fiend Valley at all. He simply wanted them both to return to the army as soon as possible.

“Last night, Qishao and I went over them. Ten of the plants are extremely hard to find. Even Pill Fiend Valley doesn’t have them. I’ve already sent a request to Pill King, but we’ll only get his reply tonight at the earliest,” Gu Beiyue said.

“Ten plants…” Long Feiye was taken aback. After all, ten was no small sum!

“Your Highness, these ten plants aren’t the greatest obstacle. The problem is that Gu Yuntian used the blood from patints who died of the plague to produce two more poisonous medicines during Qishao’s youth. To recreate them is even harder than tracking down ten rare plants,” Gu Beiyue’s tone grew heavy.

The so called “poisonous medicine” was a special type of pill created from the blood essence of a sick patient. Normal people who took such a pill would fall prey to the same disease as the original host. It would be hard to collect the full list--but even then, there was no guarantee that would save Qishao since it was only their first step!

“We’re not leaving!” Long Feiye declared.

Gu Beiyue grew alarmed. “Your Highness, please think thrice!”