Chapter 342: Bone Erosion Drug (1/2)
”What have you done?” I glared at Song Xingchen.
He didn’t answer, but he quickly pulled out a small porcelain jar from his pocket, gnawed off the sealed red cloth with his teeth, and poured the powder inside onto Deng Chao's wound.
Was this the legendary Bone Erosion Drug?!
Apparently, back in ancient times, the Song family had two branches–the literary Songs and the martial Songs. Soon after each child was born, he would undergo a test to judge whether he belonged to the literary or martial branch.
When the literary children grew up, they either became magistrates or ministers of the Judicial Court, while the martial branch became constables or personal guards of the Song family. The skills the two branches learned differed from childhood. For example, I could perform the Triple Divination and the Reenactment Techniques, but Song Xingchen didn't learn these at all. On the other hand, he could concoct drugs and medicine that I had never even heard of.
The Bone Erosion Drug was used by constables when dealing with violent criminals. The drug entered the body through the bloodstream, causing both chills and fever, stimulating the pain nerve fibres throughout the entire body. It purportedly simulated the pain of breaking bones, tearing muscles and rotting organs all at once–a hundred times more painful than death by a thousand cuts.
A few seconds after Deng Chao’s wound was stained with the drug powder, he suddenly rolled on the ground screaming with pain. He tore at his hair desperately, almost pulling his scalp altogether, gouging out pieces of bloody flesh and scratching deep wounds on his face.
”Kill me! Kill me!” he frantically screamed.
It was so gruesome even I couldn’t bear to watch him. Song Xingchen took out a small bottle and demanded, ”Tell me how to reset the bomb and I'll give you the antidote!”
Deng Chao pulled out his cell phone and threw it on the ground. ”Dial the last number, say the code word 'prayer.’ Now give me the antidote!”
”Where are the children?” I asked.
Deng Chao rolled over, howling, ”Give me the antidote first! I can't stand it! I can't stand it anymore!”
”Where are the children?” I repeated.
”Basement 44, Daxing Road!” he growled.
I winked at Song Xingchen, ”Give it to him!”
”There’s no antidote for the Bone Erosion Drug,” Song Xingchen sneered, placing the bottle back in his pocket. “Apart from pain, it has no negative effects on the body.”
Deng Chao's eyes rolled back into his head as he fell unconscious. ”Look, he’s fainted from the pain,” added Song Xingchen. “The effects of the drug will dissipate in one hour.”
”I'll treat you to dinner today,” I smiled, patting Song Xingchen on the shoulder.
”You're welcome. Just a cup of bubble tea, please. The most expensive one.”
When the team arrived, Lao Yao screamed at the sight of the blood on the floor. ”Xiao Song-Song, are you alright?”
”You scared me half to death!” Xiaotao rebuked. “I thought something happened to you!”
”By the way, we’ve obtained the whereabouts of the children,” I said. “Send a team to rescue them now!”
”How did you pry that from his lips?” Xiaotao asked in surprise.
I glanced at Song Xingchen, ”Song Xingchen may have used a method that’s not entirely legal. Are you going to arrest him?”