Chapter 454: In A Fit Of Rage (1/2)

Upon pulling out the needle, I noticed venom smeared on the tip. I suspected it was an anesthetic rather than a neurotoxin. Had it been the latter, I would’ve instantly suffocated the moment the needle pierced my neck. Instead, it took several minutes for the full-blown effect of the anesthetic to hit me.

”Motherfucker!” yelled Song Sichao as he charged at the attacker. However, the man simply fled from the scene.

”Come here...” I shouted, despite the lightheadedness. My legs wobbled like a drunk man and I felt the world around me shake.

Slapping myself awake, I pinched the Hegu acupoint located between my thumb and index finger. Some time later, Song Shichao came running back. ”The attacker got away! Uncle, were you poisoned?” he asked.

I took a deep breath, ”It's an anesthetic but I won’t be able to hold out much longer. Let’s look for a place to hide!”

Scanning the area, Song Sichao reported, ”There’s an abandoned house over there. We can hide there.”

I felt as if my brain was stuffed with cotton. I couldn’t think; the gears in my brain refused to budge. If this were any other time, I wouldn’t have agreed. Hiding in a deserted place made us easy targets.

Song Shichao supported me throughout the challenging walk to the abandoned house. Halfway through, weakness overwhelmed me and I fell to my knees.

”Uncle, why don’t I carry you?” he suggested.

”Pass me a cigarette!” I waved my hand.

When he handed me the cigarette, I folded it in half and emptied the contents into my mouth, chewing it hard. The nicotine in tobacco was a stimulant, especially for non-smokers.

As I chewed the tobacco, the disgusting flavor slipped down my throat, giving me the kick I needed. However, my limbs were still as soft as noodles.

”Do you have a knife?” I asked.

”Yes!”

I grabbed the knife and slashed twice at my wrist. Due to the effect of the anesthetic, I felt little pain.

”Uncle, why are you hurting yourself?” exclaimed Song Sichao.

I shook my head, ”I need to bleed.”

”Why?”

I didn’t have the strength to explain that the human body secreted adrenaline during blood loss, which could help me stay conscious a while longer. At the same time, losing blood activates the immune system. In fact, bloodletting was used to strengthen immunity in the Middle Ages.

With danger all around, I couldn’t fall asleep at this time. That would mean certain death!

Song Shichao supported me rest of the way. As he walked, he marked the trees by the roadside. When I asked him what it was, he explained, ”This is the secret code used by the martial Songs. With this, Uncle Xingchen will be able to find us later.”

As soon as I sat down, Song Shichao asked, ”Uncle, can I get you some water to drink?”

I shook my head with difficulty.

It was a battle against drowsiness, my mind constantly see-sawing between wakefulness and sleep. I asked Song Shichao for more cigarettes and chewed the tobacco, keeping myself awake with the pungent flavor.

Finally, Song Shichao couldn't bear watching me suffer. ”Why push yourself? Just take a nap!”

”Anesthetics merely deceive the brain,” I said. “I can get through this. Don't let me fall asleep, alright?”

”When the head refused to let you leave, I thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill. But it looks like you really do have a lot of enemies outside, uncle,” lamented Song Sichao.