After knocking out the Great Herb King with a single slap, he said that it involved a secret art, but the guards tolerated it and pretended that nothing had happened.
At this moment, he actually dared to say such words. This was clearly a provocation. How could he endure it?
"Impudent!"
"Courting death!"
The guards glared at Xiao Chen furiously as they brandished their swords and sabers. With a single command, they would immediately chop this pretentious fellow into mincemeat.
"Is there something wrong with your brain?"
"I've interacted with this Bai Chan before. Even though his character isn't all that great, his brain is still normal. Why... did he suddenly become problematic?"
Initially, they thought that Zhang Xuan would be able to come up with some shocking theory, but when the other physicians heard those words, they nearly spurted a mouthful of blood. All of them were dumbfounded, as though they had seen a monster.
There was no one in the Red Lotus City who didn't know of the Great Herb King's influence.
Even if the prince of Tianwu Kingdom were to come here, he would have to behave obediently. Knocking the other party unconscious with a single slap was already a provocation, yet he actually went even further, saying that he deserved it...
Do you think that you have lived long enough to court death, or do you think that the Great Herb King has a good temper?
Physician Cheng Feng also looked at Zhang Xuan as though he was looking at a fool.
This fellow... Was his head kicked by a savage beast?
Otherwise, why would he say such shameful words?
"It's over, this time … it's really over …"
Mo Yu slapped her forehead. She wanted to cry but had no tears.
Previously, Zhang Xuan could still say that it was a special secret art that required the Great Herb King to be unconscious. However, with these words, he had completely offended the other party, and there was no room for negotiation!
If you want to die, then die. Don't drag me down with you …
I just want to see who I offended …
Forget it, we came together. Even if this guy wants to die, I can't throw him away!
Feeling stifled, Mo Yu gritted her teeth and sent a telepathic message to Zhang Xuan, "Zhang Xuan, inform the Howling Firmament Beast to come over right now. I have the formation plate that my father left for me. As long as it is activated, it should be able to hold on for some time. Hurry up and don't hesitate. Perhaps, there might still be a chance of survival."
Even though this was a dangerous place, the Howling Firmament Beast possessed the cultivation of a Half-Zhizun, not to mention that it was capable of flight. If it were to come over, there was still a good chance that it would be able to escape with them.
However, the most important thing now was how to persist until the Howling Firmament Beast found this place.
Holding the storage ring in her hand, Mo Yu was on high alert. As soon as the other party made a move, she would immediately take out the array disc and throw it out.
As a princess, she had come out to train alone, so she still had some means to protect herself.
A formation plate was a special method to inscribe a huge formation onto an object that could be carried around. When it was needed, one only needed to infuse zhenqi into it. Even if one was not a formation master, one could easily activate it.
Although its power was much weaker than a real formation, it could be activated in an instant and was convenient to carry around. It was a life-saving measure that many people used.
However, this item was expensive, and it was a one-time use item. Only the princess of Tianwu Kingdom could afford it.
"Why do you want it to come here? Don't be nervous! "
Seeing how nervous the other party was, Zhang Xuan smiled.
"You …"
Seeing how the fellow was still acting so recklessly despite being in such a dangerous situation, Mo Yu was on the verge of exploding. "You've offended the Great Herb King! Hurry up and leave! Do you really want to die here?"
"How could I offend him when I'm explaining his condition to him?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand and comforted him, "Just stay here and don't think too much!"
"Explaining his condition?"
Mo Yu went berserk.
Scolding the other party for reaping what he sowed, is this explaining his condition?
I have been taking the apprentice physician examination for a very long time, but I have never heard of such a thing!
It would be a miracle if he could stay in such a situation!
Mo Yu gritted her teeth furiously, but she knew that this wasn't the time for her to vent her frustrations. She scanned the surroundings to find the best escape route.
If she knew that this fellow was so unreliable, she wouldn't have risked her life with him.
"Physician Bai Chan, I invited you here with good intentions to treat the old master, yet you dare to speak to me in such a manner. If you don't explain yourself properly today, don't even think of leaving! "
Ignoring the shock of the crowd, Butler Lu suppressed his anger, flung his sleeves, and narrowed his eyes.
If not for the other party helping him resolve his affliction, he would have been chopped to death by those words. How could he even have a chance to explain himself?
"Don't panic, I will explain myself clearly. Just that … there are so many people here, do you really want me to speak?" Zhang Xuan paid no heed to his threat. Instead, he smiled faintly.
"Stop putting on an act. No matter what you say today, only death awaits you!"
"Those who dare to challenge the authority of the Great Herb King must die!"
"Butler Lu, why are you wasting your breath on him? As long as you give the order, we will tear this person who offended the old master into pieces!"
… …
Seeing how unrepentant Zhang Xuan was, the guards in the surroundings were so furious that they were about to explode. They roared furiously, and killing intent surged from their bodies.
These guards were all at Tongxuan realm and above. Dozens of them released their auras simultaneously, and it felt as though a viscous liquid had gathered in the room. Everyone's breathing hastened, and their palms began to sweat.
Even the faces of the Zongshi realm physicians paled, and they subconsciously retreated.
Even though there was a huge gap between Tongxuan realm and Zongshi realm, these guards had been together for a long time, and they were familiar with one another. Furthermore, they possessed lethal poison and other means. Even a Zongshi realm expert would find it hard to defend against them.
"Enough!"
Seeing that the guards were about to make a move, Butler Lu waved his hands grandly. "All of you, stop!"
After which, he turned to Physician Bai and said, "Physician Bai, these people are loyal to the old master. If you don't make things clear with your words, I'm afraid that even I won't be able to control them."
His tone was filled with a thick threat.
As long as Zhang Xuan couldn't come up with a suitable reason, the guards would really make a move.
"It's easy to make things clear. However, even though you all don't mind, it involves a secret. In my opinion, it's best that you don't speak of it in front of so many people!"
Ignoring the guards who were ready to make a move at any moment, Zhang Xuan walked up to the Great Herb King and said calmly, "How about this, I'll say three words. If you think that my diagnosis is correct, get these people to leave and we'll talk it out. If not, kill me!"
After communicating with the Great Herb King, Butler Lu nodded. "Alright!"
"It's good that you agree to it!"
Zhang Xuan chuckled. "My words are simple... Contract Gu!"
"Contract Gu? What's that? "
Thinking that the other party would say something, Butler Lu frowned. Just as he was considering whether he should chop the other party to death, the Great Herb King, who was on the verge of death, suddenly changed his expression. Agitation gleamed in his murky eyes.
"Get... get... the others to leave..."
The Great Herb King struggled for a moment, and his hoarse voice sounded.
"This..."
Seeing how Bai Chan was able to make the dispirited and motionless Great Herb King speak with just three words, everyone stared at him as though he was a monster.
They thought that he was doomed, and no one expected such a twist.
Could it be that... those three words possessed some kind of magical power?
"Old master!"
Seeing the old master speak, Butler Lu hurriedly walked up to the Great Herb King, and after communicating with him for a moment, he stood up and surveyed the surroundings.
"Everyone, I'm sorry, but I'll end my diagnosis here. Please leave! I'll have someone send you your remuneration. "
After which, he couldn't help but glance at Zhang Xuan.
The Great Herb King's body was too weak at the moment, so he was unable to speak. However, having served the other party for many years, he could understand the other party's intentions just by looking at his gaze.
The old master's intentions were very simple!
He had to follow Physician Bai's instructions. Only he could save him!
How could a fellow who spouted nonsense be able to save him?
Could it really be as the other party had said, that the Old Master had brought this upon himself?
"Yes!"
"Great Herb King, Butler Lu, we'll be taking our leave now!"
Hearing Butler Lu's order for them to leave, even though everyone was perplexed, they still shook their heads and left. Before leaving, they glanced at Physician Bai Chan with bewilderment.
This fellow only said three words, and the Great Herb King immediately chased them away. Could it be that he really knew what illness the other party was suffering from?
But... there didn't seem to be any illness called [Contract Gu]?
"You all should leave as well!"
Ignoring everyone's bewilderment, Butler Lu gestured for the guards to leave.
"Yes!"
Knowing that it was the old master's will, the guards responded and left.
Seeing the crowd leave, Mo Yu hesitated for a moment before eventually stopping.
Regardless of whether that fellow was right or not, or whether she would be hacked to death later on, since she had come together with the other party, it was only right for her to leave.
Seeing that the proud princess was a loyal person despite her harsh words, Zhang Xuan nodded his head in approval.
Soon, only the few of them were left in the room.
"Physician Bai Chan, since there's no one else here, can you speak now?"
Knowing that Mo Yu was with Physician Bai, Butler Lu clasped his fist respectfully without any hesitation.
"Un!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head. "Actually, when I saw the Great Herb King's condition, I already had a conclusion. Through a secret art, I've confirmed it... "
At this point, there was a hint of regret in his eyes. "The Great Herb King isn't suffering from an illness, nor is he poisoned. Instead, he's suffering from something called [Contract Gu]! This object was left behind after a trade with someone. Now that the person who made the trade is dead, he's suffering from the effects of the gu. Naturally, he won't be able to live for long! "
"Contract Gu... What's that?" Butler Lu was still perplexed.
Even he, who interacted with physicians and medicinal herbs daily, had never heard of this name.
Clearly, the Great Herb King knew of this object, but he was unable to speak of it at the moment. Even if he could communicate with the other party, it was only through simple communication. It was impossible for him to express such a complicated concept.
"Contract Gu is a unique contract that a poison master signs in order to gain the trust of another. It's similar to the Life and Death Contract of beast tamers. Once the contract is signed, one becomes the loyal subordinate of the other party. Once the master dies, the subordinate won't be able to live for long and will soon follow the master. "
"This object is intentionally created by poison masters to control their subordinates. As long as the contract is signed, one's life and death are no longer in one's control. As long as one goes against the master's will, one will suffer the pain of ten thousand gu!"
Zhang Xuan said slowly with a grim gaze.
"There's... such a thing in the world?"
Butler Lu was astonished. He couldn't believe his ears.
If the other party didn't mention it, he would have never heard of it.
By the side, Mo Yu also widened her eyes in shock.
She didn't know much about Contract Gu, but she knew about the Life and Death Contract.
Under this contract, as long as the master dies, regardless of how powerful the savage beast is, it will cease to breathe no matter where it is.
Judging from the tone, this Contract Gu is even more formidable. If that's the case, doesn't that mean that humans are tamed and ordered around like savage beasts?
That's way too fearsome!
"Could it be that... the Contract Gu is related to the old master's illness?"
After recovering from his shock, Butler Lu's face turned ghastly pale.
"Not only is it related, it's the cause of his illness!"
Looking at the Great Herb King before him, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but shake his head. "Your old master is the Great Herb King, an overlord of the Red Lotus City. Yet, he chose to become someone else's subordinate and willingly consume such a poison. If this isn't his own doing, what else can it be?"
The Great Herb King of the Red Lotus City was a figure whom even the emperor of Tianwu Kingdom didn't dare to offend. Even a 3-star physician willingly lowered his head to him. His standing was several times higher than the emperors of some Tier 2 Kingdoms.
Yet, such a person willingly consumed the Contract Gu and became someone else's subordinate. Isn't he courting death?
He couldn't blame anyone else for this situation.
Hearing those words, the Great Herb King's shriveled face reddened, and regret filled his eyes.
"Physician Bai, please save my old master!"
Only now did he realize what illness the old master was suffering from. Butler Lu's body trembled, and his knees caved in.
He had been unable to understand why the old master was getting weaker and weaker over the past few days. Now that he finally understood the reason, he couldn't hold himself back anymore.
He had grown up in the Great Herb King Manor, and his loyalty was unquestionable.
If the old master were to die, the other herb kings would attack the Great Herb King Manor. As the butler of the Great Herb King Manor, it would be difficult for him to live for long.
Regardless of whether it was for official or personal reasons, he couldn't allow anything to happen to the old master.
Not only did Physician Bai see through his illness with a single glance, he even saw through the old master's illness. Perhaps, he might have a solution.
"Get up first!" Reaching out to help the other party up, Zhang Xuan shook his head. "The Contract Gu has already seeped into one's blood and bone marrow. It's difficult to cure it!"
Once a contract was established, the gu would enter one's body and swim along with one's blood. It was impossible to find it.
"As long as Physician Bai treats the old master, the Great Herb King Manor will agree to any request of yours..." Butler Lu said through gritted teeth.
"In order to save him, you have to find the location of the gu and capture it or kill it!"
Zhang Xuan didn't agree to it. Instead, he explained, "The gu is alive, and it will swim along one's blood. The moment it encounters danger, it will escape immediately. How can you capture it?"
The most important aspect of the Contract Gu was that it was nurtured in one's body. It was easy to deal with it as long as one captured it or killed it. However, it was simply too difficult to do it.
The gu was in one's blood, and it couldn't be seen or touched. On top of that, it would swim around to avoid danger. How could one kill it?
Most likely, the person would die before the gu was killed.
"Since Physician Bai is able to see through the old master's problem, you must have a solution. I beseech you to save him!"
Butler Lu kneeled down once more.
They had looked for so many physicians, but none of them were able to diagnose the old master's illness. Bai Chan was their only hope.
"I can save him, but... I have a condition!"
Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment before saying.
It might be difficult for others to locate the gu, but Zhang Xuan was different. He possessed the Library of Heaven's Path, and he could clearly mark the location of the gu. If he really wanted to treat the old master, it wasn't impossible.
"Physician, feel free to speak!"
Hearing that Zhang Xuan could really save Bai Chan, Butler Lu clenched his fists in agitation.
"I want to go to the Poison Temple. I hope that the Great Herb Queen can bring me there!"
Zhang Xuan looked at him impassively.
"This..."
Not expecting such a request, Butler Lu's face darkened. "The Poison Temple is currently in a dangerous situation. It doesn't accept outsiders, especially physicians. If you were to go there... it would be extremely dangerous!"
Poison masters and physicians were hostile occupations. If a physician were to head to the Poison Temple, wouldn't that be courting death?
"Dangerous situation? What do you mean? "
Hearing the other party's words, Zhang Xuan looked at him doubtfully.
Glancing at the old master, and seeing that the other party didn't object to it, Butler Lu gritted his teeth and said, "There is an internal conflict in the Poison Temple at the moment, and it has sealed itself off. Even the old master isn't allowed to enter. Going there now... isn't the best time!"
"Internal conflict?"
"Yes!" Butler Lu said. "If Physician Bai wishes to head there, perhaps it would be better to wait for the internal conflict to subside a year later..."
"A year later? That's too late! "
Zhang Xuan shook his head.
The reason why he went through so much trouble to find the Poison Temple was to resolve the poison aura in his body. He didn't even want to wait for a month, yet he wanted to wait for a year?
You must be joking!
"As long as you bring me to the Poison Temple, I'll decide how and when I enter. If you agree to it, I'll treat him. If you don't, then forget it!"
Zhang Xuan said calmly. "However, other than me, no one in the surrounding thirteen countries will be able to resolve the poison aura!"
Hearing the determination in the other party's voice, Butler Lu turned to look at the old master, only to see the other party blinking his eyes.
"Alright, our old master agrees to it!"
"Un!"
Only then did Zhang Xuan nod his head. "Lay the old master down, I'll start the treatment now."
"Yes!"
Knowing that both parties were influential figures, Butler Lu knew that it was impossible for the old master to renege on his promise. Thus, he placed the reclining chair down for the old master to lie down.
Knowing that the other party was going to treat the Contract Gu, anxiety appeared on the Great Herb King's shriveled face.
Butler Lu and Mo Yu had never heard of the Contract Gu, but he had experienced it before. Naturally, he knew that there was no cure for it.
Yet, the person before him said that he could treat it. Even though he didn't believe it, he still wanted to give it a try.
Hu!
Deciding to treat the Great Herb King, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist and a box of silver needles appeared in his palm.
He flipped through the book in the Library of Heaven's Path and found the location of the flaw (That is, the location of the Contract Gu).
Driving the zhenqi in his body, he flicked his finger lightly, and the silver needles pierced straight into the location recorded in the book.
Infused with his Heaven's Path zhenqi, as long as the silver needles were to pierce the gu, they would definitely be killed.
"Un?"
After piercing in, Zhang Xuan circulated his zhenqi, and his face darkened.
"The gu is gone..."
The book had just been created, and after talking and observing the Great Herb King for half a day, the gu in the Great Herb King's body was nowhere to be found.
It seemed like he had to create a new book.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Xuan turned to look at the Great Herb King in embarrassment.
"Great Herb King, I'm really sorry, but... Is it convenient for you to pass out for a while longer?"
(In order to ensure that the story continues, I've combined the two chapters into one, which is equivalent to today's second and third chapter. Don't worry, there's still a fourth chapter today. On Monday, I hope that everyone will vote for me. Laoya thanks you!)
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