These words were tantamount to pronouncing Li Jiancheng’s death sentence. He had waited so long and endured so much suffering, all for the day when he could walk and run like a normal person. Just when it seemed his wish was about to come true, yet…

“No, it won’t happen. The foot ailment can definitely be cured, right?” Facing Li Jiancheng’s words, Physician Xu sighed without speaking. He truly had no confidence in this matter!

In the next moment, Li Jiancheng stared deadly at Jirong. If looks could kill, Jirong would have died countless times already. He said word by word: “If this truly comes to pass, I will make you suffer excruciating pain before death, and you will die without an intact corpse, just like that assassin!”

Jirong wept like rain-soaked pear blossoms, desperately shaking her head: “This servant is wronged!”

Li Shimin consoled: “When poisoned, one must avoid getting angry, as it will accelerate the circulation of the toxin. The most urgent matter now is to quickly expel the poison. The rest can be discussed slowly later.”

Under his words, Li Jiancheng gradually calmed down. After letting out a full bowl of poisonous blood, it finally turned from black to red, no longer as pitch-black as ink like before.

Just when everyone thought the situation was improving, Li Jiancheng’s body suddenly convulsed, his eyes rolled back, and the black color that had originally been suppressed below his knees began to gradually spread upward. The silver needles fell one by one from his thighs.

“This is bad. The eldest young master is deeply poisoned, and the situation is dire.” Physician Xu hurriedly applied more needles, but it was already too late. The toxin spread faster than he had anticipated. Soon, the entire thigh was covered with black veins. These were actually the meridians under his skin, which appeared black due to the poisonous blood.

Faced with this strange poison, Physician Xu was also at his wit’s end. He could only urge the servants to quickly brew the antidote, though he had little confidence in whether the prescription he had written could neutralize this poison.

Although Li Zhiyun’s relationship with Li Jiancheng wasn’t deep, he couldn’t help but worry: “Second brother, will eldest brother be alright?”

“He’ll be fine. Physician Xu will definitely save eldest brother. He’ll be alright.” Despite saying this, Li Shimin’s brows were tightly furrowed, difficult to relax.

The medicine was quickly brewed. Unfortunately, Li Jiancheng had already fallen into unconsciousness and couldn’t drink the medicine himself, so it had to be forcibly poured down his throat. As the medicine took effect in his body, the poison seemed somewhat suppressed, but after just a moment, it madly surged upward again, covering both arms with black veins.

Seeing this situation, Li Shimin said nervously: “Physician Xu, quickly think of a solution. If this continues, I’m afraid eldest brother’s life will be in danger.”

Physician Xu was panicked and helpless. He also wanted very much to save Li Jiancheng, but despite using all his medical skills, the poison remained like maggots attached to bone, impossible to expel. If the situation continued to develop like this, within half an hour, Li Jiancheng would die from the poison attacking his heart. What exactly… what kind of poison was this, and what could be used to neutralize it?!

At this time, Li Xuanba also received the news and came over. His temperament was naturally fiery, and seeing Li Jiancheng’s life hanging in the balance, how could he bear it? He grabbed Physician Xu’s collar and said coldly: “If you can’t save eldest brother, I’ll make you accompany him in death!”

“Third brother!” Li Shimin forcibly pulled him away and scolded: “Physician Xu is trying to think of a solution. Don’t act rashly!”

Li Xuanba said nothing, only staring at Physician Xu with cold eyes, using silent means to tell him that his words were not empty threats.

Physician Xu was stared at until cold sweat covered his head. He racked his brains, desperately thinking of all the medical principles he had learned, trying to come up with a method to neutralize the poison, but always came up empty-handed. No, not entirely empty-handed. He thought of something that made his whole body tremble, and said in panic: “Third Young Master, look at the symptoms of the eldest young master’s poisoning. Don’t they resemble yours and the Governor’s somewhat?”

Li Xuanba was stunned, then carefully examined Li Jiancheng’s symptoms. After looking, he said solemnly: “They do resemble them somewhat. Could it be that eldest brother was poisoned with the same toxin as me?”

“I dare not be certain, but there is this possibility.” Physician Xu swallowed his saliva and said: “I remember before Master Xia Hou left, he mentioned that the poison you were afflicted with was a rare toxin from the Western Regions, rarely seen in the Central Plains. The poison in the eldest young master’s body now is also one I’ve never seen before.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanba immediately said to Li Shimin: “Second brother, it’s that assassin. It must be her!”

Li Shimin nodded: “I know. The most urgent matter now is to save eldest brother. By the way, when Uncle Xia Hou treated you, he left behind a prescription. Third brother, quickly go find it. It should be useful.”

“I’ll go right away.” Li Xuanba responded and was about to leave urgently, but was blocked by Li Zhiyun. Li Xuanba already disliked him and glared at him fiercely: “What are you doing? Get out of my way immediately!”

For Li Jiancheng at this moment, time was life. Every minute delayed in finding the prescription left by Xia Houduan brought him one step closer to death’s door.

Li Zhiyun looked up and said: “Third brother, you don’t need to go.”

Li Xuanba thought he meant that Li Jiancheng was doomed and there was no need to waste effort, and immediately became furious. He grabbed Li Zhiyun’s collar and lifted him clean off the ground, saying coldly: “Listen clearly, eldest brother will not die!”

Li Zhiyun said calmly: “I know eldest brother won’t die.”

Under Li Xuanba’s bewildered gaze, he extended his hand, which contained a purple brocade pouch. “Inside this is an antidote pill my master gave me. Master said it can neutralize all poisons under heaven. I believe it can save eldest brother.”

Li Xuanba slowly released his grip, suspiciously staring at that unremarkable brocade pouch. “Really?”

“Of course it’s true.” Li Zhiyun poured out a snow-white pill that emanated waves of exotic fragrance from the pouch. Along with it fell a small piece of paper. When unfolded, it contained only three characters—save or not save.

There was a gap between “save” and “not save,” so it should be two characters. Li Zhiyun recognized this as his master’s handwriting, but he didn’t understand why his master had written these few characters.

He casually stuffed the paper back into the pouch, then ordered Wang Fu to bring a bowl of water. After dissolving the pill in the water, he approached to prepare feeding it to Li Jiancheng.

Just as the bowl’s rim touched Li Jiancheng’s lips, which were already somewhat blackened, Li Xuanba grasped his hand and said coldly: “Can this medicine truly save eldest brother?”

Li Zhiyun said with a proud expression: “Master knows astronomy and geography, astrology and divination—there’s nothing he doesn’t know or understand. His medicine will naturally be effective.” Speaking to this point, he seemed to think of something, and that face still bearing traces of childishness darkened. “Are you afraid I’ll harm eldest brother?”

Li Shimin, fearing they would quarrel at this moment, quickly said: “How could that be? We are blood brothers. How could Xuanba think such a thing?” As he spoke, he imperceptibly pulled away Li Xuanba’s hand and said: “Quickly let Zhiyun give eldest brother the medicine. Don’t miss the opportunity to treat eldest brother.”

Li Xuanba stared at Li Zhiyun coldly and said: “I hope that’s the case.”