Anguish filled his heart, but a glimmer of hope remained. When Mei Shisi struck with her hidden weapon, he had sealed her acupoint and administered the Universal Antidote. If Chu Dingjiang had been skilled in healing, she might have survived.
But did Chu Dingjiang truly know how to heal?
“Damn it! Who thought of using such fragile creatures as butterflies to track people?” Mo Sigui slammed his palm on the table, shattering the remaining butterfly into dust. Gritting his teeth, he vowed to find a way to use tigers and wolves as trackers in the future.
The other patrons turned to look at him. The innkeeper approached timidly, “Sir…”
Mo Sigui prepared to settle his bill, but as he reached into his sleeve, he remembered he had spent his last silver on clothes and lodging. Only a few copper coins remained.
“This should cover the meal,” Mo Sigui tossed his folding fan to the innkeeper.
The innkeeper didn’t know the fan’s true value, but its jade pendant, smooth as a quail’s egg, was worth more than ten of his inns.
“Safe travels, sir!” The innkeeper tucked the fan into his robe and eagerly saw Mo Sigui out.
At the doorway, Mo Sigui brushed past a man and a woman. The man was tall and burly with dark skin, while the woman was slender with a wheat-colored complexion, quite different from the locals. More striking was the murderous aura that surrounded them. As they stood at the entrance, the room fell silent.
“Who’s the owner?” the woman asked in a flawless official speech. Her gaze flickered to Mo Sigui, catching only the back of his head.
She sniffed lightly, detecting a faint medicinal scent.
“This humble one, at your service.” The innkeeper smiled, bowing to them. “Are you here for a meal or lodging? We have no rooms available.”
The innkeeper’s words drew the woman’s attention. She unfolded two portraits. “Have you seen these two?”
Mo Sigui turned slightly, glimpsing an old man and a youth in the images. His heart raced. Could it be Elder Qi and himself?
He lowered his eyes and walked out, feigning nonchalance.
The innkeeper found the young man’s portrait somewhat familiar but, fearing trouble from these dangerous-looking individuals, replied, “My humble establishment is quite remote. We don’t see many guests in a day. I haven’t seen either of these people.”
The woman put away the portraits and sat by the window. “Bring tea.”
The man followed, placing his sword within reach. Noticing powder on the table corner, he barked, “Innkeeper! Come clean this table!”
“Yes, yes!” The innkeeper, who had just prepared tea, hurried over with a cloth.
The inn was usually quiet and managed by the innkeeper and his wife, who cooked. He alone tended to the dining area and now found himself flustered by the demands of these two guests.
As he was about to wipe the table, the woman stopped him. “Wait!”
She untied a gourd from her waist and poured out a large centipede. The creature crawled to the powder and began to eat. Within moments, its body turned bright red and swelled to the size of a pupa.
The innkeeper trembled, dropping his cloth unknowingly.
“Tell me, who sat here before?” the woman asked pleasantly.
The man’s sword was already at the innkeeper’s throat.
“A young man! He left just as you entered!” The innkeeper, terrified, dared not conceal anything. He quickly produced the folding fan from his robe. “Heroes, the young man left this to pay for his meal. My old eyes didn’t recognize him as the person you seek. I wasn’t hiding him, I swear. Please have mercy!”
The woman took the fan and slowly opened it, her eyes brightening at the red plum blossom on its face. “After him!”
Before her words faded, she had already dashed out.
The man sheathed his sword and hurried after her.
“Ning Yi,” the man asked, “was that Mo Sigui?”
The woman called Ning Yi released her centipede, watching it crawl north. She pursued without hesitation. “It must be him. This time, we’ll face him!”
“The Master values you highly. If he were to join us, wouldn’t you have to share that favor?” the man said.
Ning Yi laughed softly. “Share? This world may be vast, but the peak is as narrow as a needle’s point. There’s never room for two at the top.”
“Why not kill him then?” the man suggested.
“Would killing him make me peerless?” Ning Yi chuckled. “No, if I killed him, I’d always feel there was a hurdle I never truly overcame.”
Ning Yi’s true name was Ning Yanli. Only in her twenties, she had been hailed as a medical prodigy since childhood. Seven or eight years ago, people spoke of “North Ning, South Mo,” but after Mo Sigui joined the Mei family, his fame overshadowed hers. For unknown reasons, “North Ning” had vanished from public view. In the years since most had forgotten about this pair of medical geniuses.
They tracked Mo Sigui for ten miles before Ning Yi spotted a figure with a bundle ahead. She blew two flying needles.
Mo Sigui sensed the danger and leaped aside.
“Liu Hen, capture him alive!” Ning Yi ordered.
Liu Hen obeyed, surging forward like an arrow. A chain flew from his hand, coiling around Mo Sigui like a nimble snake.
Mo Sigui stumbled, nearly falling.
“Mo Sigui,” Ning Yi caught up, her voice tinged with amusement, “I’ve finally caught you!”
Mo Sigui steadied himself and turned, his tone flippant. “I don’t recall owing any romantic debts.”
Ning Yanli, faced with his playful peach blossom eyes, paused. “You’re much more handsome than your portrait.”
Mo Sigui smiled noncommittally.
“I’ve long admired your reputation! I’m Ning Yanli. We haven’t met, but surely you’ve seen my handiwork,” Ning Yanli quickly returned to business.
“Those half-finished products?” Mo Sigui grew serious. “You used drugs to artificially boost their strength!”
“Correct.” Ning Yanli produced two poison-tipped flying needles.
The needles pierced Mo Sigui’s thigh. He grunted in pain as she said, “This is a special welcome gift for you. I hope you like it.”
Mo Sigui forced a smile, enduring the spreading pain from his leg.
“I’ll find you again in half a month,” Ning Yanli set their next meeting, then glanced at Liu Hen. “Let’s go!”
“Ning Yi,” Liu Hen’s hand was already on his sword hilt, eager to kill Mo Sigui, but he dared not act without permission.
Ning Yanli walked away without looking back. “If he dies by your sword, our bond of loyalty ends here and now!”
Liu Hen clenched his teeth, yanking back his chain before following Ning Yanli.
Mo Sigui held firm until the pair vanished from sight. Then he swayed slightly, steadying himself against a withered branch.
“Such potent poison,” Mo Sigui’s face turned pale and greenish, but his eyes shone with excitement.
As someone obsessed with medicine, he often tested drugs on himself. No one else could better appreciate the subtle differences in drug effects. He eagerly accepted Ning Yanli’s challenge.