Qiao Zhao hadn’t expected Divine Physician Li to say this and couldn’t help being startled: “Grandfather Li, what do you mean by ‘a problem’?”

“Those people with Shao Mingyuan went to Mingfeng Island and lurked in the dense forest all night. I’m worried they might contract malaria.”

Qiao Zhao’s heart sank.

Due to differences between northern and southern regions, as well as land and sea, Shao Mingyuan and the others were indeed more susceptible to miasma entering their bodies.

“When I was stranded on the island where Japanese pirates gathered, their leader and some of their people contracted malaria, caused by a type of mosquito on the island. On my suggestion, those Japanese pirates moved to Mingfeng Island, inevitably bringing those mosquitoes with them. Insects reproduce alarmingly fast. After several months of development, they’ve very likely established themselves there.” Divine Physician Li explained.

Qiao Zhao listened with alarm.

Divine Physician Li looked deeply at Qiao Zhao: “If they’ve already contracted malaria, when it manifests will differ for each person. What if it strikes while they’re in Fudong?”

Qiao Zhao was stumped by Divine Physician Li’s question. Suppressing her worry, she smiled: “Your concern is valid. I’ll go discuss this with him.”

Divine Physician Li glanced sideways at Qiao Zhao: “Even if they need to infiltrate Fudong to rescue people, what’s a little girl like you who could be blown over by the wind doing following along to join the excitement?”

“His cold poison hasn’t been eliminated yet, and we don’t know how long we’ll stay in Fudong, so I need to go with him.”

“For that boy?” Divine Physician Li was somewhat displeased.

“Of course it’s not entirely because of him. I still vaguely remember the Fudong Censor’s appearance. Once people reach a certain age, their looks don’t change much over a few years, so it’s safer for me to go along.” Qiao Zhao said frankly.

Divine Physician Li looked at Qiao Zhao for a long time before sighing: “You’ve been opinionated since childhood. Grandfather Li can’t stop you. If you insist on going, then spend these next few days studying that miraculous technique with me properly. Even learning superficially might prove useful.”

“Thank you, Grandfather Li.” Seeing Divine Physician Li didn’t strongly object, Qiao Zhao breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Of course, it was better to save some effort on persuasion.

She had to go on this Fudong trip.

“By the way, I’ve given that miraculous technique a name.” Divine Physician Li looked quite pleased with himself. “I’ve named it ‘hypnosis.’ Girl Zhao, don’t you think this name is fitting?”

“Hypnosis?” Qiao Zhao murmured these two words and nodded. “Very fitting indeed.”

“Haha! I knew you’d like this name, too. Go on, discuss things with that boy quickly and come back to study properly.”

Qiao Zhao hurried to Shao Mingyuan’s place, where Chi Can and the others happened to be present, so she told everyone about Divine Physician Li’s concerns.

Upon hearing this, Shao Mingyuan’s brows furrowed tightly.

Yang Houcheng was completely dumbfounded: “Malaria? What the hell is that?”

Chi Can shot him a look: “Read more books when you have time.”

Yang Houcheng scratched his head: “But I don’t feel anything wrong now?”

“Malaria has several types with different incubation periods in the human body. It can manifest after ten-plus days or even a month or so.” Qiao Zhao explained.

Shao Mingyuan looked at her: “So if we’ve already contracted malaria, it’s very likely to manifest while we’re in Fudong?”

Qiao Zhao slowly nodded: “That’s possible.”

“Can it be treated?” Shao Mingyuan asked.

“We’d have to wait for it to manifest before treating it according to the type of malaria.” Qiao Zhao smiled: “That’s not something to worry about. As long as the miasma doesn’t enter the brain, both Grandfather Li and I have ways to handle it.”

After a long silence, Shao Mingyuan said, “We still need to go to Fudong, but we’ll have to change the plan.”

Everyone looked at him.

Shao Mingyuan looked steadily at Qiao Zhao: “Zhaozhao and I will go, bringing Chen Guang.”

As soon as he said this, except for Qiao Zhao who had anticipated it, everyone else was shocked.

“Just the three of you? How can that work? You’re not even bringing your guards?” Chi Can asked with a dark expression.

In the original plan, those personal guards would disguise themselves as civilians and secretly follow Shao Mingyuan and others, becoming their greatest support at crucial moments. If those guards didn’t go, and Shao Mingyuan’s trio went to Fudong alone, the danger would be too great.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Except for Chen Guang, those guards all landed on Mingfeng Island. Bringing them along would be problematic if malaria strikes. Don’t worry—fewer people have their own methods.”

“But what if you contract malaria?” Yang Houcheng asked bluntly.

Chi Can kicked Yang Houcheng: “Jinx!”

Ever since learning he couldn’t follow to Fudong, Yang Houcheng had been like a thunderbolt struck from clear skies, making him irritable all over. Hearing this, he sneered: “Tingquan is human too. Humans can’t avoid getting sick—I’m speaking the truth.”

“Chongshan is right. I might indeed have contracted malaria. However—” Shao Mingyuan smiled at Qiao Zhao, “if it’s just me alone, Zhaozhao can take care of me. If it really manifests, we can just find some place to hide and treat it.”

The matter was settled. Next, Qiao Zhao first convinced Xie Shengxiao to go with everyone else, then prepared medicinal soup for Jing Niang to take. She spent most of her remaining time eagerly learning hypnosis techniques from Divine Physician Li.

Soon, everyone reached the Haimen Ferry.

After sailing at sea for these days, other supplies were manageable, but fresh vegetables and drinking water needed replenishing. Though their previous experience in this place had been very unpleasant, everyone once again set foot in this small town.

For safety, the women remained on the ship. Only the girl who wanted to go home left the ship quietly under a personal guard’s escort, heading toward White Fish Town.

The townspeople remembered Qiao Zhao’s group vividly, looking at them with eyes full of wariness.

“Damn infuriating! These cowards would practically lick Japanese pirates’ toes when facing them, but they guard against us who kill Japanese pirates like we’re thieves!” Yang Houcheng couldn’t help but curse.

Qiao Zhao said indifferently, “This is quite normal. They know in their hearts that Japanese pirates would unhesitatingly raise swords against them, but we wouldn’t.”

“So people are all cheap.” Chi Can said coolly.

“No need to mind them. We’ll leave immediately after replenishing supplies.”

Chi Can looked toward Shao Mingyuan: “What if those people cause trouble while we’re purchasing supplies?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “We don’t need to handle it ourselves. By the time we finish eating here, my guards should have everything taken care of.”

Only then did everyone feel at ease and once again enter the previous tavern.

The tavern’s server’s eyes nearly popped out seeing the same people again. After a moment of stunned silence, he forced a smile: “Distinguished… distinguished guests have returned?”

“Right, we’re back. Less nonsense—bring good wine and food. You won’t be short of silver.” Yang Houcheng looked impatient.

The server shrank back: “Distinguished guests, please come inside, please come inside.”

Soon, fragrant dishes were placed on the table. Seeing the server standing motionless, Shao Mingyuan said flatly: “Young fellow, please go out. We’re not used to having people serve nearby.”