Chapter 561: Find the Ghost Doctor!

Hai Ruyue's reaction lasted only an instant. Then shock and fury surged up together.

She thought of the son who had been taken from her. She had only just given birth to another boy, and now this man had appeared again.

Like a hen protecting her chick, she cried out instinctively, “Wuhua, don't let him near my son! Don't...”

Li Wuhua flashed forward and tapped one finger against her body, sending her into unconsciousness. In her present condition, she could not afford such violent emotion.

He pulled up the quilt and covered her properly.

Niu Youdao walked to the bedside and studied Hai Ruyue's complexion carefully. She was clearly seriously ill.

“What happened?”

“Let's talk outside.” Li Wuhua gestured.

The two left the room and walked beneath the eaves before stopping to one side.

Niu Youdao said, “This doesn't look like an ordinary postpartum condition.”

He knew perfectly well that common ailments after childbirth could hardly trouble the cultivators of Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion.

Li Wuhua's cheek tightened. “She was probably poisoned.”

“Poisoned?” Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes slightly and looked around. “Security here is extremely tight. No matter how high someone's cultivation, it would be impossible to break in without being discovered. How did anyone manage to poison her?”

Li Wuhua gritted his teeth, his eyes almost spitting fire. “Zhao Sen probably did it.”

“Zhao Sen?” Niu Youdao was puzzled. He tested the name. “The Director of the Imperial Carriage Office in Zhao's inner palace? That Zhao Sen?”

There were plenty of important figures he had never met, but at his present level he had at least heard of many of the key people in the various states.

“Who else named Zhao Sen could enter this place?” Li Wuhua said bitterly. “It's all my fault. I was careless and gave him an opening. I harmed both mother and son...”

He explained roughly what had happened.

At first, they had assumed Hai Ruyue was merely overcome by old memories. Later, when the child also developed problems, the situation changed entirely.

Both mother and son had been perfectly well before Zhao Sen's visit. Afterward, both developed strange symptoms. Could that truly be coincidence?

Combined with the imperial court's intentions toward Jinzhou, it was impossible for this side not to suspect Zhao Sen.

They suspected he had tampered with the gifts he delivered, but despite repeated examination they could not discover what had been done.

As for the child, who had never directly touched any of Zhao Sen's gifts, they guessed the poison had passed to him while Hai Ruyue was nursing him.

Niu Youdao was still puzzled. “According to what you said, the Grand Princess wasn't the only person who handled those objects. Why is everyone else fine while only mother and son are affected?”

“That is exactly what I can't understand,” Li Wuhua said. “And that's how he found the opening. I have no idea what trick he used, but it cannot be coincidence. Zhao Sen is still staying at Liufang Guesthouse and refuses to leave. He's probably waiting for news that something has happened here.”

Niu Youdao fell silent for a while before slowly saying, “You have no evidence. Even if you found some, he could simply deny everything.”

“The objects left his hands and remained in yours afterward. He could say someone else framed him. There would be nothing you could do.”

Li Wuhua said hatefully, “Don't force me too far. If they do, I'll seize him directly and force him to hand over the antidote.”

“That won't work.” Niu Youdao shook his head. “If word of something like this gets out, the consequences will be enormous. He would never admit it even under threat of death.”

“Think about it. Everyone knows Hai Wuji stands behind him. Without Hai Wuji's approval, would Zhao Sen dare do something like this?”

“If he admits he did it, that is no different from saying Hai Wuji ordered the murder of his own younger sister. Hai Wuji cannot bear that reputation.”

“If Zhao Sen opens his mouth, he dies. Neither Jinzhou nor Hai Wuji would let him live. So even if he has the antidote, he cannot possibly hand it over.”

Li Wuhua's anger erupted. He pointed toward the room behind them. “If anything happens to mother and son, do you think I won't dare kill him?”

Niu Youdao immediately tried to stop that thought. “Don't act impulsively. Zhao Sen's identity is not ordinary. Killing him recklessly would be little different from rebellion.”

“If this truly was ordered by Hai Wuji, then it means Hai Wuji intends to move against Jinzhou. Killing Zhao Sen would do nothing for mother and son. Instead, it would hand Hai Wuji the excuse he needs to send troops.”

“When that happens, even Zhao's three great sects will have nothing to say.”

“Besides, Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion would never agree to you acting like that. You cannot bear the consequences.”

“Zhao Sen dares remain here precisely because he is certain you do not dare touch him.”

Li Wuhua's face twisted with grief and anger. “Then am I supposed to watch them die with my own eyes?”

The image of his newborn son opening his eyes only to wail endlessly from suffering tore at his heart.

The child had only just come into the world and was already enduring this.

The pain cut into his bones.

Only now did Li Wuhua truly understand what people meant by retribution.

The sins he had committed had, in the end, fallen back upon his own head to be borne.

Niu Youdao asked, “You haven't just been standing here waiting, have you? Have you tried anything else?”

“I've already notified the sect. Their people should arrive soon.”

“What condition are mother and son in right now?”

Li Wuhua's expression was miserable. “Their qi and blood are deteriorating rapidly and won't stop.”

“By all reason, neither should be able to last more than a few days. Right now I've assigned disciples of the sect to take turns around the clock using spiritual power to replenish their qi and regulate their bodies, while also giving them spiritual pills that restore qi and blood.”

“Judging by the current situation, that still won't sustain them for long. The adult probably won't last until the child's full-month celebration. As for the child, ten days is likely the absolute limit.”

By the end, tears were already glistening in his eyes.

A son in his old age, only for something like this to happen.

Worse, it had happened because his own carelessness had given someone an opening.

How could he bear the guilt in his heart?

Unfortunately, there was no medicine in the world for regret.

Niu Youdao stood with both hands resting on his sword, head lowered in silence.

He was no expert at treating poison. And this was an unusual poison that even Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion could not understand.

“Hongniang, go examine the symptoms of mother and son carefully.”

Niu Youdao suddenly looked up and spoke to Guan Fangyi nearby. Then he lifted one hand and pointed toward the sky.

“Get the symptoms straight, send word over there, and ask whether they have any ideas.”

Guan Fangyi nodded faintly.

She understood that he meant Xiaoyue Pavilion.

Those people specialized in assassination. Poisoning was hardly unfamiliar work to them. Perhaps they might know some way to deal with it.

Li Wuhua, however, seemed to seize upon a life-saving straw. He grabbed Niu Youdao's arm.

“You have a way?”

“Don't panic.” Niu Youdao comforted him. “Until the very end, none of us can give up. We'll all think of something and try.”

He pointed toward Hongniang. “Tell your people to make things convenient for her. Let her understand the symptoms of mother and son clearly so we can ask others to think of a solution.”

“Good!” Li Wuhua nodded repeatedly and personally led Guan Fangyi away.

At this point, even the faintest thread of hope was something he refused to let go.

Standing beneath the eaves, Niu Youdao's expression grew grave.

He could already feel the storm gathering.

One point was obvious.

Hai Wuji had been unable to move against Jinzhou for all these years. For him to act suddenly now, he would never have done so without confidence.

He must have spotted an opportunity and decided to strike decisively.

After thinking for a long time, Niu Youdao finally murmured softly, “Pull one hair and the whole body moves.”

He then had Fang Zhe return first and tell the people outside that everything was fine, so they would not mistakenly believe something had happened to him inside.

At the same time, he summoned Old Second Wu, who carried the Goldenwings used for outside communication.

For the moment, Niu Youdao himself had no intention of leaving.

He wanted to wait until Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion's people arrived and see whether they had any method.

He needed to remain on the scene and keep control of the actual situation. At a critical moment, he could not allow himself to be blinded.

That night, the people from Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion arrived.

Sect Leader Situ Yao personally led a travel-worn group in.

Something this serious had happened. How could Sect Leader Situ possibly remain sitting safely back home?

He had no choice but to come personally, and he brought with him the strongest healing force Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion could muster.

This was also the first time he and Niu Youdao had met.

There was no time for lengthy courtesies. After the briefest greeting, Situ Yao personally went to examine mother and son.

Niu Youdao could understand.

Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion was not stupid. They had surely sensed the danger approaching as well. At a time like this, how could Situ Yao have any mood for polite conversation?

After examining Hai Ruyue and the child himself, Situ Yao immediately ordered those within the sect most skilled at healing to think of every possible method.

Then he left the room and called Li Wuhua out as well.

The moment Li Wuhua appeared, Situ Yao erupted.

“You bastard! You can't even guard against such petty tricks? What were you stationed here for?”

Li Wuhua had nothing to say.

He did not even want to defend himself.

His wife and son had been implicated.

Whatever the mistakes were, he considered all of them his own.

“All you do is absurd things! One mistake after another!” Situ Yao pointed at his nose and cursed him. “If this can't be salvaged, you can die to atone for it yourself!”

Li Wuhua lowered his head dejectedly.

Niu Youdao spoke up. “Sect Leader Situ, this isn't the time to decide who is responsible. You've examined their symptoms yourself. Do you think there's a real chance of curing them?”

Situ Yao's face remained cold. He did not answer.

Niu Youdao understood.

The chances were poor.

After remaining silent for a long while, Situ Yao finally forced out two words.

“Not optimistic.”

Niu Youdao immediately said, “Isn't it said that beneath Heaven there is no illness Ghost Doctor cannot cure and no poison he cannot neutralize? Find the Ghost Doctor!”

Situ Yao spread both hands. “Brother Niu, if I knew where Ghost Doctor was, if I knew where to find him, would I still be standing here worrying?”

“You make it sound easy. That old monster's whereabouts have always been hidden in clouds and mist. Where are we supposed to find him?”

“Can you find him?”

“I genuinely do not know where he is,” Niu Youdao replied. “But we still have to try.”

Li Wuhua abruptly raised his head. “Brother Niu, weren't you contacting people to look for a solution? Has there been any reply?”

“Not yet. I probably won't hear anything until tomorrow.”

“But we cannot place all our hope on a single path anymore. We need several approaches moving at once.”

“Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion must do everything possible to keep treating them. I will keep contacting people to think of a solution. At the same time, we must find a way to locate Ghost Doctor.”

Situ Yao asked, “I would love to find Ghost Doctor. How?”

“Send messages immediately to Boundless Pavilion and the other major cultivation marketplaces. Make the news public.”

“Announce that we are looking for Ghost Doctor to treat the Grand Princess's poisoning. Whoever can provide Ghost Doctor's whereabouts will receive a heavy reward.”

“Didn't Ghost Doctor take away the Grand Princess's son? His mother is dying. If Ghost Doctor hears the news, perhaps he will come.”

“At this point, even the faintest hope cannot be abandoned.”

“Make the news public?” Situ Yao stared. “Are you mad?”

“The moment this becomes public, Jinzhou will fall into disorder. We're trying to keep it secret as desperately as possible. How can we deliberately announce it?”

“Don't forget, if Jinzhou falls, your Nanzhou will be attacked from front and rear as well.”

Niu Youdao immediately countered, “Do you truly think this can be kept secret?”

“If the imperial court did this, then its purpose in striking the Grand Princess is precisely to throw Jinzhou into chaos.”

“You may keep the matter secret, but others will expose it for you.”

“When that happens, every important official across Jinzhou will inevitably demand to see the Grand Princess and confirm the truth.”

“Will you let them see her or not?”

“If the imperial court intends to move against Jinzhou, it must gather troops first. Mobilizing a large force cannot be done overnight.”

“We might as well use that gap in time and announce the news ourselves while searching for Ghost Doctor.”

“Rather than wait until the imperial court has completed its preparations and then let them spread rumors throughout Jinzhou before charging in amid the chaos, we should expose the matter first.”

“If there are unstable elements inside Jinzhou, exposing them now gives us time to stabilize what can be stabilized and win internal unity before the fighting begins.”

“We may even gain a chance to save the Grand Princess.”

“We cannot let the imperial court lead us by the nose and force us to follow its tempo. We have to disrupt the pace of its move.”

“If we act first, perhaps the imperial court will even become uncertain about how much confidence we have, which should at least make the outside forces hesitate somewhat.”

[End of Chapter 561]