Chapter 7: Bleeding from the Seven Orifices . . .
In the secluded confines of the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion's courtyard, an intense gaze from Ye Hang was fixed upon Ye Yuan.
"Stinky brat, tell me honestly, how did you identify it?" questioned Ye Hang, his expression a mix of sternness and curiosity.
Ye Yuan, met with his father's probing gaze, responded with a helpless look and said, "A wild guess."
"Hmph! I was nearly hoodwinked by you yesterday. Looks like you really are different than in the past. What Seven-Colored Flowing Cloud Python. I've never heard of it before this too. Just now, even if I personally diagnosed him, I'm afraid the results would be the same as with Old Qian," Ye Hang remarked with a trace of self-reflection.
Recalling the recent events, Ye Hang couldn't shake off a certain unease. If not for Ye Yuan's unexpected insight, the distinguished reputation of the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion might have been tarnished irreparably.
The brawny man, now healed, bore gratitude towards the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion and Ye Yuan. What initially seemed like a calamity had transformed into a fortuitous turn of events, all thanks to Ye Yuan's exceptional discernment.
In the aftermath, it became apparent that the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion's standing among demonic beast hunters would soar, reaping substantial benefits.
Surprisingly, Ye Yuan decided to play the oblivious card, teasing his father, "What? Even Lord Father doesn't know about this? I thought that with your attainments in the Alchemy Dao, treating this sort of poison would be a piece of cake."
Ye Hang, instead of taking offense, responded with a self-mocking tone, "A piece of cake? Hehehe. Naturally, within this tiny State of Qin, I have some status. But outside of the State of Qin, I, your father, am nothing. What Alchemy Grandmaster? It's merely just crossing the threshold of the great path of Alchemy. The State of Qin is a well, and I am a frog in that well. It's just that I am a slightly larger frog. There are too many things I don't understand."
A surprising vulnerability surfaced in Ye Hang's demeanor, leaving Ye Yuan somewhat taken aback. The robust and indomitable spirit that usually defined his father seemed momentarily replaced by an unfamiliar, desolate expression.
Ye Yuan, sensing the unspoken weight that Ye Hang had carried over the years for his son, felt a surge of emotions. His father had shielded him from the harsh realities, never revealing the internal struggles he faced.
Contemplating his past life's father, Zhengyang Zi, added another layer of complexity to Ye Yuan's feelings. Moved by this revelation, he couldn't bring himself to mock Ye Hang further. Instead, he spoke earnestly, "Father, I know what you want to ask. Actually, I also don't know what's going on. This time around when I got poisoned and was on the verge of death, I met an expert in a dream. He imparted to me both martial and alchemy techniques which were exceedingly profound. Initially, I thought it was just a dream, but after waking up, I discovered that I remembered clearly what happened in the dream. Furthermore, I could completely do it in reality. If it wasn't for that expert, with Father's means, you probably wouldn't see me again."
To shield his father from the harsh truth about his soul's transition, Ye Yuan wove a tale close enough to reality.
Ye Hang, upon hearing this, felt a wave of elation. An expert had taken an interest in his son, imparting profound knowledge in his dreams. Such an improbable occurrence filled Ye Hang with relief, and the metaphorical boulder weighing on his heart seemed to dissipate.
"That expert, did he say who he was? He saved my son's life. As a father, I've got to at least thank him," Ye Hang inquired, expressing a genuine desire to extend gratitude.
Ye Yuan, however, shook his head, saying, "That expert didn't reveal his name, neither did he say why he saved me. He just said to properly comprehend the skills he imparted to me. When the time comes, he will naturally look for me again."
"Then the next time you see him, you must definitely give thanks to him on Father's behalf," Ye Hang insisted, a tinge of regret coloring his words.
Ye Yuan assured, "Of course. Father, I still have some matters on hand, so I will take my leave first."
Returning to the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion, Ye Yuan instructed the shopkeeper, "In a while, if someone looks for me, let him come to the manor at the east of the city. Additionally, here is a prescription. Help me prepare the medicines."
Meanwhile, Liu An, grappling with a mix of satisfaction and dejection, contemplated recent events. He marveled at Ye Yuan's foolishness, which inadvertently proved beneficial. The Heart Protecting Pill's effects not only healed his injuries but hinted at a breakthrough.
However, Drunken Star Manor's machinations had failed, leaving Liu An perplexed. He couldn't fathom how Ye Yuan, seemingly ignorant and incompetent, had identified and treated the poison. The entire episode had Liu An scratching his head on how to explain the situation to the Manor Lord.
In Liu An's eyes, Ye Yuan wasn't the true architect of the successful treatment; rather, it was Ye Hang orchestrating events behind the scenes. Ye Yuan, in his view, was just a pawn, pushed into the limelight by Ye Hang's unseen hand.
As Liu An continued his contemplation while walking, a growing suspicion about Ye Hang's shrewdness surfaced in his mind. He resolved to caution the Manor Lord upon his return, advising him to stay vigilant.
Engrossed in these thoughts, Liu An was abruptly startled by an odd sensation. He detected moisture beneath his nostrils and, upon reaching to touch it, was shocked to find fresh blood staining his hands.
The absurdity of the situation hit him. How could a seasoned Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm martial artist experience a nosebleed due to overheating? Dismissing the notion, Liu An tried to reassure himself. Despite his mid-tier status compared to figures like Qian Miao, he prided himself on distinguishing genuine medicine from fake. The Heart Protecting Pill he received from Ye Yuan was undoubtedly authentic and of high quality.
Yet, Liu An soon realized the fallacy in his naive consolation. Within moments, blood emanated from his eyes, ears, and culminated in a forceful expulsion from his mouth. A searing inferno engulfed his internal organs, and his entire being felt ablaze.
The stark reality hit him — he was unequivocally poisoned.
Despite his familiarity with the precarious edge between life and death, Liu An found himself gripped by an unprecedented fear of demise. A chilling sensation froze him as he sprinted desperately toward the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion, realizing that time was rapidly dwindling.
Within the confines of the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion, the shopkeeper was taken aback by the sight of a blood-drenched individual with bleeding orifices. Ignoring decorum, the distressed figure urgently grasped the shopkeeper's sleeve, pleading to meet Young Master Ye.
Reacting swiftly, the shopkeeper recollected the young master's instructions before departing and disclosed the location to the blood-covered visitor.
As the visitor left, the perplexed shopkeeper mused aloud, "This person is truly peculiar. In such a state, he didn't seek out Master Qian but Young Master instead. What could be the reason? Does the Young Master possess knowledge of medical treatments?"
Among the onlookers, including Liu An initially, the prevailing belief remained that the recent salvation of the brawny man had nothing to do with Ye Yuan.