Nanli immediately rejected the idea. "No, we can’t do that. He has infused himself with malevolent energy. He’s ready to self-destruct to prevent us from extracting any information."
Qingyang was taken aback, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes. "He’s ruthless, isn’t he? To go so far against himself... But doesn’t that leave us with no options?"
"Not necessarily. After a month under my formation, the defensive talisman inside him will be neutralized. I’ll be able to use a Truth Talisman then," Nanli explained.
Her years of practicing Dao had taught her one key principle: there’s always someone stronger. Competing for dominance was a waste of time. Chong Jiu thought he could manipulate her with a few provoking words, not realizing he was already caught in her trap.
This formation she’d designed was carefully planned. Chong Jiu’s tricks wouldn’t fool her. Cleansing the evil energy within him was just a side benefit. Chong Jiu had used water spirits to harm many people and had plotted against her sister-in-law. She wasn’t a saint who’d go out of her way to save a villain.
Understanding dawned on Qingyang, and he chuckled. "So, we just have to wait a month, and we’ll know what he’s up to."
Nanli nodded slightly, reminding Qingyang to arrange guards carefully to avoid any mishaps.
Qingyang agreed quickly and then mentioned that all the Black Armor Guards had returned to the capital but hadn’t captured Xue Shengnan.
This didn’t surprise Nanli. She had cast a divination earlier, which showed that Xue Shengnan had a favorable outcome, indicating she’d survive this crisis safely. It seemed fate had its plans, and she didn’t want to defy it, risking more unnecessary casualties.
Nanli then visited Xuanzheng Temple and returned to the mansion by the afternoon.
A maid greeted her, bowing. "Your Highness, a guest has insisted on seeing you and has been waiting for over an hour."
The guest was in the main hall.
Madam Shen was keeping them company, and her fourth brother was present as well.
Upon seeing Nanli, Madam Shen’s eyes lit up with affection. "A’Li, you’re back!"
The guest immediately stood up. Seeing his frail daughter struggling to stand, he helped her and said, "Fu’er, quickly greet the Ninth Princess."
The girl looked pale and frail, as if a gust of wind could blow her over. Nanli could tell she was gravely ill, beyond the help of conventional medicine.
Indeed, the girl, weakened by the journey and waiting so long, could barely stand. She collapsed, her vision blacking out.
"Miss Zhao!" Madam Shen and Chu Yang cried out in alarm.
The father, holding his daughter, panicked. "Fu’er! Are you alright?!"
Nanli frowned and said, "Take her to the back room. I’ll perform acupuncture."
"Thank you!" The father swiftly carried his daughter to a soft couch in the back room.
Nanli asked them to wait outside and took out her acupuncture kit, sterilizing the needles with a Fire Talisman.
Madam Shen, being a woman, assisted by loosening Miss Zhao’s clothes so Nanli could begin the treatment immediately.
After inserting a dozen silver needles, Nanli checked her pulse and sighed before giving her a medicinal pill.
Madam Shen, ever observant, asked, "Is there no cure for Miss Zhao?"
Nanli replied, "It’s remarkable she’s survived this long. Her time is almost up, and not even the gods can save her."
Madam Shen shook her head with a sigh. "I thought she was lucky to survive the Flesh-Melting Bewitched Worm and hoped she’d live peacefully afterward."
Nanli looked closely at the girl’s face and recognized her. "Oh! She’s the girl Fourth Brother saved."
No wonder her fourth brother was here.
Seeing her frailty earlier, Nanli had known she had a chronic illness and a short lifespan. She hadn’t expected her condition to deteriorate so rapidly, bringing her to the brink of death.
Madam Shen nodded with a voice full of regret. "Yes, that was the master of the Flame Sect and his only daughter, Zhao Lingfu. You and your siblings saved her earlier. The master had come to thank you with gifts back then. Although Miss Zhao looked jaundiced, she seemed in good spirits. But now..."
Nanli quickly guessed why Master Zhao had brought his daughter here. "They’re here seeking treatment?"
Madam Shen nodded again. "Yes, they’ve been waiting for you for quite some time, but Master Zhao didn’t want to disturb you."
Nanli murmured, "But even the King of Hell must follow the book of life and death."
The medicinal pill had started working, and Zhao Lingfu slowly regained consciousness.
Seeing Nanli gave her a strange sense of peace. Although she had been ill for a long time, her hands felt warm for the first time.
As she tried to move to express her gratitude, Nanli stopped her. "Hold on, I’ll remove the needles."
Zhao Lingfu, with large, obedient eyes, nodded.
After taking out the needles, Nanli helped her tidy her clothes, fastening her belt and buttons.
When she was done, Master Zhao and Chu Yang entered the room.
"Miss Zhao, how do you feel? I’ve asked the kitchen to prepare some ginseng soup for you. Try to drink a little," Chu Yang said, relieved to see her awake.
Facing Chu Yang’s bright smile, Zhao Lingfu blushed and lowered her head, speaking softly, "Thank you, Fourth Young Master."
"You’re welcome," Chu Yang said, motioning for the maid to bring the ginseng soup.
He, being a martial artist with some knowledge of medicine, knew that ginseng soup was ideal for someone with her frailty.
Master Zhao, seeing his daughter’s improved complexion, got teary-eyed and turned to Nanli, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, your medical skills are extraordinary! Please, cure my daughter’s illness!"
He was convinced he had come to the right place!
Nanli’s expression darkened. She stepped forward to support Master Zhao. "Master Zhao, I’m afraid I can’t."
"No, Your Highness, you can," Master Zhao insisted, refusing to rise. "Fu’er is only fifteen, she hasn’t even married yet. Please, have mercy and let her live a little longer!"
Nanli, strong as she was, forced Master Zhao to stand. Startled by her strength, Master Zhao tried to resist, using his full internal energy, but still couldn’t match her strength. Sweating and trembling, he had no choice but to stand upright.
Having no other option, he pleaded earnestly, "Your Highness, I understand how these things work. If you can treat Fu’er, the entire Flame Sect will be at your service!"
Chu Yang’s eyes widened in surprise. Unable to contain his excitement, he moved closer to Nanli and whispered, "Sixth Sister, the Flame Sect has a history spanning hundreds of years. They possess many internal techniques and various sword and knife manuals."
His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, clearly showing his interest in seeing those treasures.