Chapter 237: Saving Lives

“This is indeed a problem, and it’s my fault for not thinking of it.” Frowning with a sigh, Sha Yi was momentarily at a loss.

However, she had barely fallen silent when Tuge, who had been quiet until then, suddenly spoke up again: “Hey, hey, you two, listen to me!”

“Go ahead.” Signaling for Tuge to speak, Sha Yi didn’t stop the seemingly irrational old man from voicing his thoughts.

“This is what I think.” Scratching his head, Tuge pointed at the lying man. “Look at him—covered in wounds. Besides the injury from the bone spear, he has many other unhealed injuries. From what I see, many are still being treated with herb juice, right?”

“Yes.” Saina nodded.

“Then look at your wounds—many of them overlap. So, a significant portion of the herb juice you applied earlier likely seeped into the new wounds as they formed.” Tuge quickly pointed out the overlapping injuries all over his body. “Even if the herbs weren’t specifically for this, they should still have some effect. That’s my guess.”

Saina’s mind had always been sharp. Even though he was no expert on herbs, Tuge’s explanation made immediate sense to him—and to Sha Yi as well.

Indeed, in this era, there might have been many types of toxins and antidote plants, but those that were understood and utilized by people were few and far between. Given the current level of productivity and development, widespread discovery and application were simply too difficult.

Moreover, Tuge was the only person she had encountered in this world who had made significant progress in healing. His knowledge of plants was unparalleled—even she, coming from the modern era, couldn’t compare.

At this point, Tuge’s meaning was clear.

He likely believed that the poison Saina was afflicted with belonged to the same category as that of the blood-sucking vine. As for why the symptoms differed, it was probably due to the various herb juices Saina had applied earlier.

She knew that drugs could interact with each other. After carefully analyzing Tuge’s words, she understood the likely reason.

Perhaps the part of the toxin that should have paralyzed Saina’s limbs had been accidentally neutralized, while the part that disrupted blood clotting remained, possibly causing the abnormal negative effects they were witnessing.

This explanation was logical, but its reliability was uncertain.

Still, she hoped it was as Tuge had said.

Because, although the situation was still critical and full of uncertainty, at least it was within their control. Otherwise, they would be helpless. As for Yeli’s unreliability, they all knew it too well.

Thinking this, she nodded and agreed: “I think what you said makes sense. But as Saina just mentioned, the plants that can neutralize this type of toxin haven’t been found here. Do you have any ideas?”

“I’m just like you—I arrived later. Do you think I should know more than you?” Snorting irritably, Tuge rolled his eyes. “Besides, we’re still surrounded by Yeli’s people. There’s no way out until we deal with them. Honestly, no matter what, if we want an antidote, Yeli is our only option now.”

“Really no other way?” Reluctant and unwilling, Sha Yi hesitated for a long moment before clinging to a sliver of hope. “You understand these things—can’t we find some substitute plants to try?”

The moment she said this, Tuge’s face darkened again. “This isn’t just any ordinary injury—it’s poison. Have you forgotten how his condition came about? I don’t dare mess around. Who knows if it’ll end up like before?”

Tuge wasn’t wrong.

It might indeed turn out like before—and the worst-case scenario still had no solution. Acting recklessly now would likely backfire.

Besides, Tuge wasn’t a modern doctor. At best, he had memorized and understood some plant properties, but he didn’t fully grasp the mechanisms behind their antidotal effects. Though Saina’s condition was critical, it wasn’t hopeless yet. So, attempting substitutes was truly difficult.

At this point, her rationality returned somewhat.

However, the lying man wasn’t as burdened by concerns as she was. Seeing her and Tuge unable to reach a decision, he spoke indifferently: “Just treat it however you want. I’ve faced this kind of thing too many times. Honestly, I stopped caring about life and death long ago. Based on your analysis, Yeli won’t just hand over the antidote anyway. You should make plans sooner rather than later. No matter what, this wound isn’t on Kapa, so it won’t affect your advantageous position with Yeli.”

Saina’s words were blunt and painfully realistic, but they were especially hard to hear—particularly when he told her and Tuge to handle it however they saw fit.

What kind of despair must someone endure to become so indifferent to life and death?

Just hearing him say this made her heart ache. She immediately shook her head and outright refused his suggestion: “If you’ve decided to stay with us, then don’t talk like that. If anyone’s going to die, it should be Yeli. You? You have to hold on. Otherwise—”

She really wanted to threaten him. He was always so unrestrained that she never knew what leverage she had over him.

Yet, as she spoke, he looked at her with surprise, as if he couldn’t believe she genuinely didn’t want anything to happen to him. In the end, though, he smiled—content and expectant, waiting for her next words.

Staring at the pale-faced man lying on the raft, Sha Yi suddenly had an idea and blurted out: “Otherwise, I’ll drive all the people following you straight to Yeli. If you dare act recklessly, I’ll do exactly as I say!”

She spoke through gritted teeth, her tone fierce. The man listening quietly just laughed again.

Bitterly amused.

He knew she was deliberately provoking him, that it was just angry words. Yet, for some reason, he felt a mix of helplessness, amusement, and a tinge of bitterness.

He knew she was just trying to steady his resolve. Perhaps, in her mind, he had already given up on living. And that was true—but not because he thought his injuries were hopeless or because the antidote was out of reach. The truth was, he still cared about her.

But now it was painfully clear—he had lost her long ago and could never have her again. Even if she no longer hated or resented him, that didn’t change the impossibility between them.

Now, she was even carrying Xiyi’s child. Her nausea was unmistakable to him. The weight in his heart grew heavier.

Suddenly, he understood why Xiyi and the others couldn’t accept a woman having multiple partners—their emotions ran bone-deep.

Back then, he had thought maybe he could be one of her partners. But that was only because his feelings hadn’t been deep enough. Now, realizing this, everything felt impossibly distant.

A one-to-one partnership, especially with a specific person, was a luxury.

Not just for him—even Garlo probably hadn’t gotten what he wanted.

That man—just thinking about him filled Saina with disgust.

Honestly, if not for Garlo, would he be suffering like this? Would the whole situation have spiraled out of control?

Of course, he knew taking Garlo’s dropped lighter was wrong. But it was hers—he just wanted to keep something of hers as a memento. That was all. Who knew it would lead to this chaos?

If he had known Garlo was as stubbornly obsessed with her as he was, he should’ve twisted off that detestable head the first time he caught him. That would’ve spared them all this trouble!

But really, it was his own fault.

When it came to her, he had always been jealous of Xiyi. He thought that if he couldn’t have her, at least Garlo could make things difficult for Xiyi. Maybe then, he’d get a chance to see her. But everything had spiraled out of control.

Garlo, that shameless bastard, had only made things worse for everyone.

At least Garlo hadn’t gotten what he wanted either. That balanced things out a little.

Sighing, he wanted to speak again, but a sharp pain flared in his chest. He pressed his lips together, frowning, and stayed silent.

Meanwhile, Tuge immediately noticed the recurrence of symptoms and pressed a hand against the wound threatening to reopen, doing his best to suppress the impending cough.

Watching this unfold, Sha Yi couldn’t stand still any longer—especially as nausea rose in her stomach again.

Without another word, she turned and strode out of the brick house.

There was no more time to waste on Saina’s condition.

Now, even if she had to scream, she would force Yeli out. Even if it came at a cost, so be it.

Outside, the morning sun had already risen high. Across the trench, under the sunlight, she spotted a slender man standing on the other side.

She couldn’t see his face or expression clearly, but she was certain he was smirking coldly.

Her anger flared uncontrollably.

Standing frozen for a moment, the distant figure suddenly raised an arm and waved at her.

Sha Yi stiffened slightly, about to step forward, when a hand rested on her shoulder.

Turning, she saw Xiyi—he had somehow come from the trench near the shallows.

Faced with her agitation, he remained calm.

She was sure he had already gotten all the answers from Saina’s group.

As they locked eyes, she heard footsteps approaching from another direction.

Garlo had arrived too.