Yun Qingxue pushed open the door and entered Feng Zihuang’s room, while Mo Changxing stood waiting at the entrance.
Feng Zihuang had already woken up, sitting weakly against the bed, his strikingly handsome face tinged with pallor.
“Qingxue, you’re here,” he said upon seeing her enter, offering a faint but joyful smile.
“Are you alright?” Yun Qingxue walked over, studying him carefully.
“I’m fine,” Feng Zihuang replied with a slight smile. “Never thought I’d be the one to fall for an ambush. Tsk!”
“Do you remember how you were poisoned?” Yun Qingxue frowned as she asked.
Feng Zihuang shook his head. “I was meditating in my room when I suddenly felt unwell, and then… I lost consciousness.”
“Qingxue…” His phoenix-like eyes gleamed as he looked at her. “Is there… something you want to tell me?”
“Zihuang,” Yun Qingxue met his gaze seriously. “You know what poison you were afflicted with, don’t you?”
Feng Zihuang frowned, then nodded after a moment. “I do.”
“Zihuang… I’m deeply saddened by what happened to you, but… I hope you won’t let this incident create distrust between the Water Tribe and our Luoyun Mountain.
Rest assured, we will find the one responsible and give you justice…”
“Qingxue, you’re afraid I’ll wage war against the Water Tribe over this, aren’t you?” Feng Zihuang looked at her with amusement in his eyes.
Yun Qingxue took a deep breath and spoke with utmost sincerity, “I trust Jinlin! He would never poison you.”
Feng Zihuang gazed at her. “I also believe the Dragon King wouldn’t do such a thing!”
Yun Qingxue was slightly surprised, but Feng Zihuang continued intently, “The Dragon King isn’t foolish enough to invite disaster upon himself.
Even if it were him, as long as you asked, I wouldn’t pursue it further…
Qingxue, do you know how deeply moved I was when, in my delirium, I heard you say you’d follow me in death?
At that moment, I swore that if I survived, I’d give you everything I could in this lifetime!”
“Zihuang…” Yun Qingxue smiled warmly. “We’re both alive, and the future will be brighter!
As for the poisoner…” Her eyes darkened. “I doubt even my master would tolerate such a threat lurking in Luoyun Mountain. We’ll root them out sooner or later!”
“Mm.” Feng Zihuang chuckled.
“Then rest well, Zihuang. I have some matters to attend to and will return later.” Yun Qingxue blushed slightly under his gaze.
“Alright! I’ll recover soon—don’t worry about me. I’m not that fragile.” Feng Zihuang’s mood lifted visibly.
“Get some rest.” Yun Qingxue leaned over to adjust his pillow before turning to leave.
Outside, Mo Changxing followed closely behind her as she walked away.
“Senior Brother,” Yun Qingxue suddenly stopped and turned to him, her expression grave. “Tell me truthfully—how was Zihuang’s poison cured? And where is Jinlin?”
“Qingxue, Jinlin has returned to the Water Tribe,” Mo Changxing replied ambiguously.
“Tell me what happened after you knocked me out!”
Yun Qingxue fixed her gaze on him. “Senior Brother, you’re someone I trust. Don’t lie to me, or…
when I uncover the truth myself, you’ll lose my trust and respect forever.”
Mo Changxing lowered his eyes, masking the turmoil within. His voice was quiet and subdued. “Jinlin used his life essence to force the poison out of Feng Zihuang’s body…”
“What happened to Jinlin?”
Yun Qingxue’s voice trembled with urgency, guilt weighing heavily on her heart.
Once again, Jinlin had selflessly helped her.
She could never repay what she owed him in this lifetime…
“Perhaps your blood played a part. Originally, Jinlin would have had to expend all his life essence to expel the poison,
but he succeeded with only half.
However… an accident occurred midway, leaving him with less than thirty percent of his life essence. He’s extremely weak and had to return to the Water Tribe to recuperate with the ancestral spiritual energy of the Dragon Palace…
But don’t worry too much. I’ve already sent people to monitor the Water Tribe. If they face any danger, my master and I will not stand idly by,” Mo Changxing assured her.
“My Lady…!” From afar, Daise came running, her face alight with joy.
“What is it?” Yun Qingxue had to pause her conversation with Mo Changxing and turned to Daise.
“My Lady! Elder Mo Su… Elder Mo Su has successfully refined the antidote! Please come back at once!”
“Really?!” Mo Changxing’s face brightened. Though they had gathered the ingredients for the antidote, until it was fully prepared and Yun Qingxue cured, none of them could rest easy.
“Let’s go! We’re heading back now!” Overjoyed, Mo Changxing took Yun Qingxue’s hand and swiftly carried her away on the wind.
“Wait for me!”
Daise hurriedly gave chase, but her cultivation was far inferior to Mo Changxing’s.
By the time she took flight, Mo Changxing and Yun Qingxue had already vanished from sight.
When they arrived, Zi Qu Shengjun, Yun Ye, A’dai, Liu Li, and Mo Su were all gathered in Yun Qingxue’s room.
Seeing them enter, Mo Su immediately stepped forward, respectfully presenting a small porcelain vial.
“Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my duty and successfully refined the antidote. Please take it at once.”
“Elder Mo Su, your efforts are deeply appreciated.” Yun Qingxue smiled and accepted the vial.
“Qingxue, take the antidote quickly!” Zi Qu Shengjun urged warmly, while Yun Ye watched her with tense anticipation.
“Qingxue, hurry and take it!” Mo Changxing added.
“Mm.” Yun Qingxue nodded and opened the vial. Immediately, a wave of warmth radiated from it, accompanied by a rich herbal fragrance.
Inside were three dark-red pills.
“I’ve prepared three doses, but one will suffice for Your Majesty,” Mo Su explained.
“Good.” Yun Qingxue smiled, tipping one pill into her palm and swallowing it without hesitation.
The pill felt oddly warm on her tongue, its herbal aroma overpowering.
As it slid down her throat, the lingering scent faded to a mere whisper…
Everyone watched her with bated breath.
Before long, faint wisps of grayish-blue mist began seeping from Yun Qingxue’s pores.
With a wave of Mo Su’s hand, swirling peony petals encircled Yun Qingxue, absorbing the ethereal smoke.
The petals, having drawn in the expelled toxins, quickly dulled in color before turning a sickly shade of black.
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