Chapter 1246: Chapter 1241: Yan’er, You Must Remember
Rong Sheng spoke softly, “If you want to use the Soul-Consuming Needle, I can be your test subject, and I can also correct you.”
In the field of medicine, she was willing to contribute herself without reservation.
Su Yingxue smiled with relief, feeling a significant weight lifted from her heart.
She tested the effectiveness of the Soul-Consuming Needle on Rong Sheng, who after experiencing it, despite the extreme pain, told Su Yingxue, “The essence of the Soul-Consuming Needle lies in the control of the magnetic field. If used properly, it can heal; used maliciously, it can reverse meridians—a technique for healing as well as for killing.”
Su Yingxue looked at the set of silver needles in her hand, lost in thought.
Rong Sheng taught her about magnetic fields and continued researching with her. Although they did not complete the final needle technique, she taught Su Yingxue how to arrange the needles in an array.
...
When Su Yingxue returned to Chu Yihan’s side, he was holding the sleeping Chu Heng, as if he had just finished soothing him.
Su Yingxue tiptoed to him and whispered, “Has Heng’er fallen asleep?”
Chu Yihan nodded and together they placed Chu Heng in the inner chamber. The plump child did not cry or fuss and slept soundly like a little pig, drooling in his dreams.
Su Yingxue kissed his smooth cheek affectionately, “Mother’s precious Heng’er, such a good boy.”
She had not spent proper time with him lately, yet he hadn’t caused her any trouble, eating and sleeping obediently, wise beyond his years and not at all like a child.
Chu Yihan had been waiting for her outside the house. After the fight with Chu Yifeng during the day, which had damaged the house, he moved all the daily memorials and confidential documents next door and turned it into a study.
He took Su Yingxue to the study and asked her seriously, “Are you ready to set off now?”
Su Yingxue sensed something was wrong, “Has something happened? Is there news of Miaoyan?”
Chu Yihan nodded, “I thought about the creatures that blocked our entry into the city that day and had Mo Qi gather some for investigation. We discovered they were corpses controlled by Gu, already dead with no consciousness of their own. Their bodies were driven by the Gu, acting fierce and brutal. Once caught by them, one becomes the next host for the Gu within their bodies. This sorcery of controlling the dead with Gu comes from a small country in the nine provinces.”
“Ji Yun Country?” Su Yingxue blurted out.
Chu Yihan looked slightly surprised, “You know of it as well.”
“It’s mentioned in the archives!”
In Medicine King Valley, she had access to a plethora of materials.
Chu Yihan nodded, “In the past three years, Ji Yun Country has grown increasingly strong and has already annexed the other three countries. The current ruler is a princess from their Imperial family.”
“A woman as Emperor?” Even though Su Yingxue believed in the great potential of women, the notion of a woman on the throne still shocked her profoundly.
But that was a digression. She was more concerned, “These Gu corpses might be related to the Empress of Ji Yun Country, but Miaoyan… could they have encountered Gu corpses too?”
Chu Yihan looked serious, “This is what makes me hesitate. The Shadow Guards are highly skilled martial artists, but they might not be able to withstand the Gu corpses. Furthermore, the Shadow Guards who were wounded recently, upon examination, show that once injured by Gu corpses, medicine is of no use. The few who sacrificed themselves died horrifically, just like Xiao Hui and that bailiff. Around the One-Line Sky Canyon, which borders between Hangzhou and Huizhou, the Shadow Guards have found traces of Gu corpses.”
“Xiao Hui died at the hands of Gu, Xiao Muyan is his brother, and he must be implicated. Does that mean Xiao Muyan is connected with the Empress of Ji Yun Country? The Empress helped Xiao Muyan kill Xiao Yu, which would allow Xiao Muyan to become the next head of the Xiao family?”
As Su Yingxue arrived at this conclusion, she broke out in a cold sweat.
If that were the case, then the chances of Xiao Yu and Su Miaoyan’s survival would be very slim, not to mention their child, her little nephew…
What was the situation now?
Chu Yihan had long since seen through the complications of the situation. He had Chu Yifeng dispatch people from the Ghost Market to keep watch over Xiao Qingyu at the Xiao family residence and to rescue him immediately if there was any sign of trouble.
As for Xiao Yu, he stationed people and prepared to set off to find him right away.
He knew Su Yingxue was worried about Su Miaoyan, so he asked her if she was able to depart now.
Su Yingxue clutched his hand, “Let’s hurry! I’m a bit tired, but I can hold on. I must find Miaoyan! She’s my sister, and if I can’t protect her, I’ll never have peace for the rest of my life!”
She also had no way to return and face her grandpa, third uncle, and auntie.
Chu Yihan left Mo Qi to take care of Chu Heng and set out with Su Yingxue and the Shadow Guards. Along the way, Yingxue ducked into Medicine King Valley where she and Little Ginseng made many masks to avoid inhaling the poisonous air in case they encountered Gu corpses.
Things for Xiao Yu, however, were much worse than they had imagined.
He and Su Miaoyan had not had food for six days. During the first three days, due to the rain, he managed to gather some rainwater for Miaoyan to drink to keep up her strength. But there had been no rain these past two days, and in the sunlight, the canyon was hot as summer during the day and as cold as ice at night. Miaoyan had already been feverish for a long time, now too weak to even open her eyes.
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“Yan’er, wake up!”
Xiao Yu’s parched lips, devoid of color, gently cupped her gaunt cheeks, trying to awaken her.
Outside the canyon, a bloody battle permeated the air.
Ying San, propping up his bloodied body, staggered to Xiao Yu’s side, “Young… young master! We can’t hold on any longer!”
The Sword Array they could form with five people was down to three, and they had used their strength to the limit. The Gu corpses outside the canyon were unstoppable!
When the Gu corpses broke through, they would all become a feast for them.
Xiao Yu held the woman in his arms, giving her a vigorous shake, “Yan’er! Don’t keep sleeping, you must stay awake!”
“Young master!”
Ying San’s eyes were bloodshot. In fact, he wanted to kindly remind him that they were all going to die; if madam didn’t wake up, she probably wouldn’t feel too much pain being devoured by the Gu corpses—perhaps it was for the best.
Now, forcing her awake to watch herself being eaten alive and torn apart… that would be true pain and cruelty!
“Yan’er, wake up quickly!”
Under Xiao Yu’s vigorous shaking, Su Miaoyan struggled to regain consciousness. Although she was too weak to move, the moment she opened her eyes, Xiao Yu covered her with a piece of clothing.
Xiao Yu laid her down on the ground, cradling her face and giving her a deeply affectionate kiss, “Yan’er, I’m only going to say this once, and you must remember and do it! Understand?”
Su Miaoyan was still dazed, “Yu brother, what’s wrong?”
“This is a transformation garment made by the Yue Family; it changes color to blend in with the natural surroundings. Now I’m covering you with it, and you will merge into the same color as the ground. When the Gu corpses come, as long as you don’t make a sound, you will definitely not be noticed. Moreover, this garment is made from silkworm silk, impervious to blades and spears. It is the last piece of protective gear I have.”
Xiao Yu pressed against Su Miaoyan, his eyes filled with a blend of deep love and helplessness.
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