The stone cave was illuminated by a light that seemed veiled in moonlight, softer than sunlight, yet brighter than the moon's glow. Beams slanted into the room, falling upon Ji Jinmo's profile, casting a radiant sheen over his intense and flamboyant features, as if he were bathed in liquid moonlight.
This figure, appearing both divine and demonic, unexpectedly met Nan Shiying's gaze, stirring ripples in her heart like a tempest in a pond.
The ripples surged, her heartbeat quickened.
Ji Jinmo turned his head, his chin tilting down slightly. His eyes, like obsidian, met Nan Shiying's. An ambiguous aura slowly spread, enveloping them both in a silent atmosphere where the room became so still, a pin could be heard dropping.
Hiding beneath the window, the Poison Elder strained his ears. Apart from Nan Shiying's earlier question, he hadn't heard any other sound for a long time.
What were they doing in there?
Could it be...?
A flicker of curiosity crossed the Poison Elder's eyes. He tiptoed and raised his head, peering into the room through the open window. The explicit scene he had imagined did not materialize. Instead, he saw two simpletons, eyes wide, staring at each other at close range.
"Seriously? The atmosphere was built up to this point, and you two are going to die if you don't take it further?"
The Poison Elder, exasperated by their inaction, accidentally brushed against the window frame.
"Dong~"
Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo turned their heads simultaneously, only to see a scalp instantly disappear from their sight, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps receding into the distance.
With the Poison Elder gone from the room, it was quite obvious who had been peeking outside the window.
Two black lines appeared on Nan Shiying's forehead. She instinctively shifted sideways, widening the distance between herself and Ji Jinmo.
Ji Jinmo slowly lowered his gaze, the atmosphere becoming somewhat stagnant.
After a brief silence, Ji Jinmo suddenly spoke, "Actually, it's not entirely impossible."
"What?" Nan Shiying was still pondering when this person had arrived. Hearing his words, her mind couldn't quite catch up. After asking, she belatedly realized what he was referring to.
Nan Shiying's eyes widened. "Mu Baiyu knows you're so scummy... no, Your Highness, are you really willing to let Mu Baiyu be this guinea pig?"
Ji Jinmo looked at Nan Shiying calmly and slowly said, "What guinea pig? Aren't we removing the蛊虫 (gu worm) to save his life?"
Nan Shiying: "..."
I believe it, I really believe it!
Nan Shiying twitched her lips and nodded vigorously, "Yes, Your Highness is right!"
"Then, Your Highness, should I have Thirteen tie him up?"
Ji Jinmo: "..."
Ji Jinmo was momentarily speechless. If it were anyone else, it would be fine. But Mu Baiyu... did he need to be tied up?
Seeing Ji Jinmo's silence, Nan Shiying patted her head, "Mu Baiyu knows Thirteen, right? Then should the Shadow Guards go?"
Ji Jinmo's gaze grew increasingly peculiar.
Nan Shiying looked at him with a questioning expression.
Why was the usually intelligent and agile person acting so foolishly now? Ji Jinmo was accustomed to her composed and wise demeanor. Seeing her foolishness now, he felt an indescribable sensation. He normally disdained foolish people, but if it was her who was being foolish, he found that even a fool could be so adorably foolish.
"What?" Nan Shiying blinked.
Ji Jinmo's lips curved upwards uncontrollably, even his voice carrying a hint of a smile. "Baiyu... can go to Wei Yuan."
Nan Shiying blinked, then blinked again.
Suddenly dropping the herbs in her hand, she let out a few awkward laughs. "Uh, I'm tired. I need to rest... Thirteen, where am I sleeping tonight!!"
As she spoke, she got up and bolted towards the door.
Ji Jinmo watched Nan Shiying leave, her pace quickening until she was almost running, and burst into laughter.
...
No one mentioned removing the蛊虫 (gu worm) for Mu Baiyu again. Nan Shiying spent the following days immersed in herbs until the Poison Elder successfully concocted a medicine that could attract the蛊虫 (gu worm) in a person's body.
Nan Shiying squatted outside the cage, looking at the unconscious monster.
Xuan Thirteen brought a sheep. The Poison Elder poured the prepared medicine into the sheep's mouth, then used a small knife to cut its neck. The sheep struggled a few times before collapsing on the ground.
Then, Thirteen opened the cage and threw the sheep beside the monster.
The sheep's blood, carrying a medicinal fragrance, slowly flowed towards the monster. Before long, a small bulge appeared at the monster's dantian. The bulge moved upwards, and when it passed the heart's artery, the monster's body suddenly began to tremble violently. Blood slowly seeped from the monster's mouth, then flowed more and more. The green scales on the monster's body turned a grayish-black.
"Quickly, take the sheep out."
The Poison Elder's pupils suddenly contracted. As he spoke, he activated the蛊虫 (gu worm) within his body.
Xuan Thirteen rushed into the cage and pulled the sheep out. However, the sheep's blood, still emitting a medicinal fragrance, continued to attract the蛊虫 (gu worm). The monster trembled more and more violently. Just as the蛊虫 (gu worm) was about to drill out of his chest, the Poison Elder suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. The struggling蛊虫 (gu worm) stopped abruptly and returned the way it came, back into the person's dantian.
"Old man!"
Nan Shiying stood up and supported the Poison Elder. She looked at his pale, bloodless face and the faint bluish-gray hue on his brow, a look of worry flashing in her eyes.
"I'm fine."
The Poison Elder waved his hand. He took a breath and stabilized his swaying body.
"No!"
"The蛊虫 (gu worm) in his body is almost fused with him. His body has already become a breeding ground for the other party. If we forcibly pull the蛊虫 (gu worm) out, this person will die instantly.
And...
The Poison Elder's expression was grave. He glanced at Ji Jinmo. "We can't try again. You need to be mentally prepared."
The Poison Elder spoke words that only Ji Jinmo could understand.
Nan Shiying's hand supporting the Poison Elder tightened slightly. She frowned and looked at the Poison Elder, asking, "What do you mean? What kind of preparation do I need to make?"
"Old man, speak clearly."
The Poison Elder shook off Nan Shiying's hand and glared at her fiercely. "Ask, ask, ask! What are you asking for? It's a dead horse, and we're just trying to save it."
"Old man!"
Nan Shiying was also anxious. Has Ji Jinmo's condition become so severe?
Ji Jinmo looked at the Poison Elder in silence. What mental preparation did he need? It couldn't be worse than now, but...
Seeing the Poison Elder's condition after activating the蛊虫 (gu worm) within him, Ji Jinmo had a bad premonition. He stood up, walked over to them, and looked at the Poison Elder with a grave expression. "Poison Elder, tell me the truth. What harm will it cause you to remove the蛊虫 (gu worm) for me?"
The Poison Elder opened his mouth. Under the gaze of Ji Jinmo and Nan Shiying, he suddenly found himself unable to offer any perfunctory words.