"So it's the Heaven Profound Fire Subdual Method..."
Hu Chai's expression turned extremely grim, yet his eyes gleamed with intense greed.
Even though his loss in the second round was a foregone conclusion, he had gained a crucial piece of information—Jin Xiu, the ancient medical descendant of the Qi Huang Sect, possessed the legendary Heaven Profound Fire Subdual Method.
Even in the worst-case scenario where Hu Chai completely lost to Old Jin, Hu Chai would still find ways to capture Old Jin and bring him back to Wu Shen Mountain, forcing him to divulge the Qi Huang Sect's ultimate techniques.
A dazzling golden light erupted from the alchemy furnace. Less than a minute later, the light subsided, and the flames beneath the furnace gradually extinguished.
When the furnace was opened again, the medicinal paste inside was in its most perfect state.
"It's done... Old Jin, you truly are something!!!"
Yan Shouyi felt as if he had just suffocated. Thankfully, Old Jin had shown his prowess at the critical moment, turning the tide!
Looking back, only one-fifth of the last incense stick remained.
Old Jin wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to Yan Shouyi, "The medicinal paste is too hot for me to touch. You knead it into pills. Remember, only the size of a pinky fingernail. Taking too much will harm Han San."
"Alright."
Yan Shouyi reached directly into the alchemy furnace, grabbed a piece of the scorching hot medicinal paste, and, enduring the pain, kneaded it into a pill shape in his hand.
It was precisely the size of a fingernail.
This was the Human Yellow Qi Restoration Pill.
Without further delay, he returned to Han San's side and, with warm water, administered the pill for Han San to swallow.
After the Human Yellow Qi Restoration Pill entered his stomach, Han San's condition quickly eased.
As his complexion gradually improved and his breathing normalized, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Jin then recovered, helped Han San remove the breathing tube, stitched the wound on his neck, and applied hemostatic powder.
Han San lay on the ground, breathing steadily, a spark of life returning to his eyes.
"Han San, you're amazing!" Yan Shouyi encouraged in a low voice. "Just one more hurdle, get through this, and you'll live!"
Han San had long given up on himself, even losing the will to live.
However, during the torment of these past two rounds, he had witnessed the efforts of Yan Shouyi and Old Jin.
He suddenly found a reason to live and gradually regained his sense of self.
It was a pity that he was still so weak. Suffering poisoning and detoxification twice in succession was an ordeal that ordinary people couldn't endure.
Anyone else would have had their spirit collapse countless times over.
"Old... Old Yan..."
Han San opened his mouth and said weakly, "If I live... you must... remember your promise..."
Hearing Han San express his desire to live through a joke, Yan Shouyi felt a pang in his heart.
He replied in a low voice, "Not only will I introduce you to pretty girls, but I'll also have Xiao Long take you to the north to ride horses!"
"..."
The Dog Daoist and Miao Ji beside them fell silent.
But Yan Shouyi clearly felt Han San's grip on his hand strengthen.
It seemed that attractive girls were indeed what motivated Han San!
"The time for two incense sticks is up!"
Hu Chai, who was sitting by the stove, suddenly declared, "Han San is still alive. I lost the second round again."
Old Jin raised his head proudly.
Hu Chai chuckled, "To witness the Qi Huang Sect's Heaven Profound Fire Subdual Method, my loss is acceptable. I am truly convinced! The thought of the Heaven Profound Fire Subdual Method and the Pulse Diagnosis Technique soon being mine makes me uncontrollably excited!"
Despite losing two rounds, Hu Chai's confidence was unshaken. He still believed Old Jin was destined to lose.
Yan Shouyi didn't know whether to call Hu Chai overconfident or lacking in self-awareness.
Just as everyone began to relax, Hu Chai called out:
"The third round begins now! Han San, get up and take your medicine!"
Han San's eyelids twitched, his face filled with resistance. He had just recovered from respiratory failure. If he had to ingest poison immediately, even if his body wasn't killed by the toxin, his spirit couldn't withstand such torment.
Seeing Han San disobey, Xu Shengnan, annoyed, raised her whip and struck him!
Yan Shouyi quickly intervened, "Don't hit him. If you injure Han San, won't it affect your bet? If Han San dies from this whip, we won't honor the bet result later!"
Hu Chai found merit in this and told Xu Shengnan to stop.
"I said, the bet will be conducted according to my rules," Hu Chai reminded Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi fell silent for a moment and said, "Then let's make a deal. You let Han San rest for half an hour before the third round, and I'll agree to one of your conditions. Of course, only conditions within the rules."
"Interesting!"
Hu Chai couldn't help but clap his hands. "President Yan, I increasingly feel we met too late! Games are only fun when they are filled with uncertainty! ...Let me think, within the rules... How about this: when I administer the poison later, none of you are allowed to watch. During the detoxification, Jin Xiu can only guide, not act... Hmm, I want to see you treat Han San! Of course, I'll extend the time. How about three hours? After all, you possess the Heaven Profound Fire Subdual Method, so limiting the time is meaningless!"
Not letting Old Jin act personally?
And making me treat Han San?
Yan Shouyi felt a little uneasy, but Han San's condition was truly dire. He really couldn't endure another period of inhuman torment immediately.
However, Yan Shouyi couldn't make this decision alone; it depended on how confident Old Jin was.
So Yan Shouyi turned back to Old Jin, seeking his opinion.
Old Jin turned away and scratched his receding hairline. He seemed to be struggling.
Finally, Old Jin turned back and nodded at Yan Shouyi.
Do it.
Damn it all!
Even though we have no choice!
Yan Shouyi received an affirmative reply, turned back, and gave Hu Chai a deep look. "It's settled then."
"Very good. I'll go prepare as well. See you in half an hour."
Hu Chai jumped down from the dirt stove, took off his apron, and left the courtyard to make his preparations.
However, Xu Shengnan remained in the courtyard, seemingly to keep an eye on Yan Shouyi and the others.
Yan Shouyi returned to Han San's side and comforted him in a low voice, "You have half an hour to rest. Make sure to adjust your state... I will definitely take you back to Mount Mao."
"Old... Old Yan..." Han San suddenly said weakly to Yan Shouyi, "If I die... I hope you'll grant me one request..."
"Speak."
"Take good care of Lin Zitong for me..."
"...You son of a bitch, go to hell!" Yan Shouyi almost slapped Han San.
He was dying, and he was still thinking about my wife!
But then, the two of them laughed. Han San still had the strength to curse him, indicating his condition had improved significantly.
The Dog Daoist sighed, "I'll channel some qi to Han San to help him adjust his state. The third round will be a tough battle. Shouyi, you and Old Jin should discuss how to deal with it first."