"Excellent, your subordinate was worried that the people from Medicine King Valley would demand an exorbitant price as soon as they saw Your Highness. Royal Consort, you are truly amazing!"
Li Yang was extremely excited, his eyes reddening and welling up with tears, a grown man at that.
However, Lu Qing Wan did not consider what she had done to be particularly remarkable. As usual, she took Feng Xi Wu's hand and said, "Let's go. If we don't hurry, it will be dark by the time we get up the mountain."
Feng Xi Wu held Lu Qing Wan's hand tightly. Though his steps were still a little stiff, he did not let go of her hand.
While Lu Qing Wan was preparing the medicine, Feng Xi Wu had already deciphered the formation. With his guidance, they entered Medicine King Valley unhindered.
"Medicine King Valley, it truly lives up to its reputation!"
As soon as they passed the poisonous array, they were greeted by all sorts of medicinal herbs. They were not just a few plants being dried but vast fields of medicinal crops stretching across the mountainside.
Each variety of herb occupied at least an acre, with some stretching to three to five acres, or even more.
While Lu Qing Wan was admiring the scene, a disciple from Medicine King Valley came to greet them.
Upon seeing the well-groomed and imposing group, the disciple looked a bit perplexed. "Are you all from the Hundred Poisons Forest outside the valley?"
"Of course."
Lu Qing Wan raised an eyebrow. "Does Medicine King Valley have any other entrance?"
The disciple repeatedly shook his head. "Please, esteemed guests, rest in the guest rooms for a while. This humble one will report to the Valley Master before arranging for someone to examine the patient."
After all, Medicine King Valley was still a sacred place for healers, and most visitors came seeking medical treatment. The disciple naturally assumed that Lu Qing Wan and her companions were also here for treatment.
Upon hearing this, neither of them directly stated that they were looking for the Six Kun Jade Brocade, nor did they demand an audience with the Valley Master.
However, as the disciple turned to leave, Feng Xi Wu suddenly said, "Even the thousand-year-old Wenshu Orchid couldn't cure my illness. Do you think Medicine King Valley can?"
The disciple paused, then continued walking out as if nothing had happened.
Li Yang cleverly went to close the door, and Lu Qing Wan asked with a half-smile, "Since when have you become knowledgeable about medicine, to know that even a thousand-year-old Wenshu Orchid couldn't cure your illness?"
Li Yang also widened his eyes suspiciously, wondering why their Prince had suddenly said that.
Feng Xi Wu took Lu Qing Wan's hand and, seeing that the needle marks were no longer obvious, patiently explained.
"The world has elevated Medicine King Valley too highly. In order to showcase their special status, they intentionally make patients wait for three to five days when they come seeking treatment before agreeing to see them.
The patients are reliant on them and dare not voice their anger.
Furthermore, Medicine King Valley can usually cure patients, so most patients won't harbor dissatisfaction over minor delays. However, this Prince does not wish to be kept waiting."
"So you deliberately let that disciple know you had the thousand-year-old Wenshu Orchid, to deliberately entice them?"
Feng Xi Wu merely smiled without speaking, his expression clearly admitting his little scheme.
Lu Qing Wan couldn't help but chuckle and gave him a thumbs-up. "Your Highness is wise!"
As expected, the disciple personally delivered their dinner and delivered a message.
"The Valley Master will see the patient tomorrow. Please ensure the patient rests early and refrains from eating anything before the treatment tomorrow to avoid affecting the diagnosis."
"We understand."
Li Yang politely saw the disciple out and then bounced with excitement.
Feng Xi Wu looked at Lu Qing Wan triumphantly. She chuckled, "Since the thousand-year-old Wenshu Orchid has served as bait, shouldn't we prepare some other trading chips?"
"Rest assured, this Prince has made preparations."
Feng Xi Wu remained composed, showing no signs of nervousness.
"Still being so mysterious!"
Lu Qing Wan playfully chided, but did not press for details.
The next morning, after they had finished breakfast, the disciple arrived to escort them, stating that the Valley Master was already waiting.
Lu Qing Wan and the others had various expressions as they walked towards a small wooden building named Medicine King Tower. A disciple from Medicine King Valley approached them. "Apologies, it is the Valley Master's rule that only one person may accompany the patient inside."
This rule was not unreasonable. Feng Xi Wu waved to Li Yang and the others. "Return to the guest rooms and wait."
Though Li Yang and the others were worried, they figured their Prince was a skilled martial artist and their Royal Consort was an exceptional physician, so there shouldn't be any problems. After watching the two enter Medicine King Tower, they returned to their rooms.
Inside Medicine King Tower, the small wooden room looked simple, but Lu Qing Wan could clearly see that the entire structure, both inside and out, was made of small-leafed rosewood.
Even the seemingly unremarkable teacups were crafted from thousand-year-old warm jade.
Seated on the main seat was a woman in ornate robes, her attire unlike that of ordinary women from Da Gan, nor like the women seen in Cangwu City.
At first glance, she resembled a tribal woman from the southern regions of the Great Dynasty, her clothes brightly colored, exposing one shoulder.
Her hair was styled high on her head, adorned with a bright red camellia.
Upon hearing the disciple's report, she slowly raised her head. She was a cold and beautiful woman, her gaze and expression exuding a chilling aura.
She impolitely appraised both of them before her eyes settled on Feng Xi Wu. "Who among you is seeking treatment?"
"To be frank, Valley Master, we are not here for treatment, but to have a蛊 (gu) removed."
Feng Xi Wu spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. "I have been inadvertently afflicted with a 蛊, and ordinary shamans are helpless. Therefore, we have come to Medicine King Valley seeking the Six Kun Jade Brocade."
"How do you know of the Six Kun Jade Brocade?"
Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu remained silent.
The woman did not press further. "Come, let me take your pulse."
Feng Xi Wu extended his hand as instructed. Upon touching his pulse, the woman's expression changed drastically.
Lu Qing Wan and Feng Xi Wu initially thought she had discovered that the Six Kun Jade Brocade was indeed necessary for removing the 蛊. However, she quickly regained her composure.
"Removing the 蛊 is not a problem, but the Six Kun Jade Brocade thrives in dark, cool environments.
It cannot be removed during the day; we must wait until nightfall to perform the procedure."
The two could hardly believe it. "It can truly be removed?"
Feng Xi Wu found it hard to believe that after suffering from the 蛊 poison for so long, this woman could resolve it so easily.
Lu Qing Wan, on the other hand, was puzzled as to why the Green Corpse Symbiosis 蛊 was so easy to remove, without even mentioning any conditions.
The woman scoffed at their reaction. "If you don't believe me, why would you come to Medicine King Valley?"
Lu Qing Wan quickly waved her hands. "Valley Master, you misunderstand. We are simply too surprised..."
She apologized to the woman twice before looking up and meeting her strange gaze.
Before she could ask, the woman said, "Where did you get the Hundred Poisons 蛊 in your body?"
"Huh?"
Lu Qing Wan looked bewildered. "What Hundred Poisons 蛊?"
The woman shook her head. "It's nothing, I must have mistaken."
Lu Qing Wan did not take it to heart. "Then what do we need to do next?"
"As instructed by the disciple last night, do not eat anything.
Additionally, although the 蛊 cannot be removed for now, you must first acclimatize yourselves in the forbidden area. Otherwise, I fear you might faint before the procedure can even be performed."
Lu Qing Wan curiously asked, "What is special about the forbidden area?"
The woman's lips curled into a slightly contemptuous smile. "It's where the King of Gu is raised. What do you think it would be like?"
Lu Qing Wan: ...
I don't raise Gu. How would I know what's there?
But soon, she was forced to find out.