To eliminate the mother poison, they needed to know information about it.
Lumine saw Baizhu's confident appearance, but unexpectedly, it was he who asked her.
"Lumine, do you have any understanding of the demon god residue in Qingce Village?"
Lumine looked at Mu Yang—wasn't there someone who knew more clearly than her?
Mu Yang said he couldn't remember clearly either.
Changsheng, due to losing her power, could now only sustain her life through the contract.
She couldn't remember these old matters at all.
When she heard about the Changsheng contract before, Paimon had wanted to complain.
Unfortunately, Changsheng wasn't around then, but now she was.
Complaint machine, activate!
"I wanted to say it before—signing a contract, sharing life force... no matter how you look at it, it doesn't seem like something an Adeptus would do..."
Changsheng had always been at odds with Paimon.
"Hmph, something like inviting an immortal to possess you—how many people beg for it and can't get it."
She said proudly, "With me helping regulate, not only does it prolong life and bring health benefits. Whatever you eat won't upset your stomach."
Paimon, upon hearing this, became envious.
Health benefits, no stomach upset from any food.
That was too great!
She hurriedly fawned over Baizhu.
"Hehe, Baizhu, if you retire someday, could you let Changsheng sign a contract with me for a few days?"
Mu Yang beside her thought, if only it were that simple.
Baizhu spoke, "Unfortunately, inheriting this contract also has requirements for temperament. Every successive contractor has been like this—I'm afraid it can't be as Paimon wishes."
Paimon puffed up in anger. "Temperament? Feels like you're circling around to diss me..."
[No need to feel it, you are]
[You even use bamboo shoots; your recent remarks have taken all the bamboo shoots from pandas]
[Paimon is indeed not simple; everyone eyes the longevity benefits, but she latches onto no stomach upset from food]
[Staying true to her heart]
What Lumine noticed was also the 'prolong life' in Changsheng's words.
She had heard before that Baizhu's usual health wasn't good.
This morning, she learned of their life-saving method—
Transferring life force.
And looking at Baizhu's weakened state after treating Jialiang.
How did any of that relate to "prolonging life"?
Moreover, Baizhu's master had passed away many years ago.
He hadn't extended his life until now...
[Good thing we can hear sister's thoughts]
[Having been with Paimon so long and still keeping her own thinking—not bad for the boss]
[After all, she represents the player's perspective; can't be too stupid]
[Exactly, there's already Paimon for the stupid role]
Mu Yang saw the situation was about right.
So he gave everyone a hint.
He said although he couldn't remember clearly,
but not long ago, he heard a segment of storytelling from Guyun's Ironmouth, discussed with Zhongli.
The gist was that in ancient times, an evil chi wreaked havoc in this place, later suppressed by the Emperor.
The Emperor suppressed it with a statue, preventing it from harming living beings again, which led to the later Qingce Village.
[Ancient texts mention chi, right?]
[Little black fans not taking the chance to diss the Emperor?]
With Mu Yang's hint,
Lumine also recalled.
She had encountered the seal suppressing the 'chi' in Qingce Village before.
However, the seal should be fine, right?
Mu Yang affirmed her guess.
"The power of the demon god residue is weak; it seems the seal is indeed intact. The mother poison body we're looking for is likely a small portion that leaked out."
"I'll first trace the trail to investigate. I'll notify you once I find it."
With that, Mu Yang's figure vanished from the spot.
Jiangli, as an ordinary pharmacist,
to reach the underground seal and collect demon god residue,
there must be a cave nearby leading underground.
As long as they found the cave, they could follow the path to the leaked demon god residue.
Everyone thought the same; they had just prepared to split up and search
when they heard Gui panting and shouting, "Master—Master—! Bad news!"
"Gui? How did you run here from Bubu Pharmacy?"
"Don't rush; catch your breath first."
Gui took several deep breaths, then impatiently explained the reason.
Just now, while he was tending the shop, Ayu came running over crying.
Saying Jialiang's condition had suddenly worsened.
So Gui had run over.
Fortunately, Baizhu had left markers along the way; otherwise, Gui really might not have found this place.
Changsheng muttered softly, "It shouldn't be... based on usual estimates... it should last at least three more days..."
Baizhu's brows were also furrowed. "It seems the worst-case scenario has come true."
"—Everyone, we must return to Bubu Pharmacy immediately."
Lumine agreed. "You go first; I'll leave a note for Mu Yang and catch up."
"Mm."
Moments later, in Bubu Pharmacy.
Qiqi was comforting Ayu.
"Don't be afraid; Mr. Baizhu will come back."
"How's the situation?" Baizhu's voice rang out.
Ayu immediately felt like he saw hope.
"Mr. Baizhu, Dad was just fine a moment ago, then suddenly he coughed up blood!"
"Then... then he couldn't even speak clearly again..."
Qiqi added, "When Gui left, he still had consciousness; now..."
After hearing their account,
Baizhu very calmly gave instructions.
He brought Jialiang into the inner room for treatment.
Then, softening his tone, he comforted Ayu, swearing he would definitely cure his father.
[Why not find the body first, destroy the body and he's saved?]
[Person is almost dead; can't gamble with life]
[Exactly, what if there are twists and turns, mechanisms delaying?]
[Mu Yang is already searching; returning to save him is the best strategy]
During the treatment, everyone could only wait outside.
That night, Lumine felt it was somewhat hard to bear.
The next day.
She came to Bubu Pharmacy early; Jialiang had already regained consciousness.
Lumine didn't relax because of this.
She now knew Baizhu's life-saving method was transferring life force.
Using it two days in a row, and with Mu Yang not here, he must be extremely weak now.
Lumine quickly asked Gui, "Where did Mr. Baizhu go?"
Jialiang also said, "I feel unprecedentedly light now; this is all thanks to Mr. Baizhu. I also want to thank him personally."
"Master said he wanted to rest first."
"Is that so... yes, he's been laboring two nights for this."
Jialiang rubbed his forehead. "This great kindness—really don't know how to repay it. Once we find Jiangli, we need to have a good talk..."
He turned to his son Ayu. "Speaking of which, any news on her now?"
"The Adventurers' Guild hasn't replied yet; I'll go check again in a bit."
"Then I also... uh..." Jialiang's words cut off.
A drilling pain came from his chest.
Gui hurriedly supported him. "Master instructed that your condition is still unstable; please rest at Bubu Pharmacy first."
"As for Ayu here, I'll go with him."
"...Sigh, guess that's all we can do. Really troubling you all."
While everyone was discussing, Lumine had quietly arrived at Baizhu's courtyard...