Chapter 195 — From Small Things, Great Things

Daoist Master Daoquan said solemnly, "In the past I held myself in extremely high regard because everyone else was inferior to me in pharmacology—mere quacks who knew a few pill formulas. Even the Little Poison King had only inherited the skills of the Jade-Faced Poison King and had few achievements of his own. He was nothing special. Moreover, I despised his character; he would even betray his own master, which I hold in contempt. But this little miracle doctor truly deserves the name of miracle doctor."

He pointed to the first medicine. "This is a decoction the little miracle doctor refined from dozens of medicinal ingredients, of which highly toxic substances make up half. This decoction can stimulate the activity of the soul and treat injuries to the soul. Is Imperial Teacher Jingping's soul injured?"

An old man wheezed, "He is indeed injured. I used the Pure Yang Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits to wound his soul, but he also wounded me."

Daoist Master Daoquan said, "This decoction is meant to treat his soul injury. It is well targeted. The second medicine is a salve. Does Imperial Teacher Jingping have external injuries, and do they carry fire poison?"

Another old woman grinned and said, "The Daoist Master sees accurately. My cultivation art contains fire poison. When I ambushed Imperial Teacher Jingping that day, I landed a blow and struck his back."

"The little miracle doctor's salve can draw out the fire poison."

Daoist Master Daoquan pointed to the third medicine. "This spirit pill contains metal qi, extremely sharp. Imperial Teacher Jingping must have been afflicted with gu poison or wood poison. Who among you wounded Imperial Teacher Jingping that day with wood poison or gu poison?"

Another old man chuckled. "When the three of us ambushed Imperial Teacher Jingping, I used gu poison."

"That explains it."

Daoist Master Daoquan continued, "The fourth medicine was prepared by steaming. Imperial Teacher Jingping has injuries in his seven great spirit storehouses, and the medicinal properties could no longer enter. So the little miracle doctor transformed the medicinal power into vapor and steamed Imperial Teacher Jingping over a steamer."

The sect masters in Luoguang Temple all laughed. "Why did he not steam the wretch to death?"

"Beyond that, there are still some hidden ailments that have not been eliminated, so the little miracle doctor also used acupuncture. The needles are hollow, and within them is stored this fifth medicine. This medicine evaporates quickly and, once inside his body, seeps into his skin and hair."

Daoist Master Daoquan pointed to the sixth medicine. "This medicine is again solid in form, used to consolidate the effects of this treatment. The seventh medicine is a tonic, used to nourish Imperial Teacher Jingping's body. Through this probe, it can already be confirmed beyond doubt that Imperial Teacher Jingping's injuries have indeed not yet healed."

He sighed in admiration. "But give this little miracle doctor a month, and Imperial Teacher Jingping will be restored by him to peak condition. His injuries will be healed, and his hidden ailments will leave not the slightest trace!"

Palace Master Liqing frowned slightly and said softly, "Everyone, Imperial Teacher Jingping's injuries seem somewhat more severe than we anticipated."

The man wearing the bronze mask smiled. "That is because he encountered Zhen the Wanderer of Little Jade Capital. I was acquainted with Zhen the Wanderer in my early years, and we were quite close. It was only after he went to Little Jade Capital that our contact gradually dwindled. Zhen the Wanderer was also at the peak of the Spirit Bridge realm, not far from Imperial Teacher Jingping."

Daoist Master Daoquan said, "Zhen the Wanderer of Little Jade Capital is already dead. Imperial Teacher Jingping killed him. While in Licheng, I sensed the fluctuations of a clash between powerhouses coming from the mountains."

Palace Master Liqing's gaze fell upon the man in the bronze mask, as if she wished to see who was beneath it. "Using an old friendship, you lured Zhen the Wanderer out of seclusion to his death. Your scheming is too deep. And since meeting you, you have always worn a mask, never daring to show your true face. You betray friends and hide your head and tail. That worries me greatly. If I were sold out by you, I fear I would not even know who had sold me."

"Palace Master Qiu, you may rest assured. There is absolutely no problem with him."

Palace Master Liqing, Qiu Dieyi, followed the voice and saw that the speaker was one of the Three Wonders of Sanqi Fort, Grand Fort Master Che Zhengli, the father of that Consort Che in the capital.

After he rebelled, Consort Che was implicated by him as well, and now no one knew whether she was alive or dead in the cold palace.

Palace Master Liqing said calmly, "You say there is no problem, and so there truly is no problem? Fort Master Che, do not forget that you too are imperial kin."

Che Zhengli's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak, an old woman suddenly laughed. "Palace Master, there is no problem with this man's identity."

The speaker was one of the three powerhouses of the old era who had ambushed Imperial Teacher Jingping. Since she said there was no problem, Palace Master Liqing had no choice but to suppress the matter.

"Since Imperial Teacher Jingping is indeed gravely injured and not yet healed, should we give him time to recover?"

The man in the bronze mask looked around at everyone. "He sent He Xiaopeng running here and gave us two paths. Now is the time for a decision. Which path are we to take?"