"I heard that Luo Beiming of the Demon Needle Sect has also arrived at the Heavenly Medicine Hall," Wu Guo said, closing his eyes again.
"Yes, he said he came to see Yingying," Song Hao replied. He was secretly surprised, realizing that everything about him was under this senior brother's control.
“Luo Beiming is clearly healing people but secretly harming them. He violates the orthodox medical principles and is an utterly wicked person who will surely suffer retribution in the future. It’s best for you to avoid dealing with him. Even his own brother, Luo Beichen, has severed ties with him,” Wuguo said calmly.
“Senior brother is absolutely right. I would never stoop to associating with such scum. It was only because of Yingying that I had no choice but to have some contact with him,” Song Hao said.
"This person's sudden visit to the Heavenly Medicine Hall at this time must have another purpose. Junior Brother, you should also be wary of that Luo Feiying. I heard that Gu Xiaofeng from the Life and Death Sect has also come here." As Wuguo spoke, the muscles on his face twitched slightly.
"Yes, and they captured Li He, who was using reverse needling techniques to counter our needling skills," Song Hao said.
"It seems that Junior Brother has a close relationship with Gu Xiaofeng of the Life and Death Sect!" Wuguo said, his tone becoming more serious.
“He works for the Tianyi Group, and you should know some of the reasons behind that, Senior Brother,” Song Hao said.
"Junior brother, are you really from the Qi family of the Heavenly Medicine Sect?" Wuguo seemed to hesitate for a moment before asking.
"Senior brother." After hesitating for a long time, Song Hao couldn't help but ask, "When you were with Ji Dongyang in Qinghai last time, he said that his grandfather, Ji Xuan, was killed after someone demanded the secret technique of the 'Medicine-Free Divine Formula' and refused. Did you hear about that, senior brother?" As he spoke, Song Hao's expression changed as he looked at Wuguo.
Wuguo quietly replied, "I've heard of this. It was because Ji Xuan couldn't discern the advantages and disadvantages and stubbornly refused to hand over the secret technique of the Divine Formula of No Medicine that he angered someone and suffered this fatal disaster. In fact, the Divine Formula of No Medicine can be replicated. There's no need to claim it as a wonder and keep it a secret. Even if the secret were revealed to the world, how many people could truly use it?"
Upon hearing this, Song Hao sighed inwardly, knowing that Wu Guo was unwilling to admit to the murder in front of him. He then said, "What's the difference between forcing someone to do something against their will and the actions of a bandit? If it were me, I would rather die than hand over the fruits of my painstaking research to a villain. I would rather destroy the world than allow bandits to gain power and enjoy the spoils of murder and robbery. Otherwise, where is justice?"
Wu Guo was taken aback upon hearing this. He opened his eyes, concealing the slight chill within them, and looked at Song Hao calmly, asking, "Junior Brother, things in this world are not as simple as you imagine. Ji Xuan's death was merely a consequence of his strange arts, not a sacrifice for righteousness. His death was worthless; instead, it brought even greater disaster to Ji Dongyang, leaving him homeless and a fugitive. We do have ulterior motives in searching for Ji Dongyang, but besides obtaining the 'Medicine-Free Divine Formula,' we also want to protect his safety with the power of the Shangqing Sect. Otherwise, if he falls into someone else's hands, we won't be able to extract the 'Medicine-Free Divine Formula' from him." The secret techniques of Fang, like those of Ji Xuan, will also lead to death. It's because these legendary, ancient, wondrous techniques are too miraculous, and their emergence is extremely rare. Master doesn't want these techniques to be lost to the world again, so he has taken special measures for this special case—it's a helpless situation. I hope you can understand, Junior Brother. Shangqing Temple acts out of good intentions to protect these wondrous techniques, not wanting them to fall into the hands of evil people for ill-gotten gains, or to be used improperly, which could easily lead to their loss once more. This action is truly a last resort.
Song Hao sighed inwardly, thinking, "Even if you have a thousand reasons, murder and robbery are wrong. You could have brought Ji Dongyang back to Shangqing Temple without these troubles, but Ji Dongyang recognized you as the murderer of his grandfather. Now, the whole situation has changed, and I can no longer help you. Although my master has done me a great favor, we are no longer on the same path. It's better not to acknowledge such a master."
Thinking this, Song Hao said frankly, "I'm sorry, Senior Brother, from now on, I don't want to help you with this anymore. The 'No Medicine Divine Formula' has already caused the Ji family of the Medical Sect to be ruined. To force Ji Dongyang to hand over the secret technique would be unreasonable and inhumane. In this matter, I have let down Master and Shangqing Temple. Please tell Master that I, Song Hao, will follow his wishes and carry forward the medical arts in Tianyi Hall. I will also follow his teachings and be an upright person. I will not disappoint Master in this regard." After saying this, Song Hao stood there proudly, feeling somewhat relieved.
"You... how could you say that? It seems all the words I said to you earlier were wasted. What you've done is disrespectful to your master! Your master painstakingly cultivated you, only to be met with such heartlessness and ingratitude? Is it because you've grown up and no longer need the help of Shangqing Temple that you've become so presumptuous!" Wuguo said, his face showing displeasure.
"Senior brother, please go back and tell Master that I am willing to accept all punishments from Shangqing Temple. I just don't want to do what I don't want to do myself. Moreover, you have gone too far in this matter; you actually killed someone!" Song Hao said painfully with his eyes closed.
"Murder! Who are you going to kill? Song Hao, it's one thing if you don't want to help us, but you even dare to frame us! This is outrageous!" Wu Guo said angrily, jumping off the bed to the floor.
"Senior brother, you and your fellow senior brothers, Wu Fa Wu Tian and Ji Xuan of the Ji family of the Medical Sect, you can't deny that. Since you did this, what morality do you have left!" Song Hao blurted it all out. At the same time, he pulled a needle from his sleeve and secretly held it in his hand, just in case it failed and he retaliated. Now that things had come to this, Song Hao no longer had any reservations.
"Nonsense!" Wuguo said angrily, "We did go to the Ji family of the Medical Sect, but we were too late. Ji Xuan had already been killed. My two senior brothers, Wufa and Wutian, saw that it was not going to work, so we left as well. How did we become the murderers of Ji Xuan?"
“Brother Wuguo, it’s fine if you don’t admit it. Let me be frank with you. When you killed Ji Xuan, Ji Dongyang, who had just returned home, witnessed the scene, which forced him to flee. That day in front of the Great Mosque in Xining, I was going to hand Ji Dongyang over to you to take back to Shangqing Temple, but when he realized it was you, he was scared away. Otherwise, why would he be so afraid of you?” Song Hao said.
"You... this is outrageous! He's talking nonsense! No matter what, we Shangqing Temple people would never commit murder. You little brat! You've really got guts, daring to slander me. Fine, this matter is no longer your concern. Shangqing Temple can't afford to use you anymore. And all the people from Shangqing Temple are to withdraw from your Tianyi Hall now, severing all ties from this day forward!" With that, Wuguo turned and left.
Having taken only a few steps out of the room, Wuguo turned back, pointed at Song Hao, and said angrily, "Song Hao, you seem like such a clean-cut person, but I never expected you to be so cunning. So you wanted to monopolize that miraculous elixir. Fine! I'll go back to Shangqing Temple now to report to my master and let him decide. Remember, the people from Shangqing Temple will come looking for you." With that, he left in a huff.
"Senior brother, I'm sorry, can we not talk about this?" Song Hao said.
"Oh! Well, that's your private matter, I shouldn't pry. I just wanted to ask you, have you gotten in touch with Ji Dongyang yet?" Wuguo said.
"I don't know where he is yet," Song Hao replied. But in his heart he thought, "I genuinely don't know Ji Dongyang's exact whereabouts, so it's not like I'm lying to you."
"You have already accomplished one of the two major tasks for Shangqing Temple. I hope you will help us accomplish this last one. This is a wish of our Master, and we disciples must do everything we can to fulfill it," Wuguo said.
Seeing that nothing had come of it and that he hadn't shown any surprise at Song Hao, he left angrily. Standing there, he pondered whether he had gone too far.
Song Hao had just sat down in his office when Tang Yu pushed open the door and rushed in, urgently asking, "Song Hao, what happened? Your senior brother Wuguo called over two other Daoist priests who came with him, and forced Daoist priests Wuchen and Wuyue to leave with him. Although Daoist priests Wuchen and Wuyue were unwilling to go with him, they eventually followed. Wuguo seemed very agitated, and you two got into an argument."
“Fine, let him go!” Song Hao shook his head helplessly and said, “I couldn’t help but confront Senior Brother Wuguo. I don’t want to work for murderers like them. But he still won’t admit it. If Ji Dongyang hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it either. He must be eager to get the Wuyao Divine Formula and forced them to do this. He has already made it clear to me that I may have no further connection with Shangqing Temple in the future.”
"This lack of results doesn't represent your master. Things aren't as bad as you think," Tang Yu said. "You were too hasty. The current situation isn't suitable for severing ties with Shangqing Temple. Since things have come to this, don't blame yourself too much. Even if your argument temporarily sent one of Tianyi Hall's men away, I think Wuguo's agitated emotions are typical of a straightforward and honest person. There might be some misunderstanding. I'll find an opportunity to ask Ji Dongyang carefully whether he witnessed Wuguo and his men committing murder."
"What? Didn't Ji Dongyang see it with his own eyes?" Song Hao asked in surprise.
Tang Yu said, "He did say that he saw the murderer who killed his grandfather, but I didn't ask for too many details last night because of the time constraints."
Upon hearing this, Song Hao's spirits lifted, and he said, "Senior Brother Wuguo said they went to the Ji family, but when they arrived, Ji Xuan had already been killed. After that, Senior Brother Wuguo and the others left. As a result, Ji Dongyang saw them and mistakenly thought that Senior Brother Wuguo and the others had killed his grandfather. If that's true, then I've misunderstood Senior Brother Wuguo!" Song Hao immediately felt remorseful.
Volume 3, Chapter 12: Hidden Dangers
Tang Yu said, "That's not impossible. But judging from Ji Dongyang's fear of Wuguo and his group, he must have seen them committing the crime, otherwise he wouldn't have run away as soon as he saw them. Furthermore, Shangqing Temple showed great interest in the Wuyao Divine Formula. It's possible that they killed Ji Xuan in desperation because they couldn't force him to reveal the secret technique, which was not your master's intention. Since it's already done, your master can't do anything about it and can only continue down this path. Of course, we haven't gotten any definite answers or evidence from Ji Dongyang yet. I'll ask him about it in a few days. Right now, Xiao Wu is secretly bringing him food, so I can't go there to avoid being followed."
"I hope it wasn't Senior Brother Wuguo and his group who killed them!" Song Hao's hope was rekindled.
Tang Yu said, "Now that you've revealed the truth, it proves that Ji Dongyang has already contacted you and hidden you. Your senior brothers might take further action."
Song Hao said, "Let's ignore them. Most of the people who came here have already guessed it. As long as we can hold our ground, we'll wait and see."
The next morning, Song Hao, Tang Yu, and Luo Feiying went to the Hundred Herbs Garden to visit Li He. Luo Feiying had told her father, Luo Beiming, that she would go with her. Unexpectedly, Luo Beiming made an excuse and didn't visit his disciple, greatly disappointing Luo Feiying. It seemed Luo Beiming was discussing the current situation with his men, showing no interest in his disciple's fate. Such is the coldness of human relationships.
In a work building in Wansongling Herb Garden, Li He sat alone in a room, lost in thought. It was a room with iron doors and windows locked.
In the courtyard, Song Hao and the others, accompanied by Qiu Ru, walked over. Wu Feizi was currently tending to herbs in a garden. Wu Guo, in a fit of anger the previous night, had taken Wu Chen and Wu Yue away without informing Wu Feizi. Wu Feizi was also unaware of what had happened at Tianyi Hall and was still busy with his work.
"How did things go last night?" Song Hao asked.
“Miss Luo gave him his medication when she left yesterday, and his mood is relatively stable. I’ve had someone watching over him 24 hours a day,” Qiu Ru replied.
"Thank you, Qiu Ru, for taking such good care of my senior brother," Luo Feiying said gratefully.
"You're welcome, it's my pleasure," Qiu Ru replied with a faint smile.
“My senior brother is the melancholic type, not the manic type, so he’s not too worrying. I’m just afraid that if he continues to be melancholic, he’ll become an idiot,” Luo Feiying said worriedly.
The iron gate opened, and everyone entered the room. Li He looked up at everyone, and when he saw Song Hao, a strange glint flashed in his eyes. He said, "You're Song Hao?"
Seeing that Li He was now fully conscious, Song Hao smiled and said, "It's me!"
"I heard from my junior sister that you actually broke my Deadly Needle!" Li He said coldly.