The group chattered excitedly, their enthusiasm tinged with the thrill of the 'hunt,' completely oblivious to the numerous corpses lying haphazardly on the ground.
During this time, some people even suggested going to the market town to drink and celebrate everyone's survival after dawn. Fortunately, a few people who were still clear-headed believed that the most important thing at the moment was to send two people to report to the authorities after dawn, and the others should rush back to the academy first so as not to worry the teachers.
As the group discussed, Hua Wuduo glanced around at the crowd, not seeing Gongzi Qi, but only Gongzi Yi. She noticed that Gongzi Yi hadn't come forward to speak to her, and wondered, "Is he still blaming me?"
Someone will handle this matter properly; they don't need to worry about it.
When everyone rode back to the academy, it was already dawn. They weren't discouraged by the 'Silent' poison; on the contrary, they remained enthusiastic and didn't sleep. Even the academy's teachers, ignoring the students, gathered in the courtyard to drink and talk with them.
Everyone was a little hungry at this point, so the cooks prepared some side dishes. While drinking, they talked about Hua Wuduo's chivalry and bravery, and the exhilarating feeling of everyone working together to defeat the enemy last night.
Among them, Gongzi Yu was the most eloquent. He vividly described the scene to the teachers, capturing both the scene and the spirit of the characters. Sometimes he imitated Hua Wuduo's martial arts moves, and sometimes he imitated the disheveled state of the man in black, which amused the teachers and students.
During this time, Hua Wuduo, with a smile on his face, took the initiative to talk to Gongzi Yi and asked him with a smile where he had hidden when the men in black were searching the academy.
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yi snorted and turned his head away, ignoring her. Hua Wuduo was taken aback, realizing she had been given the cold shoulder. She guessed that he was probably still upset about what happened last night, so she decided not to say anything more and risk making a fool of herself.
After several rounds of drinks, someone mentioned the feint attack devised by Gongzi Yi, how it terrified the enemy and helped Hua Wuduo defeat them...
Upon hearing this, Master Liu, who was in charge of military strategy, laughed loudly and said, "I never would have guessed that Wu Yi is such a talented commander."
Hearing this, Hua Wuduo thought to himself: I didn't expect Wu Yi to be so capable. But, a military genius? Is that the same as the character for cricket?
In the corner, Gongzi Qi and Master Yang were discussing something, occasionally pointing at her. Hua Wuduo was confused. Seeing that no one seemed to be going inside to sleep and was still excitedly talking about what happened last night, she leaned against the wall to rest for a while. Perhaps she was too tired, because she fell asleep sitting up after a short while.
As the morning sun rose slowly, its warm rays felt incredibly comfortable on her skin. While Hua was sound asleep, she heard a cacophony of voices around her, as if many people were arguing about something.
One person said, "The morning dew is heavy; he should go inside and sleep."
One person said, "Wake him up."
Another person said, "He's sleeping so soundly, he must be exhausted."
Suddenly someone said, "He saved us all last night."
The surroundings suddenly fell silent.
A moment later, half-asleep, Hua Wuduo felt as if his body was floating, softly enveloped by a strange yet warm aura, in which a faint chrysanthemum fragrance seemed to linger.
One person said, "You don't actually like Wuduo, do you?"
Another person said, "You're not serious, are you?"
Suddenly someone said, "The way you're holding her is unbearable; it's like you're holding a woman."
One of them said, "I was just about to go back to my room for a rest, so leave her to me."
While asleep, Hua Wuduo suddenly felt short of breath and uncomfortable. She was forced to open her eyes and caught a glimpse of warmth in Gongzi Xiu's cold and indifferent eyes. Hua Wuduo was slightly startled. Then she noticed that Gongzi Yi was holding her collar tightly. When Gongzi Yi saw that she was awake, he quickly withdrew his hand from her collar and turned his head to look to the side.
The next moment, Hua Wuduo realized that he was actually in Gongzi Xiu's arms! His mind suddenly cleared, and he almost cried out in surprise, but he quickly remembered that he was now a man, so he shut his mouth, and with a little effort, he jumped out of Gongzi Xiu's arms. Looking at the crowd of people with different expressions around him, he couldn't help but laugh awkwardly, "I'll go back to my room to sleep by myself. You can chat slowly, don't worry about me." He covered his mouth with his hand, yawned, stretched lazily, and swayed as he walked towards the backyard.
As he walked, he heard Gongzi Xiu say behind him, "It would be best if you could walk on your own." With that, Gongzi Xiu flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
At this moment, Gongzi Yi also spoke up: "I have already clarified what happened yesterday afternoon when you put croton oil in Master Deng's tea. Master Deng said he doesn't blame you. You can go to sleep peacefully."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo stumbled, glancing sideways at Gongzi Yi, whose expression clearly said "What can you do about it?" Just as she clenched her fist, she heard Gongzi Qi call her from not far away: "Wuduo, I need your help with something, come here for a moment."
Hua Wuduo calmly glared at Gongzi Yi before turning to look at Gongzi Qi. She saw Gongzi Qi and Master Yang waving at her with smiles, and she quickly walked over.
It turns out that last night, Gongzi Qi was discussing with Master Yang how to break the 'Silent and Invisible' poison. When Gongzi Yi was poisoned, Gongzi Qi had been researching ways to break the 'Silent and Invisible' poison. Although there were several methods worth trying, Gongzi Yi had always refused to let Gongzi Qi test himself, so Gongzi Qi's solution remained theoretical. But this time, however, things were very different.
After several discussions, Gongzi Qi and Master Yang finally settled on a method they believed to be highly feasible. However, they needed Hua Wuduo's help, as only Hua Wuduo and Du Xiaoxi possessed internal energy. The key to this method was to simultaneously insert silver needles into ten acupoints, including Baihui, Houding, Fengfu, Tanzhong, Neiguan, Waiguan, and Quchi. Internal energy was needed to help expel toxins from the body using the silver needles, followed by medication to cleanse the body.
Hua Wuduo happens to be skilled with needles, making him the perfect choice to rescue everyone at this moment.
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo naturally expressed her willingness to help. As soon as Master Yang heard that she was willing to help, he hurried to the backyard to get the silver needles used for acupuncture.
Hua Wuduo stood beside Gongzi Qi and said, "Qi, you are really amazing. I didn't expect you to be able to break the 'Silent Poison'." The implication was that Gongzi Qi had much more potential than that kid Tang Ye.
At this moment, the morning sunlight shone on Gongzi Qi's face, making it shimmer like gold. Hua Wuduo was looking at Gongzi Qi with admiration in his eyes when he heard Gongzi Qi sigh with a hint of excitement, "Ah, I've wanted to cure Yi of the silent poison in his body for a long time, but he just wouldn't let me try it on him. Now, I won't have to worry about not having anyone to try it on." Gongzi Qi looked around at the many 'experimental subjects' in the courtyard and smiled with satisfaction.
Hua Wuduo suddenly felt a chill run through his body, and his adoring gaze shattered. He couldn't help but think to himself: Thank goodness I wasn't poisoned by the 'Silent Poison'. Inserting silver needles into ten acupoints simultaneously—could this method even work? Wouldn't anyone die? Trembling… who would be the first to step forward and die?
At this moment, Gongzi Yi staggered over and asked, "What do you want?"
Hua Wuduo said, "Master Yang and Qi have already figured out the antidote for the 'Silent and Invisible' poison, and they are about to detoxify everyone."
Gongzi Qi glanced at her, smiling without saying a word.
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yi exclaimed with delight, "Really? This silent method can be solved?"
Hua Wuduo said, "Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, ask Master Yang when he comes back later."
Gongzi Yi hurriedly looked around and asked, "Where did Master Yang go?"
Hua Wuduo replied, "I went to get the antidote tools."
Seeing that Master Yang had not yet returned, Hua Wuduo asked Gongzi Yi, "Where did you hide last night when those thieves searched the academy?"
Gongzi Yi said, "Guess."
Hua Wuduo pondered for a moment and said, "At that time... there seemed to be a dog hole nearby..." Before he could finish speaking, he heard Gongzi Yi snort coldly with an unfriendly expression. Hua Wuduo glanced at him and said slowly, "Unfortunately, that dog hole was too small to hide anyone. I guess... it was the roof!"
Gongzi Yi immediately nodded and smiled, "That's right! It's the roof."
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Qi asked, "Your skills haven't recovered yet, how did you climb up there?"
Gongzi Yi asked mysteriously, "Guess?"
Gongzi Qi laughed and said, "I guess you must have found the tools to climb."
Gongzi Yi laughed and said, "Qi understands me best." He raised his hand and pointed to a corner in the distance, saying, "The tools are still there."
The two looked in the direction he pointed and saw two hoes placed in the corner.
"This..." Hua Wuduo looked at the hoe in surprise, thinking to himself: Could he have used the hoe to chisel two holes in the wall and climbed up? But then he thought again, that didn't make sense; if that were the case, he would have been discovered. So he asked with doubt, "How did you climb up?"
Seeing that neither Gongzi Qi nor Hua Wuduo could figure it out, and then seeing Hua Wuduo looking at him with a thirst for knowledge, Gongzi Yi couldn't help but feel secretly pleased and said, "I won't tell you."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wudu frowned, but Gongzi Qi smiled gently.
Treat you like a piece of wood
At this moment, Master Yang returned.
Master Yang was a kind and easy-going person, always the most approachable. His students were usually very close to him. When Gongzi Yi saw Master Yang return, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Master, have you found a way to cure the 'Silent Poison'?"
The Master smiled and said, "I dare not take credit; the method of detoxification was actually devised by Wu Qi."
Prince Yi then asked, "Master, is this method feasible?"
The Master nodded emphatically and said, "It's feasible, it's feasible."
When Gongzi Yi heard Master Yang say it was feasible, he couldn't help but show his delight.
People nearby overheard their conversation and gradually gathered around, asking how to detoxify. Master Yang calmly unfolded his needle pouch, which contained several silver needles used for acupuncture, each as thin as a hair. Master Yang handed the needle pouch to Gongzi Qi and instructed, "Wu Qi, you explain to Wu Duo in detail."
Gongzi Qi stepped forward, took the needle case, and replied, "Yes."
Gongzi Qi selected ten silver needles from his needle pouch and carefully placed them into Hua Wuduo's palm, saying, "Wuduo, you must simultaneously insert all ten silver needles into the ten acupoints on the body: Baihui, Houding, Fengfu, Tanzhong, Neiguan, Waiguan, Quchi, Dazhui, Jianjing, and Fengmen. Then, guide your internal energy into the opponent's body through the Fengchi acupoint, circulating it for one cycle. After that, leave the rest to Master Yang and me."
"Is it that simple?" Hua Wuduo asked.
“It’s that simple,” Gongzi Qi replied. “To avoid any mistakes, we can try it out on the wooden stakes in the training ground first.”
“Okay,” Hua Wuduo said.
The group followed Gongzi Qi and Hua Wuduo to the training ground, where several wooden stakes were set up, used for daily martial arts practice.
Gongzi Qi made ten marks on a wooden stake according to the approximate locations of acupoints on the human body. Hua Wuduo carefully placed ten silver needles into his two hands, walked around the wooden stake, and suddenly raised his hand. In an instant, all ten silver needles shot into the marks on the wooden stake without any deviation.
Everyone praised, "Impressive skill!"
Gongzi Qi and Master Yang exchanged a smile, and Master Yang nodded and said, "No problem."
Master Yang glanced at the crowd and asked loudly, "Who is willing to be the first to provide the antidote?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, and none of them were willing to come up.
Some people worried, "The 'silent' poison, when introduced into our bodies by external internal energy, can cause insanity in mild cases and death in severe cases. What if we die from the poison if we don't receive more internal energy later?"
“Yes,” one person nodded, “their method was just something they came up with on the spot, and no one has tried it before, right?”
"Will this method actually work?" many people wondered.
Hua Wuduo shook his head upon hearing everyone's words, knowing that it wouldn't be that easy.
At this moment, Gongzi Qi suddenly said loudly to Hua Wuduo, "Wuduo, last night you knew there was no way you would come back, but you still bravely saved all of us without regard for your own safety. To be honest, I am proud to have a friend like you."
Faced with Gongzi Qi's sudden and clearly meaningful praise, Hua Wuduo lowered his head shyly and said, "Qi, you flatter me. I know that you and the Master are very confident in curing the 'Silent and Unseen' poison. It's a pity that I haven't been poisoned by it. Otherwise, I would definitely be the first to ask you to cure me. That way, others wouldn't have any reservations and would feel at ease letting you cure them."
Gongzi Qi said, "It's not much. Not everyone in the world is as willing as you to go through fire and water for your friends."
Hua Wuduo remained silent, exchanging a smile with Gongzi Qi, their hearts in perfect harmony.
Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent, their faces showing shame.
A moment later, Prince Ziyang strode out from the crowd and shouted, "I'm willing to be the first!"
Gongzi Qi smiled.
At this moment, Gongzi Kuang also stepped forward and said, "I'll do it, don't try to take it from me." He shoved Gongzi Ziyang, who was slightly angry, and shouted, "I was the first one to step forward!"
At this moment, Gongzi Yu stepped forward and said, "I am willing to be the first to try to detoxify."
Subsequently, Gongzi Zheng and Gongzi Xun also stepped forward and said that they were willing to be the first to try to detoxify.
As soon as they stepped forward, others followed suit, and the room erupted into chaos as everyone scrambled to be the first to attempt the detoxification.
Hua Wuduo shook his head as he watched Gongzi Yi, who was pretending to be number one. Turning his head, he saw Gongzi Xiu, who had been observing coldly, and suddenly remembered the faint chrysanthemum scent on him.
At this moment, Master Ji suddenly spoke up: "Alright! Since everyone is vying for the first spot, let's decide by drawing lots to be fair."
Master Ji said to the young master, "Go and Xun prepare the lots and mark them with numbers, in case everyone tries to fight for the order of detoxification. When the time comes, everyone will line up according to their numbers and be detoxified in turn. Whoever draws number one will naturally be the first one."
Gongzi Yu and Gongzi Xun replied in unison, "Yes. We will go and prepare immediately."
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped arguing.
A short while later, Gongzi Yu and Gongzi Xun brought over the numbered lottery tubes, and everyone took turns drawing lots.
The result was quite unexpected; the number one spot went to Prince Yi.