Chapter 218: Countermeasures

Ah!

A sudden, blood-curdling scream erupted on the open ground, and the many headquarters Alchemy Masters present watched in abject horror as the branch Alchemy Masters, one after another, black blood streaming from their seven orifices, threw their heads back and collapsed.

Their bodies hit the ground with a low, heavy thud, like a falling hammer, making everyone's eyes swim and a chill shoot straight up to the crown of their heads.

The situation instantly descended into chaos.

The crowd cried out in panic, rushing to help the fallen Alchemy Masters, shouting loudly as they tried to rouse them.

"Don't panic—check their breathing!"

At that moment, a sharp command rang out. Jiang Jiang Qinge strode over quickly, her expression icy, and the calm in her voice steadied the panicked crowd somewhat.

Jiang Jiang Qinge brought Cai Wei and Yan Yan Lingqing to Li Luo's side and said, "It seems this is Manager Pei Hao's contingency. The gift package he sent was laced with poison."

Cai Wei's alluring oval face was now covered in frost as well. She gritted her silver teeth and said, "What a vicious method, this Manager Pei Hao!"

"He anticipated from the very start that the young manor lord would take in these branch Alchemy Masters, so he poisoned them beforehand. His goal was probably to have these branch Alchemy Masters die of poison right here at the Xiyang House headquarters."

Yan Yan Lingqing's eyes were icy cold as she added, "It's likely that Manager Pei Hao's other moves have already been set in motion. Even now, the news that the House Luolan Mansion poisoned the Xiyang House branch Alchemy Masters may already be spreading through Great Xia City. He wants to destroy Xiyang House's reputation within Great Xia City's Alchemy Master circles."

"He might even spread rumors that these branch Alchemy Masters were poisoned because of the Mi Fa source water Li Luo provided, and that there was something wrong with that source water."

"Rational people might not believe such rumors, but the terrifying thing about rumors is that once they spread to a certain scale, true or false no longer matters."

"This stain will cling to Xiyang House forever. From now on, probably no other Alchemy Masters will be willing to join Xiyang House."

"He wants to... completely destroy Xiyang House."

Li Luo's face showed no expression at all. His usual gentle smile had vanished completely, and those who knew him well understood that Li Luo in this state had truly been moved to kill.

"What do you plan to do?" Jiang Jiang Qinge's eyes rested on Li Luo as she asked calmly.

Li Luo took a deep breath, suppressing the killing intent in his heart, and said, "Actually, I had anticipated the possibility of these branch Alchemy Masters being poisoned, so over the past few days I arranged for some healers to examine their bodies. But the results all came back normal."

"Clearly, the poison Manager Pei Hao used is no ordinary toxin. That burst of sound waves earlier was probably the trigger to activate it. This Manager Pei Hao has had his eyes on us the whole time."

"But there's no point talking about that now. Sister Yan Lingqing's earlier guess was spot-on—Manager Pei Hao's goal is to destroy Xiyang House."

His gaze met Jiang Jiang Qinge's for a moment. Xiyang House was a vital economic lifeline for House Luolan Mansion. If Xiyang House were destroyed, House Luolan Mansion's finances would take a severe blow, and then one tug would move the whole body, directly plunging House Luolan Mansion into turmoil.

Could it be that Manager Pei Hao suddenly struck so viciously because the backers behind him were pushing him to launch a further attack against House Luolan Mansion?

Then what was the ultimate goal?

It went without saying.

It was to destroy the protection of the "Mystic Formation" at House Luolan Mansion's headquarters.

"We cannot let these Alchemy Masters die of poison at headquarters," Jiang Jiang Qinge said slowly.

If Alchemy Masters truly died here, then they would have no choice but to let others sling mud at them.

Li Luo nodded. He looked not far away, where several figures were hurrying over, and said, "These are healers I invited in advance, originally as a precaution. But looking at things now, it's a good thing I did."

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded approvingly. Having healers prepared in advance—even if it was unclear whether they could cure the poison—was still better than scrambling around looking for healers now.

A group of healers hurried over, and when they saw the Alchemy Masters sprawled on the ground with black blood streaming from their seven orifices, their faces all changed dramatically.

"Please try to detoxify them immediately. If you cannot cure the poison, then at the very least analyze as quickly as possible what antidotes are needed, and I will procure them right away," Li Luo said upon seeing them. There was no time for lengthy explanations, and he gave the order with a solemn face.

"Please give it your all. Once this matter is resolved, House Luolan Mansion will certainly reward you handsomely."

The healers agreed one after another, then began examining and attempting to treat the poisoned.

However, after less than half an incense stick's time, the healers returned with troubled expressions to report: "Young manor lord, the poison these people are afflicted with is quite rare, and its toxicity is extremely potent. Our intervention only bought a little time before the poison reaches the heart, but neutralizing it entirely is no small difficulty."

Li Luo was not particularly surprised by this. If Manager Pei Hao's poison were this easy to neutralize, it wouldn't have been worth all his scheming.

"Have you figured out what antidote materials can be used?" Li Luo asked. Previously, in order to help the young Emperor, he had also crammed in quite a bit of healer knowledge.

The healers conferred for a while, then took out a piece of paper, hastily wrote down a few things, and said, "We do indeed need some antidote materials. If the young manor lord can procure them quickly, it should greatly aid in neutralizing the poison."

Li Luo took the paper and nodded.

He summoned Elder Zheng Ping and said, "Procure the materials listed on this sheet immediately."

Elder Zheng Ping's expression turned solemn, and he swiftly accepted the order and departed.

Beside them, Jiang Jiang Qinge's eyes flickered as she said, "If these materials can be effective, given Manager Pei Hao's methods, he may very well have made some preparations over these past few days."

Li Luo's eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean he'll buy up these important antidote materials first?"

Jiang Jiang Qinge tilted her chin in a slight nod. "After all, Manager Pei Hao isn't acting alone. There's a hidden hand backing him, so he should have that kind of financial power."

"At a time like this, all he needs to do is buy a little time. Once the poison reaches their hearts, these branch Alchemy Masters will undoubtedly die, and then his goal will be achieved."

Li Luo exhaled deeply. This Manager Pei Hao truly lived up to his reputation as a capable general of House Luolan Mansion—his offensive was sharp enough to chill one to the bone.

"If there's still any place where these special antidote materials can be procured, then in this Great Xia City, there's probably only one..." Jiang Jiang Qinge looked at Li Luo.

And Li Luo nodded at that moment. Of course he knew where Jiang Jiang Qinge was referring to. In Great Xia City, the place with the most abundant supplies was, naturally, none other than the Golden Dragon Treasure House.

"It's just that over there, things may not go so smoothly, so..." She gave Li Luo a soft, light laugh.

"The Golden Dragon Treasure House side—I'm afraid you'll have to make the trip personally."

"After all, you still have some connections there."

Li Luo smiled helplessly. Of course he knew the connection Jiang Jiang Qinge was referring to was Lv Qing'er, but the situation was urgent and there was no time to say more. He nodded immediately.

"I'll set off right now." He was decisive and swift, turning to leave at once.

As Li Luo turned to leave, a burly figure followed closely behind him with several others.

"Pavilion Master Lei Zhang will escort you. You don't need to worry about the Xiyang House headquarters—I will personally hold the fort here." Jiang Jiang Qinge's voice came through.

Li Luo's footsteps paused briefly. He said nothing, merely nodded, then quickly departed with Lei Zhang and the others.