Chapter 34: Seven Seas Li Zhenren's Little Scheme

After entrusting the cleanup of the furnace to Qi Wu, Seven Seas Li Zhenren led Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the other two to Daosanqingdian.

The three followed the Zhenren to Daosanqingdian, a vegetarian hall of considerable size.

Wooden cushioned chairs were neatly arranged around the perimeter.

An ancient plaque reading "Three Pure Ones Share One Root, Red Pine is Clear and Bright" hung on the walls, its age indeterminate.

Most eye-catching were the three giant statues enshrined in the very center of the hall.

They were three massive jade thrones, each carved with the image of the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth Emperor, and the Human Emperor.

The Heavenly Emperor was tall and majestic, draped in a cyan-blue robe, holding the Liu'an Dan Book, his divine countenance clear.

The Earth Emperor was solemn and grave, draped in a green-black robe, holding the Douwan Dharma Item, his bearing extraordinary.

The Human Emperor was benevolent and compassionate, wearing a vermilion battle robe, holding a horned bow, his eyes shining with light.

The three giant statues possessed both form and spirit, their bodies seeming to float in the void, emitting a faint immortal aura.

The entire Daosanqingdian radiated a holy atmosphere, settled by the passage of time.

This Daosanqingdian, polished and cultivated by countless generations, suddenly made Jiang Jiang Mingyu feel a moving sense of awe and a connection to a past life.

The Zhenren's secular name was 'Wang Xide', courtesy name 'Qi Hai Li', Daoist title 'Hailizi', and her master was 'Red Art - Lu Zhenjun'. Ranked seventh in her sect, she earned the jianghu nickname: Seven Seas Li Zhenren.

"I have long heard of the Zhenren's great name; indeed, hearing is not as good as seeing," Jiang Jiang Mingyu flattered.

"Since entering the Xia Dynasty, I have observed the stars at night, seeing Mars guarding the Heart, and predicted great misfortune in the court..." Hailizi raised her fly-whisk and spoke earnestly: "Recently, I dreamed of a white crane flying into the Taoist temple, begging for medicine. Could it be... that Lord Jiang has come to the temple for medicine?"

As Hailizi spoke, her wise eyes held a trace of deep mystery.

"The Zhenren is indeed divinely insightful!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke without hesitation: "This official, by imperial decree, investigates the cause of the late Emperor's death; as all evidence points to medicine, I have come to your temple to seek the Zhenren's help."

Then, Jiang Jiang Mingyu recounted the entire case from beginning to end in minute detail to Hailizi, and presented the remaining five pills of "Seven Times in One Night" for her inspection.

After examining the pills, Hailizi said, "What 'Seven Times in One Night'? It is merely 'Beast Full of Joy'!"

"'Beast Full of Joy'?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo said in unison.

"It is a kind of aphrodisiac often used by grassland herdsmen when mating their livestock!" Hailizi continued to explain; "This 'Beast Full of Joy' was originally used on four-legged livestock like cattle, horses, and sheep; someone unknown adjusted the formula, and it could surprisingly be used on humans! Later, it was introduced to the Central Plains, renamed as a yang-tonifying medicine, for human consumption."

After introducing the origin of "Seven Times in One Night", Hailizi led Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others to the alchemy room, where several large and small medicine cabinets stood.

These medicine cabinets were neatly arranged on both sides of the room, steady and orderly.

They were all made of wood, with exquisite carvings.

Every cabinet was built from thick wooden planks, the seams crafted with astonishing delicacy.

Each cabinet stood over twelve feet tall, testifying to its heaviness.

The wood, settled by the passage of time, had turned yellow, yet its surface was smooth as new.

The carved patterns had sharp angles, with fine strokes.

The floral designs were arranged with grace, detailed to the smallest point.

The cabinet doors were carved with traditional auspicious patterns such as dragons and phoenixes, the Baoxiang flower, and flowers and birds.

These ancient medicine cabinets seemed alive, silent yet solemn, as if possessing a history settled through shared experience.

They silently watched Hailizi grow, yet faithfully preserved the medicines that had long lost their color in those years.

With just a few words from Hailizi, these silent wooden cabinets would open, allowing her to retrieve strange medicinal herbs from within.

She had a thousand threads of connection with these medicine cabinets; over time, they had become one.

Hailizi skillfully brought over a wooden ladder, its indentations worn smooth by countless footsteps.

She climbed the ladder nimbly, her outstretched hands touching that heavy wooden cabinet as if meeting an old friend.

Hailizi's hand stopped before that cabinet, casually yet carefully tracing its patterns.

Knowledge and skills hundreds of years old were preserved here, and only she understood their meaning.

Finally, in a medicine cabinet twelve feet long, seven feet high, and one and a half feet thick, Hailizi's hand stopped at a small compartment, taking out a mustard-yellow pill ball.

This pill ball radiated a brilliant mustard-yellow light like a rising sun.

Its size was more than twice that of "Seven Times in One Night"; one was as big as a walnut, its surface smooth and round, and upon close inspection, neatly arranged patterns could be seen.

The two smelled almost identical, except the pill ball was more pungent.

"This is 'Beast Full of Joy'." While Hailizi spoke, she held the pill ball in her hand and smoothly placed it into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's palm.

"So big!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, looking surprised.

Feeling the extremely clumsy and heavy weight of the pill ball, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but be utterly astonished.

Hailizi: "Of course... this is for cattle, horses, and sheep; how could it be small?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked: "If someone accidentally ingests it, what should be done?"

Hailizi laughed heartily and replied: "Rest assured, if accidentally ingested, after rolling in the clouds and rain with someone, just sleep well, as usual."

Hearing Hailizi's explanation and laughter, Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly realized the truth, his face turning alternately green and red.

Tu Tu Kesiluo covered his mouth to stifle a laugh, and soon could not stop laughing.

Li Li Xuanren was so ashamed his face turned completely red, almost wanting to bury himself in the earth.

"If an overdose is taken, can it kill someone?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked seriously.

"I have tried that 'Seven Times in One Night'..." Tu Tu Kesiluo stepped forward and said: "Just one pill; after taking it, it was very intense! If one does not find someone to relieve it, it is extremely uncomfortable!"

"You have eaten it?" Hailizi asked.

"Yes, I have eaten it; on the night the late Emperor passed away, I was the one who tested the medicine!" Tu Tu Kesiluo said seriously.

Hailizi walked up to Tu Tu Kesiluo, a spark of excitement flashing in her eyes.

She lightly rose on her toes, carefully examining this burly man.

Tu Tu Kesiluo felt Hailizi's scrutinizing gaze and felt somewhat uneasy.

Hailizi cheerfully circled him twice, making him stare with unblinking eyes.

Hai Li Zi walked to his back, stroked his broad shoulders, and exclaimed, "It's been a long time since I've seen such a strong physique!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo coughed awkwardly, not knowing how to respond.

Hai Li Zi circled back to face him, tilting her head up to admire his sharp features.

Tu Tu Kesiluo felt as though her gaze were piercing him a hundred times and stabbing him a thousand times, making him extremely uncomfortable.

He pondered in his heart: Could this little girl, whose height only reaches my navel, truly be eighty-seven years old?

Tu Tu Kesiluo only felt strange.

Although Hai Li Zi's praise made him feel slightly proud, her quirky behavior left him utterly baffled...

Just as he was about to speak, Hai Li Zi took a "Seven Times a Night Pill" from the evidence box and asked Tu Tu Kesiluo to take it again!

But Tu Tu Kesiluo flatly refused!

He even said, "This medicine is far too fierce; I dare not take it again!"

"Oh, just try it once more..." Hai Li Zi encouraged him enthusiastically: "Don't worry, it won't kill you! This Daoist has an antidote here that can cure a hundred poisons."

Tu Tu Kesiluo: "But..."

At that moment, Qi Wu happened to walk into the Three Pure Ones Hall; having just finished cleaning the furnace room, she returned to report.

Hai Li Zi immediately noticed the expression on Tu Tu Kesiluo's face when he saw Qi Wu, a hint of shyness appearing; thus, she raised an eyebrow, a cunning glint flashing in her eyes, and conceived a plan.

She spoke in an ambiguous tone: "If you take one pill, this Daoist can arrange for a disciple to attend to you..."

"Is that truly so!?" Tu Tu Kesiluo widened his eyes, his lips moving helplessly as he asked excitedly.

"Master, absolutely not!" Li Li Xuanren, his face full of anxiety, stood up immediately to object!

"Don't worry..." Hai Li Zi comforted Li Li Xuanren: "This master will not ask you to attend to him."

Li Li Xuanren was speechless and could only stammer: "I... I didn't mean that... Master, if you asked me to attend to him, I would have no choice; it's just... could you please not let..."

"Wait..." Tu Tu Kesiluo interrupted Li Li Xuanren's words and stated directly: "This official... does not like men!"

Observing Tu Tu Kesiluo's expression and body language when he said this, Hai Li Zi knew her guess was correct.

"Li Li Xuanren, you've only been in Jingcheng for a few years; why are you speaking so ambiguously!" Hai Li Zi continued: "This master has her own arrangements; first, take Lord Jiang and Lord Tu to the backyard to rest, and try the medicine after dinner."

Seeing that Hai Li Zi's intentional and unintentional hints all indicated she would arrange for Qi Wu to attend to him, Tu Tu Kesiluo decided to summon his courage and try the "Seven Times a Night Pill" one more time!

After Li Li Xuanren had taken Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo to rest in the backyard for one double-hour, Hai Li Zi personally served them an extraordinary dinner.

However, the atmosphere of the dinner was somewhat eerie.

Hai Li Zi produced bowls and chopsticks one by one and, smiling, said to Tu Tu Kesiluo: "This is a special five-color goji berry and yam soup prepared by this Daoist; swallowing it at the right temperature will help replenish your Qi and blood."

She then gestured to the dishes before her: "This oyster and chive dish is best for nourishing the lungs and kidneys. This angelica and tiger tendon soup can help you preserve essence and boost Qi."

Looking at these foods, Tu Tu Kesiluo felt a chill run down his scalp.

Hai Li Zi then took a piece of steaming "Ginseng Tofu" and insisted he try it.

Tu Tu Kesiluo dared not refuse; gritting his teeth, he cut a piece and stuffed it into his mouth.

Unexpectedly, this "Ginseng Tofu" was so delicious and tasted unusually smooth.

Hai Li Zi laughed with delight: "This is the most brilliant medicinal recipe of my life; I believe you will see immediate results shortly, right?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo's face turned green then red; gritting his teeth, he perfunctorily replied: "Thank you, True One, for your kindness; I have done no merit to deserve such a gift, and I am too ashamed to accept it..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, unable to hold back his laughter, said to Hai Li Zi: "True One, stop teasing Lord Tu. We came here today to seek medicine and investigate the case, not to search for aphrodisiac recipes."

Hai Li Zi burst into laughter: "Please do not be angry, my lords; this Daoist only wishes to help Lord Tu test the medicine better, with no other intentions."

Throughout the dinner, the atmosphere gradually grew harmonious with Hai Li Zi's laughter...

After dinner, Tu Tu Kesiluo, full of food and wine, followed Qi Wu's steps to a guest room in the back mountain; at this moment, his heart was full of joy, and he was wildly excited!

Qi Wu took out two "Seven Times a Night Pills," placed them on the table, then poured a full bowl of clear water, asking Tu Tu Kesiluo to mix the water and swallow the medicine.

Tu Tu Kesiluo hesitantly looked at the two pills before him, unsure if he really needed to eat two.

"T-two... two pills?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked, his face full of surprise.

"Yes, two pills." Qi Wu explained: "Master said that to achieve a high degree of restoration, one must take two pills, just like the late Emperor."

Having seen condemned prisoners test medicine, Tu Tu Kesiluo knew that taking two pills would not actually kill a person. He clenched his fists, as if entering a battlefield charge. Taking a deep breath, he signaled that he was ready.

Qi Wu carefully handed the two pills to him.

Tu Tu Kesiluo summoned his courage and took the two pills with both hands.

They looked as harmless as before when there was only one.

He bent down and filled the bowl with clear water.

Tu Tu Kesiluo closed his eyes, trying to recall the scene when he had previously drunk this medicine.

Qi Wu waited quietly.

Tu Tu Kesiluo took a deep breath, then put the two pills into his mouth.

The two pills were somewhat bitter; he lifted the water bowl and swallowed the pills in one gulp.

As the pills went down into his stomach, an indescribable heat arose from within, gradually spreading out.

Tu Tu Kesiluo suddenly regretted it; he wished he had not taken two pills.

But it was too late.

As the medicinal effect gradually took hold, Tu Tu Kesiluo could only wait for the changes brought by the medicine's power.

In less than a quarter-hour, the medicinal effect began to take hold!

Tu Tu Kesiluo felt as though all the blood in his body was boiling, rising in temperature from his face.

He immediately broke out in hot sweat; the sweat on his crown and forehead flowed down uncontrollably. His clothes became soaked and clung to his body.

Tu Tu Kesiluo tried to calm down and empty his mind, but it was of no use.

The medicinal effect flowed continuously, and he felt increasingly restless and uneasy.

Sweat blurred his vision; he had to close his eyes, trying to escape all of this.

However, at this moment, he felt someone watching him silently.

He immediately opened his eyes and saw Qiwu organizing the medicine box methodically.

Yet her gentle face made Tu Tu Kesiluo feel infinitely at ease, even stirring an impulse to approach her.

At this moment, he only wanted to walk to her side and be with her—even if it was just to watch her silently.

But Tu Tu Kesiluo forced himself to sit upright, his hands tightly clutching the hem of his robe.

He held his breath, trying to calm himself.

However, the effect of the medicine came surging, and now it had already begun to affect his thoughts.

His mind fragmented, leaving only a longing for the woman beside him.

Tu Tu Kesiluo had now become a slave to the medicine's effect, able only to watch helplessly as his reason drifted further and further away...

He saw Qiwu nearby, her demeanor extraordinary, skilled and dignified; soon he could no longer restrain the fire of desire in his heart, clenching his fists tightly and gazing at her with eager eyes.

Under the influence of the medicine, Tu Tu Kesiluo could not remain rational; suddenly he lunged forward, arms spread wide, and immediately pounced, intending to seize her!

Qiwu had grown up in a Taoist temple and had also learned sword techniques; light as a swallow, she made a clever dodge and quickly evaded Tu Tu Kesiluo's grab!

Despite multiple rounds of pursuit and probing, Tu Tu Kesiluo, whose reason was disturbed, still failed to pull her into his embrace.

Finally, Qiwu turned around, raised her finger, and pinched out the oil lamp; instantly, the room plunged into darkness!

In the pitch black, Tu Tu Kesiluo could still clearly sense Qiwu's presence, but he could not control his own thoughts and desires.

Joy filled his heart, reason gradually faded into nothingness in the darkness, and desire was disturbed by superficial things.

He seemed drawn by a net woven from darkness and spells, unable to resist.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, completely blind in the dark, vaguely heard a woman speak in a gentle tone: "I am right here!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo smelled a faint fragrance; the woman seemed close at hand, yet seemed unreachable.

He sensed that the voice came from the bed platform!

Unmindful of the pitch-black darkness, without a second thought, he immediately pounced, grabbing whatever he could catch, hugging it tightly, and refusing to let go no matter what!

He feared letting the prey he had caught escape again.

But Tu Tu Kesiluo felt something was wrong somewhere. He thought: These hands and feet shouldn't be this short!

After Tu Tu Kesiluo finally adapted to the pitch-black room, under the faint moonlight, he suddenly realized with shock that the person embracing and entangled with him on the bed was not Qiwu at all, but Real Person Qi Qi Hai Li!

Tu Tu Kesiluo, terrified, immediately retreated to the corner of the bed, raising his hand to stop. Trembling with fear, he stammered: "I... I am a military officer of the imperial court; I would never, ever dare to have improper thoughts toward a Real Person!"

"Hehe, what Real Person..." Haileyzi burst into loud laughter and said: "This poor Daoist is over eighty years old! And I am a woman too!"

Hearing that age, Tu Tu Kesiluo became even more terrified.

He kept retreating, shaking his head in surprise and disbelief, his hands tightly gripping the edge of the bed in an attempt to stay calm.

But unfortunately, Haileyzi gave him no chance to think; her hands were incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, she successfully launched a surprise attack!

Haileyzi: "Young Daoist Temple rarely receives visitors as tall and mighty as you; today I am fortunate to see one, so just yield to this poor Daoist!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo: "But... with that childlike face and appearance, I cannot possibly comply!"

After humming twice, Haileyzi said: "You have swallowed two 'Seven Times a Night Pills'; today, you have no choice!" The words had barely left her lips when Tu Tu Kesiluo, just as Haileyzi had said, was already fully prepared!

Tu Tu Kesiluo began to tremble, shaking his head despairingly and wailing.

"No... no!" From the guest room came a series of piercing male wails!

Tu Tu Kesiluo's face was covered in tear tracks, and his eyes were filled with bloodshot veins.

He struggled and wailed, hoping someone would come to save him from this predicament.

In the pitch-black room, he felt utterly desperate...

Causing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Li Li Xuanren, who were guarding outside the room, to feel a chill deep in their hearts!

"What is the Real Person planning to do tonight?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked in panic.

"It is the method of 'Harvesting Yang to Supplement Yin'," Li Li Xuanren continued in a low voice: "This is a secret technique of our sect, passed down to women but not to men, so... I have not learned it either."

"Lord Tu Ke, will he survive the night safely?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked anxiously again.

"With the Real Person here..." Li Li Xuanren patted his chest and assured: "No need to fear."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and asked: "What do you mean by that?"

"The Real Person knows the art of 'Raising the Dead and Reviving the Dying'!" Li Li Xuanren said with a solemn expression.

Li Li Xuanren continued: "If a person has stopped breathing, within a quarter of an hour, the Real Person has a way to revive them!"

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt slightly comforted and quietly asked: "Is this 'Raising the Dead and Reviving the Dying' truly real?"

Li Li Xuanren nodded and said: "There have been precedents. In past years... a deceased senior brother was revived with just a pinch from the Real Person's palm."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with relief: "Very good; if the Real Person's temperament is as usual, Lord Tu Ke should be fine."

Li Li Xuanren knew the truth but could not speak it; he smiled bitterly: "The Real Person is willful and cannot be spoken of too much. If there truly is a calamitous Dao, it cannot be avoided."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a low, cold snort: "What beautiful words."

Li Li Xuanren wanted to speak but stopped, and could only sigh: "Such matters, perhaps the will of Heaven cannot be defied."

As the two spoke, another round of piercing wails came from the guest room.

Both of them showed embarrassed expressions on their faces, yet they could not speak to stop it, so they could only let it happen.