Happy times are always fleeting. After reminiscing for a while, as the night deepened, Chen Guan knew it was time to address the real reason he was here.
"Last time, when my sister and her friends were searching the mountains, they found a hidden cave. Inside, they obtained this volume: the Seven-Colored Poison Sutra. I was reading it one night when I couldn't sleep, and the more I read, the more I felt that it belonged with you."
The Little Fairy Doctor took the gifted sutra, her eyes widening as she flipped through its pages. Unsurprisingly, she was immediately captivated. This volume was infinitely more precious than the simple doctor's notes Chen Guan had given her before; she couldn't bear to put it down.
"You're too kind. Thank you, I love it."
"Don't thank me," Chen Guan replied with a faint, meaningful smile. "It was always meant to be yours."
Seeing the pure joy on her face, he hesitated, reluctant to broach the heavy topic that was to come. But he knew it was inevitable. With her personality, once she has this sutra, she won't sleep until she's read every word. It makes no difference if she learns the truth now or a few hours from now.
"Look at the final entry," he said gently.
Curious, the Little Fairy Doctor nodded and turned to the last page. But as her eyes scanned the text, her expression shifted, her smile becoming strained and forced. She had found the entry on the Woeful Poison Body.
It described a thin, seven-colored line hidden on the lower abdomen of the owner. This line would grow as the concentration of poison in the body increased. When the line finally reached the heart, the Woeful Poison Body would be at its most powerful. At that same moment, its owner would suffer the agony of being consumed by ten thousand poisons.
That alone would be a horrifying fate, but what was most difficult for her to accept was the next part. With the full activation of the Woeful Poison Body, anyone she touched would die. As the toxins accumulated further, they would eventually spiral out of control and erupt.
At that time, all life within a thousand-mile radius would be annihilated. It was a catastrophe on a continental scale.
The words brought back painful memories. Her greatest dream had always been to become an alchemist, but lacking the qualifications, she had settled for being a doctor. Now, it seemed fate had played a cruel joke. She possessed a body that was a walking plague, one she could not control. One day, it would awaken, and she would lose even the simple joy of being a doctor, becoming nothing more than a poisonous woman feared by all.
"I'm sorry," Chen Guan said softly, watching her face grow pale. "I'm sorry to tell you this cruel truth so early. I admit I have selfish motives."
She is so kind. If he had never intervened, she could have lived happily for at least another year before this truth came crashing down on her.
"It's alright," she whispered. Then, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere, she forced a smile. "But how did you know I had it? Have you been peeking at me?"
Chen Guan's eyes darted away. "That one time, you stretched after eating too much… I might have caught a glimpse. Ahem, it was purely an accident."
The Little Fairy Doctor rolled her eyes at him, but a faint blush rose on her cheeks, bringing a touch of normal color back to her pale face.
Seeing his chance, Chen Guan pressed on. "Don't worry too much. I've read many ancient texts. The Woeful Poison Body is terrifying, but it's not without a solution. We can eliminate its drawbacks and bring it under your complete control. If we succeed, it won't just be harmless; it will become your greatest asset."
"Can it… can it really be controlled?"
Even as she tried to appear calm, she couldn't help but stare at him, her voice trembling slightly, her eyes filled with a desperate, fragile hope.
Chen Guan nodded without a flicker of hesitation.
"As far as I know, there is a method to refine a special poison pill that can control the Woeful Poison Body. The process is complicated and requires many rare treasures, but fortunately, I have clues for most of the necessary items. With some planning, it shouldn't be a problem."
"There are a few other options as well," he added. "I'm not certain they will work, but we can keep them as alternatives."
For example, the Nether Poison Flame. Perhaps a Heavenly Flame could have an effect on a physique like this. Of course, it was just a guess, but it was worth keeping in mind.
Seeing the relaxed confidence in his tone, much of the tension drained from her body.
"You make it sound so easy. But if I'm not mistaken, the materials required are not something ordinary people can obtain. It's only possible for you because you have the royal family's support."
She looked at him, her gaze sharp. "You've put so much effort into helping me. Don't tell me it's just because you like helping others. How can I repay you?"
Chen Guan laughed vaguely. "Aren't we friends?"
The Little Fairy Doctor just smiled, saying nothing, watching his performance quietly. She accepted their friendship, but she was skeptical that it was the whole story.
Under her unwavering gaze, Chen Guan's face grew warm. He spread his hands in surrender and confessed.
"Alright, you got me. I do have other reasons. The enemies I will face in the future may be incredibly powerful. A person's strength is limited. Though I am confident in myself, two fists can't block four hands."
"So, I need partners to help me. It will make things easier."
"The Woeful Poison Body has immense potential. In the future, Dou Huang and Dou Zong won't be your limit. With a future powerhouse of your caliber, do you really think I could just let you slip away?"
She nodded slightly. The reasoning was sound. If she were in his position, she would do the same. Having accepted this layer of mutual benefit between them, she remained calm and asked again.
"What else?"
Deep down, she seemed to be hoping for another reason, though she wasn't sure why.
Unfortunately, that was all he was willing to give.
Chen Guan shook his head. "That's it. I don't want to affect our friendship by getting too much else involved."
Of course, other thoughts were inevitable. He was a man, after all. But some things were better left unsaid, especially if he wanted to preserve the simple friendship they had.
She stared at him for a few seconds, but his acting skills held firm. Unable to find any flaws, she could only mutter a complaint in her heart and change the subject.
"Tell me what you need for the poison pill method. I'll keep it in mind. If I get lucky and come across something one day, it will save you the trouble."
"Alright. A magic core of at least a seventh-rank Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast, Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, and three different kinds of Heavenly Flames."
The moment the words left his mouth, the Little Fairy Doctor looked at him with profound suspicion.
Are you certain these things can actually be obtained?
She didn't know what Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva was, but based on the other two, she could imagine its rarity. A seventh-rank magic core meant a Dou Zong-level Magical Beast. As for Heavenly Flames, she had only read a few words about them in a book. She had never heard of anyone in the entire Jia Ma Empire possessing one.
And he needed three of them.
***
(End of Chapter)
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