Both Yan Xing and Jingsheng were quite knowledgeable about various sects and organizations of the pugilist world. They have heard a lot about the medicine valley. The medicine valley doesn't involve much in the pugilist world. They are quite reclusive, and the Chief of the Medicine Valley is an eccentric old man. It is also not easy for people from both secular and pugilist worlds to get them to treat them.
They treat the patients according to their mood. If they are not in a mood, they will not budge even if they are offered a considerable sum of money or rare treasures. Sometimes they might even treat a patient free of cost. And if some people make a move against them, they had various ways to deal with them. One of them is their infamous torture methods which no mortal can endure.
Zhao Ling sent out a needle with a flick of her wrist towards the man. As soon as the needle entered the man's body, he could feel his body back. But to his horror, he could not move his body even though he could now feel it except for his head.
Mu Chen immediately stuffed the amplifying pill inside his mouth and forced it down his throat.
"Let's get started", He Qing said with an evil grin.
Zhao Ling turned back and walk away from the scene after glancing at Yan Xing. Noticing her actions, Yan Xing motioned towards Jingsheng and they both walked away from the scene.
"Young Lady, that amplifying pill, can it double the pain?" Yan Xing asked walking beside Zhao Ling.
"The amplifying pill will heighten the sensitiveness of a victim's body several times. Even a small cut will cause the victim to feel the pain to his bones", Zhao Ling said nonchalantly.
Jingsheng could feel his blood run cold when he heard the astonishing effects of the amplifying pill. Although he had heard about many weird medicines produced from the medicine valley in the past, he had thought that people had exaggerated it, but now at this moment he truly believed it.
After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, He Qing and Mu Chen appeared in front of Zhao Ling.
"Senior Sister, the man doesn't seem to know much. It looks like he was just a cannon fodder", He Qing said, folding her arms. She didn't seem like she just came back after a session of torture and interrogation.
Yan Xing raised his brows in surprise. It was faster than he expected. Fast, clean, and… quiet. Jingsheng also thought that he would hear earth-shattering screams and shrill cries of the man, but nothing of that sort happen. It was unlike their torture methods. Jingsheng discreetly glanced at Yan Xing, who also happened to look at him. Both of them had the same thought going on inside their minds.
"Any useful information," Zhao Ling asked.
Mu Chen shook his head and said, "No, he only told us the direction where the corpse puppets are raised. He also doesn't seem to know the exact location. The person behind the scene is quite cautious".
Zhao Ling tapped her fingers on her other arm as she listened to Mu Chen. Yan Xing noticed her small actions and couldn't help but thought of the sick and fragile Zhao Ling, who with a slight gust of wind can sway.
'Is it possible that they are the same person?' Yan Xing thought.
After learning about some things from the monk at the Guanyin temple, Yan Xing had his suspicions, but he doesn't have solid evidence or proof. He once again sized up Zhao Ling discreetly with deep thought.
"Lead the way", Zhao Ling said to Mu Chen.
Mu Chen nodded his head and headed towards the south.
"If we keep going south, we will deviate away from the Hua City", Yan Xing said.
Zhao Ling nodded her head and replied, "That's indeed the case. Further South is the abandoned village which used to be the village of the first inhabitants of the current Hua City".
Without stopping, they headed towards the abandoned Hua village at their fastest speed.
After some time, they came across a village gate which was already in ruins. Wild creepers covered the already crumbled gate made of timber and some block of stones.
They entered the village without any hesitation. They heighten their vigilance once again after entering the abandoned village. After walking for some time, Zhao Ling look around and creased her brows. Sweeping her gaze around, Zhao Ling locked her gaze on one kind of plant.
She halted her steps for a few seconds before walking towards that particular plant.
"Senior Sister", both Mu Chen and He Qing hurriedly followed behind her.
Yan Xing noticed her actions and followed behind her too. "Is there something wrong with this plant"
Zhao Ling was looking at a plant intently. The plant has long and thin branches with oval-shaped leaves that have smooth edges and pointed ends that are pale green and strongly ribbed.
"The poison on the arrow came from this plant", Zhao Ling said, with a tinge of amusement in her tone.
Mu Chen who was standing behind Zhao Ling leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "It's the Devil's herb!"
He said with a trace of horror in his tone. He recognized the plant too.
Zhao Ling chuckled and said, "This plant is called Deadly Nightshade. It is one of the most poisonous plants. It is also known by the name, Devil's herb or Devil's cherries".
"So, that potent poison on the arrow is extracted from this plant!" Yan Xing said.
"Yes, but this plant can be used for both good and bad", Zhao Ling added.
"You mean, it has medicinal properties too!" Yan Xing asked.
Zhao Ling nodded her head, "Yes, it has medicinal benefits too. It is also used in cosmetics".
The Deadly Nightshade plant was not planted in batches, but they were scattered around the village. Sweeping his gaze around, Yan Xing guessed that someone has purposely planted them among the weeds.
As they were looking at the plant, the sound of weapons clashing at each other sounded in their ears. Yan Xing moved his feet and leaped up the roof of the abandoned house.
Jingsheng too made use of his lightness skill and arrived near Yan Xing, who seemed to be momentarily stunned.
Jingsheng followed his gaze and was shocked to see the person they both didn't expect to see here.
___________
A/N: Sorry for not updating these past few days. My uncle's small kids were having an exam so I was busy.
And yeah.. this Grandaunt had an encounter with a snake yesterday which almost scared me to death. The snake was hanging around in our kitchen garden near our bamboo forest.
(-...-) Don't be surprised, this Grandaunt is living in the mountains away from the bustling cities. Raise your hand if you are scared of snakes too
(•.•)/
Also, the things mentioned above about the Deadly Nightshade plant are all true.
Lastly, Thank you to @Tazmonster_715 for the gift.
This book received its first gift.
yay!!!