Truth is hard to accept!
Wang Aija's temper exploded after Elder Xia left. "What is there to accept when everything is false? Hah! Venerable Elder Xia, you have been against me and look down on my capability! You are just afraid that you will lose your position as Master Huan Xue's confidant if I become his cultivation partner."
While she was still in pit of rage, Wang Si emerged on the side holding two ordinary manuals. He stopped his steps and watched Wang Aija venting her anger in the air.
"Did you have an argument with Venerable Elder Xia?"
Startled by his sudden arrival, Wang Aija abruptly stiffened before she released a deep sigh. "Old physician... Ahhh... I-It's nothing. I sometimes dislike Venerable Elder Xia. His words are like weeds in my garden. It's irritating."
"You should listen to his wisdom. He had been traveling from different worlds and had seen a lot," Wang Si casually spoke, not thinking too much of why Wang Aija was fuming with anger.
"Old physician, why are you on his side? We are working together in this apothecary for so long but, you actually favor Venerable Elder Xia more than me?" Wang Aija could only shake her head and released a deep sigh.
"No... Hehe, I am not selecting sides. I am just saying that Venerable Elder Xia is well-experienced. Tell me, what are you arguing this time?"
"I--- N-Nevermind. It is really nothing," Wang Aija's shoulder shrugged as she pursed her lips together.
"O-Okay. But, where is he? It's getting dark and we still haven't found a solution for this illness. I've checked the two guests and the two servants in their wards earlier... Ahh! The boatman is starting to cry blood! I've administered a pill for him to sleep thinking if he fell asleep, the tears would stop... But, it does not," Wang Si mumbled anxiously. He felt conflicted as he found out that they had no manual of healing for such an illness.
"Blood tears? M-Maybe... W-W can transmit an inner force to that boatman to neutralize his pulse. If his pulse calms down, he may be able to control the waters raining in his eyes," Wang Aija spoke and gathered all her composure.
"It will harm him. His inner core is too weak to receive our inner force. Can you find Venerable Elder Xia? Maybe we can use his Teal and Turquoise Dew? Just now, I remember he has three dew beads?"
"T-Thats... Venerable Elder Xia possessed Teal and Turquoise Dew?" Wang Aija was stunned. "The Majestic Tree of Tranquility in the Bottom of the Open Sea... I-Is it the dew from that tree?"
"Yes. Why are you surprised? Venerable Elder Xia mentioned it one time that he owned three beads of Teal and Turquoise Dew. Legend has it, one drop of dew is enough to invoke peace of mind for a month. This may not be the cure for the Hex Mile of Tears illness... But, as long as the boatman's mind is at peace, it may slow down the blood that is gushing out of his eyes."
"I've always wanted to see what that mythical tree of tranquility looks like. How lucky for Venerable Elder Xia to attain three drops of dew. He should have offered it earlier!" Wang Aija expressed with a sour expression on her face.
"Ahh... Back then, Venerable Elder Xia told me that he was saving the three beads of dew for Master Huan Xue. But, we are in a dire situation right now. I think, using one bead won't be wasted if it means we can save that boatman. Master Huan Xue will surely agree to this if he is here."
Wang Aija thought for a bit. However, out of a sudden, a rumble of waves reverberated loudly that startled them.
"What's happening? An intruder?" Wang Si became alert.
They hurriedly went out of the apothecary to check the commotion. As soon as they look outside, they saw a water wall surrounding their entire island. Elder Xia's figure was in the air with his hand suspended, reaching out to the crimson vines.
"Venerable Elder Xia is activating our defense? But, I can't sense any intruder... L-Let's go and check what's happening!" Wang Si stated and they quickly flew in Elder Xia's direction.
Wang Aija lowered her gaze and noticed that the locals did not notice the abnormality. People were still walking on the sidewalks, some were selling in their stalls.
Wang Aija could not help but wonder. "Venerable Elder Xia had concealed the crimson vines?"
"It seems so... The people did not notice it. But, something is probably wrong in the sea. What a bad timing if an enemy shows up! Master Huan Xue is still in closed-door training!" Wang Si stated and fastened his pace.
Minutes passed and they finally arrived behind Elder Xia. They looked around for any sign of invasion but, there seemed to be no enemy around?
"Venerable Elder Xia, is there something wrong?" Wang Si immediately questioned while tucking his hands on his back.
Elder Xia nodded his head and gestured for them to look straight ahead. "Look! The sea is infected with the Hex Mile of Tears. Look at those waves coming towards our port. It has the same markings in the arm of the boatman and wine merchant!"
"The sea?!" Wang Si trembled while watching the lines of the waves. Such lines were really the same formation as the one that was carved on their patient's skin! It turned out that the invader in their region was an illness!
"What does this mean? Elder Xia... We must find a solution to keep these waves out of our territory! No wonder, I felt like there is something looming in the dark!" Wang Aija expressed. Her hands also quivered while watching the waves.
"For this to stop, it is necessary to find the source first rather than the cure. Visiting the Open Sea may be the only way," Elder Xia replied in a calm tone.
"How are those formation possible?! How did they infuse such malice in the entire sea? Venerable Elder Xia, are you really planning to go to the Open Sea?" Wang Si gulped and felt restless.
"No... Grand Physician Wang Si, I don't know yet. I'll suppress the waves first and stabilize the crimson vines. If Lady Xue finds a different method of tracing the source of this illness before the sun comes out, maybe, it's not necessary to go there," Elder Xia softly answered.