Chereads / The Seventeen Swords / Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Returning to the Valley of Medicine to Uncover the Truth

Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Returning to the Valley of Medicine to Uncover the Truth

Chang Jingyun spurred his horse without respite, galloping relentlessly until he finally arrived at the foot of Mingyue Mountain after five days. The inn at the base of the mountain still stood, though it had long since fallen into disuse. Cobwebs clung to the windows and beams, and a thick layer of dust covered the tables. Yet, curiously, not all of it was untouched by time—certain areas had been wiped clean, and several cobwebs were disturbed. Sensing something amiss, Chang Jingyun thought to himself, "Could someone have been here?"

As he pondered, the sound of a fierce battle suddenly reached his ears from not far away. Rushing toward the commotion, he found Gu Yuntian besieged by several assailants. Both sides appeared to have been locked in a prolonged struggle, and the fight had reached a stalemate.

Though Chang Jingyun had no knowledge of the attackers' origins, he leaped forward, positioning himself in front of Gu Yuntian, and demanded, "Who are you, and why do you cause trouble here in Shanhuagu?"

The attackers exchanged puzzled glances, evidently unfamiliar with Chang Jingyun. One of them retorted, "And who are you?"

Chang Jingyun replied, "You have yet to answer me. Why should I tell you who I am?"

The man countered, "If you won't say, neither will I."

"Then let our weapons speak for us," Chang Jingyun declared, preparing to engage. Just then, Gu Yuntian whispered a warning from behind, "These men are skilled fighters—be careful."

Acknowledging the warning, Chang Jingyun launched his attack, but after several moves, he realized Gu Yuntian's words held true. Even with the full array of techniques from the "Eight Wind Forms," he barely held his own. Unable to gain the upper hand, retreat was the only prudent option, but the assailants pressed their advantage, surrounding them with no escape.

Out of ideas, Chang Jingyun was forced to maintain the deadlock. Gu Yuntian, observing from the side, couldn't help but feel moved. He thought, "This man is loyal indeed. He could have fled, leaving me behind, yet he stays and fights to protect me. Caiyi truly chose well."

Just as they seemed to have no way out, the situation took an unexpected turn. Meng Haitan arrived just in time, and with a simple sweep of her sleeve, the encirclement crumbled. The attackers stared at Meng Haitan, recognizing her at once. Their momentum faltered, and they began to retreat. After taking about ten steps back, they turned and fled. Chang Jingyun wanted to pursue them, but Meng Haitan called out, "Do not chase a desperate foe."

Frustrated, Chang Jingyun asked, "Are we just going to let them go?"

Meng Haitan teased, "If your skills surpass theirs, then by all means, chase them."

"But we still don't know their origins. What if they come back?"

"My senior brother doesn't seem to care—why should you?" Meng Haitan replied with a wry smile.

Chang Jingyun had no retort, but doubt lingered in his heart. These assailants were no ordinary fighters—who were they, and what grievance did they have with Shanhuagu?

Noticing Chang Jingyun's troubled expression, Gu Yuntian patted him on the shoulder and consoled, "Don't dwell on it. Surely this isn't the only thing weighing on your mind?"

Startled, Chang Jingyun quickly replied, "You're right, senior. There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"There's no need for questions—my junior sister will give you the answers you seek," Gu Yuntian said, brushing him off and leaving without further explanation. His words were crisp and final, offering no room for hesitation.

Chang Jingyun looked to Meng Haitan. Though by seniority she outranked him, they were not far apart in age, and he had always felt a sense of kinship toward her. However, that fleeting feeling was utterly shattered by her next words. He asked, "Senior Meng, why were the people from the Four Great Manors poisoned by the 'Half Crimson' toxin of the Hanzhen Sect? Please, enlighten me."

Meng Haitan responded, "You still don't understand? The antidote you took from Shanhuagu was laced with the 'Half Crimson' poison by me. It won't be long before these people succumb to it."

Her words struck like a dagger to his heart. For a fleeting moment, he had once believed Senior Meng to be a good person, but now, she so brazenly confessed to her deeds, without the slightest hint of remorse. A deep disgust arose in Chang Jingyun's heart, a loathing he had never felt before.

Seeing the revulsion on his face, Meng Haitan sneered, "What's the matter? Can't accept the truth?"

"Why did you do this? Why?"

Meng Haitan let out a cold laugh, her lips parting as if to speak, but then she fell silent, her gaze drifting into the distance.

Once again, Chang Jingyun pressed her, "If there's a grudge to settle, it should be with those responsible. The Six Great Manors indeed had a past enmity with the Hanzhen Sect, but I've promised that from now on, the Six Great Manors will no longer be your enemies. Why do this?"

Meng Haitan's laughter was icy, "For revenge. Of course."

"Revenge? What revenge? Is this for your master?"

Meng Haitan retorted, "Of course not. It's for my husband! Years ago, the people of the Six Great Manors severed his limbs and threw him off a cliff. I've been plotting for years, waiting for the perfect moment to exact my revenge. And finally, you have delivered that opportunity to me. The plight of the Six Great Manors today is entirely your doing."

Chang Jingyun, bewildered, argued, "When have the Six Great Manors ever committed such a heinous act?"

"You acknowledge it's a heinous act. This is the feud left by your master's generation, and it's only fitting that you repay the debt. I once swore to the heavens that the people of the Six Great Manors would die to accompany my husband in the grave."

Chang Jingyun offered a bitter smile and said, "With your current martial prowess, not a single person from the Six Great Manors could match you. Why go to such lengths to weave this elaborate trap?"

Meng Haitan replied, "That was my original plan. But it seems fate decided to help me. Someone spread the 'Thousand Crane Poison' during your internal strife, so I simply changed the game and decided to torment you all a little more."

Chang Jingyun silently raised his head and questioned, "So, you're saying it wasn't you who released the 'Thousand Crane Poison'?"

"If I say it wasn't, would you believe me?"

"No!" Chang Jingyun's tone was resolute.

Meng Haitan chuckled and said, "Think whatever you want. But consider this—if it were truly me who released the poison, why would I spare the people of Mujian Manor?"

Her words struck like a bolt of clarity, snapping Chang Jingyun out of his hatred. His sword was already aimed at Meng Haitan, the tip just a hand's breadth from her face.

Unfazed, Meng Haitan calmly remarked, "You are no match for me, and you know you cannot kill me. Even if you could, you wouldn't dare."

Chang Jingyun gave a wry smile. "Why wouldn't I dare?"

"Don't you want the antidote for the 'Half Crimson' poison?"

Those words caused a flicker of hesitation in Chang Jingyun's heart. His sword hung in the air, unable to advance or retreat. Meng Haitan gently pushed his sword aside and handed him a pill, saying, "This is the 'Half Crimson' poison. Swallow it, and I'll give you the antidote."

Chang Jingyun glared at her and angrily demanded, "Why should I trust you?"

"Do you think you have any other choice? Your life, and the lives of those from the Six Great Manors, are all in my hands." With that, Meng Haitan coldly added, "Oh, and judging by how well you seem to be right now, I assume the 'Fire-Cold Poison' in your body has already been purged?"

"What 'Fire-Cold Poison'?"

Meng Haitan laughed. "You don't know? Back when you were dueling Song Yuanmo at Yishan, didn't you notice that you were poisoned?"

Her words brought Chang Jingyun's mind back to that day. He vividly remembered how Song Yuanmo had thrown silver needles at him, only to have them deflected by another set of silver needles.

"At the time, Song Yuanmo tried to ambush me with his silver needles, but they were blocked by someone else's needles. Were those yours?" Chang Jingyun asked.

Meng Haitan responded, "Funny you should mention that. You might owe your thanks to your nemesis, Song Yuanmo. My silver needles were meant to strike you, but Song Yuanmo happened to throw his at the same moment. Our needles canceled each other out, and only a few laced with the 'Fire-Cold Poison' struck you. Otherwise, with the potency of the poison, you would've died before reaching Yifeng Manor. But since you're still here, it seems my dear apprentice niece cured you."

At that moment, the image of Hua Caiyi appeared in Chang Jingyun's mind. He thought to himself, "So all that time she was in the apothecary, tirelessly making medicine, it was to create an antidote for me—and I never realized." He felt a deep regret and, looking up at Meng Haitan, weakly said, "I see now. You poisoned me because you feared I might defeat you at the Yishan Sword Conference."

Suddenly, he began to laugh, the sound growing wild and frenzied. After a few moments, he stopped and said, "So, what now? Are you going to take my life today? Go ahead, take it." With that, he tossed his sword into the grass and collapsed onto the ground.

Seeing his despair and the loss of his former spirit, Meng Haitan was visibly disappointed. "Have you given up on saving the people of the Four Great Manors?" she asked.

At her words, a glimmer of hope flickered in Chang Jingyun's eyes, only to be extinguished a moment later by despair. He loathed Meng Haitan, but he was utterly powerless against her.

Finding his expression amusing, Meng Haitan suddenly laughed. "Hurry up and eat! Swallow it, and I'll give you the antidote to save the Four Great Manors."

Chang Jingyun abruptly stood, took the pill from her hand, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Meng Haitan remarked, "You swallowed it so quickly; it seems you've resigned yourself to death. In truth, given your position, you could have remained uninvolved. I must admit, you do possess a measure of responsibility."

Chang Jingyun replied, "As long as you grant me the antidote, it doesn't matter if I lose my life. The people of the Four Great Manors are suffering because of me, and I must find a way to save them."

"Very well! I shall give you the antidote today, but remember, I won't hand it all over at once. I've divided the antidote for the 'Half Crimson' poison into seventeen doses. Each year, you must come to the Han Zhen Sect on Mount Heng, and I will give you one dose. Only after seventeen years will the poison be fully eradicated." With that, Meng Haitan produced a large bottle from her sleeve and continued, "The antidote is limited, so don't even think of testing its authenticity. Your portion is also inside."

After finishing her words, Meng Haitan walked toward the distant mountains, her figure gradually vanishing into the vast landscape.

Now, the foot of Mingyue Mountain was engulfed in silence. Only Chang Jingyun remained, standing by the abandoned tavern sign, staring blankly at the antidote in his hand, unsure of what to do or where to go next.