Ning Wanwan felt an ominous sense of dread. “So the second dose contains seven pills. It must be taken by a woman with a pure Yin body. Seven days later, she must sleep with Zhan to transmit the medicine to completely detoxify him. Both doses must be taken within half a year; otherwise, Zhan will surely die.”
Seeing Qin Wudu’s hesitation, Ning Wanwan realized it wouldn’t be simple. “What will happen to the woman who takes the antidote?”
Qin Wudu replied, “At best, her meridians will be damaged, and she’ll experience qi deviation.”
“And at worst?” she asked.
“Her meridians will be severed, and she will die immediately.”
Ning Wanwan fell silent, reflecting on the gravity of the situation. “So this is a cure that exchanges life for life…”
Qin Wudu added, “I can find a woman willing to sacrifice her life for Zhan, but he may not agree.”
Understanding Zhan’s nature, Ning Wanwan said, “Give me the antidote first. I’ll handle the rest.”
Qin Wudu took out a brocade pouch and handed it to her.
She opened it to find two small medicine bottles, which she sniffed and stored close to her body.
“Zhan’s life is now in your hands.”
Ning Wanwan stiffened, then looked up at Qin Wudu. “You agreed to save Brother Zhan under the pretext of governing Qianan, but had you already anticipated the current situation? Without the eight-thousand-strong army of the High Commander, Qianan would have collapsed from within.”
Qin Wudu set down his teacup, glanced at the distant lake, and sighed. “All of this was Ying’er’s decision. Her every plan was to ensure Zhan could survive.”
“I understand,” Ning Wanwan stood to bid farewell. “I will keep today’s conversation a secret from Brother Zhan.”
Qin Wudu sighed softly. “After you leave, there will be no more of this mountain. Whether Zhan lives or dies will be left to fate.”
When his vanguard chased after, they discovered a dense number of Ding Nan troops waiting in the mountain forest.
