FBC – Chapter 179 Gu Poison

Chi Yu hurried over to Dong Hua’s side and squatted down. Seeing her eyes tightly shut, he reached out to feel her breath—she was still alive.

“Has the physician arrived?”

“Yes, he’s treating the patients who were vomiting.”

Chi Yu frowned and gently picked Dong Hua up to check her injuries.

The short blade had pierced her back, and she had lost a lot of blood.

Her once rosy face was now drained of all color—her condition was extremely critical.

“Have the physician come see her first, and summon every doctor in the city.”

Soon, someone brought a doctor over. After taking one look at the wound, the physician’s expression grew grim: “It’s very dangerous. She must be taken back immediately. The blade can’t be removed here.”

Chi Yu handed Dong Hua over to his attendants, then followed the trail of marks his companions had left.

He could not afford to lose them. If he did, Madam would be in grave danger.

But when they tracked all the way to a sealed-off tile house, the trail vanished.

By the time Chi Yu arrived, his men were already combing every corner.

Seeing this, he grew anxious.

“What’s going on? How did you lose them?”

The guards were flustered too, their eyes red: “They disappeared as if they’d sunk into the ground—gone in the blink of an eye.”

Chi Yu realized what it might be: “A secret passage! There must be a secret passage! Go—order the city garrison to close the gates, then bring another unit here. Dig three feet if you have to, but find it!”

With that thought, Chi Yu mounted his horse and sped off.

Zhuo Hua would certainly know of their hidden passageways.

When he arrived at the prefecture office, despite the freezing weather, the newly appointed prefect was sweating profusely, pacing back and forth.

The moment he saw Chi Yu, it was as if he had found his backbone. He rushed forward and whispered: “Has Duke Yong already marched to battle?”

Chi Yu gave him a sharp look: “My lord should focus on his own duties. I’ve come to interrogate the spy, Zhuo Hua.”

The prefect grabbed his arm: “Wait—something even more serious has happened.”

“What is it?”

“Gu poison. It’s spreading in the city.”

Chi Yu’s face darkened: “The physicians on the scene already confirmed it. Those two people who vomited weren’t poisoned—they were given purgatives.”

“No, not them. More cases have appeared since. The physicians have confirmed—the porridge was indeed tainted with an unknown poison.”

Chi Yu’s expression changed drastically: “You’re saying the porridge was truly poisoned? But how can you be certain it’s Gu poison?”

The prefect wiped sweat from his brow: “The government physicians recognized it. They said it’s called Yin Snake Gu. Anyone infected will die within ten days. First comes vomiting and diarrhea, then bloating, a foul breath, high fever, until the body rots apart. There is absolutely no hope of recovery. And this Gu is vicious—it breeds many smaller Gu worms, and it spreads. Unless…”

Seeing him hesitate, Chi Yu urged anxiously: “Unless what?”

“Unless the one who made the Gu provides the antidote.”

But the one who crafted it must be from the southern border tribes. They would never hand over an antidote after poisoning others.

For now, the most important thing was Madam!

“Find a witch doctor! We cannot just sit and wait. If this plague spreads through the city, my lord, you may not be able to keep your head.”

Sensing the severity, Chi Yu didn’t wait for the yamen runners to bring Zhuo Hua out. He himself hurried straight to the prison.

When Gu Hua woke, all she saw was unfamiliar surroundings.

Her head was dizzy, the back of her neck aching so much she couldn’t turn it. She could only move her eyes to take in the dark room.

It was already night.

Panic stirred in her chest.

Didn’t Chi Yu follow?

How badly was Dong Hua injured?

Were the sick patients saved?

Her thoughts made her burn with anxiety.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside. Gu Hua quickly turned onto her side, closed her eyes, and lay still as if unconscious.

The steps halted outside the door. Another set of footsteps drew near.

“Young master. The Gu poison has already taken hold. More than ten people are infected. In five days, the Gu worms inside them will multiply and begin spreading rapidly.”

Gu Hua’s heart jolted.

They really had used Gu!

She recognized the voice—it was Lu Laosan.

“I understand. You may leave,” came Ji Xuanyu’s voice.

“Young master!”

Lu Laosan grew anxious: “You must stop being obstinate for that woman! She’s already married, she’s forgotten you. If you keep defying the Hall Master for her sake, he won’t tolerate you any longer!”

“My affairs are none of your concern. Do your own job.”

“Young master!”

Ji Xuanyu’s voice was low, tinged with suppressed emotion: “You yourself said she’s married—her heart no longer has me. And do you remember who she married?”

“Huh? Oh.” Realization dawned on Lu Laosan.

“You mean to use her to force them to withdraw?”

“Exactly. They say Mu Junyan treasures her above all else. I want to see if that’s true.”

“That’s the best way to think. The Hall Master will arrive tomorrow—you’d better be certain.”

“Just deliver the Gu-infected into Mu’s army. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Gu Hua trembled all over.

She had been too naive.

Ji Xuanyu was no longer the elder brother Ji she once knew. The man before her was dangerous.

Could she still persuade him to turn back? She had no confidence.

She truly had become Mu Junyan’s weakness.

This decisive battle was one Mu Junyan had prepared and waited for, for so long.

For this day, he had lived without wife or children, even neglected his own mother. How could she let him lose everything because of her?

No—Mu Junyan would never abandon the war for a woman.

The door creaked open.

Gu Hua’s body went rigid, her hands clasped tightly together, ears straining to catch every sound.

The footsteps stopped by the bed. A candle was lit on the small desk, then the mattress sank.

Ji Xuanyu sat down, staring at the woman’s back.

“Hua’er, are you awake?”

Gu Hua: “…”

She didn’t know how to face him.

Tears welled up, spilling silently down her cheeks.

Ji Xuanyu saw her shoulders trembling faintly, his gaze deepening.

“If you’re awake, just listen to me.”

He couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke her hair.

Feeling his touch, Gu Hua shuddered and rolled away, shrinking into the corner, staring blankly at the silver-masked face before her.

Ji Xuanyu’s hand froze mid-air. After a long pause, he gave a bitter smile, his tone soft and low: “Hua’er, are you afraid of me?”

Her tears flowed even before she spoke.

He withdrew his hand: “How did you know I was Ji Xuanyu?”

Gu Hua choked out: “Yaoyao… told me before she died.”

“Yaoyao… I wronged her,” Ji Xuanyu muttered.

After a moment, he asked suddenly: “Did you hear what we said outside?”

Gu Hua nodded, wiped her tears, and spoke sincerely: “Brother Ji, there’s still time. Please, turn back.”

“Turn back?” Ji Xuanyu laughed.

“There’s no turning back for me.” He raised his hands and waved them in front of her.

Lightly, almost cheerfully, he said: “These hands are stained with Da Liang blood. Da Liang will never forgive me—especially Mu. Jun. Yan.”

Gu Hua shook her head urgently: “No, he promised me—he’ll give you a chance.”

“A chance?” Ji Xuanyu laughed, shaking his head.

Even if Mu Junyan spared him, his foster father would not.

The Hall Master of Yifeng Hall was a hundred times more ruthless and harbored even deeper hatred for Da Liang.

Gu Hua, desperate, lunged forward and grabbed his arm: “Brother Ji, war is between nations—it mustn’t harm the innocent! The common people are blameless. To use Gu poison, such vile methods…”

Ji Xuanyu suddenly flung her hand away, his face twisting, the silver mask revealing bloodshot eyes beneath.

With a harsh voice, he shouted: “Yes! I am vile!”

Gu Hua was terrified by his ferocious look.

Her voice shook, choked with sobs: “Brother Ji, why have you become like this? Is it because of Concubine Pei? Because she pushed you off the cliff, nearly costing you your life? It was all because of me! If not for me, she wouldn’t have harmed you—it’s all my fault!”

Her crying unsettled Ji Xuanyu, making his heart ache with confusion. Grinding his teeth, he said coldly: “Don’t think your tears will soften me!”

He couldn’t bear to look at her pitiful face any longer. With a hard glare, he snapped: “Don’t even think about escaping!”

Gu Hua watched his retreating figure as he swept out, and her heart grew cold.

Was he truly going to use her to threaten Mu Junyan?