Chapter 65: Driving Out Poison

The General’s Residence, situated in the very heart of Canglan City, was undeniably the most heavily guarded location in the entire city. Approaching the nearby streets, one could already observe patrols of guards moving back and forth.

However, with Wei Qingqing leading the way, Zhou Yuan and his party arrived at the General’s Residence without any obstruction.

The group dismounted and proceeded directly into the General’s Residence. They passed through numerous corridors and courtyards before finally arriving at the main courtyard.

Upon entering, Zhou Yuan’s gaze immediately fell upon the main seat in the hall. There sat a middle-aged man, clad in a purple robe, appearing somewhat gaunt, with small black spots scattered across his face.

Simply by sitting there, an intensely formidable aura emanated from him, causing Zhou Yuan and the others who had just entered to feel a sense of oppression.

Evidently, this purple-robed middle-aged man was none other than Wei Canglan, the Great General of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

“Father,” Wei Qingqing called out upon entering the main courtyard.

Wei Canglan looked up, glanced at everyone, his gaze lingering on Zhou Yuan for a moment. He then stood and said calmly, “Wei Canglan greets His Royal Highness Zhou Yuan.”

Zhou Yuan cupped his fist and replied, “Zhou Yuan greets the Great General. My father asked me to convey his regards to you.”

“It’s not too good, actually,” Wei Canglan replied flatly, his expression showing little change.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes slightly lowered. From Wei Canglan’s reaction, it was evident that he still harbored resentment concerning past events.

After speaking with Zhou Yuan, Wei Canglan turned his gaze to Qi Hao and the elder beside him. “Presumably, this is Master Ying?” he said. “I’ve heard much about you.”

His stern expression softened considerably at this moment, clearly directed at Master Ying.

“Greetings, Great General,” Master Ying said.

In front of Wei Canglan, Master Ying indeed reined in his arrogance, courteously bowing and cupping his fist.

“I hear, Master, that you are proficient in Genesis Runes and skilled at using them to expel poison?” Wei Canglan inquired.

Master Ying smiled faintly. “I know the poison afflicting the General’s son is the Miasma Demon Poison, isn’t it?” he said. “I once traveled through the Black Abyss, encountered that very poison, and ultimately found a way to counteract it.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Qingqing’s pretty face immediately brightened with surprise, and her eyes showed even greater respect for Master Ying. Even a smile emerged on Wei Canglan’s usually serious face.

“Then I shall trouble Master Ying this time,” Wei Canglan said, cupping his fist. “If you can cure my son, I will certainly reward you handsomely!”

Qi Hao smiled slightly. “Great General, there’s no need to be so formal,” he said. “It was also thanks to my father’s efforts that Master Ying could be invited this time.”

Wei Canglan’s expression shifted subtly. Qi Hao’s words had made it clear: accepting Master Ying’s assistance would imply accepting the goodwill of the Qi Royal Manor.

While it wouldn't mean the General’s Residence was completely swayed, it was evident that Wei Canglan’s neutrality would ultimately be slightly compromised.

Wei Canglan glanced at Zhou Yuan, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, out of concern for his only son, he said in a deep voice, “Then I thank King Qi for his kind intentions. If my son can indeed be cured, I will personally visit to express my gratitude.”

Qi Hao smiled, his gaze subtly and triumphantly sweeping towards Zhou Yuan. If Wei Canglan were to visit, it would undoubtedly send a signal to the many factions within the Great Zhou, suggesting a shift in the General’s Residence’s alignment.

This would undoubtedly impact the Great Zhou Dynasty’s political landscape.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes were slightly lowered, his face devoid of expression, while a flicker of anxiety crossed Lu Tieshan’s eyes beside him.

Wei Qingqing cast an apologetic glance but remained silent. Wei Bin’s poisoning was a deep sorrow for their entire family, and they had exhausted every possible method to help him recover.

Now that someone finally seemed capable of resolving the Miasma Demon Poison, they were naturally unwilling to give up this chance.

“Without further ado, let’s begin now,” Wei Canglan said, turning to Master Ying with a hint of impatience.

Master Ying nodded calmly.

Seeing this, Wei Canglan told Wei Qingqing, “Qingqing, please make arrangements for His Royal Highness Zhou Yuan first.”

“Great General, let us also observe,” Zhou Yuan interjected, interrupting Wei Canglan. “Coincidentally, I have also studied Genesis Runes, and I would like to witness Master Ying’s methods and learn from them.”

Wei Canglan hesitated for a moment. As he had previously placed Zhou Yuan in an awkward position, he found it difficult to refuse, so he looked towards Master Ying instead.

Master Ying glanced at Zhou Yuan, a hint of disdain playing on his lips. “Since His Royal Highness is also proficient in Genesis Runes, then come and observe,” he said. “However, my methods are not so easily learned.”

Clearly, he viewed Zhou Yuan as someone attempting to secretly learn his techniques.

“Then let’s go.” Seeing this, Wei Canglan said no more. He led the way out of the hall and headed towards the General’s Residence’s backyard, with the rest of the party quickly following.

In the backyard, a spacious and brightly lit room.

Wei Canglan led a group of people into the room. Zhou Yuan’s gaze swept across, and he saw a small boy lying on the bed. His face was weak and pale, his body covered in black spots, and he emitted a foul odor.

At that moment, he was timidly watching the large group of people who had just entered.

“Don’t be afraid, little brother. They are here to help you expel the poison,” Wei Qingqing said, hurrying forward to comfort him softly. Her demeanor was completely devoid of the valiant and spirited air she displayed in the military camp.

Wei Canglan also gazed at the little boy with heartache. He walked forward, gently stroked his head, and then looked at Master Ying with eyes full of hope. “Master, please begin,” he urged.

Master Ying confidently walked forward, and Wei Canglan quickly offered him a seat. After sitting down, he glanced at the black spots on Wei Bin’s body. “The poison has already penetrated deep into the bone marrow,” he stated. “It’s very severe. If we delay any longer, I’m afraid his life will be lost.”

As soon as these words were uttered, Wei Qingqing’s beautiful face turned pale with shock, and Wei Canglan’s expression also changed.

“Master, you must save my little brother!” Wei Qingqing pleaded, her beautiful eyes reddened.

“Qingqing, don’t worry, Master Ying will surely save your little brother.” Qi Hao stepped forward, placing his hand on Wei Qingqing’s delicate shoulder, comforting her softly.

Wei Qingqing quickly nodded, not even noticing Qi Hao’s hand on her shoulder.

Master Ying also nodded with a faint smile, proudly stating, “General Wei and Young Lady, please rest assured. Since I am here, I naturally have confidence.”

“Remove Young Master Wei’s upper garment,” he instructed with a wave of his hand.

Immediately, a maid stepped forward and carefully removed Wei Bin’s clothes, revealing his pale body covered in black spots.

Master Ying took an dark grey Genesis Rune brush from his waist. He concentrated for a moment, then swiftly began to draw. The brush tip glowed faintly as he slowly outlined obscure Genesis Marks on Wei Bin’s body.

In the room, everyone held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

Wei Qingqing and Wei Canglan, however, were both filled with nervous anticipation, while Qi Hao wore a faint smile, occasionally glancing at Zhou Yuan and the others with a triumphant look in his eyes, clearly confident of victory.

Zhou Yuan’s face remained expressionless, while Lu Tieshan’s fists were clenched, looking somewhat uneasy.

They all knew that if Master Ying truly cured Wei Bin, their influence in Canglan City would be significantly hampered. Furthermore, the subsequent struggle for the ruins in the Black Abyss would place them at a severe disadvantage.

After all, without Wei Canglan’s support, their forces would likely find it difficult to compete with others in the Black Abyss.

The implications of this were truly immense.

In contrast to Zhou Yuan and the others’ expressions, Yaoyao, holding Tun Tun, calmly observed the Genesis Runes Master Ying was engraving, a faint light flickering in her bright eyes.