Chapter 285: Contract Gu

Slapping the Grand Apothecary unconscious and claiming it involved a secret technique was something the many guards grudgingly overlooked. But to speak like this now was a clear provocation, utterly intolerable!

"How dare you!" "You're asking for death!" The guards glared, their swords and sabers glinting coldly. At a single command, they would instantly chop this arrogant and unrestrained fellow into mincemeat.

"Is he out of his mind?" "I've dealt with this Bai Chan before. While his character isn't great, his mind seemed normal. How... how did he suddenly become so problematic?" The other physicians, expecting some profound theory, nearly spat blood upon hearing this. They were dumbfounded, as if they had seen a monster.

Anyone who came to Red Lotus City knew of the Grand Apothecary's immense power. He was practically a local emperor; even the Prince of Tianwu Kingdom had to behave himself here. Slapping someone unconscious was already provocative, but to escalate by saying "you reap what you sow" directly... did this person think he had a long life, was tired of living and wanted to die, or did he believe the Grand Apothecary had a good temper?

Physician Cheng Feng also looked over as if at an idiot. Had this guy's head been kicked by a savage beast? Otherwise, how could he utter such preposterous words?

"It's over, this time... it's truly over..." Mo Yu slapped her forehead, close to tears.

Before, they could have awkwardly explained it away as a special secret technique requiring the Grand Apothecary to be unconscious. But with these words, he had completely offended the other party, leaving no room for maneuver! 'If you want to die, go ahead, but don't drag me down,' she thought. 'I just wanted to observe; who did I provoke?' Still, since they had come together, even if this guy was asking for trouble, she couldn't abandon him!

Feeling dejected, Mo Yu gritted her teeth and secretly sent a telepathic message: "Zhang Xuan, tell the Howling Sky Beast to come here now. I have a formation plate my father left for me; once activated, it should buy us some time. Hurry, don't hesitate, there might still be a sliver of hope."

Although this place was a perilous lair, the Howling Sky Beast had a Half-Grandmaster cultivation and could fly. If it came, there was a good chance it could help them escape. However, the most crucial thing now was how to hold out until the Howling Sky Beast arrived.

Clasping her storage ring, Mo Yu remained secretly vigilant. The moment they made a move, she would immediately retrieve and throw out the formation plate. As a princess who had ventured out alone for training, she did possess some life-saving means.

A formation plate was an item where a large formation was inscribed using a special method, allowing it to be carried easily. When needed, one only had to infuse it with true qi to activate it, even without being a formation master. Although its power was significantly weaker than a true formation, it could be activated instantly and was convenient to carry, making it a common life-saving tool. However, such items were expensive and single-use, and only a princess like her, from the Tianwu Kingdom, could afford them.

"Why would I call it? Don't be nervous!" Zhang Xuan smiled, noticing her tension.

"You..." Seeing how recklessly he behaved despite the danger, Mo Yu was furious. "You've completely offended the Grand Apothecary! If we don't leave quickly, do you really want to die here?!"

"Offend him? I'm telling him about his condition. How is that offending?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand, comforting her. "Just relax and stay put. Don't overthink things!"

"Telling him his condition?" Mo Yu was aghast. Calling someone "reaping what they sow" was telling them their condition? She had been studying to be a physician apprentice for so long and had never heard of such a thing! And "relax and stay put"? In this situation, it would be a miracle if she could!

Gritting her teeth in anger, Mo Yu knew this was no time for resentment. She glanced around, choosing the best escape route. If she had known this guy was so unreliable, she would never have risked coming with him.

"Physician Bai Chan, I respectfully invited you here to treat our master, but you speak like this. If you don't explain yourself clearly today, don't even think about leaving!" Ignoring the shock of the others, Butler Lu suppressed his anger, flicked his sleeve, and narrowed his eyes.

If not for the fact that this person had helped him resolve a hidden danger, that single remark earlier would have been enough to have him hacked to death on the spot. There would have been no chance for explanation.

"No need to rush; I'll explain clearly. It's just... with so many people here, do you really want me to say it?" Zhang Xuan remained unconcerned by the threat, instead offering a faint smile.

"Stop pretending! Even if you talk until the sky falls, you're dead today!" "Anyone who dares to challenge the Grand Apothecary's prestige must die!" "Butler Lu, why waste words with him? Just give the order, and we'll dismember this insolent fellow right now!"

Seeing him unrepentant and even grinning, the surrounding guards felt like exploding with rage. They roared in unison, radiating murderous intent.

These guards were all cultivators above the Tongxuan realm. Dozens of auras simultaneously erupted, merging into a single oppressive force, like a viscous liquid filling the room. It made everyone's breathing involuntarily quicken and their palms sweat.

Even the many Grandmaster physicians turned pale, involuntarily retreating. Although the Tongxuan realm was far below the Grandmaster realm, these guards, having trained together daily, were intimately familiar with each other, moving as one. Combined with their use of potent poisons and other tactics, they would be difficult for even Grandmaster experts to defend against if they attacked.

"Enough!" Seeing the guards ready to strike at any moment, Butler Lu waved his hand. "All of you, stand down!" Then he looked back. "Physician Bai, these men are fiercely loyal to our master. If you continue to speak disrespectfully without clarifying your words, I'm afraid even I won't be able to control them."

His tone was heavily laced with a threat. If Zhang Xuan couldn't provide a satisfactory explanation, the guards would likely truly attack.

"It's simple to explain, but even if you don't mind, it involves a secret, so my advice is that it's better not to say it in front of so many people!" Ignoring the crowd ready to act, Zhang Xuan walked up to the Grand Apothecary, his gaze serene. "How about this: I'll say three words. If you think my diagnosis is correct, have these people leave, and we can discuss it further. If not, just kill me!"

After exchanging a glance with the Grand Apothecary, Butler Lu nodded. "Alright!"

"Good that you agree!" Zhang Xuan smiled. "My three words are very simple... 'Contract Gu!'"

"'Contract Gu'? What's that?" Butler Lu frowned, wondering what the other person would say and considering whether to have him killed. Just then, the Grand Apothecary, who seemed on the verge of death, suddenly changed expression, and his clouded, lifeless eyes abruptly shot forth a gleam of excitement.

"Have... have... everyone else leave..." He struggled to move slightly, his hoarse voice rasping out.

"This..." Seeing that Physician Bai Chan had only uttered three words, yet the Grand Apothecary, who had been listless and motionless, was now speaking, everyone stared as if at a monster.

Moments ago, they had thought he was surely dead; no one had anticipated such a turn. Could those three words possess some special magic?

"Master!" Seeing the master speak, Butler Lu hurried to the Grand Apothecary's side, conversed for a moment, then stood up and looked around.

"Everyone, I apologize, but today's diagnosis ends here. Please leave! Your remuneration will be sent to you." As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Zhang Xuan.

The Grand Apothecary was too weak to speak much, but having served him for years, Butler Lu could understand his meaning just from his gaze. The master's message was simple: follow Physician Bai's instructions; only he could save him! Could a person who spoke such nonsense truly save him? Was it possible, as the other person claimed, that the master was "reaping what he sowed"?

"Yes!" "Grand Apothecary, Butler Lu, we shall take our leave!" Hearing Butler Lu's order to depart, everyone, though still puzzled, shook their heads and turned to leave. Before exiting, they looked at Physician Bai Chan not far away, their faces filled with bewilderment.

This person had uttered three words, and the Grand Apothecary dismissed everyone. Could he truly know what illness the Grand Apothecary had? But seemingly... there was no illness called "Contract Gu," was there?

"You all may leave too!" Ignoring everyone's confusion, Butler Lu waved his hand at the numerous guards.

"Yes!" Knowing it was the master's will, the guards acknowledged and retreated simultaneously.

Mo Yu saw everyone leave and hesitated, but ultimately remained. Regardless of whether this guy was right or wrong, or if he would be cut down soon, since she had come with him, she wouldn't just leave alone.

Seeing that this proud princess, despite her blunt speech, was quite righteous, Zhang Xuan secretly nodded.

Soon, only a few of them remained in the room.

"Physician Bai Chan, there's no one else here now. Can you explain?" Knowing that Mo Yu was with Physician Bai, Butler Lu no longer held back, respectfully cupping his fists.

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded, no longer concealing. "Actually, the moment I saw the Grand Apothecary's condition, I made a judgment. After applying a secret technique to deduce it, I've confirmed..."

He paused, a sigh in his eyes. "The Grand Apothecary's condition is indeed not an illness, nor is it poisoning. Instead, it's something called a 'Contract Gu'! This item is left behind when someone makes a certain transaction. Now that the person who made the transaction is dead, the Grand Apothecary is restricted by the Gu, and naturally, he won't live much longer!"

"'Contract Gu'... what is that?" Butler Lu still didn't understand. Even he, who dealt with physicians and medicinal herbs daily, had never heard this name. The Grand Apothecary clearly knew what it was, but he was currently unable to speak, and even if he could communicate, it would only be simple exchanges, not enough to explain something so complex.

"A Contract Gu is a special contract signed with someone to gain their trust, a method employed by poison masters. To put it simply, it's similar to a beast tamer's life-and-death pact. Once signed, one becomes a loyal subordinate of the other party. If the master dies, the subordinate won't live long either and will soon follow them."

"This thing was intentionally created by poison masters to control their subordinates. Once signed, one's life and death are no longer their own. Should they defy their master's will, they will suffer the excruciating pain of ten thousand Gu worms gnawing at their heart!" Zhang Xuan said slowly, his gaze solemn.

"There's... such a thing in this world?" Butler Lu gasped, utterly disbelieving. The other party's revelation meant he had never even heard of it before.

Miss Mo Yu, standing to the side, also widened her beautiful eyes. While she didn't know about Contract Gu, she was very familiar with life-and-death pacts. With such a pact, if the master died, the savage beast, no matter how powerful or where it was, would also cease to breathe. From his tone, this Contract Gu seemed even more potent. If it were truly as described, wouldn't it be treating people like savage beasts to command and tame? That was too terrifying!

"Could it be... that this Contract Gu is related to master's illness?" After his shock, Butler Lu's face turned pale.

"Not just related, it's the very cause!" Looking at the Grand Apothecary before him, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but shake his head. "Your master, the esteemed Grand Apothecary, a supreme ruler of Red Lotus City, chose to become someone else's subordinate, willingly consuming this poisonous Gu. If that's not 'reaping what you sow,' what is?"

The Grand Apothecary of Red Lotus City was a figure even the King of Tianwu Kingdom would not lightly offend, and Three-star Physicians willingly bowed to him. His status was several times higher than that of kings of some second-tier kingdoms. For such a person to willingly consume a Contract Gu and become another's subordinate—what else could it be but seeking death? One could say no one else was to blame for the current situation.

Upon hearing this, the Grand Apothecary's already gaunt face flushed slightly, and his eyes filled with regret.

"Physician Bai, please save our master!" Only now understanding his master's illness, Butler Lu trembled, his knees weakened, and he fell to the ground.

Seeing his master grow weaker by the day, he had been unable to comprehend why, but now finally knowing the reason, he could no longer hold back. He had grown up in the Grand Apothecary's mansion, and his loyalty was unquestionable. If the master truly died, the mansion would surely decline under attacks from other apothecaries, and as the butler, he would be the first to suffer, unlikely to live long himself.

Both for the public good and for personal reasons, nothing could go wrong. Physician Bai, currently before him, had not only discerned the symptoms but also the root cause of the master's illness, and thus might have a solution.

"Please get up!" Reaching out to help him, Zhang Xuan shook his head. "The Contract Gu, formed by the pact, has already entered the blood and bone marrow. It will be very difficult to resolve!"

Once the contract was signed, the Gu worm would enter the body and travel with the blood. Finding it would be virtually impossible.

"As long as Physician Bai acts to save our master, my Grand Apothecary's mansion will agree to any request..." Butler Lu gritted his teeth.

"To save him, we need to find the Gu worm's location and either extract or kill it!" Zhang Xuan didn't agree immediately but explained, "The Gu worm itself is alive and travels through the blood. Once it senses danger, it will immediately flee. How can one catch it?"

For a Contract Gu, the most crucial part was the Gu worm residing within the body. Resolving it was simple: just capture and kill it. However, actually doing so was incredibly difficult. This thing was in the blood, invisible and intangible, constantly moving to evade danger. How could it be killed? Most likely, the person would die before the Gu worm.

"Since the physician can discern my master's problem, there must be a solution. Please, lend us your aid!" Butler Lu knelt again.

They had sought out so many physicians, yet none could even identify the symptoms. Physician Bai Chan was their only hope.

"I can proceed with the treatment, but... I have a condition!" Zhang Xuan said after a slight hesitation.

While it was difficult for others to find the Gu worm, he was different. With the Library of Heaven's Path, he could clearly pinpoint the Gu worm's location, making treatment achievable if he truly wished to proceed.

"Please state your condition, Physician!" Butler Lu's fists clenched in excitement, hearing that he truly could cure the master.

"I want to go to the Poison Hall. I hope that after I cure the Grand Apothecary, you can take me there!" Zhang Xuan looked at him calmly.

"This..." Butler Lu's expression changed, unexpected by this request. "The Poison Hall is very dangerous right now. They don't receive outsiders, especially physicians. Going there... would be extremely risky!"

Poison masters and physicians were essentially opposing professions. For a physician to go to the Poison Hall, wasn't that just seeking death?

"Very dangerous now? What do you mean?" Detecting a hidden meaning in Butler Lu's words, Zhang Xuan looked over in confusion.

He glanced at his master, and seeing no objection, Butler Lu gritted his teeth. "There's an internal conflict in the Poison Hall right now. It's completely sealed off, and they're seeing no one. Even our master can't get in. Going there now... is truly not the best time!"

"Internal conflict?" "Yes!" Butler Lu said. "If the physician truly wishes to go, it might be better to wait until the conflict subsides in a year..."

"A year from now? That's too late!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. He had gone to great lengths to come to the Poison Hall specifically to resolve the poison qi in his body. He didn't want to wait even a month, let alone a year! What kind of joke was this?!

"Just take me to the Poison Hall. How and when I enter is my business. Agree, and I'll proceed with the treatment; refuse, and we'll part ways here!" Zhang Xuan said calmly, "However, besides me, even if you search all thirteen surrounding kingdoms, I doubt anyone else can solve this!"

Hearing his resolute tone, Butler Lu looked at his master nearby. Seeing him blink, he then turned back.

"Alright, our master agrees!" "Good!" Zhang Xuan nodded. "Lay your master flat. I'll begin the treatment now."

"Yes!" Knowing that both parties were people of status who wouldn't renege on a deal, Butler Lu said no more. He positioned the reclining chair and helped his master lie flat.

Knowing that the treatment for the Contract Gu was about to begin, a tense expression appeared on the Grand Apothecary's gaunt face. Butler Lu and Mo Yu had never heard of Contract Gu and knew little about it, but he had experienced it himself and knew it was almost incurable. Though he harbored some disbelief that this person could treat it, he still wanted to try.

Deciding to proceed with the treatment, Zhang Xuan wasted no more words. With a flick of his wrist, a box of silver needles appeared in his palm.

With a thought, he mentally opened the marked book in the Library of Heaven's Path, which indicated the location of the flaw (i.e., the Contract Gu worm).

Circulating his true qi, he flicked his wrist lightly, sending a silver needle straight toward the location recorded in the book. A silver needle imbued with his Heaven's Path true qi would surely kill the Gu worm if it struck.

"Hmm?" After inserting the needle, his true qi circulated once, and Zhang Xuan's expression darkened.

"The Gu worm moved..." The book had been formed just now, but after all the talking and observing, the Gu worm in the Grand Apothecary's body was no longer in the marked location. It seemed he would need to form a new book.

Hesitating, Zhang Xuan looked over, a little embarrassed. "Grand Apothecary, I'm terribly sorry, but... would it be convenient for you to... pass out again?"