CHAPTER 2036: CHAPTER 2035: SEEDS OF DOUBT

"Master, are you okay?" Jianqi stepped forward to ask.

Tong Zhengye’s expression changed slightly, blaming himself for being too hasty. Shouldn’t he first be concerned about Bai Ruozhu’s physical condition at this moment?

"You haven’t been poisoned, have you?" he hurriedly asked.

Bai Ruozhu’s mouth curled up, "How could I not be poisoned? I’m not immune to all kinds of poison."

Tong Zhengye choked, feeling a bit of sarcasm in Bai Ruozhu’s smile. Had she seen through his thoughts?

"You take a rest first, let me know if you need anything." Tong Zhengye said.

"I’m fine now, but the poisonous fog inside isn’t just one type; it’s actually two," Bai Ruozhu said with a straight face, "One of them causes hallucinations, trapping people in their own illusory realm. There’s another that causes heart failure poisoning; if only one is cured, there will still be a life-threatening danger."

Tong Zhengye showed a surprised look, "Two kinds? And hallucinogenic?"

He then felt embarrassed, as he had received incorrect information. If it weren’t for Bai Ruozhu’s vigilance, a major incident might have occurred.

If she entered a hallucination, she might not even have time to throw a signal ball and could end up like his other subordinates who died inside.

"This is my fault; I owe you one," Tong Zhengye thought for a moment, then spoke.

Bai Ruozhu said indifferently, "Since I promised to help, any danger is possible, so I don’t blame you. However, among the medicinal materials I brought, there’s one needed to prepare the antidote called Star Luo Grass, which is too little; at most, it can only make four antidotes. It’s really too dangerous inside; otherwise, we should go back first to prepare the antidote and come back tomorrow."

Tong Zhengye frowned slightly, "This..."

He thought for a moment and then said, "Otherwise, I can send someone to purchase the medicinal materials. You prepare four antidotes first, and I’ll take three people inside to scout."

Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow, "You have martial arts skills? Just taking three people, aren’t you afraid of danger?"

"Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to myself," Tong Zhengye said with a smile.

Bai Ruozhu paused, frowning unpleasantly; was she very familiar with him? Why should she care?

Since that was the case, she said no more, directly telling Tong Zhengye which medicinal materials were needed, especially emphasizing the need for more Star Luo Grass.

Then, Tong Zhengye arranged for his subordinates to make the purchase, while Bai Ruozhu also called Jianqi and Yizi over to help, and began taking out medicinal materials from the medicine box to prepare.

Jianqi signaled to Yizi, who understood and set up an array; her master didn’t want others to see the preparation of the antidote, lest the secret recipe be learned by them.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at Yizi, finding it amusing in her heart. Her skills couldn’t be learned just by watching them a few times, but with Yizi and Jianqi showing such concern, she naturally wouldn’t say anything.

After about a quarter of an hour, she handed the prepared antidote to Tong Zhengye, who showed a surprised look, "So fast?"

"Just this fast," Bai Ruozhu replied. In fact, she had deliberately delayed the time; she didn’t want to expose too much of her abilities.

"Your medical skills are indeed superb; I admire you," Tong Zhengye thanked her with a gesture.

Bai Ruozhu sneered, "This is not medical skills, it’s poison skills."

"Since ancient times, medicine and poison have always been closely linked; being skilled in poison also indicates that your medical skills are even better," Tong Zhengye praised frankly.

Bai Ruozhu found that, unlike ordinary people who tend to despise or disdain poison skills, Tong Zhengye’s attitude was much better towards her.

"Alright, you can do what you wish. I’ll wait here with my people until the medicinal materials arrive, then continue to prepare the antidotes for you."

After all, she didn’t covet what’s inside; her task was almost completed, and she wasn’t planning to take any risks.

Tong Zhengye distributed the antidote to his three trusted aides and then took them inside. Bai Ruozhu found a relatively flat spot to sit down and took out some dim sum to eat slowly.

"Master, will they be alright?" Yizi, kind-hearted, asked with concern.

Bai Ruozhu lifted her eyelids, "Tong Zhengye wouldn’t let anything happen to himself, so let’s not worry."

But after waiting for half a day, Tong Zhengye still hadn’t come out, causing his other subordinates to feel anxious.

"Why hasn’t the master come out yet? Could something have happened?" Someone worriedly said.

"Should we send someone in to check?" Another person asked.

Suddenly, a man with a square face rushed to Bai Ruozhu, pointed at her, and shouted, "Was it you? You made fake antidotes to trick the master inside and then harmed him to monopolize the treasure!"

Bai Ruozhu glanced at him; he was the one who previously didn’t trust Bai Ruozhu going in earlier and suggested someone should accompany her. However, Tong Zhengye disagreed at the time, which made him lose face. Later, Tong Zhengye chose three trusted aides without selecting him as a companion.

"No wonder Tong Zhengye didn’t choose you as a companion; someone like you, who is brainless and loves to shout, is completely useless," Bai Ruozhu calmly said.

Yizi next to her put her hands on her hips and glared at the man, "You’re too narrow-minded; it was your master who invited my master to help, so it’s not your place to decide whether or not to trust us. You keep suspecting my master yearns for what’s inside; I feel like you’re the one who’s really fixated, so why don’t you go in yourself if you’re so worried?"

"You’re talking nonsense!" The man shouted in anger, "Do you think I dare not go in? I’m not talking to you, lest I delay in saving the master."

As he spoke, he was about to rush into the cave but was held back by someone beside him.

"Listen, the people have returned; they must have bought the herbs. Let’s wait for the antidote to be prepared and then go in; otherwise, if the master is fine, we might only cause trouble for him."

Bai Ruozhu snorted softly, "Maybe Tong Zhengye has already found what he’s looking for; you could have a chance to snatch it from him now."

After she said this, the people around all looked nervously at the square-faced man; although Bai Ruozhu was an outsider, she didn’t go inside and seemed entirely uninterested in going in, clearly not looking to seize something inside. But he did seem a bit too eager.

"Don’t let her provoke you; she can poison and if she gave a fake antidote, you all might collapse, and who will rescue the master?" the square-faced man said.

A burly man with furrowed brows asked, "Why do you think something happened to the master?"

"She’s not one of us; who knows what intentions she has, and she wasn’t respectful to the master before. Who’s to say this antidote isn’t fake? If something happens to us all, she’ll be able to go in and take the treasure." the square-faced man replied.

"You have quite the imagination; since it’s a treasure, see if you have the capability to take it. My Bai Family travels extensively and has no desire to get caught up in such trouble." Bai Ruozhu finished and stopped paying attention to him, taking the herbs from the returning people and began preparing them.

"I’ve been entrusted by others, so I must finish the task. Once the antidote is prepared, it’s none of my business anymore. Whether you choose to take it or not is up to you."

After approximately half an hour, she had Yizi bring the antidote to the others and then, with Jianqi and Yizi, made her way outside the cave.