CHAPTER 417: CHAPTER 109: CRABS GROW FAT BEFORE THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS BLOOM

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The scent on the sports field confirmed for Zhou Ziang that someone had just used the aerosolized anesthetic drug derived from modified Mandala.

Mandala is a type of medicinal plant with a long history. The whole plant is extremely poisonous, and its leaves, flowers, and seeds can all be used in medicine. It was one of the main ingredients in the Powder for Anesthesia invented by the divine doctor Hua Tuo during the Three Kingdoms period.

This type of anesthetic drug, containing methyl alcohol, is sprayed into the air and instantly stuns people, evaporating quickly within a short time.

By human sense of smell, within a few seconds of the drug’s effect, it can cause dizziness, anesthetize the nerves, and eventually cause unconsciousness.

Zhou Ziang examined Zhang Yiyi after she fainted; her pupils were normal and her breathing stable. The amount of floral poison she had inhaled seemed minimal, so she should wake up on her own after a night of sleep.

However, the fate of the abducted Zeng Xuerou was less certain, and Zhou Ziang was also curious as to how an ordinary student could have offended the famous plant toxicology family, the Xu Family, within China.

As one of the few remaining Natural Cultivation grand families in China, the Xu Family boasts a historically significant lineage. Their ancestor, Xu Fu, was a famous alchemist during Emperor Shi’s reign, specializing in elixirs and cultivation.

Xu Changfu is merely a branch of Xu Fu but has inherited his forefathers’ skills in elixirs, especially in the pharmacological aspect of poisons, where he excels.

Considering that Traditional Chinese Medicine in toxicology is more elusive than Western medicine, Locke made the Xu Family a focus before Zhou Ziang returned to China, ensuring he had a thorough understanding of them, particularly their proficiency in cultivating Mandala.

With the information he had gathered, Zhou Ziang was able to confirm in an instant the important clue of the Xu Family. The scent of the Mandala had already faded, and relying on the scent to locate Zeng Xuerou was impractical.

However, this did not hinder Zhou Ziang from finding the Xu Family’s people.

When Zhou Ziang arrived at Huang Tengchong’s villa by car, the courtyard was deep with street lamps spaced every meter, and a luxurious Mercedes-Benz RV was parked in front of the villa.

He stepped out of the car and rang the doorbell, then a security voice came from the monitor: "Who is it?"

"I’m Zhou Ziang, Mr. Huang invited me to a banquet," This afternoon, Aisha specifically invited Zhou Ziang to join her at a dinner hosted by Huang Tengchong at his villa tonight, mentioning that Mr. Xu from Guangdong was invited by Huang.

The Mr. Xu that could warrant personal accompaniment by Aisha is one of the few in all of China. Xu Changfu, who is based in Guangdong year-round, would not come to Beijing easily, so it should be one of the younger generations of the Xu Family, and this younger-generation member must hold a significant position within the family.

Zhou Ziang was least interested in this kind of social engagement and had declined Aisha’s invitation at the time.

Thus, both Aisha and Huang Tengchong were somewhat surprised to hear that Zhou Ziang was outside the villa.

In the dining hall of the Huang Family’s villa, the banquet had already started. Huang Tengchong stood up eagerly to welcome Zhou Ziang.

The Huang’s villa was designed in a typical European style, with lavish interior decorations including a three-meter-long, one-meter-wide Han white jade table in Victorian style, rose gold candlesticks, and court silverware.

On the crimson long tablecloth, dozens of Chinese and Western dishes were displayed, with two servants standing behind the host and guests respectively—one in charge of pouring wine and the other serving food.

"Ang, you’re in for a treat tonight. Mr. Huang has invited us to taste a new batch of Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs freshly harvested from his farm," Aisha, having indulged in various delicacies abroad, was confined to eating in the cafeteria at Sacred Heart Middle School due to a public cooperation project recently. She was in high spirits today, being able to eat the fresh autumn-fattened crabs early and having invited Zhou Ziang to join, her face displaying a coquettish charm.

The two men at the table, one with slicked-back greased hair being Huang Tengchong, saw Aisha’s particular fondness for Zhou Ziang and could only sourly agree with a forced smile on his face.

The other man, looking to be in his early forties with a hooked nose, was the eldest son of Xu Changfu and father of the inexplicably deceased Xu Bohao, Xu Song.

Upon seeing Aisha, Xu Song also felt a whirl of dizziness in his eyes, his mind wavering uncontrollably—who doesn’t love beauty?

Moreover, Aisha was such a creature of allure. Still, having come from a prominent family, Xu Song understood well the principle of appreciating beauty without becoming obsessed. The Roster family, standing behind Aisha, had some underground dealings with the Xu Family many years ago.

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