CHAPTER 30: THE HEALER’S BARGAIN

However, if he didn’t act soon and the poison flared up a few more times, it would completely destroy his inner energy and leaving him a cripple.

And Yue Mingxuan’s words sounded logical.

He clearly understood the poison’s nature and treatment.

Perhaps... he really could help.

But the prince also knew after meeting him twice now that the Fifth Prince was not a simple man.

If he let his guard down and this was his trick to escape, he might lose everything.

Yue Mingxuan understood the man’s hesitation. He showed a small, pleasing smile and said softly, "I am a prince of Dongyue Kingdom. I won’t leave Beirong, if I did, my country would suffer too. And I won’t tell anyone about this. After all, I was also involved. If Beirong finds out, they won’t just punish you, they’ll kill me to keep it quiet."

The prince’s deep eyes stared straight at Yue Mingxuan’s pale body.

It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Then, suddenly, his gaze sharpened and his tone became calm. "Are you sure you can cure my poison?"

"Of course," Yue Mingxuan replied firmly. "Your Highness, if you do as I say, I promise I can heal you."

For him, this kind of poison wasn’t too difficult.

Back in his old world, when he was on missions with the special forces, he often entered wild and uninhabited jungles that was filled with deadly creatures.

He had learned from primitive tribes many ways to deal with toxins and even dabbled in old poison arts.

In that kind of place, if his medical skills were lacking even a little, many of his comrades would have died.

"Your Highness," Yue Mingxuan said sincerely, "please believe me. Give me a chance to make things right. Once I cure you, we can call our debts even."

The prince’s eyes flickered like rippling water, it was so calm, yet so dangerous.

"Very well," he said softly, "I’ll give you one chance."

The moment he finished speaking, there was a sharp swish and the feather tickler appeared again.

Thinking the prince was still angry, Yue Mingxuan screamed, "Your Highness... ahhh!"

But this time, the tickler didn’t touch him. Instead, it transformed into a sharp blade and sliced cleanly through the cloth binding his wrists.

Then, from nowhere, the prince produced a white robe and tossed it lightly onto the bed.

Yue Mingxuan grabbed it quickly and pulling it around himself.

But when he looked up, the entire room was already empty.

The prince was gone and no trace of him anywhere.

His body still burned with pain.

Just as he was about to stand and fix his clothes, the door suddenly creaked open.

Yue Mingxuan tensed, his gaze sharp. But when he saw it was only a young maid entering, he quietly exhaled.

"By order of His Highness," the maid said coldly, "you are to go serve at the Yinlu Hall now."

Her eyes were filled with disdain and irritation, though she didn’t dare speak any harsher words aloud.

Watching the maid’s reaction, Yue Mingxuan caught a faint trace of somethingz something like jealousy.

After thinking for a moment, he guessed that the Yinlu Hall must be the place where Shang Qinghua usually bathed.

He had just left the room and now he was being sent there what kind of game was this prince playing?

Dragging the oversized robe along the floor, Yue Mingxuan followed the maid.

Soon, they arrived at Yinlu Hall.

His earlier questions were quickly answered.

Shang Qinghua truly acted fast and he already wanted Yue Mingxuan to start removing his poison.

"If you need anything, tell Mo Yi." The prince’s tone was lazy, his body slightly leaning to the side, like a relaxed cat.

Yet Yue Mingxuan knew, behind that calm appearance hid sharp claws.

At any moment, the cat could turn into a tiger that devoured people whole.

Scheming men were always terrifying.

Yue Mingxuan muttered softly and glanced at the noble man seated above him. "Your Highness, everything’s so sudden... I might not be able to gather all the herbs right away."

His whole body still ached terribly. Couldn’t they do this another day?

"I’ve already said Mo Yi will prepare everything you need. But if you keep making excuses, I’ll start doubting your honesty."

Shang Qinghua’s lashes lowered slightly, hiding the darkness in his eyes.

His voice was calm, but it carried a subtle cold threat.

"How could I?" Yue Mingxuan quickly put on a flattering smile. "The handsome man at the door earlier, that’s Mo Yi, right? I’ll go talk to him right now."

He didn’t dare delay another second.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw the man who had earlier pretended to be sick to avoid punishment now standing guard at the door looking serious.

"Mo Yi, right?"

"Yes." Mo Yi was Shang Qinghua’s personal guard and always stationed outside.

He had heard every word spoken inside.

Although he didn’t know what trick this strange looking young man had used to make his master agree to his request, he still felt wary of him.

But an order from the prince was absolute so he had to obey.

"Fifth Prince, what do you need?" Mo Yi asked politely.

"A large wooden tub with a stand underneath and plenty of firewood."

"Wait, firewood? What for?" Mo Yi frowned in confusion.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a medical treatment?

Why did it sound like he was about to cook something?

"Yes," Yue Mingxuan continued calmly, "and also, three towels and a bottle of strong liquor."

"These things...?" Mo Yi looked even more puzzled.

This didn’t sound like preparing medicine, it sounded like setting up a banquet.

But Yue Mingxuan ignored his expression and kept going. "Thirty silver needles, one piece of dragon’s blood resin, and three portions each of spider lily, atractylodes, and thunder vine. Also, five stalks of purple jade hairpin herb and four tubers of fritillary. Boil them over high heat, then simmer for half an hour. Strain the dregs and mix the medicine with the bathwater."