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"No need to chase after them. It's dark, and chasing them might not do us any good."

Xiao Yi shook his head, his gaze fixed intently on the impenetrable darkness outside the village gate.

The night was as dark as ink, swallowing up all traces; those fleeing figures had long since disappeared into the vast forest.

He turned his gaze away and looked at the ravaged village below.

The torches, lying haphazardly, were still burning, and the air was filled with the stench of blood and gunpowder.

Looking up again, I saw many corpses lying outside the stockade wall, which looked particularly glaring in the pale moonlight.

He raised his finger and pointed downwards, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Brother Wang, take some men and clean this up."

The corpses were burned, the bloodstains were washed away, and the weapons were put away.

Then tell everyone to go back and rest; thank you all for your hard work tonight.

He then added, "Tomorrow at daybreak, please take a few people up the mountain to find some thorny vines or brambles to wrap around the wooden fence outside."

Make it thick and wrap it in several layers, just in case.

Upon hearing this, Chef Wang immediately straightened his back, his face showing no sign of fatigue, but rather a long-lost radiance.

He nodded emphatically and replied in a loud voice, "Yes, Seventh Young Master Shi!"

Don't worry, I've got it covered!

Turning to face the villagers who were still busy, he raised his arm and called out in a strong voice: "Everyone, did you all hear what Young Master Shi said?"

Come on, let's work together!

"Hurry up and finish so you can go home and get a good night's sleep!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically and got to work in an orderly manner.

Chef Wang had never seen the bosses and his men act like this young man, prioritizing the protection of women, children, and the elderly in a crisis over their own escape.

He had secretly made up his mind: from now on, he would listen to him.

Xiao Yi then turned to Qingfeng beside him and whispered, "Qingfeng, go and inform the First Madam and the others that we are safe."

Let them all go back to their own lodgings and rest.

Qingfeng nodded, then turned and ran towards the dark prison at the edge of the cliff.

The women who were temporarily relocated are still hiding there, and they must be anxiously waiting for news.

Xiao Yi stood there, his gaze sweeping over the village as it gradually returned to order, but a heavy weight remained in his heart.

Tao'er and Ayan...

They are still at the bottom of the cliff.

He must go find them.

Taking advantage of the lull in everyone's busyness, he vanished silently from Tiger Head Village and disappeared into the vast night.

After Qingfeng and Dongkui escorted the First Madam and the others out of the dungeon and made the necessary arrangements, they turned back to look for Xiao Yi, but he was nowhere to be found.

Qingfeng's heart tightened, and his brows furrowed instantly.

Dongkui noticed that something was wrong with his expression and quickly asked, "Brother Qingfeng, what's wrong?"

Where is Brother Shi Qi?

"Our master is missing," Qingfeng said in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on the darkness outside the village gate.

"ah………"

"I guess they went to the bottom of the cliff to look for Miss Tao'er and the young master again."

Upon hearing this, Dongkui's expression immediately changed: "What?"

They went again?

I haven't eaten, drunk, or slept for a whole day and night. My clothes are constantly wet and then dry, and I've just fought another tough battle...

Even an iron body can't withstand that!

Moreover, there are still King Cheng's troops at the foot of the mountain, what if...?

As she spoke, she clenched her fists, her eyes filled with worry.

Qingfeng gritted his teeth and made a quick decision: "Dongkui, don't worry too much."

The master should...

It should be fine.

I'm going down the mountain to look for him now. He just left, maybe I can still catch up with him.

If there's no poison in his body, he won't worry about feeling weak at all...

After saying that, he turned to leave, but Dongkui grabbed him.

"Brother Qingfeng, wait a minute!"

I'll go with you.

I'm also worried about Peach Sister and Young Master; I won't be able to sleep anyway if I go back.

More people means more support.

Winter Mallow's gaze was resolute.

Qingfeng paused, turned around, and frowned even more: "What are you doing so late at night, a young lady like you?"

It's still dark outside, and the forest is deep and the roads are dangerous. If we encounter anything, I'll have to take care of you...

Then his tone softened a bit, but he remained firm: "You stay in the village."

Don't forget, this will be Peach Girl's territory from now on.

You have to stay and watch over her.

Dongkui opened her mouth, wanting to argue again, but when she met Qingfeng's unquestionable eyes, she finally nodded: "Then... then okay."

I will guard the village and wait for you to return.

"We must bring back Sister Tao'er and the young master, and we must also bring Brother Shi Qi back safely!"

Qingfeng nodded solemnly, turned around, and disappeared into the night.

However, what he didn't expect was that when he finally found the dense forest at the bottom of the cliff, he saw a scene that almost made his heart stop beating.

Xiao Yi lay in the woods, his face as pale as paper, his lips bluish-purple, curled up in a ball, his whole body trembling violently.

The person was unconscious and completely unresponsive.

Qingfeng's pupils contracted sharply, and he instantly understood: his master's cold poison had flared up!

Without saying a word, he raised his hand and fired a signal flare into the night sky, the crimson flame piercing the darkness.

He then bent down, scooped up Xiao Yi, carried him on his back, and ran away madly.

Thorns tore his clothes along the way, and sweat mixed with mud smeared his face, but he dared not stop, not even for a moment.

Finally, he carried the person back to Tiger Head Village and put him into the room where Xiao Yi had stayed before.

He laid the person flat on the bed, then stood by the bed, looking helplessly at the bloodless face, his mind in turmoil.

Elder Li…

Why hasn't Elder Li arrived yet...?

He paced anxiously by the bedside, glancing towards the door every now and then, muttering to himself.

Every now and then, he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

After an unknown amount of time, a lean figure finally slipped inside.

"Boy, it's already past midnight, can't you let people sleep..." The old man's voice preceded his arrival, carrying a hint of complaint. But before he could finish speaking, when his gaze fell on the person on the bed, all the words caught in his throat.

He rushed to the bedside in a few steps, took a pulse, and his expression changed drastically: "Boy, the sect leader is suffering from the effects of the poison."

What exactly happened?

Didn't I tell you to take good care of the Pavilion Master?!

The voice was no longer as casual as when it entered; it was cold and stern, carrying undisguised reproach.

Qingfeng knelt down with a thud: "Elder Li, it was my negligence!"

You can scold me however you want later, but please show this to your master first!

Elder Li glared at him fiercely, said no more, quickly took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket, poured out a bright red pill, and fed it to Xiao Yi by prying open his mouth.

He then took out a small cloth bag from his bosom, unfolded it, and inside lay a row of silver needles, which gleamed coldly in the dim candlelight.

He took a deep breath, held his breath, and dropped the needle with lightning speed.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yi coughed up a mouthful of black blood and fell into a deep sleep again.

Elder Li slowly withdrew the needles, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He looked exhausted, but finally let out a sigh of relief: "Finally... he's saved."

Qingfeng rushed forward, looking at Xiao Yi who was still unconscious on the bed, his eyes filled with anxiety: "Elder Li, is Master alright?"

Why isn't he awake yet?

"I've temporarily suppressed the toxicity with silver needles, and with the antidote he took, his life is not in immediate danger," Elder Li sighed, his expression grave.

"If the Heart-Eating Poison within the Lord's body continues without an antidote..."

I'm afraid I'll lose my life sooner or later.

It would be a waste of time to save him...

Qingfeng's heart tightened, and he blurted out, "Then...then you'd better hurry up and develop an antidote!"

Without saying a word, Elder Li took off his shoe and smacked Qingfeng on the head: "You brat!"

Do you think an antidote can be made casually?

Do you think I'm a god?

Qingfeng winced in pain but dared not flinch. He quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake: "I'm sorry, Elder Li, I was too hasty."

Please... I beg you, you must research and develop the antidote as soon as possible.

We can't just...

We can't just stand by and watch our master die from the poison!

As he spoke, he leaned over to give Elder Li a back massage in an ingratiating manner.