Chapter 42 – Poisoned
“Yes, I’m grateful to my wife and Bao’er.” Long San smiled. He was half-hugging and half-pressing down on Fengning.
Fengning glared at him. “Can you walk? I’m mad at you now, so I don’t want to carry you.”
“You don’t have to carry me. I still have some strength, so you just need to support me.”
Fengning helped him to walk down the stairs slowly while she told him about the people who came, how everyone planned for the rescue, and its execution.
Long San listened absent-mindedly and suddenly said. “Feng’er, let’s not go there……we’ll go up the mountain.”
“Why? Everyone agreed to meet up once the rescue is accomplished.”
Long San leaned weakly on her and said in her ear. “I’m poisoned with Hehuan San and feel embarrassed, so how can I meet the others? If I can’t control myself during that time and becomes a joke, where shall I, this Third Master Long, and the Long Family put our faces? It’s better to avoid them first and wait until the poison has been purged and I have returned to normal.”
She frowned and cursed. “This poison is disgusting and that woman is disgusting too!”
Long San urged her. “Hurry, let’s go. Don’t make me lose face.”
“Do you have the antidote? Do you want me to go and look for it?” Fengning was worried and asked anxiously. “Do you know how to solve this poison?”
“I know. Quick, let’s go up the mountain.” His face had turned very red and his body was burning hot while his forehead was sweating.
When Fengning saw the severe reaction he was experiencing, she was so scared that she did not know what else to do and hurriedly helped him up the mountain. As she did not know the way, she relied solely on Long San’s guidance.
Along the way, she still murmured. “How about I hide you first then I’ll go and look for the antidote? After I’ve found it, I’ll come back to meet up with you.”
“Feng’er, do you want me to die?”
Fengning exclaimed. “How will you be able to die?!”
“My whole body is now devoid of strength. If you leave me, any random person or beast can kill me. Besides, this unnamed village is so big, where are you going to find the antidote? Do you want to go around asking people and say that Third Master Long has been poisoned with Hehuan San and where can the antidote be found?”
After thinking about it, Fengning knew it was indeed shameful and would make him lose face. She thought again for a while and confirmed with Long San again.
“Do you really know how to solve it?”
“Of course.” He assured her.
She felt relieved and walked towards Xichi Mountain following the direction he pointed.
“Long San, I came so far away to rescue you but you haven’t thanked me properly yet. If it wasn’t for me, you would have been tainted.”
Fengning spoke strongly with justice when she thought of Yun Ranxiang’s viciousness. Yun Ranxiang was not as good as herself and if Long San had truly married her into the family, Long Er would surely explode with anger. So she had not only saved Long San but also the Long Family.
“Thank you, my wife.”
“Who is your wife, don’t say it so casually.”
“Didn’t you say it yourself? You were very powerful when you said……this man belongs to my family, what do you intend to do? Feng’er, I like you so much.”
She blushed and stammered. “That was……that was just to make her angry. Who allowed her to act so shamelessly. I……I was just talking nonsense to anger her……you, you can’t use this to make fun of me.”
“When did I make fun of you? I feel extremely happy.”
Fengning humphed and said. “I saw that Biyun Palace Master feeding you wine and you were feeling very happy.”
“Isn’t that just a delaying tactic? If she didn’t let down her guard, how could I have dragged this out to wait for your rescue?”
“How did you know I’ll be coming to rescue you?”
“Our hearts are connected.”
“Nonsense.” She chided him but could not deny that she felt a little sweet in her heart.
While the two people were walking with the help of the moonlight, suddenly Fengning heard the sound of running water and froze.
“Long San, there’s water here!”
“Yes, there’s water……don’t be afraid.” Long San comforted softly. “We’re still some distance away from the lake. After going around it, there’s a very well-hidden cave. I stayed there for a short while before and no one can find it.”
“Is this the lake where you met that so-called Palace Master when you were fishing?”
Fengning twitched her lips and felt even more annoyed with the lake.
“Don’t be angry……..don’t be angry, I won’t go fishing anymore, alright?”
“No, it’s not alright.” She was unhappy.
Long San smiled and was tickled by her coquettish tone. He turned to kiss her on the forehead but Fengning twisted her head away.
“You’ve been kissed by someone else, so you’re not allowed to kiss me.”
“Petty!” He did not give in to her and instead, he kissed her temple and cheek again.
She wanted to push him away but felt heartache for him being poisoned and was afraid he might fall if he was pushed. So she pinched his waist which caused Long San to cry out in pain and as a result, he fell on top of her.
Fengning was crushed under his weight and staggered. She felt annoyed again.
“Why are you so weak? Didn’t that so-call Palace Master give you food for the last few days?”
Long San was very aggrieved and pitiful. “She was afraid that I would run away, so she kept on stuffing me with Tendon Softening Powder…….fortunately, you came.”
Fengning gritted her teeth. “That vicious woman, I won’t let her off!”
“Then your husband has to rely on you.”
“Hmph, you’re indeed useless!” She was very dissatisfied with him and asked. “How long more before we reach the place?”
“Almost there…….almost there……..”
“We’re not going to the lake, right?”
“Yes…….we’re not going to the lake.”
Fengning felt a little relieved but when they reached the destination, she was dumbfounded.
The place was indeed well-hidden. They entered from a small mountain stream located at the back of the lake, then passed through a dense growth of long grass and bushes and walked into a cave that was invisible from the outside. The cave became wider and wider the further they went in.
It was not known from where Long San produced a flint to light up the torch hung on the wall of the cave and Fengning’s eyes instantly widened.
The interior of the cave was wide and high and the space was so huge that it seemed like it was a different world inside the cave.
After Fengning had lit up all the torches in the cave according to Long San’s instructions, she looked around carefully. She noticed a very big flat and smooth rock and helped Long San over to sit down.
He stroked the big rock and said. “I used to sleep on this.”
Fengning was a little surprised. “You have a nice house but didn’t live there. Why did you come to this wilderness to live like a caveman?”
“A lot of things happened at that time. The death of my parents……my family was in chaos……and two of my good friends in Jianghu had also passed away. In a moment of weakness, I ran away from home and happened to find this place, so I lived here for a while.”
“You ran away from home as well?” Fengning’s eyes widened and then laughed with glee. “Even you are the same, so for me to run away it should be considered as nothing much.”
She asked again. “How did you find this place?”
Normal people would not be able to find such a well-concealed place.
Long San pointed obliquely at the upper corner of the cave.
“There’s a hole at the top……I fell from up there.”
Fengning raised her head to look up but could not see anything in the darkness. But she could imagine the danger he was in at that time.
She twitched her lips. “Look, you were less sensible than me. If I were you and have such a caring family, I wouldn’t have left and would definitely remain with them.”
Long San’s heart trembled when he heard her words and subconsciously gripped her hand. At this moment, Fengning heard the sound of water again, her hands shook and she cried out. “Long San, is there water here?!”
“Mm……yes, there’s a pool here.” Long San was a little amused at the look of panic on her face and said. “The water is not deep and only reaches to my waist. It’s the confluence of the warm springs. The famous name of Xichi Mountain is derived from the warm springs pools found here and there are several more places like this in this mountain.”
(Xichi Mountain means West Pool Mountain.)
Fengning was not interested in any warm spring pools.
Those lakes, rivers, and pools should stay as far away as possible from her!
She sat on the big rock and gave Long San a nudge. “Hurry up, you should circulate your internal energy.”
“Circulate internal energy?” He stared at her and seemed to be mesmerized by her beautiful face that was lighted up by the bright fire lights from the torches.
“Are you not going to detoxify the poison? You said you know how to purge it out. Since it’s safe here, you’d better hurry up. I’m feeling a little tired.”
Long San was stunned. Fengning ignored him and looked around and discovered two boxes that were tightly sealed beside the big rock.
She shouted. “Long San, there are treasures here!”
“Those are my old clothes and quilt that I packed away when I left.” Long San stared at Fengning and did not show any enthusiasm towards her treasure hunt.
The moment she heard, Fengning quickly opened the box to take out the clothes and quilt. After shaking them, she found they were still good without any dampness or smell. She threw the things on the big rock then ran back and forth to set up two more fires in the cave. After some time, she was finally done. When she looked back, she found Long San still sitting on the rock staring at her and she could not help but feel annoyed.
“Stop dreaming and hurry up! I’ve cleared up an empty place for you to circulate your internal energy.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to sleep……”
Fengning climbed up the rock to spread the quilt, then hugged Long San’s robe and got ready to sleep. She planned to sleep while Long San was purging the poison from his body.
Long San still did not move and she was curious.
“What’s the matter? What are you lacking? Do you need medicinal herbs? Can they be found in this mountain? Shall I go out and dig them up for you?”
He stared at her for a long time and then said vaguely. “No need for medicinal herbs.”
Fengning thought for a while and then touched his forehead.
“You’re not sweating anymore and don’t feel so hot now. Are you feeling unwell because you’ve been suppressing the poison? You don’t even have the energy to talk anymore. Hurry up, hurry up, let me help you over to meditate.”
Fengning lifted Long San’s arm and helped him to stand up. He felt helpless as she moved him to the space beside the fire and then he sat down in a meditation posture. Feeling satisfied, she squatted beside him for a while and then yawned. As she walked back to the big rock, she said. “Circulate your internal energy first and allow me to sleep for a while. After you’re done, call me.”
“Um…….” He replied and watched as she lay down on the big stone bed to sleep while hugging his robe.
“Feng’er……” He could not help but call her.
“What’s the matter?” She turned over and blinked at him with her clear eyes as she asked bluntly while hugging his robe like a child.
He looked at her and then stopped talking.
She asked. “Long San, do you have something on your mind?”
Long San did not answer. Fengning felt she had guessed it correctly and comforted him.
""
“If you have any problem we’ll talk about it later. Right now, it’s more important to detoxify the poison first.”
She blinked. The cave was very warm and with Long San beside her, she was feeling very sleepy. However, she was still a little worried about Long San, so she said. “Don’t worry, you still have me.”
This time, Long San finally replied and said in a soft voice. “That’s right, I have you.”
Fengning smiled sweetly at him. “Then I’ll shut my eyes for a while and call me if you want anything.”
When she felt Long San staring at her with a scorching gaze, she blushed slightly then closed her eyes and turned away.
A little while later, she heard the rustle of clothes as Long San moved around and when she turned her head around she noticed he was walking to the other end of the cave. Fengning was startled.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to soak in the water.” Long San replied. Lifting his hand, he lighted up two torches and hung them on the wall of the cave. Instantly, the other end of the cave was lighted up.
Fengning sat up and asked. “Are you alright?”
Can it be that the poison is difficult to purge?
“I’m fine.” He turned his back to her and started to undress. Fengning blushed and turned her face aside. After a while, she heard sounds from Long San as he entered the water.
When Fengning imagined the water flowing over him, she felt a little scared and said loudly. “Long San, be careful. Now that you’re in the water, I won’t be able to save you.”
Long San did not speak and Fengnng looked over. Under the dim light, she saw Long San leaning against the wall of the pool with his eyes closed and his arms were resting on the sides of the pool. His arms and half of his chest that were exposed above the water surface were glistening brightly with water.
She called again. “Long San……” He did not respond.
Fengning was a little flustered and sat up to stare at him. “Long San, don’t scare me. I will feel afraid.”
He still did not speak.
Fengning leaped to the ground from the rock bed and jumped around barefooted.
“Are you alright? You’re fine, right?” However, the answer she received was only the silence.
Fengning heard the sound of her heart thumping wildly and gritted her teeth as she stared at the motionless Long San. She tried hard to ignore the dark water and slowly walked over to Long San.
“Talk to me Long San…….” Fengning called.
She stopped moving when she was still some distance away from the water and squatted down.
“Long San, I’m afraid of water. I feel dizzy when I look at the water. Don’t scare me, alright?”
She shut her eyes and threw the feeling of discomfort to the back of her mind.
“Can you come up? Let’s not detoxify……if it’s shameful, so be it. I’ll go back and find you the antidote.”
Chapter 42 – Poisoned
“Yes, I’m grateful to my wife and Bao’er.” Long San smiled. He was half-hugging and half-pressing down on Fengning.
Fengning glared at him. “Can you walk? I’m mad at you now, so I don’t want to carry you.”
“You don’t have to carry me. I still have some strength, so you just need to support me.”
Fengning helped him to walk down the stairs slowly while she told him about the people who came, how everyone planned for the rescue, and its execution.
Long San listened absent-mindedly and suddenly said. “Feng’er, let’s not go there……we’ll go up the mountain.”
“Why? Everyone agreed to meet up once the rescue is accomplished.”
Long San leaned weakly on her and said in her ear. “I’m poisoned with Hehuan San and feel embarrassed, so how can I meet the others? If I can’t control myself during that time and becomes a joke, where shall I, this Third Master Long, and the Long Family put our faces? It’s better to avoid them first and wait until the poison has been purged and I have returned to normal.”
She frowned and cursed. “This poison is disgusting and that woman is disgusting too!”
Long San urged her. “Hurry, let’s go. Don’t make me lose face.”
“Do you have the antidote? Do you want me to go and look for it?” Fengning was worried and asked anxiously. “Do you know how to solve this poison?”
“I know. Quick, let’s go up the mountain.” His face had turned very red and his body was burning hot while his forehead was sweating.
When Fengning saw the severe reaction he was experiencing, she was so scared that she did not know what else to do and hurriedly helped him up the mountain. As she did not know the way, she relied solely on Long San’s guidance.
Along the way, she still murmured. “How about I hide you first then I’ll go and look for the antidote? After I’ve found it, I’ll come back to meet up with you.”
“Feng’er, do you want me to die?”
Fengning exclaimed. “How will you be able to die?!”
“My whole body is now devoid of strength. If you leave me, any random person or beast can kill me. Besides, this unnamed village is so big, where are you going to find the antidote? Do you want to go around asking people and say that Third Master Long has been poisoned with Hehuan San and where can the antidote be found?”
After thinking about it, Fengning knew it was indeed shameful and would make him lose face. She thought again for a while and confirmed with Long San again.
“Do you really know how to solve it?”
“Of course.” He assured her.
She felt relieved and walked towards Xichi Mountain following the direction he pointed.
“Long San, I came so far away to rescue you but you haven’t thanked me properly yet. If it wasn’t for me, you would have been tainted.”
Fengning spoke strongly with justice when she thought of Yun Ranxiang’s viciousness. Yun Ranxiang was not as good as herself and if Long San had truly married her into the family, Long Er would surely explode with anger. So she had not only saved Long San but also the Long Family.
“Thank you, my wife.”
“Who is your wife, don’t say it so casually.”
“Didn’t you say it yourself? You were very powerful when you said……this man belongs to my family, what do you intend to do? Feng’er, I like you so much.”
She blushed and stammered. “That was……that was just to make her angry. Who allowed her to act so shamelessly. I……I was just talking nonsense to anger her……you, you can’t use this to make fun of me.”
“When did I make fun of you? I feel extremely happy.”
Fengning humphed and said. “I saw that Biyun Palace Master feeding you wine and you were feeling very happy.”
“Isn’t that just a delaying tactic? If she didn’t let down her guard, how could I have dragged this out to wait for your rescue?”
“How did you know I’ll be coming to rescue you?”
“Our hearts are connected.”
“Nonsense.” She chided him but could not deny that she felt a little sweet in her heart.
While the two people were walking with the help of the moonlight, suddenly Fengning heard the sound of running water and froze.
“Long San, there’s water here!”
“Yes, there’s water……don’t be afraid.” Long San comforted softly. “We’re still some distance away from the lake. After going around it, there’s a very well-hidden cave. I stayed there for a short while before and no one can find it.”
“Is this the lake where you met that so-called Palace Master when you were fishing?”
Fengning twitched her lips and felt even more annoyed with the lake.
“Don’t be angry……..don’t be angry, I won’t go fishing anymore, alright?”
“No, it’s not alright.” She was unhappy.
Long San smiled and was tickled by her coquettish tone. He turned to kiss her on the forehead but Fengning twisted her head away.
“You’ve been kissed by someone else, so you’re not allowed to kiss me.”
“Petty!” He did not give in to her and instead, he kissed her temple and cheek again.
She wanted to push him away but felt heartache for him being poisoned and was afraid he might fall if he was pushed. So she pinched his waist which caused Long San to cry out in pain and as a result, he fell on top of her.
Fengning was crushed under his weight and staggered. She felt annoyed again.
“Why are you so weak? Didn’t that so-call Palace Master give you food for the last few days?”
Long San was very aggrieved and pitiful. “She was afraid that I would run away, so she kept on stuffing me with Tendon Softening Powder…….fortunately, you came.”
Fengning gritted her teeth. “That vicious woman, I won’t let her off!”
“Then your husband has to rely on you.”
“Hmph, you’re indeed useless!” She was very dissatisfied with him and asked. “How long more before we reach the place?”
“Almost there…….almost there……..”
“We’re not going to the lake, right?”
“Yes…….we’re not going to the lake.”
Fengning felt a little relieved but when they reached the destination, she was dumbfounded.
The place was indeed well-hidden. They entered from a small mountain stream located at the back of the lake, then passed through a dense growth of long grass and bushes and walked into a cave that was invisible from the outside. The cave became wider and wider the further they went in.
It was not known from where Long San produced a flint to light up the torch hung on the wall of the cave and Fengning’s eyes instantly widened.
The interior of the cave was wide and high and the space was so huge that it seemed like it was a different world inside the cave.
After Fengning had lit up all the torches in the cave according to Long San’s instructions, she looked around carefully. She noticed a very big flat and smooth rock and helped Long San over to sit down.
He stroked the big rock and said. “I used to sleep on this.”
Fengning was a little surprised. “You have a nice house but didn’t live there. Why did you come to this wilderness to live like a caveman?”
“A lot of things happened at that time. The death of my parents……my family was in chaos……and two of my good friends in Jianghu had also passed away. In a moment of weakness, I ran away from home and happened to find this place, so I lived here for a while.”
“You ran away from home as well?” Fengning’s eyes widened and then laughed with glee. “Even you are the same, so for me to run away it should be considered as nothing much.”
She asked again. “How did you find this place?”
Normal people would not be able to find such a well-concealed place.
Long San pointed obliquely at the upper corner of the cave.
“There’s a hole at the top……I fell from up there.”
Fengning raised her head to look up but could not see anything in the darkness. But she could imagine the danger he was in at that time.
She twitched her lips. “Look, you were less sensible than me. If I were you and have such a caring family, I wouldn’t have left and would definitely remain with them.”
Long San’s heart trembled when he heard her words and subconsciously gripped her hand. At this moment, Fengning heard the sound of water again, her hands shook and she cried out. “Long San, is there water here?!”
“Mm……yes, there’s a pool here.” Long San was a little amused at the look of panic on her face and said. “The water is not deep and only reaches to my waist. It’s the confluence of the warm springs. The famous name of Xichi Mountain is derived from the warm springs pools found here and there are several more places like this in this mountain.”
(Xichi Mountain means West Pool Mountain.)
Fengning was not interested in any warm spring pools.
Those lakes, rivers, and pools should stay as far away as possible from her!
She sat on the big rock and gave Long San a nudge. “Hurry up, you should circulate your internal energy.”
“Circulate internal energy?” He stared at her and seemed to be mesmerized by her beautiful face that was lighted up by the bright fire lights from the torches.
“Are you not going to detoxify the poison? You said you know how to purge it out. Since it’s safe here, you’d better hurry up. I’m feeling a little tired.”
Long San was stunned. Fengning ignored him and looked around and discovered two boxes that were tightly sealed beside the big rock.
She shouted. “Long San, there are treasures here!”
“Those are my old clothes and quilt that I packed away when I left.” Long San stared at Fengning and did not show any enthusiasm towards her treasure hunt.
The moment she heard, Fengning quickly opened the box to take out the clothes and quilt. After shaking them, she found they were still good without any dampness or smell. She threw the things on the big rock then ran back and forth to set up two more fires in the cave. After some time, she was finally done. When she looked back, she found Long San still sitting on the rock staring at her and she could not help but feel annoyed.
“Stop dreaming and hurry up! I’ve cleared up an empty place for you to circulate your internal energy.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to sleep……”
Fengning climbed up the rock to spread the quilt, then hugged Long San’s robe and got ready to sleep. She planned to sleep while Long San was purging the poison from his body.
Long San still did not move and she was curious.
“What’s the matter? What are you lacking? Do you need medicinal herbs? Can they be found in this mountain? Shall I go out and dig them up for you?”
He stared at her for a long time and then said vaguely. “No need for medicinal herbs.”
Fengning thought for a while and then touched his forehead.
“You’re not sweating anymore and don’t feel so hot now. Are you feeling unwell because you’ve been suppressing the poison? You don’t even have the energy to talk anymore. Hurry up, hurry up, let me help you over to meditate.”
Fengning lifted Long San’s arm and helped him to stand up. He felt helpless as she moved him to the space beside the fire and then he sat down in a meditation posture. Feeling satisfied, she squatted beside him for a while and then yawned. As she walked back to the big rock, she said. “Circulate your internal energy first and allow me to sleep for a while. After you’re done, call me.”
“Um…….” He replied and watched as she lay down on the big stone bed to sleep while hugging his robe.
“Feng’er……” He could not help but call her.
“What’s the matter?” She turned over and blinked at him with her clear eyes as she asked bluntly while hugging his robe like a child.
He looked at her and then stopped talking.
She asked. “Long San, do you have something on your mind?”
Long San did not answer. Fengning felt she had guessed it correctly and comforted him.
""
“If you have any problem we’ll talk about it later. Right now, it’s more important to detoxify the poison first.”
She blinked. The cave was very warm and with Long San beside her, she was feeling very sleepy. However, she was still a little worried about Long San, so she said. “Don’t worry, you still have me.”
This time, Long San finally replied and said in a soft voice. “That’s right, I have you.”
Fengning smiled sweetly at him. “Then I’ll shut my eyes for a while and call me if you want anything.”
When she felt Long San staring at her with a scorching gaze, she blushed slightly then closed her eyes and turned away.
A little while later, she heard the rustle of clothes as Long San moved around and when she turned her head around she noticed he was walking to the other end of the cave. Fengning was startled.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to soak in the water.” Long San replied. Lifting his hand, he lighted up two torches and hung them on the wall of the cave. Instantly, the other end of the cave was lighted up.
Fengning sat up and asked. “Are you alright?”
Can it be that the poison is difficult to purge?
“I’m fine.” He turned his back to her and started to undress. Fengning blushed and turned her face aside. After a while, she heard sounds from Long San as he entered the water.
When Fengning imagined the water flowing over him, she felt a little scared and said loudly. “Long San, be careful. Now that you’re in the water, I won’t be able to save you.”
Long San did not speak and Fengnng looked over. Under the dim light, she saw Long San leaning against the wall of the pool with his eyes closed and his arms were resting on the sides of the pool. His arms and half of his chest that were exposed above the water surface were glistening brightly with water.
She called again. “Long San……” He did not respond.
Fengning was a little flustered and sat up to stare at him. “Long San, don’t scare me. I will feel afraid.”
He still did not speak.
Fengning leaped to the ground from the rock bed and jumped around barefooted.
“Are you alright? You’re fine, right?” However, the answer she received was only the silence.
Fengning heard the sound of her heart thumping wildly and gritted her teeth as she stared at the motionless Long San. She tried hard to ignore the dark water and slowly walked over to Long San.
“Talk to me Long San…….” Fengning called.
She stopped moving when she was still some distance away from the water and squatted down.
“Long San, I’m afraid of water. I feel dizzy when I look at the water. Don’t scare me, alright?”
She shut her eyes and threw the feeling of discomfort to the back of her mind.
“Can you come up? Let’s not detoxify……if it’s shameful, so be it. I’ll go back and find you the antidote.”
