Chapter 75 Elixir for Detoxification

Although the army's journey was slow, it was getting closer and closer to the capital.

The prefectures along the way had already received the news and were welcoming and rewarding them. On the surface, it was a scene of celebration and peace, but Lou Jin and Lou Yi both knew very well that the real storm was waiting for them in the capital.

Shortly after receiving the imperial edict, Lou Jin and Lou Yan discussed it and wrote a letter, which was sent to the Imperial Preceptor's residence in the capital by express courier.

The letter stated that he feared the recurrence of the remaining poison and earnestly requested that the Imperial Preceptor Xuan Yunzi wait for him on his way back to the capital and find a way to help him completely stabilize his body so that he would appear no different from an ordinary person from the outside.

The army rested at an official post station called "Qingquanyi," where the Imperial Preceptor Xuan Yunzi had been waiting for them for a long time as promised.

Lou Jin dismissed his attendants and met the Imperial Preceptor in the most secluded room of the inn.

Ye Xunyang stood guard at the door to prevent anyone from accidentally entering.

"Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Preceptor." Lou Jin bowed.

Xuan Yunzi stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over Lou Jin's face. "Your Highness is too kind. Let me see what's going on."

He carefully examined Lou Jin's pulse and investigated the vital energy within his body.

After a long while, he released his hand and nodded: "Your Highness has recovered better than expected. Although the forced suppression of the remaining poison caused some damage, your foundation is now solid, and you don't need to exert much effort."

As he spoke, he took out a small white jade bottle from his sleeve, poured out a pale golden pill, and handed it to Lou Jin: "Take this pill, circulate your internal energy to dissolve it, and within two hours, the last bit of poison remaining in your body will be completely eliminated, your meridians will be clear, and there will be no more trouble."

"At that time, even if the head of the Imperial Medical Academy personally examines the patient, he will not be able to find the slightest abnormality."

Lou Jin accepted the pill; it was warm to the touch and had a subtle medicinal fragrance.

A hint of doubt arose in his heart, and he frowned slightly: "Grand Preceptor, I remember that the previous antidote required the use of both the Crimson Sun Pill and the Snow Soul Pill, and Xun Yang's assistance was also needed for the medicine to reach every part of the body. Why is it that this time, only this one pill is needed?"

He asked directly, his gaze fixed intently on Xuan Yunzi.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yunzi chuckled and explained, "Your Highness is wise; times have changed. Previously, Your Highness had been afflicted with a chronic illness for many years, resulting in an imbalance of Yin and Yang within your body. The Yin-cold poison had taken deep root, like ice covering the earth. Therefore, it was necessary to use a highly Yang medicine as a guide, supplemented by the Snow Soul Pill to harmonize the body."

He paused, gave Lou Jin a meaningful look, and continued, "However, after the last complete recovery, the foundation of your yang energy has been established."

"The remaining poison is nothing more than a few remnants of ice clinging to a corner. Your Highness's own restored Yang energy is enough to suppress it. My Snow Melting Pill is mild and precise in its medicinal properties. Once you take it, Your Highness's own internal energy will melt it away naturally, without any further drastic measures."

Lou Jin understood.

In short, his physical foundation is already solid, and now he only needs to clean up the last bit of trash, without having to go through the same "exertion" as the first time.

He understands the logic, but...

Lou Jin held the pill in his hand, but a strange sense of loss and displeasure welled up in his heart.

He had thought... perhaps he could use this opportunity to... get together with Xunyang...

After all, several months have passed since the last time.

Conditions in the Northwest Army were harsh, and the war was intense. Although he had his own allegiance, he still adhered to proper etiquette.

He was at the prime of his life, full of youthful vigor, and had just tasted the sweetness of passion. He was at the age where he was beginning to savor the experience, and for the past few months, seeing his beloved by his side, yet only being able to hold her hand or hug her occasionally, was truly...

I thought this time it would go smoothly... but it turned out to be so simple.

Lou Jin composed himself and nodded to Xuan Yunzi, saying, "I see. Thank you for your explanation, Grand Preceptor."

Without further hesitation, he put the Snow Melting Pill into his mouth. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and a gentle yet powerful medicinal force spread throughout his body.

He immediately sat down cross-legged and guided his internal energy to begin dissolving the medicinal properties.

Xuan Yunzi watched as Lou Jin circulated his internal energy on his own, then quietly left the room.

Looking up, I saw Ye Xunyang standing a few steps away from the door, his eyes filled with concern and tension.

"Grand Preceptor," Ye Xunyang immediately stepped forward and asked urgently in a low voice.

"How is the prince...? Has the remaining poison been completely eliminated? Do you need me to..." Before he could finish speaking, his cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly, clearly recalling the last time he "helped".

Xuan Yunzi immediately saw through the young man's embarrassment behind his unfinished words.

He chuckled inwardly, but maintained a calm and composed demeanor, reassuring her, "Your Highness need not worry. His Highness's foundation is already solid. This is merely clearing away some remnants. He can simply take the pill and circulate his internal energy to dissolve them. There is nothing to worry about."

Upon hearing that Lou Jin was unharmed, Ye Xunyang felt a great weight lifted from his heart and quickly nodded, "Yes, Xunyang understands. I will definitely guard this place well and will not allow anyone to disturb Your Highness."

Although he felt relieved, a hint of disappointment flickered in the depths of his eyes.

So, we don't need him this time?

Xuan Yunzi took it all in and understood, but he didn't say anything. He just smiled meaningfully and left, leaving the two of them in the quiet space.

Time passed slowly, and the room was initially quiet.

However, just when Ye Xunyang thought everything was going smoothly, suddenly, an extremely painful sound came from inside the door.

Ye Xunyang's heart clenched, and he instantly forgot everything else, forcefully pushing open the door and rushing inside!

"Your Highness!"

Lou Jin was not meditating, but curled up on the bed, his face as pale as paper, his forehead covered with fine cold sweat, one hand pressed hard against his lower abdomen, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his body even convulsing slightly from the intense pain.

Ye Xunyang panicked instantly and rushed to the bedside: "Your Highness! What's wrong?"

Lou Jin spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse and weak, yet carrying an undeniable command, "Xunyang...lock the door...lock the door...lock it shut..."

Ye Xunyang paused, his heart filled with anxiety and confusion, yet he instinctively obeyed Lou Jin's orders. He immediately turned back, firmly bolting the door from the inside, before rushing back to the bedside. He knelt down, looking helplessly at the agonizing Lou Jin, his eyes red-rimmed: "Your Highness, what happened? Don't frighten me..."

Lou Jin seemed to have exhausted his strength. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily for a few moments before he could barely lift his other hand and weakly place it on Ye Xunyang's arm. With Ye Xunyang's help, he struggled to sit up and then pressed his burning forehead against Ye Xunyang's strong shoulder.

Feeling the weight and burning heat on his shoulder, Ye Xunyang stiffened, then felt even more heartache. He dared not move and could only carefully wrap his arms around Lou Jin's slightly trembling body.

"N-nothing..." Lou Jin leaned on his shoulder, explaining in a low, husky voice, "It's the medicine flushing out the toxins. The reaction is... a bit strong, but it'll be fine once it passes..."

Ye Xunyang breathed a slight sigh of relief, but seeing Lou Jin's still pained expression, his heart was still clenched tightly.

He could only hold him tighter, trying to transfer some strength, and whispered to comfort him, "Your Highness, bear with it, it will pass soon. I'm here with you..."