After listening to my words, Qu Ruilin was caught in a deep dilemma.

They came to Ping'an Village for the same reason I did.

Qu Ruilin's goal has always been to find Duan Jinyan.

Last time in the Far East, they tried to turn Song Laosan against the regime, but because of the interference of the Tianxia Group, they failed to capture Duan Jinyan.

They had gone through so much trouble to get to Ping'an Village, and they were about to receive news of the Miao Jiang Immortal Palace. Asking them to give up would be more painful than cutting off a piece of their flesh.

I could tell that he genuinely didn't want to give up this hard-won opportunity, but he was also worried about Wei Shengnan.

After much deliberation, Qu Ruilin finally came up with a compromise and asked me, "Our operation won't end until noon. Before that, could we ask Miao Xiaoxian to find a way to settle the injured people before we continue our operation?"

I shrugged slightly: "I can't make that decision for you. You'll have to talk to her yourself. As for our choice, I've already told you."

"I will come up with a plan as soon as possible. If you decide to go together, I will wait for you at the cafeteria before lunch."

Qu Ruilin said this and then walked towards Miao Xiaoxian, helping Song Laosan expel the Gu poison while chatting with her.

At this moment, Jiang Man stood beside me and pinched my waist hard: "Duan Shenxing, you're really something! Running off to rescue a damsel in distress in the middle of the night, only to bring back a naked girl! I was wondering why you deliberately sent me away last night. Turns out you chased away not only me, but also Qu Ruilin! I've discovered that you and Wei Shengnan are truly a match made in heaven! So many people are lost in the jungle, yet you managed to find her. What, is this what they call telepathy?"

"Oh dear, what are you thinking? You were just speaking up for me a moment ago, how come you've turned on me so quickly!"

I pushed Jiang Man's hand away and explained to her, "Wei Shengnan was poisoned by a Gu poison last night. When I saw her, this girl was running naked in the jungle by herself. If Miao Xiaoxian hadn't appeared, she would probably be dead by now! Besides, I don't know anything about exorcising Gu poison, so I didn't even touch a hair on Wei Shengnan's head. It was all Miao Xiaoxian's doing. It has nothing to do with me. Don't make false accusations!"

"Pah! You usually practically stare at Wei Shengnan until your eyes pop out of their sockets, and you dare say you don't? I bet you're practically melting from looking at her!"

Jiang Man said, pinching me again: "No, how could you just look at such a beautiful woman? Tell me the truth, what did you do yesterday?"

"Sister, I went into the woods to save someone, not to become a rapist. Don't we even have that much trust between us? And I'm warning you, don't make jokes like this. This concerns Wei Shengnan's reputation. If she does something rash and hangs herself, we'll both go to jail!"

I glossed over the matter with a half-joking, half-serious tone and quickly changed the subject: "And don't forget why we came here. Now that we've finally found the Miao Jiang Immortal Palace, the next step of our plan is very important!"

"Qu Ruilin doesn't believe in your character, but I do. I was just trying to scare you, why are you reacting so strongly?"

Jiang Man rolled her eyes, then asked me, "You just said you were going to force your way into the council chamber. Are you sure you'll find the information we're looking for there?"

"uncertain!"

I scoffed and said, "According to Miao Xiaoxian, the chances of us kidnapping the clan leader are extremely slim. If we can't get the information we want from the clan leader, then the basement of the council chamber is the most likely place to find clues! This opportunity is hard-won, and it's rare that Miao Xiaoxian is willing to cooperate. So my idea is to act quickly and get the information as soon as possible. Even if we fail, it's much better than running around like headless flies like this."

Jiang Man thought for a moment and nodded: "I agree with you! According to Miao Xiaoxian, after the clan chief finishes making the wax corpse, he will definitely send it to the willow forest to be sealed up. When they discover the signs of damage there, we won't be able to stay here either! Rather than that, we might as well take a gamble. If it works, we can continue to investigate. If it doesn't, we won't waste time!"

In the following time, we all began to help Miao Xiaoxian exorcise the evil spirits.

Besides Song Laosan, everyone else in the group was injured. Monkey and Lin Que were attacked by paper figures while rescuing people and almost lost their lives.

By the time Miao Xiaoxian finished treating everyone's wounds, it was almost 8 a.m.

Of the seven people on Wei Shengnan's side, four were injured.

Although the matter at the council chamber was urgent, we couldn't just stand by and watch the wounded die. So we made some simple stretchers and sleds and prepared to take the wounded back.

Although the injury on my leg the night before was terrible, the swelling had gradually subsided after using Miao Xiaoxian's medicine. Seeing the chaos at the scene, I limped over and wanted to help.

"Duan Shenxing, what are you doing?"

Jiang Man saw my movement and grabbed my arm: "You're injured so badly, why are you still going to go up there and act tough? You should rest properly!"

I waved my hand dismissively: "I'm fine now, and we're already short-handed. If I don't help, I don't know when we'll be able to leave here."

"Nonsense! What if your injury worsens and you become disabled?"

Without saying a word, Jiang Man pressed me down onto a sled, then picked up a rope made of vines and draped it over her shoulder.

"Jiang Man, stop making a scene. I'm a grown man with hands and feet, and I'm being dragged around by a woman because of this little injury. How am I supposed to face anyone after this?"

Seeing Jiang Man's stubborn look, I smiled at her and said, "Do I look like a patient who needs to be taken care of? How about this, if you're really worried, I'll walk next to you and help you pull the sled. When we can't pull it anymore, I'll walk slowly with you. Is that alright?"

After much persuasion, Jiang Man finally agreed to my plan, but insisted that I not do it.

On the way back, I saw Jiang Man dragging a sled carrying wounded soldiers, moving clumsily and laboriously, and I was suddenly moved.

Although I haven't known Jiang Man for long, I can imagine that she used to live a life of luxury and ease.

Since I became an adult, I have rarely had anyone take such good care of me, so Jiang Man's actions at this moment still warmed my heart.

Jiang Man glared at me when she saw me staring at her profile. "What are you looking at? You saw Wei Shengnan's body naked last night, and now you're staring at me with a lecherous look. Are you trying to develop X-ray vision so you can compare me to her?"

I chuckled: "No need for X-ray vision, don't forget, back in the Far East, I took off your clothes."

Jiang Man raised her leg and kicked him: "Pah, shameless!"

"boom!"

I dodged her attack by sidestepping, and just as I was about to speak, I suddenly heard a deafening roar. I don't know if it was my imagination or if I was shaken, but I felt the ground beneath my feet shake.