The Shadow Guards are the sharpest blade in the master's household. The master hopes that they can be invincible and unstoppable, but also fears that this blade is too sharp and will cut them.
Therefore, when they join the Dark Guard Camp, they are all infected with a kind of Gu poison. As long as they take the antidote every month, the Gu worm will fall into a deep sleep in their bodies and they will be no different from ordinary people.
However, once the antidote is lost, the worms inside the body will immediately awaken, making life worse than death.
Once, Song Ting was on a mission and couldn't return on time, so the Gu poison took effect.
That was the first time Song Ting had tasted the poison of Gu. It felt as if thousands of insects and ants were crawling and gnawing inside her body, penetrating every nook and cranny.
Everywhere he felt pain and itching, making him wish he could cut out his own flesh and blood and then catch those insects.
Unable to withstand the torment of the Gu poison, Song Ting scratched himself until he was a bloody mess, and almost choked himself.
Because she didn't want to experience that kind of pain again, Song Ting became more decisive and ruthless when carrying out orders, and gradually stood out in the Dark Guard Camp.
He was eventually chosen by Zhang Bingzhi and became a hidden pawn planted in the Prince Duan's mansion.
"The plan targeting Prince Duan and his mansion began a long time ago. Zhang Bingzhi has placed more than one pawn in the mansion and around the prince."
"But they were either discovered or made no real progress. And since you happened to be out of the palace, Zhang Bingzhi set his sights on you."
That's how the scene of Zhuque snatching steamed buns on the street came about.
Song Ting had been a beggar for a long time, so he was adept at his old profession and successfully deceived the naive young master of the Duan Prince's mansion.
"Did you have Gu poison in your body back then?" Chu Huaixu asked. His voice sounded somewhat cold in the hot mountain air.
Song Ting's heart skipped a beat. He hesitated for a moment between telling the truth and ultimately decided to confess honestly.
"Yes, but it's a different kind of poison called Soul Severance. It also requires taking an antidote once a month, but there's a time limit for its use. If it's not completely cured after a year, even a god can't save you."
Soul broken.
Upon hearing those two words, Chu Huaixu's eyes trembled slightly, but because he was on Song Ting's back, the latter did not notice the fleeting emotion on his face.
"This kind of poison is even more insidious than the one taken by the secret guards. When the antidote completely loses its effectiveness a year later, it will cause the person to suffer for forty-nine days before dying."
"The Gu worms inside your body will hang you, making you wish you were dead. In the southern border region, this kind of Gu is generally only used as punishment to punish those who have committed heinous crimes."
Song Ting didn't actually go into much detail, summarizing those dark and gloomy years in just a few words. However, he mentioned the Gu poison at length, suggesting that it must have been a truly painful experience.
Half a watermelon was eaten without anyone noticing, and even half of the rind was scooped out and fed to the Commander. Chu Huaixu then threw the watermelon pulp into the valley.
"Do you want to wipe your hands?" Song Ting asked him.
Chu Huaixu: "Yes, sticky."
"There is a handkerchief in her bosom."
Song Ting held an umbrella in one hand and supported Chu Huaixu with the other, meaning that Huaixu should carry it himself.
Huai Xu didn't stand on ceremony and directly touched the commander's chest, causing the latter to stiffen and stumble.
Chu Huaixu found it amusing and deliberately pressed his palm against the man's chest, feeling the heart beating faster and faster in his palm.
It gave him a strange sense of satisfaction, a feeling that at least for this moment he was in control of this person.
"I'm just taking a handkerchief, why are you so nervous, adults?"
The weather was already hot, and the man's breath blowing against her ear felt like rolling lava, scalding Song Ting's ears until they tingled and buzzed so loudly that she could barely hear anything else.
"Was it because you wanted the antidote and wanted to live that you did that?" Just as Song Ting was having second thoughts, Chu Huaixu changed the subject back.
The memories were too heavy. Song Ting glanced up and could already see the gate of Baima Temple. They would soon be returning to the mountain.
At that time, they would have to face the comatose Empress Dowager and Zhang Bingzhi, who was always looking to kill them.
Song Ting wasn't sure if they would ever have another chance to chat so peacefully.
They hadn't spoken so calmly in a long time. He missed it, yet dared not miss it.
“Yes, I think so,” he said.
The hand pressed against his chest tightened, the fingertips digging into his flesh through his undergarments. Chu Huaixu snorted coldly and kicked his leg: "Put me down, I can walk by myself."
"We'll be there soon." Instead of doing so, Song Ting tightened her grip on his hands.
Chu Huaixu's voice grew colder: "Put me down. Don't make me say it a third time."
Song Ting sighed helplessly and gently placed the person on the ground, kindly reminding him, "Be careful."
Chu Huaixu walked away without looking back. Song Ting followed closely behind.
Although it looked close, it actually took at least half an incense stick's time to walk there. Chu Huaixu was exhausted and could no longer walk after a while.
Song Ting saw this and offered him a way out, but Chu Huaixu suddenly became stubborn and refused to leave on his own.
The group had no choice but to slow down. Xiao Wu hid far behind, watching his master protect his precious child step by step, and really felt that the other party was like he had been bewitched by this Young Master Huaiyue.
When they finally reached the top of the mountain gate stone steps, Chu Huaixu suddenly turned his head.
Under the blazing sun, the mask on his face shone brightly. Song Ting stopped and stood a step behind on the steps below, looking up at him.
“Song Ting, it’s not wrong for you to want to live, and it’s not wrong for you to be loyal to your duty. I have no right to ask you to die for me or for the Duan Prince’s Mansion.”
"But I still hate you."
Song Ting's pupils contracted sharply, and she felt a jolt to her soul, her throat immediately filled with a metallic taste.
He stood there, stunned, watching Huai Xu walk further and further away. He wanted to catch up, but he couldn't move his legs.
...
The Empress Dowager still hadn't woken up. After returning to the mountain, Song Ting first went to the Empress Dowager's room to help her practice her internal energy. When he came out, the monks were preparing a vegetarian meal. After Song Ting finished his own portion, he took Huai Xu's and left.
Chu Huaixu rarely came out of his room. Song Ting personally brought him his three meals a day into his room and served him his food.
However, after knocking on the door for a long time today, there was no response from inside. Song Ting was anxious and kicked the door open.
The person inside was lying on the bed, wrapped tightly in the blanket, shivering uncontrollably.
Song Ting's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly walked over: "Young Master?"
However, Chu Huaixu's face was as white as paper, and he showed no reaction to Song Ting's voice. He only instinctively moved closer when the other party reached out his hand, unconsciously murmuring, "Cold, so cold..."
He was so cold; when our skin touched, it felt like touching a block of ice.
"Xiao Wu!" Song Ting's voice trembled as well.
"grown ups."
"Go and fetch Physician Zhang! Quickly!"
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