Just as preparations for the sacrificial ceremony were nearing completion, Xia Zichen's expedition to the frigid lands reported that their search for special herbs had been caught in a sudden snowstorm. An experienced pharmacist had disappeared, and some of the precious herbal samples had also been lost. Upon hearing this, Xia Zichen frowned and hurriedly sought out Lin Yue and Ah Fu to discuss countermeasures.
"What should we do? The environment in that extremely cold place is harsh. If we send more people there, it may take a while to find the herbs. But the sacrificial ceremony is imminent, and the serious epidemic is spreading. We can't wait any longer." Xia Zichen's tone was full of anxiety.
Lin Yue bit her lip and said after a moment's contemplation, "Master Xia, the loss of the herb is indeed troublesome, but we can't lose our composure. I have carefully studied the ancient books. Although this herb is the best choice, there may be other herbs that can be used as substitutes. It just takes some time to verify."
Ah Fu scratched his head and asked worriedly, "But Miss Lin, this disease is spreading faster and faster. Do we have enough time?"
Lin Yue's eyes were determined. "No matter what, we have to give it a try. Ah Fu, go collect all the herbal medicine books from all the clinics in the city immediately. I want to compare them carefully. Mr. Xia, I'd also like to trouble you to contact the pharmacists in the city and ask them to get involved so we can come up with a solution together."
Xia Zichen nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, young lady. I will definitely see to it. However, finding the magic weapon has been a bit troublesome. It is said that one of the key magic weapons is in the collection of a hermit living in the mountains." Xia Zichen frowned. "But that person's whereabouts are elusive, making him difficult to find."
Lin Yue took a deep breath. "But at this point, no matter what, we must seize every opportunity. Even if it's a very slim chance, we can't give up easily. It might be the breakthrough point of this crisis." "Master Xia, could you please send some capable people to investigate further? Perhaps we can start by studying the past whereabouts of that expert and find some clues."
After the discussion was complete, everyone immediately took action separately.
Lin Yue toiled day and night, her eyes bloodshot. Ah Xiang, heartbroken, repeatedly urged her to rest, but Lin Yue declined. Finally, among the numerous texts, Lin Yue discovered a herb growing in the local mountains, whose medicinal properties were somewhat similar to those found in extremely cold regions. She immediately took Ah Fu up the mountain to collect the herb, and after a difficult search, they finally gathered enough.
Meanwhile, good news arrived from Xia Zichen's side. After much searching, they finally found the residence of a reclusive master. Xia Zichen personally visited him and explained his purpose. Moved by their determination to save the people of the Tang Dynasty, the master agreed to lend them his magical instruments.
The sacrificial ceremony was finally held as scheduled.
Lin Yue, Xia Zichen, Ah Fu, and the others arrived at an open area outside the city. Following ancient records and research, they set up the ritual site. Lin Yue, dressed in a plain robe, held a magical instrument, and chanted a few words. As the ritual progressed, a strange light suddenly flashed across the gloomy sky. Then, a gentle breeze blew, and the miasma that permeated the air seemed to dissipate.
However, just when everyone thought the ceremony was about to succeed, something unexpected happened.
A group of men in black suddenly rushed out from all directions, and the leader sneered: "Do you think you can save the Tang Dynasty in this way? It's simply wishful thinking!" Lin Yue was shocked. She recognized at a glance that the leader was the owner of "Qingfengzhai".
It turns out that "Qingfengzhai" has been secretly monitoring their every move, attempting to disrupt the sacrificial ceremony in order to achieve ulterior motives.
Xia Zichen quickly drew his sword and stood in front of Lin Yue: "You bunch of villains, don't even think about disrupting the ceremony today!"
The men in black rushed forward, and the two sides instantly engaged in a melee. Lin Yue was extremely anxious. She knew that if the sacrificial ceremony was interrupted at this moment, all her previous efforts would be wasted, and the Tang Dynasty would be plunged into irretrievable ruin. She suppressed her fear and continued to focus on the ceremony, her hands moving without a pause.
Although Ah Fu had no experience in military tactics, he knew that as a man and a member of the Tang Empire, he couldn't stand idly by. So, Ah Fu picked up his bundle and swung it wildly in the air, joining the fray and battling the men in black. He shouted, "Miss Lin, leave us alone. Complete the ritual!" In the fierce fight, Xia Zichen, Ah Fu, and the others gradually lost ground, wounded. But they remained fiercely guarding Lin Yue, preventing the men in black from getting even a step closer.
Tears welled up in Lin Yue's eyes, ready to fall at any moment. Anxiety and fear filled her heart, for she knew full well the imminent severity of the crisis she faced. At the same time, she was also acutely aware of the weight of the responsibility she bore.
At this critical moment, the men in black were only one step away from breaking through the defense line. As the situation grew increasingly critical, the sky suddenly shifted, and the once clear sky was shrouded in rolling dark clouds. This sudden change caught everyone off guard, as if even the heavens could not tolerate this scene.
Immediately afterwards, a dazzling flash of lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by a deafening roar of thunder, striking directly at the men in black. Like the wrath of a god, the thunder was so powerful it shocked everyone. It struck the leading man in black squarely, and the others, seeing this, fled in terror.
Lin Yue took the opportunity to speed up the ritual. As the last movement was completed, a strong light shot out from the magic weapon in her hand and shot straight into the sky. Wherever the light reached, the miasma quickly dissipated, and the sky gradually cleared.
The epidemic was finally completely eradicated, and the people of the Tang Dynasty cheered.
Lin Yue collapsed exhausted, and Xia Zichen and Ah Fu hurried forward to help her up. Looking at the city's renewed vitality, Lin Yue felt a surge of emotion. Through this battle, she not only saved the Tang Dynasty but also gained a deeper understanding of the secret of the handkerchief.
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