Chapter 55 Drug Testing Assistant
The capture of the head of this stronghold and the seizure of the Gu-refining secrets were undoubtedly a timely help to Chu Xuanyi in refining the antidote. Combining the records in the torn booklet with the medicinal properties of the "Ningshen Grass", he worked tirelessly day and night to research and formulate the formula.
Ajiu became his "drug testing assistant" (of course, just smelling and feeling the medicine), and she would give some "brilliant" suggestions from time to time.
For example, "Sir, would this be more fragrant if you added a little bit of dried orange peel?" or "The grass leaves are too strong. Put less in, or you'll burp after drinking it!"
Chu Xuanyi initially scolded her for being naughty, but after trying a few times, he found that Ajiu's seemingly unreasonable suggestions could actually neutralize the medicinal properties and even enhance the efficacy.
After several days of hard work, a more perfect antidote was finally successfully refined. After taking the new elixir, Xu Yuanpan's body was quickly cleared of the "withering and flourishing" poison, and his body recovered at a visible speed.
The other officials and maids in the palace who were infected with the early stage poisonous insects were also safe and sound after taking the antidote.
From the captured head of the stronghold, they learned that the real core members and lair of the "Dry Vine Cult" were not in the capital, but hidden in a deep mountain in the south filled with miasma.
Their large-scale activities in the capital this time were in line with a more important plot - to take advantage of the upcoming "Autumn Hunting Ceremony" to create chaos in the royal hunting grounds and wait for an opportunity to attack the target.
The "Autumn Hunting Ceremony" is an important sacrificial and hunting activity held by the royal family every autumn. At that time, the emperor, the crown prince, and many royal relatives, civil and military ministers will go to the royal hunting grounds outside the capital.
"It seems that we must take advantage of their own strategy and catch them all in one fell swoop during the Autumn Hunting Ceremony!" A fierce look flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes.
Chu Xuanyi nodded. "However, the royal hunting grounds are vast and the terrain is complex. If the enemy is intentionally hiding, it would be difficult to find them. Moreover, since they dared to attack during the Autumn Hunt Ceremony, they must have something to rely on."
"I will make arrangements in advance and strengthen our vigilance. In addition," Xiao Yu looked at Chu Xuanyi, "I'm afraid the Imperial Preceptor will have to accompany us on this autumn hunt to prevent any unexpected events."
Chu Xuanyi naturally understood the danger involved, but he knew even more clearly that this was the best opportunity to completely eradicate the malignant cancer of the "Ku Teng Sect".
Just as they were discussing countermeasures, Jiu ran in with a plate of washed fruits.
"My Lord, Brother Xiong Xiong, have some fruit!" She handed the plate to the two of them and asked curiously, "Are you going hunting? Hunting tigers? Jiu can help! Jiu can smell where there are sweet rabbits and smelly foxes!"
Chu Xuanyi and Xiao Yu looked at each other and saw a helpless smile in each other's eyes.
Perhaps, bringing this "stupid" little girl along wasn't completely useless? At least, her "dog nose" was indeed more skilled than a hound's at tracking.
Moreover, what if... what if the "Dry Vine Cult" creates some strange poisons or poisonous insects again, Ajiu's "immune to all poisons" (at least that's what it seems for now) physique and "evil detector"-like perception might come in handy.
A few days later, the royal autumn hunting team marched towards the hunting grounds outside the capital.
In addition to the mighty imperial guards and gorgeous ceremonial guards, there was also a little girl sitting in a small carriage, holding a bunch of snacks in her arms, and looking around excitedly.
"Wow! Sir, sir! Look at that uncle riding the big horse. The red tassel on his hat is so beautiful! Doesn't it look like the red lanterns hung during the Chinese New Year?" Ajiu leaned on the carriage window, pointed with his little hand at a general in distinctive armor in the front of the team, and shouted in a crisp voice.
Chu Xuanyi's eyelids twitched, and he pressed her little head back, lowering his voice and saying, "Ajiu! That's the great general who protects the country! Don't talk nonsense!"
Jiu was pushed back, but she wasn't angry. With a piece of peach cake in her mouth, she mumbled in her defense, "But...it really looks like it...red and round..."
Chu Xuanyi took a deep breath and warned himself: Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. If you get sick from anger, no one can replace you. I have to take the subordinates I picked up with me even if they have to kneel down!
He resigned himself to his fate and took out another piece of cloud cake from the snack box beside him and stuffed it into Ah Jiu's hand, trying to use food to shut up her little mouth that might say something shocking at any time: "Eat your food and stop talking."
"Oh." Jiu took the cloud cake obediently and nibbled it in small bites, but his big black eyes were still looking around restlessly.
The team marched for about an hour, and the entrance to the royal hunting ground became vaguely visible ahead.
At this moment, a loud and powerful cry suddenly came from a relatively plain carriage nearby:
"Oh! I counted on my fingers, and this place... this place is filled with a strong demonic aura! Everyone! Everyone, please be careful! There might be a thousand-year-old demon causing trouble!"
Chu Xuanyi: "..."
He knew who it was without even looking.
Who else could it be except Censor Qian, who believed in "evil spirits" because of Ajiu's "golden words", and whose "Taoism has increased greatly" recently and who can often "calculate with his fingers" to come up with all kinds of horrifying conclusions?
Sure enough, Censor Qian's head, wearing an official hat, popped out of the carriage window. He had a serious look on his face and scanned the surrounding mountains and forests vigilantly, as if a green-faced, fang-toothed monster would jump out of the bushes in the next second.
When he saw Chu Xuanyi's carriage, his eyes suddenly lit up and he shouted at the top of his voice: "Master Imperial Master! Master Imperial Master! Can you sense it? This evil aura! It's extraordinary! In my opinion, today's autumn hunt may... I'm afraid there will be a bloody disaster!"
Chu Xuanyi's face was so dark that ink seemed to drip out of it.
He really wanted to rush over and sew Censor Qian's mouth shut!
If he had known that this guy was coming, he would rather stay home sick than get involved in this mess!
When Ah Jiu heard the words "thousand-year-old demon" and "blood disaster," his eyes widened instantly. He excitedly poked his head out from beside Chu Xuanyi and asked curiously, "Uncle Qian! Uncle Qian! Where is the thousand-year-old demon? What does it look like? Does it have many legs? Can it breathe fire?"
When Censor Qian saw Ah Jiu, he felt like he had found a kindred spirit. He excitedly said, "Master Ah Jiu! You really felt it too! This demonic aura! Ordinary people can't detect it! Don't worry, I and the Imperial Preceptor are here to protect you! If that thousand-year-old demon dares to show up, I will be the first... the first... uh... the first to report it to the Imperial Preceptor. Please, Imperial Preceptor, exorcise the demon!"
By the end of his speech, his momentum had obviously weakened, and he clearly knew his own limitations.
Chu Xuanyi: "..."
Now he just wants to find a crack in the ground to crawl into!
A "stupid" little fortune teller and a "devilish" censor, when these two get together, it's simply an "upgraded version of disaster"!
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