The shopkeeper kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "We are just legitimate merchants and have no intention of harming you. Everything I have said is true. If I have uttered even a single lie, may I die a horrible death. Your Highness, please spare this humble man this time!"
Chu Jiuqing remained expressionless, his tone icy, "So you think being coerced allows you to take someone's life? If this were an ordinary merchant or passerby, you would have killed them by now. Who would they turn to for justice?"
The shopkeeper's face turned ashen, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to beg for mercy but was terrified by Chu Jiuqing's imposing expression.
Chu Jiuqing's eyes were cold as he ordered Zhuifeng, "Send these two people to the authorities and punish them severely according to the law."
"Yes, Your Highness." Zhui Feng accepted the order and waved to the two guards behind him. The shopkeeper and the waiter were dragged away like dead dogs.
Chen Qingqing had no sympathy for the innkeeper. Since he possessed the harmful "Half-Moment Sleep," he might have done many heinous things in the past. Otherwise, why would he keep such a harmful item in an inn?
When coerced or threatened, he can extend his evil hand to innocent people; he has lost his basic humanity.
If you succeed in harming someone today and taste the "benefits" of doing so, tomorrow, the day after...
Driven by self-interest, evil thoughts can grow wildly like weeds.
He will then not hesitate to harm others again, and the number of people he harms may increase. Such a person doesn't deserve any sympathy...
An interlude ended,
Zhu Yue had almost fully recovered and looked respectful. "Your Highness, the rain has stopped. Shall we continue our journey?"
Chu Jiuqing looked at Chen Qingqing and saw that her eyes were still bright, but her face was full of fatigue. A sense of guilt welled up in his heart, and he frowned slightly.
"Rest here, and continue on our way early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir." Zhu Yue gave the order for everyone to take turns keeping watch at night.
Chen Qingqing was already exhausted. As soon as she relaxed, she felt sleepy and went back to her room to fall asleep immediately.
The sky gradually brightened.
Everyone got up early, had a quick breakfast, and continued on their way.
As noon approached, the sun blazed high in the sky.
The group arrived at a mountain forest, surrounded by mountains, the scenery was so beautiful it was like a painting.
Chen Qingqing's heart melted; she was completely captivated.
Just as I was engrossed in watching, suddenly the birds on the tree fluttered their wings in fright and flew away. The branches swayed and the leaves rustled. Then a cloud of white mist pressed down from the forest.
"Ding... Master, poisonous gas is rapidly approaching," Little Ring's mechanical voice sounded.
"Well done, Xiao Jie. I didn't realize you could even sense danger in advance now."
"Master, you flatter me. This function is a piece of cake for me and not worth mentioning."
"You're exaggerating again. Why didn't you give me a warning when I was in danger before? How come you can remind me in time now?"
“Master, you don’t know, but I used to know you wouldn’t die, so I took a shortcut. But things are different now. This poisonous gas is no ordinary thing. It looks like white mist, but it’s extremely toxic. If you inhale it and don’t take the antidote in time, you’ll die within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. We’re symbiotic, mutually dependent. If you die, I’ll also disappear. So I can’t be careless about this.”
Hearing this, Chen Qingqing was so angry that her teeth itched. "You little rascal, so you're afraid of dying too!"
Xiao Jie chuckled, "I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid of you dying."
"Get out of my way and give me the antidote right now."
"Yes, yes, please check, Master."
Chen Qingqing looked at the pill in her hand, feeling dissatisfied. "There are so many of us, how come there's only one antidote?"
Xiao Jie chuckled again, "Whether they live or die is none of my business. I only need to take care of you."
"Stop talking nonsense. If these people die, I won't survive either. Quickly prepare some more antidotes."
"No problem, but you have to pay first."
"You money-grubbing bastard, I'll give you whatever you want."
"Not much, one tael of silver per grain, shall we pay?"
As soon as Xiao Jie finished speaking, the control panel appeared before their eyes. Chen Qingqing rolled her eyes speechlessly.
"Xiao Jie, do you know what you're doing? This is taking advantage of someone's misfortune and extorting money! Do you think this antidote is some kind of magic pill? It costs one or two taels of silver per pill! Why don't you just rob it!"
“Master, please don’t be angry. Xiao Jie also needs operating costs. These antidotes are made with many rare medicinal herbs. The cost is high, so the price is naturally higher. However, if you are unwilling to spend money, I will not force you. Let these people be poisoned to death to save money.”
"Shut up, give me the antidote right now." Chen Qingqing now knew that this little ring was just a chatterbox, so she ignored it and mentally selected to pay. A packet of antidote appeared in her hand. Seeing the white mist getting closer and closer, she didn't have time to explain further and hurriedly said to Chu Jiuqing.
"Little fish, that white mist is poisonous."
Chu Jiuqing became wary. How could there be fog in such a beautiful place?
A bad feeling welled up in my heart; it must be the Western Region Poison King Zi You who has arrived.
Fortunately, the girl's medical skills were exceptional; she could tell from observation that something was wrong with the fog. He looked grave and asked, "Qing girl, what do we do now?"
Chen Qingqing handed the antidote in her hand to Chu Jiuqing, "This is the antidote, quickly make everyone take it."
"Alright, stay by my side for a while and don't move around." Chu Jiuqing also sensed the approaching danger. After taking one antidote, he handed the rest to Zhuifeng. "Quickly distribute the antidotes and prepare to fight the enemy."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Zhui Feng didn't dare to delay and distributed the antidote.
Just as everyone swallowed the antidote, the fog thickened, engulfing everything around them and gradually obscuring their clear outlines.
The distance between the guards also became blurred and indistinct under the shroud of fog.
At first, you could still make out a rough outline, but as the fog spread, even the barely visible outline became blurred and disappeared.
"Everyone, stay close together, don't get separated," Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue shouted back to back.
Chu Jiuqing held Chen Qingqing protectively by his side, his sharp black eyes scanning the surroundings warily. "Don't be afraid with me here."
"I'm not afraid." Chen Qingqing shook her head and smiled; she truly wasn't afraid.
The fog is poisonous, but it's no big deal. Little Ring is an all-powerful ring; it possesses an all-powerful spatial ability.
As long as it's not firearms, explosives, or even just a small amount of poison, it's no problem for her...
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