Chapter 103: I Shall Hold It for You, Young Master
The scene instantly descended into chaos.
Eleven leapt onto the stage, brandishing a kitchen knife and pointing it straight at Zhou Cheng.
“How dare you poison him!”
Zhou Cheng panicked, shouting, “It wasn’t me!”
Chu Qi helped Li Yunji to his feet, glaring fiercely. “Who else could it be?!”
Eleven’s eyes blazed with fury as he raised the knife to strike, but a sharp voice rang out from behind.
“It’s not him.”
Su Qingmeng’s mind raced as she murmured, “If Li Yunji hadn’t summoned the sword spirit today, Zhou Cheng would have won for sure.”
“He wouldn’t have needed to tamper with the blade!”
Eleven slowly lowered the knife, his expression still tense. “Then who is it?”
“This matter is probably more complicated than it seems,” Su Qingmeng shook her head, sighing softly. “Let’s take him away first and talk later.”
...
At the Star-Picking Pavilion,
Wu Jin and a woman in yellow sat facing each other.
“The poison of the Nine Nether Vine is incurable.”
“Once it takes effect, death is inevitable.”
Wu Jin’s face was shadowed with gloom, but a sly smile played at the corner of his mouth.
“Even if Gu Xian’er came personally, it would be useless,” the woman in yellow said coldly.
After speaking, the two exchanged a knowing smile and raised their cups in a silent toast.
...
At the Northern Tomb Prince’s Mansion,
A crowd gathered anxiously in Li Yunji’s bedchamber.
“My dear nephew!” Li Yi rushed over frantically upon hearing of Li Yunji’s poisoning.
He handed a pill to Su Qingmeng, his voice grave. “This is made from the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus. It can stabilize the mind.”
Looking at the weak figure on the bed, he shouted angrily, “That scoundrel Zhou Li!”
“How dare he let Zhou Cheng harm my nephew like this!”
“I’m going to settle this with him right now!”
Su Qingmeng took a deep breath, struggling to stay calm. “General Zhou, I’m afraid this matter isn’t as straightforward as it seems...”
Li Yi strode out of the chamber, ignoring her words.
Su Qingmeng watched his panicked departure with a flicker of doubt.
Chu Qi hurriedly took the pill from Su Qingmeng’s hand and fed it to Li Yunji.
Moments later, a faint flush returned to Li Yunji’s face.
Before long, he slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
“He’s awake!” Chu Qi exclaimed with joy.
---
Li Yunji exhaled deeply and sat upright.
Everyone approached with concern. Eleven was the first to speak. “How do you feel, sir?”
Li Yunji raised his hand to reassure them. “I’m fine.”
Then he turned to Eleven, his voice steady. “Do you know what poison I was afflicted with?”
Eleven sighed lightly. “Nine Nether Vine.”
At this, everyone was stunned.
“The deadliest poison in the world—the Nine Nether Vine from the Northern Wastes?!” Su Qingmeng’s expression darkened, worry flooding her eyes.
“Indeed,” Eleven nodded calmly.
“This poison is incurable.”
“The toxin spreads through the veins, gradually consuming life until death.”
Su Qingmeng watched Li Yunji’s slowly returning color and said solemnly, “But from what I know, the Nine Nether Vine’s poison acts swiftly. How is he still so lucid?”
“Could it be the antidote given by General Li earlier?” Chu Qi frowned.
Eleven shook his head. “That pill only temporarily suppresses the poison. Once its effect fades, the toxin will flare up again.”
Silence fell heavily.
Chu Qi’s eyes grew moist as she turned away, unable to face Li Yunji.
Su Xiyan buried her head in the blankets beside Li Yunji, quietly sobbing.
“How could there be no cure!” Su Qingmeng’s voice trembled. “I will find an antidote immediately!”
As Su Qingmeng reached the door, Li Yunji weakly called her back.
“If there is a cure...”
“Eleven wouldn’t be hiding anything.”
“If he says there isn’t, then there simply isn’t.”
His words deepened the solemn atmosphere.
Su Qingmeng hesitated, then took a steady breath and resolutely left.
Li Yunji sighed deeply. “I have something to discuss with Eleven. You all may leave now.”
Chu Qi wiped her tears and led Su Xiyan out.
Looking back with concern at Li Yunji, she gently closed the door behind them.
---
Once alone, Eleven’s stern demeanor melted into a mischievous grin.
“Stop pretending, sir.”
Li Yunji’s gaze sharpened, locking onto Eleven. “Did you know all along?”
Eleven nodded with a smile. “Your aura had already recovered back at the barracks.”
“I noticed you were deliberately feigning unconsciousness. I guessed you had another plan.”
“So I played along.”
“Not bad acting,” Li Yunji gave a thumbs-up in approval.
But then suspicion returned to his face as he scrutinized Eleven. “But this ‘Nine Nether Vine’ poison you mentioned—isn’t that a bit much?”
“It’s all true,” Eleven defended, still smiling. “You were indeed poisoned by the Nine Nether Vine.”
“However, you are no ordinary flesh and blood, so it can’t harm you.”
Li Yunji let out a long, harsh laugh, then looked at the healing scar on his shoulder, unconsciously touching his body with a series of amazed murmurs.
“You’re right—I really am tough!”
“Not just tough, but poison-resistant too!”
“That’s right~” Eleven’s smile grew even brighter. “But what are you hiding from everyone else?”
Li Yunji paused, then said gravely, “Su Qingmeng was right. It wasn’t Zhou Cheng who poisoned me.”
“The Northern Tomb City is full of eyes and ears. If I had awakened, the poisoner would surely have been alerted.”
“By then, investigating would be nearly impossible.”
Eleven let out a long ‘oh’ of realization. “As expected of you, sir. You already had a plan in such a short time.”
Li Yunji smiled faintly and leaned back against the bed, thoughts racing.
“But Eleven,” he pondered, “if it wasn’t Zhou Cheng, then who would want to harm me?”
Eleven shook his head. “I don’t know either.”
Suddenly, Li Yunji’s hands began moving uncontrollably.
“What’s this about?” he frowned, watching his fingers dance as if typing on a keyboard.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Eleven slapped his forehead. “Your body can resist the poison of the Nine Nether Vine but not its medicinal properties.”
“Medicinal properties?” Li Yunji’s confusion deepened.
No sooner had he spoken than his expression twisted involuntarily.
Eleven sighed softly. “Its medicinal effect clears the veins and strengthens internal energy.”
“But during this time, the body loses control, causing involuntary movements.”
“Because the poison is so potent and untreatable, people usually overlook its medicinal side.”
As Eleven spoke, Li Yunji’s hands touched the floor, and he uncontrollably performed several Thomas spins across the room.
Then he began to walk on his hands, surprisingly steady under the medicine’s influence.
This continued for half an hour before Li Yunji slowly stopped, still inverted.
He took a deep breath, propping himself up on his hands. “How long will this last?”
Eleven slowly raised three fingers. “At least three days.”
Li Yunji gasped.
“What about when I need to use the bathroom?!”
His urgency was pressing.
Eleven chuckled, holding up his index finger and thumb. “If you don’t mind, sir, I’ll help support you.”
Li Yunji: (눈‸눈)
“Get lost...”