The instant the hidden needle struck, there was neither pain nor numbness—absolutely no sensation at all. Li Muzhan frowned immediately, realizing this needle was sinister, likely coated with potent venom.
“Heh heh heh…” He Qi let out a laugh, shaking his head. “What a pity, what a pity!”
Li Muzhan’s brow furrowed. “Is this the celebrated technique of your He family? Using poisoned hidden weapons—truly enlightening!”
“If one uses hidden weapons, how can one dispense with poison?” He Qi chuckled, shaking his head. “Little brother, why so rigid? Perhaps you’ve lost feeling below the shoulder?”
“What poison?”
He Qi’s face filled with smug triumph. “Heh, no harm in telling you. It’s called Half-Step Collapse. ... You still have time to cut off your arm!”
Li Muzhan frowned. He Qi waved a hand dismissively. “You had best not circulate your internal energy. The more you use it, the faster you die. If you remain still, it’s somewhat better; the onset is slow. But once your vital energy stirs, the poison activates instantly, and you perish. Don't believe me? Try it. ... What a waste, such youth and such martial attainment, achieved with such difficulty, only to cross our He family!”
Dong Wanyi hurriedly cried out, “Young Master?!”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “What do you want?”
He Qi let out a cackling laugh, shaking his head disdainfully. “Kid, even now you try to haggle? Sixth Miss is doomed today, and you’ll accompany her!”
“You are despicable!” Dong Wanyi chastised him, her voice sharp. “If you want to kill me, don’t drag others into it! Come, take my life, and grant Young Master the antidote!”
He Qi smiled playfully. “Sixth Miss cares deeply for this young man, it seems. A change of heart, disloyal to our Third Young Master!”
Dong Wanyi’s face flushed, whether from anger or shame, she retorted fiercely, “I never expected your He family to be such people!”
He Qi replied, “Sixth Miss, actually, there isn't no way to save him.”
“Speak!” Dong Wanyi clenched her jade teeth, squeezing out the word with hatred.
He Qi smiled faintly. “Sixth Miss understands!”
Dong Wanyi snorted. “You are despicable!”
She knew it concerned the treasure. She turned to look at Li Muzhan. At this moment, Li Muzhan had slightly lowered his eyelids, utterly motionless, as if transformed into a statue.
Suddenly, her bright eyes widened, fixing intently on Li Muzhan’s lips. His lips did not move, yet his voice reached Dong Wanyi’s ear.
She feigned contemplation, sighing after a moment. Slowly, she nodded. “Fine. Give me the antidote, and I will tell you the location of the treasure!”
“Really?!” He Qi was overjoyed. Then, masking his delight, he said sternly, “Sixth Miss, if you try any tricks, this young brother’s life is forfeit!”
Dong Wanyi stated coldly, “Rest assured. No treasure is worth more than a human life!”
“Well spoken, Sixth Miss!” He Qi nodded slowly. “Look at this young brother; such cultivation at such an age—truly a rare genius in this world. He is far more valuable than any treasure!”
Dong Wanyi glanced sideways at him. “Let me make one thing clear first: the treasure is not truly a treasure; it’s merely a manual!”
“A manual?!” He Qi could no longer contain his elation. He rushed to ask, “What manual?”
Dong Wanyi shook her head. “I cannot practice martial arts, and I couldn't be bothered to ask. It seems to be called something like the True Explanation...”
He Qi smiled. “Good, good. Then Sixth Miss, speak quickly!”
Dong Wanyi gave him a sidelong look. “I’ve said it, but what if you don’t hand over the antidote? Besides, should everyone listen? Aren't you afraid of the news leaking?”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” He Qi huffed.
Dong Wanyi countered, “Give me the antidote first!”
He Qi chuckled, shaking his head, then fished a small porcelain vial from his robes and tossed it to Li Muzhan. “This will delay the onset for one month. If it’s genuine, I will send you the rest of the antidote.”
Dong Wanyi shook her head. “Unacceptable.”
He Qi laughed. “I’m afraid Sixth Miss will deceive us with a fake.”
Dong Wanyi tightly pursed her red lips. “I won't lie!”
She sighed inwardly. To save him, she had to tell one lie.
He Qi shook his head, smiling. “We cannot trust Sixth Miss!”
Dong Wanyi glanced back at Li Muzhan, then snorted. “Once you get the manual, you certainly won’t hand it over! ... Either you hand over the antidote, or kill me!”
He Qi frowned, staring intently at her, then back at Li Muzhan.
He would indeed not give Li Muzhan the antidote. Such a peerless master at such a young age was a sword hanging over his head, ready to fall and claim his life at any moment. If there was a chance to eliminate him, he certainly must. There could be no softness of heart.
This Sixth Miss was clearly sharp-witted; it seemed true. She must have seen through his intentions, choosing the path of shattering jade over remaining intact.
“Hurry up, don't wait for Young Master Li to be poisoned!” Dong Wanyi commanded with a grave, jade-like face. “Either hand over the antidote, or forget it!”
He Qi frowned, considered it, and snorted. “Fine!”
“Sixth Brother!” He Yun grunted, his face sullen.
He Qi shook his head. “Third Young Master’s treasure is important. Spare his life for now!”
Their He family wasn't just him; there were many senior experts. Killing this brat was a trivial matter if they truly intended it.
Thinking this, he pulled another jade vial from his robes and tossed it to Li Muzhan. “This is the true antidote. Consider yourself lucky, brat!”
“Hmph. Relying on a woman to save your life—if it were me, I’d have committed suicide long ago!” He Yun sneered.
Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes, glanced at him, and smiled faintly. After accepting the antidote, he swallowed it in one gulp. His intuition was exceptionally sharp; he knew the antidote was real.
Dong Wanyi watched him closely. After seeing him swallow it, he closed his eyes, then quickly reopened them, nodding. “It’s real.”
Dong Wanyi let out a breath of relief.
He Qi asked, “Sixth Miss, well? Have you told us the treasure’s location?”
Dong Wanyi said, “Lean close and listen!”
He Qi advanced a few steps toward her. Dong Wanyi whispered something, and He Qi frowned. “Is that so?”
He Yun and the others strained their ears, their faces grim. Who didn't want the manual? But He Qi held a higher status, so they had to endure their dissatisfaction.
Dong Wanyi said, “Big Brother He told me just like that. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.”
He Qi smiled faintly. “Good. If it’s real, then my thanks. If it’s false, heh heh, Sixth Miss understands the consequences!”
Dong Wanyi snorted. “As you wish!”
Li Muzhan put an arm around Dong Wanyi, smiling toward He Qi. “We will settle this account another day!”
With that, he swept forward with Dong Wanyi. He Qi waved his hand. The crowd parted to make way. He Yun approached him, disgruntled. “Sixth Brother, just letting them go like that? Aren't we going with them?”
“No need,” He Qi shook his head. “This Li fellow is a threat. It’s better if he’s far away.”
“Sixth Brother, you shouldn’t have given him the antidote,” He Yun disagreed.
He Qi said, “Exchanging an antidote for a treasure isn't a loss.”
He Yun shook his head. “If it were me, I’d have demanded the treasure first before giving the antidote; she would have had to submit.”
“Why bother?” He Qi shook his head. “Angering her would do no good.”
“Is Sixth Brother feeling tenderhearted?” He Yun chuckled flirtatiously.
He Qi sighed. “Twelfth Brother, you don't understand people. This Sixth Miss looks frail, but she is fiercely resolute. One cannot push her too far.”
“Alright, alright. Regardless, we’ve obtained the treasure. Shall we go secure it now?” He Yun stared fixedly at He Qi.
He Qi smiled. “No rush.”
“Sixth Brother, are you planning to go alone?” He Yun asked with a smile.
He Qi glanced at him. “Don't worry, I’ll take you!”
He Yun immediately beamed with joy. “Thank you, Sixth Brother...” Li Muzhan and Dong Wanyi threaded through the crowd as easily as fish through water. Dong Wanyi looked up and asked him, “Young Master Li, was that truly the antidote?”
Li Muzhan nodded.
Dong Wanyi asked, “What should we do now?”
Li Muzhan smiled. “I need to make some arrangements.”
“What about the manual?” Dong Wanyi inquired.
Li Muzhan said, “I’ll forge a manual. No problem.”
“Can you really deceive them?” Dong Wanyi asked.
Li Muzhan smiled. “I guarantee it will be seamless; they won't be able to discern truth from falsehood!”
“Then I must trouble you, Young Master!” Dong Wanyi said apologetically.
Li Muzhan waved his hand, smiling. “Miss, you are too polite!”
Dong Wanyi nodded. “Then I won’t be reserved. Young Master, you should go back and rest first.”
Li Muzhan replied, “I’ll leave immediately; I still have plenty of time.”
“...Alright.” Dong Wanyi slowly nodded.
As they spoke, they reached the main gate of the Dong residence. Old Geng and Old He stepped out, their faces ashen. Seeing the pair, they froze for a moment, then were overcome with joy and rushed forward.
“Miss!” Old Geng sighed in relief, examining her from head to toe.
Old He looked at Dong Wanyi and Li Muzhan with astonishment, then his expression turned puzzled.
Dong Wanyi turned to Li Muzhan. “Young Master, you should go rest. Once I am home, I will be safe!”
Li Muzhan inclined his head, nodded once to Old He and Old Geng, and then gracefully stepped into the residence. After they had entered, he immediately departed again.
Old Geng and Old He escorted her into the manor, one on each side. Old Geng asked, “Did the He family trouble you further, Miss?”
Dong Wanyi shook her head and smiled. “Thanks to Young Master Li escorting me back.”
Old Geng was surprised. “Young Master Li could truly handle them?”
Old He’s eyes widened. “They are the geniuses of the He family. Did Young Master Li truly surpass them?”
Dong Wanyi did not slow her steps. As she walked inward, she smiled, “Is there any doubt?”
“Truly never imagined...” Old He sighed, shaking his head.
Old Geng said, “We are truly ashamed!”
Dong Wanyi waved her hand. “Elder Geng, Elder He, you did your best. ... Actually, I managed to escape because I told the He family about Big Brother He’s treasure.”
“Ah—!?” Old He and Old Geng’s expressions shifted drastically.
“Miss, how could you tell the He family?!” Old Geng stamped his foot, lamenting, “How foolish! If you were going to tell anyone, it shouldn’t have been the He family!”
Dong Wanyi snorted, “It was originally their property; was I supposed to tell Father? He disowned me long ago!”
The two exchanged a look and were speechless.
They had rushed back to seek aid, but the Patriarch and the Eldest Young Master were both absent. In truth, they had excuses ready; clearly, they had received instructions, otherwise, they would never have stood idly by while she was in danger.
“But now that the Patriarch knows...” Old Geng frowned.
Old He also shook his head. This was certainly not a wise move.
Dong Wanyi replied, “What choice did I have? There was no one to save me at that moment. If I hadn't spoken, I would have been killed by them!”
“Alas...” Old Geng sighed, shaking his head.
The three returned to their quarters to rest. Dong Wanyi seemed unaffected by the ordeal and went to the small pavilion in the rear garden to play the zither. The music flowed clearly, serene and distant.
Chunhua and Xiaohua watched from the side. Dong Wanyi gazed at the sky, her eyes distant and hazy. Her jade fingers, pale as tender scallions, lightly brushed the strings, producing exquisite sounds.
“Clap, clap!” Applause suddenly broke the silence. Eldest Young Master Dong Yufei stood by the lake.
Dong Wanyi stopped playing and turned to look, then continued her music, as if she had not noticed him.
Dong Yufei smiled, shook his head, and leaped gracefully onto the lotus leaves floating on the lake. He stepped across two leaves and landed gracefully before Dong Wanyi.
“Little Sister,” Dong Yufei said with a smile. “Are you angry with Big Brother?”
Dong Wanyi continued playing the zither while glancing sideways at him, snorting, “I wouldn't dare!”