Chapter 271: Contract Gu

Slapping the Great Medicine King unconscious, claiming it was a secret technique, the many guards endured it, pretending not to see.

Now speaking like this, it was clearly a provocation—how could they tolerate it!

"How dare you!"

"You're asking for death!"

The many guards glared angrily, the cold light of their blades flashing. At a single command, they would immediately chop this pretentious, reckless fellow into meat paste.

"Is he out of his mind?"

"I've dealt with this White Toad before. Though his character wasn't great, his mind was normal. How... has he suddenly become problematic?"

Thinking he might say something earth-shattering, the other physicians nearly spat blood, staring dumbfounded as if they'd seen a monster.

Who in Red Lotus City didn't know the Great Medicine King's might?

He was practically a local emperor. Even a prince of the Heavenly Martial Kingdom had to behave here. Slapping someone unconscious was already a provocation, but now he'd gone further, directly saying, 'One who brings disaster upon himself cannot be saved'...

Did he think his life was too long, that he'd lived enough and wanted to die, or did he think the Great Medicine King had a good temper?

Even Physician Cheng Feng looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Had this guy been kicked in the head by a savage beast?

Otherwise, how could he say such outrageous things?

"It's over... this time... it's really over..."

Mo Yu slapped her forehead, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Earlier, they could still fob it off as a special secret technique requiring the Great Medicine King to be unconscious, but with these words, they had thoroughly offended him, leaving no room for retreat!

If you want to die, die alone—don't drag me into it...

I just wanted to see the sights—who did I provoke?

Forget it, since we came together, even if this guy is courting death, I can't just abandon him!

Frustrated, Mo Yu gritted her teeth and secretly transmitted her voice: "Zhang Xuan, call the Sky Roaring Beast over now. I have a formation plate left by my father. Once activated, it should hold for a while. Hurry, don't hesitate—maybe there's still a chance to survive."

Though this place was a den of tigers and dragons, the Sky Roaring Beast was at half-step Sovereign realm and could fly. If it came, there was still great hope of escaping with them.

But the most important thing now was how to hold out until the Sky Roaring Beast found them.

Gripping her storage ring, Mo Yu remained alert. The moment the other side made a move, she would immediately take out the formation plate and throw it.

As a princess traveling alone for experience, she still had some means of self-preservation.

A formation plate was a special method of inscribing a large formation onto a portable item. When needed, one only had to infuse it with true qi, and even non-formation masters could easily activate it.

Though its power was much weaker than a real formation, it could be activated instantly and was easy to carry, making it a common life-saving tool.

But such items were expensive and disposable; only she, a princess of the Heavenly Martial Kingdom, could afford such capital.

"Why call it over? Don't be nervous!"

Seeing how tense she was, Zhang Xuan smiled.

"You..."

Seeing that this guy still looked utterly unconcerned despite the danger, Mo Yu was furious: "You've thoroughly offended the Great Medicine King. If you don't leave quickly, do you really want to die here!"

"Offend him? I was explaining his condition. How is that offending?" Zhang Xuan waved his hand and comforted her: "Stay calm and don't overthink things!"

"Explaining his condition?"

Mo Yu was going crazy.

Cursing someone as 'bringing disaster upon himself'—was that explaining a condition?

She had been studying to be a physician apprentice for so long and had never heard of such a thing!

And telling her to stay calm—how could she stay calm in this situation!

Though seething with anger, Mo Yu knew this wasn't the time to sulk. She looked around, choosing the best escape route.

If she had known this guy was so unreliable, she wouldn't have taken the risk with him.

"Physician White Toad, I kindly invited you to treat our master, yet you speak like this. If you don't explain yourself clearly today, don't even think about leaving!"

Ignoring the crowd's shock, Steward Lu suppressed his anger, flicked his sleeve, and narrowed his eyes.

If not for the fact that the other party had solved his own problem, just that one sentence would have brought blades upon him and killed him on the spot, let alone giving him a chance to explain.

"Don't rush. I'll explain clearly, but... with so many people here, do you really want me to say it?" Zhang Xuan was unconcerned by his threat and smiled faintly.

"Stop pretending. Even if you talk until the sky falls, you'll only end up dead!"

"Anyone who dares to challenge the Great Medicine King's authority must die!"

"Steward Lu, why waste words with him? Just give the order, and we'll chop this offender into pieces right now!"

...

Seeing him unrepentant and still grinning, the surrounding guards were all furious, shouting and bristling with murderous intent.

These guards were all at least Tongxuan realm. Dozens of them released their auras simultaneously, coalescing into a force that felt like thick liquid filling the room, making breathing hurried and palms sweat.

Even the many Zongshi realm physicians turned pale and involuntarily stepped back.

Though Tongxuan realm was far inferior to Zongshi realm, these guards trained together daily, moving as one, and possessed means like poison. Once they acted, even Zongshi masters would find it hard to defend.

"Enough!"

Seeing the guards ready to act at any moment, Steward Lu raised his hand: "Stop!"

Then he looked over again: "Physician Bai, these people are loyal to the master. If you speak offensively and don't explain, I'm afraid even I won't be able to control them."

His tone carried a heavy threat.

If Zhang Xuan couldn't give a proper reason, these guards would likely attack.

"Explaining is simple, but though you don't mind, it involves secrets. In my opinion, it's better not to say it in front of so many people."

Ignoring the crowd ready to strike, Zhang Xuan approached the Great Medicine King, his gaze calm: "How about this: I'll say three words. If you think my diagnosis is correct, have these people leave, and we'll talk in detail. If not, just kill me!"

After communicating with the Great Medicine King, Steward Lu nodded: "Fine."

"Good!"

Zhang Xuan smiled: "My three words are simple... Contract Gu!"

"Contract Gu? What's that?"

Thinking the other would say something else, Steward Lu frowned, considering whether to have him killed, when he saw the Great Medicine King, who seemed on the verge of death, suddenly change expression. His murky, dying eyes burst with excited light.

"Have... have everyone else leave..."

Struggling to move, his hoarse voice sounded.

"This..."

Seeing that this White Toad had made the listless, motionless Great Medicine King speak with just three words, everyone looked at him as if he were a monster.

Earlier, they thought he was doomed; no one expected such a turn.

Could it be... those three words had some special magic?

"Master!"

Seeing the master speak, Steward Lu hurried to his side, communicated for a while, then stood up and looked around.

"Everyone, I'm sorry. Today's consultation ends here. Please leave! Your compensation will be delivered."

After speaking, he couldn't help but glance at Zhang Xuan.

The Great Medicine King was too weak to speak much, but Steward Lu had served him for years and could understand his meaning from his eyes alone.

The master's meaning was simple!

Do as this Physician Bai says; only he can save him!

A reckless, nonsense-spouting fellow could save him?

Could it really be as he said, that the master had brought disaster upon himself?

"Yes!"

"Great Medicine King, Steward Lu, we take our leave!"

Hearing the dismissal, though puzzled, the crowd shook their heads and left. Before leaving, they looked at Physician White Toad with confusion.

This guy said three words and made the Great Medicine King send everyone away. Could he really know what disease he had?

But... there didn't seem to be any disease called 'Contract Gu'?

"You may leave too!"

Ignoring the crowd's confusion, Steward Lu waved at the guards.

"Yes!"

Knowing it was the master's order, the guards acknowledged and withdrew.

Seeing everyone leave, Mo Yu hesitated but finally stayed.

No matter whether this guy was right or would be killed later, since she came with him, she wouldn't leave alone.

Seeing that this proud princess, though harsh in speech, was quite loyal, Zhang Xuan nodded inwardly.

Soon, only the few of them remained in the room.

"Physician Bai, now that no one's here, can you speak?"

Knowing Mo Yu was with this Physician Bai, Steward Lu no longer avoided her and respectfully cupped his hands.

"Mm." Zhang Xuan nodded, no longer hiding: "Actually, when I first saw the Great Medicine King's appearance, I had a judgment. Through secret technique deduction, I've confirmed it..."

Saying this, he sighed: "The Great Medicine King's condition is indeed not an illness or poison, but something called 'Contract Gu'! This thing is left from making some deal with someone. Now that the person who made the deal is dead, bound by the gu, he naturally won't live long!"

"Contract Gu... what's that?" Steward Lu still didn't understand.

Even he, who dealt with physicians and herbs daily, had never heard the name.

The Great Medicine King clearly knew about it, but he couldn't speak now, and even if he could communicate, it was only simple exchanges, impossible to express something so complex.

"Contract Gu is a special contract made to gain someone's trust, a means of poison masters. It's similar to a tamer's life-and-death contract. Once signed, you become the other's loyal subordinate. When the master dies, the subordinate won't live long and will soon follow."

"This thing was deliberately created by poison masters to control subordinates. Once signed, life and death are no longer in your own hands. If you go against the master's will, you'll suffer the pain of ten thousand gu gnawing at your heart!"

Zhang Xuan said solemnly.

"There are... such things in the world?"

Steward Lu was astonished, hardly believing it.

If the other hadn't said it, he would never have heard of it.

Miss Mo Yu on the side also widened her beautiful eyes.

She didn't know Contract Gu, but she knew the life-and-death contract well.

With that contract, when the master dies, no matter how strong the beast or where it is, it will also stop breathing.

From his tone, this Contract Gu was even more powerful. If so, wasn't that treating people like beasts to command and tame?

That was too terrifying!

"Could it be... this Contract Gu is related to the master's illness?"

After the shock, Steward Lu's face turned pale.

"Related? It's the cause!"

Looking at the Great Medicine King before him, Zhang Xuan couldn't help shaking his head: "Your master, the renowned Great Medicine King, a hegemon of Red Lotus City, willingly became someone's subordinate and took this poison gu. Isn't that bringing disaster upon himself?"

The Great Medicine King of Red Lotus City—even the king of the Heavenly Martial Kingdom didn't want to offend him easily, and even three-star physicians bowed their heads. His status was several times higher than some second-rank kingdom's king.

Such a person willingly took a Contract Gu and became someone's subordinate—wasn't that courting death?

The current situation could only be blamed on himself.

Hearing this, the Great Medicine King's already withered face flushed slightly, his eyes full of regret.

"Please, Physician Bai, save my master!"

Now knowing what disease his master had, Steward Lu's body trembled, his knees went weak, and he knelt down.

These days, seeing the master grow weaker without understanding why, he finally knew the reason and could no longer hold back.

He had grown up in the Great Medicine King's mansion, and his loyalty was beyond doubt.

If the master died, attacked by other medicine kings, the mansion would surely decline. As steward, he would be the first to suffer and would not live long.

Whether for public or private reasons, the master must not die.

This Physician Bai had not only seen through his own ailment at a glance but also identified the master's cause—perhaps he had a solution.

"Get up first." Helping him up, Zhang Xuan shook his head: "Contract Gu is formed by contract and has entered the blood and marrow. It's very hard to resolve!"

Once the contract is signed, the gu enters the body, moving with the blood. Finding it is nearly impossible.

"If Physician Bai will treat our master, the Great Medicine King's mansion can agree to any request..." Steward Lu gritted his teeth.

"To save him, we need to find where the gu is located and either pull it out or kill it."

Zhang Xuan didn't agree but explained: "The gu itself is alive, moving along the blood. If it senses danger, it will flee immediately. How can we catch it?"

Contract Gu's key is the gu raised in the body. Solving it is simple—just catch and kill it—but doing so is extremely difficult.

It's in the blood, invisible and intangible, and it moves around to avoid danger. How can we kill it?

The gu might not be killed before the person dies first.

"Since Physician can see the master's problem, you must have a solution. Please act!"

Steward Lu knelt again.

So many physicians couldn't even diagnose the illness; this White Toad was their only hope.

"I can treat him, but... I have a condition."

Zhang Xuan hesitated, then said.

For others, finding the gu was hard, but he was different. With the Library of Heaven's Path, he could clearly mark the gu's location. If he wanted to treat it, he could.

"Please speak, Physician!"

Hearing that he could indeed treat, Steward Lu clenched his fists in excitement.

"I want to go to the Poison Hall. I hope that after curing the Great Medicine King, you can take me there."

Zhang Xuan looked at him calmly.

"This..."

Unexpectedly, this was the request. Steward Lu's face changed: "The Poison Hall is very dangerous now. They don't receive outsiders, especially physicians. Going there... is extremely dangerous!"

Poison masters and physicians were like opposing professions. A physician going to the Poison Hall—wasn't that courting death?

"Very dangerous now? What do you mean?"

Sensing there was more to his words, Zhang Xuan looked at him questioningly.

Glancing at the master and seeing no objection, Steward Lu gritted his teeth: "The Poison Hall is now in internal strife, completely sealed off, seeing no one. Even the master can't enter. Going now... is really not the best time."

"Internal strife?"

"Yes." Steward Lu said: "If the Physician truly wants to go, it might be better to wait a year until the strife subsides..."

"A year? Too late!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had expended great effort to come specifically for the Poison Hall to resolve the poison in his body. He couldn't wait even a month, let alone a year.

What a joke!

"Just take me to the Poison Hall. How I enter and when is my business. Agree, and I'll treat; disagree, and we'll drop it."

Zhang Xuan said calmly: "But besides me, even if you search all thirteen surrounding kingdoms, I'm afraid no one else can solve it!"

Hearing his firm tone, Steward Lu looked at the master, who blinked, then turned back.

"Fine, our master agrees!"

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan nodded: "Lay your master flat. I'll begin treatment now."

"Yes!"

Knowing both parties were people of standing and wouldn't renege, Steward Lu said no more, lowered the recliner, and laid the master flat.

Knowing he was about to be treated for Contract Gu, the Great Medicine King's withered face also showed nervousness.

Steward Lu and Mo Yu had never heard of Contract Gu and knew little, but he had experienced it and knew it was nearly incurable.

This man claimed he could treat it—though he didn't quite believe it, he still wanted to try.

Whoosh!

Deciding to treat, Zhang Xuan wasted no words. With a flick of his wrist, a box of silver needles appeared in his palm.

With a thought, he opened the book in the library, which marked the location of the defect (i.e., where the Contract Gu gu was).

True qi circulated in his body. With a gentle flick, the silver needle shot straight toward the spot recorded in the book.

The silver needle, infused with his Heaven's Path true qi, would surely kill the gu if it struck.

"Hmm?"

After piercing in, his true qi circulated once, and Zhang Xuan's face darkened.

"The gu has moved..."

The book had just been formed. In the time spent talking and observing, the gu inside the Great Medicine King had already left the marked spot.

It seemed he needed to form a new book.

Hesitating, Zhang Xuan looked over, somewhat embarrassed.

"Great Medicine King, I'm really sorry, but... would it be convenient for you to fall unconscious again?"