FID – Chapter 1082

Chapter 1082 — Push Grandpa Too Far and He’ll Run Away

Labao Town was a small settlement on the farthest edge of Xiliang’s capital region.

Because it still fell under the capital’s jurisdiction, the town was anything but quiet. People bustled up and down the streets, carriages flowing like water.

Shops lined both sides of the road, and the crowds surged endlessly. 

It was a clear display of the prosperity surrounding the imperial city.

In the town’s largest teahouse, every seat was filled. Patrons chatted animatedly about the major events that had recently shaken the capital.

“…Those spies were really bold beyond belief. Not only did they sneak into our Xiliang capital, they even tried to assassinate the emperor! If it weren’t for Prince Shunyang and the Saintess rushing in to save His Majesty, he would’ve fallen victim to their plot!”

“It’s a shame they managed to escape. Otherwise we’d have made them pay!”

“If even His Majesty and His Highness couldn’t capture them, those spies must have serious skills. You can’t even swing your arms properly, so how exactly are you going to make them pay?”

Laughter erupted among the tea guests.

The man being mocked flushed red but argued stubbornly, “Our Xiliang has always kept the peace, but now spies have sneaked right into our capital, and they even dared attack the emperor. Their wolfish ambitions are plain as day; they’ve set their sights on our Xiliang! Isn’t there a saying, ‘Every man bears responsibility for defending his homeland’? Even if we can’t beat those people, we shouldn’t hide like turtles and let others scheme against us!”

“All right, enough of your self-righteous speech. When trouble really comes, you’ll be the first to hide. We all know what kind of person you are. Living in the same town, we see you everywhere!” someone teased, and the teahouse erupted in laughter again.

Seeing the man’s face turn red with anger, someone quickly changed the topic to prevent a quarrel.

“Besides the spy incident, there’s another rumor from the capital: the Rare Treasures Pavilion has obtained an extremely precious prescription, specifically for removing Gu worms. If one can acquire that formula, any Gu implanted in the body can be neutralized.”

“Any Gu? The Gu Medicine Clan specializes in controlling Gu. If this prescription really exists, wouldn’t that mean defying the Gu Medicine Clan themselves?”

“Who knows what’s behind it? Anyway, it’s said the pavilion has revealed the formula, but here’s the odd part: the head of the pavilion isn’t selling it for gold or silver—only rare treasures in exchange. So who ultimately gets the prescription? Nobody knows. One thing’s for sure. It’ll be quite a spectacle.”

In a corner of the teahouse, around a small tea table, four diners sat quietly—two men, two women, all plain-looking.

They quietly ordered tea and listened intently to the teahouse gossip, never speaking or joining the chatter. They were a calm presence amidst the boisterous patrons.

Because no one spoke to them, even when the others got carried away in conversation, nobody paid them any attention.

After leaving the teahouse, the four returned to their rented inn. As soon as they were back in their room, they gathered together to discuss the news they heard earlier that day.

“This sudden rumor about a Gu‑removal prescription from the Rare Treasures Pavilion is most likely fake,” Xue Qinglian sneered.

Liu Yusheng pondered for a moment. “During our escape, no pursuers came after us, and the surrounding towns were calm. It seems it’s not that the royal family gave up the chase. They simply changed tactics. They’re waiting for us to walk straight into their trap on our own.”

“To come up with such a plan, Shan Lai must be involved. She’s the only one who knows I’m afflicted with the Life Link Gu.” Xue Qinglian’s voice was cold with regret. “Back in the Xiliang palace, I should have killed her outright instead of leaving her behind to create endless trouble.”

Silence fell over the group for a moment.

Feng Qingbai tapped the table with his fingertips before speaking. “Whethere it’s real or fake, we still need to go to the Rare Treasures Pavilion. What if it is real? And since Shan Lai dared propose this scheme, she certainly considered that we wouldn’t trust it easily. She will definitely try something to convince us. Otherwise, we’d never risk returning to the capital.”

“You mean the prescription might actually be genuine?” Liu Yusheng asked.

“Whether it’s real or not, returning to the capital is out of the question. With my life in her hands, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill all three of us if she wanted. I refuse to make a losing trade,” Xue Qinglian declared firmly, sensing where their thoughts were headed. “If I really kick the bucket, just bring Shan Lai’s severed head to my grave as an offering.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t die in peace.

Liu Yusheng and Feng Qingbai gave him a glance, then leaned their heads together and began whispering privately, completely shutting him out.

Xue Qinglian was furious.

He was the key person in all of this, yet they were whispering without him?

“Hey! I’m the victim here! My opinion should come first! Don’t push me—if you push me too hard, I’ll run away!”

“I’ll break your legs beforehand,” Feng Qingbai said calmly, not even lifting his eyelids.

Liu Yusheng considered it seriously. “That works. I’ll treat him afterward.”

Xue Qinglian: “…” How did he end up knowing these two beasts in human skin?

While the three of them bickered, Qian Yi quietly listened from the side, unusually silent, her gaze filled with hidden complexity.

Shan Lai had completely overturned the image she had always held—cool, pure, and kind.

The Gu Medicine Clan was called the Gu Medicine Clan because their talented women used Gu to heal—controlling worms to detoxify and save lives. If threatened, they would use Gu to defend themselves, but only when forced.

Yet Shan Lai’s actions clearly violated the clan’s ancestral rules. She had actively used Gu to harm others.

Liu Yusheng and the others didn’t know how many tides of emotion surged through Qian Yi’s heart. Since the prescription from the Rare Treasures Pavilion was very likely real, they had no choice but to secure it.

These past days, Xue Qinglian had been coughing blood more frequently, and even began experiencing brief fainting spells. It meant Xue Zhong’s internal organ failure was progressing rapidly. Their time to make decisions was running out.

“Labao Town is still relatively safe for now. The capital hasn’t sent anyone here to search. Tomorrow we’ll check out of the inn, and Qian Yi will rent a courtyard so we can stay for a while. You all wait for me here. I’ll go to the capital to scout the situation.” Feng Qingbai made the final decision.

“Feng Qingbai…”

“Be good. I’ll come back.” Feng Qingbai wrapped the woman’s small hand in his palm and gently squeezed.

It was comfort and a promise.

Liu Yusheng’s eyes trembled.

She wanted to go with him.

But she knew that if she went, she would only drag him down. And in a situation like this, Xue Qinglian needed her here more than anyone.

She tightened her grip on his hand, silently accepting his decision.

While the two communicated wordlessly, Xue Qinglian didn’t say another word. His head hung low, half his face swallowed in shadow. Around him, a faint, suppressed aura slowly spread.

The air in the room seemed to gain weight all at once, pressing shoulders downward and making chests feel tight.

Qian Yi bit her lip hard, then took a deep breath. “None of you should take the risk. Going there will only make you walk right into their trap. If what he has is really the Life Link Gu, then from what I know, there is no other way to undo it. Not even Saintess Shan Lai can undo it.”