Several people nodded in agreement. The previous two fights had been easy precisely because Wu Caiwei's medical skills were outstanding. Now, facing the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, her skills were less effective, and they had to find another way.
That same day, Wu Caiwei busily prepared medicine to detoxify Fei Wu first. After all, Fei Wu was a powerful martial artist, and her recovery would be a great help.
Fei Wu had never known detoxification to be so painful. She had been injured and suffered hardship since childhood, yet she still fainted from the sheer agony.
Wu Caiwei also felt sorry for her, but there was no other way. Her poisoning was deep-seated, and if it wasn't cured, her lifespan would be affected.
After fainting from the pain, Fei Wu would regain consciousness only to be overcome by it again. After three such episodes, she was finally moved out of the medicinal bath, away from the potent liquid.
The group, whenever they had free time, would strategize. The affairs of Medicine King Valley had put them in a difficult position. Without a doubt, after Situ Wen disappeared, Situ Yao would have slandered him relentlessly. Otherwise, why would no one from Medicine King Valley have searched for him all these years?
To expose his true nature at Medicine King Valley now might lead them straight into his trap, as the Valley Master's word held more authority there.
However, if they were to rally outside forces against Medicine King Valley, they feared harming the innocent. Not all disciples of Medicine King Valley were as ruthless as Situ Yao; most adhered to the medical ethics.
Although Situ Yao's medical skills were inferior to Situ Wen's when Situ Wen left, years had passed. Who knew if he had encountered any fortuitous encounters? They couldn't afford to take risks lightly.
Just as they were at their wits' end, they heard news that the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley was coming to visit friends. This news had arrived from a neighboring prefecture where, to promote Medicine King Valley's reputation, they had offered free medical consultations, treating many people. Those who heard this speculated if they would come to this city for similar services, given Medicine King Valley's renowned physicians.
The group exchanged glances, sensing an opportunity.
Situ Yao had come out this time to search for Bai Hao. He and Bai Hao communicated once every three months, and three months had passed without receiving a letter. He suspected his friend might have encountered trouble and was using free medical consultations as a cover while secretly searching for him.
After searching for several days without any leads, they prepared to leave for the next prefecture.
For years, Situ Wen had been held captive by the assassin organization. The thought of his suffering there filled Situ Yao with immense pleasure. Now that Bai Hao was in trouble, where could Situ Wen be?
If he was dead, it would be a simple matter. But if someone had rescued him, it presented a significant potential threat.
Before they arrived, Wu Caiwei decided to spread some rumors to sow discord within their ranks.
Thus, whispers began circulating throughout the prefecture, portraying the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley as a sinister villain who, out of jealousy for his father's favoritism towards his junior brother and the subsequent transfer of medical knowledge, had conspired with outsiders to frame him.
The rumors subtly guided public opinion, leading the people of the prefecture to imagine how much better their senior brother's medical skills would have been, and how many more good deeds he could have performed, had the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley not acted maliciously.
When their group arrived, although there was a queue for the free consultations, the attitude of the people towards Situ Yao was no longer as respectful.
This caused some wavering among the Medicine King Valley members. Compared to the Valley Master, Situ Wen, their senior brother, had been more amiable and sincere. When he disappeared, they had harbored doubts but dared not voice them. Now, seeing the plausible rumors, they began to question the Valley Master.
After all, they knew how deeply Situ Wen cared for Medicine King Valley and that he wouldn't have left easily. Yet, when he vanished, what had the Valley Master said? That he had stolen the valley's treasured scriptures and killed the guarding disciples before escaping. Witnessing the bodies of the guarding disciples, they couldn't voice their doubts, for a life had been lost.
Following this, the Valley Master dispatched a group to apprehend Situ Wen. The group was unenthusiastic, and since there were no reports of success, the matter was dropped.
Seeing the suspicious gazes from the valley members, Situ Wen quickly defended himself, "This is clearly a stratagem to sow discord. It means that traitor Situ Wen is nearby and has employed such a scheme to incite internal strife. We must not fall for it. Besides, what reason would I have to be jealous of him? I am the Valley Master; he is merely my subordinate."
The others remained silent. Although the Valley Master had concealed his feelings well, they were not blind. Having grown up together in the valley for so many years, they could all see that the Valley Master harbored deep resentment and jealousy towards Senior Brother Situ Wen.
"Our primary objective now is to find that traitor and apprehend him, retrieving the valley's treasured scriptures," Situ Yao said, inwardly seething at their silence. He vowed to eliminate them one by one once he had cultivated new forces.
"Now, everyone split up and search. Report any news immediately. Don't forget, it was my father who took you in; otherwise, you would have perished and wouldn't possess your medical skills," Situ Yao said, looking at them with a venomous gaze, considering them all ungrateful wretches. If not for the Situ family's kindness in taking them in, why would they be questioning him here?
"Yes," the group responded in unison. Although deeply resentful, they couldn't deny their profound gratitude towards the former Valley Master. Suppressing their anger, they quickly withdrew.
After leaving, they found a teahouse to sit in, then moved on to wander through the streets, chatting idly. None of them were truly concerned about finding their senior brother.
Situ Yao was eager to know Situ Wen's whereabouts and had dispatched everyone except for a servant to attend to him. It was at this moment that two unexpected individuals arrived.
"Who are you? Have you mistaken the person?" Situ Yao asked, looking at the two women who had appeared before him, utterly bewildered as he was certain he didn't recognize them.
Without a word, Wu Caiwei flicked her sleeve and scattered the medicine she had prepared for him.
Situ Yao, possessing martial arts skills, though not as refined as his medical expertise, reacted quickly. He hastily used his sleeve to block the airborne substance.
However, superior skill often prevailed. Wu Caiwei's speed was slightly faster, and some of the medicine still entered his nostrils.
He quickly took out a homemade antidote pill he had prepared, sighing with relief that at least his life was safe.
Wu Caiwei nodded with satisfaction. That small amount of medicine was sufficient. From now on, he would suffer. She believed he wouldn't be able to resolve the poison anytime soon.
Situ Yao refused to let them off for their underhanded tactics and immediately drew his sword to attack. Wu Caiwei drew hers to parry, while Fei Wu engaged the servant. Both sides fought fiercely.
Ultimately, Wu Caiwei's side gained the upper hand. They did not take his life but instead severed his Achilles tendons and hamstring tendons as retribution.