"This is preposterous. What curse? It's utter nonsense, we've never even heard of such a thing!"
As everyone was astonished, Yue Bucheng, the Ridge Master of Baiyue, sternly rebuked, his voice sharp and filled with doubt, even disdain.
Xiao Yunlong glanced at him coldly and said, "You haven't heard of it, that's merely because you are ignorant, not because it doesn't exist!"
"Very well, if you say the Southern King was struck by a curse, then explain it clearly. Otherwise, it's difficult to convince everyone!" Yue Bucheng scoffed.
Bai Yuxian, the Sect Master of Huichun, also chimed in, "Indeed, you need to provide a proper explanation. Otherwise, do you think we're easily fooled by any excuse?"
"What difficulty is there in you wanting evidence!"
As Xiao Yunlong spoke, he walked directly to the living room, took the bowl of white congee from a servant, and re-entered.
Bai Yuxian sneered, "Are you implying that this bowl of congee is problematic? Could it be that the curse was placed within the congee?"
Xiao Yunlong ignored him and retorted, "You've studied medicine for a few years yourself. Come and smell this congee, see what's in it. Don't tell me you can't smell anything, or your medical skills have truly been learned in vain."
Bai Yuxian snorted, but still walked over and took the porcelain bowl, sniffing it carefully.
"This congee primarily contains Fructus Ziziphi Spinosae, Ganoderma lucidum, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis, Albizia Cortex, and other calming medicinal ingredients. I dare say there's absolutely nothing wrong with it!" Bai Yuxian said coldly, his brow furrowed.
Xiao Yunlong said, "They are naturally fine on their own, but if combined with the tree outside, specifically with the pollen from the tree, then there is a problem!"
"Utter nonsense! How is that possible? Mixing it with the pollen from the tree outside causes problems? Is this what you call a curse? It's simply unbelievable!" Bai Yuxian said solemnly, his face filled with mockery.
"I also think this is sheer nonsense. If you ask me, perhaps some people can't accept defeat and are deliberately fabricating stories!" Yue Bucheng chimed in.
Zhou Yun frowned slightly and then said, "Mr. Xiao, that tree outside was already there when His Highness the Southern King came to Nanjiang with me. It's said to have been there for over a decade. Is that really possible?" Zhou Yun then changed his tone and added, "However, this tree is indeed a bit strange. It only bears flowers and no fruit every year, and it's very red and alluring. No one in the entire Nanjiang camp knows what kind of tree it is!"
"This is Niu Hong San, also known by its scientific name Nanshan Hong. It has always only grown in southern regions. According to ancient texts, this tree was declared extinct a hundred years ago. I didn't expect it to be planted here in the Nanjiang camp!" Xiao Yunlong said calmly.
"Niu Hong San? Does the pollen of this tree, when mixed with the medicinal ingredients in this congee, cause people to become listless and drowsy for a long time?" Zhou Yun asked.
Xiao Yunlong replied, "It's not mixed with all the medicinal ingredients in the congee, but specifically with the Albizia Cortex. To verify this, it's simple: have someone pick some flowers, combine them with Albizia Cortex, boil them into congee, and then test it on a small animal!"
Just as Yue Bucheng was about to retort, Zhou Yun had already spoken first, "Alright, I'll go do it now!"
He acted quickly. Before long, as per Xiao Yunlong's instructions, he picked many Niu Hong San flowers and found Albizia Cortex. He ground them together, mixed them into the white congee, and then found a cat, making it eat the bowl of congee.
As expected, soon the fat white cat became drowsy, even appearing a bit dazed when it walked.
"It seems... it really is like that!" Zhou Yun exclaimed, his eyes wide.
"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!" Bai Yuxian sneered repeatedly. "Don't you know that cats are generally active at night and sleep during the day? What does this behavior prove? Besides, you were talking about a curse earlier, and this has nothing to do with these medicinal ingredients!"
"I knew you'd quibble like this!" Xiao Yunlong let out a cold laugh, then continued, "In fact, the mixture of Niu Hong San and Albizia Cortex can only cause slight mental confusion and a tendency to be drowsy and listless. But the real problem isn't here!"
"Then where is the real problem?" Zhou Yun asked.
"The real problem lies with the person who played the flute last night. If I'm not mistaken, in the Nanjiang camp, someone probably plays the flute every few days in the middle of the night, right?" Xiao Yunlong said, his gaze fixed on Zhou Yun and Yue Bucheng.
Xiao Yunlong had indeed heard the flute music last night. Although he found it somewhat strange at the time, he hadn't paid much attention to it. It wasn't until he saw the Southern King today that he understood the crux of the issue.
Zhou Yun immediately said, "That's true. About four or five nights a week, someone plays the flute. It's one of the old Southern King's female assistants. However, everyone in the camp also hears this flute music every night. What's the problem with that?"
"That's because they aren't targeting you. This method of playing the flute has a very ancient term called 'Yin Zhou' (sound curse)!" Xiao Yunlong said gravely.
"Yin Zhou? Is that what you meant by curse earlier, Mr. Xiao?" Zhou Yun immediately retorted.
"Precisely, this is the 'Mo Yin' (demonic sound) curse. It is said that three hundred years ago, in the depths of the Miao疆 mountains, there were people skilled in singing. Later, some martial arts experts began to integrate martial arts into music, which gradually evolved into the Miao疆 Miaoyin Sect!"
"What did you say? Miao疆 Miaoyin Sect?" Bai Yuxian, the Sect Master of Huichun, suddenly changed his expression. He opened his mouth as if to speak but hesitated, ultimately remaining silent.
Zhou Yun immediately asked, "Sect Master Bai, have you also heard of this Miao疆 Miaoyin Sect? This concerns His Highness the Southern King's health and the overall situation in Nanjiang. Please tell us truthfully!"
Bai Yuxian's demeanor was clearly no longer as calm and composed as before. After a slight hesitation, he finally sighed and said, "Fine, since it has come to this, I can't keep it to myself any longer, lest people say I lack foresight. Yes, I have indeed heard of the Miao疆 Miaoyin Sect. Some of the ancient texts in our Huichun Sect also have related records. However, it is said that this Miaoyin Sect was destroyed over two hundred years ago."
Zhou Yun became excited, exclaiming, "Since even the ancient books passed down in Huichun Sect have related records, does that mean Mr. Xiao isn't fabricating stories? Has His Highness the Southern King truly been struck by this demonic sound curse?"
Bai Yuxian sighed again, shaking his head. "Although I don't want to admit it, judging by all the signs, Mr. Xiao's words are not false. His Highness the Southern King has indeed been struck by that ancient legendary demonic sound curse. This time, I have lost!"
"I have dedicated my life to studying medicine, only to be defeated by a young man. What's more, I had seen records of this Miaoyin Sect before, but I couldn't connect it. This is due to my limited vision and experience. I admit defeat wholeheartedly this time!" Bai Yuxian was quite straightforward. As he spoke, he took the brocade box containing the eight-hundred-year-old ginseng from the attendant and handed it over with both hands.
"This ginseng is of great use to me, so I apologize!" Xiao Yunlong said, slightly cupping his hands as he took it.
"Mr. Xiao, you're welcome. We honor our bets. Our Huichun Sect can afford to lose!" Bai Yuxian said with a wry smile.
"Sect Master Bai is indeed broad-minded and able to accept defeat. I admire that!" Xiao Yunlong smiled. Since the other party had conceded and had a good attitude, there was no need for him to mock or gloat, acting like a petty person.
At this moment, Zhuge Wushuang and Zhou Yun spoke in unison, "Master (Mr. Xiao), shouldn't we immediately go and apprehend the person who was playing the flute?"
"Go, act quickly!" Xiao Yunlong nodded.