Although Yang Ning collapsed to the ground, his fever was nowhere near severe enough to make him faint. The Buluo Capsule he had taken earlier had already taken effect. Though he had caught a chill on the way up the mountain, most of his strength had returned, and the effects of his Constitution 15 were beginning to show.
The cold sweat on his body, the weakness in his limbs, his cracked lips, and his desire for water were merely symptoms of an ordinary chill, along with the effects of the Buluo Capsule.
Just moments ago, while flipping through the records in the Law Enforcement Hall's main hall, he had found out which cell held the Undercover Agent who had gone mad. Though the Undercover Agent had already lost his mind, the mission the Demon Cult had assigned Yang Ning a few days ago was to kill him. His mission was still unfinished.
The talisman hidden in his Heart Meridian was a sword hanging over his head.
While talking with Yun Zishan and looking through the register today, Yang Ning had realized the moment his chance came. He had now earned the trust of both Yun Zishan and Xu Yinyin to some extent. Using his chill as an excuse to "faint" in the Law Enforcement Hall would not only let him stay there for the night without having to pass through the mountain gate inspections, but also give him the perfect opening to act after dark.
What Yang Ning had never expected, though, was that the instant he "fainted," Yun Zishan and Xu Yinyin would both rush toward him—and that Qiao Bin would suddenly appear out of nowhere.
With a single quick stride, he reached Yang Ning first and caught him in his arms.
The moment Yang Ning fell into Qiao Bin's arms, a heavy smell of tobacco hit him. Yang Ning couldn't help wrinkling his brow. That was the real reason for his frown.
Xu Yinyin had wanted to look after Yang Ning herself, and had even secretly hoped to put him up in her room. But Yun Zishan had already made arrangements: Yang Ning would stay in an empty room on the first floor of Ziyun Pavilion, not on the second or third floors where the two of them lived.
Xu Yinyin's eyes darted about as she tried again. "Master, I'll carry Advisor to Ziyun Pavilion..."
But Yun Zishan cut Xu Yinyin off again. Pointing to the reclining chair nearby, she said, "Qiao Bin, find two female disciples to carry Advisor to Ziyun Pavilion."
A flicker of surprise crossed Qiao Bin's eyes, but he still bowed and accepted the order.
He carefully picked Yang Ning up in his arms. Yang Ning's brow furrowed even more. Fortunately, the lights were dim at night; otherwise, his tightly furrowed brow might have given away how poorly he was faking his faint.
As Qiao Bin carried Yang Ning along, he told a patrolling disciple to find two female disciples.
Qiao Bin slowly carried Yang Ning forward, telling a patrolling disciple to fetch two female disciples. Just then, the disciple who had gone to get medicine hurried back. Qiao Bin took the pill, gently pried Yang Ning's lips apart, and slipped it into his mouth.
By then, the disciple who had just gone to get the medicine had run back. Qiao Bin immediately took the pill, carefully opened Yang Ning's mouth, and fed it to him.
The Sword Sect's spirit pills truly lived up to their reputation. They melted as soon as they entered his mouth. A cool medicinal force spread through his body like a stream, instantly dispelling the lingering fever and discomfort and replacing them with a refreshing ease from head to toe.
Then two female disciples arrived as ordered and respectfully saluted Yun Zishan. "Hall Master."
Yun Zishan nodded. "Carry Advisor to Ziyun Pavilion."
The two women, their heads bowed, exchanged astonished looks, then answered in unison, "Yes, Hall Master."
Then they lifted the reclining chair, one on each side. Yang Ning's brow finally relaxed. Compared to the heavy smell of tobacco on Qiao Bin, this was clearly much more comfortable.
Xu Yinyin watched Yang Ning being carried away and unconsciously bit her lip. She had been thwarted again and again that evening.
First, she had rushed over quickly, only for Qiao Bin to beat her to it and catch Yang Ning.
Second, she had wanted Qiao Bin to fetch the medicine so she could carry Yang Ning herself, but Qiao Bin had instead ordered another disciple to do it.
Third, she had wanted Yang Ning to stay in her room, but Yun Zishan had arranged for him to stay in an empty room.
Fourth, she had wanted to carry Yang Ning over herself, but other female disciples had been assigned to take him instead.
Watching Yang Ning's retreating figure, Qiao Bin couldn't help exclaiming, "Tsk, tsk, it looks like the Hall Master really values Brother Ning. She's even making an exception and letting him stay at Ziyun Pavilion..."
Xu Yinyin shot Qiao Bin a cold look, but he remained oblivious and went on, "Junior Sister, how was I just now? I moved fast, right? I caught Brother Ning in one go. Look, there's standing water all over the ground. What if Brother Ning had gotten wet?"
Xu Yinyin's hands clenched on their own. She had been only half a second away from catching Yang Ning herself. She would never have let him touch the ground.
"Junior Sister, tell me, since the Hall Master values Brother Ning so much, did I do a good job just now when I told the disciple to get medicine? Did I sound worried enough? The Hall Master must have noticed, right?" The more Qiao Bin spoke, the prouder he became, a radiant smile spreading across his face.
The next instant, Xu Yinyin stomped hard on Qiao Bin's foot.
"Ah!" Qiao Bin leaped in pain, clutching his injured foot as he watched Xu Yinyin hurry to catch up with the departing group.
"Junior Sister, I know you don't want a man entering Ziyun Pavilion," he called, hopping on one foot. "Don't worry. I'll bring Brother Ning out tomorrow!"
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