...Three breaths.
The night moon hung high in the sky.
The waves on Quchi were calm.
A melodious tune praising the moon drifted gently through the air.
Amid the mild breeze, there were faint strains of catchy poetry recitations and women's laughter.
On the painted boat.
Chen Yi watched the middle-aged scholar, his expression calm. "It seems my luck is rather good."
The middle-aged scholar—or rather, Yan Fusha—stared blankly at him, as though he had not expected him to be so calm, so decisive.
After a moment of silence.
A smile bloomed across Yan Fusha's plain face, followed by hearty, unrestrained laughter.
"You aren't afraid."
"You truly aren't afraid, hahaha..."
"Are you not afraid of death?"
His laughter rang loud, his tone inscrutable.
It carried far across Quchi, illuminated by lanternlight and rosy glows.
After a long while, the laughter faded.
Yan Fusha looked at Chen Yi and asked with a smile, "Are you truly not afraid of death?"
Chen Yi gently set down the medicine bottle and replied indifferently, "Everyone is afraid."
"Then why... Is it because of that little beast from the Pei family?"
"Yes."
The smile on Yan Fusha's face paused. After studying him for a moment, he shook his head. "What a pity."
He did not say what he found regrettable.
Nor could Chen Yi possibly ask.
From the moment he had been brought onto this painted boat, everyone here had possessed only one identity—mortal enemies!
As he thought this, Chen Yi swept his gaze over the surroundings from the corner of his eye and asked, "What comes next?"
Yan Fusha completely resumed his earlier demeanor. "This first act counts as Mr. Qingzhou passing the test."
"Yan will naturally honor our agreement and deliver the antidote to you within three days."
Chen Yi nodded noncommittally. "Thank