Li Xian followed them onto the deck. Seeing Jin Feng skim across the water with his lightness skill, treading the lake without stirring a ripple, his robes fluttering, he knew this man was nothing like an ordinary elder. Not daring to underestimate him, he called respectfully, "Farewell, Sect Master!"
A moment later, Jin Feng and his attendant disappeared into the mist. Li Xian breathed a little easier and thought, Jin Feng certainly has the ability to be sect master. That little display of sophistry alone showed his intelligence. Although I truly am Hua Wucuo, I cannot sleep easy or let him spot a flaw. Fortunately... I have never used the Demon Specters Spear in my identity as Central Lang General, and I earned Tang Wenshu's complete trust during our dealings. With a little more caution, I should not be easily exposed. He watched the mist rising over the lake. No shore was visible ahead or behind. Green fishlike beasts frolicked now and then, birds and beasts occasionally gave clear cries, and the calls of apes drifted from distant mountains. The tranquility was beyond description.
After gazing out for a while, he returned to the boat's hall. The two women, having swallowed the pills, were bewildered and alarmed. Both looked toward him.
Ding Longxiang glared and asked, "What did that pill do? What are you planning?" She was utterly terrified. Li Xian had smelled the pill's fragrance earlier and had some idea of its effects. "It is a poison pill called the Seven-Day Body-Boiling Pill. Think of simmering a pot of rich broth: desire is the firewood, and your body is the ingredients. It cooks and scorches you slowly for seven full days. If you fail to take the antidote within seven days, the fire of desire becomes actual flame, boiling