Side story: Feather and Poison (11)

"Yu Yao designed a poison made from seven ingredients."

"When the seven raw materials are mixed in this way—"

As she spoke, Simmilla shattered the magic circle on the outer wall with her fingertip.

Without the necessary coordination, the baking soda and magnesium sulfate, which had been coexisting harmoniously in the test tube, immediately reacted.

The clear liquid turned cloudy in an instant.

"This method can really bypass the drug tester!" Xialike's eyes lit up.

The sealed "Seven Deadly Sins" contained poison when opened.

But it wasn't like that before it was opened.

It will then pass the test!

"But this 'Seven Absolutes' is just a theoretical concept," Simmilla said.

"Theory?" Xialike frowned.

Simmilai pulled the notebook from her pocket and opened it to a page.

It's a design plan left behind by Yu Yao.

"The processing of the seven materials themselves, while demanding, is still within a manageable range."

As he spoke, he turned the page to the next page, revealing two full pages filled with densely packed and intricate runes.

"The real challenge lies in this 'pause' magic circle that prevents the seven materials from reacting with each other."

Chloe looked down and examined it closely.

The design of the "rest" is so complex it's dazzling.

It not only had to perfectly separate the seven liquids, but also had to make these seven materials react in a specific order the instant the magic circle was destroyed.

This transforms it into a deadly poison.

"Two pages, more than two hundred and thirty runes—" Chloe frowned, "That's really difficult."

This is a task that only the most skilled pharmacists can accomplish.

"Queen Yu Yao —how on earth did she design such a thing?" Chloe exclaimed sincerely.

Simmilai chuckled.

"Complex?"

He continued flipping through the pages.

Two more pages filled with densely packed runes.

Turn it over again.

It's still a page full of runes.

"Ms. Chloe," Simmilla pushed the notebook in front of her, a hint of schadenfreude in her voice, "There are still four pages left."

Both Xialike and Chloe were dumbfounded.

"So--" Simmilai slapped her notebook.

"Where can we find a supermodel pharmacist now who can complete the 'seven perfections' configuration?"

*****

On the outskirts of the City of Radiance, the sky was overcast.

Beckmann's house is a small, detached three-story cottage.

A horse-drawn carriage approached.

Stacy was the first to jump out of the car, took out a set of keys from her pocket, and opened the long-sealed courtyard gate.

The coachman drove the carriage into the courtyard, untied the horses' reins, and prepared the carriage.

Stacy continued toward the front door and unlocked it.

As the door opened, a musty, dusty smell wafted out.

"This will take some time to clean up," she couldn't help but complain.

"It's worth it."

Bai carried his medicine box and stepped inside.

"There are many patients in the capital; we'll probably have to stay here for more than a month."

"In any case, Beckmann's room is more comfortable and convenient than a hotel."

"That's true," Stacy agreed. "Those nobles would practically come to you even for a cold."

"Just write 'upper respiratory tract infection syndrome' on the diagnosis." Bai grinned. "That'll add two zeros to the consultation fee, why not?"

"Wow, teacher, you've finally decided to teach me something real!"

Bai looked around the room and quickly selected a room on the first floor as the treatment room, instructing the coachman to move all the medical equipment and medicines from the carriage inside.

Stacy picked up a cloth, covered her mouth and nose, and was about to start cleaning when Bai stopped her.

"The house is too big, and the weather is about to change," White Pheasant said. "Go find a few old women nearby, pay them some wages, and have them clean it."

"Good."

Before long, all the windows in the house were opened one by one, and the hired day laborers busied themselves with great enthusiasm.

The White Pheasant took off its casual clothes from the roadside, changed into a slightly more formal dark outfit, and, leaning on its cane, went out the door.

Stacy, also dressed in a simple black dress, followed closely behind.

Before long, the two arrived at a nearby hill, in front of a tomb built of marble.

The tombstone bears a line of large, clear characters:

The tomb of Scholar Albatross Beckmann.

The tomb is not simple; in fact, it could be described as somewhat luxurious.

The surroundings were extremely desolate, with wild grass sprouting from the cracks in the paved stones, making it appear barren.

Although Beckmann was a renowned scholar during his lifetime, he has been dead for twenty years, and today is neither the anniversary of his death nor any special anniversary.

This scene is not particularly strange.

"Bone returns to the earth, name to the monument, soul to the stars."

Bai Didi removed his hat and bowed solemnly.

Stacy followed suit, then placed the fruit she had brought in front of the tombstone, and knelt down to deftly begin clearing away the overgrown weeds beside the grave.

"Beckmann was very tidy when he was alive," White Peng said. "But you don't need to dig up my grave anymore. It won't be too lonely when no one comes to visit me."

"Don't worry," Stacy laughed, "I'll plant Dandelion all over your grave and raise a flock of White Pheasant pheasants."

For doctors, death is never a taboo topic.

Simply because I've seen too much of it.

From dawn till dusk, sometimes that's a lifetime.

****

The sound of wind suddenly pressed down.

The two looked up at the same time and saw four figures falling from mid-air.

"Chloe!"

Stacy recognized her friend at a glance and exclaimed in surprise.

The two embraced.

But Stacy quickly noticed that Chloe was clearly in low spirits, radiating a sense of oppression. "What's wrong?" she asked in a low voice. "Did something go wrong with the wedding?"

"I'll tell you later," Chloe replied softly.

The other three who came with her were Xialike, Meiwu'er, and Simmillai.

White Peng and Stacy naturally knew Xialike and Meiwu'er.

"I am Simmile, a teacher at White Tower Academy." Simmile bowed respectfully to White Peng, "Greetings, Senior White Pheasant!"

Upon recognizing him as a junior colleague, White Peng immediately returned the greeting.

At the grave of the deceased, the deceased should naturally be given priority.

The four newcomers arrived at the tombstone and paid their respects to Beckmann in turn.

Chloe's emotions ran the deepest.

Although she and Beckmann were only teacher and student in name, she received a lot of help from him.

Beckmann was already seriously ill at the time, and soon became bedridden.

Even with Bai Hong's continuous treatment, he ultimately could not defy the inevitable laws of the world.

After the worship ceremony, the six people looked at each other.

Bai spoke first.

"Just tell me," he said, "What happened?"

If they were only there to pay respects at Beckmann's grave, Xialike and Meiwu'er wouldn't have come.

Chloe was about to speak when Simmilla raised her hand to stop her.

"I'll do it."

He turned to Bai, his tone complex.

"After all, this is a mess that I, this good-for-nothing junior, caused back then."

****

A light, cold rain slanted in, mixed with the autumn wind, and pelted people.

White Peng tried his best to control his expression, but ultimately he couldn't.

He simply gave up.

"You've come to me, the one with the title of healer," he said, staring at the crowd, his tone changing drastically.

"So you're so I can concoct poison to kill the emperor?"

"The most skilled in this area, capable of accomplishing this, is none other than a master," Simmillai said.

"It's often said that medicine and toxicology are inseparable. Xinmilai, I'll let bygones be bygones for your academic misconduct for now." White Peng's temple veins throbbed slightly. "But who am I, White Pheasant? I'm a renowned physician!"

"If I were to poison someone, how could I set a good example for future generations?"

The preparation of such advanced drugs would inevitably leave traces of his unique methods.

The White Pheasant grew increasingly angry as it spoke, its voice rising in pitch.

"How do you want the world to view doctors?"

Anyone could point and say, "Look, even the White Pheasant is a poison doctor!"

"So be it. I'll just let go of this empty reputation I have!"

"But if younger generations of doctors think that even White Peng poisoned people, then they don't need to be self-disciplined or adhere to medical ethics."

"I, the White Pheasant, dare not take on such a responsibility!"

The wind howled past, stirring up a chill in the air.

The White Pheasant, its breathing unsteady, stopped speaking.

Stacy quickly stepped forward to support him.

After a short while, Bai gradually calmed down.

Even if you manage to concoct the poison, do you think Lorenzo would actually drink it?

Suddenly, a bottle of medicine was placed in front of the emperor, who was told that it was not poisonous and could be tested at will, but was asked to drink it.

This is because they think the emperor's sword isn't sharp enough.

"We've already devised a plan," Chloe replied.

Bai Jing listened to the entire plan, her expression growing increasingly complicated.

From a feasibility standpoint, this plan does indeed have a chance of success.

"The real poison is never the medicine itself," White Peng chuckled sarcastically, "But rather wisdom and cunning."

"Teacher, should we get involved in this mess?" Stacy asked softly.

The White Pheasant remained silent for a long time, then slowly shook its head, as if giving a bitter smile.

"To fight evil with evil is a crime of the body. To stand idly by is a crime of the heart." He sighed softly, "You've given me a difficult problem."

If we stand idly by, a great war that could devastate the entire continent will soon engulf it.

"We didn't bring the problem here," Xialike said with a wry smile. "The problem came to us on its own."

The White Pheasant glanced at him.

"Hmm, even you, who committed patricide, are having a hard time, aren't you?"

"Not bad, just the usual royal script," Xialike said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Not too much pressure."

White Peng put away his cane and walked towards Beckmann's former residence.

What are you standing there for?

He said loudly.

"Hurry up. There are only two days left until the Queen's banquet, aren't there?"

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Master," Chloe said softly, bowing deeply.

"Don't give me that." The White Pheasant snorted.

"Didn't you already foresee this outcome before you came to me?"

****

Afterwards, the group set up their alchemical equipment at Beckmann's house.

The cleaning staff were laid off, and even the rickshaw driver was sent away under the pretext of going to the city to buy groceries.

The whole house fell silent at once, with only the faint sounds of utensils being arranged and pages turning.

"What an ingenious design."

Even though the White Pheasant was a physician, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration when he saw the "Seven Wonders" design, which involved walking a tightrope on the tip of a needle.

"If this Queen Yu Yao were to dedicate herself to the path of medicine, she would undoubtedly become a master, with a future that is limitless."

"Teacher, I'm just as good!" Stacy retorted defiantly.

White Peng ignored her and continued looking at the "Seven Absolutes | Design Drawings," his expression growing increasingly complicated.

"The 'rest' characters used for stabilization require a total of 934 characters."

"It must conceal its own fluctuations while maintaining the seven liquids distinct and free from interference—"

At this point, the White Pheasant couldn't help but smile wryly.

"You really think highly of me."

"Otherwise, why would we bother you with something like this?"

Upon hearing this, the White Pheasant let out a soft breath and finally turned to look at the crowd.

"It will take time."

"I will prepare it as soon as possible and deliver it to you before the banquet begins."

Just as the group was about to take their leave, Bai suddenly remembered something.

"I have an idea to improve the 'Seven-Character Quatrain' section, which would make the plan more secure, but it would require inviting one person to participate."

"Please speak, Master," Xialike said immediately.

"This guy's in a rush to make some money," the White Pheasant explained. "He can't fight, and he's expensive."

Upon hearing this, Xialike breathed a sigh of relief.

"Expensive doesn't matter, as long as it works."

If the assassination fails, keeping all that money is meaningless.

"Master, who is this person you are talking about?"

He simply uttered a name.

"Hansite the Moon Chanter."

****

Inside the palace, the banquet hall was bustling with activity.

After several days of continuous rain, the temperature dropped, and the chill of late autumn finally settled in.

"Light the fireplace!"

The manager in the lobby shouted orders.

Thirty fireplaces are distributed around the huge banquet hall.

The servants carried bundles of firewood back and forth, stuffing them into the hearth and lighting them.

Before long, a faint camphor wood scent slowly filled the hall, refreshing and gentle.

Coal is something only the poor use.

True nobility chooses only naturally fragrant woods.

The steward leaned closer to the fireplace, sniffed it, and frowned.

The camphor wood has clearly become damp due to the continuous rain over the past few days.

The presence of choking fumes is absolutely unacceptable.

"Dry the firewood!"

He gave the order.

The fireplace has a firewood storage area below the firebox, and the heat from the flames above will thoroughly dry the firewood below.

"Yes!"

The servants immediately sprang into action.

Just as things were settled here, another assistant came over quickly.

"Manager, the lizard eggs have arrived!"

This matter should not be taken lightly either.

At tonight's banquet, lizard eggs are one of the most eye-catching ingredients.

The manager personally led the drug examiner out to inspect and verify the goods.

The poison detection spell swept across the area, and a faint yellow warning light flashed by, but those present were not surprised.

Lizard eggs themselves contain components that produce a slight stimulant effect.

"Non-toxic."

After careful examination, the drug expert solemnly confirmed the diagnosis.

The head chef also stepped forward, cracked one open, and examined it.

"It's fresh; it's been no more than two months since it was born," he judged.

Upon closer inspection, the egg white is clearer than that of ordinary lizard eggs, with a slightly shiny luster and a wild and alluring aroma.

"Absolutely top-notch," the head chef nodded.

The manager was relieved.

"Make sure to prepare the gravel-scaled egg tarts tonight with utmost care," he instructed in a deep voice.

"Yes.