Chapter Sixty-Seven: You Have Been Played

Hearing Chu Han’s words, the two magical beasts were both taken aback. Toma’s surprise stemmed from his previous attempt to forcibly increase his strength by entering the forbidden Fire Poison Domain within the Five Poisons Territory of Mangdang Mountain. Though his power had grown rapidly, he had become afflicted with fire poison. At first, he thought little of it, but the poison grew increasingly severe, eventually reaching a critical and irreversible stage. If Tos had not managed to trade for a life-saving item in time, Toma would have died long ago.

Now, to hear a human claim he could cure Toma’s illness—it was hard for them to believe. They looked at Chu Han with wary skepticism.

“I understand your doubts, but I am an alchemist, a profession you’ve surely heard of among humans. My alchemical skills can help Toma rid himself of this affliction,” Chu Han said, lifting his chin with an air of inscrutable confidence and pride.

Magical beasts are, by nature, simple-minded creatures; wise ones like Tos are rare. They revere strength above all, and Chu Han was confident in his alchemy. He had, after all, instantly diagnosed Tos’s condition with but a glance.

Though he could see the problem, Chu Han had not initially been sure he could treat it. It was only when Emerald awoke in time, explained Toma’s illness, and gave him a prescription that he regained his confidence. Moreover, with Emerald’s power at the half-step Heavenly Honor realm, the two magical beasts could not possibly be stronger. That made her words extremely credible.

Upon hearing Chu Han’s explanation, the two exchanged glances and nodded. Tos spoke up: “Honored guest, we believe you. Should you cure Toma, you will become the most esteemed guest of the Twin-Horned Demon Wolves.”

Tos placed his right hand over his chest, bowed, and addressed him with the utmost respect.

Chu Han nodded, then dispelled his rainbow-hued defensive shield. Still wary of the two beasts, he strode into the cave. When he caught sight of the woman within, he was startled.

Though he had never met the princess of Great Chu, Zhang Yinshan had shown him her portrait before he set out. The woman lying there was identical to the one in the painting. What a stroke of luck! He had been searching high and low, only to find her here so soon.

“Guest, what is it? Do you know her?” Tos asked, noticing Chu Han’s peculiar expression.

“Yes. I braved Mangdang Mountain to find her, and now I have. But I’m not in a hurry—Toma’s condition is dire. If he isn’t treated, he may not live to see another day.”

Chu Han nodded. But as he turned to Toma, he paused. In his earlier haste, he’d only glanced at Toma; now, looking closely, he realized how grave the situation was. The fire poison had thoroughly invaded Toma’s body and was close to his heart meridian. If it reached that vital point, no immortal under heaven could save him.

“Surely you must be mistaken, guest. Toma was lively just moments ago, even attacking you,” Tos said, his and Toma’s faces darkening with disbelief. They now suspected Chu Han was a charlatan, hoping to trick them and abscond with the woman.

Noting their hostile stares, Chu Han remained unruffled. He seated himself on a large stone and checked the princess, relieved to find she was merely unconscious and otherwise unharmed.

“I know you doubt me. Toma, examine your chest carefully. You should see a fine red line creeping upward, nearly reaching your heart,” Chu Han said calmly, waving his hand dismissively.

At his words, Toma quickly transformed into human form and tore open his shirt, revealing a muscular torso. Sure enough, upon close inspection, both beasts could see the faint red line on his chest, nearly at his heart.

“That line is the sign of fire poison invasion. Once it reaches the heart, the poison will invade the heart meridian. If that happens, not even a celestial immortal could save Toma. He’s energetic now only because magical beasts are naturally robust enough to resist it—but by tomorrow, it will be a different story.”

Chu Han pointed to the red line and explained loudly. Hearing his words, the two beasts dared not doubt him any longer; what Chu Han described matched exactly what the one who had provided them the medicine had said.

Chu Han sat across from Toma, took his hand as though feeling his pulse. In reality, he sent a wisp of true energy into Toma’s body to investigate his condition. What he discovered surprised even him.

“Toma, have you recently been consuming something resembling ice? It feels soothing at first, but afterward, your kidneys ache terribly,” Chu Han said, opening his eyes and frowning. If his suspicion was correct, neither Toma nor Tos realized they had been duped.

Toma nodded in astonishment. They had never mentioned this, yet Chu Han knew—proving his abilities. Hope surged within him at the thought that his condition might truly be curable.

“You’ve been deceived. Whoever gave you that item must have claimed it could suppress the fire poison. But what you’ve been eating is a Cold Poison Block. Not only does it fail to suppress fire poison, it also inflicts cold poison upon you. Now, both fire and cold poison corrode your body, and the cold only encourages the fire poison to thrive,” Chu Han said, shaking his head. Magical beasts, for all their strength, could be painfully naïve; even Tos had let his concern cloud his judgment, harming Toma in the process.

“Damn that old scoundrel! He meant me harm all along. I’ll make him pay! Guest—no, benefactor—please, you must save me. I don’t want to die,” Toma begged, turning to Chu Han with desperate eyes.

“Rest assured, since I promised, I will do it. Both of you wait outside. No one is to enter unless I call. I must prepare the medicine,” Chu Han instructed.

The two magical beasts nodded eagerly and left the cave, taking up positions on the path leading to it, determined to let no one approach.

Once they were gone, Chu Han finally relaxed. He retrieved his cauldron from his ring. Since he had promised them, he would see it through. These two demon wolves, for all their simplicity, were quite interesting and could make useful friends.

Besides, Chu Han had his own motives. Befriending them would make his future endeavors in Mangdang Mountain much easier. He was also deeply curious about the Five Poisons Domain Toma had mentioned, and to learn more, he would need to thoroughly cure Toma’s fire and cold poison.

He then produced a handful of medicinal herbs. Thankfully, the ingredients required for this elixir were not particularly rare, and he had collected plenty in his travels—just enough to refine this pill.