Chapter 19

Fortunately, things weren’t that bad, and Yang Yanzong was quite reliable.

Su Ci was busy treating A Kang and the others’ wounds while keeping an eye out. Her hands were steady and quick, stitching up the wounds efficiently. By the time she finished, the people sent out had started returning.

Ji Yuanhao and his group’s counter-tracking abilities were strong, so it wasn’t surprising they had no results. However, the other task Yang Yanzong had ordered provided some valuable clues.

“…After careful inquiry, it was found that Feng Shang had been detained at the quarry for nearly half a month. During this time, he has been very compliant and has not attempted to escape.”

Yang Yanzong listened carefully to Feng Shang’s behavior, “He didn’t attempt to escape?”

This is interesting. Although Feng Shang was shackled, from his last leap when the shackles opened, it was clear that he had thoroughly studied the shackles on his body. He didn’t want or attempt to escape, which explains a lot.

— It should be noted that judging by his skills seen today, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to escape if he put in some effort. But he didn’t and traveled a long way from the capital to Wuchuan. Before Yang Yanzong arrived, he had already judged that Liu Ying’s brothers should be in Wuchuan.

“Liu Ying’s brothers must be in Shangzhou!”

Yang Yanzong suddenly raised his eyes, “The private mine is also in Shangzhou!”

Those who reacted quickly had already looked towards the southwest.

Yang Yanzong stood up and turned to look at the southwestern mountains. The private mine couldn’t be on the plain; it could only be hidden in the mountains, so it must be in the southwest direction. If there are no surprises, Liu Ying’s brothers should also be hiding in this direction.

Yang Yanzong lightly tapped the table with his fingers. “Everyone, head southwest, target all the medical houses and pharmacies in the towns and villages, and go immediately!”

“Yes!”

Liu Ying’s brothers were severely injured and fled. Although it was unknown which one was injured, judging by the amount of blood left at the scene, the person’s injuries must be severe.

Medicine is essential. Unlike modern times, ancient medicine was a scarce resource, especially in remote places like Shangzhou, where doctors with some skills were few and far between. This greatly reduced the search range. They might even arrive ahead of Ji Yuanhao, who was trying to pry open Feng Shang’s mouth!

Just thinking about it was exciting, and everyone was energized. Without further ado, they set off straight for the southwest. The results were also very encouraging. They quickly found clues from one of the largest towns. A shop assistant said that half a month ago, one night at midnight, someone knocked on the door. It was a man in his early forties carrying a seriously injured man seeking medical help. The injured man’s wounds seemed to be a few days old and had been treated but were bleeding again. The assistant said it looked severe, “He probably won’t survive, just dragging out his days.”

The two were in ragged clothes but could produce large silver ingots, so the doctor treated him. After that, the man made several house calls to the doctor. The doctor initially denied it, as the man and the injury looked suspicious, and he was half-coerced into treating him. Afraid of trouble, he refused to speak, but he told everything as soon as a long knife was shown.

“… It’s an abandoned temple. The younger brother’s injury couldn’t be moved again, so the brothers temporarily stayed in an old mountain god temple!” Although he was blindfolded on the way, he could still see the internal environment.

Su Ci glanced at the doctor, whose lower body quickly became wet and dripping, and twitched her mouth. Hasn’t nothing had happened yet? Well, being timid has its advantages.

Then, they quickly found the target mountain god temple. The following process was not very smooth. The Liu Ying brothers were now at the end of their rope but were once very powerful, capable, and courageous figures. Without courage, they wouldn’t have been able to do such things.

These two were also exceptionally talented and able to survey the direction of mineral veins. They spent ten years in the vast mountains exploring new mines, designing mine tunnels, recruiting manpower, various equipment, mining, refining, and transporting, producing silver in one go. During this period, they communicated internally and externally, vertically and horizontally, even extending their reach to military pay, laundering money, and quietly calculating the princes. They had been doing this for ten years, and if it weren’t for the military pay fire case, they wouldn’t have been exposed. Such capable people, now as a bird startled by the twang of a bowstring, how could they not set up more life-saving things in their foothold?

Su Ci also tightened her long sword and followed. She found that she knew a little swordsmanship. Yang Yanzong glanced back at her, his eyes unchanged, but he was probably somewhat surprised in his heart. This woman kept refreshing his understanding.

Su Yan had practiced martial arts since childhood, but Su Ci could only muddle through. Everyone was surprised for a moment and then moved on. Lin Yichu gave her a sword. The fight was not suspenseful. There were so many masters attacking one; the only pity was that Liu Ying had just started and released poison. The back room of the mountain god temple was huge, with no windows. As soon as they rushed in, Su Ci saw a man in gray, tattered, dirty clothes suddenly stand up and turn around. His eyes were blood-red, crazy, and fierce!

Yang Yanzong didn’t say a word. Before entering the door, he raised his hand, and the sleeve arrow “swished.”

Liu Ying barely turned over but couldn’t avoid it, hitting his shoulder. Outside the door, there was a heavy gasp like a beast and the sound of weapons clashing only two or three times. Liu Ying was fearless, but they needed him alive. Liu Ying made a feint attack but pulled a thin rope behind the tattered curtain with his backhand. With a “tear” sound, seven or eight cloth bags hidden on the beam simultaneously broke, and red powder filled the sky. It was fishy and smelly, making everyone quickly hold their breath and cover their mouths and noses.

Liu Ying seized this moment. He pulled the rope and simultaneously made a desperate dash behind the tilted statue. The sound of rapid footsteps down the stairs, “clang,” and the sound of the iron door closing — It turned out that this dilapidated mountain god temple was a stronghold set up by Liu Ying before, with a secret passage below. Liu Ying’s brother, Liu Sheng, couldn’t move much, and the closed environment was unsuitable for healing, so he had to stay above. In a critical situation, he had to abandon his brother and escape. Everyone quickly took the antidote, tore off their underwear, wet it, and covered their mouths and noses. A companion named Zhang Jiao jumped onto the altar and fiddled for about three minutes. With a “clang,” the iron gate of the passage opened, and Yang Yanzong led the people to chase down quickly.

Only Yang Yanzhen was left with three people on the ground, guarding the passage entrance and the temple gate to prevent accidents. There was also Su Ci, who was too tired to run after a day of running. Finally, there was Liu Sheng. This was also one of the Liu brothers. If he could be saved, it wouldn’t matter if Liu Ying ran away. But unfortunately, this person was on the verge of death. Three minutes after the door was opened, Yang Yanzong immediately went forward to check. This person had severe puncture and slash wounds on his thigh, abdomen, and shoulder, with the largest wound being over thirty centimeters. It was evident that this person’s vitality was strong, and Liu Ying was also ruthless enough to cut away the necrotic flesh and cauterize the wounds, but unfortunately, the effect was not ideal. The wounds had become infected again, showing signs of pus. The wounds were terrifying, and this person was barely alive, with his eyes closed and unable to wake up.

Yang Yanzong, with his rich experience, knew at a glance that these injuries and the person’s condition were beyond saving. He immediately let go and stood up.

Su Ci hesitated for a moment, “How about we take him back?”

Yang Yanzong raised an eyebrow and looked at her sideways.

“Uh, didn’t I mention before that I was researching new medicine? I’ve made some progress, but it hasn’t been tested yet. However, I brought the medicine with me.”

Su Ci hesitated for a moment. She had successfully purified penicillin with great effort, and the cultivation process was relatively ideal. She estimated a fifty percent chance of success but hadn’t had time to conduct animal experiments, so she couldn’t guarantee anything. However, Liu Sheng was also on the verge of death, so trying it wouldn’t hurt him.

“Can it cure him?”

“I don’t know, maybe forty to fifty percent chance.”

Yang Yanzong looked at her, said nothing, and ordered Yang Yanzhen to stay and assist Su Ci.

Su Ci didn’t stay there but rented a nearby house. She was somewhat afraid of Ji Yuanhao. First, they carried Liu Sheng to a clean bed, and it took quite some effort to clean his wounds and body roughly. His body temperature was very high, and he had difficulty breathing, which was obviously due to the high fever caused by the wound infection.

Su Ci took out her only syringe. This thing was precious, made of crystal, slightly cloudy, semi-transparent with a hint of purple, found among her father’s treasures. It was a valuable war trophy Su Di obtained during his expedition to the northwest, intended as a dowry for his daughter, but she had ground it out for use. She then found a master craftsman, first made a bamboo model, and only after the craftsman fully understood did he dare to work on the crystal. It was painstakingly hand-ground, without rubber, but fortunately, there was Eucommia (*) glue and the final product was barely usable.

T/N: a Chinese native plant.

Su Ci carefully opened the sealed small porcelain bottle. First, she did a skin test, and after about ten minutes, she drew a syringe of penicillin solution and performed an intramuscular injection. She felt a bit uneasy as this was her first human experiment. She observed for about half an hour, and seeing that Liu Sheng’s skin, sclera, and breathing showed no abnormalities, she breathed a small sigh of relief and then felt happy. This meant she had finally found a non-toxic strain!

Oh yeah!

However, Su Ci was still unsure if she could save Liu Sheng. His injuries were too severe, and he was on the verge of death. The penicillin she had was only a crude version with shallow unit content, so immediate results were impossible.

Su Ci thought for a moment, took out another green porcelain bottle from her bundle, and instructed Yang Yanzhen, who was temporarily acting as her assistant, “Brother Yanzhen, this is for external use. Apply it to his wounds and bandage them.”

While researching penicillin, Su Ci had first extracted allicin. This was much easier to extract than penicillin, but its efficacy was also relatively limited. It inhibited various cocci, E. coli, dysentery, typhoid, pneumonia, and other bacteria and fungi and was effective for gastrointestinal diseases. In modern times, its largest users were farms, mostly in veterinary medicine.

But Su Ci thought, even modern veterinary medicine could be considered a divine medicine in ancient times, right?

Her penicillin was barely usable at best, and there was still a long way to go. For now, she could use allicin to compensate for the deficiency.

Although Yang Yanzhen was surprised by the strong-smelling liquid, he still applied a thick layer to Liu Sheng without hesitation.

Alright, she had done everything she could. Whether he would survive depended on Liu Sheng’s fate.

Su Ci observed carefully, making notes from time to time. In fact, after more than a year, her first version of the medicine was finally declared a success. After the injection and external application of the two medicines, Liu Sheng showed signs of a slight decrease in high fever after more than an hour. By dawn, his body temperature had dropped significantly, and his weak breathing was no longer as erratic as a candle flickering in the wind.

This person’s vitality was very strong. At this rate, he might really survive!

When she received this news, Su Ci had already gone to the mountains.

Ji Yuanhao arrived very quickly, and they had to move immediately. Liu Sheng’s condition gradually improved. After discussing with Yang Yanzhen, Su Ci handed him over to one of their companions for care, while the others quickly followed the main force using the secret signals.

Ahead, Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao were in close combat, with many wounded, including some seriously injured, urgently needing her. They stayed in the mountains for five days, even fighting with the villagers. Liu Ying had been operating in the mountains for nearly twenty years, forming inseparable friendships and interests with these mountain people. Some small villages were entirely his people. The struggle between Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao intensified as they approached Liu Ying. They not only had to outwit and outfight Liu Ying but also contend with each other.

Su Ci’s penicillin and allicin were used up quickly. After confirming they were non-toxic and effective, she couldn’t just watch her companions die in vain. But she didn’t bring much, and when there was only one dose left, Su Ci didn’t use it.

It had to be kept for Yang Yanzong, just in case. As the leader, this was necessary for a team. Internal conflicts were internal conflicts, but she was very clear about the big picture.

Of course, Su Ci didn’t say it like that. After changing the dressings for the seriously injured today, Yang Yanzong noticed that she had not given any injections. “Is the medicine used up?”

Su Ci blinked. She wasn’t an anonymous do-gooder like Uncle Lei Feng, “No, there’s still one dose left.”

“But it has to be kept, just in case you… it can’t be used.”

Su Ci carefully wrapped the porcelain bottle layer by layer and put it in her small pouch along with the syringe. But despite everything, she really didn’t want to offend him. Offending the leader and the big boss, was she stupid?

Su Ci gave him a dazzlingly bright, ingratiating smile, showing a mouthful of fine white teeth and dimples, looking sweet and obedient.

Yang Yanzong: “Oh, really?”

She nodded vigorously: “Yes, yes, I didn’t even keep any for myself, just left it all for you.”

Actually, that’s not quite right. If needed, she would definitely use it for herself first.

Yang Yanzong snorted, labeling this big-hearted and cunning girl as sweet-talking. When she wanted to please someone, her words were sweeter than a nightingale’s song.

“What? You don’t believe me?” She was very sincere!

Under the gloomy sky, the mountain wind blew away the clouds, letting a ray of sunlight shine through. Su Ci followed closely beside him, her big eyes exceptionally bright, lively as if they could speak, looking over with a seemingly obedient and sincere expression.

People who smile a lot look exceptionally bright, youthful, and tender when they curl their lips, like a touch of bright spring light in winter. Yang Yanzong stared at her for a long time, his gaze somewhat deep, and after a while, he coldly snorted, “Put away that fawning face.”

He dared to assert that this girl would use it for herself if needed. Still leaving it for him, huh.

…

Tch, so hard to please. Su Ci pouted, too lazy to bother with him, and didn’t walk with this guy anymore. She secretly glared at him and went back to her old position.

Su Ci was not a combatant; she usually just trailed behind. When there was a fight, she didn’t need to join; she just had to ensure her own safety. They chased for another day, almost without stopping. When the fifth blister appeared on Su Ci’s foot, they finally caught up with Liu Ying and Ji Yuanhao.

But Liu Ying was a madman. Just when Su Ci thought they were about to engage in a fierce battle with Ji Yuanhao’s group, sweating nervously, Liu Ying suddenly burst into a mad laugh: “You want the account books and the mine, right?! Is that it?! Is that it?!”

The incident, the prisoner, the death sentence, the escape, and the final death of his brother finally became the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

“Come on, I’ll tell you!!” Liu Ying laughed maniacally, pointing ahead, “Twenty miles from here is the big mine!! It’s a silver mine ten times bigger than the national mine!! The mine and the account books are just ahead!!”

“Too bad, you won’t get there!!”

Liu Ying laughed crazily, shouting. He suddenly pulled out a fire stick and blew on it, staring intently at the two groups rushing towards him, then suddenly pressed a point beside him!!

“Retreat!!!” As soon as Liu Ying spoke, Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao almost immediately realized something and shouted.

Su Ci, who was at the back, felt her heart skip a beat. She stood up abruptly, seeing the two groups in front quickly retreating, but it was too late.

“Boom——” A massive explosion.

Su Ci was directly blown away by the blast wave. Half of the mountain was blown open, and no one could be seen on it, except for Liu Ying, who was standing just behind the blast line, laughing maniacally.

“Die! All of you, die!!”