Shen Shuzhen's sudden illness at this critical juncture was undoubtedly a heavy blow to everyone at the crematorium.
Although this battle was orchestrated by Yan Shouyi, Shen Shuzhen was still their backbone. With her incapacitated, it was inevitable that some would consider retreating. Yan Shouyi had assigned crucial roles to each person, and any slight misstep could lead to a complete collapse.
"Let's go see Grandma Shen!"
The few of them hurried to Shen Shuzhen's residence. Upon reaching the door, they saw Ying Jiu, Duan Mu, Cui Yu, and the girl Cui Yu fancied all standing guard outside.
Seeing Yan Shouyi arrive, everyone seemed to find hope. Cui Yu quickly stepped forward and said,
"Brother Yan, Great-Grandmother she..."
"Save the pleasantries. Tell me, does Grandma Shen have any old ailments? When did they start?" Yan Shouyi interrupted.
"Many years ago, Great-Grandmother and Great-Grandfather's marriage was not favored by the Shen family. The Shen family ancestor threw Great-Grandmother into a well and kept her submerged for three days and three nights. Afterward, she developed this persistent illness, suffering for over ten days each year. Her symptoms a few days ago were the same, and we thought she'd pull through. We never expected her to fall ill again after only a few days!"
Cui Yu finally displayed the decisiveness and responsibility of a man. The moment Shen Shuzhen collapsed, he seemed to mature considerably, no longer fussing like a child.
Having learned the cause of Shen Shuzhen's illness, Yan Shouyi had a plan. He was confident that his Thirteen Needles of Ghost Gate could temporarily alleviate her condition, but he lacked the ability to cure it. Perhaps Old Jin's presence offered hope.
He entered Shen Shuzhen's room and, with everyone's assistance, began to needle the unconscious Shen Shuzhen.
Everyone was astonished that Yan Shouyi also knew the Thirteen Needles of Ghost Gate, and their respect for him grew even higher.
As a descendant of Lu Ban, not only did he possess the secret arts of the Lu Ban Scroll, but he also excelled in various Hundred Schools of Thought. Now, with his command of medicine and the long-lost Thirteen Needles of Ghost Gate, who dared not admire Yan Shouyi?
Yan Shouyi, however, sighed inwardly. After a preliminary examination, he found Shen Shuzhen to be critically ill. Her survival to this age was remarkable; after sixty, each day was likely an ordeal for her, though she never spoke of it.
The Shen family ancestor had been truly heartless to leave Shen Shuzhen in the well for three days and three nights. One must remember that well water, unlike hot springs, was bone-chillingly cold, even in the height of summer!
Not to mention Shen Shuzhen, a mere woman, even a robust man would not survive long submerged in a well.
It was evident that those three days were as agonizing for Shen Shuzhen as Guan Yu scraping bone to treat poison, a torment of peeling skin and drawing out sinew.
It was no wonder Shen Shuzhen eventually severed ties with the Shen family.
"Brother Yan, how is my Great-Grandmother?" Cui Yu asked with concern.
"Her condition is not good. I've already sent Xiao Long to contact my traditional medicine friends to come over, but first, Grandma Shen must make it through tonight," Yan Shouyi said gravely.
Everyone was shocked, "It's that serious?"
"It has always been this serious, but today she couldn't hold on."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. Those like Cui Yu, Ying Jiu, and Duan Mu, who spent their days by Shen Shuzhen's side, were unaware that she was enduring constant pain. The thought filled them with guilt and heartache.
Cui Yu almost broke down, his eyes red, "Great-Grandmother is in so much pain, and I've been so ignorant..."
"There's no point in dwelling on that now," Yan Shouyi reminded them. "Grandma Shen has fallen. You must carry the torch. Tonight, we fight the Ghost King family. No matter what, we must win, or we will have betrayed Grandma Shen's hardships."
Duan Mu gritted his teeth, "There are still some issues with the formation. I'll take people to address them immediately!"
Ying Jiu also said, "The Shen family is mobilizing their forces. I'll call them again to ask when they can reach the mountain!"
Everyone resumed their tasks, leaving only Cui Yu by Shen Shuzhen's side.
Yan Shouyi instructed everyone not to disturb Shen Shuzhen, leaving only Cui Yu and ushering the others out.
Walking outside Shen Shuzhen's room, Long Feicheng said, holding his phone, "Old Weng and Old Wang finally have news. They happened to rescue a disciple of a folk sect and only got free today. They are heading to Qiantang now and should arrive tonight."
"What about Old Jin?"
"Old Jin has already bought a ticket for the next high-speed train, but it will still take six hours to reach us."
"We can only hope Grandma Shen can hold on a little longer."
Yan Shouyi sighed.
Just then, Ying Jiu approached Yan Shouyi with a grim expression and said, "Mr. Yan, can we speak in private?"
"What is it?"
Yan Shouyi followed Ying Jiu to a corner. Ying Jiu held up his phone and said,
"I just called the current head of the Shen family to ask when they would arrive at the mountain. Their response was..."
"What did they say?" Yan Shouyi had a sudden premonition.
"They said they are grateful for us saving the soul of the Shen family woman who was wrongly killed years ago. However, with the situation in Qiantang now settled, the Shen family does not wish to make any changes. Therefore, they will not come to the mountain to help tonight but will join the Yu and Wei families' forces. However, they can guarantee that they will intentionally go easy on us tonight, leaving us a way out."
This news from the Shen family undoubtedly worsened the current situation.
The situation had been so promising, but Shen Shuzhen's sudden illness and the Shen family's timely defection left the crematorium once again isolated and helpless!
If the Yao family were to encounter any further problems, it was feared that not a single person at the crematorium would escape tonight!
Ying Jiu gritted his teeth, "Those scumbags from the Shen family! When we returned the soul of the Shen family woman, they were extremely grateful and made all sorts of promises. To think they would betray us at such a crucial moment!"
Yan Shouyi did not curse the Shen family. He simply closed his eyes and took a deep breath, holding it for nearly two minutes.
He was contemplating.
If the Shen family kept their final promise, then only the Yu and Wei families, totaling three Ghost Kings, would be attacking the crematorium tonight.
On the crematorium's side, besides the pre-arranged formation traps, only the Yao family's Ghost King was willing to offer assistance. Even counting all the folk sect disciples, it would at most add the strength of one more Ghost King.
The power balance remained uneven, and the crematorium was still at a disadvantage!
Under such circumstances, even the Yao family's Ghost King might choose to withdraw at the last minute out of fear of taking risks. After all, without a hundred percent certainty, the Yao family's Ghost King would not gamble with his family's future for a mere favor.
A dead end!
This excellent situation had instantly turned into a dead end!
Yan Shouyi rubbed his chin, his gaze sharp and piercing.
He had to find a way to break this deadlock!