After understanding the situations of the Wei and Zuo families, Xiao Yunlong concluded that the legendary Gu Du Men (蛊毒门), through the mysterious Shen Chang Gu (神伥蛊) poison, was specifically targeting the powerful and wealthy families in Jiangdong.
He particularly focused on the influential figures in Jiangdong's business circles. The Wei and Zuo families were prime examples of commercial magnates, with extensive family businesses. Both individuals who were poisoned were the patriarchs of their respective families, holding significant decision-making power over their family's assets and companies.
From this, Xiao Yunlong inferred Gu Du Men's ambition: by gradually controlling the poisoned individuals through the Shen Chang Gu poison, they intended to leverage their positions as family leaders to gradually seize control of these Jiangdong magnate families' industries, ultimately bringing them under the complete dominion of Gu Du Men.
"I never expected Gu Du Men to resurface and wreak havoc in Jiangdong!"
Xiao Yunlong stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the clear blue sky, his thoughts drifting far away.
"Such wicked forces, committing evil and acting with such madness, must be eradicated. However, at present... there is no trace of Gu Du Men!"
With this thought, Xiao Yunlong shook his head and pulled his focus back.
At this moment, Wei Fugui walked in, carrying several large boxes of gifts. While not particularly valuable treasures, they were meant to express his gratitude.
Xiao Yunlong did not refuse, instructing his servants to take the gifts. He then said, "Have the patient carried to the guest room on the left side of the first floor."
"Yes, Mr. Xiao. Thank you for your assistance. My old father can finally be saved!" Wei Fugui clasped his hands repeatedly.
Two attendants carried the stretcher, on which Wei's father lay unconscious. Xiao Yunlong glanced at him and then looked away. The patient's condition was very similar to Old Man Li's.
Seizing the opportunity, Zuo Fuzong quickly stepped forward. "Mr. Xiao, these are some heirlooms from my family. Additionally, to be safe, I've had people purchase a few antique items overnight. See if any of these catch your eye?"
As he spoke, Zuo Fuzong waved his hand, signaling two people to bring forward trays. The trays held seven or eight antique items, including jade ornaments and scholarly implements.
Xiao Yunlong scanned them and selected an antique piece carved from fine Lantian jade, depicting a lotus emerging from water.
"I'll take this one. Its condition, design, and texture are quite good," Xiao Yunlong said with a smile, pointing to the emerging lotus.
"Mr. Xiao, some of these items are quite valuable. If you like any others, perhaps you could choose one or two more," Zuo Fuzong offered.
"No, one is enough. Please take the rest back," Xiao Yunlong replied.
Although one or two of the items contained a faint spiritual energy, since they had agreed on one, Xiao Yunlong would not take advantage of the situation. He was not that kind of person.
Zuo Fuzong nodded in approval. He first instructed someone to carefully place the emerging lotus in a brocade box and hand it to Jun Bufan, then collected the remaining antique treasures.
The treatment then began. Since Xiao Yunlong did not require everyone to leave, Wei and Zuo and others went to the bedroom to observe.
As for Tang Qingrong and Li Mingchu, seeing the situation, they didn't have much to say and could only leave reluctantly.
After getting into the car, Tang Qingrong asked, "Mingchu, what do we do next?"
Li Mingchu immediately retorted, "What else can we do? Xiao Yunlong has already said what he said. Are we going to try and butter him up when he's giving us the cold shoulder?"
His words effectively silenced Tang Qingrong.
Li Minmin pouted, "That Xiao Yunlong, claiming no one in the entire Dragon Country can kill him. Look how arrogant he is! Why should we bother with such an ignorant fool who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth? We've done our best. Let him fend for himself!"
"Alright then. We don't have any good ideas right now. You two go back first. I need to go to the old villa to see your grandfather and ask him about Yunlong's situation!"
Tang Qingrong sighed. In truth, she had known Xiao Yunlong's character since childhood and knew he wouldn't say such things without reason. In other words, the current Xiao Yunlong might be different from his past self.
However, Tang Qingrong was not yet certain, so she needed to return and confirm with her father.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong had already drawn out his silver needles. His sword-like eyebrows slightly raised as he began to meticulously insert the needles.
The detoxification technique was no different from when he treated Old Master Li. He first inserted the needles one by one into the acupoints on the patient's body, following the sequence of the Long Yin Hui Tian (龙吟回天) acupuncture technique. Then, he employed the "flick needle" technique, simultaneously infusing his internal energy into them.
To perform this flick needle technique, one must first cultivate internal energy and achieve the ability to project it externally. Furthermore, one needs highly skilled control over their internal energy. Possessing these three abilities indicates at least the level of a Grandmaster of Hua Jin (化劲).
Therefore, in ancient times, renowned physicians were often masters of acupoint striking or martial arts experts!
Finally, to achieve the effect of Long Yin Hui Tian, ordinary Hua Jin Grandmasters would not be able to do it. Even Xiao Yunlong could only perform it after cultivating the Three Thousand Divine Kingdom Arts (三千神国之术).
After a series of needle insertions, the patient's body was covered in silver needles. Xiao Yunlong was already sweating profusely, his face as pale as paper.
Next was the flick needle technique. As his internal energy was subtly infused into the needles, it once again miraculously triggered the signs of Long Yin Hui Tian. However, apart from Xiao Yunlong, no one present understood such medical techniques, so they naturally couldn't perceive it.
About fifteen minutes later, as Old Master Wei opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of black blood, a wisp of black energy, invisible to the naked eye, fled from the expelled blood.
Xiao Yunlong flicked his wrist and instantly captured the wisp of black energy. With a burst of his palm's internal energy, the black energy dissipated on the spot.
"It's done. His Gu poison has been removed. From now on, he only needs careful recuperation through ordinary methods. However, remember that the patient's body is very weak. Avoid consuming anything overly nourishing at the beginning!"
Xiao Yunlong let out a long breath. His face was extremely pale, and his aura was considerably weak.
"Thank you, Mr. Xiao. My father has been brought back from the brink of death thanks to your help. You are a benefactor to our entire family!" Wei Fugui clasped his hands repeatedly.
"No need for politeness. I have received your payment, and we are settled. There's no talk of being a benefactor. Now, take your father back," Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Wei Fugui, perhaps sensing Xiao Yunlong's current weakness, said no more. He ordered his subordinates to carry his father and left.
Zuo Fuzong asked, "Mr. Xiao, looking at your current state, you probably need to rest well before continuing with further treatments."
"Indeed, I need to rest and adjust. I am too weak right now. Please wait here. At the latest, I can resume treatment in the afternoon."
Xiao Yunlong said this and sighed weakly, then slowly stood up.
Perhaps due to extreme weakness, he suddenly stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
Fortunately, Liang Bendao, who was beside him, reacted quickly and supported him, preventing him from falling.
"Brother, your condition is very poor. You shouldn't speak anymore. You must recuperate quickly. I'll help you back to your room now!" Liang Bendao said.
Xiao Yunlong nodded without further comment and, supported by Liang Bendao, went directly to the attic room on the third floor.
"You two guard the door for me!" Xiao Yunlong reminded them.
"Yes, Brother!" Jun Bufan and Liang Bendao nodded, standing like two guardian deities at the attic door.
Entering the bedroom and closing the door, Xiao Yunlong sat cross-legged on the bed. His gaze, however, suddenly became resolute and spirited. He thought to himself, "The momentum has been built. Now, it depends on whether the enemy takes the bait!"
With that, he closed his eyes and entered a state of cultivation.
Time flowed by, and in the blink of an eye, noon had passed. Jun Bufan and Liang Bendao remained standing at the door like sentinels.
At noon, Zuo Fuzong ordered a luxurious lunch and had it sent over, inviting Jun Bufan and Liang Bendao to join him.
However, the two remained unmoved, standing guard like door gods. Zuo Fuzong admired this while shaking his head inwardly, then went downstairs to the dining hall to enjoy the sumptuous meal.
Around three o'clock in the afternoon, after five hours of recuperation and adjustment, Xiao Yunlong finally opened the door.
"Brother, are you recovered?" Jun Bufan immediately asked.
"Yes. You two did well!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly.
"Protecting Brother is our undeniable responsibility!" Liang Bendao clasped his hands heavily.
"Alright, you must be hungry too. Go down and eat something first!"
The three then went downstairs. Zuo Fuzong, being an experienced man, had saved an untouched lunch for them, regardless of whether they ate it or not.
After lunch and a brief rest, the treatment resumed.
The steps were the same as in the morning, but this time Xiao Yunlong's movements appeared less practiced, and it took longer.
After inserting all the silver needles according to the Long Yin Hui Tian technique, Xiao Yunlong was already covered in sweat, his condition extremely weak.
Zuo Fuzong's heart was in his throat, but he dared not speak to remind him.
Fortunately, he finally completed the flick needle technique and successfully expelled the Gu poison.
At the same moment Old Master Zuo spat out a stream of black blood, in an unknown dark and damp underground chamber, likely built in a long-abandoned Taoist temple or monastery, an old man in black robes with sinister eyes and a ferocious face suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The withered face of the black-robed elder, covered in wrinkles like mountain ranges, instantly turned extremely pale, his aura chaotic. He couldn't even sit cross-legged.
"Damn it, who is it? Who has repeatedly broken the Shen Chang Gu poison I laid out!" the black-robed elder roared, clenching his fists.
Seemingly hearing the commotion, two individuals also wearing black robes with scorpion patterns quickly entered the underground chamber and bowed. "Sect Master, what happened? Has someone broken your Shen Chang Gu poison again, causing you to suffer a backlash?"
The black-robed elder, referred to as the Sect Master, had a sinister expression. In the darkness, his eyes resembled those of a beast. His voice came out from between his clenched teeth: "Investigate, investigate immediately! I want to know who the hell broke the Gu poison I meticulously laid out!"
"Yes, Sect Master!" The two subordinates bowed and turned to leave.
However, the black-robed Sect Master suddenly roared again, "Come back here!"
"May I ask, Sect Master, what other instructions do you have?" The two subordinates stopped.
"Instruct the Four Great Guardians to immediately find four pure Yin women. I have suffered a backlash from the Shen Chang Gu poison and need their pure Yin energy to heal!"
"Yes, Sect Master!" The two subordinates then withdrew.
As the door closed, the damp underground chamber was plunged back into darkness, with only the green glow from the black-robed elder's eyes.
"The Shen Chang Gu poison is extraordinary. Although I have only cultivated it to a mere fraction of its potential, breaking it would not be easy. It seems a great master has arrived in Jiangdong. No matter what, this individual must die. My grand plan for restoration cannot be disrupted by anyone!"
The voice of the black-robed elder, sinister and as if emanating from hell, echoed in the dim secret chamber.
Meanwhile, at Purple Cloud Villa, Xiao Yunlong's body appeared unprecedentedly weak. He could barely walk.
Zuo Fuzong kept bowing and thanking him, but Xiao Yunlong could no longer speak.
"Your father's poison has been resolved. You should go back. My brother needs to rest immediately!" Jun Bufan said.
"In Mr. Xiao's current state, will he be alright? Does he need any help? If you need anything, just say the word..."
Before he could finish, Liang Bendao sternly shouted, "Why are you talking so much nonsense? Hurry up and take your people and get out!"
Zuo Fuzong, seeing no other option, repeatedly nodded and ordered his men to carry his father, then quickly departed.
Purple Cloud Villa soon fell silent. It was now dusk, and the setting sun was a bloody red, dyeing half the sky in crimson.
The entire Purple Cloud Villa was bathed in a dark red hue, and the atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive.
Supported by the two, Xiao Yunlong managed to enter the attic bedroom on the third floor.
"I am very weak right now and will likely need to adjust for the entire night to recover. During this time, you must guard me!" Xiao Yunlong reminded them.
"Please rest assured, Brother!" Jun Bufan and Liang Bendao clasped their hands in response.
However, at this moment, Jun Bufan's phone suddenly rang. It was Tang Shanbao.
As soon as the call connected, Tang Shanbao exclaimed, "Bad news, Brother Bufan, something has happened."
"What happened?" Jun Bufan asked.
"It's people from the Jiangdong Pavilion. They've come looking for us. We're trapped in the entertainment city. Master Fo is leading his subordinates to resist, but the enemy is too numerous. We can't hold on for long. Yunlong's phone is unreachable, so I could only call you!" Tang Shanbao said urgently.
Since the call was on speakerphone, Xiao Yunlong naturally heard everything. Jun Bufan looked up at him and asked, "What should we do, Brother?"
Xiao Yunlong sighed weakly, "Why did this happen now? Of all times, the people from the Jiangdong Pavilion have arrived."
Jun Bufan gritted his teeth and cursed, "The situation there is very critical. Brother, please make arrangements quickly!"
Liang Bendao also said, "Brother, the Jiangdong Pavilion is coming aggressively this time. It's possible lives will be lost. Others may not matter, but Mr. Shanbao is your maternal uncle, so..."
Xiao Yunlong smiled and said, "Of course, I cannot abandon him. You two, go there immediately at the fastest speed!"
"Brother, if we two leave, in your current state, what if..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Yunlong waved his hand, "It's fine. Not many people know about this, so there shouldn't be any accidents. Hurry and go!"
"How about this, Brother, let one of us stay..."
"No need. The situation is urgent, go and rescue them quickly!" Xiao Yunlong commanded.
The two said no more, quickly went downstairs, and then drove away.
Xiao Yunlong closed the room door. The room was dark, and he didn't turn on the lights, just sat on the edge of the bed.
Time flowed by. As Liang Bendao and Jun Bufan's car departed, the entire villa fell into complete silence.
However, amidst the silence, several whistling sounds of air being broken suddenly erupted, and several dark figures flew through the air, landing directly above the villa.
At this moment, Xiao Yunlong opened his eyes, a slight smile curving his lips.
"As expected, the enemy has finally taken the bait!"