Wang Jiuhan’s strained expression drew a light smile from Qin Hanchu.
He didn’t speak, picked up the medicinal ingredients, and walked into the preparation room.
Wang Jiuhan cast another glance at Qin Hanchu’s “Bone Erosion Pill” before starting to gather his own herbs.
“Divine Physician Wang doesn’t seem very confident,” Murong Yuntian whispered.
“He likely hasn’t analyzed all the components,” Zhao Meiqing replied.
Murong Yunhan, standing nearby, said coldly, “Or it could be a feigned panic, aiming to make Qin Ning overconfident.”
“Do you want Qin Ning to lose that badly?” Murong Yan looked at Murong Yunhan, his voice cold.
Murong Yunhan sensed Murong Yan’s displeasure and quickly said, “No… no!”
The time to concoct the antidote was long. Qin Hanchu took three hours to successfully brew his.
Wang Jiuhan, however, took even longer.
After entering the preparation room, he did not immediately refine the medicine.
He used this time to recall, attempting to ascertain all the ingredients.
Holding the antidote, Qin Hanchu walked over and sat beside Murong Yanran.
“Xiao Ning, are you confident?” Zhao Meiqing asked with concern.
Qin Hanchu lowered his voice, “Auntie, please rest assured. This Drowning Water Pill was something I played with at fifteen. It won’t be difficult for me.”
Hearing Qin Hanchu’s words, Zhao Meiqing’s expression relaxed considerably. She said, “Don’t be careless. Losing the needle technique is a small matter, but suffering yourself is not.”
“Mm, I understand.” Qin Hanchu could feel Zhao Meiqing’s concern.
“So, you’re very likely to win then?” Murong Yanran asked with a smile.
Qin Hanchu smiled, “Of course.”
“Divine Physician Wang is a martial artist at the early Grandmaster stage. You’ve gained a free, immensely powerful bodyguard.”
What Murong Yanran said was precisely Qin Hanchu’s objective.
He didn’t want a disciple; he wanted a subordinate.
With Divine Physician Wang’s Grandmaster strength, he could help him accomplish many things.
Murong Yan’s eyes lit up. If Qin Hanchu won, wouldn’t Divine Physician Wang become a “subordinate” of their Murong family?
Another two hours passed, and Wang Jiuhan walked out with a smug expression.
Seeing Wang Jiuhan’s smug look, Murong Yan’s face fell.
Had Wang Jiuhan already managed to refine the antidote?
“Divine Physician Wang, has the antidote been brewed?” Qin Hanchu stood up and asked with a smile.
Wang Jiuhan chuckled, “Naturally.”
“Your Drowning Water Pill used Aconitum carmichaeli, Strychnos nux-vomica, Typhonium giganteum… the antidote requires…” Qin Hanchu picked up the Drowning Water Pill and then stated its ingredients and the antidote’s proportions.
As Qin Hanchu spoke, Wang Jiuhan’s smile gradually froze.
Everything Qin Hanchu said was correct.
Wang Jiuhan picked up Qin Hanchu’s “Bone Erosion Pill” and began to describe its ingredients and the antidote’s proportions.
However, before Wang Jiuhan could finish, he was interrupted by Qin Hanchu.
“No need to continue. Both the ingredients and the antidote formula are incorrect.”
“If you consume this antidote, it will only worsen the poison.”
“At that point, the torment will be far more than a thousand insects gnawing at your bones.”
Qin Hanchu said.
“I trust my judgment.” Wang Jiuhan, after all, was a renowned “divine physician.” After extensive analysis, he believed he had fully understood Qin Hanchu’s poison pill.
Qin Hanchu nodded with a smile, “Alright, let’s let facts speak for themselves. I’ll take it first as a demonstration.”
With that, Qin Hanchu put the Drowning Water Pill into his mouth and swallowed it.
After consuming the Drowning Water Pill, Qin Hanchu also took the antidote he had prepared.
“One second, two seconds…”
“Ten seconds… fifteen seconds!”
Qin Hanchu’s face was wreathed in a smile as he tapped his fingers on the table, counting out the time.
A full minute passed, and Qin Hanchu remained perfectly healthy.
Since Qin Hanchu could state the correct antidote proportions, he was naturally able to brew the correct antidote.
“You’re alright, Xiao Ning, you’re truly amazing.”
After such a long time, Qin Hanchu still hadn’t shown signs of poisoning, indicating that Qin Hanchu’s antidote was correct.
Murong Yanran said happily.
Zhao Meiqing and Murong Yuntian also showed pleased smiles.
Wang Jiuhan looked at the Bone Erosion Pill in his hand, a hint of dread creeping into his heart.
“Divine Physician Wang, there’s no need to force yourself. Surrendering is not shameful.”
“Come here, kneel down, and offer tea to kowtow. From now on, you will be my obedient disciple.”
Qin Hanchu said with a light chuckle.
“You’re celebrating too soon.”
Facing Qin Hanchu’s taunt, Wang Jiuhan tilted his head and swallowed the Bone Erosion Pill.
Immediately after, he took the antidote as well.
One second… seven seconds!
At this moment, Wang Jiuhan’s expression changed drastically.
He felt a needle-like pain in his skin.
Then, his bones felt as if they were being gnawed by insects, causing an unbearable itch.
Just as Qin Hanchu had said, his antidote had not only failed to neutralize the poison but had also compounded it!
Ah!
Wang Jiuhan let out a cry of agony, “Quick, give me the antidote!”
“Are you willing to take me as your master?” Qin Hanchu asked.
Wang Jiuhan tried to use his internal energy to suppress the poison, but it was ineffective.
The itching sensation intensified, and in pain, Wang Jiuhan nodded, “I am willing.”
Qin Hanchu took out the antidote and handed it to Wang Jiuhan, saying, “This antidote can only suppress the toxicity of the Bone Erosion Pill. As for the compounded effects you’ve added yourself, I’ll need to prepare a new medicine for you.”
Wang Jiuhan quickly took the antidote and drank it.
Not long after taking the antidote, the torment of a thousand insects gnawing at his bones ceased.
However, the stinging sensation on his skin continued.
“Good! I didn’t expect Xiao Ning’s medical skills to be so formidable.”
Seeing Wang Jiuhan lose the competition, Murong Yan was overjoyed.
Not only had the Murong family gained a young divine physician, but they had also unexpectedly acquired a “Divine Physician Wang” at the early Grandmaster stage.
Zhao Meiqing and Murong Yuntian also wore happy smiles.
At this moment, Qin Hanchu went to the counter, picked out several herbs, and then brewed them into a medicinal soup.
In just half an hour, he handed the antidote to Wang Jiuhan.
By this time, Wang Jiuhan was already physically and mentally drained from the torment.
He hastily took the antidote and drank it.
A moment later, Wang Jiuhan finally escaped the ordeal.
“Good disciple, offer the tea and perform the disciple’s obeisance,” Qin Hanchu said, settling onto the sofa with a smile.
Wang Jiuhan gritted his teeth, “You brat, you think you’re worthy of being my master?”
“Divine Physician Wang, are you trying to renege?” Murong Yan said sternly.
“Reneging? It was you Murong family who set a trap to harm me.”
Wang Jiuhan would rather renege than become Qin Hanchu’s disciple.
Besides himself, everyone here was from the Murong family. Even if the Murong family spread the word, he could vehemently deny it, claiming the Murong family had framed him.
He was a divine physician who had been famous for a long time; who would believe he lost to a mere youth?
“I didn’t expect you to be such a dishonorable person,” Zhao Meiqing said disdainfully.
“I can’t be bothered to talk to you any further. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.” With that, Wang Jiuhan strode towards the door.
Just then, Qin Hanchu chuckled, “A friendly reminder: the poison of the Bone Erosion Pill has only been suppressed, not completely cured. For the rest of your life, whenever it rains or the weather turns gloomy, you will have to endure the torment you just experienced again.”
“What?” Wang Jiuhan looked at Qin Hanchu in fury, “You tricked me!”
Qin Hanchu smiled and said, “I knew you’d go back on your word, so I kept a contingency. To tell you the truth, I only have an antidote that suppresses the toxicity. To completely detoxify, several rare medicinal ingredients are needed.”