Xiao Man asked with great curiosity, "Does the Third Elder like this Senior Brother Jin Ling very much?"
"Whether he likes him or not is not important; what matters is that naive people don't live long!" the Third Elder said gloomily. "Go back and pack your things. I'll send you away tonight."
"Elder, once I leave the Jin family, I'm afraid I'll lose my life immediately," Xiao Man said with a smile. "The First Elder has already blamed me for Jin Quan's death. If you send me away now, won't that give the First Elder the perfect opportunity to kill me? Outside, who can stop a Nascent Soul expert? I'd be dead for sure!" Su Dan Novel Network
"Forget it, stay. We'll take it one step at a time."
As soon as the Jin family head returned to the main courtyard and was consoling the furious Madam Jin, he heard a guard report.
"Patriarch, Senior Brother Jing Song from the Third Elder's side has arrived."
"What does he want? Isn't the Alchemy Hall causing enough trouble already?" The Jin family head was also annoyed. Although the Alchemy Hall's status was low, it was indispensable. Especially for a prominent family like the Jins, without even a single alchemist, they would surely be ridiculed and become a weakness for others to attack.
"Senior Brother Jing Song says the Third Elder has something to present to the Patriarch."
"Let him in."
The Jin family head sat up straight and had Jing Song summoned. "I'd like to see what he intends to do."
"This disciple pays his respects to the Patriarch." Jing Song entered with perfect etiquette. "This disciple is here on his master's orders to deliver medicine."
"Medicine?" The Jin family head took the medicine bottle from Jing Song and examined it. "What medicine is so important that you'd deliver it in the middle of the night?"
"Poison."
The Jin family head's hand trembled, and the medicine bottle slipped from his grasp. Jing Song quickly reached out and caught it, startling. "Patriarch, be careful. Even a Nascent Soul Elder cannot resist this poison."
The Jin family head's eyes widened, and he looked at Jing Song in disbelief. "A poison that can incapacitate a Nascent Soul expert?"
"Yes, this was painstakingly refined by my master. It only succeeded today. My master originally intended to test its potency before presenting it to the Patriarch. Who knew that while he was out searching for demonic beasts to test it on, such an incident would occur in the Alchemy Hall? Master is very distressed and has decided to resign to avoid making things difficult for you and Madam. Therefore, he sends this poison as an apology. Tomorrow, my master will leave of his own accord."
"Ridiculous!" the Jin family head reprimanded. "I have already handled today's matter impartially, and the Third Elder himself said he had no objections. If he leaves now, won't people say I acted unfairly and secretly forced him out, that I am intolerant of others?"
"Patriarch, please forgive me. Master did not mean that," Jing Song quickly said. "Master was just afraid of troubling you."
"Enough. Today, the Patriarch stated in front of everyone that he would not pursue today's matter further and would give the disciples of the Alchemy Hall justice. Go back and tell the Third Elder to rest assured; neither the Patriarch nor Madam are unreasonable people."
"Yes, this disciple takes his leave."
"Wait." Madam Jin took the medicine bottle from the Jin family head. "Only poison, no antidote?"
"Reporting to Madam, the poison was just developed. Master has not yet had time to create an antidote. When I return, I will inform Master and ask him to concoct the antidote as soon as possible," Jing Song answered without a flaw.
"Very well, you may go," the Jin family head waved Jing Song away.
"This disciple takes his leave."
After Jing Song left the main courtyard, he exhaled a breath of relief. His palms were covered in a fine sweat. He wiped them on his clothes and hurried back to the Alchemy Hall.
Upon his return, he drank two cups of tea consecutively before he could catch his breath. "Junior Brother, you must not ask me to do such difficult tasks in the future. I was so scared I broke out in a cold sweat. Look, my clothes are soaked."
Jin Xu, upon hearing this, burst into laughter. "I thought Senior Brother had a lot of courage, but you're not as brave as Junior Brother."
Jin Xu peeled an apple and handed it to Xiao Man. "Junior Brother, have an apple."
Xiao Man took it and smelled it. "Poisoning food requires something colorless and odorless. Silver ring poison changes color when it encounters fruit acid. You want me to eat this?"
Jin Xu turned to run, but Xiao Man picked up a water cup from the table and threw it at Jin Xu's leg. Jin Xu immediately fell to the ground. Xiao Man quickly stepped forward, shoved the apple in her hand into Jin Xu's mouth, and said, "You don't pay attention when you study, and you haven't memorized your pharmacology. You dare to show off your skills and try to poison me? Eat it all!"
"Junior Brother, no more..."
"Or do you want to try the poisons in my hand? Do you want the Soul Dissipation Powder, or the Drunken Dream Fragrance?"
"I'll eat it!" Jin Xu quickly snatched the apple from Xiao Man's hand and wolfed it down. In a moment, he lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth and convulsing.
Jing Song swallowed hard. "Junior Brother..."
"It's nothing. The antidote for silver ring poison takes half an hour. We'll detoxify him when the time comes. Let's see if he learns his lesson." Xiao Man got up and washed her hands in the copper basin beside her. "Senior Brother Jing Song, did the Patriarch and Madam say anything?"
"They told us to rest assured. The Patriarch and Madam will no longer pursue the matter of poisoning in the Alchemy Hall, and they will also give the Alchemy Hall justice."
"He's quite adept at handling people."
"Does Junior Brother dislike the Patriarch?"
"Does Senior Brother like the Patriarch?" Xiao Man asked curiously.
"Junior Brother, that question is phrased incorrectly. I respect the Patriarch. The word 'like' is used by a man when speaking to a woman. How can it be used when speaking to a man?"
Xiao Man's eyes lit up. "Senior Brother Jing Song has a girl he likes!"
Jing Song's face turned red, and he quickly changed the subject. "You're being a troublemaker again. Be careful, or I'll get angry with you."
"You're clearly guilty but say I'm being a troublemaker. Quickly tell me, which family's daughter is she? Is she from within the manor or outside? What is her character? Her cultivation? Her family background?"
Jing Song's face flushed to his ears from Xiao Man's questions. "You... you stop talking."
"Senior Brother, mutual affection is a common thing. Why are you shy? Quickly tell us, and your younger brothers will help you assess her."
"Yes, Senior Brother, who is the girl who has caught your eye?" The other disciples crowded around, asking curiously. "If she's a beauty with a good disposition, we'll ask Master to propose on your behalf."
"We haven't even started, and you're more anxious than I am!" Jing Song's face was red with embarrassment. "If you keep teasing me, I'll get angry."
"It's good that you're angry. When you're angry, we'll go and snatch your future wife!" Xiao Man egged him on. "She's bound to be afraid that we'll outshine you, and she won't like Senior Brother when she sees us."
"Lan Xiao, you're being a troublemaker again!" Jing Song was both angry and annoyed. "Zhi Lan is not someone who is fickle!"
"Oh, so the future sister-in-law's name is Zhi Lan," Xiao Man teased. "That's a good name. It sounds gentle and moving just by hearing it. I wonder who she is?"