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Yuan Hongjun fetched a set of bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen, remarking, “Had you arrived any later, we would have already finished eating.”

Wu Yaqing chuckled, “I’m always lucky like that. See, I made it just in time for the start of the meal.”

Chu Qingzhi asked Wu Yaqing, “What made you think to bring us food?”

Wu Yaqing candidly replied, “Lu Yichen asked me to do it.”

Bao Linjiang commented, “It seems he doesn’t hate Lu Yice that much.”

Yuan Hongjun added, “After all, he is his biological brother. Third Master Lu still values the bond of brotherhood.”

Chu Qingzhi interrupted the conversation, “Let’s eat first, then discuss.”

“Go ahead.”

After the meal, Wu Yaqing curiously inquired, “What illness does Lu Yice have?”

Yuan Hongjun answered, “He’s been hexed with blood Gu.”

“Gu?” Wu Yaqing was slightly afraid, “I’ve heard that those cursed with Gu can only survive if the Gu worm is removed from their body; otherwise, it uses the person as a vessel, draining their body until nothing is left.”

Bao Linjiang looked at her, “You seem to know a lot about it.”

Wu Yaqing modestly said, “I know a little.”

A knock on the door came, and the butler announced, “Miss, the medicinal ingredients are ready.”

Lord Zhang truly spared no expense, gathering even the most rare and difficult-to-find medicinal herbs in such a short time. Chu Qingzhi had Yuan Hongjun check the herbs while she prepared the medical tools needed for the treatment.

Bao Linjiang assisted Chu Qingzhi, eager to learn.

While preparing, Chu Qingzhi explained, “The blood Gu thrives on fresh blood, which allows it to survive, grow, and reproduce. However, it prefers the host’s blood. Lu Yichen and Lu Yice share a close bloodline, which is why Lu Yichen’s blood can better soothe Lu Yice, unlike that of others.”

Yuan Hongjun brought the herbs to the makeshift table, “Master, the herbs are correct.”

“Then let’s begin.” Chu Qingzhi, with her disciples, started to prepare the lure for the Gu and the remedy to expel it. “Lu Yice’s body is severely damaged, with thousands of Gu worms inside. His body cannot withstand the internal fight against the Gu. The only way now is to lure the Gu out…”

“Normally, Gu worms are reluctant to leave their original host unless they find abetter one…”

The mysteries of Southern Border witch medicine and Gu worms are little known to outsiders. Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang listened in awe to Chu Qingzhi’s broad knowledge.

An hour later, Chu Qingzhi finished explaining, and the lure and the remedy were ready.

Wu Yaqing leaned in, “This lure looks and smells just like fresh blood!”

“It does,” Chu Qingzhi confirmed. “Now, let’s test its effectiveness.”

Under Chu Qingzhi’s guidance, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang helped Lu Yice sit up, his arms dangling over the chair’s armrests.

The lure was divided into two narrow-necked glazed bottles, each about half a foot tall, taken from Lu Lizhang’s collection after Chu Qingzhi insisted on having them.

Chu Qingzhi had requested two clear bottles, not expecting much, but the butler revealed that Lu Lizhang had two clear glazed bottles.

Lu Lizhang was reluctant to give them up, but ultimately, he did.

Chu Qingzhi made a small cut on Lu Yice’s index finger and inserted it into a clear glazed bottle, “Watch closely, you’ll see the Gu worms crawling out…”

Wu Yaqing squatted down, focusing on the bottle, “How can we see the tiny Gu worms with the blood flowing?”

“Lu Yice has hardly any blood left in his body. With such a small wound, there won’t be much bleeding,” Chu Qingzhi explained as she also cut another finger of Lu Yice and placed it in another bottle.

“I see.”

“Hongjun, Linjiang, give Lu Yice the prepared expelling remedy to drink, and try not to spill it.” After drinking the remedy, Lu Yice’s body would produce substances that blood Gu despise, speeding up their departure from his body.

“Okay.”

All four of them watched the glazed bottles intently…

Before long, Wu Yaqing suddenly pointed at the bottle, “There it is, it’s coming out…”

A dark red Gu worm emerged from the wound, tiny as a mustard seed. After making its way out, it crawled around briefly before jumping into the lure.

The lure not only attracted the Gu but also had the effect of killing them. Once the Gu worm jumped into it, it struggled for a moment like it was drowning, then soon sank to the bottom of the bottle, dead.

Then another worm emerged, followed by another…

Gu worms continuously crawled out of both hands.

Chu Qingzhi cautioned, “Yaqing, don’t get too close. If a Gu worm touches human skin, it will burrow in, and it will be very painful.”

Wu Yaqing quickly stepped back, “I wonder who came up with such a harmful thing!”

“Who created it, I don’t know,” Yuan Hongjun quipped. “I only know that everything from the Southern Border is like this, filled with malice.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Not everything. I’ve heard the girls from the Southern Border are quite beautiful.”

Yuan Hongjun resigned, “Master…”

“Alright, alright, let’s focus on the bottles. If we run out of the lure, remember to add more.”

“Understood, Master.”

After a while, Bao Linjiang asked, “Master, when will all the Gu worms be cleared?”

“Given the current pace, it should take about a day.”

“That long?”

“There are too many Gu worms in his body; it can’t be helped.”

“I see.” Bao Linjiang said no more, focusing intently on the bottles.

Time passed slowly. Suddenly, Lu Yice’s breathing became rapid, his eyes widened, and his face turned red as if he was suffocating for a while and then suddenly able to breathe again.

Chu Qingzhi, sensing trouble, quickly pressed her fingers to Lu Yice’s pulse, channeling some spiritual energy into his body. Gradually, Lu Yice calmed down.

Wu Yaqing was somewhat frightened, “Qingzhi, what happened just now?”

Chu Qingzhi explained, “The sudden departure of the Gu worms from his body caused some parts of his body to not adapt, leading to discomfort.”

Bao Linjiang checked Lu Yice’s pulse, finding it still weak but stable, “Thankfully we have Master; otherwise, he might have died just now.”

Chu Qingzhi instructed, “Linjiang, bring in Lu Yice’s food and feed him. He needs to replenish his strength.”

“Okay.”

The butler had the maids waiting outside the room with food early on, and Lu Lizhang was also waiting in the courtyard. Seeing the door open, he looked over immediately, “What happened?”

Bao Linjiang responded, “Nothing serious. Where’s the food my master asked you to prepare?”

The butler quickly handed the tray from the maid to Bao Linjiang, “Here it is, Doctor Bao.”

In the capital, everyone referred to Bao Linjiang as Doctor Bao.

Bao Linjiang returned to the room and closed the door, cutting off all outside views.

Suddenly, the window opened, and Lu Yichen, dressed in black, blending with the night, leaped into the room.