The subordinates of the swordsman were now at the stage of taking opium every three days.
Although it was not yet time for the drug to take effect, their eyes looked at the stone bottle in Mo Li’s hand with a strange frenzy.
Like starving people seeing steamed buns, or merchants lost in the desert finding an oasis, their eyes could see nothing else. They just wanted to rush over, grab the life-saving item, and eagerly put it into their mouths.
It had been less than six hours since the swordsman threw the drug at them while escaping. Reasonably, the drug hadn’t taken effect yet, but they still couldn’t resist the lure of opium.
“Don’t they know this stuff shouldn’t be eaten?”
Qiu Jing was very puzzled. Since this stuff gets worse the more you eat it, and everyone has a desire to live, why shorten their already precarious lives?
“They know, but they can’t control themselves, like moths to a flame.”
It was also Mo Li’s first time encountering people who used opium. The animals that Xue Ting and Qin Lu found couldn’t speak; they only knew the animals were addicted to opium and couldn’t stop. Mo Li didn’t know how intense the hallucination and satisfaction brought by opium were.
Mo Li looked at the stone bottle in his hand with a complex expression.
Since Qiu Jing and others arrived, the attendants at Sweet Spring Bathhouse had lit dozens of lanterns around, illuminating the courtyard as if it were daylight.
In such a bright place, because of Mo Li’s words, everyone felt a chill climbing up their spines.
“This… Piaoping Pavilion has such a powerful drug. Wouldn’t feeding someone a pill make them obedient?”
The speaker was Qiu Jing’s trusted subordinate. He wasn’t questioning Mo Li but was feeling fearful and strange at the same time.
Opium was so powerful, it could control anyone. Would the person behind it be satisfied with just using it to form an assassin organization?
It’s hard to sneak into the palace, what about the Imperial Censor’s residence or the Prime Minister’s residence? If they could assassinate, would they drug those dignitaries? By then, whether it was Qi Dynasty or the three kings of Chu, whoever had opium would rule the world.
Thinking of this, everyone felt a chill all over.
“It is because of this concern that I invited Master Qiu to discuss.”
Mo Li frowned slightly, suppressing other emotions.
Dealing with Qiu Jing was very unpleasant. Mo Li was indeed angry before. But anger aside, it would be a waste not to use Fengxing Pavilion’s power.
After leaving Zhushan County for so long, Mo Li also understood. Like Elder Cai and Qiu Jing, these powerful figures in the Jianghu often acted ruthlessly. Perhaps it was the way of the world. Gentlemen, good people, or those with too much pride to act like villains could not become the leaders of these organizations.
Fortunately, Qiu Jing was much better than Elder Cai of the Four Gangs and Twelve Associations. At least on major issues, he and Meng Qi could barely agree with Fengxing Pavilion, and Fengxing Pavilion, unlike most Jianghu gangs, did not ignore the people and despise human life.
Qiu Jing was just sometimes repulsive in his actions.
A gentleman does not indulge his likes and dislikes. Mo Li always considered himself a “person” with normal likes and dislikes. And normal people’s likes and dislikes would not lead to killing someone just because they eavesdropped on a few words.
At most, show a bad face, or leave in a huff and avoid seeing them again. The main reason for Mo Li’s displeasure was that he could not choose the latter for now.
“Once opium spreads, the terrible impact it can cause far exceeds our expectations.” Mo Li squeezed the stone bottle in his hand and said calmly, “For example, at this moment, regardless of whether I trust the Pavilion Master or not, I will not give away these pills made from opium. I won’t let it out of my sight unless I personally destroy it.”
Qiu Jing’s expression became solemn upon hearing this.
Mo Li’s words made her truly realize the extent of the “demon” that opium had become.
“This medicine is not crudely made opium; other medicinal ingredients have been added, making it more powerful than the sacred medicine of the southern border that I know of.” Mo Li said this and then changed the topic, “However, no matter how well it’s disguised, it still has a fatal flaw.”
“What?”
“The smell,” Meng Qi suddenly interjected.
Mo Li nodded and said unhurriedly, “Exactly, this substance is strong-smelling and unpleasant. It’s impossible to secretly drug and control others with it.”
Meng Qi thought the doctor was being too subtle. When you break open an opium pill and sniff it closely, it smells like a pickled jar that hasn’t been washed in three years and freshly tanned animal hides. He didn’t know how it would be after dissolving in water, but just the smell was deadly enough. What kind of wine, food, or tea could this be added to?
Green soybeans, or stinky mandarin fish? Which noble family likes to eat that?
Monks don’t eat the five pungent spices, and ministers who need to meet the emperor wouldn’t dare eat strongly flavored food to avoid being disrespectful in the emperor’s presence.
Qiu Jing sighed in relief and asked, “Doctor, do you mean—this medicine is hard to ingest by mistake unless forced?”
Mo Li thought about it. When Magistrate Xue force-fed it to the rabbit for the first time, it vomited and had diarrhea so much that half of its life was gone before the effects of the drug were tested, almost making Xue Ting think it was a poison that caused fatal diarrhea.
That was the crude version, not the pills.
“We don’t know the formula Piaoping Pavilion uses, nor do we know how many doses it takes to lose control. We might as well interrogate them.”
“The doctor is right.”
Qiu Jing ordered someone to pull out the cloth gag from one assassin’s mouth. Without threatening or forcing him, she said directly, “The medicine you want is in this doctor’s hands. If you satisfy us with your answers, you might get the medicine. But if we are not satisfied, you can only endure the suffering of the drug’s effects.”
The assassin’s face twisted, and he opened his mouth to speak.
The swordsman wanted to scold him, but after glancing at the stone bottle, he dejectedly lay back down.
The assassin stared greedily at the stone bottle, with dark circles under his eyes.
Although he heard every word from Qiu Jing and Mo Li, he had already fallen into Fengxing Pavilion’s hands. What hope was there without the drug?
Even the leader had become a prisoner!
Even if someone from Piaoping Pavilion came, they would only rescue the swordsman and wouldn’t spare a glance at them.
The assassin suddenly went berserk.
Meng Qi casually picked up walnuts from the plate and struck the assassin’s knees twice with a loud crack.
“You dream on!” The assassin lay on the ground, laughing strangely, “People in the underworld either have a head today or are dead tomorrow; this was bound to happen sooner or later! Give me the drug, and I’ll talk! Otherwise, forget it!”
Qiu Jing sneered and raised her hand as a signal.
Immediately, someone kicked the assassin twice, stuffed the cloth gag back in his mouth, and then dragged another person over.
“Speak!”
The second assassin’s eyes darted around, but Qiu Jing’s stern shout made his pupils contract in fear.
“I… I don’t know much, even if I say it, it won’t help.” This assassin hung his head, pretending to be cowardly.
“Whether it’s useful or not, we decide.”
Meng Qi knew these guys’ tricks, which were nothing but stalling tactics.
“The person behind Piaoping Pavilion seems to be highly skilled in martial arts, making you so afraid?”
The swordsman remained expressionless, but the two assassins trembled.
“Why not start by telling us about the background, name, and origin? What’s their reputation in the underworld?” Meng Qi saw their faces change constantly, craving opium but not daring to truly betray Piaoping Pavilion.
Mo Li only had one bottle of the drug. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Piaoping Pavilion truly held their lifeline.
“It seems we have to trouble Pavilion Master Qiu.” Meng Qi said leisurely.
“No problem, may I ask if the National Teacher noticed what kind of weapons these two used, their preferences, and their fighting style?”
Meng Qi raised an eyebrow and casually mentioned a few things. Immediately, several people behind Qiu Jing stepped forward, demonstrating move after move for Meng Qi to see.
Southern school, northern school, even unique martial arts styles; in a fight, there will still be habits. Some people in the underworld like to hide hidden weapons under their arms, and those dealing with them instinctively guard against this. After all, not everyone is a master, and in most cases, their defensive moves are limited and predictable.
Even so, Meng Qi was secretly astonished.
Fengxing Pavilion had summarized the habits and techniques of most people in the underworld. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they almost uncovered the assassins’ backgrounds.
Qiu Jing then called more people to carefully examine the assassins’ appearances, while another attendant from Sweet Spring Bathhouse reported over ten names of Jianghu figures matching the description, who had long been missing.
This series of dazzling actions finally resulted in Fengxing Pavilion reporting names that exactly matched Meng Qi’s guesses based on the government’s wanted list.
The swordsman was stunned.
From his expression, he didn’t seem to know the origins of his subordinates, just calling them by nicknames.
The two assassins, however, were visibly horrified.
If they were notable figures, being closely monitored by Fengxing Pavilion would be understandable. However, they were just ordinary bandits who had disappeared after being forced to join Piaoping Pavilion. Even their enemies probably thought they were dead, yet Fengxing Pavilion casually exposed their identities.
“A bit of trivial skill, please forgive us.” Qiu Jing cupped her hands towards Meng Qi with a bitter smile, “To be honest, this method has never worked so well before. Usually, it takes three to five hours to narrow down a few suspects. Today, it’s thanks to the National Teacher’s keen eyes, clear memory, precise judgment, and no hesitation.”
Everyone felt relieved by these words.
Where could they find top martial artists for Fengxing Pavilion to use at will?
The swordsman stared intently at Meng Qi. He had been hearing Qiu Jing and the others address Meng Qi as “National Teacher” from the start.
What kind of National Teacher? There was no such person in the Jianghu! The swordsman, who spent most of his time in tombs and missed out on gossip, was deeply puzzled.
“Go check how long it’s been since these two disappeared and where they were last seen.”
Qiu Jing turned her gaze to the swordsman.
He was truly like someone who sprang out of a rock, with no background at all, and his unyielding demeanor was indeed annoying.
Mo Li looked at Meng Qi, as if wanting to say something.
Meng Qi took a few steps closer and spoke in a secretive voice, “That swordsman only has two bottles of medicine, which is enough for six days. Once it’s gone, his subordinates will be useless. Is six days enough for him to retrieve the account book, or was the matter of the Si family’s rice shop so urgent that the swordsman hurriedly pulled people out of their coffins to handle it?”
“You mean…”
“There should be someone coming to deliver the medicine, or the swordsman called them before leaving.”
Hearing this, Mo Li quickly looked up and asked, “Should we ambush at the tomb?”
“No, they must have a complex way to make contact. The swordsman won’t reveal the details, so we can’t bypass it. We need to take another approach. For example, we should think about who would be entrusted with such medicine, how to keep it unnoticed… The Si family’s rice shop is here, Piaoping Pavilion’s branch is also nearby, and King Wu hired assassins from Piaoping Pavilion with six hundred taels of gold and made contact here. These are not coincidences! This place must be an important stronghold for Piaoping Pavilion, and the place where opium is made can’t be too far away!”
Mo Li, reinvigorated, immediately said, “Start investigating from the pharmacies within ten miles!”
The ingredients for the pills might not be sold directly from the pharmacies, but they could trace all the herbal merchants coming and going through the pharmacies. They knew the destination of each batch of herbs; now they just needed Mo Li to identify the other components in the pills besides opium.
Meng Qi squinted, thinking that Fengxing Pavilion could “know without interrogation,” and with the doctor’s help, so could he!
The doctor had been looking at him just now; they must be in sync!
“I agree with the doctor!”
“Huh?”
Mo Li decisively shook his head, breaking the Fat Mouse’s fantasy.
“No, I wanted to ask if you used spiritual energy to save a woman about to miscarry, roughly thirty years ago?”
Meng Qi puzzledly said, “No, I don’t understand medicine. Spiritual energy can only be used as internal energy to clear meridians. How could it save a woman from miscarriage? Why does the doctor ask this?”
The more he spoke, the brighter Mo Li’s eyes became.
“There are other dragon veins, besides you and me.”
“Silang Mountain…”
“No, one that can take shape and heal people.” Mo Li said seriously, leaving Meng Qi dumbfounded.
What’s going on?
Author’s Note:
Confused Fat Mouse.jpg
What’s going on? I have such a good relationship with the doctor, and suddenly a little demon appears, who is it?
