Yifong helped Kai back to the riverbank, each step a struggle against the poison coursing through his veins. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows that danced eerily around them. Donghua stood next to a pile of firewood he had gathered, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"What happened?!" he shouted, his voice a mix of alarm and dread.
"He was attacked by assassins!" Yifong quickly explained, aiding Kai as he lowered himself to sit next to the warmth of the wood. The flames flickered, casting an orange glow on their worried faces.
"Check my arms; I think I got poison," Kai gasped, wincing as pain shot through him.
"Poison?!" Donghua's eyes widened in alarm, his heart racing as he knelt beside Kai. The urgency in his voice heightened the tension in the air, like a storm about to break.
"Remove his clothes!" Donghua ordered, his tone frantic as his gaze swept over Kai's pale skin.
Before Kai could protest, Yifong hastily tore off the upper portion of his shirt, exposing him to the cool evening air. A sharp gasp escaped Donghua's lips as he saw the injury. The cut on Kai's arm was jagged, and the flesh around it was marred with deep purple splotches that spiraled like creeping vines. Fear surged through them as they imagined the worst.
"I've never seen this type of poison before!" Donghua exclaimed, trembling. "It… it's like something from a nightmare. We need to act fast!"
"We have to get to the capital right now," Yifong said, determination hardening his features. "We'll reach it by night if we hurry!"
With swift hands, he fashioned a makeshift bandage, ripping a part of Kai's shirt to tie around the wound, desperate to halt the spread of the darkening marks on Kai's skin. "This has to hold until we can get you help," he murmured, searching Kai's eyes for signs of hope amidst the fear.
Kai managed a weak nod, his breaths shallow. "I can make it. Just… get me to a healer." His voice was barely a whisper, each word a struggle against the growing haze.
With a shared glance that fortified their resolve, Yifong and Donghua helped Kai to his feet, supporting him as they began their hurried march toward the capital. The crackling fire faded behind them, and the looming shadows of the trees grew ever more ominous, as if the very forest conspired against them.
As dusk descended, the world around them transformed, the darkness filled with the unsettling promise of unknown dangers. Each step forward was a race against time.
By nightfall, they reached the state capital of Feijing.
Feijing, a city fortified by towering walls, resembled a majestic fortress. A unique feature of the city was the Feijing River, which flowed directly into its heart, dissecting it into the affluent North (Chi) District and the humble South (Dao) District. The Chi District housed aristocrats and noblemen, while the Dao District held the majority of ordinary citizens. Two grand bridges connected the districts.
"Xing Li, hang in there! Beyond these gates lies help," Donghua urged as they approached the grand entrance.
As they passed through the ornate gates, Kai stared in bewilderment at the countless lanterns illuminating the streets, casting a golden glow amidst the night.
"It's already nightfall yet there are so many lanterns still lit…" Kai murmured, barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Don't talk, Xing Li. Rest. We're almost there," Yifong insisted, his urgency clear.
They quickly took Kai to the most renowned doctor in the capital. As the carriage stopped, Donghua knocked urgently on the door, calling for the doctor.
Yifong supported Kai as they entered the doctor's dwelling.
"What's going on?" the doctor asked, his brow furrowing at the sight of them.
"Help my friend! He's been poisoned!" Donghua said, the urgency palpable in his voice.
"Bring him to the bed!" the doctor ordered, springing into action.
As Yifong laid Kai down on the bed, all the strength drained from Kai's body, and he fell unconscious.
"Xing Li! Xing Li!" Yifong called out, panic rising within him.
The doctor quickly checked Kai's pulse and examined the injured arm closely, his expression shifting from concern to shock as he studied the poison. "This!? How did he get this?!" he exclaimed.
Yifong explained the harrowing encounter, and they were soon ushered out of the room, their hearts heavy with worry for their friend's fate.