Zhang Wei furrowed his brows as he pondered Elder Cao's condition. The Abyssal Viper's venom was unlike ordinary poisons, it burrowed deep into the body, clinging to the meridians like a relentless parasite. Purging it wouldn't be easy.
He exhaled slowly and met Elder Cao's gaze. "To completely remove the poison, I will need several rare herbs. Some will be difficult to find, and others must be harvested under specific conditions. If you wish to be cured, you must gather them."
Elder Cao's expression darkened. "Tell me what you need."
Zhang Wei nodded and began listing the herbs.
"First, Ghostshade Root , at least fifty years old. This root neutralizes lingering poisons in the blood, but only if it has matured long enough. If it's too young, it will be useless."
Elder Fang, who stood beside Elder Cao, stroked his beard. "Ghostshade Root, that grows in deep mountain caves, doesn't it?"
Zhang Wei nodded before continuing. "Next is Azure Moonflower. It blooms under a crescent moon, and that's the only time it can be harvested. If picked too early or too late, its medicinal properties will fade."
Elder Cao frowned but remained silent as Zhang Wei pressed on.
"Crimson Serpent Grass, at least thirty years old, harvested before dawn. Sunlight weakens its potency, making it useless in treating the venom. It's the key to breaking down the poison that has fused with your meridians."
A shadow flickered across Elder Cao's face, but Zhang Wei wasn't finished.
"Then there's Frozen Marrow Leaf. It must be at least eighty years old. This herb is the only thing that can counteract the deep, bone-chilling coldness you feel at night. Without it, the venom will never fully leave your body."
Elder Cao clenched his fists. "And where does one find this leaf?"
"Only in frigid, high-altitude regions where frost never melts." Zhang Wei's voice was steady, though he knew this particular herb would be one of the hardest to obtain.
He continued, "Black Vein Ginseng, at least a hundred years old. This will replenish your vitality and restore what the venom has stolen from your body. The older the ginseng, the more powerful its effects."
Elder Fang inhaled sharply. "A hundred-year-old ginseng? That will not be easy to acquire."
Zhang Wei sighed but did not waver. "I'm not finished. I also need Dragon's Blood Resin, which can only be extracted from a two-hundred-year-old Dragonwood Tree. The resin will aid in expelling the last remnants of the poison and accelerate your recovery."
Elder Cao's jaw tightened, but he merely nodded.
Finally, Zhang Wei looked him in the eye. "The last ingredient is the Silver Lotus Seed. It must be no younger than sixty years old and must be soaked in moonlight for three nights before use. This will stabilize your qi and prevent the venom from rebounding after treatment."
A heavy silence fell over the group. Elder Cao, despite his stoic nature, could not hide the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "And if I gather all these?"
Zhang Wei smiled faintly. "Then, Elder Cao, I will cure you."
Elder Cao exhaled slowly, his decision made. "I will return when I have what you need." With that, he turned and stepped back into the carriage, his expression unreadable.
As the carriage rolled away, Pan Qiang nudged Zhang Wei. "Brother Zhang those herbs, they aren't easy to find."
Zhang Wei chuckled, rubbing the jade pendant in his pocket. "I know. But if he can bring them to me, I'll make sure he walks away completely free of that poison."
With that, Zhang Wei turned back to his stall, already thinking about how he would prepare the cure when the time came.
Within the carriage, the two old men sat in deep conversation, their expressions solemn as they discussed the rare herbs Zhang Wei had mentioned.
"Brother Cao," Elder Fang said with a sigh, rubbing his beard thoughtfully, "most of the herbs he listed are common enough. With your influence in the army, gathering them should be simple. But the others the Frozen Marrow Leaf, Dragon's Blood Resin, and Silver Lotus Seed ,those will be far more difficult. Even I have never heard of such herbs existing in these lands."
Elder Cao nodded, his expression unreadable, but within his sharp eyes, a glint of hope flickered. If these herbs truly exist, and if Zhang Wei's medicine can purge the poison, then...
"If I can be cured," Elder Cao said, his voice firm with conviction, "then those mongrels from the neighboring kingdom who have been eyeing our land will be dealt with swiftly. My cultivation is still strong, this ailment is the only thing dragging me down." He clenched his fist, the veins on his weathered hand bulging. "I cannot afford to waste time. By tonight, I will mobilize the army. Within a week, those herbs will be in my hands."
Elder Fang exhaled, nodding in agreement. "Let us hope that Grandmaster Zhang can really cure you."
As the carriage carrying the two old men rumbled away, Zhang Wei stood motionless by his stall, his mind consumed by the flood of knowledge that had poured into him from the jade pendant. The moment he laid eyes on Elder Cao, it was as if an unseen force had unraveled the truth before him, a battle against a monstrous Abyssal Viper, the moment the venom seeped into the old warrior's wounds, and the subtle, lingering poison that had plagued him for years.
Zhang Wei exhaled, his fingers subconsciously brushing against the jade pendant in his pocket. Just what is this thing? He had bought it from an old man on a whim, thinking it was just a trinket, yet now it was filling his mind with knowledge beyond anything he had learned.
Meanwhile, deep within Elder Cao's estate…
The grand carriage rolled through the towering gates of the Cao family estate, its arrival marked by the hurried footsteps of guards and servants alike. The moment the wheels stopped, Elder Cao stepped out, his posture as commanding as ever despite the weight of years and illness.
"Summon my assistant," he ordered.
Within moments, a young officer rushed forward and bowed. "General, your orders?"
Elder Cao's gaze sharpened. "Mobilize the First Sky Battalion immediately."
The young officer stiffened. The First Sky Battalion , an elite unit known for their speed, discipline, and survival skills in treacherous terrain. If they were being deployed, the mission must be of the utmost importance.
"I will provide a list of herbs," Elder Cao continued. "Among them, three are exceptionally rare: Frozen Marrow Leaf, Dragon's Blood Resin, and Silver Lotus Seed. These must be found within a week. Delay is not an option."
The officer's brow furrowed. "General, if such herbs exist, they will not be easy to obtain-"
"I know," Elder Cao interrupted, his voice like steel. "But I also know my limits. Without these herbs, I will not live long enough to see the next battle. Gather our best men. Scour every mountain, every hidden valley, every merchant's secret stash. If necessary, offer gold, favors, or blood, just bring me those herbs."
The officer saluted sharply. "Yes, General!"
As the command was relayed, the estate erupted into motion. Warriors clad in dark armor prepared their mounts, maps were unfurled, and scouts were dispatched in all directions. The hunt for the cure had begun.