At this moment, in Baizhu's room.
Baizhu was lying on his own bed.
He slowly opened his eyes, staring at the familiar ceiling.
Changsheng darted over from Mu Yang's side.
"...You're awake? Even with me regulating your breath, doing this is still too risky."
"If Mu Yang hadn't returned in time, you might have been in grave danger this time."
Baizhu sat up. "Thank you, Mr. Mu Yang. However, time was pressing; I had no choice."
"This time, it wasn't without gain, was it?"
Mu Yang hadn't expected Baizhu to bring this up in front of him.
Since learning of Mu Yang's Adeptus identity,
Baizhu had mostly shown respectful propriety.
He never asked things he shouldn't.
Even though he very much wanted to know about knowledge regarding 'immortality'...
Good thing he didn't ask; otherwise, Mu Yang would have to start making things up again.
Baizhu wasn't easy to fool.
However, this time he didn't hide it.
From Jialiang's body, he interpreted Jiangli's idea.
Using demon god residue to prolong life.
Was this testing his attitude?
Mu Yang said faintly, "I won't interfere with your choices."
[Why starting riddles again, Mu Yang? Stop it]
[Dainsleif: Someone wants to take my position?]
[More like acknowledging Baizhu continuing to save people this way]
This sounded like a conversation of 'read but random reply.'
Baizhu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it.
After all, researching demon god residue under an Adeptus's nose was somewhat heretical.
Moreover, Mu Yang was the upright Adeptus who guarded Chenyu Vale every Lantern Rite, battling these evil spirits and heretics.
Now that he said he wouldn't interfere, Baizhu could finally let loose.
There was much to learn from senior sister's idea.
"...How long do you think Baizhu will sleep?"
Paimon's voice came from outside the door.
Changsheng reminded, "While you were sleeping, they've been guarding outside. Go see them."
"Mm."
[Vocal, this shot suddenly pulling so close—is it afraid I can't see Baizhu and Changsheng's pupils clearly?]
[Baizhu has snake pupils; that's from the contract]
[Wow, beauty, I'm drooling]
[Embarrassing; hurry say you're here touring Liyue Harbor]
"You say, will he, will he just..."
"—Who's muttering behind my back? Not saying anything nice either—you nearly annoyed me to death."
Changsheng interrupted Paimon's muttering.
Lumine looked at Baizhu's pale face and asked concernedly if the one person and one snake were okay.
"We're fine; just lost a lot of life force. Needs a bit of time. With Changsheng and Mr. Mu Yang here, it's mostly regulated already."
Seeing him say this, Lumine shifted the topic to Jialiang.
He was fine yesterday. How did the condition suddenly worsen?
Requiring this method to treat again.
Baizhu explained that his initial judgment was wrong.
Jialiang's illness wasn't just one kind.
So the rate of life force consumption exceeded his expectations.
Paimon panicked—demon god residue this terrifying poison wasn't enough?
There was something else?!
Jialiang had it too hard!
Baizhu denied Paimon's statement.
This was the previous guess; now it seemed
the demon god residue wasn't poison Jiangli used on Jialiang.
Instead, it was 'medicine' used to suppress the original illness.
[Medicine is three parts poison; really no lie]
[Just saying their family looks so harmonious; how could she poison her own husband with such fierce poison]
[Saving people makes much more sense]
Baizhu continued explaining—Jialiang was born with a rare heart disease; he had to protect his heart meridians somehow.
Otherwise, mild cases would cause bleeding and fainting; severe would damage organs.
His five viscera and six bowels were tainted by demon god residue.
But to him, those weren't 'poison,' but life-saving 'medicine.'
"Without this fierce medicine, he probably would have died many years ago."
Lumine finally understood Jiangli's motive.
That's why they stayed far from Qingce Village, living very secluded.
Didn't visit during Lantern Rite either.
It was to avoid the demon god residue affecting others' lives.
Lumine felt touched. "Using poison to attack poison is ultimately not a long-term plan."
Baizhu nodded. "Over time, the toxin accumulates in his heart meridians, already damaging his mind."
"Moreover, long-term use of poison causes Jialiang's body to develop resistance; the efficacy diminishes..."
"Senior sister had to continually refine medicine for him to prolong his life."
This was also what Ayu said at the beginning when meeting them:
Jialiang's condition worsening day by day; Jiangli went out herb gathering and hadn't returned...
Baizhu was now somewhat worried about his senior sister.
Demon god residue was extremely ominous; not something ordinary people could withstand.
Even with methods taught by Master to avoid some dangers.
But frequent contact with a mortal body.
Problems were inevitable.
As the saying goes, often walking by the river, how can one's shoes not get wet?
Lumine's tone held more admiration for Jiangli.
"To save her husband's life, she probably already disregards her own life and death."
Changsheng sighed. "Didn't expect that even Jiangli, in the end, walked this old path. Is this fate?"
"To save people, harming oneself without regret; for miracles beyond human power, pursuing non-human forces at all costs."
Mu Yang made a handsome entrance. "Talking about this now is premature."
Worthy of me; even the timing of flashing in was precisely calculated.
System: You slacker; I almost believed it.
Baizhu picked up Mu Yang's words.
"Indeed premature. For now, I've stabilized Jialiang's condition. The urgent matter is returning to Qingce Village to find senior sister."
"Frequent contact with demon god residue harms the body. She's been missing for many days; I fear the worst."
Mu Yang said, "I've narrowed the range to these points. Last night I rushed back; couldn't explore down..."
He paused, calling toward one side of the courtyard. "If you want to listen, come over."
Everyone looked—and saw Jialiang walk out from behind a pillar.
"Mr. Baizhu, and all benefactors..."
He walked to the group and bowed deeply.
"Please take me with you!"
Baizhu helped him up. "No need for this."
Jialiang shook his head incessantly. "You've already helped my family too much; I can't just watch you risk for Jiangli."
"Moreover, because of me, Jiangli ended up in this situation."
"I know I lack the ability to save her, but at least I can guide you..."
He took the recorded ranges from Mu Yang's hand.
"...The places I can remember where she went herb gathering each time..."
"Where she bid farewell to me..."
"I must remember! Damn... cough cough cough!"
Seeing this, Changsheng hurriedly called out.
"Careful! Surging qi and blood will harm your heart meridians. Better stay here first."
Mu Yang, hearing this, wanted to help him physically calm down.
But Baizhu made a 'no need' gesture.
He sighed at Jialiang, who kept hitting his head trying to recall past events.
Then asked, "...This journey may have many dangers. Do you have the resolve to face death?"