Chapter 18: There Really Is a Way

Shangguan Yuheng withdrew his gaze indifferently, offering no response to her question. His eyes flickered when he noticed the bowl of fish porridge on the table. “Junior Sister Chu, your fish porridge is getting cold.”

Chu Yuyao immediately snapped to attention and hurriedly pushed the bowl toward him. “It’s just the right temperature. I let it simmer a bit longer—look, the fish has melted right into the porridge.”

Shangguan Yuheng did not refuse. He sat down at the table once more, took the bowl, and gently blew on the steam before tasting it with elegant composure.

A trace of surprise flickered across his face.

He found, unexpectedly, that the porridge was delicious—fresh and fragrant, smooth and delicate, each morsel of fish dancing on the tongue, infused with a subtle spiritual energy. It was pure bliss.

He was rarely fond of any particular food and cared little for such pleasures, but today, he found himself drinking more than usual.

Still, he said nothing; he simply sipped the porridge, spoonful by spoonful.

His expression remained unreadable, betraying nothing about whether the porridge pleased him.

He finished the last mouthful unhurriedly, wiped his lips with a handkerchief, then tossed it aside carelessly. “Well? Sneaking out to steal fish and bringing me porridge in the middle of the night—what is it you want?”

She smiled and leaned closer at once. “I just wanted to ask about the poison in my body…”

“Wait.” Shangguan Yuheng interrupted her suddenly, a flick of his fingers casting a pale green light that held her three paces away. “You can speak from there.”

She pursed her lips; this black-hearted lotus guarded against her as if she were a thief.

But remembering the urgency of her task, she stood where she was and spoke obediently: “I just wanted to ask if Senior Brother has any leads on the Thousand Severance Powder in my body?”

“Thousand Severance Powder…” Shangguan Yuheng tapped his finger rhythmically on the table as if weighing something.

He lifted his gaze to Chu Yuyao, his eyes glinting. “This poison is truly difficult. Anyone else would be doomed, with no hope of a cure. As for you… you’d best prepare for the worst. However…”

He deliberately drew out his words, nearly driving Chu Yuyao mad with anxiety, but she dared not rush him and could only wait in tense anticipation.

Shangguan Yuheng observed her impatience, the way she forced herself to remain calm, and the corners of his lips curved ever so slightly.

This woman grew more interesting by the day—clearly terrified, yet she managed to feign composure before him.

He tapped the table twice more, then finally spoke, “The Thousand Severance Powder is indeed troublesome to cure, but it’s not entirely impossible.”

Chu Yuyao was stunned. This was a poison of ancient legend—even the wretched system claimed it was incurable.

The only hope lay in obtaining an antidote pill from the system, but the tasks were random, and only by raising the favorability of the five male leads would she stand a chance.

Did this black-hearted lotus truly have a way?

Her spirits lifted instantly. “Really? Senior Brother Shangguan, does that mean you already have a clue?”

Shangguan Yuheng did not answer directly. Instead, he asked, “Do you think I would tell you so easily, Junior Sister Chu?”

She froze, then realized at once—this black-hearted lotus was not so easily persuaded.

Gnashing her teeth inwardly, she dared not show her annoyance and could only probe further, “Then what will it take for you to tell me?”

“Hmm…” Shangguan Yuheng pretended to ponder. “How about this: if you help me find a certain spiritual herb, I’ll tell you the cure for the Thousand Severance Powder.”

“What herb?” she asked eagerly.

“Dragonbeard Grass,” he replied offhandedly.

Chu Yuyao’s expression stiffened. Dragonbeard Grass?

That was a legendary herb said to grow only where dragon’s blood had fallen—exceedingly rare.

Where was she supposed to find such a thing? He was clearly making things difficult for her.

She bit her lip, shot Shangguan Yuheng a glare, and turned on her heel to leave.

If he didn’t want to say, then so be it—she’d find another way.

Didn’t she still have the system?

At the door, she remembered the unfinished “twelve hours under one roof” task and hastily returned.

This black-hearted lotus wouldn’t let her get close, but the task required her to stay within three meters for over twelve hours. Maddening.

Watching her storm off, only to double back, Shangguan Yuheng’s lips curled faintly, though his face remained as mild as ever.

“What brings you back, Junior Sister Chu? If you’re unwilling, why force yourself?” His words were unhurried, his demeanor composed as he flipped through the ancient tome in his hands.

Chu Yuyao rolled her eyes. If she had a choice, she wouldn’t be here, but the task allowed no leeway.

Resigned, she selected a spot not too near, not too far from Shangguan Yuheng—about three meters by her estimation.

She resolved to sit here the entire night. Once the task was done and she received the system’s reward—the Ancient Chaos Lotus Seed—she’d leave Medicine King Valley at once.

But she worried he wouldn’t let her linger so long and began plotting a way to stay.

Clearing her throat, she clutched her chest as if in discomfort. “Senior Brother Shangguan, I suddenly feel unwell. May I borrow your couch for a while?”

Though it was a study, there was a soft couch nearby—presumably for Shangguan Yuheng to rest when fatigued.

After speaking, she watched him out of the corner of her eye, gauging his reaction.

Shangguan Yuheng glanced at her, the corners of his mouth curving in a half-smile. “Junior Sister Chu, your illness has come at a most opportune moment.”

Chu Yuyao felt awkward, but her skin was thick enough. She clutched her chest more tightly, feigning misery. “Senior Brother, I am still a patient, after all. You won’t even lend me a couch?”

“Oh?” Shangguan Yuheng closed his book unhurriedly and approached her, his smile ambiguous. “Perhaps I should check your pulse again?”

She immediately hid her hand behind her back. “No, no need. I just… just suddenly felt unwell and a little dizzy.”

Even as she spoke, she deliberately staggered toward the floor.

Secretly, she prayed that the black-hearted lotus would catch her—if only with a wisp of spiritual power.

She really didn’t want to fall for real.

Shangguan Yuheng’s brow twitched—he almost used his spiritual power to steady her but, recalling her behavior, let the force dissipate unnoticed.

Thud.

Chu Yuyao landed squarely on her backside, pain twisting her face.

She rubbed her bruised tailbone and glared at Shangguan Yuheng in accusation. “Senior Brother, you’re truly heartless.”

Shangguan Yuheng brushed his sleeve calmly. “Junior Sister Chu, your skills at feigning injury have reached new heights.”

“I wasn’t faking,” she retorted, hoisting herself up with the bookshelf. Then, her eyes flickered, and with an “oh no,” she toppled over again. “I feel so dizzy…”

This time Shangguan Yuheng caught her, though his grip was as firm as if he were picking up a chick. “If you’re truly so unwell, shall I escort you back to the West Wing to rest?”

“No, no,” Chu Yuyao straightened at once, forcing a laugh. “I’m suddenly feeling much better.”

What a joke—if she went back to the West Wing, how could she complete her task?

Shangguan Yuheng regarded her with a faint smile. “It seems your illness comes and goes as swiftly as the wind, Junior Sister Chu.”

She pretended not to notice the irony in his words, thick-skinned as ever, and settled herself on the soft couch. “Senior Brother, I’ll just rest here for a bit. I promise not to disturb your studies.”

[Ding! Host and target’s proximity meets requirements. Co-habitation task timer begins.]

The system’s notification sounded in her mind at just the right moment.

Delighted, she immediately arranged herself more comfortably, ready to wait out the night.