Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Provocation

At this moment, the fur of the little sable was gradually drying. Although it didn’t look good with its gray and black color, it no longer resembled a mouse, and its round, rolling eyes opened up, glancing around with a clever appearance.

The Undying Poison Doctor felt an unbearable itch in his heart as he scratched his ears and stomped his feet.

Huangfu Jingchen said, “I have a friend in Wangshan Town who is gravely ill. I wish to ask the venerable Poison Doctor to lend a hand and save my friend!”

The Undying Poison Doctor sneered, “Poisoning is so simple, saving people is trouble, as you’ve seen just now. I like killing people more than saving them. Asking me to save someone, isn’t that a joke?”

Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes slightly deepened, and he said calmly, “Then I can only accompany this little sable along with my friend into the underworld!”

“Oh, you want to live and die together?” The Undying Poison Doctor blinked: “Is your friend male or female?”

“She’s… she’s a woman!”

The Undying Poison Doctor looked at him, a hint of cunning at the corner of his mouth, saying, “Your beloved?”

There’s nothing wrong with saying that, and Huangfu Jingchen nodded: “Yes!”

The Undying Poison Doctor scoffed: “No need to say, I could guess, young people just can’t see through things; love, feelings, eventually they all turn into resentment, hatred. Why torment yourself like this? Listen to me, since that girl is dying, just let her die! You can find someone else later, can’t you?”

Such a dismissive tone truly displeased Huangfu Jingchen, but he had witnessed this person’s skill. Even a poisoned, dead tree could be revived in a short time, though that might be due to a remedy. However, he simply wasn’t willing to save people!

Huangfu Jingchen pleaded, “Venerable, there is an epidemic in Wangshan Town. My friend contracted the disease while saving others, and her life is in danger. Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. I’m begging you to intervene!”

“Caught the epidemic while saving others? Foolish, right?” The Undying Poison Doctor said dismissively: “I’m not a good person, what use do I have for so many pagodas? It’s been fourteen years since I saved anyone, and you want me to make an exception, what’s so special about you?”

Pain flashed through Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes as he kneeled before the Undying Poison Doctor, pleading: “Venerable, I know I hold no significance in your eyes, but please, for the sake of the little sable, save a life!”

“I’ve guarded for three months, but you just took advantage. The little sable obviously belongs to me.”

Huangfu Jingchen saw his indifferent eyes and cold tone, indicating he had no intention of saving anyone.

Helplessly, he pleaded again: “Venerable, please! If you are willing to act, I will be at your command!”

The Undying Poison Doctor eyed him and sneered: “Do I need someone to use? Give me the little sable quickly, and I might spare your life; otherwise, I’ll take yours too!”

Huangfu Jingchen’s expression hardened. Seeing that kneeling was of no use, he stood up and spoke lightly, “Venerable Poison Doctor, if you help save her, the little sable will be yours; if not, I will take it to the afterlife myself!”

The Undying Poison Doctor coldly laughed: “I didn’t act on you earlier, but you’ve witnessed my ability. If I were to act, you wouldn’t have the chance to harm the little sable!”

He was well aware that the Undying Poison Doctor spoke the truth. He had merely smacked the tree once, and in moments, it withered away. Clearly, his poisoning techniques were hard to defend against. It was possible he was already poisoned, and if he refused to surrender the sable to the Undying Poison Doctor, he certainly would not spare him, even dying sooner than Xia Wenjin.

The most sensible approach at this time was to give up the little sable, gifting it to the Undying Poison Doctor, gaining a modicum of favor, and preserving his own life for future endeavors.

But Huangfu Jingchen never considered such a thing. In his mind’s eye, he only saw Xia Wenjin coughing blood, only the glaring bloodstains on the white cloth, and Xia Wenjin’s haggard appearance.

Failing to locate the Holy Doctor of the World left him nearly hopeless, his heart sunk to the ground.

Now, the person who could save Xia Wenjin was right in front of him, and regardless of cost, he had to try once more.

But this Undying Poison Doctor, living for so many years, with an enigmatic mind and cold heart, regarded human life as insignificant. Though his medical skills were superb, his poisoning skills were even greater, and such pleading couldn’t sway him, while a doctor’s benevolence was meaningless before him.

He felt no sympathy, and to him, the notion of saving a life as boundlessly meritorious was a joke.

This person was impervious, his martial skills unrivaled, his temper unruly—how could one persuade him to save Wenjin?

Huangfu Jingchen squinted his eyes and said, “I understand now!”

The Undying Poison Doctor cast a cold glance, prideful and mocking: “And what do you understand?”

Huangfu Jingchen said seriously, “Seventy years ago, you were already famous, renowned in the Jianghu as solid as a mountain. There’s really no need to resort to poisoning or medicine to further elevate your fear in others’ eyes. If, by any chance, you fail to treat the epidemic, a lifetime’s reputation would be shattered.”

The Undying Poison Doctor didn’t respond, merely smiled coldly, showing a dismissive expression.

Huangfu Jingchen continued, his voice more sarcastic and icy, “At your age, there probably aren’t many things that could move you. A rare little sable now in my hands; since you’ve decided to seize it unjustly, in these secluded mountains, you could kill me, take the sable, gain the treasure, and silence the witness. Compared to treating the epidemic, it’s more safe and reliable. You just act unaware of the epidemic, flee to another place, avoiding the dispute, without damaging your reputation. It’s an all-around good plan!”

“Are you certain I can’t cure the epidemic?”

Huangfu Jingchen replied calmly, “You say you can cure it, then you can cure it. Whatever pleases you!”

The Undying Poison Doctor’s eyes widened, full of murderous intent as he glared at Huangfu Jingchen, seemingly wanting to slice him apart with his gaze.

Huangfu Jingchen remained fearless, standing there with resolute posture despite the overwhelming pressure, showing defiant determination.

The Undying Poison Doctor unleashed his full intimidation, seemingly wishing to show this young man his power.

Such a stubborn young man, indeed rare!

Yet, even as sweat emerged from his forehead, Huangfu Jingchen stood firm, unmoved, with a hint of a cold smile at his lips, saying, “Everyone thinks the Undying Poison Doctor’s medical prowess is unrivaled, and the Holy Doctor of the World is just a junior, naturally inferior! I say, you’re far worse than the Holy Doctor of the World! At least the Holy Doctor would never ignore an epidemic!”

The Undying Poison Doctor retracted his pressure and coldly laughed: “Boy, I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice, and you wish to provoke me with such tactics? You’re still too inexperienced!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep