Ah Jiu looked at Meng Nanxing, then at the person who had just collapsed.
She quickly began to insert needles.
As she worked, her mind was in a turmoil.
The snake venom she had today was completely used up. She had no idea how long it would take for the little earth dragon to produce more.
According to Brother Yun, this venom was what other snakes of its kind feared most.
If the King Cobra lost its venom, it would be no different from an ordinary snake.
Fortunately, the little earth dragon now lived in the space. If it were on the mountain, it would have been annihilated by the subordinates who once bowed to it.
Here, she had found her brother, but there was no more venom to treat him.
What to do?
Ah Jiu saw the man gasp a few times and finally resume breathing. She turned away from the patient on the ground and walked to Meng Nanxing's side.
"Brother, I'm sorry, I'm out of medicine." Ah Jiu's eyes welled up. She had never dreamed she would see a relative of hers so ravaged by illness.
She lowered her head to hide the tears in her eyes and took out her water skin. "Have some water. I'll definitely find a way tomorrow."
Meng Nanxing, who was also afraid of his family seeing him in such a state, simply turned his back to his sister and whispered,
"I'm not afraid of death."
"This isn't about being afraid of death or not. Father and Mother searched for you all the way and couldn't find you. Sister Cai'er has collapsed from this plague."
Ah Jiu nudged his shoulder with her water skin.
"Brother, just drink some water."
Upon hearing his wife's name, Meng Nanxing buried his head even deeper.
"Save it for your sister-in-law. Water is precious now. Also, tell your sister-in-law that I'm dead."
"..." Ah Jiu was silent for a long time.
"Then, okay..." Ah Jiu silently got up. She truly didn't know how her sister-in-law would feel hearing this.
The person on the ground was breathing heavily, his eyes slightly open, watching Ah Jiu's retreating figure. He tried to open his mouth, but no sound came out.
"Miss Ah Jiu, are you leaving for the posthouse already?" Zhang Mang, who had been stunned, quickly scrambled after her. "I thought you could cure everyone tonight."
Only Yun Hao knew why; it must be the lack of snake venom.
Thinking of this, Yun Hao also felt the pressure. How great it would be if they could find more King Cobras.
"Brother Zhang Mang, as you know, there are over a thousand people in the Yi Zhuang, not counting the dead. It's impossible to cure everyone overnight, even if we worked ourselves to death. Besides, Ah Jiu will be back tomorrow to check on those who have been cured."
Yun Hao followed behind, smoothing things over. Once they were in the carriage, Yun Hao lowered his voice.
"Zhang Mang came here once before and left after three days. His whole family lives in Nanming City, so he doesn't want to stay here long. Don't take it to heart, and don't feel pressured."
"I understand." Ah Jiu wasn't feeling any pressure, but seeing her brother had made her feel even more burdened.
When they returned to the posthouse, Liu Cai'er had fallen asleep on the table.
However, Ah Jiu's careful closing of the door immediately woke Liu Cai'er.
"I can cure it, I can..." Liu Cai'er jumped up as if possessed.
"Sister-in-law, it's me." Ah Jiu quickly went forward to comfort her. "Sister-in-law, you're too tired. Your whole heart is focused on healing."
Liu Cai'er, with her puffy, rabbit-like eyes, sat down tiredly and pinched her temples.
"It's Jiu'er. How is it over there? Any leads?"
"Three people have been treated so far, and one was almost gone." Ah Jiu had to report the truth. She would have to discuss future plans with her sister-in-law.
Moreover, she was from the Liu family's Hua Lan Medical Hall, a model for this act of compassion, and held an important position appointed by the imperial court. She had the right to know all the details.
"Sister-in-law, I've found that severe patients require more snake venom. I tested it again today. Mild patients only need a little, and they show obvious poisoning reactions. For severe patients, the poisoning reaction is not obvious, perhaps because there are more parasites in their blood."
As Ah Jiu spoke, her mind raced, afraid of missing anything.
She then took out her water skin and poured two cups of water, drinking one herself and pushing the other towards her sister-in-law.