"Young Master Bai, as friends, since you insist on leaving, I will offer water in place of wine to bid you farewell. Should we meet again, I hope we will still be friends."
Li Yue Shu raised the cup before her, her expression sincere.
Ji Mo Bai also picked up his cup. "Thank you, Madam Shen, for your care and generous teachings during this time. I owe you a favor, and if the opportunity arises, I will repay it with all my might."
A flash of brilliance flickered in Li Yue Shu's eyes.
This Ji Mo Bai was truly a godsend!
She had been fretting about how to ask for a favor, to secure a future for A Yi, when he unexpectedly brought it up himself.
Li Yue Shu naturally did not refuse. "Since Young Master Bai says so, if I need your help in the future, I will certainly not be polite."
With a clink of their cups, their agreement was sealed.
As everyone else bid farewell to Ji Mo Bai, Shen Ting Yi moved to Man Xing's side.
She pouted slightly. "Now that you are leaving, will you come back in the future?"
Man Xing lowered his head, his expression listless. "My young master rarely revisits places he has already left."
In other words, they might not specifically return.
Shen Ting Yi understood his meaning and poked at the rice in her bowl. "It's good that you're leaving. No one will argue with me anymore."
As she poked, the bell on her chain ring made a crisp sound with her movements.
Man Xing's gaze involuntarily followed the sound, and his eyes flickered as if he had thought of something.
After lunch and a short rest, Ji Mo Bai proposed to depart.
Although it was not dark yet, if they delayed their departure too long, it would be difficult to find lodging for the night.
Li Yue Shu stood up and saw them to the door, unable to resist adding, "Young Master Bai, if there is an opportunity in the future, I still hope you and Man Xing will come back to visit everyone."
Ji Mo Bai smiled. "If fate allows, we will meet again."
He did not know if he would return, so he could not make a firm promise.
However, he did recall something.
"Madam Shen, your medical skills are superb and your heart is benevolent. In the future, many people will come to you seeking treatment, but not all of them will have good intentions," Ji Mo Bai said earnestly. "For instance, that old man from last time will likely not give up easily. Please be careful, Madam Shen."
Hearing his specific warning, Li Yue Shu did not think much of it and simply thanked him.
Wei Zi Miao, standing nearby, seemed to have a thought and a flicker of contemplation in his eyes.
He looked at Li Yue Shu, then at Ji Mo Bai, and suddenly spoke, "I happen to have some business in town. Perhaps I could escort Young Master Bai?"
His sudden interjection surprised everyone, but they did not think much of it.
After all, Wei Zi Miao and Ji Mo Bai often chatted together, and their relationship seemed good, so an escort was natural.
Ji Mo Bai had intended to refuse, but Wei Zi Miao had already instructed his guard, Zhai Song, to fetch the carriage, so he could only remain silent.
Thus, Ji Mo Bai and Man Xing boarded Wei Zi Miao's carriage and left Li Yue Shu's home.
As the carriage moved along the road, the wind blowing through the window brought a refreshing coolness.
Wei Zi Miao looked at Man Xing beside him and smiled gently. "Man Xing, go play with Zhai Song outside. I have something I wish to discuss with your young master privately."
Man Xing turned to look at his young master, and after receiving his nod of assent, he stood up and went outside to sit with Zhai Song.
Wei Zi Miao looked at the man beside him, who, despite being blind, always appeared composed and calm, and studied him thoughtfully.
Ji Mo Bai could feel his gaze but did not urge him, allowing himself to be scrutinized.
After a long while, Wei Zi Miao spoke without any preamble, "Do you know the old man who kidnapped Madam Shen last time?"
Although it was a question, Ji Mo Bai inexplicably heard a hint of certainty in his words.
Ji Mo Bai was indeed taken aback by this question. After a moment's pause, he turned his head.
He seemed to be looking at Wei Zi Miao, but the white veil obscured his eyes, preventing anyone from seeing them.
Wei Zi Miao maintained a gentle smile throughout, as if he were not the one asking such a question.
After an unknown period of silence, Ji Mo Bai finally spoke, "He... is the Poison King of Mount Pang."
Wei Zi Miao froze, and the smile on his face slowly faded.
The Poison King of Mount Pang was someone the entire world wished to eliminate but dared not offend.
Wei Zi Miao's expression turned serious. "Are you sure?"
Ji Mo Bai nodded, his certainty absolute.
A silence fell upon the carriage.
Wei Zi Miao was unaware of Ji Mo Bai's true identity, but he sensed his extraordinary nature.
Since he could recognize the Poison King of Mount Pang, he likely had some connection to him.
However, Wei Zi Miao did not ask. Instead, he said, "It is widely known that the Poison King of Mount Pang uses living people to refine poisons. If he has targeted Madam Shen, wouldn't it be more beneficial for you to stay, Young Master Bai, to help?"
Ji Mo Bai pursed his lips, his hand resting by his side clenching unconsciously. "It is precisely to help Madam Shen that I am leaving."
Wei Zi Miao was confused by his words and looked perplexed.
Ji Mo Bai took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing some emotion. "I know someone who is very important to the Poison King of Mount Pang. If he hears news of them, he will undoubtedly leave Tong Mu County."
Wei Zi Miao's eyes moved.
Someone very important?
The world knew that the Poison King of Mount Pang delighted in refining poisons and was particularly fond of using living people for experiments. Rumor had it that the first to be used for his poison refinement were his wife and children.
For such a man, who else could be so important?
Wei Zi Miao's heart filled with questions, and his gaze towards Ji Mo Bai deepened. "Young Master Bai seems to know the Poison King of Mount Pang very well. What is your relationship?"
Ji Mo Bai tilted his head, responding to a question with a question. "Young Master Wei, why are you so concerned about these matters? Is it because of Madam Shen?"
Wei Zi Miao stiffened.
Ji Mo Bai continued, "Do you like Madam Shen?"
This sudden question caused Wei Zi Miao's expression to freeze instantly, and his usual gentle facade nearly crumbled.
Ji Mo Bai sensed his irregular breathing and smiled gently. "During the sparring match between the Wei family's guards, the thrown saber almost injured Madam Shen. That was actually deliberately arranged by you, wasn't it, Young Master Wei?"
Wei Zi Miao, being a formidable figure in the original story, quickly regained his composure and asked with a light smile, "Why do you say that, Young Master Bai?"
Ji Mo Bai faced forward, as if discussing an ordinary topic. "Young Master Wei is an intelligent man, with an understanding of human nature that surpasses ordinary people. You must also know that some things do not need to be seen with the eyes."
"You know Madam Shen's character cannot tolerate deception, and you also know that Young Master Shen is not one for explanations. With a little subtle suggestion from your side, an irreconcilable situation will surely arise between them."
"Young Master Wei, am I correct?"
Wei Zi Miao did not reply. He merely looked at the man beside him, his usual gentle and approachable demeanor gone, replaced by a current of unfathomable depth in his brows.