18 Stay away from it

In a normal country, a cell would be in the city. For Justice Affairs though, it was in the inner part of Mount Hua.

It was rumored that the wardens and guards there were not mortals but beasts who enjoyed playing with mortals before eating them!

Gao Lan Mei ignored Gao Chu and the old mute beggar's eyes and continued with the terms. There was nothing to be afraid of if you were sure to win.

Since both parties agreed, a blood pact was made. Xi Ma specifically used a spellbinding contract paper, wherein if the other party violated the agreement, unfortunate events would happen to the violating party.

Shopkeeper Yu was also nervous since Xi Ma personally handled the situation, he would not be able to intervene. It was a good thing that his apprentice had already hidden the mixed walnuts.

"Take out all the walnuts that we have on the Medical Pavilion." Xi Ma instructed.

After Xi Ma's command, sacks after sacks of walnuts were pulled out and were displayed on the large courtyard for everyone to see.

The courtyard was located at the back of the Medical Pavilion. Since that area was normally occupied by the staff and physicians who stayed in the Pavilion, it was the first time many of them saw it.

Looking at the scattered sacks of walnuts, the mute old beggar gulped. His forehead and back started sweating heavily. He was also having a hard time breathing due to worry.

"How long will be given to him to choose?" He subconsciously looked at Gao Lan Mei to ask for help.

He could smell that there's poison in the walnuts but checking each one would take forever. So knowing which one, on the spot was going to be hard!

Shopkeeper Yu noticed the nervous beggar, and smirked, "What are you standing there for! Do not waste our time! Can you find it or not?!"

"This beggar will soon be punished and die in the hands of Justice Affairs. That is what he deserves for trying to offend our Medical Pavilion!" Shopkeeper Yu added mockingly. 

He also looked at Gao Lan Mei's direction mockingly as he spoke, "Miss Gao you should be scared now right? See this beggar was lying after all!"

Ignoring the annoying statements, "Scatter all the walnuts," Gao Lan Mei instructed. "Trust me. You can find it." She assured.

With the young woman's assurance, the old mute beggar felt much better. 'Trust me.' It's been a very long time since he had last heard that sentence.

Though he had just met this young woman, he did not know why he believed her. Was it because she was the first one in a long time who also did the same?

This young woman gave him the chance to prove himself; he would give his all so to not disappoint.

Being a beggar for so long, it's a good feeling to be believed and trusted.

He longed for that feeling. Just like when he was an excellent doctor; when mortals believed and trusted him with their lives.

Placing the past at the back of his head and finalising his resolve, he scattered all the sacks of walnuts.

There were more than ten sacks. With his old bones, it took a while, but he did not ask for anyone's help as he did not trust anyone else.

"Stay away from it." Gao Lan Mei then told him again.

The mute old beggar looked at Gao Lan Mei questioningly, 'Eh, why should I stay away?'

He was so confused but still decided to follow by moving two steps back from the scattered walnuts. 'What's for me to lose?'

"Move farther."