Wang Aija's Plan

Wang Si turned silent. After a while, he gathered his books and walked toward the door. Without a single word, he left the ward.

'Unbelievable! Shameless! How selfish!' he mentally cursed as he strolled the hallway and entered the Chuangjian Pill Hall.

His expression was too sullen that the servants tending the huge cauldron felt worried and looked at one another after they glimpsed at him.

"No need to prepare the cauldron. This illness cannot be solved by just finding the right medicine," Wang Si spoke and waved his hand to dismiss the servants. He then entered the hidden room on the side and dropped his books on the long table.

Wang Aija happened to be inside the hidden room, scanning a book too. "What's wrong, Grand Physician? Someone angered you?"

"I don't feel really well. I'm just dropping these books here. I'll be resting in my room for a while. Don't tire yourself, Great Herbalist. This Hex Mile of Tears is a rather complicated problem. Even Elder Xia is thinking of abandoning this continent," Wang Si spoke and tried to calm his emotions. He gave a polite smile to Wang Aija before stepping out of the hidden room.

Wang Aija could only frown after she heard his words. She wanted to ask more but when she noticed how mad Wang Si's tone was, she decided to let him walk out of the room.

'What happened? Abandoning this continent?' she mentally asked and placed the manual back in the corner. 'I better asked Venerable Elder Xia about what Grand Physician said.'

After half an hour, Wang Aija found Elder Xia inside the ward of Zui Qingxing. The old wine merchant was also asleep but the tears in his eyes were dripping on the side of his face.

"Venerable Elder Xia, can we have a brief discussion about the Scarlet Islands' situation? Please come out for a while," Wang Aija called him and gestured for him to go with her.

"Great Herbalist, what is it? Did you find an information to solve this illness?" Elder Xia asked with a clueless expression on his face.

"Please don't pretend that you don't know what I want to discuss. Grand Physician Wang Si had mentioned to me already about your intention and plans of abandoning this continent," Wang Aija directly said after the elder stood a few feet away from her.

"Ahh... you make it sound worst. Great Herbalist, don't just jump to a conclusion. I don't think Grand Physician Wang Si spoke to you about any plans. There is no plan of abandoning this continent. Huan Xue would not agree to it," Elder Xia firmly spoke. "I was just expressing my thoughts to the grand physician. I did not say I have a plan."

"Isn't that the same? Since that is your thoughts then that should be in your plan!" Wang Aija probed further with a determined look on her face.

"Great Herbalist is really talented with words. I won't refute what you are thinking. However, I must remind you not to spread such gossip. This may cause the locals to panic. Huan Xue would never abandon them. Even if there is a plan, it won't happen."

"Venerable Elder Xia, I have spent all of my time today scanning books to find the solution to this illness. I want to help the wine merchant and the boatman. I can't conceive that you have an opposite idea!"

Elder Xia closed his eyes and took a deep breath for who knows how many times he had inhaled deeply. "I have a different obligation. I would naturally focus on the welfare of Huan Xue instead of being sentimental. The damage of the Hex Mile of Tears is larger than you think. All regions of this continent may have been infected with the illness."

"All regions?! This illness is not just in our Scarlet Islands?" Wang Aija's eyes dilated and her hands slightly trembled.

"Yes. Lady Xue had discovered the source of the Hex Mile of Tears formation. It was set by a Taoist with a golden elixir field to collect souls for the revival of the Empress of the Open Sea. Even Lady Xue is fighting against the invasive miasma that had entered her inner core. The end of this continent is futile."

"W-What did you say?! Venerable Elder Xia, that lady is in danger?"

"Extremely in a dangerous condition. Huan Xue had ended his closed-door cultivation and is observing the condition of Lady Xue. So far, she is suffering in agony. There is no certainty of her survival!" Elder Xia stated while clasping both his hands behind his back.

"I-- I will check the situation of Master Huan Xue's cultivation partner. No one has ever survived with a miasma inside the inner core. But, if she could fight it, then, her ability is really not to be underestimated!" said Wang Aijia and gestured a customary bow. She then turned around and hastily walked away.

"No need for you to go and check her condition, Great Herbalist. Huan Xue is already monitoring her. I think you should check the Grand Physician first. He left me without a word earlier," Elder Xia instructed before Wang Aija could vanish from his sight.

"Grand Physician had told me he would take a rest in his room. He had been reading books and is probably tired now. I should not disturb him," Wang Aija expression with no reservation. For some unknown reason, she was rather curious about Qiaolian's situation than Wang Si.

"He does not look tired. He looked pissed. And I am worried that he would do something dangerous. He is the Grand Physician of our region. We must prioritize him," Elder Xia insisted and signaled Wang Aija to walk in the opposite direction.

"Fine! I will check Grand Physician Wang Si in his room. Then, I will go to observe Lady Xue's situation after," Wang Aija casually spoke and started walking in the direction of Wang Si's room.

"I'd really urged Great Herbalist to change your second plan. If the miasma caught you, you will be in danger too!"