Stepping in for the Heroine to Crush the Protagonist Group [Transmigration] - Chapter 54

Baoning Town was as lively as ever.

Hu Li and Gu Sheng, arm in arm, squeezed through the bustling crowd. After navigating two streets, they stopped before a pharmacy adorned with a dark green signboard.

In elegant cursive script, three characters proclaimed “Bright Medicine Hall.”

The flowing, artistic calligraphy immediately confirmed to Hu Li that this was the pharmacy where Ye Qingtang was interning.

As they entered, a young pharmacy attendant hurried forward to greet them. “Welcome, Fairies! Are you here to purchase medicine or seek a consultation? If you’re seeking a consultation, do you have a preferred Medical Cultivator? I can arrange an appointment for you.”

A preferred Medical Cultivator? Hu Li cleared her throat, about to mention Ye Qingtang’s name.

But before she could speak, the curtain at the back of the pharmacy was swept aside, and Ye Qingtang emerged, interrupting the attendant. “Chuanbai, go attend to other matters. These two are here to see me.”

Chuanbai glanced at Ye Qingtang and replied, “Understood, Sister Qingtang.” He quickly turned to greet the newly arrived cultivators.

Hu Li and Gu Sheng exchanged a look before Ye Qingtang led them to the back of the pharmacy.

*********

Behind the apothecary lay a small courtyard where two long rows of racks were stacked high with medicinal herbs, their pungent aroma filling the air.

Ye Qingtang led the way, casually flipping through the herbs on the rack closest to the main building before turning to tease the pair, “You two have been getting cozy pretty quickly these past few weeks.”

She’d been watching them the whole way here, and their clinginess was almost unbearable.

“Alright, spill it. What do you want?” Ye Qingtang picked up more herbs from another rack, then pulled a notebook from her Storage Bag and began scribbling notes.

Hu Li watched Ye Qingtang’s busy hands and said, “You promised that if we helped you leave the Demon Abyss, you’d cure me of the Demon Heart Powder’s poison. I’ve taken almost all the medicine you gave me, so I wanted to ask if you can cure me now.”

Ye Qingtang’s pen paused mid-stroke. She stopped writing, looked at Hu Li, and shook her head.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Hu Li’s eyes.

Noticing Hu Li’s downcast expression, Ye Qingtang raised an eyebrow, surprised she’d actually managed to fool her. She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fairy Gu, you’re still as gullible as ever.”

********

As she spoke, Ye Qingtang placed the booklet on the medicine shelf. She then retrieved a small wooden box from her Storage Bag and handed it to Hu Li. “Take this, and the poison will be neutralized.”

Upon entering the Bright Medicine Hall, Ye Qingtang had immediately noticed its extensive collection of texts documenting Demon Poison Techniques. She casually flipped through a few volumes and discovered detailed instructions for neutralizing Demon Heart Powder.

Using these texts, she had effortlessly concocted the antidote.

Hu Li opened the wooden box to find a small, vermilion pill nestled inside.

She picked up the pill, stared at it for a long moment, then took a deep breath, tilted her head back, and tossed the pill into her mouth, swallowing it frantically.

Swallowing pills, especially for someone with a narrow throat like Hu Li, was always a challenge.

After swallowing the pill, Hu Li gagged a few times before realizing her entire body was beginning to feel warm and tingly.

Standing beside Hu Li, Gu Sheng glanced up at the wisps of black smoke rising from the crown of Hu Li’s head and the way the smoke was gradually darkening her face. She couldn’t help but smile.

Nearby, Ye Qingtang’s gaze also fixed on the top of Hu Li’s head.

********

Unlike Gu Sheng, who had the patience of a saint, Ye Qingtang burst out laughing. She flipped open the record of Hu Li’s medical cases and scribbled: “Those poisoned by Demon Heart Powder experience a detoxification process akin to being smoked and roasted, resulting in a sun-kissed complexion.”

She paused, glanced at Hu Li, and added: “And an explosive afro.”

Hu Li sensed something was amiss, noticing Gu Sheng’s peculiar expression and Ye Qingtang’s trembling shoulders.

With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a bronze mirror and lowered her gaze to examine her reflection.

Hu Li’s first reaction: …

Hu Li’s second reaction: ?

Hu Li’s third reaction: !

The black-furred lion dog staring back from the mirror was definitely not her!

A deathly smile stretched across Hu Li’s face as she prepared to demand an explanation from Ye Qingtang. But before she could speak, a bolt of violet-gold lightning flashed across the mirror’s surface.

A thunderous roar shook the heavens as everyone’s attention snapped to the celestial lightning bolt crashing down from the sky.

Meanwhile, in the Demon Palace…

Min Yaxing clung to her Throne, her entire demonic form scorched to a crisp on the outside and tender within from the heavenly lightning strike.

“System, explain yourself! What the hell is going on?” The Lord Demon Venerable, ever the diligent worker, snarled as she seized the System within her Sea of Consciousness, her teeth grinding in fury.

*******

The System’s gaze swept over the black miasma continuously billowing from Min Yaxing’s mouth. Suppressing a laugh, it replied with mock solemnity.

 “Host, Ye Qingtang neutralized the Demon Heart Powder you administered to Gu Sheng, the female lead of Feixian. As a result, the Heavenly Dao has deemed your mission a failure.”

“Failure?!” Min Yaxing smashed her throne with a palm strike, snarling at the System, “What does Tangtang neutralizing the poison have to do with me?!”

The System closed its eyes, refusing to look at the black miasma spewing from Min Yaxing’s mouth, and explained sternly, “Because Ye Qingtang neutralized the poison using Demon Poison Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide, which you discarded at the Bright Medicine Hall. Moreover, you were the one who sent Ye Qingtang to the Bright Medicine Hall in the first place. Therefore, the root of the problem lies with you.”

Min Yaxing had no retort.

The System added coldly, “Host, this is the consequence of your love-addled mind.”

Min Yaxing: “……”

She wanted to crush the Electronic Panel in her Sea of Consciousness, but just as she moved to strike, another bolt of heavenly lightning crashed down from the sky, striking her squarely on the head.

[That lightning was meant for Min Yaxing all along! This is hilarious!]

[What kind of mischief has Lord Demon Venerable been up to now? Why is she getting struck by lightning?]

[I suspect the Heavenly Dao can’t stand this love-obsessed Demon Venerable anymore and is planning to personally replace her.]

【The Demon Venerable in a typical novel: bloodthirsty by nature, an enemy of the righteous path, eager to annihilate the entire Cultivation World and drag all of humanity to the grave.】

【This novel’s Demon Venerable: sniffle Tangtang, my darling, let’s cuddle! Another day spent chasing after my wife. I even developed Demon Race medicine just to win her over!】

【Adding to the above: This novel’s Demon Venerable also loves living in the Demon Fairy Fortress.】

*******

Hu Li: …So that heavenly lightning was meant for my sister?!

As she read the comments, Hu Li couldn’t suppress a wicked grin.

Nine bolts of heavenly lightning struck, and the sky cleared once more.

In the courtyard, Ye Qingtang, ignoring Hu Li’s protests, had gone to the storage shed to retrieve a rain canopy. She froze, glaring coldly at the sky, her mood thoroughly soured.

Hu Li and Gu Sheng, standing beside her, exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the oppressive atmosphere radiating from her. Hu Li cautiously spoke, “Fairy Ye, we still need to find someone. We won’t stay here to bother you any longer.”

“Find someone?” Ye Qingtang clutched the rain canopy, her gaze hollow as she turned to them. “You’re looking for the Tianyan Sect’s Vice Sect Master, aren’t you?”

The two, who had been about to flee, froze in their tracks.

Hu Li: “Fairy Ye knows his whereabouts?”

Ye Qingtang nodded, tossing aside the old rain canopy that had become stained with dust. She repeated Min Yaxing’s earlier words to Hu Li: “I’ve left the person at Fortune Inn. The lodging costs one hundred Spirit Stones per day. Remember to pay Ye Qingtang.”

Hu Li fell silent, the smile vanishing from her lips and shifting to Ye Qingtang’s face.

Ye Qingtang conjured an abacus from nowhere and began clicking the beads. “Your Martial Uncle Yu stayed at the inn for thirty-four days. At one hundred Spirit Stones per day, that comes to three thousand four hundred Spirit Stones.”

“Additionally, Fairy Gu, the medicine you took was refined using the finest ingredients. The total cost of the materials is approximately six hundred and thirty-two Spirit Stones.”

“Furthermore, refining the medicine took me nearly half a month. Not only did it drain my energy, but it also caused me to miss sixteen business deals. As compensation, you’ll need to pay me sixty Spirit Stones per day, totaling nine hundred Spirit Stones.”

“Of course, since we’re friends, I’ll waive the thirty-two Spirit Stones. You only need to pay me a total of four thousand nine hundred Spirit Stones.”

**********

[We’re friends, so I’ll round down for you—by a lot.]

[This is hilarious! Hu Li’s dowry is about to be wiped out.]

[Min Yaxing and Ye Qingtang are a perfect match—both born to be shrewd merchants.]

[Six hundred and thirty-two Spirit Stones for one pill? What kind of miraculous elixir is that? I need to avoid that like the plague.]

[First the medicine, then the bill. Ye Qingtang’s medical benevolence truly has its limits.]

[The labor fees are outrageously high, everyone!]

[Li Li’s poison might not be fatal, but Ye Qingtang’s exorbitant medical bill is certainly life-threatening.]

[Who would dare visit Ye Qingtang’s pharmacy?]

[Judging by Ye Qingtang’s words, there must be sixteen suckers.]

[Suckers? More like lucky ones who dodged Ye Qingtang’s exploitation.]

[Sixteen suckers: Thank you, Hu Li.]

Hu Li curled her lip, wanting to assassinate the comments even more than Ye Qingtang and Min Yaxing.

“Of course, if you can’t pay with Spirit Stones right now, you can sign an IOU,” Ye Qingtang said, noticing Hu Li’s face turning green with anger. She deliberately retrieved a writing desk from her Storage Bag, placing a jade brush, inkpad, and a pristine IOU on it.

Hu Li ignored Ye Qingtang, clutching her Storage Bag tightly.

Noticing this, Ye Qingtang narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Fairy Gu, if you truly want to know Martial Uncle Yu’s location, you’d better cooperate with me.”

Cooperate with Ye Qingtang for Yu Shibai’s sake?

Hu Li’s mind first conjured an image of Ye Qingtang sitting triumphantly atop a mountain of Spirit Stones, then shifted to Yu Shibai’s kind face as he praised her as the “light of the Tianyan Sect.” Her fists clenched slightly beneath her sleeves.

*******

Yu Shibai, though stubborn, short-tempered, rigid, and burdened with responsibilities, genuinely cared for Gu Sheng.

And what was genuine care worth? It was priceless!

How could such priceless sincerity ever be compared to a mere 4,900 Spirit Stones?

With this thought firmly in mind, Hu Li turned to Ye Qingtang and declared earnestly, “Martial Uncle Yu? What Martial Uncle Yu? He’s not even my martial uncle.”

To Hu Li, Yu Shibai’s sincerity, however genuine, paled in comparison to the allure of 4,900 Spirit Stones.

Thinking this, Hu Li grasped Gu Sheng’s hand and prepared to leave.

Ye Qingtang stood behind them, momentarily stunned by the wind. Realizing Hu Li truly didn’t value Yu Shibai, she hurriedly stopped them. “I was just joking! You don’t need to pay 4,900 Spirit Stones.”

Hu Li glanced at Ye Qingtang. “Martial Uncle Yu isn’t even worth 490 Spirit Stones.”

Ye Qingtang: “Then how about 400?”

Hu Li: “He doesn’t deserve that either.”

Ye Qingtang gritted her teeth. “Fairy Gu, don’t be ridiculous!”

Hu Li smiled, turning the tables. “In my heart, Martial Uncle Yu is priceless.”

Ye Qingtang didn’t believe a word of it. “At least let me recoup my costs!”

Hu Li stopped walking. “Thirty Spirit Stones at most.”

Ye Qingtang frowned. “The medicine you took was worth at least fifty Spirit Stones!”

*******

Hu Li remained composed. “Thirty-five.”

Ye Qingtang countered, “Forty-five!”

Hu Li turned and stepped over the threshold.

Ye Qingtang called after her, “Forty! That’s my final offer!”

Hu Li’s plan had worked. She retrieved forty Spirit Stones from her Storage Bag and handed them to Ye Qingtang. “Now, tell me where Martial Uncle Yu is.”

Ye Qingtang snorted coldly. “Fortune Inn.”

Hu Li nodded, satisfied, and led Gu Sheng out of the courtyard.

Up front, Chuanbai was still drumming up business, holding a Bright Medicine Hall flyer and explaining its services to passersby.

Curiosity piqued, Hu Li asked Chuanbai for a flyer. She discovered it detailed the detoxification process and fees for Demon Heart Powder and other Demon Race poisons.

Demon Heart Powder was the cheapest.

No need for 999 Spirit Stones, or even 998. Just nine Spirit Stones granted a complete detoxification service.

Hu Li: …Grass. As in, the plant.

Support Stepping in for the Heroine to Crush the Protagonist Group [Transmigration]