Yu Lin set Kumamono down on the inn’s bed. She took her pulse. After that she pulled out a rolled piece of cloth off her built. She unrolled it onto the bed and it revealed small needles on it. She insert needles Kumamono’s stomach and intestines points. After that she pulled out herbs and a silver bowl from within her bracelet. She crushed the herbs the herbs inside the silver bowl and then put hot boiling water in it. Charcoal also appeared from her endless bracelet and she also crushed and added that to the bowl.

She pulled out the acupuncture needles and set them back onto her cloth. After that she sat Kumamono’s back onto her shoulder and poured all of the contents in the bowl inside Kumamono’s mouth. Kumamono gargled as she struggled to swallow it.

“I… can’t…” Kumamono weakly let out.

“You have to. If you don’t, you might die.” Yu Lin said as she continued to force it down. Kumamono grimaced but didn’t complain. Just as Kumamono finished drinking all the contents, Nie Fu and Su Me ran into the room.

“What’s going on?” Nie Fu asked.

“How is Kumamono doing?” Su Me asked. Yu Lin sat Kumamono on the headboard as she put a wooden pail next to her.

“She should be fine. I given her acupunture to help stimuli her stomach and intestines. I also gave her a tonic to help her vomit. Senior Su, you have to check on her stomach lining and intestines. If they are damaged then try your best to heal them.” Yu Lin said as she looked at Nie Fu. Nie Fu nodded his head.

“I understand.” he put his hand on Kumamono’s stomach and began inserting his chi into her.

“Miss Chen, please look over her vomit. It should be greenish yellowish, but if it changes to any other color then you must open her liver and stomach pressure points. Also, this is really important, do not give her water.” Yu Lin got up from where she was sitting and started to head towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Su Me asked.

“To make an antidote for her. Don’t follow me, and keep watch on her.” Yu Lin walked out of the door. She left the inn and leapt to a nearby forest, her figure leaving a shadow on the sunset. She landed in a crowded place in the middle of the forest, where she made sure no one could disturb her.

She sat crossed legged as she placed a silver bowl in front of her. Small wooden bowls surrounded her, each containing an herb. On one side, Yu Lin had an herbal pot sitting on top of a mini fire. A knife appeared in one of her hands. She held the other one over the bowl as she brought the blade to her hand. The blade cut through her skin as it slowly dripped inside the silver bowl. Wherever her blood dripped, the silver started to change into a grey shade.

-

“Did you know what you just did?!” Wang Pei yelled at her. Both Yu Lin’s wrists were wrapped in bandages as she sat upright on the bed. Her eyes were distant. “Du Yu Lin!” Wang Pei screamed.

“Don’t worry… I won’t die.” Yu Lin merely said. Wang Pei’s face grew red as he stomped up to her.

“You… you know how dangerous the Insuda Flower is? You… it’s the most poisonous thing in the world! How could you just stuff its pollen inside the veins of your wrist to force it into your bloodstream? How could you just eat its petal like it was nothing? If I didn’t find you in time and treat your wrists, you would’ve bled to death!” Wang Pei screamed. Yu Lin didn’t say anything as she sat there quiet. Wang Pei could only clench his teeth and let out a breath as he combed his hair back. He calmed down as he sat down next to Yu Lin.

“What’s wrong Yu Lin? Why…. why are you doing this?” Wang Pei gently asked. Yu Lin still didn’t say anything. “Yu Lin… we have been together for three years already… do you not trust me?” Wang Pei looked at her face and saw no change in expression. He bit his lip before just standing up. “Rest.” he said as he walked towards the door.

“That’s not it.” Yu Lin’s croaked out. Wang Pei paused as he slowly turned around. “It’s just… a test.” Wang Pei raised an eyebrow.

“A test?”

“I want my body to get used to poisons… this way I won’t die because of it… not only that, but I can help others. Didn’t we talk about your theory with the Insuda flower? Didn’t you say… if it was in the bloodstream it may turn out to be an antidote to poison instead?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Yu Lin… that was a theory. It hasn’t be-”

“Then I will be the first test subject for all the poisons then. If I survive the Insuda… then I can survive all other poisons.”

“But Yu Lin, do you know how many years it will take away from yo-”

“It’s alright. I wi-”

“Also, we don’t know when the Insuda Flower poison will flare up. You will be the most vulnerable when it flares up because it’s inside of you! You know where it’s goi-”

“It’s going to be in my chi center. I already know that. If it flares up then I can just suppress it with my chi energy.”

“When it flares up then you will be vulnerable when you are suppressing it! What if it flares up and you ca-”

“That won’t happen. I won't let it happen.” Yu Lin firmly said. Wang Pei looked at Yu Lin and just nodded his head.

“I understand…” was the only thing he could say in that moment.

-

After the bottom of the silver bowl was filled with Yu Lin’s blood, Yu Lin moved her hand back and healed it. The knife disappeared from her hand as she started to crush all the herbs, seeds, and roots around her. She mixed everything together inside the bowl and began to knead it like it was bread. After the consistency of the contents were like dough, she wrapped it in a white fabric and tied it together. She then put it into the pot and let it boiled. Yu Lin looked cautiously around, however felt no presence as she kept the pot boiling.

After about half an hour she returned back to the inn, holding the herbal pot. She walked inside the room to see Su Me observing the vomit, while Nie Fu was consistently healing Kumamono’s guts. Kumamono was panting as she leaned against the headboard, a small trace of vomit trailing down her mouth. Yu Lin poured the tonic into a small bowl. The liquid was a dark green color as steamed rose from it. She handed Su Me the bowl.

“She must drink the whole thing.” Yu Lin ordered.

“What is it?” Su Me asked, her eyes doubting Yu Lin.

“Antidote.” Yu Lin merely answered. Su Me narrowed her eyes at Yu Lin as she stared down at the green liquid.

“What is it?” she continued to question.

“Do you want her to die? If not, then you better just give it to her before her situation gets any worse.” Yu Lin didn’t want any more questions. Su Me looked down at the tonic and bit her lip, but she did as Yu Lin told her to. Kumamono downed the drink thirstily, her lips dry from dehydration.

“You can stop Senior Su. She won’t vomit anymore.” Yu Lin said. Nie Fu nodded his head as he moved back. Su Me just nervously looked at Kumamono.

After about half an hour, Kumamono’s complexion returned as she slept. The three of them sat around her as they put their heads back, exhausted. Su Me had maids come and clean out the pails as she wiped the floor and bed. Nie Fu was tired from using all his chi.

“What’s going on here?” a voice yelled out. Yu Lin turned her head to see Si Zhong standing there, along with Sanji, Leng Zhuang, and Yang Yang. Yu Lin avoided Leng Zhuang’s eyes as she stood up and bowed.

“The situat-” before Yu Lin could say any further she felt someone’s hand on her cheek as her neck turned one way. She felt a stinging pain as she closed her eyes.

“This is all your fault!” Si Zhong yelled.

“Teacher Mu!” Nie Fu and Su Me cried out.

“Quiet!” Si Zhong yelled at the two. The two cowered back as they kept their mouths shut. “We will see what will happen to you when we get back.” Si Zhong hissed. Yu Lin turned her head and looked at Si Zhong straight into her orange eyes. Si Zhong trembled a bit but she tried to hide it as she balled her fists. “What are you looking at?!” she yelled.

“Sorry Teacher, but, how is this my fault?” Yu Lin asked. Si Zhong glared at Yu Lin.

“How is this not your fault?” she hissed. Yu Lin looked behind her at Sanji and Sanji only looked away.

“Tea-”

“Shut your mouth! I will not hear any words come out of your mouth anymore. If you have any excuses then say it when we get back to the academy, in front of Principal Ro himself.” Si Zhong yelled. “Nie Fu, help carry Kumamono. We will treat her back at the academy.” Si Zhong ordered.

“Y-y-yes.” Nie Fu pulled Kumamono onto his back.

“Leng Zhuang and Yang Yang, tie up this… thing in front of me. We wouldn’t want the culprit running away now.” she said as she gave Yu Lin a disgusted look.

“Yes.” Leng Zhuang and Yang Yang replied as they walked up to Yu Lin. They tied her hands and feet together. Yu Lin didn’t protest. She only continued to look at Si Zhong with no expression on her face. She watched as Si Zhong pulled out a piece of paper from her sleeve.

“Everyone stand around me.” she ordered and everyone did as she said. She flicked the paper in her hand and it began to burnt. “Jongan Academy, Medicinal Studies.” she said. The inn around them disappeared as they were back in Jongan Academy, standing on the platform they stood on just a couple of hours ago. Yu Lin looked up to see Principal Ro standing there, his white hair lightly flowing in the wind. He looked at Yu Lin with calm purple eyes.

“Greetings Principal Ro.” all of them, except for Yu Lin, bowed. Yu Lin just looked at him with no expression.

“I have brought the suspect back.” Si Zhong said.

“Those who were there when everything happened, please stay on the platform. Those who weren’t, bring the injured back and look over her condition.” Principal Ro’s voice sounded like the soft melody of a flute.

“Yes.” they all responded, except for Yu Lin. Nie Fu passed Kumamono to Leng Zhuang as Leng Zhuang and Yang Yang stepped off the platform. Principal Ro stepped onto the platform with them.

“Trial house.” Principal Ro said as the platform glowed, and they all disappeared.

-

Leng Zhuang stared at the platform, wrinkles appearing on his forehead. He felt uneasy about the situation, but a part of him told him that no matter the situation, he was going to be fine. A part of his conscious ate at himself though, as he turned and headed towards Kumamono’s room with Yang Yang.