Ms. Zhao pulled the necklace out from her collar with trembling hands.
The black stone emitted a dim luster under the light.
Looking closely, it seemed as if stars were slowly rotating inside.
“Is this… a meteorite core?” Ming Shu’s voice carried rare surprise. “Legend says this kind of stone only falls in the miasmic lands of southern Yunnan. It can ward off a hundred poisons. No wonder it could temporarily suppress the curse on you.”
Bai Jimu leaned in to observe carefully, his nose twitching slightly. “The aura on this stone is very special. It has the essence of heaven and earth, but also carries a gloomy evil energy.”
He identified it carefully. “It’s like… It’s been soaked in something unclean for a long time.”
Ms. Zhao nodded with a bitter smile. “This is indeed a meteorite core. I am a medicine seeker from the southern Yunnan area. Three months ago, while gathering herbs in the Ailao Mountains, I accidentally stumbled into an ancient cave.”
She paused, fear flashing in her eyes. “Inside the cave, a stone statue with a snake head and a human body was worshiped. This stone was placed on the altar. At the time, I was possessed by greed, thinking it must be something extraordinary, so… so I secretly took it.”
Bai Xuan gasped softly. “S-Stealing offerings… w-will bring retribution…”
“Yes, retribution came quickly,” Ms. Zhao said, her voice sounding like she was about to cry. “Ever since I took this stone, I’ve been followed by black shadows, and strange bruises started appearing on my body. Until last week, I was bitten on the arm by a giant black snake in my dream. When I woke up, the wound had actually appeared.”
Bai Yanzhou lightly touched the meteorite core, feeling the power contained within. “There is indeed strong resentment lingering on this stone. But what concerns me more is…”
He suddenly turned to Coal Ball. “You sensed it too, right?”
Coal Ball sat upright on the counter, his golden pupils contracting slightly, and gave a soft “meow” in response.
Ming Shu frowned as she examined the meteorite core, her tone heavy. “For a thousand-year-old snake demon to cast such a vicious curse, it wouldn’t be just for a meteorite core. What exactly is special about this stone?”
Ms. Zhao hesitated, then lowered her voice. “That night I took the stone, I saw some carvings on the cave wall. One line was particularly clear—‘When the Star Core appears, Xiangliu awakens’.”
“Xiangliu?” Bai Jimu looked up sharply. “The nine-headed snake monster from the Classic of Mountains and Seas?”
“Not exactly.” Bai Yanzhou looked grave. “In the legends of southern Yunnan, Xiangliu is revered as the Thousand-Eyed Snake God. It is said it can peer into human hearts and manipulate dreams. A thousand years ago, it was sealed deep in the Ailao Mountains by a powerful being.”
Ms. Zhao continued, “Later, I found out that the cave belonged to an ancient sect. They worship this Thousand-Eyed Snake God, and even now, people are trying to resurrect Him.”
Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Bai Yanzhou.
Ming Shu keenly caught this detail. “What do you know?”
Ms. Zhao took a deep breath. “After I escaped, I met an old Taoist priest. He said… to find someone who can break this curse, I must find a ‘healer who has awakened from a thousand-year slumber’.”
Silence fell over the clinic.
Bai Jimu looked uneasily at Bai Yanzhou.
Ming Shu pursed her lips in silence.
Even Bai Xuan subconsciously moved closer to Bai Yanzhou.
“So you came here on purpose?” Bai Yanzhou’s voice remained calm, but his eyes had grown deep.
“I searched for three whole months,” Ms. Zhao admitted. “It wasn’t until the day before yesterday that I sensed a special aura nearby, so I deliberately staged that accident.”
Bai Jimu realized, “So the red clay on your shoes was brought from the Ailao Mountains? Just to test us?”
Ms. Zhao nodded. “The old Taoist said that only those who participated in the sealing back then can undo this curse.”
Coal Ball suddenly jumped off the counter, walked to Bai Yanzhou’s side, and gently rubbed his head against his hand.
This action stunned everyone.
Bai Yanzhou looked down at Coal Ball, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
He gently stroked Coal Ball’s head and said to Ms. Zhao:
“The curse has been lifted, but the matter is far from over. This meteorite core…”
His words were interrupted by a sudden gust of cold wind.
The lights in the clinic flickered, and the jars on the medicine cabinet vibrated slightly.
Ming Shu’s ears pricked up sharply. “Something is approaching.”
Bai Jimu quickly shielded Bai Xuan, looking vigilantly outside. “Strong demonic energy. More than one.”
Coal Ball leaped onto the windowsill, letting out a warning growl at the night sky.
Under the moonlight, his silhouette looked exceptionally alert.
Ms. Zhao clutched the meteorite core in terror. “They’re here… those black shadows have been following this stone…”
Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out inside the clinic:
“Imperial Preceptor Bai, a thousand years no see. I trust you have been well?”
A figure dressed in ancient official robes slowly emerged from the shadows.
His face was pale as paper, his eyes glowed with an eerie green light, and a jade tablet carved with “Directorate of Astronomy of Great Zhao” hung at his waist.
Bai Yanzhou’s pupils contracted slightly. “Director Yuan? You’re actually still alive.”
The figure let out a hoarse laugh. “To witness Lord Xiangliu’s return to the world, this old subject has gone to great lengths.”
Coal Ball suddenly arched his back, issuing a threatening growl at the newcomer.
Golden light shone brightly in his eyes, yet he maintained his black cat form.
Director Yuan glanced at Coal Ball, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. “It seems His Highness the Crown Prince is also here. But what can you do in your current state?”
White light flowed at Bai Yanzhou’s fingertips, his tone icy. “A thousand years have passed, and you are still obstinate.”
“Obstinate?” Director Yuan laughed loudly. “Bai Yanzhou, do you know what happened after you faked your death and left the palace back then?”
“You walked away, but do you know what price His Highness the Crown Prince paid to stabilize the court?”
Coal Ball let out a low roar, seemingly trying to stop Director Yuan from speaking further.
Bai Yanzhou’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his calm. “The past is gone. Why have you come today?”
Director Yuan smiled sinisterly. “Naturally, to retrieve the meteorite core. Lord Xiangliu needs it to restore his power.”
With his words, two more figures emerged from the shadows.
One was dressed in military armor, holding a long halberd, and the other was dressed as a civil official, holding a jade tablet.
“General Chen, Minister Li.” Bai Yanzhou nodded faintly. “It seems you three old partners are all here.”
General Chen snorted coldly. “Bai Yanzhou, the late Emperor treated you well back then, yet you left without a goodbye. If you hand over the meteorite core today, perhaps we can spare your life.”
Minister Li said expressionlessly, “According to the Laws of Great Zhao…”
“Stop reciting the laws!” Director Yuan interrupted him. “Let’s finish this quickly!”
Coal Ball suddenly leaped in front of everyone, letting out a deafening roar.
The sound was unlike a cat’s meow; instead, it carried a certain majesty.
An invisible barrier unfolded within the clinic, protecting everyone inside.
Director Yuan’s expression changed slightly. “You would damage your origin just to protect him?”
Seeing this, Bai Jimu also revealed part of his true form, baring his teeth and blocking in front of Bai Xuan.
Ming Shu moved silently behind the three old officials, cold light flickering in her eyes.
Bai Yanzhou sighed softly. “Since you insist on fighting, don’t blame me for disregarding old ties.”
White light flowed from his fingertips, and the scent of medicine in the clinic suddenly became intense.
The few old officials stepped back in unison, clearly wary of Bai Yanzhou’s methods.