Chapter 103: Alone

Lin Haoqing sat down next to Ji Yunhe and slowly poured himself a cup of tea.

"When you left the Demon Valley six years ago, I thought we'd never sit together like this again." Lin Haoqing took a sip.

"Over the years, you were imprisoned then taken to the north, while I stayed in the valley doing only one thing."

"Developing the antidote for the frost poison?"

"Correct. But for a long time, I didn't have access to the poison to help in my research. When Princess Shunde ordered me to go north, I used the opportunity and acquired some from her. Ji Yunhe, do you know what I found after I got the frost poison?"

"I don't care. Lin Haoqing, I only came here to ask for your help in saving Changyi. If you don't know how, I will go by myself."

Lin Haoqing glanced at her. "There's no rush. Listen to what I have to say before you make a decision." He continued, "When I was analyzing the components, I found a special poison used as one of the main ingredients. Lin Canglan had mentioned this poison to me many times before back when I was young."

"Lin Canglan also studied the frost poison?"

"He told me of a drug that could be used as an antidote to this poison. I went into his room again for the first time since his death, and there I found the secrets that allowed me to save you later on."He smiled sarcastically.

"There was a secret passage under Lin Canglan's bed leading to a room full of artifacts used for developing the pills he fed you. I found this there." He took out a book from his pocket, placed it on the table and pushed it to Ji Yunhe.

"What is this?" Ji Yunhe flipped through the book.

It was densely packed with written notes. There were prescriptions, diagrams of herbs, words and phrases jotted down on a whim, and some ink marks splashed out of frustration.

"This book records his life's work, including the solution to the frost poison." Lin Haoqing drank a cup of tea.

"Shunde gave the command before I had time to study the book, so I took it with me to the north. I intended on sending the demon masters to you as a gift, you received it very well." He praised Ji Yunhe, something he rarely did.

"And along the way, I found inside this book the method of refining humans into demons, and learned they would have two lives." That was why it was possible to save her after she died...

"I also learned that Lin Canglan used to be a disciple of the Grand Master's house."Ji Yunhe was stunned.

"Never heard him mention it."

"Of course he wouldn't tell anyone. Fifty years ago, the Grand Master had trouble developing the frost poison because he couldn't find the main ingredient to use as a base. Lin Canglan found it. He kept it from the Grand Master and tried to run away with his newlywed wife, but the Grand Master threatened him with her life and made him hand over the poison. Lin Canglan was then sent to the Demon Valley. Soon after, his wife grew ill and passed away, and the Grand Master successfully developed the frost poison, gaining total control of the demon master tribe." Lin Haoqing told the story as if it were about a stranger instead of his own father.

"Lin Canglan lived in deep remorse ever since, believing it was his mistake that led to the confinement of the demon master tribe. Twenty-five years later, Lin Canglan gave birth to me." Lin Haoqing lowered his head and looked at the teacup. "He said I was too similar to him back then... soft, indecisive, and not cut out for major responsibilities. In order to keep me from making the same mistakes out of weakness or love, he trained me ruthlessly..." Lin Haoqing looked at Ji Yunhe.

"What he did later on, you should know better than anyone." Lin Canglan forced Ji Yunhe to betray Lin Haoqing, and turned Lin Haoqing into a poisonous snake…