The old man died with his eyes wide open. Since he had tried to kill me first, I felt no guilt or panic after taking his life. If he had genuinely needed the hundred-year spirit herb, I would have been willing to trade with him properly, especially since saving Qin Mengdie was urgent.
I don’t bother others unless they bother me. This old man brought this upon himself, so he can’t blame me!
I retrieved the Soul-Returning Grass from his sleeve, but surprisingly, it wasn’t glowing anymore.
Whatever. I’ll just store it for now. Thinking this, I placed the Soul-Returning Grass into my Storage Ring.
I know that sometimes one shouldn’t be too shameless, but since this old man had just tried to kill me, surely it wasn’t too much to take everything he had, right?
“D*mmit!” Looking at his wallet, which contained only three dollars and twenty-five cents, I felt like reviving the old man just to slap him again. How did he even pay for the bus ride here?!
Aside from the Soul-Returning Grass, the only other thing of value on him was that soft sword.
Seeing nothing else worthwhile, I took out the “Corpse-Dissolving Powder” and sprinkled it on the old man. Soon, he turned to dust and was carried away by the wind.
There weren’t many people in the park at night. The elderly square-dancing grannies and grandpas had already left for home, so I didn’t need to worry about being discovered. Besides, with Qin Shousheng helping to keep things under control, there shouldn’t be any problems.
I left the park, hailed a taxi, and returned to the hospital.
Now that I had the Soul-Returning Grass, Qin Mengdie was sure to be saved!
Although I didn’t know how to use it, that sword-wielding idiot should know. With his help, Qin Mengdie should wake up soon.
When I arrived at Qin Mengdie’s hospital room, everyone was inside, not saying a word. Only the sword-wielding idiot was there, playing on his phone and having a great time.
“Xia Tian, you’re back. What exactly happened to Xiaodie?” Qin Shousheng asked anxiously when he saw me.
I sighed. “Uncle Qin, everything’s fine now. Xiaodie will wake up soon. I’ll explain the details later.”
After saying that, I turned to the sword-wielding man who was playing on his phone and said, “I found the Soul-Returning Grass. Hurry up and repair her soul!”
The sword-wielding man was stunned and glanced at me incredulously. “Really?”
“Look!” I took out the Soul-Returning Grass from my Storage Ring and handed it to him.
He took the grass, turning it over and examining it without saying a word.
Growing impatient, I said, “Hey! Hurry up and use it to save Qin Mengdie!”
“Hahaha!” Instead of responding to me, he clutched his stomach and burst into laughter, tears nearly streaming from his eyes.
This situation made me angry. I had risked my life to find the Soul-Returning Grass, and this idiot was acting like this. If I weren’t outmatched, I would’ve slapped him silly!
“What are you laughing at? Hurry up and save Qin Mengdie!” I urged.
The sword-wielding man seemed to be trying hard to suppress his laughter but couldn’t help himself. He continued giggling like he was farting, saying between laughs, “You, you say… haha… this, this is the Soul-Returning Grass? Haha, no, I’m dying of laughter!” He started laughing again.
“Hey!” I shouted, ready to confront this sword-wielding idiot.
Just then, Mei’er frowned and walked over to me. “Xia Tian, this isn’t the Soul-Returning Grass…”
“N-not the Soul-Returning Grass?!” Her words stunned me, and I finally understood why the sword-wielding man had been laughing so hard. What I had taken from that old bastard wasn’t the Soul-Returning Grass at all!
Mei’er sighed. “This is just an ordinary weed, though it’s been altered to look special. There isn’t even a trace of spiritual energy on it. How could it be the Soul-Returning Grass…”
“D*mmit!” I cursed under my breath, punching the wall and leaving a deep dent.
No wonder the old man had only taken it out briefly before putting it away.
Recalling what he had said earlier, I now realized that he hadn’t decided to kill me and steal the treasure after seeing the Winter Snow Camellia—he had planned it from the very beginning!
He never had the Soul-Returning Grass at all!
Shit! I’m such a fucking idiot! I actually believed this was the Soul-Returning Grass! Damn it!
“Xia Tian…” Mei’er seemed like she wanted to say something, but I interrupted her. “It’s nothing. I’m going out for a bit.” After saying that, I walked out of the room.
“I’ll go out too!” Qin Shousheng said, following me out.
Seeing me leaning against the wall, Qin Shousheng sighed and asked, “Xia Tian, what exactly happened to Xiaodie?”
“Uncle Qin, do you know about SR?” I didn’t directly answer his question.
“You…” Qin Shousheng looked shocked, then sighed. “So you already know…”
I didn’t speak, waiting for his explanation.
Qin Shousheng lit a cigarette at some point. “How did you find out?”
“After that explosion, on the assassin’s weapon…” I kept it brief, knowing he would understand.
Qin Shousheng smiled wryly. “It seems I was right. But why aren’t you in the capital? Why were you in that city?”
I was taken aback. I hadn’t expected Qin Shousheng to have guessed my identity, but on second thought, it wasn’t that difficult. After all, only high-level officials in China knew about SR’s existence.
I remained silent, tacitly confirming his assumption.
Qin Shousheng looked at me and said, “How is Elder Xia’s health?”
“I’m not sure. It’s been two years since I last went back…” I sighed. I’d been away for two years and had no idea about the old man’s condition. When I left, he was still in robust health.
Qin Shousheng took a drag of his cigarette and said, “Xia Tian, don’t get involved in this matter anymore. Let’s consider our contract void…”
“When I, Xia Tian, promise something, I never give up halfway. I’ll see this through to the end!” I said to Qin Shousheng with a smile.
Hearing this, Qin Shousheng chuckled. “You’re very much like your father.”
“Is that so…” I responded faintly and said no more.
Qin Shousheng stubbed out his cigarette, took out another one, and lit it. “Was Xiaodie’s coma related to SR?”
“Pretty much…” Though I felt somewhat insincere saying this, it was fine if he thought so.
“From what you and that young man said, Xiaodie’s soul was damaged?” Qin Shousheng asked, looking at me.
I nodded. “That’s right. I thought the herb I brought back was the Soul-Returning Grass, but it turned out not to be… Damn it!”
“Is there no other way?” Qin Shousheng asked doubtfully.
I shook my head, smiling bitterly. “I’m afraid there’s no other way…”
Upon hearing this, Qin Shousheng closed his eyes helplessly.
“Who says there’s no other way!” A voice suddenly rang out. Qin Shousheng and I both turned our heads simultaneously.