Free Web NovelChapter 314: Ghost Leech
Although the Emperor and Empress appeared tired, Anji quickly gave them a clean bill of health. However, the same could not be said of her third brother, who was personally attended to by the Empress with a washcloth and the Emperor, who carried a new wash basin over. The water in the old basin was cloudy, and it was not from dirt.
"Zhao Anji greets your Majesties. I’ll cut to the chase. What happened?"
As she took her brother’s pulse, Anji listened to the Emperor recount the strange colour that spread across Yihao’s neck until Noble Consort Liu suppressed it after her brother shielded them.
"We did not see any projectiles. it could be embedded in his body," the Empress wrung the washcloth in worry. "Ever since he started meditating, a dark liquid has been flowing from his ears. I’ve been cleaning them, but the colour of this liquid only became darker."
True to Liu Guiya’s finding, there was no trace of the parasite even when Anji took his pulse and spread energy threads. Her third brother’s pulse was deep and heavy, indicating strain. Thankfully, his golden core and heart were protected. Noble Consort’s timely action saved him from further potential damage.
"This will take a while, but I would like to request a large tub of water," Anji pressed her palms to Yihao’s temple. "I’m going to detox him and force out whatever is burrowing inside."
It had to be a qi leech. There was no doubt about it. If not for Yihao’s superior regeneration ability and extreme yang energy, he would have been in danger. Rainbow qi leeches were difficult to deal with, and Anji feared the worst. However, after scanning his brain thoroughly, she confirmed it was a different species, one she had not encountered before.
Taking action immediately, the Empress and Emperor worked together in secret to fill a large tub of water behind the paper screen folding doors. Noble Consort Liu finally put the sword down and assisted them while washing the blood off her body. Due to the vulnerable situation, all servants were sent away temporarily.
With her second sight, Anji peered into her third brother’s mind and saw a faint silhouette. It was the size of a small copper coin, but the faint pulse of life was unmistakable. The worm-like parasite was feeding on Yihao’s life force, hiding in his third eye chakra. No wonder Liu Guiya could not detect it with qi. It did not have a physical form.
"A soul qi leech," Anji frowned and slowly spread the soul qi gathered in her artificial cores into Yihao’s body.
As if smelling an amazing feast, the ghostly leech followed traces of Anji’s soul energy, feeding on it and crawling from the third eye chakra until Yihao’s ear.
Nobody else could see it, but Anji snatched the nasty parasite quickly with a prompt sealing spell, imprisoning the ghost leech who shrieked in betrayal when the tasty soul energy was gone. Anji glared at the tiny monster and studied it carefully now that it was no longer bothering her third brother.
On the parasite’s soul, she could see another energy carved into it. That had to be Song Min’s message. Like the brainwashing hairpins, Song Min and Pu Jianming had a nasty habit of encrypting hidden messages for her. Anji studied it for a long time and eventually found a way to synchronise with the soul energy’s wavelength.
As soon as the frequency was harmonised, Anji’s mind was pulled away from her body and into a new pocket dimension. It was not a huge pocket dimension, as the ghost leech could not contain such a large world. Anji suspected it was implanted in Yihao to sustain the length of the message that was meant to be delivered to her, and she was not disappointed.
"It’s been a while, old friend. How have you been?" Song Min’s unfamiliar voice greeted. His figure was vague and blurry in the apparition as if he had forgotten what he looked like with the passage of time.
Anji stood unmoving as the small world’s message played out.
"I remember a few things of my past life apart from a hate for the world and corrupted humanity," Song Min’s ghost admitted. "But I do remember you, my dear friend. I did not come to hurt or harm your family in this life. However, I needed to get your attention. You’ve been ignoring me, and even I can run out of patience."
Ignoring? Anji was isolated for years. Did Song Min send a message to her previously in this life? He must be lying because this was the first time they met.
"But it’s ok. I understand you’re very busy. On the full moon of the next month, let’s exchange poetry at the unfinished couplet at the Crystal Lake Pavilion. Your brothers will be safe until then, but if you do not show up, don’t blame me for using more forceful methods. It’s not you whom I should be fighting, and I’d rather not make an enemy of someone respectable. We might be on different sides for now, but let us put grudges aside and meet to talk as bosom buddies. A gentleman never goes back on his word. I hope to see you there."
It was a short and antagonising message, but as soon as Song Min finished what he needed to say, the small world disintegrated, sending Anji’s mind back to the present.
That ghostly leech shrivelled and crumbled into nothing under Anji’s spell, and she quickly studied Yihao’s complexion.
"The water is ready," Liu Guiya emerged from behind the paper screens. "I’ll examine the servants for miasma corruption and sort out logistical matters before returning swiftly. Please take all the time you need. I’ll be entrusting their Majesties to you and your brother."
Nodding, Anji reassured the Noble Consort. There will not be any more attacks and assassins for the time being until the proposed meeting at the Crystal Lake Pavilion. There was about a week before the meeting, and Anji still had a few days to make preparations here before she left to meet Song Min.
It was likely a trap, but Anji preferred it like that. Walking to the tiger’s den to catch a tiger was easier than searching for it in a bamboo forest.
In the meantime, Yihao’s detoxification came first.
