Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“Perfect.” He set the dark blue bag down. “Anyway, our Mountain Master did most of the work for me. It's called the Black Vein ritual, an ancient technique from our ancestors used when one faces a deadly toxin.”
Two of the men now had Lei on the gurney, the two other men held.
Master Wu leaned over and rummaged through his bag. “It's a treacherous method, one that could kill him if done incorrectly. But Lei was always a quick study, always in tune with the ancient arts. We can thank his quick thinking for keeping the worst of the poison at bay."
“So. . .he’ll really be fine?”
“He will and the black lines will fade once we treat him with the antidote.”
“His pulse is weak.”
“I’m sure it is.” Master Wu pulled out strange instruments and bottles filled with multicolored liquids.
A woman appeared with turquoise bandages in her hands and grabbed the bottles from him. “I’ll begin treating the Mountain Master’s wounds.”
“Excellent.” Master Wu’s gaze dropped to Lei’s body. “My focus will be the poison since it is still spreading quickly. Thank God that I know what it is and was prepared.”
“What is it?”
“Shadow Venom. It’s a rare and deadly poison.”
Damn you, Leo.
“You get it from a flower that grows only in the darkest valleys of Mount Linghun.” Master Wu returned to looking through his bag. “Legend says it was discovered by a monk seeking enlightenment. Instead, he found death, his body contorted in agony beneath the flower’s bloom. You see. The venom attacks the body slowly, shutting down organs one by one.”
My stomach churned.
“However. . .I’ve watched Leo fight for a very long time.” Master Wu pulled out a long vial of black liquid. “And I knew to bring several different types of antidote with me just in case.”
I blinked. “You knew Leo would cheat?”
“More like I knew he wouldn’t play fair.” Master Wu gave me a tired smile and held up the vial, swirling the dark liquid inside. “This is what we need.”
The other healers moved back, giving Master Wu space.
The men holding Lei on the gurney came closer to him.
One of the women handed me an empty plastic bottle. “Here you go, Mountain Mistress.”
I took it. “What is this for?”
“Later.” Master Wu uncorked the vial of the antidote. A sharp scent hit me immediately; earthy, metallic, and vaguely sweet. He turned to Lei. “I’ll need your urine. You can put it in that bottle later and make sure your servants bring it to me.”
“Why would you need my urine?”
“To give to Lei.”
I tensed. “Excuse me?”
“I know it sounds strange but I like to use urine for one of my trusty concoctions that invigorate the life force—”
“But. . .like are you going to wash Lei in it or. . .”
“He’s going to drink it.”
“I’m not doing that.” I handed the empty bottle back to the woman. “Let’s focus on giving Lei the antidote.”
“You are quite the Mountain Mistress.” Smiling, Master Wu carefully lifted Lei’s head.
The woman came over and gently parted Lei’s mouth.
Then, Master Wu began to pour in the antidote.
The dark liquid hovered above Lei’s lips, thick and viscous, resembling oil that had been pulled straight from the depths of the earth.
Nervously, I whispered. “And. . .what’s in that?”
“You think there’s urine in this?”
“Well. . .I’m a bit worried about that.”
He chuckled. “No urine, Mountain Mistress.”
I sighed. “Thank God.”
Master Wu tilted the vial carefully, letting the first drop fall onto Lei’s slightly parted lips.
I watched in horrified fascination as it clung to his skin, unmoving for a split second, before sliding into his mouth.
My stomach churned.
The sight of that substance entering him felt wrong, almost unholy, like I was witnessing the beginning of something I wasn’t meant to see.
“Is this safe?” I whispered, unable to stop the words from tumbling out.
Master Wu didn’t even look at me. “Completely. This is a blend of many herbs along with dried human placenta, medicinal breast milk, and umbilical cord. Each ingredient is carefully preserved for its regenerative properties.”
Say what now? Placenta and breast milk?
Another drop fell, then another, until the liquid began to pool in Lei’s mouth. His throat didn’t move, and panic clawed at my chest.
“He’s not swallowing it.” The woman beside Master Wu began to massage Lei’s throat in firm, circular motions. “This will help.”
I held my breath as her touch coaxed a response from him.
Lei’s throat convulsed slightly, the liquid moving downward in slow, agonizing gulps.
Each time his body accepted it, my chest eased—just barely.
Behind me, a soft voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “Sis.”
I turned to see Jo standing nearby, flanked by my three Ladies-in-Waiting and Hu. They all wore grim expressions.
Far off, I spotted the rest coming our way—Dima and Chen, Duck scowling at a limping Banks. Marcelo pushed forward with his hand on a knot at the side of his head. They all were beaten and battered, but at least there was no more fighting.