The basement was actually a separate room. A large bed leaned against the wall where a small window allowed light to filter in.
As the window was situated overhead and out of his reach, Gu Yan was not able to see much of the outside world.
A desk sat opposite his bed. Beside it was a bookshelf packed with books on medicine. Yin Shi had prepared those books for him to read saying that his master hoped he would pass the time fruitfully.
He spent most of his time at that desk, reading the books he was given. It was the only thing he could do, after all. This was how he whiled away half a month of his time.
Gu Yan enjoyed many things. He enjoyed the quiet of his pharmacy. He also enjoyed studying medicine and pharmacology.
What he did not like, however, was being confined.
A token of conciliation – if there really was any – was that this time, he was being treated better than the last. At the very least, he was not being beaten up, starved or threatened.
He had been missing for so many days. His father was probably dying from anxiety. He would bet Fu Tingyu felt the same.
It was Fu Tingyu and his friends who had saved him previously. Would they come for him again?
If he had known he would be kidnapped so often, he would have spent some time learning martial arts. Then he would have had the ability to protect himself.
The sound of the door opening resembled a computer being turned on.
Hearing that particular sound, Gu Yan looked in the direction of the door. It was Yin Shi who entered. Gu Yan had met him a few times before and recognized him immediately.
“It is in your best interests to check my master’s pulse and prepare a suitable cure for him. That way, you’ll be allowed to go free.” Yin Shi was afraid Gu Yan would get up to mischief again and warned him sternly.
Gu Yan eyed Yin Shi warily without saying a word.
“Let’s go. Our patience is limited,” Yin Shi said.
Gu Yan let out an inaudible sigh. He put down the book in his hand and followed Yin Shi out.
Yin Shi escorted Gu Yan to the third floor.
Though he had been led to the third floor on several occasions, it was only his second time being ushered there without a blindfold on.
He felt helpless. It was his first time treating someone he had no intentions of treating.
When they reached the man’s room, Yin Shi pushed the door open and brought Gu Yan in.
Sitting on the sofa was the man he was obliged to treat. The man was nursing his forehead with one hand. He looked pale and sickly.
When Gu Yan first saw the man on the sofa, he thought there had to be some kind of mistake. There was no way the leader of an organization of assassins would look so gentle and refined. The image of the man he had crafted in his mind was that of a ferocious, cold-blooded murderer – not some young master.
Gu Yan noted the way the man’s eyes were covered in gauze and recognized some of the herbs the man had applied via smell.
“Master, he’s here,” Yin Shi said.
The man raised his head when he heard Yin Shi’s voice. His matted hair, draped over his forehead, parted with his minute gesture.
“Take my master’s pulse.” Yin Shi demanded.
Gu Yan examined the man with a critical eye, slowly making his over to him. He was not in a hurry to take the man’s pulse. “Bring a chair over.”
Yin Shi brought a chair over at Gu Yan’s request. As long as Gu Yan cured his master, what was acquiescing to a small demand of his?
A short while later, a small leather stool was brought over and placed behind Gu Yan.
Satisfied, Gu Yan sat on the stool, beckoning the man for his hand. “Give me your hand.”
The man extended his hand for Gu Yan to take his pulse. He folded his long sleeves, revealing his fair arms.
Gu Yan put two fingers on the man’s wrist.
Yin Shi stood at the side with a nervous expression on his face. Silently, he observed Gu Yan’s actions, not wanting to disturb him whilst he was taking his master’s pulse.
After a while, Gu Yan withdrew his hand.
The man followed suit, resting his hand on his lap.
“How’s his condition?” Yin Shi hurriedly asked.
Gu Yan glanced at Yin Shi but did not offer him a response. Instead, he looked at the man in front of him. His prognosis had not changed, though his condition seemed to have improved – even if only a little.
“You’re in a good mood today, aren’t you?” He asked.
The man smiled gently. “Yes.” He did not deny it.
Gu Yan nodded. “It’s good that you are in a pleasant mood. Although it won’t rid you of the poison in your system, a positive outlook on life is still beneficial. Your situation might improve given enough time.”
The man listened to Gu Yan’s words and expressed his agreement. He had not coughed as much today as he did on some others. It was enough that he had not vomited blood today.
“You have been poisoned for so long that the toxin has had the opportunity to seep into your organs. Hence, your vomiting of blood. An ordinary person would have already died by now.” Gu Yan declared.
This was the first time Gu Yan had spoken of the poison in the man’s body. It made people shudder in abject fear of the toxin’s strength.
The man paused. He knew his body very well. Gu Yan’s words merely confirmed his own thoughts regarding his condition.
Yin Shi paled in fright, his voice trembling with anxiety. “There must be something you can prescribe to cure my master!”
The reason why Yin Shi was so certain of Gu Yan’s capability was that he was the one who cured Fu Tingyu of his poisoning.
Fu Tingyu martial prowess had revealed his body’s return to its prime.
They had invited many famous doctors in the hopes of curing their master’s condition but to no avail. Gu Yan was their only hope. If they weren’t so desperate, they would not have captured Gu Yan in the first place.
Gu Yan tilted his head and sent Yin Shi a questioning look. “Why should I treat him?”
Although Gu Yan was as gentle as jade and as refined as a gentleman, he still had his own principles he abided by.
He had not forgotten that the Crimson Sand Organization was responsible for poisoning Fu Tingyu.
Enraged, Yin Shi bellowed, “Your life is in our hands. Don’t think for a second that we won’t kill you if needs be.”
“Then why are you still keeping me alive?” Gu Yan laughed.
“… you…” Yin Shi was so angry that the veins on his forehead rippled and bulged like snakes.
Gu Yan refused to let up, teasing, “Am I wrong?”
Suddenly, the man spoke, “How long do you think I’ll be able to live if you don’t provide me with an antidote?”
Gu Yan answered without hesitation, “You won’t live more than a year.”
Yin Shi glanced at his master nervously. He never imagined how tight on time his master was. It was then that he decided he would use any means necessary to ensure Gu Yan concocted an antidote for his master.
“Very well. State your conditions.” The man said.
“I have money and power. If you threaten my life, my father will not let you go.” Gu Yan had never used his background as leverage before. This was his first time doing so.
“Your father?” The man thought about it for a moment and asked, “Is your father Wen Shangyue?”
Stunned, Gu Yan retorted harshly, “It has nothing to with you.”
“Your skill in medicine must have been a result of Wen Shangyue’s teaching. It seems like you’ve managed to inherit some of his skills in the field of medicine.” The man paused, organizing his thoughts. “I wonder why your surname is Gu and not Wen…”
Gu Yan was left speechless. No one had ever asked him this question so openly before. It was a wonder he never thought to question it himself.
Why was his surname Gu and not Wen?
Despite being blind, the man could sense Gu Yan’s inner turmoil. Perhaps, he did not possess an answer to his question either.
…
Qin Shu woke and blinked her sleep laden eyes. “How could I have fallen asleep?” she wondered.
Turning to the side, she realized that the man had disappeared.
