Phi-Fic Chapter 519: The Assassin Who Suddenly Barged into the Store
Chapter 519: The Assassin Who Suddenly Barged into the Store
Some patients experienced worsening symptoms after taking the medication, instead of relief.
Their once hopeful eyes gradually dimmed, and disappointment and fear spread once more.
Fang Xiaoxiao fell into deep thought again. Her beautiful eyes were bloodshot, yet they still shone with a thoughtful light.
She carefully reviewed every step of the production process, the dosage and processing method of each medicinal herb, trying to find the problem hidden in the details.
After repeated deliberation and countless hypotheses and verifications, she realized that the quality and age of the medicinal materials might be affecting the efficacy of the medicine.
Therefore, Fang Xiaoxiao decided to embark on the arduous journey of finding higher quality medicinal materials once again.
This time, Pei Yan, Zhou Wenjian, and Ouyang Tuoba once again stayed by her side without hesitation.
Their figures moved through the streets and alleys of Kyoto, inquiring about information about high-quality medicinal herbs.
During this long and arduous process, they encountered numerous difficulties and setbacks.
Some drug dealers, blinded by greed, deliberately raise prices, attempting to profit from the patients' eagerness; others, on the other hand, sell inferior products, trying to deceive the market.
But they were not defeated by these difficulties. With their wisdom, experience and firm belief, they finally found high-quality and aged medicinal herbs on the outskirts of the city from a reclusive old herbalist.
With new medicinal herbs in hand, Fang Xiaoxiao began preparing medicinal cuisine anew, full of hope.
This time, she was more cautious in every movement and more focused in every glance.
She carefully selected each herb and meticulously measured the dosage of each ingredient, as if she were treating the most precious treasure in the world.
Finally, the new medicinal cuisine was completed to Fang Xiaoxiao's delight.
The rich aroma of medicine permeated every corner of Lingxi Pavilion, as if carrying a healing power.
The patients took the medication again with trepidation, and this time, a miracle finally happened.
The red and swollen sores began to subside gradually, their color changing from bright red to dull, and the swollen areas slowly flattened.
The patients' spirits gradually recovered, and their previously dull eyes regained their hopeful light.
The Lingxi Pavilion was filled with sounds of joy and gratitude, like a moving melody.
The laughter, tears, and words of thanks mingled together, forming a warm torrent that flowed through everyone's heart.
As Fang Xiaoxiao watched the patient gradually recover, her tense face finally broke into a relieved smile, like a flower blooming in spring, beautiful and touching.
Pei Yan, Zhou Wenjian, and Ouyang Tuoba were also genuinely happy to be able to contribute their strength and help everyone in this difficult battle.
Just when everyone thought things were about to come to a satisfactory conclusion and life was about to return to peace and happiness, another unexpected event struck like a bolt from the blue, shattering the brief tranquility.
Several patients experienced similar symptoms again shortly after recovering.
The gloom that had just dissipated once again enveloped everyone's hearts, and fear and unease spread again.
Fang Xiaoxiao's heart sank again, as if a huge boulder had been placed on it. But she knew that she could not back down or give up at this moment.
She took a deep breath and looked at Pei Yan, Zhou Wenjian, and Ouyang Tuoba, seeing the same firmness and determination in their eyes.
They joined hands again to delve deeper into the disease and embark on a new round of treatment.
The afterglow of the setting sun gently spilled onto the facade of Lingxi Pavilion like a thin veil. Fang Xiaoxiao, who had been busy all day, was preparing to close the shop and end this fulfilling but tiring day.
Just as she was about to push the shop door shut, a staggering figure stumbled towards her.
Fang Xiao was startled. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was the woman she had saved before.
The woman was covered in blood, her once gorgeous clothes were tattered, and a few strands of hair clung messily to her face, which was filled with terror and despair.
She was breathing heavily, each breath seeming so difficult.
"Help! Miss Xiao, save me!"
The woman screamed desperately, her voice filled with boundless fear, as if it were being squeezed from the depths of her soul.
Fang Xiaoxiao's heart clenched, and she instinctively reached out and pulled the woman into the store, then quickly closed the door.
Almost at the same moment, a group of dark figures darted out from the street corner like ghosts and followed closely behind the woman.
These people were all dressed in black night clothes, their faces covered with black cloths, revealing only pairs of eyes that exuded ferocity and murderous intent. The sharp blades in their hands gleamed coldly in the setting sun.
With her last ounce of strength, the woman collapsed onto the floor inside the shop, gasping for breath. Before Fang Xiaoxiao and the woman could calm their panicked emotions, the sound of the assassins violently ramming against the shop door rang out.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The heavy impacts were like muffled thunder, each one making the fragile shop door teeter on the verge of collapse, and the latch creaked horribly.
Fang Xiaoxiao and the woman retreated in terror. At this moment, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba heard the commotion outside and rushed out from the backyard.
"Xiao Xiao, what happened?" Pei Yan asked loudly, his gaze instantly turning sharp as a sword.
"An assassin is after her!" Fang Xiaoxiao said, pointing to the weak woman on the ground.
Ouyang Tuoba's face instantly darkened. He turned around, grabbed a thick wooden stick, and stood guard in front of the shop.
The assassins' assaults grew increasingly frenzied, and the store door seemed poised to be smashed open at any moment.
At this critical moment, Pei Yan quickly looked around and his gaze fell on the window on one side.
"Escape through the window!" Pei Yan shouted urgently.
The woman was already too weak to move due to her injuries and fear. Fang Xiaoxiao and Ouyang Tuoba tried to help her up, but the assassins seemed to have sensed their intentions, and some of them began to smash the windows frantically.
The store was immediately thrown into chaos and panic.
Just when everyone was feeling hopeless, a rapid sound of hooves and shouts of battle came from afar.
It turned out that He Jinnian had arrived in time with a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department.
He Jinnian, dressed in the official uniform of the Chief Justice, looked dashing, with the sword at his waist gleaming coldly in the setting sun.
He waved his hand and roared, "Take down these thugs!"
The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department descended like tigers from a mountain, quickly surrounding the assassins. Seeing the situation was dire, the assassins attempted a desperate breakout, but the officers led by He Jinnian were highly trained and worked in perfect coordination, quickly suppressing the assassins' offensive.
A fierce battle unfolded in front of the Lingxi Pavilion. Although the assassins were ruthless, they gradually showed signs of weakness in the face of the well-trained Chief Justice.
Pei Yan peered through the crack in the door, anxiously watching the battle unfold outside. He saw He Jinnian leading the charge, his longsword flashing, each strike deadly, each blow sending an assassin screaming as they fell.
The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department fought bravely and fearlessly against the assassins. Swords clashed, blood splattered, and shouts of battle shook the heavens.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Ouyang Tuoba held the unconscious woman tightly, anxiously waiting for the battle to end.
Finally, with the last assassin falling, this thrilling battle came to an end. He Jinnian walked into Lingxi Pavilion covered in blood, his face showing concern and anxiety.
"Xiao Xiao, are you all alright?" He Jinnian asked, his eyes filled with worry.
Fang Xiaoxiao quickly thanked him, "Thank you so much, Jin Nian. If you hadn't arrived in time, we would probably be in grave danger."
He Jinnian waved his hand and said, "My wife is no need for thanks. But why was this woman being chased?"
The group looked at each other, all with puzzled expressions.
At this moment, the woman slowly woke up. Looking at the people around her, tears welled up uncontrollably again.
"It's because I learned a secret..." the woman said weakly.
It turns out that the woman accidentally discovered a shocking conspiracy involving Five-Stone Powder. Someone was secretly manufacturing and selling Five-Stone Powder on a large scale, making huge profits, and because she accidentally stumbled upon this secret, she was relentlessly hunted down.
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others were all shocked when they heard this.
"This matter is of utmost importance and must be thoroughly investigated!" He Jinnian said with a serious expression and a firm tone.
Fang Xiaoxiao nodded: "Jin Nian, we are also willing to assist you in investigating this matter. We must not allow these evil people to continue to do evil and harm the people."
Thus, an operation to uncover the conspiracy behind the Five-Stone Powder quietly began.