Chapter 399: That Thing

Chapter 399: That Thing

The next morning.

At the entrance of a cave behind Longmu City's rear mountain.

Su Mo looked up at the name of the cave and found it rather hastily chosen: "Scripture Vault Cave!"

This was where exegesis took place.

The night before, Xie Yun had not stayed long at Su Mo's lodging.

After confirming Su Mo's name, he gave Su Mo a wooden token—the exegete's pass.

He then explained the location for exegesis, telling Su Mo to show the token for entry later.

With that, he left.

Su Mo casually pulled out the token from his pocket, tossed it lightly in his palm, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Of all the tokens he had received so far, this was the flimsiest one yet—in every way.

He scanned the area, noticing no one had accompanied him.

Without hesitation, he walked ahead, when two disciples of Longmu Island stopped him:

"The Scripture Vault Cave lies ahead. Stop right there, honored guest."

Su Mo held up the token for inspection.

After a glance, the two stepped back:

"Please enter, exegete."

"Thank you."

Su Mo nodded slightly and stepped inside the cavern.

The cave was cool, but not from wind—just an eerie, sourceless chill lingering within.

Fire basins lined the walls, banishing shadows but not the cold.

The tunnel ran straight forward, and Su Mo walked until he soon arrived at a wide, hollowed-out space.

Here, long desks and chairs were set up. Two Longmu Island’s disciples were idly gossiping behind a desk.

At the sound of footsteps, they quickly stopped their conversation and looked up at Su Mo.

They scrambled to their feet:

"Your token, exegete."

Su Mo produced the token again.

A quick look later, one disciple rounded the desk:

"Please follow me, sir."

"Thank you."

"No trouble at all."

The Dragonwood Island disciple led him forward while speaking to Su Mo:

"Exegetes work in the caves to decipher the medical classics; each gets their own cave.

"Inside, there's brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for note-taking and study anytime.

"Additionally, all deciphered content so far is available for reference and review.

"Outside each cave, there are Dragonwood Island disciples on duty.

"If you have any requests—whether for medical texts or food and drink—

"just ask, and we'll make it happen."

"Is that so?"

Su Mo glanced at the Dragonwood Island disciple ahead and smiled. "Isn't that too much to ask of you?"

"Not at all."

The disciple replied with a smile:

"Honored guests like you come to our island to help us resolve difficulties.

"If the medical classic can be fully deciphered, we too could finally be freed from this ordeal.

"It's the least we can do."

As they spoke, they heard hurried footsteps approaching.

Looking up, they saw two Dragonwood Island disciples carrying an elderly man out of a cave, rushing as if in a life-or-death hurry.

Su Mo instinctively glanced at the disciple guiding him. Only after the three had passed did the Dragonwood Island man sigh and explain:

"Sadly, some exegetes get so absorbed in their work that they forget to eat or rest.

"Besides handling requests, we disciples posted outside the caves are also prepared for such situations.

"We can't let anything happen to them in their dedication.

"These scholars work themselves to exhaustion to unravel the medical classic—how could we just stand by?"

"That's very thoughtful of you."

Su Mo nodded slightly and continued forward with his guide.

Walking, his gaze swept over the caves on either side.

Inside were physicians completely engrossed—some scribbling away, others lost in thought—all hard at work in their caves.

And outside each cave, Dragonwood Island disciples were keeping watch.

As they advanced, they heard someone inside the cave shouting loudly:

"Quick, another Good Thought Pill!"

The disciple outside let out a deep sigh:

"You can't take any more. While the Good Thought Pill boosts mental clarity, you can’t keep taking them nonstop.

"If this continues, your body won’t hold up."

"Stop your nonsense!"

The person inside roared angrily:

"I’m on the verge of a breakthrough. If I gain any insight, I’ll crack this scripture passage.

"At such a time, if you deny me the Good Thought Pill and delay the great task of interpretation, how will you answer for the delay?"

"This..."

The Longmu Island disciple outside sighed helplessly:

"Fine, one more—but that’s it! After this, you truly cannot have any more today.

"It’s barely morning. You should rest properly.

"You’ve been up all night. Keep this up, and you’ll collapse."

As he spoke, he took out a bottle of pills from his robe, poured out one, and handed it over grudgingly to the person inside.

The man downed it in one go, then froze, staring at the pages in his hand, clearly lost in contemplation.

"Good Thought Pill?"

Su Mo glanced at the Longmu Island disciple:

"What is this?"

"You see, exegete,"

the Longmu Island disciple replied:

"The medical classic is difficult to decipher, with its dense, arcane passages—I can’t make heads or tails of them.

"You martial arts masters have insights beyond the ordinary, naturally surpassing the ordinary.

"But to unravel its secrets also requires a stroke of genius.

"Yet, when you experts ponder a particular passage, on the cusp of solving it, it becomes the most agonizing moment.

"Just when a section seems solvable, it slips your grasp.

"The thoughts in your heart are just out of reach, yet remain elusive—truly pure agony.

"At such times, the Good Thought Pill comes to the rescue.

"The so-called Good Thought Pill is a medicinal pill that sharpens the mind and fuels deep thought.

"It is a Longmu Island exclusive."

"After taking it, the user's cognitive abilities will greatly increase in a short time, with both memory and energy getting a boost.

"However, the effect usually lasts only an hour.

"After an hour, one will feel drained and fatigued.

"So, although this pill is effective, it can only address immediate needs and offer temporary relief.

"It shouldn't be overused.

"Overuse may instead damage cognitive abilities...

"Therefore, our Island Master has decreed that no more than three pills be taken in a day.

"Three pills are the limit, after which one must sleep for two full days and nights."

"Such a wonder drug exists?"

Su Mo looked at the disciple of Longmu Island and let out a sudden scoff:

"There wouldn’t be something fishy about this pill, would there?"

"Rest assured, sir," the disciple of Longmu Island was quick to respond.

"There are absolutely no issues with the Good Thought Pill. If you have any doubts about it, you may check the formula yourself or even brew it on your own.

"People of Longmu Island won't meddle uninvited.

"On the contrary, we will provide whatever you need to assist you in refining the pill.

"Moreover, whether to use this pill or not is entirely up to the exegete’s own discretion.

"If you prefer not to use it, we would never force you."

"Hmm..."

Su Mo nodded. "That’s pretty upfront."

The conversation between the two thus wrapped up, and they continued walking forward.

Scanning their surroundings, Su Mo spotted Gai Huatuo from yesterday.

It turned out those who hadn't accompanied him today weren't missing because they didn't show—they had simply come too early.

Moving further, he saw some familiar faces.

All were faces from yesterday morning's meeting.

After turning past a cave entrance, they finally reached a deserted area where they came upon an empty cave.

The disciple of Longmu Island invited Su Mo inside and said to him:

"Please wait here, sir. I will get the texts for you.

"Everything's set up inside the cave. If you need anything else, you may holler for me at any time.

"After I grab the texts, I will keep watch outside the cave."

Su Mo nodded and casually asked:

"Ah, I came in a hurry this morning and haven’t taken care of business yet.

"Is there a latrine here?"

The disciple of Longmu Island quickly replied:

"You may wait here for a moment, and I’ll bring you a chamber pot."

"Preposterous!"

Su Mo’s expression darkened instantly:

"Utterly absurd! Do you know who I am? How could I possibly share quarters with waste?"

"This..."

The disciple of Longmu Island hesitated, then reluctantly suggested:

"Perhaps I could take you outside the cave to relieve yourself?"

"...Forget it."

Su Mo sighed. "Fine, bring the chamber pot."

"Much obliged!"

The disciple hurriedly expressed his gratitude before turning to leave.

Su Mo, meanwhile, seized the moment to slip out of the cave, his eyes sweeping the cave.

The cave was deep, far deeper than met the eye.

Going deeper, who knew what lay ahead?

The disciples of Longmu Island only stood watch at the entrances of the caves where the exegetes resided.

But Su Mo clearly heard movement deeper within the cave.

In a flash, he pushed off with his foot.

His figure disappeared like the wind, disappearing silently into the depths of the cave.

Well, since he was here, he might as well check it out.

Using his Wind God Leg technique, he was unmatched in speed.

Even if he blew past others, they’d only catch the wind and fail to catch a glimpse of his figure.

In a blink, he was deep inside.

When he came to a halt, he found himself at a bend in the cave.

There, another opening yawned, but it was densely covered with thorny vines.

The vines, studded with thorns, blocked the way entirely, leaving no opening.

Even the surrounding cave walls were completely entwined with vines.

Su Mo's ears pricked up slightly—the sound he had heard earlier came from within this vine-covered cave entrance.

A thought crossed his mind: should he use a single strike of the *Purple Sun Divine Palm* to incinerate all these vines?

Just then, he suddenly heard the sinister rustling of vines.

The dense mass of vines parted naturally on both sides, revealing the actual cave entrance.

Two sets of footsteps echoed from within, and out walked two Dragonwood Island disciples.

As they walked, one of them grumbled:

"This *Ghost Vine* is spreading increasingly faster.

"We have to cut it down every day to prevent it from spreading outward.

"Just half a day, and it’s already reached this extent… Having to cut it multiple times a day is truly exhausting."

"Quit your whining.

"This *Ghost Vine* is a mutated strain born from that *thing*.

"That *thing* has extraordinary properties, and under its influence, the *Ghost Vine* emerged.

"This vine actively seeks out living creatures—its thorns contain deadly poison.

"The *Island Master* said that if we don’t prune it daily, it could easily overrun the entire island.

"By then, anyone without *Vine Repellent* would fall prey to these vines, their flesh and blood turned into nutrients to fuel its growth."

"That might sound scary, but didn’t that *elderly man* just the other night still break free from the *Ghost Vine*’s grasp and sneak in?"

"That old man’s knowledge of medicine and toxins was extraordinary.

"It’s really too bad…"

The Dragonwood Island disciple gave a slight shake of his head at this point and fell silent.

"Tell me, what exactly is that *thing*?

"After all these years, we still haven’t figured it out."

The first disciple who spoke suddenly said in a hushed, mysterious tone.

"How would I know?"

The other disciple’s expression changed:

"Besides, the *Island Master* has banned any talk about this."

"You started it!"

The first speaker chuckled:

"Anyway, there’s no one else here. Those physicians are all outside, obsessed with deciphering the *medical classic* recorded there.

"They’re completely consumed by it…"

"Even after the Island Master warned that the Good Thought Pill shouldn't be overused, they completely ignore it."

"Seriously, what good are people like that to the Island Master anyway?"

"None of us can fathom the Island Master's plans."

The other disciple shook his head lightly. "And it's not something to gossip about. Since the founding of our Dragonwood Island, hasn't every Island Master been inscrutable?"

"As for those physicians... it's not that they're worthless, but that they don't understand."

"They're bewitched by that medical classic."

"When it comes to actual medical skill, many of them are far more skilled than us."

"When the Grand Physician disappeared a few years ago, the Island Master's probably looking to pick a new one from among them."

"Hmm... haha, do they actually believe solving that medical classic means we'd just let them walk off Dragonwood Island?"

"Shh, quiet! Back to work! We need to cut these excess Ghost Vines and haul them off for Bone Broth brewing."

"Ah, we feed them, house them, and put on a smiling face every day..."

"Quit your bitching."

As they spoke, the two pulled short blades from their sleeves.

They began hacking at the cave vines.

Su Mo was thoroughly confused by their talk.

But now wasn't the time to listen further. By his reckoning, the Dragonwood Island disciple who had gone to fetch the medical classic for him should be returning soon.

In a blur of motion, he vanished from the spot.

Just a whisper of wind remained, causing the Ghost Vines to twitch slightly.

The two cutting disciples were startled.

They panicked, thinking the Vine Repellent wore off and the vines were about to strangle them.

But after a moment with no change, they exhaled in relief.

Meanwhile, Su Mo had already returned to the stone cave where the exegete was quartered.

He had just sat down when footsteps approached from outside.

The Dragonwood Island disciple entered, balancing a tray in one hand and carrying a chamber pot in the other.

Seeing Su Mo sitting properly, he relaxed:

"Sir, the chamber pot is here. For your... needs."

"And here is the medical classic. I've set it right here, sir."

"Hmph."

Su Mo gestured casually. "Leave it."

"As you say."

The Dragonwood Island disciple responded and added:

"After using the chamber pot, just say the word, and I'll empty it for you."

Su Mo nodded slightly and glanced at him again:

"One more thing—if I want to stop working on this, am I free to leave?"

"Of course."

The Dragonwood Island disciple immediately nodded:

"You can come and go as you please, as long as you inform me.

"And evenings are for resting anyway. The Island Master once said, 'Come at daybreak, leave by nightfall.' Unfortunately... nobody follows it. If you wish to return in the evening or leave at any time, feel free."

"That's good."

Su Mo gave a small smile. "You may leave now."

"Yes."

After the disciple left the cave, Su Mo sat there, with a slight frown.

He casually picked up the medical classic and unwrapped the brocade cloth covering it.

The contents of the medical classic had been transcribed, line by line, word by word, laid out before him.

However, the text was indeed dense and hard to understand.

After just a few glances, Su Mo started feeling dizzy.

Perhaps a real doctor could make sense of it, but for him...

He truly couldn't get any meaning from these words.

Yet, judging from the conversation between the two Dragonwood Island disciples earlier at the Ghost Vine cave entrance,

this medical classic did seem to possess some power to mess with people's minds.

Only, its exact effects remained unclear.

On the surface, Su Mo looked like he was reading the medical classic, but his mind was entirely occupied by the two men's dialogue.

As expected, the so-called "deciphering the medical classic to lift the ancestral rules binding everyone on Dragonwood Island"

was nothing but deceitful nonsense.

But was their true goal really just to select a new Grand Physician?

The Grand Physician had disappeared suddenly years ago—why?

And what exactly was "that thing" they mentioned?

Under the influence of "that thing," strange mutations like the Ghost Vine had emerged.

Did the changes in the Lord of Longmu Island's physique also come from it?

As for the "elderly man" they spoke of—chances are, it must be the Poison Lord, right?

"So he did fail after all..."

"But clearly, the Ghost Vine won't hold the Poison Lord, and naturally, it won’t hold Little Situ either."

Su Mo’s mind cleared a little, and a plan formed in his mind.

He had initially believed the medical classic might be Little Situ’s opportunity.

But now, it seemed the true opportunity might actually be that mysterious artifact.

Yet, how much does the Xuanku Pavilion (Suspended Kettle Pavilion) truly know about this?

Yesterday, the Lord of Longmu Island used the Mystic Needle Nine Styles as an example, telling everyone that the medical techniques in the classic were extraordinary.

But the Mystic Needle Nine Styles are also found in Xuanku Pavilion.

When the Great Xuan Dynasty wiped out the Hidden Medical Sect and collected medical classics, why did they end up in Xuanku Pavilion and this Longmu Island?

What is the true origin of Xuanku Pavilion?

These questions, never considered before, now came rushing to mind.

However, just sitting here thinking would obviously not reveal the crux of the matter.

Now that he knew there was still a peculiar artifact on the island,

Su Mo would have to investigate it thoroughly.

The Vine Repellent—Su Mo had no suitable reason to obtain it, but with Little Situ by his side, they might be able to get past the Ghost Vine.

With this thought in mind, he returned to deciphering the puzzle-like medical classic.

The longer he stared at it, the sleepier he got.

From time to time, his ears caught the sounds of mad laughter echoing from other caves:

"I figured it out! I figured it out!!"

"Ah, no—I was wrong..."

The voices were filled with the disappointment of being wrong.