Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 205 Dark clouds over the city

When Wu Tao and Hu Bugui arrived at the palace, the originally solemn palace gate was now illuminated red by the flames rising to the sky, the shouts of killing were deafening, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood. The two of them were startled and had an ominous premonition.

"Not good! 'Shadow' has already taken action!" Hu Bugui growled, drew out the long sword from his waist, and rushed into the chaotic battlefield without hesitation. Wu Tao followed closely behind, with silver needles flying in his hand. Wherever he passed, the masked men in black who tried to get close fell to the ground one after another.

In the inner courtyard of the palace, the banquet that was originally full of singing and dancing was now in a mess. The ministers were panicked and dodged the attacks of the men in black. The imperial guards fought desperately, but the "shadows" were numerous and their offensive was fierce, and the situation was precarious.

"Protect the emperor!" Hu Bugui roared, leading the guards who had rushed over to fight their way to the emperor's bedroom. Wu Tao used his agility to shuttle through the chaotic crowd and treat the injured guards and palace maids.

"Your Highness, there are too many people from 'Shadow'. We can't hold on any longer!" A blood-soaked captain of the guards staggered to Hu Bugui, his tone full of despair.

Hu Bugui wiped the blood off his face, his eyes burning with anger, "Pass the order down, all soldiers, swear to defend the palace to the death, those who disobey the order will be executed!"

the captain of the guards roared, turning around and joining the fight again.

While bandaging the wound of a wounded soldier, Wu Tao anxiously looked towards the palace gate in the distance where the battle was fierce, feeling uneasy. Suddenly, she found that the wound of the wounded soldier had a strange black color, as if he had been poisoned by some kind of poison.

"How could this happen?" Wu Tao was shocked and quickly reached out to feel the soldier's breath, only to find that he had stopped breathing.

"What happened?" Hu Bugui noticed Wu Tao's expression and asked anxiously.

Wu Tao's face was solemn. He pointed at the strange black color of the soldier's wound and said hurriedly: "Your Highness, look! They seem to have used some kind of poison!"

Hu Bugui's face suddenly changed when he heard this. He quickly walked to the soldier and took a closer look. His face became more serious. "Damn it! It's 'Bone Erosion'!"

"What is 'Bone Erosion'?" Wu Tao asked anxiously. She had never heard of this poison.

"'Bone Erosion' is an extremely vicious poison," Hu Bugui said gritting his teeth, "the poisoned person will experience severe pain in all bones and eventually fall into a coma. There is no cure."

Wu Tao's heart suddenly sank, and an unprecedented sense of fear surged into her heart. She looked around and found that more and more soldiers and civilians were lying in a pool of blood, groaning in pain, and their wounds were all that horrible black color.

"We must find the antidote as soon as possible!" Wu Tao suppressed the fear in his heart and said to Hu Bugui.

Hu Bugui nodded and ordered decisively: "Come here! Send for the miracle doctor immediately!"

A moment later, a white-haired old man hurried over. He was the highly respected doctor in the palace. The doctor carefully examined the symptoms of the poisoned people and checked the toxins in their wounds. He frowned and said nothing.

"Miracle doctor, what's the situation?" Hu Bugui asked anxiously.

The genius doctor sighed, shook his head, and said in a heavy tone: "Your Highness, I have been practicing medicine for many years, but I have never seen such a powerful poison. The poison of 'Bone Erosion' will kill the victim immediately. The victim's bones will be shattered in a very short time. There is no cure!"

"Is there no other way?" Wu Tao asked anxiously, his eyes full of hope.

The doctor pondered for a moment and said slowly: "There is a way, but..."

"Just say it!" Hu Bugui said anxiously.

"Although 'Bone Erosion' is poisonous, all things in the world are interdependent and mutually exclusive. I have read in an ancient book that there is a rare herb called 'Snow Ganoderma' that can cure this poison." The genius doctor stroked his beard and said slowly.

"Snow Ganoderma?" Hu Bugui and Wu Tao asked in unison.

"Yes, Snow Ganoderma grows in extremely cold places and is covered by ice and snow all year round. It is extremely rare." The genius doctor explained, "I have only seen records of it in ancient books, and have never seen it with my own eyes."

"Then let's go look for it now!" Hu Bugui said decisively.

"But..." The doctor looked troubled. "The place where the snow fungus grows is extremely far away, and the environment is harsh. It is not easy to find it!"

Hu Bugui remained silent, for he knew that what the miracle doctor said was true.

Wu Tao was extremely anxious when she saw this, but she knew that now was not the time to hesitate. She took a deep breath and said with a firm look, "Your Majesty, I will go find the Snow Ganoderma!"

Wu Tao's words were loud and clear, like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears. Hu Bugui looked up suddenly, and a complicated look flashed in his deep eyes. He knew Wu Tao's determination, and he also knew that it was extremely dangerous to go to find the snow ganoderma, but he also knew that Chang'an City could not do without her.

"No, the journey is long and the environment is harsh. You are a weak woman..."

"Your Majesty!" Wu Tao interrupted Hu Bugui with a firm look in his eyes, "I am a doctor, and it is my duty to save the dying and the wounded! Besides, the situation in the city is turbulent now, and the people are in a panic. We need you to take charge!"

Hu Bugui was silent. Every word Wu Tao said was sonorous and reasonable. He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Okay, I'll go! I will find the snow ganoderma as soon as possible. You...please take care of yourself!"

"Don't worry, I will." Wu Tao gave a strong smile and watched Hu Bugui turn around and leave.

Hu Bugui assembled an elite force, brought sufficient supplies, and rode as fast as he could to where the snow ganoderma grew. Along the way, the mountain road was rugged and the wind was biting, but Hu Bugui's heart was like a burning fire, dispelling all the cold and fear. He had only one thought in his mind, which was to find the snow ganoderma as soon as possible, treat the poisoned soldiers and civilians, and return to Wu Tao.

However, the development of the matter was far more complicated than they had imagined. Just as Hu Bugui and his companions were crossing mountains and getting closer to their destination, an invisible murderous aura quietly descended.

"My lord, be careful!"

With a cry of surprise, Hu Bugui suddenly looked up and saw countless men in black suddenly emerging from the dense forest in front of him, each holding a sharp blade and full of murderous intent.

"kill!"

There was no extra nonsense, and a fierce fight broke out instantly. Swords flashed, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and Hu Bugui, holding a long sword, was like a tiger descending from the mountain, killing his way out. However, the enemy had a large number of people, and each of them was well-trained and fierce. Hu Bugui's team was quickly dispersed, and suffered heavy casualties.

"My Lord, hurry up! We will cover you!"

Several personal soldiers tried their best to protect Hu Bugui, but they were mercilessly killed by the black-clad men who swarmed in. Hu Bugui was furious, but he had no time to care. He wielded his sword, killing with bloodshot eyes, and forcibly tore a hole in the encirclement and broke out into the distance.

"Chase! We can't let him get away!"

At the command of the leader of the men in black, everyone was like a leech, chasing after him relentlessly. Hu Bugui ran all the way, with deafening shouts of killing and the sound of cold arrows piercing the air behind him. He knew that a more dangerous challenge was waiting for him...

Hu Bugui ran all the way, over mountains and across ridges, and finally found the snow-white Ganoderma lucidum on a hidden cliff. Without taking a breath, he carefully put the precious herb into his pocket and immediately rushed back to Chang'an. However, what was waiting for him was the news of a person who was more precious than the Ganoderma lucidum, and his life or death was uncertain.

When he rushed into Wu Tao's room, a strong smell of medicine hit him, accompanied by the heavy sigh of the miracle doctor. Wu Tao lay on the bed with a pale face, his originally rosy lips were now bloodless, and his breathing was so weak that it was almost imperceptible.

"Tao Tao!" Hu Bugui's heart suddenly shrank, as if it was tightly grasped by an invisible hand, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. He rushed to the bedside and touched Wu Tao's cheek with his trembling hands. The cold touch made him feel like he was falling into an ice cellar.

"My Lord, you're back..." The doctor saw Hu Bugui and a trace of relief appeared on his tired face. "Did you find the Snow Ganoderma?"

"Found it!" Hu Bugui handed the Snow Ganoderma to the doctor with trembling hands, "Quick, save her!"

The doctor took the snow ganoderma and immediately began to prepare the antidote. The atmosphere in the room was suffocating, with only the sound of the herbs being ground and Hu Bugui's suppressed breathing intertwined.

Time passed by minute by minute, and finally, the doctor handed a bowl of black medicine to Hu Bugui, "Your Majesty, the antidote is ready, give it to Doctor Wu quickly."

Hu Bugui carefully helped Wu Tao up and fed her the antidote spoonful by spoonful. However, Wu Tao's complexion did not improve at all, she was still as pale as paper and her breathing was weak.

"How could this happen?" Hu Bugui asked anxiously, "Didn't you say that Snow Ganoderma is the antidote?"

"Snow Ganoderma can indeed detoxify, but Doctor Wu's injuries are too severe, her vitality is greatly damaged, and..." The genius doctor paused, his tone solemn, "Plus, she seems to have been poisoned by another poison. I can't determine what the poison is for the time being, let alone detoxify it."

Hu Bugui felt his eyes go dark and he almost fainted. He held Wu Tao's hand tightly, his heart filled with self-blame and fear.

At this moment, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door. A soldier ran in in a panic, knelt on one knee, and said in a trembling voice: "Report... Report to the prince, a large number of men in black appeared outside the city... outside the city, and they are approaching the city gate!"

Hu Bugui stood up suddenly, his eyes as sharp as a knife, "Is it finally here?" He took a deep breath, temporarily suppressed the grief and worry in his heart, and ordered in a deep voice, "Pass the order down, the whole city is on alert, prepare to meet the enemy!"

"Yes!" The soldier took the order and left. Only Hu Bugui, the unconscious Wu Tao and the worried doctor were left in the room.

"Your Highness, the injuries on your body..." The genius doctor looked at Hu Bugui worriedly. His body had already been overdrawn due to the fatigue from the long journey and the injuries from the fierce battle with the men in black.

"I'm fine." Hu Bugui interrupted the doctor and looked at Wu Tao on the bed with a firm gaze, "I want to protect her and this city!"

He turned around and strode out of the room. His back looked extremely tall in the dim light, yet revealed a tragic and resolute look. Dark clouds were gathering over the city, and a storm was about to come. A bigger storm was about to sweep in...