Dugu Yan was silent for a long time before she finally turned around.
She looked at Li Zhexian, her emerald eyes filled with both hope and caution.
"You... You can really cure the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison?"
The Wine Martial Soul already possessed detoxifying properties by nature. And if it were combined with the Serpent's Venom Rice Spirit—known for neutralizing all serpent-related toxins in the world—
Then even the most stubborn variant of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison could be dissolved.
Li Zhexian was confident. Meeting her gaze, he replied firmly:
"Yes. I can cure it."
Dugu Yan's delicate body trembled slightly. Her emerald pupils misted over with tears.
But she didn't want to appear weak in front of Li Zhexian. She forcibly held them back.
Dugu Bo spoke up impatiently:
"Boy, what do you need to prepare for the antidote?"
"My greenhouse has every kind of poisonous herb and spiritual plant you could ask for. Whatever you need, just say the word!"
Li Zhexian replied calmly:
"I need Sister Dugu."
The misunderstanding from before had been cleared up.
Since Dugu Yan was older than him, he simply switched to a slightly more intimate and respectful way of addressing her.
As the saying goes:
"Gallop across the world, my lord, have no worries; your sister built an inn in Jiangnan."
Dugu Yan blinked, caught slightly off guard.
Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then his aged eyes narrowed suspiciously.
If someone else had said that…
He would've slapped them into the wall.
Realizing his words had been misinterpreted, Li Zhexian quickly explained:
"What I mean is—I need Sister Dugu's serpent venom."
Dugu Yan let out a quiet breath of relief.
But for some reason, she also felt a faint sense of… disappointment.
Dugu Bo's expression eased, and he chuckled:
"Why use Yan Yan's venom?"
"Use mine. It's far more potent."
Li Zhexian glanced at Dugu Bo's somber, shadowed face and immediately refused:
"Too much can be as bad as too little. Sister Dugu's venom is just right."
"If I may, Senior Dugu—please wait outside the courtyard."
At those words, Dugu Yan's lovely face flushed bright red.
Dugu Bo recalled the scene he had barged in on earlier, his old face turning dark. He snorted and flicked his sleeve, then left the courtyard in silence.
"Sister Dugu…"
Li Zhexian handed her the teacup.
"Um…"
"Since your grandfather's just outside, perhaps… spray the venom yourself."
Dugu Yan's face flushed even hotter. She shot him a glare.
"F-Fine!"
She took the teacup and turned around, facing away from Li Zhexian.
A few moments later—
She wiped her lips.
"Here."
When she saw Li Zhexian carefully holding the cup of her venom, she suddenly broke into a smile.
"Thank you, Li Zhexian."
"No matter whether the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison can be cured… I'll remember this."
With that, she turned and quickly walked out of the courtyard.
Li Zhexian smiled knowingly.
He understood—Dugu Yan had deliberately left. She didn't want to uncover the secrets behind his antidote.
"Now then…"
"Time to brew the Serpent's Venom Rice Spirit."
With the lessons from his last two failed attempts, Li Zhexian was far more confident this time.
He skillfully prepared the pre-infusion steps.
Staring at the rice slurry before him, he slowly tilted the teacup.
The green serpent venom dripped like a jade ribbon into the mixture.
As soon as the pure white mash took on a faint green tinge—
Li Zhexian stopped immediately.
The mash began to churn like boiling water.
Gurgle, gurgle—
Emerald bubbles rose to the surface.
Each one burst with a mist carrying a sweet, faintly putrid scent.
Li Zhexian's eyes lit up. His nostrils flared.
This aroma…
It was like apricot-blossom wine, tinged with the cold bite of a serpent's tongue, drilling straight into the brain.
If he had to describe it—
Saliva pooled in his mouth as he muttered in awe:
"It's like sweetened Tiger Balm!"
"Weirdly addictive!"
"Time for a taste!"
At last—a new wine.
Li Zhexian couldn't wait. He took a mouthful of the pure Serpent's Venom Rice Spirit.
"Mmm!"
His eyes flew open.
The first taste was the mellow sweetness of fermented grains—
Then a sharp, numbing heat surged forward—
Followed by a faint, lingering sourness.
It felt like countless tiny snake tongues dancing in his mouth.
"Fascinating! Fascinating!"
"What a wine—Serpent's Venom Rice Spirit, indeed!"
After a few delighted sips—
Li Zhexian channeled the wine into his Wine Martial Soul.
As the emerald liquor poured into the Clear Spring Wine Gourd,
A white serpent-like mist curled up from the spout.
In an instant—
The entire courtyard was filled with a rich, intoxicating fragrance.
A bird flying overhead caught a whiff—
And plummeted straight to the ground.
A few moments later, it shook its head, staggered upright…
Its feathers now pristine white—gleaming anew—
And with a flap, it vanished.
Outside the courtyard.
Dugu Bo suddenly looked up.
"Hmm?!"
"What a fragrant aroma!"
"And there's pure energy hidden within it!"
Dugu Yan also inhaled, and her flushed cheeks turned a deeper red.
Green veins beneath her skin began to glow faintly.
"It smells amazing…"
"My… my Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison seems to be reacting."
Dugu Bo was so overcome that his aged body trembled slightly.
"Excellent!"
"What a remarkable Li Zhexian!"
"There's hope for the antidote!"
"There's hope for breaking the Jade Phosphor Serpent Curse!"
The world only saw his toxic might, spreading poison across thousands of miles.
But who knew the agony in his heart?
His father… his wife… his son… all perished to the backlash of this very poison.
And now—finally—
The curse of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, the fangs that devoured his loved ones…
Might finally be extracted.
...
On the surface of the Clear Spring Wine Gourd,
A small coiling green serpent had appeared—etched into the gourd like a living spirit.
"A fine wine, a fine wine indeed!"
Li Zhexian let out a boozy burp and patted the gourd joyfully.
The wine, originally mysterious and mellow, now carried a new fiery bite.
Utterly addicting.
Li Zhexian wanted nothing more than to get roaring drunk—
But there was something more important to do.
He poured a cup of the emerald brew.
"Senior Dugu, Sister Dugu—please come in."
Creak—
The courtyard gate opened.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan stepped in quickly.
When Dugu Bo saw the emerald mist curling above the cup on the table, he rubbed his hands nervously.
"This is…"
"Yes."
Li Zhexian smiled and nodded. He held the wine out toward Dugu Yan.
"Sister Dugu, drink this. It will cure the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison."
Dugu Yan instinctively raised her hand.
But a moment later, she pulled back.
Her gaze trembled as she looked at the white-robed youth smiling faintly before her.
For someone who had constantly yearned to rid herself of this torment—
She now hesitated.
Because—
This kindness… was too great.
She didn't know how she could ever repay it.
Dugu Bo understood what she was feeling. He said solemnly:
"Li Zhexian… allow this old man to call you by name."
"You've broken the curse on my family. That's no different than giving us new life."
"Should you ever need it, this Dugu Bo will not refuse you anything."
Li Zhexian smiled.
"You flatter me, Senior."
"Sister Dugu, go on and drink."
"After all that venom I made you spit… it's about time something came of it."
That tender moment shattered like glass.
Dugu Yan's face flushed bright red. She burst out laughing and gave Li Zhexian a playful glare.
Then, she took the fragrant cup of wine and drank it in one smooth motion.
"Mmm…"
The wine slid down her throat. Dugu Yan's eyes suddenly widened.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin