The insect An Long brought out was called "Lock Emotion."
It was one of his concealed bugs, a species Song Qingshi had never even heard of.
"Lock Emotion" belonged to the category of therapeutic insects. It resembled a miniature silkworm—soft, white, and devoid of any attacking appendages. Adorably innocuous, it survived by absorbing human desires and emotions. Functioning like a valve, its user could control the emotional threshold, allowing the bug to absorb any excess, thereby maintaining emotional stability.
It offered a level of control far more nuanced than the calming formulas from Medicine King Valley.
An Long swore by his ancestors that using "Lock Emotion" had no adverse effects. It was an inert insect, only responsive to the host's emitted emotional absorption commands, leaving him unable to wield it for any nefarious purposes.
Song Qingshi tested it out and found the claims to be true; "Lock Emotion" was indeed designed for emotional therapy. However, this made him increasingly puzzled. The bug didn't fit An Long's penchant for insects tailored for killing—the crueler, the better. His complementary insects were primarily for reconnaissance, interrogation, and control. As for healing, he relied on his poison-crafting skills, existing healing bugs from his sect, and special pills from Medicine King Valley.
Nevertheless, the intricate design and difficult cultivation of "Lock Emotion" clearly bore the marks of his own extraordinary genius.
Why would An Long develop this sort of therapeutic bug that he himself had no use for?
Song Qingshi bluntly voiced his doubt.
An Long looked at him for a moment and then chuckled, "To become friends with you."
His original self had endured An Long's constant mischief and household-wrecking antics, willing to befriend him primarily due to his medical expertise, obscure poison techniques, and status as a bug-taming prodigy. His original self had also cleaned up many messes for him, treated numerous injuries, and researched many medications for bug cultivation. So perhaps, this was a gift?
Song Qingshi's suspicions instantly dissolved.
Holding "Lock Emotion," he went to find Yue Wuhuan.
Yue Wuhuan had already regained his composure under the effects of the calming agent. His face was wrapped in layers of gauze, but the wound was not severe. Though the cut was deep, his wood-based spiritual root had incredible healing capabilities. He had sustained countless injuries, yet never bore a single scar. Even a grievous wound from a demonic tiger had left no trace after a few months of recovery.
It was both his fortune and his misfortune.
Otherwise, he would have destroyed his own face and body long ago at the Golden Phoenix Manor.
When Yue Wuhuan carved out his tear mole, he wasn't acting with the intention to disfigure himself. There was still a glimmer of lucidity in his mind. Realizing quickly that he had made a mistake and caused great trouble for Song Qingshi, he anxiously apologized countless times, promising to take his medication and avoid future episodes.
As he spoke these words, not only did he avoid making eye contact with Song Qingshi, but his hands also trembled intermittently, as if he were holding back immense pain.
His senior sister once said: "Men's mouths are as deceitful as ghosts."
Song Qingshi decided not to trust him anymore... he would rather place his trust in "Lock Emotion."
Upon hearing about the effects of "Lock Emotion," Yue Wuhuan thought for a moment, accepted his limited options, and agreed to the treatment. About a quarter of an hour after the bug entered his body, his emotional state noticeably improved. His bodily tremors ceased, and he felt much more at ease. Touching his heart, he urged the bug to absorb his inappropriate desires. His gaze towards Song Qingshi became natural, as if life had returned to him.
Seizing the opportunity, Song Qingshi explained the situation with the illusion bug and asked him about the contents of his hallucinations, adding, "I'll respect your wishes if you'd rather not discuss it."
Without any hesitation, Yue Wuhuan responded, "I'd like to keep it confidential."
Song Qing Shi then took out the illusion insect sealed in a box, intending to return it to him.
After some thought, Yue Wuhuan pushed it back, "Master, you should keep it. I am, after all, a mere mortal who will depart this world sooner or later. At that time, you can open the box to discover its contents." He chose to relinquish his ignoble desires, hoping that his true feelings would be revealed to this man after his demise.
"Alright," said Song Qingshi, who had no aversions to matters of life and death or to leaving behind one's last will. He casually placed the illusion bug in his mustard seed bag and changed the subject, "I've declined collaboration with the Wan Gu Sect. In hindsight, this decision was hasty. An Long will likely seize the opportunity to confront me. Considering his penchant for stirring up trouble, there's no telling what chaos he'll create. I'm thinking of handing over the distribution channels to Ye Yu Pavilion. Although Ye Lin is rather avaricious, he's well-connected and trustworthy. We can sacrifice a small percentage of the profits for a life of peace and tranquility."
Frankly, he had grown wary of Alaska's incessant visits.
Although ramping up production would take time and Medicine King Valley would face financial strain for a while, his entire focus was now on being with Yue Wuhuan. He had no desire to engage in other activities. Except for some minor experiments, all other research could be halted. They could sell some unused magical instruments from the treasury to fund the production line. Everyone would tighten their belts for a while, and maybe another gullible benefactor like the Elder from Wu Shan would seek medical help for a strange ailment during that time.
Yue Wuhuan nodded, "I'll follow Master's guidance."
In return for "Lock Emotion," Song Qingshi went to his collection and retrieved a bottle of rare Purple Blossom Dew, a substance invaluable for An Long's body-refining techniques. Both he and his former self cherished this rare medication more than their own lives, and An Long had tried unsuccessfully to obtain it for quite some time. However, having accepted "Lock Emotion," he felt obligated to reciprocate, no matter how painful it might be.
Song Qingshi reluctantly handed over the Purple Blossom Dew to An Long.
An Long immediately understood and asked, "You're sending me away again, aren't you?"
Holding back his discomfort, Song Qingshi replied earnestly, "I need to focus on treating Wuhuan's illness and won't have time to entertain you anymore."
An Long looked at him for a long while, then suddenly broke into a smile, lifting the bottle of Purple Blossom Dew in his hand, "Since you're even willing to part with your treasure as a gesture of goodwill, I'll gladly accept it."
Haolong sensed that something was amiss and desperately clung to Song Qingshi's limbs, refusing to leave.
Taking advantage of the moment, An Long leaned close to Song Qingshi's ear and whined, "I've wasted so many days without closing a deal. Don't you think I deserve some compensation?"
Song Qingshi was perplexed. Medicine King Valley couldn't even afford to repair its damaged building; what compensation could they possibly offer?
Without warning, An Long yanked him into his embrace, locking him tightly in his arms. Like a beast venting its frustration, he fiercely bit into Song Qingshi's neck.
Song Qingshi's protective aura could not withstand An Long's iron-like fangs, and blood was drawn from the bite.
The pain was intense, causing Song Qingshi to swiftly counter with his internal fire.
Feeling the searing sensation at his lips, An Long reluctantly released his bite, licking the trace of blood from his lips and remarking, "The taste is as delightful as I had imagined."
This Alaskan creature deserved no sympathy.
Without hesitation, Song Qingshi forcefully kicked him out of the front door.
Glancing back, he saw Haolong still clinging to his waist. The creature shook its head smugly as it said its goodbyes to its master. Noticing Song Qingshi's unfriendly gaze, it hurriedly slid off to hide in the bushes, refusing to leave. Song Qingshi was not about to let it off so easily; he grabbed its tail, pulled it out, and also tossed it outside. Then, he stormed off to disinfect the wound on his neck.
The front gate of Medicine King Valley immediately closed, dissipating the poisonous fog and revealing the path.
Haolong was extremely upset, rolling on the ground and refusing to leave, its eyes filled with accusations against the one who had betrayed its trust.
"You never learn," An Long scolded as he picked up Haolong. "So what if Song Qingshi saved you back then? Even if he once treated you with warmth and care, you should leave once you're healed. No amount of rolling on the ground or throwing tantrums will make him keep you. How many times must you be rejected to understand?"
Haolong reluctantly crawled onto its master's shoulder and curled into a ball, remaining motionless.
When it first met Song Qingshi, it was just a useless little snake in a secret realm, bullied constantly by greater demons. Song Qingshi rescued it after it had been injured by poisonous fire, tending to its wounds every day without being repulsed by its ugliness. He even prioritized its safety over collecting valuable herbs. It thought it was the center of his world.
It had believed itself to be special, aspiring to be Song Qingshi's spirit pet. However, it was given to An Long once it recovered. It thought it wasn't strong enough to deserve Song Qingshi, so it trained relentlessly to become a renowned beast, abandoning its dignity to beg pitifully for attention. Yet, it still couldn't earn a place by Song Qingshi's side.
"You're not special," An Long softly patted Haolong, comforting words that seemed to be aimed at more than just the creature. "No one is special to him. He may be gentle when he's healing you, but he'll be equally ruthless once you're healed. No one can stay by his side forever."
This man, seemingly so full of compassion, harbored the most heartless soul one could imagine.
An Long had known for five hundred years what it was like to experience bone-chilling despair and to live in darkness without the faintest glimmer of hope.
Unable to help himself, An Long broke into bitter laughter. Glancing back at Medicine King Valley, which was gradually disappearing in the mist, he mused aloud,
"Song Qingshi is becoming increasingly endearing. What a pity…"
"I wonder what the beautiful woman will look like upon discovering the truth."
"Her expression must be priceless, wouldn't it?"
He forcefully patted Haolong on the head, resuming his fearsome demeanor:
"Little brother, don't be sad. Let's go do something fun."
"I just remembered there's someone I need to deal with."