A Divine Farmer

Chapter 234 - A Secret Mission!

“Cough, cough…”

Qu Moyao's remark triggered a chorus of coughing, with Liu Zhongjun and Gao Loong coughing the most fiercely.

“What I meant to say…” Qu Moyao realized her words could be misconstrued, her cheeks coloring slightly, “is that I'm responsible for treating your wounds.”

“Why do I get the impression that Dr. Qu is so gentle?” Gao Loong asked in astonishment. “Is it just me?”

“Gao Loong, you were coughing quite a bit there. Do you need me to get you some medicine?” Qu Moyao extended her hand toward Gao Loong.

But as she reached out, she suddenly felt a tingling numbness, as if her hand wasn't responding properly, and quickly braced it with her other hand.

“Sorry, I must not have gauged my strength properly just now. I might have hit a bit too hard,” Zhang Xiaolong apologized, reaching out to gently massage the back of her hand, helping the blood flow.

Qu Moyao's heart raced. Raised in a family of medical practitioners, she had always been drawn to martial arts and idolized the chivalrous heroes of legend. As she grew older, she understood those were merely tales from books.

Yet, the man before her seemed like the very hero from her childhood dreams, swooping in to rescue them at their most dire moment!

“Dr. Qu is blushing!” Gao Loong exclaimed, even more surprised.

It was well-known that Dr. Qu was not one to smile or jest. Blushing was out of the question, and anyone who dared speak with a flirtatious tone would be met with her firm fist.

Feeling a touch embarrassed, Qu Moyao quickly withdrew her hand and shot Gao Loong a stern look, choosing not to respond further.

“If you're all okay, then I'll be on my way. There are a few more survivors; they should regain their mobility in a few hours. Make sure to keep a close eye on them,” Zhang Xiaolong advised.

“Don't worry, we'll take good care of them,” Liu Zhongjun assured him, his voice edged with determination.

Zhang Xiaolong nodded, signaling his departure.

“Hey…” Qu Moyao hesitated, fearing she might regret letting this moment slip away. “What brings you here?”

“Mr. Zhang is here to collect herbs. I just happened to run into him. If he hadn't detoxified me, I fear I would have perished in the mountains before I could even get out to send a message,” Gao Loong quickly interjected.

Liu Zhongjun promptly pulled Gao Loong aside. It was clear that Dr. Qu was caught up in something significant. Why should an outsider get involved?

“I'm here to gather herbs, and there's one in particular I haven't found yet,” Zhang Xiaolong confirmed with a nod.

“Which herb are you searching for? My family practices traditional Chinese medicine. I've been exposed to many herbs since childhood and have explored much of this mountain. Maybe I've come across the one you're looking for,” Qu Moyao offered eagerly.

She was actually just trying to stall for time because she felt somewhat hesitant to ask for his contact information directly, especially under the watchful eyes of acquaintances.

Zhang Xiaolong didn't hide anything, assuming she wouldn't know: “I'm looking for an herb called Blood Converging Vine. It's quite rare, and not many people have encountered it.”

“What?” Both Liu Zhongjun and Qu Moyao were startled, their complexions turning grave.

“Is there an issue?” Zhang Xiaolong noticed their alarmed expressions.

Gao Loong immediately had a hunch: “Could it be…”

He stopped after two words, swallowing the rest. As a military man, he was aware of what could be shared and what must remain unsaid.

“You're also searching for this herb?” Zhang Xiaolong could tell from their reactions. Connecting this to Gao Loong's earlier comment, he quickly surmised that their mission might also involve the Blood Converging Vine.

Liu Zhongjun and Qu Moyao, clearly the most knowledgeable on the subject, exchanged a glance and then nodded together.

The group moved aside to ensure privacy. Liu Zhongjun then spoke up, “If Mr. Zhang hadn't saved our lives, I might suspect you of stealing national secrets. But I must ask, how did you come to know the name Blood Converging Vine?”

Zhang Xiaolong chuckled, “It's merely the name of a herbal ingredient. It's been so long since it was last used that many people have forgotten about it. I just happen to be among the few who remember.”

Liu Zhongjun and the others felt a bit uneasy. They trusted Zhang Xiaolong, yet hearing such confidential information disclosed so casually was unsettling.

“If you're still skeptical, take a look at what's in my basket. These are all medicinal herbs. Dr. Qu, how many can you identify?” With that, Zhang Xiaolong lowered the basket from his back.

Qu Moyao's curiosity was piqued. She hadn't pursued a career in traditional medicine, but having learned about herbs from her father since childhood, she was confident in her knowledge. However, upon examining the contents of Zhang Xiaolong's basket, she recognized only three, all of which were exceedingly rare.

The others were unfamiliar to her, unseen even in medical texts.

“The Blood Converging Vine is known for its hemostatic properties, but its benefits are far more complex. Its serpentine shape allows it to blend into the underbrush, making it incredibly elusive. I suppose that's why you haven't come across it yet, right?” Zhang Xiaolong inquired.

“Yes,” Qu Moyao acknowledged, “We had only deduced that this might be the last place the Blood Converging Vine could be found based on the seller's analysis of ancient texts. We didn't expect you to be aware of this location as well.”

“Did your expert mention that the Blood Converging Vine changes from green to a very pale red upon contact with water? Therefore, the best time to search for it is after rainfall, as its color stands out against the greenery, making it relatively easier to spot,” Zhang Xiaolong continued.

Liu Zhongjun and the rest shook their heads, clearly indicating their lack of knowledge on the subject.

“So, we just need to wait for a rain to find it more easily?” Qu Moyao asked promptly.

“Well, that's assuming it's actually here. I'm not certain the Blood Converging Vine is present; it's just, as your experts suggested, the most likely scenario,” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a hint of disappointment. “To expedite the search, we don't necessarily have to wait for rain. Sprinkling water might achieve the same effect, although it would certainly require more manpower.”

“What about you? How do you manage to find it?” Qu Moyao asked, her curiosity piqued. There was no rain, and he didn't appear to have any water-related items with him.

“I don't need to,” Zhang Xiaolong said with a smile. “I can detect the unique scent of medicinal herbs. So, if it's within thirty feet of me, I can definitely locate it.”

Liu Zhongjun and the others were taken aback once more. His sense of smell seemed even keener than that of a military dog's, didn't it?

But to them, Zhang Xiaolong had always been somewhat of an enigmatic figure, so their surprise was short-lived, and they quickly accepted his claim.

“Uh…” Catching Qu Moyao's expectant look, Liu Zhongjun immediately grasped her implication. He steeled himself before speaking, “Mr. Zhang, I'm a bit embarrassed to ask, but could you possibly help us find the Blood Converging Vine?”