Liu Ying then pointed inside , " Look . "
Jin Wei's eyes followed Liu Ying's finger and he saw that the Crazy that had been thrashing just moments ago had stilled, then it began to twitch unnaturally.
Liu Ying slowly walked closer to observe , Lv Ling and Yang Changtian following closely behind.
The Crazy was twitching violently now , its arms and legs bending in almost unnatural angles. The Crazy collapsed back into the water , convulsing and spouting black foam from its mouth before going still again.
" Looks like it worked ," Yang Changtian said, turning to Liu Ying.
Liu Ying just shook her head , " We can't be sure yet , let's wait for a bit longer and take it out to check. Dr. Lv go, get the necessary items ready , if it's dead we have to perform an autopsy to be sure the fungus was killed off. Take someone to help you."
Lv Ling nodded , she turned around and grabbed Jin Wei dragging him off towards the medic tent.
Liu Ying crouched down to see closer , but the Crazy did not move and the foaming from its mouth had also stopped now.
Finally after giving it more time , Liu Ying asked Da Xiong to remove the cage. When the cage was removed , the crazy was showing no signs of life at all. Liu Ying rolled her sleeves up and sat down to grab the body , Yang Changtian and Da Xiong moved closer to help her but Liu Ying helped her hand up.
" Don't come over just yet , I have to check if it's really dead. " Liu Ying then pulled out a metal box , opening it she took out a small white bead , Yang Changtian immediately recognised it to be the so called charms given to Song Lian and the others by Shaman Hu.
Liu Ying slowly moved the bead all around the Crazy , and seeing that it wasn't reacting , she nodded , " Dead , if he was alive he would have pounced on me already. Da Xiong, come help me."
Da Xiong rushed over , and he lifted the Crazy out of the waterhole with ease. While Yang Changtian helped Liu Ying up . " Thank you Mr. Yang . How was the hypnosis ? "
Yang Changtian shook his head , " Just as you predicted it didn't work ."
Liu Ying brushed the dirt off her robe , " Da Xiong take it over to the medic tent , tell Dr. Lv to get ready for the autopsy , I'll join her soon."
Da Xiong nodded and walked away carrying the crazy over his shoulder.
Li Cheng walked over to Yang Changtian and Liu Ying.
" Mr. Yang, I might have a solution ," Liu Ying said.
Yang Changtian looked at her, waiting for her to continue .
" We can try putting them in an artificial state of relaxation and see if the hypnosis works."
" An artificial state of relaxation ? "
Liu Ying nodded , " Yes , we can use some sedatives to relax , then Dr. Lv might try again."
" That actually might work , " Li Cheng added and Yang Changtian nodded.
" Then let's give it a try after we finish the autopsy , now if you'll excuse me , I have to go help Dr. Lv ."
Yang Changtian and Li Cheng stepped aside to allow Liu Ying to pass through.
Liu Ying arrived just as Lv Ling tied the protective robe over her dress , " Oh Ms. Liu , you're here , let me help you wear your protective robe." Lv Ling grabbed another white robe and she helped Liu Ying into it , after she fastened the final straps into a knot , Liu Ying thanked her before turning to Jin Wei and Da Xiong.
" You two can either stay here or wait outside , it won't be a pretty sight though," she warned them.
" We'll stay outside Senior , if you need us just yell," Jin Wei answered after thinking for a while.
Liu Ying nodded , and after they exited the tent she turned to Lv Ling , " Are you ready Dr. Ling ? You'll lead the autopsy and I'll assist."
Lv Ling nodded , then grabbing a small silver scalpel she cut the crazy infront of her open , the surrounding was immediately filled with a foul smell , the smell of decaying flesh.
Jin Wei and Da Xiong who were outside began to gag at it.
" Jin Wei , Da Xiong ! The smell won't get any better so move away ," Liu Ying wanted them before turning her attention back to the Crazy. " Dr. Lv , check the cranium , the fungi usually target the brain."
Lv Ling nodded , " I need some help getting the skull open."
" Come on , I'll help, " Liu Ying replied, moving closer , she grabbed a tui ( a craniotome ) and she began to score around the skull trying to get it open , " Dr. Lv , can you hand me the small hammer , the skull is somewhat thicker and the tui wont do the job."
Lv Ling quickly handed over a small hammer . After struggling for a while , Liu Ying finally managed to crack the skull open.
When they opened the skull completely , Liu Ying stepped back as a worser stench filled the air , the brain had a greying brown hue to it , and Lv Ling could see multiple small black string like objects inside .
" Ms. Liu , there are some black string-like things in here and from the extent of how many pieces I see , the brain seems to be completely overrun by the mycelium."
Liu Ying nodded , " Yes that is highly likely , Dr. Ling, can you pull out some of the strings and hand it to me , I must observe them more carefully."
Lv Ling nodded , pulling out a pair of tweezers she slowly pulled some strings out and placed them on a white ceramic bowl before hanging it to Liu Ying.
Liu Ying rummaged through her bag , ultimately pulling out a magnifying glass to observe the fungi more closely.
" Is that a magnifying glass Ms. Liu ? " Lv Ling asked curiously.
Liu Ying nodded.
" My ,I must say I haven't seen one with such clarity before , it must've cost you a fortune ! "
Liu Ying smiled softly , " I have more than enough money to buy hundreds of magnifying glasses Dr. Lv. If you like it so much , I'll give it to you."
" Then I won't refuse your kindness Ms. Liu," Lv Ling answered happily , she was more than happy to accept the magnifying glass from Liu Ying , especially after hearing how she could afford hundreds more.
Liu Ying shot her an amused look before shifting her focus back to the fungi.
After observing them for a while , Liu Ying finally stood up and stretched her back, " From the looks of it, the solution does indeed work , and even now the fungi are disintegrating . But we'll have to make some calculations to determine the exact amount and concentration needed to take care of all of them."
" And we also need a way to lure them into the lake , " Lv Ling added.
" Actually I already have a solution for that , " Liu Ying said pulling the small metal box out again , she handed the bead over to Lv Ling who recognised it immediately.
" The charms the shaman gave us ? "
Liu Ying nodded , " As I've said before these charms will have a unique disposition allowing it to attract Crazies . My only issue is , that we might need more ."
" Shaman Hu's hut has plenty , " Lv Ling chimed in.
" Okay , let's set off tomorrow to get those charms but right now Dr. Lv I have something else to discuss with you."
Lv Ling looked at her confused.
" Mr. Yang told me that the hypnosis didn't work , " Liu Ying began .
Lv Ling nodded , " Yes , just as you predicted Ms. Liu , since they have their guards up ,it is impossible to hypnotise them."
" I might have a solution for that Dr. Lv . What if we used some low grade sedatives to put them in an artificial state of relaxation and then conduct the hypnosis."
Lv Ling's eyes lit up , " That might actually work Ms. Liu . I'll get started on the sedative right away ! "
" Okay Dr. Lv , while you do that I'll go inform Mr. Yang and the others about the solution."
Lv Ling just nodded back , she was already busy pulling herbs out.
Leaving her to pay with the medicine , Liu Ying removed the protective robe and washed her hands thoroughly before heading out.
When he stepped outside , she saw Jin Wei and Da Xiong waiting for her under a tree nearby. Seeing her exiting the tent , they rushed over.
" Senior , how is it ? "
" It works , we just have to adjust the ratio a little and then calculate the amount needed."
Jin Wei and Da Xiong were excited at this great news.
" I'm off to inform Mr. Yang ."
" Senior , when will you tell him ? " Jin Wei asked cautiously.
" I'll be telling him today , do you two want to tag along ? "
Jin Wei and Da Xiong looked at each other before agreeing.
" Okay then , come on. Let's go find him."
" Senior , where's Dr. Lv ? " Da Xiong added when Lv Ling didn't come outside.
" She is busy with another task," Liu Ying explained briefly before walking off.
After walking around they spotted Li Cheng chatting with Zhang Anying and Mo Ling. Liu Ying walked over to ask him if they had seen Yang Changtian .
" Yes Ms. Liu, I think he's in his tent," Li Cheng replied.
Zhang Anying nodded too , " Yes I saw the Oldest Senior Brother going to his tent and he didn't come out yet."
Liu Ying thanked them , turning around to leave.
" Ms. Liu ! How was the solution ? " Li Cheng asked hurriedly, stopping her.
" It worked , I'm looking for Mr. Yang to inform him , " Liu Ying answered, turning around.
Li Cheng's eyes began to shine , " By all means Ms. Liu , Brother Yang would be glad to hear that."
" Oh , I almost forgot , Mr. Li , Dr. Lv thinks it would be possible to carry out the hypnosis using my suggestion , she's making a sedative as we speak."
Li Cheng nodded happily , " That's wonderful news Ms. Liu . Thank you again."
Liu Ying closed her eyes and nodded . Before turning to leave again.
" She sure did save us a lot of trouble , " Mo Ling spoke up once she left.
" Honestly I agree , if she wasn't here , we wouldn't have made it this far, " Li Cheng added.
" Yeah , we wouldn't even know that there were so many people alive , hiding away."
" Speaking of people , where is Song Lian and his gang ? "
" Oh , Old Jin is almost completely recovered now so they're with him," Zhang Anying explained meekly.
" You know I have a wonderful idea. Let's celebrate today ! We found a way to kill all the fungi off and we also have a new breakthrough about how we're gonna make those women talk , so naturally it calls for a celebration. Mo Ling ! Zhang Anying ! Let's go ask them to prepare a feast today ! " Li Cheng bounced up excitedly.
Liu Ying walked over to Yang Changtian's tent, stopping in front of it , she announced her presence.
" Ahh Ms. Liu please come in, " Yang Changtian's voice came from inside. Liu Ying asked Jin Wei and Da Xiong to stay outside till she called them inside.
When Liu Ying entered she saw Yang Changtian trying to apply some medicine onto a scratch on his elbow. Considering the location of the wound , and his more stocky build ,he wasn't doing a good job.
Liu Ying sighed and walked over , " Allow me to help , " she said, grabbing the medicine bottle and sitting down next to Yang Changtian.
She slowly applied the medicine onto the wound while Yang Changtian stared at her. She really was pretty , and with today's outfit , she looked very regal .
Realizing his inappropriate behavior and thoughts , Yang Changtian used his hand to secretly pinch himself hard.
'Secretly' , yeah right . Liu Ying saw everything , she lowered her head smirking softly. Playing the part of the fool well, acting like she didn't see anything ,she finished dressing his wound.
" Thank you Ms. Liu , I tumbled and crashed onto some rocks on my way back , so I accidently injured myself, " Yang Changtian explained meekly.
" Do be careful next time Mr. Yang."
" Right Ms. Liu, why were you looking for me ? "
" I bring good news , the solution worked , we just have to tweak some of the ratios to make it stronger and then we have to calculate the amount needed to kill all the Crazies off. Allow me to discuss my plan with you." Liu Ying gave Yang Changtian an overview of her plan.
Once she was done Yang Changtian nodded rubbing his chin , " While it's risky , it is an excellent plan. And it's the only plan we can carry out with our limited resources and manpower. So I approve , we'll get started tomorrow itself."
Liu Ying nodded, " Also Mr. Yang , I shared my suggestion about hypnotizing the suspects under an artificial state of relaxation and Dr. Lv thinks it is possible ,and she is already trying to concoct a suitable sedative."
Yang Changtian's eyes got even brighter , just hours ago he was at a loss ,but everything was starting to work in their favor again. " That's also wonderful news Ms. Liu , I owe you big time."
Liu Ying smiled sweetly , but soon her smile flattered a bit , " I also have to infirm you about something Mr. Yang."
Yang Changtian looked at her, urging her to continue .
Liu Ying stood up and walked over to the entrance of the tent , popping her head out , she asked Jin Wei and Da Xiong to come in.
When they came in, the three of them arranged themselves in a line with Liu Ying in the middle.
" What is going on ? Why are you being so formal Ms. Liu ? " Yang Changtian asked, confused, lifting a small cup of tea.
" Mr. Yang , we would like to officially inform you that we've been recalled back to the capital on His Majesty's and my Senior's orders, " Liu Ying began , " We are to depart from Jingxi when we finish our new mission."
Yang Changtian almost crushed the teacup in hand, " This is no time for jokes Ms. Liu, " he said , his voice low.
" Unfortunately it is true Mr. Yang , as Senior said , we must report back to the capital when our mission is completed, " Jin Wei added while Da Xiong nodded.
" Wasn't it your mission to help me ? " Yang Changtian asked, glaring straight at Liu Ying.
Liu Ying sighed , " Go outside Jin Wei , Da Xiong."
Jin Wei and Da Xiong bowed to Yang Changtian , quickly escaping the brewing storm.
" What is the meaning of this Liu Ying ! " Yang Changtian roared, slamming his hand down.
" Initially it was indeed my mission to help you out , but recently I got orders to return after destroying all the fungi and Crazies in Jingxi, so I must leave with my team as soon as we're done."
" Was this the thing you were hiding ? I knew it ! You lied about the map thing , this was what you actually got , orders to withdraw. You really couldn't tell me this before ? Do you even consider me a friend ? " Yang Changtian was still roaring.
" With all due respect Mr. Yang , you know it yourself , I can't go against orders . They wanted me to tell you just before I leave , but I'm informing you beforehand precisely because I consider you a friend and ally."
" This explains why you were so eager to make that solution , you are so eager to go back, " Yang Changtian ignored her previous words. " You must've been so tired constantly running around helping the poor clueless idiots . Your whole speech about our team being the most important thing and shit were all lies. You were just counting days till you go back."
" Yang Changtian ! This is not fair ! " Liu Ying snapped back , " If I didn't consider you all important , why would I even bother going through all that trouble to save all of you ! You are accusing me blindly, I have given this mission my all , I have given this team my all. But I can't go against my Senior's orders. "
Outside ,Jin Wei and Da Xiong glanced at each other worriedly , they hadn't expected Yang Changtian to take it this hard.
Yang Changtian stayed silent glaring off into the distance , completely ignoring Liu Ying who was massaging her temples.
" You know what Yang Changtian , I am going to walk away now , we will both resume this conversation when the both of us are clear headed. Or I'm afraid we'll both end up saying hurtful things to each other, " Liu Ying said before leaving the tent.
Liu Ying stomped out heading back to the medic tent , Jin Wei and Da Xiong rushed to catch up.
Lv Ling was blissfully measuring out some herbs when Liu Ying burst in and plopped down on a bed pouting and glaring. Jin Wei and Da Xiong followed soon , also plopping on on two other beds
.
" What happened to you three ? "
Jin Wei sighed deeply , " Mr. Yang didn't take the news of our recall well. He blew up on Senior, and told her some pretty bad things."
Lv Ling stopped what she was doing and looked over at Liu Ying, shocked.
" Are you okay Ms. Liu ? I'm sure he was just feeling overwhelmed "
Liu Ying was still frowning , but she nodded , " I'm fine. I know he's just angry now , and I also know he likely didn't mean what he said. But it still pisses me off."
" He'll come around eventually Senior , " Da Xiong added , " Don't take what he said to heart. "
" Yeah Senior , you've done so much for them since you got here. He's just being overly emotional."
" You two , I appreciate you trying to cheer me up , but right now I would like to be alone with Dr. Lv."
Jin Wei and Da Xiong were worried about Senior , so initially they didn't want to leave , but Lv Ling managed to convince them.
Once they left , Lv Ling turned back to Liu Ying.
" Has he always been so …." Liu Ying's voice drifted off.
Lv Ling nodded , " Mr. Yang is actually known for being insufferable , and he only got slightly better after you 'disappeared' , but from what I know , he rarely acted out when he was with you. So yes , he's always been like that."
" I still don't understand why he would blow up like that , it's not like I'm leaving by choice."
" Honestly Ms. Liu , I thought you'd stay despite the orders from His Majesty."
" Seems like there is some trouble brewing back at the Capital ,my presence here would only cause more problems. So I have to leave."
" Trouble ? " Lv Ling asked curiously.
" I'll tell you later . Putting that aside , how is it going ? "
" I'm almost done , I just have to adjust the ratios a bit."
Liu Ying nodded , " I'm going to take a small nap Ling'er , do you mind waking me up when I'm done ? "
Lv Ling turned to look at Liu Ying ecstatic , inwards she was freaking out about Liu Ying calling her Ling'er but she played it cool , " Okay Ms. Liu."
Liu Ying closed her eyes, the exhaustion she felt after arguing with Yang Changtian lulled her into sleep.