Yifong helped Kai back to the riverbank, each step a struggle against the poison coursing through his veins. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows that danced eerily around them. Donghua stood nearby, next to a pile of gathered firewood, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"What happened?!" he shouted, his voice trembling with alarm and dread.
"He was attacked by bandits!" Yifong quickly explained, helping Kai lower himself onto the warmth of the wood. The flames flickered, casting an orange glow on their worried faces.
"Check my arm; I think I got poison," Kai gasped, wincing as a sharp pain shot through him.
"Poison?" Donghua's eyes widened in alarm, his heart pounding as he knelt beside Kai. The urgency in his voice heightened the tense atmosphere, like a brewing storm.
"Remove his clothes!" Donghua ordered, his tone frantic as his gaze swept over Kai's pale skin.
Before Kai could protest, Yifong hurriedly tore off the upper part of his shirt, exposing him to the cool evening air. A sharp gasp escaped Donghua's lips as he saw the injury. The cut on Kai's arm was jagged, with flesh around it marred by deep purple splotches spiraling like creeping vines. Fear surged through all of them as they imagined the worst.
"I've never seen this type of poison before," Donghua exclaimed, trembling. "We need to act fast!"
"We have to get to the capital right now," Yifong said, determination hardening his voice. "We'll reach it by night if we hurry!"
With swift, practiced hands, Donghua fashioned a makeshift bandage, ripping a piece of Kai's shirt to tie around the wound, desperate to halt the darkening marks spreading across his skin. "This has to hold until we can get you help," he murmured, searching Kai's eyes for signs of hope amid the fear.
Kai managed a weak nod, his breaths shallow. "I can make it. Just... get me to a doctor." His voice was barely a whisper, each word a struggle against the growing haze.
Sharing a determined glance, Yifong and Donghua helped Kai to his feet, supporting him as they hurried toward the capital. The crackling fire faded behind them, and the shadows of the trees grew ever more ominous, as if the forest itself conspired against them.
As dusk deepened into night, the world around them transformed. Darkness filled with the unsettling promise of unseen dangers. Every step was a race against time.
By nightfall, they reached the fortified city of Feijing.
Feijing, a city protected by towering walls, resembled a majestic fortress. A defining feature was the Feijing River, which flowed right into the city's heart, dividing it into the affluent North (Chi) District and the humble South (Dao) District. The Chi District housed aristocrats and noble families, while the Dao District was home to the majority of ordinary citizens. Two grand bridges connected the districts.
"Xing Li, hang in there! Beyond these gates lies help," Donghua urged as they approached the grand entrance.
Passing through the ornate gates, Kai stared in wonder at the countless lanterns illuminating the streets, casting a warm, golden glow amidst the night.
"It's already night, but so many lanterns are still lit..." Kai murmured, barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Don't talk, Xing Li. Rest now. We're almost there," Yifong insisted, his urgency clear.
They quickly took Kai to the most renowned doctor in the city. As the carriage stopped, Donghua knocked urgently on the door, calling for assistance.
Yifong supported Kai as they entered the doctor's dwelling.
"What's going on?" the doctor asked, his brow furrowing at the sight of them.
"Help my friend! He's been poisoned!" Donghua said, his voice trembling with urgency.
"Bring him to the bed!" the doctor ordered, springing into action.
Yifong gently laid Kai down on the bed, all strength draining from his body as Kai fell unconscious.
"Xing Li! Xing Li!" Yifong called out, panic rising within him.
The doctor quickly checked Kai's pulse and examined the injured arm carefully. His face shifted from concern to shock as he studied the poison.
"This! How did he get this?" He exclaimed.
Yifong recounted the harrowing encounter with the bandits, and soon they were ushered out of the room, hearts heavy with worry for their friend's fate.