The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 133: Mutual Rescue (3)

"Did you hear me? Gather your inner strength and work with me, or even the Celestial Immortals won't be able to save you. If you die, I certainly won't be joining you in death," Rongjing's usual gentle voice took on a sharp edge.

"Got it!" Yun Qianyue refocused and closed her eyes, trying to harness the qi in her dantian.

"Follow the flow of my energy. I'll help you merge your two internal energies into one. Then, you and I will combine our energies, making it three-in-one. The Love-Inducing Incense is too potent to be suppressed otherwise," Rongjing instructed.

"Understood!" Yun Qianyue replied firmly.

Rongjing began guiding Yun Qianyue's two internal forces toward fusion.

Yun Qianyue felt as though her meridians were swelling to the point of breaking, but she gritted her teeth, enduring the discomfort. Under Rongjing's guidance, she pushed her two forces to merge. Though she often appeared carefree and lighthearted, in critical moments, her will was as steadfast as a rock. Just as when she once dismantled a bomb, already prepared for death, she had fearlessly leapt from the twelfth floor while holding the bomb, ending her short life. This strength of mind was what had propelled her up the ranks to a general in National Security at a young age. She wasn't just talented; her resilience and diligence were unmatched.

Rongjing was unsurprised by Yun Qianyue's endurance and determination. His face remained calm and collected; even in the face of such significant energy depletion, his expression revealed nothing.

After some time, the two forces within Yun Qianyue's body finally merged, and she exhaled a deep breath.

"Stay focused! We need to merge our energies now. If we succeed, it will rid you of the Love-Inducing Incense. If not, you won't survive," Rongjing reminded her.

"Got it!" Yun Qianyue steeled herself once more. Having made it halfway up her metaphorical Himalayan peak, she wouldn't stop now.

As Rongjing had warned, the final counterattack of the Love-Inducing Incense was fierce, as though sensing its impending demise, attempting to consume her body and mind. Gritting her teeth, Yun Qianyue mentally cursed, If I don't overcome you today, the name Yun might as well be written backward!

About half an hour later, the last remnants of the Love-Inducing Incense were extinguished, leaving no trace behind.

Rongjing withdrew his hand and said quietly, "Your poison is dispelled; you can let go now."

Yun Qianyue exhaled deeply. Instead of feeling drained, she felt invigorated, her inner energy surging and circulating through her meridians as though she had been cleansed. It felt as if fresh spring water flowed through her, revitalizing her from head to toe.

Finally, her life was saved!

She nodded, preparing to release her hold, when she noticed an unusual resistance when her energy touched a certain part of Rongjing's body. Surprised, she opened her eyes and asked, "Are some of your meridians blocked?"

Rongjing glanced at her and repeated, "You can release your energy now."

Yun Qianyue frowned, noticing that his face was as pale as the moonlight. In the past, she hadn't been able to sense his breathing, but now she could tell he was extremely weak, his body hollow as if from a long illness. She recalled hearing about his ten-year-long illness, assuming it was just an excuse, but it seemed there was truth to it. His depleted state now was understandable given that he'd expended so much energy to help her merge her two forces and counter the Love-Inducing Incense.

She pressed her lips together and did not withdraw her energy.

"I said you can release your energy now," Rongjing repeated.

Yun Qianyue suddenly closed her eyes again, a firm tone in her voice. "I'm going to help you unblock your meridians."

"That's not necessary," Rongjing said, pulling back his remaining energy.

Following his retreating energy, Yun Qianyue pursued it deeper into his body, her tone unwavering. "I said I'm going to help you clear your meridians!"

"I said it's not necessary!" Rongjing's voice was uncharacteristically low.

"Stop wasting words! I don't care if you think it's unnecessary." Yun Qianyue was resolute.

She could feel her own strength had increased significantly after this ordeal, and she was certain it was due in part to Rongjing's assistance. What had seemed like a disaster had turned into a blessing. From her initial probing, she could tell that several of Rongjing's meridians had been blocked for at least ten years, likely due to a severe poison or injury. Given her rudimentary medical knowledge, she understood that if this blockage wasn't resolved soon, it could compress his heart meridian, causing his health to deteriorate to the point of early death.