I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

The mist hadn't yet dissipated when Li Mingxuan descended the mountain, carrying his medicine basket. He was overjoyed at the precious herbs the old herbalist had gifted him, especially the century-old Polygonum multiflorum, which was perfect for a powerful invigorating recipe.

"This child went out before dawn." Aunt Liu stood at the gate of the yard, watching the figure going away and shook her head and sighed.

Mr. Liu's condition had indeed improved considerably. He was able to walk a few steps out of bed yesterday and was in much better spirits than before. However, the Liu family kept silent about the Wang family's visit, as if nothing had happened.

Li Mingxuan knew that this silence was more disturbing than quarreling.

When I returned to the Liu family's house, there were several strangers sitting in the yard, all well-dressed and elegant. Aunt Liu was carrying tea out with a polite smile on her face.

"Mingxuan is back. Come and meet these gentlemen." Uncle Liu stood up and introduced them. "This is a famous doctor from the capital. He heard about your deeds and came to visit you specially."

The middle-aged man in the lead wore gold-rimmed glasses and smiled gently, "I've long heard of your great name, Li Xiaoyou. I'm Dean Zhang of Renhetang in Beijing."

"Dean Zhang, you're too polite." Li Mingxuan put down the medicine basket. He always felt that the looks of these people were a little strange.

"I heard that you are an excellent doctor and can bring people back to life. I wonder where you learned it from?" asked another tall and thin man. His tone sounded casual, but there was a scrutiny in his eyes.

"I taught myself." Li Mingxuan answered simply.

The few of them exchanged glances, and Dean Zhang smiled and said, "It's truly rare to achieve such accomplishments through self-study. But we heard that you have obtained the Wang family's secret medical manual?"

Li Mingxuan frowned: "What secret manual does the Wang family have? I have never seen it."

"Really?" the tall and thin man's tone became sharp. "Mr. Wang said it himself that the family secret manual was stolen, and someone confirmed that it was you who took it."

"That's nonsense!" Li Mingxuan said angrily, "If the Wang family really has some secret manual, why can't Mr. Wang's illness be cured?"

Uncle Liu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Gentlemen, is there any misunderstanding?"

Dean Zhang waved his hand. "Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, we can't say. But since you deny it, let it go. I just hope you can attend the Traditional Chinese Medicine Academic Exchange Conference in the provincial capital next month, so we can clarify things in person then."

After saying that, several people stood up and said goodbye. Before leaving, Dean Zhang handed Li Mingxuan an exquisite invitation letter.

Watching them leave, Aunt Liu was worried: "Mingxuan, these people are quite powerful, you have to be careful."

Li Mingxuan looked at the invitation in his hand, his heart filled with doubts. This so-called academic exchange meeting seemed like a trap no matter how he looked at it.

---

It was late at night and the Wang family's old house was brightly lit.

Old Master Wang was sitting on a throne, with several men in suits and ties standing in front of him. The leader was Dean Zhang, who had been to the Liu family during the day.

"Mr. Wang, it's a pleasure working with you." Dean Zhang raised his teacup, the gentle smile on his face now looking particularly sinister. "As long as you cooperate with us, that Li Mingxuan won't be able to cause any trouble."

"Can you really help me get the family secret book?" There was a greedy glint in Mr. Wang's eyes.

"Of course, our Huayi Group is very experienced in this area." Dean Zhang put down his teacup, "But we also need you to provide more details about that secret book."

Mr. Wang hesitated a little: "That book...actually..."

"Actually what?" Dean Zhang's tone turned cold.

"In fact, it was lost a long time ago. My father's generation couldn't find it." Grandpa Wang's voice became smaller and smaller.

Dean Zhang exchanged a glance with his companion, then burst into laughter. "Mr. Wang is truly modest. How could something lost be stolen? But it doesn't matter. We don't want any secret manuals."

"Then what do you want?"

"We want Li Mingxuan." Dean Zhang's eyes flashed with ruthlessness. "Traditional Chinese medicine talents are very valuable to our research, especially those with real skills."

Old Master Wang's heart trembled, but thinking of his own situation, he gritted his teeth and said, "As long as I can bring his reputation to ruin, I will cooperate with anything."

"Very good, then it's settled." Dean Zhang stood up. "At the academic exchange meeting, you must cooperate with the performance."

---

Three days later, in the provincial capital.

In the office building of the Huayi Group, a group of people were holding a meeting. Hanging on the wall of the conference room was not a map of China, but a special map that marked the origins of various Chinese medicinal materials and the distribution of famous doctors.

"Have you collected all the information about Li Mingxuan?" The man sitting in the main seat was a man in his fifties. He spoke fluent Chinese, but his accent was a bit strange.

"Mr. Tanaka, everything is ready." Dean Zhang replied respectfully, "We have invited more than a dozen well-known Chinese medicine practitioners to this academic exchange meeting. Li Mingxuan will definitely take the bait."

Tanaka nodded and said, "Very good. Li Mingxuan's medical skills are indeed extraordinary. If we can use them, it will be very helpful for the study of traditional Chinese medicine theory."

"But what if he doesn't want to cooperate?" someone asked.

Tanaka sneered, "Not willing? We have plenty of ways to make him willing. By the time his reputation is ruined and he can't make it in the country, he'll naturally consider our invitation."

"Does that old man from the Wang family really think we will help him get back the secret manual?" Dean Zhang said sarcastically.

"Just an idiot, but still useful." Tanaka waved his hand. "Remember, this operation must succeed. The higher-ups are very dissatisfied with our progress."

There was a chorus of agreement in the conference room, and everyone understood the importance of this mission.

The sun was setting outside, and the sign of Huayi Group was shining in the afterglow. It looked bright and beautiful, but it could not cover up the darkness inside.

The provincial capital's grand hotel was resplendent, with a banner advertising the Chinese Medicine Academic Exchange Conference hanging high above the entrance. The people coming and going were all middle-aged men in Mao suits or Western suits, each bearing the air of a scholar.

Li Mingxuan walked into the hall in plain clothes, looking out of place. He hadn't wanted to come, but thinking about the increasing number of doubts, he decided to clarify in person.

"Mingxuan!" A familiar voice came. Li Mingxuan turned around and saw that it was his college classmate Zhang Jianguo.

"Jianguo? Why are you here too?" Li Mingxuan shook his old friend's hand in surprise.

Zhang Jianguo smiled bitterly. "I'm working at the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine now. I heard you've become quite famous recently, so I came to see you. But..." He lowered his voice. "I heard the Wang family is in a big fuss. You better be careful."

"I have a clear conscience, so what am I afraid of?" Li Mingxuan patted his friend's shoulder.

The conference hall was packed, with more than a dozen renowned Chinese medicine practitioners sitting on the stage. Li Mingxuan was seated in the first row. He looked around and noticed that many people were whispering, their eyes occasionally glancing in his direction.