Poison Genius Consort

nt!”

Naturally, it was Head Elder Ling himself who placed the plant in his field.
But he acted alarmed before asking sternly, “Little Qi, how did you know that this was a poison plant?”

How? Of course it was because Academy Head Gu’s been teaching me about them since I was small.

But now he had to pretend he had amnesia.

“I…I… I don’t know either, Little Qi said innocently, before adding, “But…it really is a poisonous plant.”

“Someone, come! Capture Little Qi to see the Academy Head!” Head Elder Ling ordered coldly.

“Daddy…” Little Qi’s face was stunned.
He acted so well that the expression matched the same one he wore when first seeing his father in the secret chamber.
He looked both lost and uncomprehending.

“I’m not your daddy! I don’t have any sons like you!” Head Elder Ling’s act felt even more authentic than Little Qi’s.

Very soon, Head Elder Ling sent Little Qi off to meet with Academy Head Gu.
At the same time, he summoned over the Vice-Head and other Elders of the Council of Elders.
All of them were here to interrogate Little Qi.

“Speak, how did you recognize this poison plant?”

“Who taught you the poison arts?”

“Besides the one in your field, where else have you hidden or planted those poison plants?”

“Little Qi, have you ever gone to the Poison Sect’s forbidden grounds?”

“Little Qi, do you have any liaisons with the remnants of the Poison Sect?”

The questions came one after the other.
Little Qi could perfectly answer every one, but he only chose to say, “I don’t know.”

Each of the questions drove a knife into Little Qi’s heart, white blades that came out red with blood.
He subconsciously glanced above him to Academy Head Gu, who hadn’t spoken a single word, as his breathing grew difficult.

Daddy, weren’t you the one who taught me these things?

At the end of the inquest, they even used torture—or rather, a severe beating.
But Little Qi still shook his head and only said, “I don’t know…”

Head Elder Ling actually played out an act of placing righteousness over family ties and provided all the “evidence” to show how Little Qi had stolen large amounts of medicine over the years and was suspected of colluding with the Poison Sect survivors.

Finally, Academy Head Gu spoke up.
“Little Qi studied poisons in secret, stole ingredients on the sly, and harbors evil intentions.
Both of these crimes deserve punishment, so…he shall be expelled forevermore from the medical academy.”

The fact that he ‘studied poisons in secret’ was already a crime that would ruin Little Qi’s prospects forever.
Why did Head Elder Ling have to accuse him of stealing ingredients too?

That was because the poison arts were a taboo topic in Cloud Realm Medical Academy.
It wouldn’t be convenient for crimes like that to be publicized.
But since Little Qi was to be expelled, they could do it under the pretext that he was a thief instead.
The entire medical community was stunned by the news.
Those with brains knew there had to be more to it, but the Council of Elders kept their mouths shut and forbid the disciples from discussing the matter.
Thus, the fiendish genius Little Qi turned into a forbidden mystery once he was banished.

On the day of his expulsion, Little Qi was released from custody while wearing ragged robes and sporting injuries.
He endured the pain to walk step by step towards the medical academy’s gates.
Crowds lined the path on both sides, filling the street to the brim.
Many of them took pity on the boy, but more were inclined to ridicule and mock him.
Over the past eight years, Little Qi had earned a reputation for being snooty and aloof just because he didn’t talk in front of other people.
The medical academy was full of ambitious types from good families, so they always held Little Qi in disdain.
They were waiting for the very he fell from favor!

“What ‘fiendish genius?’ In the end, he’s just a thief,” someone shouted from the crowd, followed by a ripple of laughter.

“I heard he’s just a foster son, not Head Elder Ling’s own child.
He’s nothing but a bastard picked up from the streets, so it’s no wonder he’d do such disgraceful things!”

“He’s lost all face for the medical academy!”

—

Jeers and scorn came from all sides as Little Qi walked with his head hung.
Nobody could see his expression.
Suddenly, someone from the crowd threw an egg at him, which smashed against his head.
Following that, more roars of laughter came from the people.
Little Qi finally raised his head and looked at them.
He was acting so superbly that his eyes showed nothing but confusion despite his mounting loathing.

“What are you looking at?! Can’t take the blow? Yeah, I’m the one that hit you! You’re just a bastard but you still call yourself a ‘fiendish genius?’ Don’t make me laugh!”

As the person spoke, he tossed another egg that smashed straight into Little Qi’s face.
Egg white and yolk stuck to his skin, making his vision blurry.
Gradually, more and more people joined in the fray, covering Little Qi in egg goop before he ever made it through the gates.
As it became harder and harder to see, his eyes began to…tear up.

Damn it!

Didn’t I promise not to cry? Why am I crying now?

But maybe I’m not.
It’s just that there’s something in my eyes, that’s all.
Something that hurts.

What should have been a high-spirited boy at the height of his youth turned into a bedraggled figure who was mocked and left wretched for his entire trip out.
Even after he walked through the gates, many people chased after him.
This time they didn’t throw eggs or spit at him, but tossed stones and pebbles instead.

Little Qi had no choice but to run for his life all the way into the woods.
He knew that Head Elder Ling and Academy Head Gu’s schemes wouldn’t end here.
All that fuss and fanfare were only for the people in the medical community to see.

He wouldn’t let them off easy!

He…had to run away as fast as he could, and truly leave Medical City behind him!