The initial symptoms of aconitine poisoning should be rapid breathing, followed by coughing, then the appearance of blood in the sputum, and after that, difficulty breathing. After the onset of breathing difficulties, cyanosis will occur due to insufficient oxygen supply in the blood.

Once cyanosis appears, it proves that the poison is attacking his lungs, causing rapid breathing. Breathing too rapidly can damage the lungs and lead to acute pulmonary edema.

Generally, when acute pulmonary edema occurs, a large amount of anti-inflammatory drugs is needed, along with sedative injections, diuretics, and oxygen.

Ethan Brooks believes that Grace Bennett is unlikely to possess any of these things.

Since that's impossible, the only path left for him is suffocation due to spasms of the respiratory muscles.

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Chapter Seven: The Funeral of the Uyghurs

The Uyghurs’ understanding of medicine is still in its primitive stage. Whenever a Uyghur falls ill, the first to arrive is always the shaman, who is said to possess the power to stir up sand and stones.

They would cut their own faces with knives, praying to Tengri to save the poor soul before them. The more important the person, the larger and longer the wounds on their faces, and the more blood they shed.

As for ordinary herders who are not important, the shamans at most provide some end-of-life comfort, telling them that their journey will take them straight into Tengri’s embrace. There is no face-cutting for them—after all, the shamans only have one face, and they can’t bleed for everyone who falls ill.

Ethan Brooks believes that all the above symptoms of aconitine poisoning should have already appeared in Grace Bennett’s body, but they have simply been ignored by this strong-as-a-mountain Uyghur.

A powerful and mighty Uyghur warrior will only die if his head is cut off; otherwise, everything else is a minor issue. If possible, drinking some scalding hot liquor can solve any problem.

The Western Regions are truly a wondrous place. In such a vast land, there are surprisingly few venomous snakes. The snakes here are generally less than a meter long, slender, and timid. Only a very few unlucky souls have ever been harmed by them, which has led to a shallow understanding of poisons among the people of the Western Regions.

A high-ranking Uyghur like Borum Khan, due to his wide social circle, might have some knowledge of poisons. In addition, some tribal khans have been fortunate enough to marry Tang princesses and may have tried or witnessed the power of poisons.

After all, whenever a Tang princess arrives at a tribe, a large number of the khan’s wives, princes, and close relatives like Tegin die mysteriously.

Other Uyghurs, even if poisoned, would simply and crudely attribute their deaths to illness or divine punishment.

Grace Bennett’s body might truly be very robust. Normally, after ingesting poison, there should be a toxic reaction, but he just doesn’t show it.

However, the poison is real. This is a precise science—once ingested, a toxic reaction is inevitable.

Now, it’s a matter of whether Grace Bennett’s strong body can overcome the poison, or the poison will overcome Grace Bennett.

Ethan Brooks is more inclined to believe the latter.

After grilling another skewer of lamb, Emily Clark ate her meat while sobbing, casting hateful glances at Grace Carter in the distance, who was eating the food that originally belonged to her.

Sarah Miller ate three skewers of lamb in one go, then said to Ethan Brooks with satisfaction, “If you can avoid conflict with Grace Carter, then don’t.”

Ethan Brooks also glanced at Grace Bennett and whispered, “Don’t worry, there won’t be any more conflicts in the future.”

For someone like Ethan Brooks, killing Grace Bennett is hardly difficult—whether by ambush or assassination, there’s a high chance of success. The hard part is killing Grace Bennett without causing any trouble for Sarah Miller and Emily Clark, or affecting their chances of entering the Khesga tent.

His own presence has already caused Sarah Miller a lot of trouble. Because of Ethan Brooks, Sarah Miller has postponed entering the Khesga tent for six whole years.

It’s time to leave politely.

The weather in the Tianshan Mountains in May is as fickle as a child’s face—changing in an instant. Just moments ago, the sun was shining brightly, but as a dark cloud rolled in, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

At first, it was just a few small flakes, then they turned into large snowflakes, and finally, the large flakes became about a centimeter-thick, crystal-clear ice shards. These fell vertically from high above, sticking evenly into the muddy ground, and were instantly melted by the warm earth.

Khesga never brought up the matter of letting Sarah Miller and Emily Clark enter his tent before leaving.

He didn’t mention it, but Ethan Brooks couldn’t remain silent. Two people in love shouldn’t be kept apart because of him—that would be a sin.

Of course, that’s the noble way of putting it. The less noble way is that Ethan Brooks wants to return to the Tang Dynasty, and these two are just burdens to him.

Ethan Brooks really doesn’t want to waste his precious second life on the grasslands, on endless fighting and searching for food.

There are many, many things on the human dining table.

Food is definitely not the main character.

The bigger a person’s heart, the bigger his table.

The stronger a person’s abilities, the more variety there will be on his table.

On Ethan Brooks’s table, there shouldn’t be only Sarah Miller, Emily Clark, cattle, sheep, and pastures—there should be much, much more.