Chapter 39
A few days earlier—
Shi Xiuxiu had watched Qi Luofeng die beneath a blade.
When she returned home, she sold everything she owned, dismissed her servants, and gave away the remaining money—leaving herself no retreat, no room for hesitation.
With nothing but a small bag, she stepped into the Wendao Sect.
Her master placed great expectations on her. He handed her a medical classic and ordered her to memorize it in full, then personally guided her through the handling of medicinal herbs.
Day after day, his words remained the same—a physician’s path is built on foundations.
There are no shortcuts.
Shi Xiuxiu threw herself into her studies.
From dawn to dusk, she worked without pause, like a spinning top that refused to slow.
And yet, no matter how busy she became, one thought lingered quietly in the back of her mind.
Lou Yuqing.
That person had pulled her out of the abyss.
If she ever found a proper reason to approach her… she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold herself back.
So when she saw Lou Yuqing in the medical hall—her heart skipped.
Joy, fear, and unease tangled together all at once.
Is she injured? How serious is it?
No.
Master had said—it was only a sprain.
Shi Xiuxiu rubbed her forehead, flustered, then inched forward in small, hesitant steps. “Hello… I’m Shi Xiuxiu. Which ankle did you sprain?”
There was a trace of selfishness in her voice—subtle, but impossible to hide.
Lou Yuqing blinked, surprised. “Huh? You’re already treating patients on your own?”
Shi Xiuxiu’s eyes lit up instantly.
She remembered her.
But just as quickly, that light dimmed.
Did she think she wasn’t skilled enough? Did she not want her to treat her?
Lou Yuqing watched her clutch at her clothes, head lowered, shoulders slightly hunched—and, for some reason, a strange image surfaced in her mind.
A small dog. Tail drooping.
“…My left ankle,” Lou Yuqing said at last.
Shi Xiuxiu stilled for a heartbeat—then visibly brightened.
She didn’t refuse her.
Quickly, she crouched down and gently took hold of the ankle.
“Here? Or here?” Her fingers pressed lightly, careful, testing. “Does it hurt… here? Then it’s this spot.”
Once she confirmed the injury, something in her shifted.
Her gaze steadied.
Her movements turned precise.
The earlier hesitation vanished, replaced by quiet, unwavering focus—subtle, but unmistakable.
Lou Yuqing watched her for a moment—then heard her say softly, “It’s done.”
…Done?
She blinked, then cautiously moved her foot.
Smooth.
Effortless.
No pain.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“…Thank you. Do I need medicine?”
Shi Xiuxiu shook her head. “Circulate your spiritual energy through it for a while. That’s enough.”
From the side, Physician Qin watched, nodding with quiet satisfaction.
The technique was still a little rough—but the foundation was there.
For something as minor as a sprain, she was more than capable.
With time… she would go far.
Si Nidie, seeing that Lou Yuqing was fine, was just about to speak—when her communication jade slip lit up again.
She answered immediately, tone impatient. “Brother, what’s wrong with riding a pig? You’ve never tried it, so how would you know? Just do it once—you’ll understand I’m not exaggerating.”
From the other side, Si Nanren let out a cold snort. “I’ve never ridden one, and I never will. Today, several colleagues asked if I had a sister who rides pigs. I didn’t even dare admit it. Are you really okay being called that?”
Si Nidie’s expression stiffened.
“…What kind of people are they?” she muttered, clearly annoyed. “Whatever. Forget that. I told you to catch that crazy pig—did you?”
A pause.
“…Are you serious?” Si Nanren sounded genuinely speechless.
“Of course I am!” Si Nidie snapped. “That pig bullied my junior sister. I, Si Nidie, am definitely going to teach it a lesson. What about you?”
“…Fine, fine,” he sighed. “Wait for my news.”
“That’s more like it.”
She turned back to Lou Yuqing, chin lifted proudly. “Junior Sister, we’ll have our revenge soon.”
Lou Yuqing gave her a thumbs-up.
Just then, a group of people entered the medical hall.
Lou Yuqing glanced over—and froze. “The Sect Leader is here!”
Qingxuzi strode inside, a young girl cradled in his arms. Several figures followed close behind—Elder Wei Tu, Elder Zeng Xuangan… and two others she didn’t recognize.
One was a woman in red robes, her aura blazing like fire. The other, a stern middle-aged man, carried an equally formidable presence.
Before Lou Yuqing could make sense of it, Si Nidie was already leaning in, whispering excitedly, “That’s his daughter! And that’s Elder Wei Tu… Meng Zonghan, the Enforcement Hall Master… Elder Zeng Xuangan… and Madam Hongyan. All of them are major figures in the sect!”
Lou Yuqing matched the names to the faces, her gaze drifting toward the inner hall. “…Song Li looks badly injured.”
Si Nidie’s expression shifted. Could it be… even the Sect Leader couldn’t save her?
At that moment, Shi Xiuxiu spoke softly, “The Medical Sage recently returned. He’s resting in the back hall. With him here… Senior Sister Song Li should be alright.”
She had already heard about the incident—the real and fake heiress scandal that had shaken the sect. At the time, she had been shocked. Someone actually dared to impersonate the Sect Leader’s daughter.
But after everything she herself had experienced… she could only think—nothing in this world was truly impossible.
Some people gambled everything.
They believed fortune favored the bold—if they succeeded, they would gain everything. And if they failed… they would end up like Qi Luofeng.
—
In the back hall, two figures sat across from each other, a chessboard laid between them.
A white-haired man.
A woman in green.
If Lou Yuqing were here, she would recognize her at a glance—Elder Shi Hua.
“Senior Brother has been gone for years,” she said lightly, a chess piece poised between her fingers. “And yet you return so quietly. If I hadn’t happened to see disciples cleaning your peak, I’d still know nothing.”
The white-haired man—the Medical Sage—studied the board, turning a black piece idly in his hand.
“The western region is too desolate,” he replied. “Stifling. I grew tired of speaking to people and wanted some peace.” He glanced up at her faintly. “I didn’t expect you to find me so quickly.”
Shi Hua smiled, though there was no warmth in it. “What? Are you unhappy I disturbed your peace?”
He stiffened slightly, then relented.
“…I was wrong.”
She gave a soft snort, clearly satisfied. “Then tell me—what did you gain from your travels? Your junior sister would like to broaden her horizons.”
The Medical Sage’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Then it seems we’ll have plenty to discuss.”
The conversation drifted naturally into matters of medicine, their voices low and unhurried as the game continued, black and white pieces falling one by one across the board.
Tap, tap, tap—!
Rapid footsteps broke the quiet.
The Medical Sage lifted a brow and set his chess piece down. “If we can’t finish today, we’ll continue another time.”
Shi Hua lowered her gaze slightly. “That works.”
He let out a subtle breath of relief—barely noticeable, but real.
The next moment, a group rushed into the hall.
Qingxuzi strode straight over and seized his sleeve, gripping it tightly as if afraid he might disappear. “Third Brother—quick, look at her!”
The Medical Sage had never seen him like this. His expression sharpened at once.
He stepped forward, placed two fingers on Song Li’s wrist, and sent a thread of spiritual energy into her body.
A moment passed.
His brows slowly drew together. “Her internal organs were severely compressed… but they’re already nearly healed.” He paused, then looked up. “Did you give her a Miraculous Spirit Pill?”
Qingxuzi nodded, his voice strained. “Yes. She improved after taking it—but then her condition suddenly worsened. She won’t wake up, no matter what I try.”
Regret gnawed at him.
If he hadn’t told her about Cen Xiaoyun… she wouldn’t have rushed to the dungeon—wouldn’t have collapsed like this.
The Medical Sage considered briefly, then said slowly, “That pill treats the symptoms, not the root. There’s a foreign spiritual force inside her body. To wake her, we need to identify its origin.”
Madam Hongyan frowned. “Demonic cultivators?”
Meng Zonghan’s voice turned cold. “I’ll interrogate Sanyin and Tiankui.”
The Medical Sage shook his head. “Unlikely. I’ve just returned from the western regions—the heartland of demonic sects. Their methods always carry demonic traces. I sensed none here.”
Qingxuzi’s composure shattered.
“What do we do…?” he murmured. “It’s my fault. I mistook someone else for my daughter. I let her suffer… and now…”
“Daughter?”
The Medical Sage paused for a moment.
His Sect Leader—who had remained single all these years—had a grown daughter?
“Enough,” he cut in at last. “Tell me everything from the beginning.”
Qingxuzi closed his eyes, forcing himself to steady, then began to speak—starting from the very beginning, recounting everything without omitting a single detail.
When he finished, the Medical Sage fell into thought.
“Fire Poison Physique…” he murmured, his eyes suddenly lighting up. “I see.”
He gave a light slap to his thigh. “It’s neither purely fire nor purely poison—it’s a fusion of both. She’s only just awakened it, and it hasn’t stabilized yet. Entering battle too soon likely triggered the remaining unrefined energy, forcing her into a coma.”
As he spoke, he turned toward Madam Hongyan. “If we guide it with the same attribute… she should wake.”
Qingxuzi’s gaze followed, his voice low. “Junior Sister…”
Madam Hongyan didn’t hesitate. “Leave it to me.”
She took Song Li and stepped into the inner room.
Qingxuzi remained where he stood, unmoving—like stone. His eyes never left the direction she had gone.
Lost. Found. Lost again.
He could not endure it a second time.
The Medical Sage glanced at him, then, after a brief pause, quietly changed the subject. “I heard Uncle-Master Zixiao accepted a new disciple. Why wasn’t there a ceremony?”
Elder Wei Tu took a sip of tea and snorted. “Have you been out of touch, Third Brother? With his luck? If we made a big fuss and something happened to Yuqing—”
He stopped abruptly, coughing lightly. “…In any case, it’s better to keep things low-key.”
The Medical Sage wisely said nothing more.
Elder Wei Tu shot him a glance. Earlier, he had almost assumed this Third Brother had leaked his weakness…
Fortunately, he had overheard Yuqing’s thoughts and learned the truth. Otherwise, the two of them might have already ended up fighting it out.
Outside, Lou Yuqing was still lost in thought when she suddenly sneezed.
Gu Buqi appeared at her side almost immediately. “What’s wrong?”
She waved it off. “Nothing, just a sneeze. How did you know I was at the clinic? Did Master tell you?”
He paused for a beat before answering, “…Yes.”
In truth, the moment her protective charm activated, he had already sensed it. But going straight to the clinic would have been too obvious—so he had simply… “happened” to run into her along the way.