145 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Chapter 145 - Day and Night as the Reincarnated Evil Senior Sister A parrot simply uttering the word "father" wasn’t sufficient proof that Fang Ke Yuan was responsible for Fang Yuan Qing’s death. Jiu Ying, still in control of her emotions, pulled Fu Ling back before she could brandish a knife. "Don't be impulsive." She shook her head, her expression deeply grave. There are many ways to seek revenge, but confronting someone without evidence is the most foolish approach. If Fang Ke Yuan dared to commit such an act, he would certainly have erased all traces. Yet, even the most cunning murder methods always leave some flaw. Moreover, there is a top-tier alchemist here. Jiu Ying and Fu Ling dared not disturb the coffin, waiting until Feng Su Qiu regained consciousness before carefully lifting Fang Yuan Qing out of the wooden coffin. The cold and stiff figure in their arms was devoid of any warmth, with a bluish tone over her face and the skin of her exposed hands. The mother's complexion turned ashen as she witnessed her daughter's lifeless state, her throat producing only a faint whimper. Grief had reached such a depth that even tears couldn't fall. Fu Ling couldn't bear the sight, burying her head into Jiu Ying’s embrace, her shoulders shivering as tears streamed down once more. There’s nothing more heart-wrenching than watching a parent mourn their child. Feng Su Qiu's lips parted, and it took her a moment to regain her senses. She cried out her daughter's name in anguish before diving towards Fang Yuan Qing’s body, unable to believe her eyes. The daughter who had recently written to her, assuring her everything was fine, was now gone. Deceived by a man half her life, and now losing her beloved daughter. What unforgivable sin from her previous life was being punished by Heaven with such cruelty? Under the clear sky and blazing sun, anguished cries echoed at the base of Tai Yuan Peak. She clung to Fang Yuan Qing’s body, unwilling to release her grip, only calming down near sunset after Jiu Ying’s persuasion. The small parrot standing on the mound seemed to absorb the sorrowful atmosphere, its voice fading to silence. Since birth, Fang Yuan Qing had never called Fang Ke Yuan "father". Considering the parrot's previous cries, Feng Su Qiu had a vague inkling of who could have done this. Suppressing her grief, she reached out with trembling hands to examine her daughter's body. The external symptoms suggested asphyxiation. Fang Yuan Qing bore no rope marks, likely having been knocked unconscious and sealed within the coffin. The wooden coffin was nailed shut at the corners, yet with her abilities, she might have shattered the nails from inside to escape. Jiu Ying explained her analysis in detail, then lifted Fang Yuan Qing’s right hand, discovering her fingertips clogged with congealed blood. Presumably, it was her final struggle before death. Seeing the scarred fingernails brought tears to Fu Ling’s eyes. Had she known their last meeting would be goodbye, she never would have let Yuan Qing leave the Xuan Ming sect alone. Quiet sobs filled the air, twisting Feng Su Qiu’s heart as she turned away with red-rimmed eyes. "Someone blocked Miss Fang’s spiritual energy." Jiu Ying’s expression was somber, her fingertip releasing spiritual energy into Fang Yuan Qing’s cold wrist. As it circulated, the problem became apparent— "Her four meridians and eight vessels are completely obstructed." Blocked meridians meant spiritual energy could circulate within the dantian but couldn't exit the body—such a cruel tactic effectively abolishing one’s cultivation in no time. Jiu Ying tried channeling spiritual energy to break through the blocks, but the obstruction seemed alive, weaving through the meridians, resisting any disturbance. She shook her head, eyebrows furrowed in surprise. "It cannot be undone!" Seeing this, Feng Su Qiu quickly took Fang Yuan Qing’s left hand, channeling her own spiritual energy. Sure enough, the obstruction deftly avoided the spiritual energy's impact. In all her decades of practicing medical arts, she had never seen anything like it. "What could it be?" If even she didn't know, how could anyone else? Jiu Ying turned slightly, her gaze falling on the young girl beside her, "Ling Ling, give it a try." What Long Ling Ling’s spiritual energy couldn't do, perhaps her celestial-grade energy could accomplish. Startled, Fu Ling wiped her tears and nodded. She knelt by the corpse, grasping the rigid hand. As her spiritual energy entered Fang Yuan Qing’s body, it surged swiftly along the limbs, merging with the obstruction in a matter of moments. It seemed as if the force hindering spiritual energy was celestial spiritual energy. How peculiar. With a grave expression, she channeled stronger, more robust spiritual energy from her dantian. This time, instead of targeting the meridians, the energy surged into Fang Yuan Qing’s chest, absorbed by her long-stilled heart. In that instant, Fu Ling understood the true cause of Fang Yuan Qing’s death. She released her grip, her back covered in cold sweat, her breath barely steady, "Not only were the meridians blocked, but Yuan Qing’s heart was also sealed by that force." Blocking the meridians prevented escape; sealing the heart was what caused death. Fang Yuan Qing did not die from asphyxiation; someone sealed her heart, cutting off her heartbeat until she was bereft of life. Such a method of death was cruel and horrific, ensuring no chance of escape from the coffin. The gravity of Jiu Ying’s expression deepened as she processed the revelation. And Feng Su Qiu stifled another sob, her hand clasped over her mouth. Pale-faced, Fu Ling clutched Fang Yuan Qing’s forearm, her hands icy cold. An inexplicable memory of absorbing celestial spiritual energy surfaced in her mind. She lowered her head, unfastening Fang Yuan Qing’s garment to place a hand against her chest. Neither Jiu Ying nor Feng Su Qiu understood her actions but refrained from intervening. As daylight dwindled, a layer of brilliant white light emerged from Fu Ling’s palm. With a gentle breeze, the white light divided into streams, burrowing shallowly beneath Fang Yuan Qing’s skin, working towards her meridians and heart. The phenomena were astounding. Jiu Ying observed in astonishment, her heart racing. Before she realized, the white light surged, drawing away several misty white orbs from Fang Yuan Qing’s body. Her memory flickered, and it dawned on her instantly— The mist was none other than Fang family’s treasured Water Essence! Feng Su Qiu’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What is this?" Jiu Ying pursed her lips, responding after a brief hesitation, "Water Essence." "Extracted from the ice lake waters." Ice Lake—Xuan Ming Sect, Fang Family. Indeed, the one behind Fang Yuan Qing’s murder was Fang Ke Yuan! Feng Su Qiu’s eyes welled with intense hate, yet her pity was palpable. No matter the depth of hatred or intent to kill, at this moment, she was simply a mother who had lost her daughter. Extracting the Water Essence was draining. Pallor graced Fu Ling’s cheeks as she shallowly breathed, handing the Water Essence to Feng Su Qiu before collapsing into Jiu Ying’s arms. Water Essence, akin to spirit marrow covering the celestial bones once, was a treasure of the world; and the white glow was none other than Ling Su, transformed from celestial spiritual energy within her body. Only through this unique celestial spiritual element did she succeed in extracting the Water Essence. Cradling the frail figure, Jiu Ying’s eyes brimmed with compassion. Tenderly, she wiped the sweat from the girl’s forehead. Though her heart ached, she uttered no words. She understood that Fu Ling would always go to any lengths for those she cherished. Each wore a different expression, none noticed the slight changes in Fang Yuan Qing’s appearance on the ground post-extraction of the Water Essence. It was the small parrot that chattered anew. "Qing Qing!" "Qing Qing!" The calls rang clear, as if Fang Yuan Qing still lived. Feng Su Qiu’s heart ached at the sound, instinctively tightening her grip on her daughter’s hand. An Unintentional Saving Grace for Fang Yuan Qing Beneath Feng Su Qiu’s palm, the thin, slender wrist inexplicably started to pulse again. The dead cannot possibly have a pulse. Feng Su Qiu assumed it was an illusion and was about to withdraw her hand when the parrot called out once more. "Qing Qing!" The two words caused her heartbeat to falter slightly. Compelled by some inexplicable force, she placed her hand back on her daughter's heart and indeed felt a faint beat. As a healer, she had never encountered such a bizarre occurrence. A dead person exhibiting both heartbeat and pulse. Unbelieving, she extended her hand again, placing her fingertips beneath her daughter's nostrils, yet this time, there was no response. The situation grew increasingly strange. A heartbeat and pulse, yet no breath. Was she alive or dead? Feng Su Qiu lowered her head, her heart tightening painfully. Jiu Ying noticed the change in her expression and quickly understood something. She reached out, feeling the three life-signifying points. Like Feng Su Qiu, she too was left stunned. It wasn’t until her gaze fell upon the Water Essence that she realized the problem— The Water Essence, a treasure of the heavens and earth, had inadvertently preserved Fang Yuan Qing’s heart meridian even though it had stopped her breath. With its removal, her heart continued to beat, yet she lingered in an eternal limbo, neither fully alive nor dead, much like Xiao Wu once did—she lacked one breath of the divine Primal Qi. Only Fu Ling could save her. *** With the murderer identified, the next step was naturally revenge. Like Fu Ling, Feng Su Qiu also considered confronting Fang Ke Yuan directly. If not for Jiu Ying’s intervention, she might have already stormed the Xuan Ming Sect. Even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. Fang Ke Yuan, who had murdered his own daughter, didn’t deserve to be called human. Regardless of the motive, from the moment he sealed Fang Yuan Qing in a coffin, he was doomed to pay for his actions. Not just with his life, but with everything else he held—authority, status, identity, and even his seemingly harmonious family. Jiu Ying looked at the now markedly older woman before her and methodically revealed her plan, "Healers can save lives, but they can also take them." "As the head healer of Yuchun Hall, Aunt Feng should know of an herb that compels truth from a man’s lips." Feng Su Qiu was momentarily taken aback, quickly understanding, "Truth-seeking Grass?!" Jiu Ying nodded, continuing, "Indeed, the Truth-seeking Grass." "Though rare, I believe Yuchun Hall’s resources should secure it without difficulty." "At the start of each month, the Four Sects and Eight Families convene. If Fang Ke Yuan consumes the Truth-seeking Grass on that day, he will be forced to confess his crime of filicide in front of everyone." "Fang Girl was a disciple of the Fuyang Sect and a descendant of the Four Sects and Eight Families. Once this becomes public, a clan trial will be warranted." "To protect the Xuan Ming Sect’s reputation, Fang Ke Yuan must die, whether he wishes it or not—and the one to send him to his death may very well be someone he trusts most." A meticulous and ruthless plan indeed. Feng Su Qiu's palm was slick with sweat as hatred surged within, reviving her previously weary visage with newfound vibrance. She was about to nod when a concern suddenly crossed her mind. "Although it’s a sound plan, it's not easy to execute." "How will we get Fang Ke Yuan to consume the Truth-seeking Grass? Who would request a clan trial for Qing Qing?" Jiu Ying pursed her lips, having evidently considered these matters already. Her gaze lifted, looking beyond the window to the clear, azure sky. After a moment, she finally spoke in a cold, firm voice— "The Sect Master Jin Lin can achieve both." Feng Su Qiu's eyes flickered with realization upon hearing "Jin Lin," but soon doubt crept back, "Seek his help? He and Fang Ke Yuan have been acquaintances for many years, their relationship strong. I’m unsure if he would be willing." Jiu Ying’s expression darkened, her gaze lowered pensively before she spoke— "Filicide is unforgivable." "If Sect Master Jin Lin has a shred of conscience, he must assist with this." Author's Note: Thank you to the angels who voted with kingship tickets or nourished with nutrient solution between 2020-12-2303:52:59 and 2020-12-2323:40:37~ Special thanks to the angels for the landmines: Combine Noon, Duan Xiange, Meeting You for the First Time 1 each; Special thanks to the angels for the nutrient solution: one29 bottles; Xiao Yu 20 bottles; HH, Chen Guangxi Wei, Han Xu, Zi 10 bottles; Thank you all for your support, I will continue to strive!