25 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Novel Translation Chapter 25 Yan Zhu Guang declared she wouldn't worry about the mission, and the system's anxiety was futile. Given the host's usual confidence and impeccable planning, the system could only assume she was conserving energy and preparing for a decisive strike against the foe. More crucially, the system feared annoying the host by appearing to dictate her actions, which might provoke her displeasure. Although it desired to encourage her to be more proactive, it wouldn't dare suggest so. The system always felt particularly apprehensive around her. Thus, no matter how concerned the system was about the main mission, it could only silently hold its peace. With the system keeping its advice to itself, Yan Zhu Guang found some peace. Yun Mi Xue forbade her from leaving the little snowy abode, so she devoted most of her time to cultivation. Conveniently, Yun Mi Xue provided her with a manual for wood-based techniques. Although she didn't intend to focus on this technique, using it as a cover wasn't a bad idea. Time passed slowly amidst her cultivation. No matter how tumultuous the outside world became over the controversy of the Fenghua Immortal Sect's new leader, Yun Mi Xue's secluded abode remained tranquil. Yan Zhu Guang spent nearly a month cultivating in this peaceful refuge while the grand ceremony for the new sect leader concluded. During this time, though Yun Mi Xue was incredibly busy, she always made time to accompany and converse with Yan Zhu Guang, offering her guidance whenever asked. Since Yan Zhu Guang behaved well and didn't sneak out again, Yun Mi Xue felt assured enough to relax. Out of guilt for confining her to the abode, Yun Mi Xue nearly met her every request. When time allowed, she even shared insights about the Fenghua Immortal Sect. It was through these discussions that Yan Zhu Guang gradually uncovered the information she sought. Though she sympathized with Yun Mi Xue's fatigue, the matter was ultimately connected to Yun Mi Xue. Naturally, she couldn't ignore it and needed to identify the clandestine troublemaker to prevent further chaos. The Fenghua Immortal Sect was a vast school, with disciples numbering in the tens of thousands. Its disciples were categorized into six classes, ranked by hierarchy as titled disciples, core disciples, inner disciples, registered disciples, outer disciples, and servant disciples. Registered disciples were those outer disciples who found advancement to inner disciples hopeless and voluntarily chose to serve within the inner sect. If they were fortunate, they might get selected by an elder or a titled disciple for promotion to inner disciple status. He Sheng, for instance, was a registered disciple, positioned among the outer sect but enjoying privileges above outer disciples, though below inner disciples. Core disciples were inner disciples under a hundred years old who had achieved the Golden Core phase. Titled disciples were established atop the core disciple group. The top hundred core disciples could earn titles, becoming titled disciples. Becoming a titled disciple granted participation in sect management and access to various benefits, making competition fierce. This ranking is conducted every five years; if a disciple's strength faltered and they fell out of the top hundred, they would lose their title and revert to being an ordinary core disciple, losing associated rights. The Fenghua Immortal Sect, a towering establishment in the cultivation world, had honed this sophisticated promotional system over countless years, ensuring fairness and motivating disciples to strive harder. Yan Zhu Guang, brought to the sect by Yun Mi Xue and possessing heavenly spiritual roots, undoubtedly had immense potential. As long as she didn't fall off the path, her future was bright and becoming an inner disciple was assured. When Yun Mi Xue discussed this, she encouraged Yan Zhu Guang to aim for the status of core or even titled disciple. It wasn't for vanity or resources alone. Titled disciples were the elite, highly respected within the sect. Achieving this status affirmed one's capability. Though Yun Mi Xue didn't wish Yan Zhu Guang to be overly consumed by the pursuit of titles, she nonetheless supported her setting a reasonable goal. Yan Zhu Guang was indeed interested in the potential of becoming a titled disciple, but her primary focus was gathering information on them, directing the conversation toward this end. As a soon-to-be initiate, Yan Zhu Guang's curiosity about the glamorous titled disciples was expected, and Yun Mi Xue shared an overview of them without suspicion. In summary, the titled disciples Yan Zhu Guang focused on, those possessing ice or water spiritual roots, numbered around twenty. Pure ice root was rare, with only two people, none like Yun Mi Xue's single ice root—the rest had dual roots. Out of these, ten were absent from the sect—either engaged in external adventures or secluded in cultivation, including the disciple with pure ice root—eliminating them as suspects. Based on ice and water spiritual roots, Yan Zhu Guang narrowed the field to around nine potentially suspicious titled disciples. Coincidentally, among them were Chu Ning Yan, known as the Gentle Sword Fairy, whom she had accompanied with Yun Mi Xue to the Yimiao Sect. She possessed gold and water dual roots. Another was Yun Mi Xue's clan sister, Yun Chang Yue, who had the rare single water heavenly root. Yan Zhu Guang singled these two as primary observation targets. While titled disciples could be monitored, investigating the elders proved trickier. To avoid arousing Yun Mi Xue's suspicion, Yan Zhu Guang scattered her inquiries, but probing into the elders was too risky. Besides, Yan Zhu Guang perceived the elders as unlikely suspects. With little conflict of interest with Yun Mi Xue, they had scant motive for such schemes. Conversely, like-minded titled peers might resent Yun Mi Xue for her senior disciple status—a title they might covet. And, of course, there was the chance someone simply harbored a baseless grudge, eager to tarnish her reputation. Although finding no information on the elders, Yan Zhu Guang stumbled upon another lead. Yun Mi Xue inadvertently revealed that on the day He Sheng was cast out, coinciding with the previous sect leader's demise, all titled disciples were ordered by the core elders to remain within the sect, awaiting instructions, forbidden to leave without permission. Titled disciples, as potential successors, weren't limited to the senior ranks. If chosen by the leader and approved by most elders, a titled disciple could become the next sect leader. The core elders kept the leader's death secret initially to keep the titled disciples calm. Once Yun Mi Xue summoned Gu Chen and the leadership was decided, the rest were informed. Even then, fearing unrest among the core disciples, the elders maintained the restricted movement order for titled disciples. —Yun Mi Xue never divulged such sect secrets to Yan Zhu Guang directly; much of her knowledge came from piecing together Yun Mi Xue's scattered remarks. This revelation was crucial. Perhaps the situation with He Sheng involved leadership succession. “Do you know who the previous leader's favored successor was?” Yan Zhu Guang inquired of the system. The system shook its head, “The storyline doesn’t mention it. You'll have to inquire yourself.” Yan Zhu Guang nodded, harboring little expectation. If it were that straightforward, it wouldn't be her main mission. Thus, besides the nine suspects she identified, there was the mysterious successor to consider, perhaps overlapping identities. The little grove incident took place within the sect's outer bounds. The perpetrator, in their resentment towards Yun Mi Xue, risked discovery and punishment just to kill across these boundaries. If only she could access the records of titled disciples’ comings and goings that day. Alas, she currently lacked the capability. Yan Zhu Guang considered investigating Yun Mi Xue's known adversaries, though this was challenging. With her amicable nature, Yun Mi Xue rarely quarreled, and even noted displeasures barely registered to her. Despite Yan Zhu Guang's efforts, there were no leads from Yun Mi Xue. Sighing softly, Yan Zhu Guang resigned to figuring things out without expecting much help from the amicable Yun Mi Xue. She decided to discreetly handle any threats to her. This was, after all, her mission. The system relished seeing its host eager to complete tasks. Noting Yan Zhu Guang’s efforts to identify threats to Yun Mi Xue, it offered a clue. “Host, this storyline doesn't mention the frame-job intended to make the Da Shi Jie appear like a murderer. I suspect it's due to the ripple effect of your presence.” “Ripple effect?” “Well, because your arrival changed the course of events, leading to He Sheng’s demise.” “She wasn't originally supposed to die?” “Correct. He Sheng initially was a registered disciple under Da Shi Jie, and after her death, she was transferred to the male protagonist’s side. Although not a major role, she certainly existed.” Her survival implies the killer held no personal grudge against her; she simply crossed paths at an unfortunate time, costing her life. “I suspect it was a crime of passion, committed in the heat of the moment.” "A crime of passion?" Yan Zhu Guang thought that was a fitting description. If that were the case, resentment toward Yun Mi Xue over the sect leader succession seemed likely. The most significant event that day was the male protagonist becoming the sect leader. But why target Yun Mi Xue instead of him? Picking on the kind-hearted one, was it? Yan Zhu Guang thought with a wry smile. She had gathered enough clues; now the priority was interacting with the suspects. No matter how many leads one speculates, they are useless if one can't confront the people involved. Luckily, she would soon have a legitimate opportunity to meet them. With the new sect leader’s inauguration completed, preparations for Yan Zhu Guang to join the Fenghua Immortal Sect were underway. Interestingly, she wasn't the only one to undergo spiritual root testing; other clans associated with the sect seized this opportunity to send their scions for testing as well. With a new leader in place, families wanted to present their prospects—partly for ambition, partly as an auspicious act to embrace the sect’s new beginnings. Early in the morning, Yun Mi Xue came to see Yan Zhu Guang. Her face still radiated calmness, but Yan Zhu Guang noticed a hint of nervousness behind her usual demeanor. She seemed more anxious than Yan Zhu Guang, who was the one actually participating in the entrance test. Perhaps, this was the typical anxiety of a "guardian figure"? Yan Zhu Guang found such an analogy somewhat unsatisfactory. Yun Mi Xue gently patted Yan Zhu Guang’s head. "Don’t worry, Zhu Guang. Da Shi Jie has already tested your spiritual roots, so there shouldn't be any issues. Just follow the elders' instructions." "Yes, Da Shi Jie." In truth, she wasn't nervous at all, but with Yun Mi Xue’s words, she had to feign a look of nervousness. Alas, for the sake of her concern, I'll make an effort to satisfy her, Yan Zhu Guang thought. When Yun Mi Xue saw the tension in Yan Zhu Guang's expression ease, she sighed in relief and offered her a reassuring smile. "Alright, come along with Da Shi Jie."