39 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 39 The system mentioned that the main storyline task is challenging to trigger, but Yan Zhu Guang inexplicably thought of that diagram. To trigger a task, there must be some conditions; otherwise, this main storyline task might have been activated long before. It is only today that it has been triggered, likely due to the fulfillment of specific criteria. So, what is different about today compared to before? The noticeable difference is the presence of Su Girl, and particularly the peculiar diagram she entrusted to Yan Zhu Guang. From Senior Sister, Yan Zhu Guang gathered that Su Girl’s grandfather might have connections with the fallen sect leader, but this clue was already known to Senior Sister. Once Su Girl awakes, direct questioning can resolve that without needing her "assistance." Then why was she able to receive this main storyline task? Yan Zhu Guang speculated that it might have something to do with the diagram Su Girl gave her. She had used Jade Dew Pills as an exchange with Su Qian Er, so the diagram was entirely hers now, and even if Su Qian Er wanted to reclaim it, she couldn’t. If this diagram is indeed a pivotal item, then learning of this clue from Senior Sister and meeting the conditions to trigger the main storyline task might explain it. However, this is merely Yan Zhu Guang’s unfounded guess and might not be accurate. “I think,” the system whispered, “the host’s guess might be correct.” “Hmm,” truth be told, Yan Zhu Guang only recalled the diagram then deduced backward, without concrete evidence. “Host, check your backpack.” Earlier, after using the incomplete diagram to extract Qiu Qiao and the others’ intentions, Yan Zhu Guang had tucked it back into her backpack. She looked as instructed, and the original name of the diagram, “A Mysterious Diagram,” had now changed to “A Key Diagram.” “It seems the diagram is indeed related to the former sect leader.” Su Qian Er remained unconscious, and it wasn’t suitable for Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang to leave her side, so they kept watch. Not wanting to disturb Su Qian Er, the two didn’t converse. Earlier, Yun Mi Xue had explained the situation via spiritual transmission to Yan Zhu Guang and then seemed lost in thought, seized by an idea. It was during this lull that Yan Zhu Guang conversed with the system. She glanced at the peacefully breathing Su Qian Er on the reclining chair, “Does the storyline include a character like Su Qian Er?” The system contemplated for a moment and shook its head, “It doesn’t seem like it. This Su Girl isn’t in good health; by the time the story begins, she might…” “Has any of your previous hosts encountered her?” The system paused, its tone somewhat distant, “Apologies, host. To avoid previous hosts’ strategies from interfering with new hosts, memories of past hosts have been largely obscured. I don’t know if they have encountered her.” Unperturbed by this setback, Yan Zhu Guang decided she’d investigate on her own, rather than overly relying on the system. Reflecting, since the mysterious diagram might provide clues about the former sect leader, she considered showing it to Senior Sister. She had acquired the diagram but hadn’t taken the time to thoroughly examine what it really was. Discussing it with Senior Sister might now be timely. Just as Yan Zhu Guang was about to address Senior Sister, Su Qian Er’s breaths abruptly turned erratic, her respiration growing rapid. Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang directed their gazes towards her. Yan Zhu Guang sensed that Su Qian Er might be waking up. True to her intuition, Su Qian Er’s eyes moved beneath tightly shut lids, and after a soft groan, her lashes quivered, and her eyes opened. Su Qian Er’s eyes momentarily showed confusion, as if uncertain of time and place. After a while, the fog in her eyes cleared, a trace of wariness emerged, and her eyes darted around, only then realizing she was lying on a reclining chair. After another brief pause, she finally noted Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang standing vigil not far from her. Curling up in panic, she drew herself into a tight ball on the chair, and her large, hasty movements tugged on her frail body, provoking a series of coughs while her pale face took on spots of unnatural redness. Seeing her so tense and jumpy, like a startled bird, Yun Mi Xue frowned slightly. It appeared Su Girl had been deeply traumatized by her former fiancé’s betrayal. Yan Zhu Guang patted Yun Mi Xue’s hand reassuringly, offering a faint smile to ease her concern. She then approached quietly, stopping a step away from the reclining chair, speaking softly, “Su Girl, don’t be afraid, there’s no danger now.” Su Qian Er gave her a wary glance but didn’t respond. Yan Zhu Guang continued, “You’ve been rescued, and those who wished you harm have been captured. They can’t hurt you anymore; it’s safe now.” Responding to her was Su Qian Er biting her lower lip and curling even tighter, seemingly wishing she could disappear altogether. “Su Girl, take a look at me, do you recognize who I am?” Su Qian Er halted her motion, arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees without moving. After a while, she cautiously lifted her head, casting a careful glance at Yan Zhu Guang. Yan Zhu Guang met her gaze with a calm smile, reassuring her, “We met on the road and traveled together for a while. We only parted ways not long ago. I feel like we've grown quite familiar with each other; have you forgotten me already?” Hesitant, Su Qian Er spoke, “You… you are…” Yan Zhu Guang’s smile widened slightly, “I’m Yan Zhu Guang, do you remember?” Su Qian Er’s eyes cleared momentarily before focusing once more on Yan Zhu Guang, “Yan... Yan Girl, you’re Yan Girl.” “Yes, it’s me.” Yan Zhu Guang nodded, moving to perch on the edge of the reclining chair beside Su Qian Er, who flinched but tried hard to suppress her fear. Tenderly, Yan Zhu Guang extended her hand, tentatively clasping Su Qian Er’s wrist. Startled, Su Qian Er instinctively tried to pull away, but Yan Zhu Guang held her firmly, preventing it. Relaxing her efforts, Su Qian Er found herself simply allowing the contact, trying to calm down. Yan Zhu Guang promptly released her wrist, gently patting her back, “Don’t be afraid; it’s okay now. Those who harmed you have been caught, and we’ve sent someone to inform your family. You’re safe, don’t worry.” “If you don’t believe me, you can ask her.” Yan Zhu Guang gestured towards Yun Mi Xue. Recognizing her own limitations in providing comfort, Yan Zhu Guang knew Senior Sister excelled in such matters. Yun Mi Xue stepped forward, attempting to engage Su Qian Er in conversation and redirect her focus, hoping to ease her tension. However, unexpectedly, the usually warm and approachable Yun Mi Xue hit a wall with Su Girl. As Yun Mi Xue approached, Su Qian Er’s expression immediately tensed, wary and somewhat resistant to her presence. Yan Zhu Guang’s brow crinkled slightly, but she soon relaxed and addressed Su Qian Er gently, “Don’t be afraid, she’s my Senior Sister. She’s the one who saved you from Qiu Qiao and the others. Without her, you wouldn’t be alive.” Su Qian Er appeared taken aback, examining Yun Mi Xue with newfound awareness, her voice apologetic and small, “Th-thank you.” Yun Mi Xue acknowledged her, noting Su Qian Er’s guardedness towards strangers, opting not to come closer. Given Su Qian Er’s current state, it wasn’t appropriate to inquire about the Su-named cultivator’s whereabouts. She decided to wait until Su Girl had fully recovered before attempting to ask. Chatting with Su Qian Er for a while, Yan Zhu Guang recounted some light-hearted experiences from their journey to Danye City, gradually coaxing Su Qian Er into truly relaxing, no longer curling herself into a ball on the chair. She sat at the edge, legs neatly together, hands twisting her clothing edge, and after some time, she finally looked up, “Yan… Yan Girl, what about Qiu Qiao?” “I left them at the entrance of the Pill Hall.” Su Qian Er expressed surprise, “Won’t they escape?” “Don’t worry,” Yan Zhu Guang assured her, “Senior Sister’s spiritual sense envelops them, they wouldn’t dare to run.” Relieved, Su Qian Er sighed. “What do you intend to do with them, given what they did to you?” Yan Zhu Guang broached the subject of Qiu Qiao and his group, observing that Su Qian Er had become less tense. Although Senior Sister was a formidable Nascent Soul cultivator, maintaining her spiritual sense to prevent their escape was taxing, and Yan Zhu Guang didn’t want her to endure that unnecessarily. It would be best to deal with them quickly. As long as Su Qian Er offered a word, be it to punish or kill, Yan Zhu Guang would be glad to assist. Seeming a bit lost, Su Qian Er replied, “I… I don’t know.” “My mind is a mess right now.” “It’s okay, there’s no need to force yourself.” Taking a measuring glance at her, Yan Zhu Guang spoke again, “But, you mustn’t have a soft heart. Qiu Qiao, that scumbag, was your fiancé, yet he sought to take your life. Such a person shouldn’t be let off easily.” Su Qian Er’s eyes glistened with an unclear light, her hands clenching and then relaxing, as she looked up at Yan Zhu Guang, “You’re right,” she affirmed, taking a deep breath, “Such a person doesn’t deserve my mercy.” “I, I even want them to suffer a fate worse than death.” Resolute with newfound determination, Su Qian Er pushed herself to utter harsh words, “Yes, make them wish for death over life.” In a place where Su Qian Er couldn't see, Yan Zhu Guang smiled enigmatically, using a beguiling tone, “Yes, making them suffer a fate worse than death would surely appease Su Girl’s grievances.” “Su Girl, would you like to personally punish them?” “Can I?” Su Qian Er asked. Detecting the peculiar tone in Yan Zhu Guang’s voice, Yun Mi Xue couldn’t help but look at her closely. Yan Zhu Guang blinked innocently, returning a charming smile to Yun Mi Xue. Dealing with this little troublemaker who seemed to delight in chaos, Yun Mi Xue felt a sense of helplessness. Still, worried that Su Qian Er might be uncomfortable with her around, Yun Mi Xue gently suggested, “Alright, Su Girl, you’ve been through a lot and just woke up. It’s best to rest a bit more.” “Zhu Guang, let Su Girl have some peace; don’t disturb her rest.” “Oh.” Yan Zhu Guang responded obediently, moving away from Su Qian Er to stand beside Yun Mi Xue. She turned back to Su Qian Er, saying, “Rest a bit more, Su Girl. We’ll go check if your family has arrived.” Su Qian Er nodded, “Thank you, Yan Girl.” Together, Yan Zhu Guang and Yun Mi Xue left, leaving Su Qian Er alone in the courtyard. After sitting silently on the lounge chair a little longer, she leaned back and closed her eyes. “Really, why bring up unpleasant things when Su Girl finally calms down?” Yun Mi Xue questioned. “I just fear she’ll grow soft and forgive those villains.” Using a playful tone, Yan Zhu Guang said, “Alright, Senior Sister, I was wrong.” Yun Mi Xue rapped her knuckles gently against Yan Zhu Guang’s head, “You don’t owe me an apology.” “Just don’t stir things up for Su Girl before her family arrives.” “I understand, Senior Sister.” Though she outwardly complied, inwardly Yan Zhu Guang let out a cold laugh. “Host, did you sense something?” The system, well-acquainted with its host, knew that Yan Zhu Guang always had a purpose for her actions. Her words to Su Qian Er surely carried hidden meanings. “Did Su Qian Er, whose servant shielded her with their life, ever inquire about them from when she awoke until now?” “It seems not.” “This Su Qian Er is suspicious.”