41 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

**Chapter 41** "Zhu Guang." "What are you doing?" Yun Mi Xue didn't accept it. The map was obtained by Yan Zhu Guang, and whether it was fate or something else, it was her possession. How could Yun Mi Xue take it? Yun Mi Xue intended to return the map to Yan Zhu Guang, but Yan Zhu Guang communicated with her telepathically, "Da Shi Jie, I suspect this map is related to the former sect leader's downfall." "Why do you think that?" Yan Zhu Guang explained, "The former sect leader fell near Tian Yu City. With her power, besides the city lord of Tian Yu City, there wasn't anything else that could threaten the sect leader. And now there's a mysterious realm that appeared nearby. Doesn't that seem suspicious?" "Miss Su once said she obtained this map coincidentally. I suspect it might have been given to her by her grandfather. And the dispute between the former sect leader and Miss Su's grandfather—could it have been related to this map?" In Yan Zhu Guang's view, since the map could be connected to the former sect leader's downfall and ended up with Su Qian Er, perhaps the Su family cultivators had other interactions with the former sect leader. It wasn't just simple contention, but potentially murder and treasure stealing. But right now, they were investigating the sect leader's death, not her interpersonal relationships. They could actually skip that part altogether. Unfortunately, although she could gather clues through the mission, she couldn't directly tell Da Shi Jie that this map was indeed related to the sect leader's death. Thus, even if she didn't want any further interaction with Su Qian Er, Yan Zhu Guang had to find a plausible reason to suspect the map through Su Qian Er. Yun Mi Xue found her reasoning sound, though it was still speculation without concrete evidence. They couldn't jump to conclusions. "We'll ask Miss Su about the map once she's recovered." Yan Zhu Guang thought that with Su Qian Er's current state, appearing possibly amnesiac, she might not be able to provide answers about the map or the whereabouts of the Su family cultivator. Furthermore, the map concerning fate was not something Yan Zhu Guang wanted to disclose to many people, especially someone like Su Qian Er, whom she suspected. Her mind raced quickly, then she turned to Yun Mi Xue, saying, "Da Shi Jie, I observe that Miss Su is very averse to strangers now. I'm afraid if you go, it might agitate her further. Perhaps I should be the one to ask later." Yun Mi Xue agreed, "That makes sense." Nevertheless, Yun Mi Xue handed the map back to Yan Zhu Guang, "This map is yours. I cannot accept it. But if the mysterious realm truly relates to the sect leader's downfall, Da Shi Jie may need your assistance." Yan Zhu Guang did not further contend with Yun Mi Xue about the map's ownership, "Da Shi Jie, rest assured. I will do my utmost to help uncover the truth." Yun Mi Xue gave her a gentle smile, as fresh and captivating as a budding spring blossom, "Thank you, Zhu Guang." Yan Zhu Guang's long eyelashes quivered slightly, and she lowered her head, seemingly a bit shy, "Da Shi Jie, it's nothing. Helping you is a duty for me. Besides, you’ve helped me so much, and I've not yet repaid you." Yun Mi Xue helped tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, "I've told you before, there's no need for repayment." "If there's any repayment to be spoken of, you yourself are the best form of repayment. Do you understand?" Yan Zhu Guang raised her head, meeting Yun Mi Xue's eyes sparkling like stars, "Da Shi Jie, do you truly think so?" "Of course," Yun Mi Xue smiled more softly, perhaps with a hint of pride, "You're so outstanding, Zhu Guang. What more could I want in return?" "Alas, I've spent too little time in the sect this year to witness your growth." In truth, Yun Mi Xue felt a tinge of regret. Unseen by her, Yan Zhu Guang had transformed from a little flower cat of yesteryears to someone so accomplished now. In just a year, she progressed from the early stage of Qi Refinement to Building Foundation, even taming such extraordinary spiritual plants. Instead of fearing confrontation with two early-stage Building Foundation cultivators and a Building Foundation-level practitioner, she managed to fight back. She's only sixteen, holding such formidable potential that by any comparison, she can be deemed incredibly excellent. How could Yun Mi Xue not be delighted? The only regret was that she wasn't part of this journey. Missing out on Zhu Guang’s growth left Yun Mi Xue with a sense of guilt. Yan Zhu Guang held Yun Mi Xue’s arm, "I don't find it regrettable. Standing before you like this, doesn't it surprise you?" "Surprise? Of course, I'm surprised," Yun Mi Xue said. "You don't know how astonishing your aura felt to me when I was on my way to Dan Ye City." Yan Zhu Guang chuckled, "There you have it. There’s still plenty of time for me to be with you, Da Shi Jie. Regardless of how many years, there's no need to dwell on it." "Do you think my growth ends here?" Yun Mi Xue shook her head, "How could it? Surely you will surpass Da Shi Jie someday." "Surpassing Da Shi Jie might be a bold claim," Yan Zhu Guang said confidently, "But there's still a lot of room to progress. A single year is nothing; in the future, there'll be even more life experiences for you to share with me." "Promise me, Da Shi Jie, when that time comes, you mustn't be absent." Yun Mi Xue didn't hesitate to nod, gently placing her palm on Yan Zhu Guang's head, "Alright, Da Shi Jie promises you." The two sat quietly together for a while, the atmosphere between them as harmonious and serene as ever. After some time, Yan Zhu Guang remembered Qiu Qiao and the others, "Da Shi Jie, letting them be like this isn't good. We should tie them up, so you won't be so exhausted." "Didn't you already bind them?" Yun Mi Xue rarely got flustered, then added, "No worries. It's just a minor effort of splitting my spiritual senses." "But I don't want Da Shi Jie to always focus on such people," Yan Zhu Guang said, "I have a way to ensure they don't dare to escape." "Oh?" Yun Mi Xue was intrigued. "Watch me, Da Shi Jie." While Yan Zhu Guang and Yun Mi Xue communicated telepathically, Qiu Qiao and the others saw their lips move vaguely but couldn't discern what was being said. It wasn't until Yan Zhu Guang shifted her gaze towards them that they realized they were being discussed. Qiu Qiao felt some fear from Yan Zhu Guang’s tactic. Even the others, while not directly having felt Yan Zhu Guang's methods, seeing their usually confident and strategic Young Master fall at her hands, felt unnerved. Now with Yan Zhu Guang's gaze on them, they couldn't help but feel anxious. Yan Zhu Guang took out a stack of talisman papers, holding several between her fingers, and began chanting strange and complex incantations. As the chants took shape, the talisman papers in her right hand ignited spontaneously, emitting a peculiar scent that filled the space. The incantations resonated in their ears, and the fragrance involuntarily entered their nostrils, making them feel drowsy and mentally unstable, drifting into confusion. Qiu Qiao, having been invaded by the cursed blood vine's toxins earlier, was barely holding on. As the incantation's voice deepened, his mind struggled to stay afloat. The proprietor from Dan Tang, having been disrupted during the activation of the teleportation array and suffering internal backlash, was also unable to resist the strange sound, soon following in Qiu Qiao's stead. As for the other two servants, at their mere Qi Refinement stage, how could they withstand Yan Zhu Guang’s methods? When Yan Zhu Guang's right-hand talisman papers were completely burnt, the four of them showed vacant expressions, trapped in an unknown illusion. Yan Zhu Guang ceased her chanting, gently tossed the talisman papers in her left hand, and as if guided by an invisible force, they drifted towards the four, adhering to an invisible wall around them, faintly forming a fantastical space of light before disappearing entirely. Yan Zhu Guang exhaled lightly and told Yun Mi Xue, "I've trapped them in an illusion. They won't escape easily." Yun Mi Xue raised her hand to wipe the sweat from Yan Zhu Guang's forehead, "Thank you, Zhu Guang." "Did you make these talismans yourself?" Yun Mi Xue asked. Yan Zhu Guang nodded bashfully, "Cultivation can be monotonous, one can't indulge excessively. So in my spare time, I practice these miscellaneous arts to change my frame of mind. But it’s not anything grand." "Every method is a path; no art is without connection to the divine. There’s no such thing as minor arts. However, while Zhu Guang may be gifted, your energies are finite. Diversifying too much could hinder future cultivation. You should think carefully." Yan Zhu Guang nodded, "Thank you, Da Shi Jie, for your guidance. I understand." Yan Zhu Guang couldn’t exactly disclose that what she knew was all a relic from her past life. Yun Mi Xue's advice was for her benefit, and Yan Zhu Guang accepted it sincerely. Now that the four were trapped in the illusion, Yun Mi Xue retracted her spiritual senses. Yan Zhu Guang asked, "Will you inform other elders about Miss Su?" Yun Mi Xue thought for a moment but shook her head, "To avoid causing further harm to Miss Su, it's best not to publicize her situation." The matter between Su Qian Er and Qiu Qiao couldn't be concealed from the people in Dan Ye City, but considering their sect had no deep connection with her, there was no need to spread it further. They had no intention of interfering in Su Qian Er's family matters. They simply needed to learn about the Su family cultivator from her, and the issues in Dan Ye City could be handed over to Su Qian Er’s family. Yan Zhu Guang wasn't as considerate and thoughtful as Yun Mi Xue. Upon hearing Yun Mi Xue's considerations, she sighed inwardly. She had thought to send Yun Mi Xue away, but now that wasn’t possible. She would have to take a risk right under Da Shi Jie's nose. The system curiously asked, "What is the host planning to do?" Yan Zhu Guang replied, "Do I look like someone who can be easily threatened?" "Is the host planning to extract information from Qiu Qiao regarding that secret realm?" "Yes." "How does the host intend to do that?" Yan Zhu Guang remained silent for a while, quietly planning how to proceed without drawing Da Shi Jie's attention, then said, "Just watch." Just as she was about to make a move, Yun Mi Xue, who had been observing her for a while, suddenly said, "Da Shi Jie has an urgent matter to attend to and must step away for a bit. Since these people are already trapped, I'll leave them under your watch, Zhu Guang." Yan Zhu Guang's heart stirred, but outwardly she responded obediently, "Rest assured, Da Shi Jie. They won't escape." Yun Mi Xue nodded, turned, and left the autumnal Alchemy Hall, though it was unclear where she headed. The system expressed relief, "Luckily, Da Shi Jie left." Yan Zhu Guang shook her head, sensing that Da Shi Jie likely perceived something. The excuse of an urgent matter was probably just her way of considerately giving her the space she needed. Oh, Da Shi Jie...