67 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 67 “Yes, Host.” Before Gu Chen could explain, the system had already provided an explanation for Yan Zhu Guang. “Because the offspring of celestial cultivators and demonic cultivators are inherently flawed, they are shunned by the heavenly law and hence referred to as bodies of celestial bane.” “Bodies of celestial bane?” Yun Mi Xue mused aloud, puzzled. “Does the head suspect that Junior Sister Su is the daughter of the former head and a demonic cultivator?” Gu Chen nodded slightly. “You both have interacted with Su Qian Er. Did you notice if she possesses a celestial bane physique?” Yun Mi Xue furrowed her brow, recalling before shaking her head. “Lian Ji has never seen a celestial bane body before and cannot determine.” Gu Chen did not insist further on the matter. He turned his attention back to Yan Zhu Guang, “You still bear traces of the Yuan Wind Array’s aura. Is it true that the medicine for Su Qian Er was forced from you by Li Zi You using the Yuan Wind Array?” Li Zi You was the former head’s name. Yan Zhu Guang was startled. She hadn’t expected any remnant of the Yuan Wind Array’s aura to still linger on her, much less that Gu Chen could detect it. Did the elders also notice? “Head—” Yun Mi Xue attempted to speak on Yan Zhu Guang’s behalf, but Gu Chen raised a hand to stop her. Looking at Yan Zhu Guang, he said, “The aura leftover from the Yuan Wind Array is very faint; not everyone can perceive it. My cultivation technique is unique, allowing me to sense things others cannot.” “Not to boast,” Gu Chen continued, with a hint of pride in his tone, “among the people of Ling Qian Immortal Sect, only I, aside from those reclusive elders, can sense this trace of aura.” “You needn’t worry,” he reassured, “soon even I won’t be able to detect it.” Yan Zhu Guang thought to herself that she might have been better off delaying her return. It seemed there were things she couldn’t hide from him, the male protagonist. Sympathetically, the system remarked to the host, “As the favored child of this world’s fate, the male protagonist not only excels in perception but possesses numerous means at his disposal. There are few things that can escape his notice.” After all, he was a classic domineering CEO type male lead—apart from his self-assured dominance, there weren’t many flaws to speak of. Yan Zhu Guang felt neither animosity nor fondness towards Gu Chen. At the system’s comment, she merely raised an eyebrow slightly. So what if Gu Chen is formidable? She has her own capabilities and isn’t afraid. Plus, to Yan Zhu Guang, the most important person is her senior sister. No matter how impressive or who the male lead is, her senior sister cares about and cherishes her, not him. System: ...Host, isn’t your focus slightly off? Are you planning to vie with the male lead? “You concealed the matter involving the Yuan Wind Array, but I can surmise a few things,” Gu Chen spoke leisurely, unaware of Yan Zhu Guang’s conversation with an unseen entity. “The ‘medicine’ must be extraordinary.” His gaze traveled between Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang. “That medicine must be the Heavenly Heart Lotus, am I correct?” Yun Mi Xue glanced at Yan Zhu Guang, slightly worried. She wasn’t afraid that Gu Chen would harm Yan Zhu Guang for the Heavenly Heart Lotus. Even though she didn’t have much interaction with this headmaster senior, she had recommended Gu Chen for the head position, suggesting she understood his character. Knowing Gu Chen, even if the medicine were the precious Heavenly Heart Lotus, he probably wouldn’t covet it. What worried Yun Mi Xue was that Yan Zhu Guang feared neither heaven nor earth and might say something reckless, angering Gu Chen, which would not bode well for her as a disciple. Fortunately, Yun Mi Xue’s worries didn’t materialize. Yan Zhu Guang did nothing to provoke; she merely nodded calmly, “It is indeed the Heavenly Heart Lotus.” Judging by Gu Chen’s demeanor, he didn’t appear to be testing her; his voice held at least seventy percent certainty. Since that was the case, Yan Zhu Guang saw no reason to conceal it any longer. To keep hiding would only draw suspicion. After all, even if he knew, he couldn’t do anything about it. A dignified headmaster wouldn’t stoop to snatching something from a disciple, would he? Taking a queue from the system’s words, a proper male lead must conduct himself with integrity—acquiring assets through rightful means, not resorting to theft or deceit, lest the readers scorn him. Moreover, judging from Gu Chen’s tone, Yan Zhu Guang could determine he was likely just trying to frighten her, with no real intentions of causing harm. Gu Chen’s stern expression softened slightly upon witnessing her confident demeanor. Yan Zhu Guang boldly inquired, “How did the headmaster deduce that the medicine was the Heavenly Heart Lotus?” Yun Mi Xue shared a spark of curiosity. “No need to speculate,” Gu Chen said, “I am the headmaster. With Li Zi You gone, I naturally inherited everything in the head’s residence.” The items in the head’s residence were provided by the sect, meant to be passed on to the next head. The heirs of the head could not inherit them. “He left numerous medicinal manuscripts there, with copious notes on the Heavenly Heart Lotus. I knew he was searching for it; only this medicine could enable him to set up the Yuan Wind Array.” “You carry the aura of the Yuan Wind Array and claim he left a last wish for you to gift the medicine to his daughter. It seems the request was false, the threat of the array was real.” Yan Zhu Guang nodded, “You’ve guessed correctly. At least ten years ago, the former head discovered the Heavenly Heart Lotus in an not-yet-amatured secret realm and constructed the Yuan Wind Array, requiring that a lotus be given to Su Qian Er to break the array and gain the lotus.” Gu Chen eyed her directly, “So, relinquishing the Heavenly Heart Lotus to Su Qian Er was not your voluntary choice?” Yun Mi Xue furrowed her brows. Without a trace of hesitation, Yan Zhu Guang nodded, “You could say that. Though it was due to the former master’s guidance that I obtained the Heavenly Heart Lotus, without the Yuan Wind Array, I wouldn't have handed the Heavenly Heart Lotus to Su Qian Er.” Yan Zhu Guang did indeed come across the inheritance from the secret realm and the Heavenly Heart Lotus because of the schematic left by the former head and the aura from the Yuan Wind Array. But that schematic was a reward given by the original Su Qian Er; she owed no allegiance. As for the Yuan Wind Array, it forced her to swear an oath to the heavens—should she feel grateful for that? Yan Zhu Guang’s frankness left Yun Mi Xue without words to shield her. Spoiling her as she does, this young girl speaks her mind unrestrainedly. Now, even before the headmaster, she lets words fly freely. With his position being one tier above hers and his capabilities far superior, she might not be able to cover for her this time. The former head was at least the headmaster of Feng Hua Immortal Sect; due respect was owed. Opposing the handover of the Heavenly Heart Lotus to Su Qian Er wouldn’t hurt to put mildly. To speak so directly and confidently? Yun Mi Xue worried Yan Zhu Guang’s attitude might invite Gu Chen’s reproach. To her surprise, Gu Chen did not grow angry. Instead, he laughed heartily, looking at Yan Zhu Guang with a hint of admiration. “I was right about you.” Yan Zhu Guang looked at Yun Mi Xue in confusion. Had the responsibilities of the head jarred Gu Chen’s senses? Yun Mi Xue also felt bewildered. Gu Chen stood tall, his wide sleeves tracing an arc through the air. With his hands clasped behind him, he gazed at a lush plant by the steps and spoke quietly, “Cultivators often mask their actions with noble reasons; it’s tiresome.” “Your straightforwardness aligns with my tastes.” “The Heavenly Heart Lotus—if it were me, I wouldn’t surrender it to the control of a Yuan Wind Array, even if it were the headmaster’s daughter. Who could threaten me?” Facing Yan Zhu Guang, he continued, “But you do have one shortcoming.” Yan Zhu Guang raised an eyebrow, “Which would be?” “Your strength,” Gu Chen replied, “is still insufficient, allowing the Yuan Wind Array to intimidate. If you were powerful enough, you could dismantle the array and wouldn’t need to succumb.” Yan Zhu Guang nodded in agreement, “I think so, too. The Heavenly Heart Lotus appeared too soon. If I’d been stronger, able to dismantle the array, I wouldn’t have resorted to such a foolish method. But opportunities were fleeting. If I hadn’t agreed back then, even with increased strength, I might not encounter such a serendipitous chance again.” Gu Chen nodded, “It seems you understand well.” “When it concerns oneself, understanding is crucial for cultivation, isn’t it?” “That is indeed excellent.” Yun Mi Xue, listening along, felt something amiss. If she indulged Zhu Guang, fine, but how did even the esteemed and composed headmaster not only refrain from offering guidance but rather seemed to encourage Zhu Guang’s approach? Feeling increasingly resigned, Yun Mi Xue lamented her inability to discipline Yan Zhu Guang due to affection. Hoping others might guide Zhu Guang, but it seemed this headmaster wasn’t of any use either. In its space, the system also scratched its metaphorical head. It seemed there was a unique camaraderie between its host and the male protagonist. Knowing its host’s previous life must’ve been extraordinary, was this the special aura among those uniquely blessed? A humble system like it couldn’t comprehend. Gu Chen and Yan Zhu Guang’s conversation ceased on a high note, soon turning back to business matters. Given that the Heavenly Heart Lotus’ secret was already known to the head, Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang divulged some additional details – except for the secret inheritance Yan Zhu Guang had received, which Gu Chen didn’t inquire about. After hearing their explanations, Gu Chen handed a booklet to Yun Mi Xue. “Please take a look at this.” The booklet, though unremarkable in appearance, seemed to be an ordinary copy rather than an original document. Yun Mi Xue took it and glanced through, her eyes glimpsing a hint of surprise before she handed it to Yan Zhu Guang without flipping further. Yan Zhu Guang opened it to discover a cultivation manual. This manual purportedly enabled cultivation to the Celestial Realm, allowing practitioners to continue their path even after ascending to the Celestial Realm. In the current cultivation world, manuals that could guide someone to the Great Ascension stage were exceedingly rare, and one that reached the Celestial Realm would incite fierce competition. However, despite its supposed value, this manual wasn’t widely circulated in the cultivation world. Instead, it was present in most large sects’ libraries, often left forgotten. The reason was that the entry requirements for this manual were overly stringent. To cultivate using this manual, one must be born with a Celestial Harmonious Physique and have never practiced any other cultivation methods. A Celestial Harmonious Physique, like Yan Zhu Guang's, was characterized by a natural celestial root coupled with a unique constitution that harmonized with it. Yan Zhu Guang had heard of this cultivation manual and had even explored it in a library out of curiosity. However, with her discerning eye, she quickly recognized its numerous flaws and lost interest. The booklet Gu Chen handed them now contained a copied version of that very manual. What set it apart was that on the first page, where “Celestial Harmonious Physique” was mentioned, someone had circled it in red ink. “Did the former headmaster make this mark?” Gu Chen nodded. It seemed the cause of the former headmaster’s demise had become clear.