70 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

**Banxia Novel** **Chapter 70** --- When they returned to the residence of the Fenghua Immortal Sect in Tianyu City, the elders, Yun Chang Yue, and Chu Ning Yan had not yet come back. “Master, what are we going to do now?” Gu Chen had instructed her master and senior sister to “continue the investigation,” but now that the mystery of the former sect leader’s death had been entirely solved, what else was there to investigate? Was it necessary to send them to the site of the now non-existent secret realm’s entrance to pretend to search for clues? Yan Zhu Guang said, “As long as you have the will, there will always be something to do.” Seeing the courtyard empty, Yun Mi Xue suggested to Yan Zhu Guang, “Since they’re not here, why don't we act according to our own plans?” “I am somewhat concerned about the annihilation of the Qiao Family. Would you care to join me in visiting the Qiao branch family?” Yan Zhu Guang naturally nodded in agreement. “Alright, I’ll follow our senior sister.” She was also intrigued by Su Qian Er’s situation, and it was indeed a matter worth pondering why Qiao Zhen Bang sent Su Qian Er to Fenghua Immortal Sect. Perhaps visiting the Qiao Family might unveil new clues. Without even entering their respective rooms, they only made a short visit to the courtyard before turning to leave. At their current level, rest was no longer a necessity; going without sleep for several days had little effect on them. The location of the Qiao branch family lay at a reasonable distance between Tianyu City and Danye City. Though Yan Zhu Guang had never been to the Qiao Family, she had rescued the original Su Qian Er on the road from the Qiao branch family to Danye City. Thus, she knew the general direction to the Qiao branch family. Previously, Yan Zhu Guang mentioned taking Yun Mi Xue on a sword flight, which she now fulfilled with Yun Mi Xue’s acquiescence. Rather than riding separate clouds, the two stood on Yan Zhu Guang’s ordinary flying sword as she flew them toward the Qiao branch family’s location. Now at the late foundation-building stage, Yan Zhu Guang's speed was naturally swift. In no time, they were flying over what used to be the site of the Qiao branch family. It was termed “suspected” because the area had become unnaturally flat, as if someone had sliced it cleanly with a sword. The barren ground lay empty, devoid of anything—no grass, not a stem remained. Such a scene made it hard to imagine that it once housed a thriving family of cultivators, leaving an indelible sigh in one's heart. “Fairy Lian Ji?” Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang landed from the flying sword, and as soon as they steadied themselves, a voice came through. They turned to see a young man approaching with light steps. Yan Zhu Guang did not recognize him. Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he was acquainted with her senior sister? Her eyes curiously scanned the newcomer. Appearing in his early twenties—although, given cultivators’ techniques to maintain youthful appearances, age can be deceiving, and he could very well be hundreds of years old within. He was quite handsome, tall and upright, adorned with various spiritual artifacts and treasures, typical of someone from a prestigious family. A jade flute hung at his waist, with a tassel of the same color swaying gently as he moved. Upon seeing her senior sister, his joy seemed boundless, even casting Yan Zhu Guang, who stood beside Yun Mi Xue, into oblivion; his eyes saw no one but Yun Mi Xue. Yan Zhu Guang frowned slightly. As he was about to engage Yun Mi Xue in conversation, she intervened, stepping between them. Raising her chin slightly, her red lips parted softly, yet her tone was unyielding, “Who are you? And why do you seek my senior sister?” The man, enthusiastic to converse with Yun Mi Xue, was interrupted by Yan Zhu Guang. It was only then he noticed the pretty young girl he had overlooked standing next to Yun Mi Xue. He stopped, somewhat embarrassed, and asked Yun Mi Xue from a distance, “Fairy Lian Ji, who is this young lady...” Gently reassuring Yan Zhu Guang with a pat on the shoulder, Yun Mi Xue stepped forward slightly to stand with Yan Zhu Guang, addressing the young man, “This is my junior sister, the youngest in our sect.” After Gu Chen became the sect leader, the disciples they recruited still belonged to the inner sect but were considered the next generation. To Gu Chen and Yun Mi Xue, they must address them as martial uncles, not senior siblings. Yan Zhu Guang, having joined through a special smaller recruitment meeting rather than Gu Chen’s first main recruitment drive, was deemed part of the last batch of disciples from Gu Chen’s generation. As for Su Qian Er, she was an exception. Being the daughter of the former sect leader and of Gu Chen's generation, had she been classified as a next-generation disciple, it would create chaos in the hierarchy. Thus she was placed among the previous generation of inner disciples, though this was not publicly disclosed. Only Yan Zhu Guang and Yun Mi Xue referred to her as junior sister. While Su Qian Er was the latest to join by entry timing, in terms of age, Yan Zhu Guang was the youngest. Upon hearing this, he respectfully greeted Yan Zhu Guang, “I am Qiao Sheng Jiao, greetings to the young junior sister.” Yan Zhu Guang twitched her lips slightly. “Who are you calling junior sister? I don’t know you. Don’t make baseless connections.” Qiao Sheng Jiao chuckled, unperturbed by Yan Zhu Guang’s prickled words, and directed his gaze back at Yun Mi Xue. Turning her head slightly, Yan Zhu Guang inquired, “Senior sister, could he be someone from the main Qiao Family?” Bearing the surname Qiao, at this site of the Qiao branch family, and knowing her senior sister, based on her senior sister’s social circles, it was unlikely he was anyone else but from the Qiao main family. Yun Mi Xue nodded, “Indeed, he is the second son of the head of the Qiao main family, Qiao Sheng Jiao.” As Yun Mi Xue introduced him, Qiao Sheng Jiao nodded to Yan Zhu Guang, who remained indifferent and responded merely with an “Oh.” Those from the Qiao main family here at this critical moment clearly had an obvious agenda. Besides being sent to investigate the branch family’s annihilation, there seemed no other reason. Even if relations between the main and branch family weren’t particularly close, the main family’s reputation couldn’t remain untainted by such an incident. Whether to provide an explanation to the branch family or present an attitude to the cultivation world, the Qiao main family had to uncover the culprit behind the branch family’s destruction, much as the Fenghua Immortal Sect had to respond to the fall of its former leader. Still, investigation aside, it was clear to Yan Zhu Guang that this man harbored intentions toward her senior sister, explaining her subtly harsh demeanor toward him. Pointing nonchalantly in a direction, she said, “Senior sister, that area seems amiss; let’s go take a look.” Yun Mi Xue was not particularly familiar with Qiao Sheng Jiao. With Yan Zhu Guang’s suggestion, her priority was naturally with Yan Zhu Guang, so she easily agreed, saying, “Alright.” Before she could even bid farewell to Qiao Sheng Jiao, Yan Zhu Guang pulled her away. Just because they left did not mean Qiao Sheng Jiao wouldn’t follow. He trailed them closely, about a step behind. “Fairy Lian Ji, are you also here to investigate the massacre?” Yun Mi Xue replied plainly, “Indeed, the sect was greatly shocked by the Qiao family massacre. Such brazen villainy is of great concern, so I was sent here to understand the details for later reporting.” Discussing the massacre, Qiao Sheng Jiao’s demeanor shifted slightly from his earlier infatuation with Yun Mi Xue, showing instead anger and regret. “The culprit's actions were swift and left no trace whatsoever. I’ve been here for a day or two and found only the faintest trace of demonic energy, with no other clue.” Peeking from behind Yun Mi Xue, Yan Zhu Guang asked Qiao Sheng Jiao, “If demonic energy lingers, is it still impossible to identify who did it?” “It’s said the demonic sects have various factions, each with its distinct practices. Even if the individual can’t be identified, can’t the faction be traced?” she continued. Shaking his head, Qiao Sheng Jiao replied, “There is a deliberate attempt to obscure the demonic energy. Although we have some understanding of demonic factions, our knowledge is limited. The cunning methods of demon cultivators easily confound us with minor concealments.” Yan Zhu Guang withdrew her gaze, remaining silent. Qiao Sheng Jiao earnestly said to Yun Mi Xue, “If Fairy Lian Ji wishes to know anything, feel free to inquire. I will share all I know without reservation.” Yun Mi Xue replied, “This concerns the Qiao Family, and I am merely an outsider. It would be inappropriate to inquire too deeply. We won’t impose; we’ll merely take a look.” Qiao Sheng Jiao insisted, “There’s no secret in a massacre. If the fairy desires to know, naturally, nothing is off-limits.” “Moreover, I’ve spent considerable time here without finding any clues. I hope to borrow the fairy’s wisdom, pooling ideas to uncover the mastermind sooner.” Yan Zhu Guang found his naivety somewhat baffling. “We are of the Fenghua Immortal Sect. Rashly intervening in Qiao family matters might be overstepping and is inappropriate both morally and logically. Qiao Er Gong Zi should not bring it up again.” Qiao Sheng Jiao countered, “The late master of the Qiao branch family’s granddaughter has joined your sect as an inner disciple, so both sides have ties to this branch family. Collaborative investigation should pose no problem.” Yan Zhu Guang’s eyes flickered with realization. How long had it been since Su Qian Er was sent to the sect? It was surprising enough that he knew she joined, but to be aware she entered the inner sect? How vast was the Qiao family’s intelligence network? Could it be that this person, unlike his outwardly infatuated appearance, actually hides shrewdness beneath? Yan Zhu Guang looked puzzled, "The branch family head's granddaughter became an inner disciple of the Immortal Sect?" Qiao Sheng Jiao responded, "Don't try to mislead me, young junior sister; you and the fairy brought Su Qian Er back to your sect together. Don't pretend you don't know." "Who’s misleading you? You are certainly odd, persistently trying to cozy up," Yan Zhu Guang retorted. "There’s no ‘junior sister’ for you here." "And how do you know that Su Qian Er became an inner disciple of the Immortal Sect?" Qiao Sheng Jiao matter-of-factly explained, "Qiao Zhen Bang told me. Su Qian Er possesses a water-based heavenly spiritual root. With such talent, how could she not enter the inner sect? Is your sect's inner gate so selective that it would reject even someone with heavenly roots?" Yan Zhu Guang remained skeptical, noting that his assured tone didn’t suggest a mere guess. Though her suspicions lingered internally, she outwardly conceded, "Well, let's say you guessed correctly." She turned to Yun Mi Xue and said, "Senior sister, let’s pick up the pace and ignore him." Yun Mi Xue saw the torrent of thoughts swirling in Yan Zhu Guang’s eyes, unsure of what she had thought of now, and helplessly commented, "You really are a handful, my girl." She apologized to Qiao Sheng Jiao, "My junior sister was impolite. I hope the Qiao second young master can forgive her." Qiao Sheng Jiao shook his head, "The young junior sister is quite endearing; I wouldn’t take offense." Yan Zhu Guang felt somewhat powerless against the thick-skinned fellow... Do looks truly deceive? Yet, given that he's part of the Qiao Family and they're on Qiao Family grounds, she can hardly just chase their "host" away, could she? Oh well, once they leave this site, surely this person won’t keep following them. Refocusing her thoughts, Yan Zhu Guang started examining the remnants of the Qiao family estate. "Hmm." Her gaze fixed on a particular spot.