74 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 74 Gu Chen received Yun Mi Xue's message and quickly understood its meaning. She wouldn’t specifically warn him to keep an eye on Su Qian Er unless this information was concocted by that little girl, Yan Zhu Guang. Regarding Yan Zhu Guang, Gu Chen's feelings were quite complicated. Even though all her whereabouts before coming to Fenghua Immortal Sect were clear, and she was personally brought back by Yun Mi Xue, Gu Chen felt this person was far from simple. He even believed that everything, from the heavenly tribulation purifying her spiritual roots to being brought back by Yun Mi Xue, and the events prior, were all orchestrated by Yan Zhu Guang herself. A person of unknown origin, intent, and background—by common standards, such a person is dangerous. One should be wary even without direct surveillance. Yet, he not only refrained from guarding against her but also allowed Yan Zhu Guang's schemes by placing her near Yun Mi Xue. Looking back, Gu Chen thought he might be mad. But even if given a second chance, he would still arrange things the same way. He had not lost his sanity; he simply decided to take a bold and risky step. He could see that this little girl cared deeply about his junior sister, the renowned kindhearted Yun Mi Xue of the cultivation world. This feeling was peculiar, as if Yan Zhu Guang existed solely for Yun Mi Xue. As if Yun Mi Xue was the entirety of that girl's meaning in this world, her sole linkage to it. Gu Chen didn’t comprehend this feeling, nor did he think he was mistaken in his observation. He even envied Yan Zhu Guang. Oddly enough, he envied not Yun Mi Xue but that little girl. Because she was so much like him. He understood that Yan Zhu Guang, like himself, perhaps due to past experiences, extraordinary strength and talent, or simply by nature, remained disconnected from the world, with nothing capturing their interest. Proud and irredeemably so. His pride was obvious, earning him alienation within Fenghua Immortal Sect. Before becoming the sect's leader, he even clashed with the previous head and was punished at Yiku Cliff to reflect on his actions. It wasn't until the sect faced a crisis needing a tough, fearless leader to stabilize things that he was released from this punishment due to Yun Mi Xue's recommendation. Despite this, his nature was ingrained, persisting unchanged. Yan Zhu Guang was just like him. Even when she acted obedient in front of Yun Mi Xue, Gu Chen sensed that her gentleness was an act solely for Yun Mi Xue's benefit, as she was just as indifferent as him at her core. Thus, Gu Chen envied Yan Zhu Guang. He envied her for finding someone for whom she could change herself. For this inexplicable feeling, Gu Chen placed Yan Zhu Guang by Yun Mi Xue’s side. He believed Yan Zhu Guang wouldn’t betray Yun Mi Xue, and with her protection, his naive junior sister would not be bullied. Gu Chen didn't care for many people; Yun Mi Xue, maintaining a rare pure heart, was one of the few exceptions. He set aside his thoughts and sent a message to the inner sect disciple area. After some time, Su Qian Er finally arrived at the discussion hall of Fenghua Immortal Sect. Whether intentionally or not, Gu Chen, aware that Su Qian Er had just begun her cultivation and had only just recently started absorbing vitality, did not send anyone to assist her, leaving her to climb the mountain to the hall by herself. As Su Qian Er entered the hall, she was slightly breathless. Her long-time frail body couldn’t bear the effort required to climb what wasn't considered a high mountain by cultivator standards. “Disciple Su Qian Er greets the sect leader.” She withheld her gaze, lowered her eyes, not daring to look directly at Gu Chen. Gu Chen spoke in an unchanging tone, “Did you inform anyone of your journey here?” “Under the sect leader's instruction, I dared not tell anyone.” Su Qian Er fiddled with the edge of her sleeve, seeming somewhat at a loss. Gu Chen nodded slightly. This daughter of the former sect head was indeed unusually gifted. Having flown just twice, she found her way here on foot without delay, as if she hadn’t lost her way en route. “You have quite a gift. In just one day, you’ve managed to absorb vitality. Your future is surely promising.” Su Qian Er’s heart skipped a beat, strangely nervous: “Disciple, disciple couldn't cultivate in the past but had long memorized the basic techniques. Now that my body is better, I couldn’t wait to try. Successfully absorbing vitality was mere luck, not worth mentioning. The sect leader overpraises me.” “No need to be nervous,” Gu Chen said, “I summoned you here not to question your cultivation.” Su Qian Er clutched her sleeves more tightly, “Then, what purpose does the sect leader have for calling this disciple?” “The head of the Qiao branch family and the surviving members, while en route to the main Qiao family, were ambushed by unknown assailants, resulting in complete annihilation. I ask you to mourn.” Gu Chen did not give Su Qian Er any time to breathe, instead directly dropping this bombshell on her. The sudden news didn’t quite register with Su Qian Er. She tilted her head as if she heard wrong, no longer looking down, she stared at Gu Chen and asked, “Wh-what?” Gu Chen repeated without any sugar-coating, “The Qiao branch family has been wiped out.” Su Qian Er stood there, mouth agape, for a long time before realizing what this news meant. Her eyes gradually turned hollow. Her body suddenly went limp, collapsing to the floor, muttering, “How could this be, why is this happening?” “Why?” She forgot where she was, pounding her fists on the floor as if to break it into pieces. However, just like the bitter reality she couldn't accept, the floor wouldn’t give way to her small strength. Even after her fists began bleeding, the floor remained unshaken. “Why, why, what wrong did I do to deserve this?” She lifted her head, looking at Gu Chen with undisguisable hatred, tears streaming like a flood, as if bleeding from her eyes: “Why in the end am I left all alone? What sin have I committed?” Su Qian Er's complete loss of composure in the hall was fully observed by Gu Chen, yet he remained still, letting her vent her pain. She eventually stopped her pointless self-harm, resting her bloodied hands on the floor, half-lying on it, sobbing between bursts of self-mocking laughter—a bizarre sight. Once she calmed, though who knows how long it took, she roughly wiped her tears, attempting to tidy her appearance: “Though I know it breaks the rules, I must boldly ask a request. This disciple wishes to leave the sect to investigate the cause of my family's massacre and begs the sect leader's permission.” Gu Chen replied, “I expected you would wish to do so.” Su Qian Er lifted her head, defiantly looking at Gu Chen. Yet, Gu Chen firmly denied her request: “Have you considered why the head of the Qiao family sent you to the immortal sect?” Su Qian Er bit her lip: “I suppose Grandfather wanted to protect me.” “In that case, why leave the sect? Have you considered the head of the Qiao family's intentions? If you were to encounter danger outside the sect, have you thought about how much it would pain him?” Su Qian Er laughed self-deprecatingly: “Grandfather would indeed be hurt, but only if he were alive. If he’s no longer with us, talking about pain is self-deception, isn’t it?” “If he didn’t want me in danger, then he should stop me himself, tell me personally he worried for me, doesn’t want me to do anything foolish!” Su Qian Er nearly screamed. Gu Chen didn't mind Su Qian Er's rudeness and didn’t agree to let her leave: “The affairs of the Qiao family not only involve the main Qiao family but also righteous sects jointly investigating. You are not needed.” “If you leave, you’ll only add chaos.” Su Qian Er’s eyes were dark and hollow with no reaction to Gu Chen's words, not taking them in at all. Gu Chen said, “If you wish to leave, there is a way.” Su Qian Er’s eyes flickered with interest as she glanced at him. “To reach the Foundation Establishment stage,” said Gu Chen. “Once you do, no one will stop you.” Su Qian Er scoffed, “Even at the fastest speed, achieving Foundation Establishment would take three to five years. By then, the killer would be long gone, what would be left to investigate?” “There are faster ways,” Gu Chen did not care for Su Qian Er's rudeness. “Given your current power, even if no one acts against you, you’ll uncover nothing.” “What way?” “The tower challenge.” ... Yan Zhu Guang and Yun Mi Xue spent a few days wandering near Tianyu City, seemingly in earnest search for something, yet in truth, they were merely using the opportunity to explore. Tianyu City, quite a prosperous place in the cultivation realm, allowed Yan Zhu Guang to better understand the cultivation market after wandering around for several days. She also disguised herself in the commercial establishments of Tianyu City and spent her wealth on some intriguing items. After completing several main quests, Yan Zhu Guang had become quite the wealthy woman, able to afford some indulgence. Among her purchases was a peculiar jade pendant, which she acquired at a black market auction. The owner didn’t know exactly what it was, but Yan Zhu Guang bought it because she found its carvings particularly attractive. She hadn't yet had time to study it, so she set it aside for when she could delve into its mysteries. The jade pendant lay in her backpack, and though the system scanned it curiously, unable to identify it, it noted that it contained substantial power. It seemed her host had stumbled upon another treasure. Tsk tsk. Yun Mi Xue and Yan Zhu Guang were originally out to lure the people from the Blood Drip Demon Domain, but before they could encounter anything peculiar, Gu Chen's message arrived. "The tower challenge?" Yan Zhu Guang looked curiously at the jade token in Yun Mi Xue's hand, "The sect leader wants Senior Sister to return and preside over the opening ceremony of the Qinggong Tower at Fenghua Immortal Sect’s inner sect?" Yun Mi Xue replied, "That's right, and all inner sect disciples have a chance to enter the Qinggong Tower. You've never been inside, so upon returning, you can attempt the tower challenge as well." Yan Zhu Guang thought for a moment, "Well, that sounds like fun." Indeed, the male protagonist lived up to his role; as soon as he mentioned recalling them, he swiftly found an opportunity, conveniently stopping Su Qian Er from running away. Quite a clever plan. It's just a pity they couldn't find anyone from the Blood Drip Demon Domain, leaving a bit of regret.