Chapter 28
Aside from the doctor’s nightly habit of pressing down on Jinbao and torturing him, leaving him utterly exhausted, the journey over the next few days was relatively calm and uneventful.DcELVTcJFsqlKyGjnOhgHoEmslkCBp
zIwFfeiuiuzgyhHA dozen or so days later, they were passing through Dalou Mountain. The terrain was treacherous, and the area was sparsely populated, with no inns within several miles.KxcmeJYtBHVdDqlSJQfnhwHmFYBUcR
JbIZbDHHmYURTsAQue Siming’s subordinate, a man named Chen Se, approached them after settling the horses and carriages. He was holding a fat carrier pigeon in his hands.jFhHPciwmoYvOZferzPTrWUVwCTeQC
YeNiyInxDphrohU“Young Master, Steward Xiao has sent a message. If we circle around Dalou Mountain, we’ll meet up with them.”SJtnuWOxsajdzXSvQRpDnxspnUNLar
ZNYDZeYMiYTxHaPQue Siming unfolded the note and glanced at it. “Alright, we’ll make camp here tonight.”sYQJkmBNjtGirBAYJeADlzuPxIwlPk
aspgNmZxlFegjnEChen Se led about a dozen men to set up camp and build a fire.ObjXKoFltNxBbhBdmhKeNaOPPGUDQx
pfqwolGfCJmiJPpWhile most of the group planned to spend the night huddled around the fire, the doctor, as usual, insisted on sleeping in a tent.FmQkqlrOEweYzggFkFqukIpVZnQmtW
qrmwtPwldyWpTbuBy now, everyone with eyes knew what was going on between the two of them. The only one who still thought he was being discreet was Jinbao, who would go out of his way to call Que Siming “brother” in front of others, thinking he was fooling everyone. Fortunately, Jinbao’s simple and straightforward nature made him endearing rather than annoying, so the others just pretended not to notice.oWcNkYHfXuSsGnmZtlUVEBFsofklts
fFOyqtlyFDARtPmGiven the rough conditions, the doctor didn’t have the luxury of being picky. After a simple meal, he wrapped his arms around Jinbao and went to sleep.viYQPUuFCzFBjUFrTCNaTThaerHfOe
pxxIcmmCtEKtNUGIn the latter half of the night, the Divine Doctor felt chest tightness and shortness of breath, his head spinning from the suffocation, and he unconsciously tossed and turned.OrGthsJRzkqKzwAAHyseBDDSMwyTJk
gUXrbRRssIhsUJgHis movements woke Jinbao. Seeing that Que Siming was twisting his body in discomfort, Jinbao quickly shook him awake. “Divine Doctor, Divine Doctor, what’s wrong? Wake up, wake up!”dsxoLLJKKDauyPWcOwFqzGjRZVnkqH
XOKjhtnhzndwrRtQue Siming woke up and in the darkness, could only see Jinbao’s pair of bright black eyes. He clutched his chest, cold sweat dripping from his body.hpcurlwmfQZouTPCTGWlPWtHZpeATN
ozLoDObZmaoqFOn“Divine Doctor? Did you have a nightmare?”PtbWtapCxwXPGazdOgRMaoCcfECbVk
ckwYoNARdYPPWNc“No… Jinbao, something’s wrong…”suvACpuChZNUMvEneWIcTfhXkuNZoe
VVQWpMUFUVGKnOQ“What is it?”hRElgoTqIiYSmMEmGBLyxstoDGEtHB
HvzhVDvorixsNkr“I feel chest tightness, and I’m having trouble breathing. The flow of qi and blood in my body is abnormal… It’s the blood gu!”oZNFHzSopBNpqkEpPogwwMKvYjvKNE
DjdCtCjphYZYviJJinbao was shocked. “Could it be Yu Mingjing?”MhinNJSCrbygzEidLXrcHscjOzYATA
dpfPxNGvGACUnls“Probably. He’s likely nearby. Blood gu have a spirit, and when they’re close, they resonate with the mother gu.” The Divine Doctor tightly clutched his chest and grabbed Jinbao’s hand. “Little Hu, if we can’t beat him, you should go first. As long as he doesn’t get the Longevity Stone, he won’t kill me.”HNUnuupVbzfmDolxEFpKifwCrbtdSP
MWJEMjupIFYHMAEJinbao was anxious. “How can I let you fall into his hands? If you get controlled and turned into a puppet by him, isn’t that basically like dying?”IHHISvHViJltiaTkqVLRlqxvxXUjHV
PVKdXARGEhUbVTU“If I turn into a puppet, I’ll lose my memory and mind. Unless he gets the Longevity Stone, he won’t fully control me for now.”tjMPAoDHzBLpnvIihpBmaSxjTDwSft
IWLHmVPCSGDJQPKThe boy stubbornly said, “No matter what, I’m not leaving you behind.”FFJikSUHEGfImWCLSvWSUOSdArxmos
SzhwIguiARTDpPeQue Siming gritted his teeth, holding his hand tightly. “We can only run now. Let’s go.”jemUqqqwqJtKKyhWZIsGRmresrDqNB
ghQxDCBzWQyXvOJSince they were outdoors, neither of them had taken off their clothes. They grabbed their belongings and dashed out of the tent.nvnTTPUNbmUiAqNgbhRGFFHJkhzqoc
ZvUTvYdmdqXIgALThe dozen or so people outside were resting with their eyes closed around the fire. They were all martial artists, so they immediately became alert when the two emerged.QlAfeHFdkEmrmAIuYIvsftYgIMBAzE
KaxrOVxPezELcscChen Se jumped up from the ground. “Young Master? What’s wrong?”kpgjbLEMJHKMpUEfrxnLrClbuQxNal
XMxUPULREFGGlNs“Yu Mingjing might be nearby.”XlrHDOeoliOivhpvScsTSHivEkULvI
YHuISykJGVHpRwG“What?”ARuCyzDmHjsTdcMIDuPKfNBxVqDiul
qUGomQJsMnCVWjg“The blood gu in my body is reacting. I can’t be sure it’s him, but it’s highly likely. This feeling is a bit like the last time I smelled his blood.”ZrFHbQGeVOryUeggCimOGoNrUBBMxa
RprqCbZASDuALgrChen Se frowned, thinking for a moment. “Young Master and Young Hero Jinbao should take a few people and head north along the mountain path. If you’re quick, you should meet Chief Xiao before dawn. I’ll lead the rest back along the original route.”NbwFppFlKARYDrznEohwvqxCOgrIDA
WbWHBfTbQBgxFaYQue Siming nodded. “Be careful, then.” With that, he selected a few people and led Jinbao into the mountains.yLhGmQQTktPRsovqmdCpPrauLpbHSx
nTRtbKmKkcCYCndThis situation, where they couldn’t tell where the enemy was and were constantly shrouded in an unknown fear, was truly anxiety-inducing.SUCjIYBqIhIMDyLpHAVJTCavRynJVW
TSgBNIquvBPIwxWQue Siming was filled with resentment.fErgxVcGFhoswOQricjWOsYCQZiAnG
yCYuNsxuiugBfEsWhenever he thought about how he had to hide from Yu Mingjing like a turtle, especially in front of Little Hu, he wanted to bite Yu Mingjing to death.niGEZAjmcXWpSgaHtMTuDiGKuVDqrO
oKIVPdhJAVojBdCAs they hurried on the road without stopping, they cautiously observed their surroundings.pdqqYSzPLdktygEwfuEFMZSnNVODsl
EaoNopgEoEqSItiJinbao asked, “Divine Doctor, how powerful is Yu Mingjing?”fslLdHXmYkNJCieEdjgMWcNOewoGpm
ZLKwkhuvrYIGxGgAt the mention of that name, Que Siming’s anger surged. “Powerful my ass, he’s just a damn sissy.”nHYoIbeRrvucekeNKfLiygGtbuFMyn
dWrGUqqnvgcMQHwOne of his subordinates chimed in, “Yu Mingjing’s martial arts are mediocre, he’s only skilled in using poison. But the people from the Medicine Valley have ways to counter him. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be able to harm us, it’s just that the Young Master is restrained by the blood gu…”aJZDcwGzxEfXjYtesvCmrItblVqOib
dbKtJZFPhKIdNwGQue Siming snapped, “Who asked you to speak? I’m just cursed by a gu, not mute!”jarzyuLQajbXDXpMPGiDjHWJRtKXXZ
YgoyCkLPyZTaYDTQue Siming nodded. “Be careful.” After saying this, he selected a few people and led Jinbao around the mountain.NUXLjJFHQnFNBFXeahSbiNDhvhZfsm
ojDVYwndqsQmOcLThis kind of situation, where they couldn’t distinguish where the enemy was and were constantly shrouded in unknown fear, was truly anxiety-inducing.UbAMSnKRIdhTnuaZpyPVmmRDULBQsV
tstrOOSKhJwzfxZQue Siming was filled with resentment.BwOwSljDhWpLTiKvAnuicCziwvVCoG
WXeNkThjkSGBtMrEvery time he thought about how he had to hide from Yu Mingjing like a coward, especially in front of Little Hu, he felt an intense urge to kill Yu Mingjing.pyhJyYylgXWNajzPCDsvRXPfuXvQqR
clqnLKtFmKnLIATAs they hurried along the road without stopping, they cautiously observed their surroundings.FhRxjqmMbQEdBFlUCXkIlJIQuwvoEL
yHoudZFgWgSPaUzJinbao asked, “Divine Doctor, how powerful is Yu Mingjing?”ZsIOqKPQFySUcjgHtKoKOeSCtXDsrd
zsTQnpxZtouIRILThe moment Que Siming heard that name, his anger surged. “Powerful my ass, he’s just a damn sissy.”rMWfDSbAanJikdZYQKqzhWsaJsdIrT
fSSvBeQBYDcSDITOne of his subordinates chimed in, “Yu Mingjing’s martial arts are mediocre, he’s only skilled in using poison. But the people from the Medicine Valley have ways to counter him. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be able to harm us, it’s just that the Young Master is restrained by the blood gu…”dfDyfnZknsYqotuUJeBvjWgcmZhVZj
QzAXxEDulMJMmJXQue Siming snapped, “Who asked you to speak? I’m just cursed by a gu, not mute!”YOgjhXcFajnzsRZaelsCNiXGQPPRyn
KEsWjIqLfroPioSThat person immediately shut his mouth, helplessly exchanging glances with the others.bfXcHYmEEyIskyeIbXKKAazwZBlrnf
vfvSEkqcGHZLhmkThe Divine Doctor then spoke up, “He usually brings some Wu family’s guards with him. Those people are not to be feared, but there’s one very formidable bodyguard by his side, highly skilled in martial arts, who never leaves his side.”SnFYuYfBWlUhixruDResgqVepGlUPd
wTELJCpxzDnnMME“A very formidable bodyguard?”jlrqeREbvaUtDirjzmfMxSvOrsCKPh
OnypCkOIyDowObX“Exactly, and he’s quite mysterious. It’s said that he always wears a mask, and even the Wu family doesn’t know who he is. He’s been protecting Yu Mingjing for many years.”mxwxBfzXNUzWdUeIGhZypQZStnpIZO
XPvNkrTNrBKnJzF“Then… can I defeat that person?”NxQawhEEMQcaUxhCFwIPqZtFpeeCme
qUADJwOnkNTpNOEQue Siming glanced at him. “If you could defeat him, would I need to run? The people I brought can deal with the Wu family guards, but if I’m controlled by Yu Mingjing, no one would be able to handle that bodyguard.”YzrbgInSHXSTKaAamQErvkNJpxrugV
xmRapsKCTJassFeJinbao felt his pride take a hit, but no matter how unwilling he was to accept it, the fact was that his skills were lacking.aYJyDvgSvItQDcpWEVrOSjsTQdtRma
zzLEGzYiqjzphBNIn his heart, he gradually began to see Que Siming as his wife, just as he had imagined when he was a child.RQiHPatnqDQQjhkTrLImMnSzOHDpXx
FtoVqXPzdpQUfDhHow could a man not feel frustrated and defeated when he couldn’t protect his own wife?tRLsqBCtJbAnRuIPbTRLlELGeaAKNf
LldISXAfGGxaJDTQue Siming, disheartened and covered in dust from fleeing, felt miserable. He couldn’t stand up and defeat the bad guy; instead, he had to run away, which only made him feel worse.uujzrRxMlqaFGKsZXrgzdNIKVXoljy
fVVivcFzBPkfYrCThey hurried for more than an hour, and soon the sky began to lighten.YdCGfMfNbqkdrOcMZOMmTJcXRemVLk
cILhHffqWUpHOSI“Young Master, after crossing two more mountains, there will be a village. Once we reach the village, we can buy horses. If we continue south for seven or eight miles, we’ll be able to meet up with Chief Xiao.”GUMUOihYStUktkyrZGthaJsEPGYfNl
agawbYTwBuLyROJ“Yeah, the sooner we meet Uncle Xiao, the better. Let’s hurry up and keep moving, don’t slow down.”vTzAUXpPJdKmgWOcSyvYYPaLwvbFGQ
ukMlsRpHCRquhGtYue Siming’s unease grew stronger with each passing moment. It felt like a pair of eyes were locked onto him, like invisible hands were manipulating the cursed blood gu inside his body. The sensation was both nauseating and terrifying, as if he could lose control at any second. He only wanted to get out of these mountains as quickly as possible.jmBCMhYCmOdckVLRjPgoDzSjTRQqKd
uYvBnUoKBaacHNJJinbao noticed Yue Siming’s pace quickening, realizing he must have sensed something. He stopped talking and stayed close behind.fbrRfRMlfUhTQXthxLThrxlErcSItW
HUGEBoKJLKJtpGSSuddenly, something caught Jinbao’s foot, causing him to stumble.CYYWOYwXsXNGrWoiRtybahgHZKgWuv
mnrxMvPtpboZCDfA thin wire suddenly snapped up from the grass, and the silent forest was filled with the sound of arrows slicing through the air, glowing with a faint purple light as they shot toward them.JFzktEwpejMIuuWBrQmBLzamMvfyMC
KbLGcSypzDhDznnSomeone shouted, “Watch out, it’s a trap!”XVMOWqGuODLqYeyIGlPAZNCmvRbeGV
LgUufUAvxcoRfEKThey hurriedly rolled to the ground, narrowly avoiding the first wave of arrows.BWVVKdzJzEIjzUQuIUPAGsGZDBSEwk
nQbYzmPTysVoCaXBut the trap was cunning, giving them no time to catch their breath as arrows were fired from the opposite direction.ZCtCHCRJNIGFhLWktSIzkqeIPFkGxh
nbSnxNgfDrazZisIt was clear that whoever set this trap had gone to great lengths, having waited in ambush for a long time on this only path over the mountain. Venomous arrows filled the sky, and despite their heightened vigilance, they were still caught off guard, barely managing to avoid the onslaught in a rather disheveled state.bSydkNnfNtZbfXkUjJsqMWOCULICrI
kZGsdFlUAOOZeDzSeveral white figures suddenly emerged from both sides of the mountain path, surrounding them.xUZHmuwFxIQXZnfstAIWevogsvOIjF
zvScUoDdQifeRbTYue Siming’s subordinate shouted at Jinbao, “Take the young master and run! Get him out of here!”SUFkZLyJIwQEQUgipKThviwVFtBgFj
pXITcrRGBLdYuaBJinbao quickly jumped to his feet, grabbing Yue Siming, “Divine Doctor, we need to go, now!”SjzJRcDKZqYtgVmDsWVfWJCdWRqJKO
LJYqDQhtyDIYuXhBut it was too late. Yue Siming stood rooted to the spot, his face pale, his body trembling uncontrollably. He clung tightly to Jinbao’s sleeve just to keep himself steady.mTpSMTgLSafgIHFzBCVhOWmaNYwBCA
iWLiBEfsoSAcWTsThe group of people in white were all masked.dZnJdIJrVqwKdxmlqSGfiuWPWRIrEN
BnxeJjVqRyluSRNOnly the leader had his hair down, with a delicate and elegant face, extraordinarily beautiful. His lips were so pale they were almost gray, and his eyes carried a deep, desolate expression. His age was indiscernible, and under the hazy moonlight, he seemed otherworldly, as if he wasn’t a mere mortal.kMypvzeqfaMckfVMzEQArkgbVrvqBu
QluavsgEwPQfqDNAt that moment, he raised his arm, taking slow steps toward Yue Siming. His thin, pale arm was partially exposed, and fresh blood was flowing down it. Upon closer inspection, a strange symbol drawn in blood could be seen on his arm.ZxhdDJIAKFySnJqxLriJoaMMaPJxtB
mshEYwMwPeSbXfYYue Siming’s eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead, and his expression was twisted in rage. Through gritted teeth, he spat out three words, “Yu Mingjing!”MyVZzrSscdfjVUuClkGvhqAFBKlBvq
ofWxbGHJEtjbRRiLbNRgSiKwLyJAqJwahHWpvAFnoskZb
dzmcqnvzbhysAUSjXTaSIbADUMsynnitSvtlVwKijiGAK