Chapter 8: A Sensible Person

The three of them remained in silence all the way until they arrived at Jun Liuyi's Willow Garden.

Chunliu, who came out to greet them, looked at the newcomers in astonishment and hurriedly bowed. "Young Mistress, Medicine Elder."

Seeing the person who had come out, a look of realization flashed in Ghost Doctor Yao Ze's eyes. He cast an imperceptible glance at Liuyi, and the smile at the corners of his mouth deepened.

"You must be tired after keeping watch all night. Chunliu, go prepare some food," Jun Liuyi instructed.

"Yes!" Chunliu walked away quickly.

Stepping into the main hall, Shangguan Jun chose a seat to the left of the main chair.

"Please, Medicine Elder." With a slight lift of his right hand, Shangguan Jun gestured toward the seat opposite him.

"You are too polite, Young Master." Ghost Doctor Yao Ze nodded with a faint smile, quite satisfied with Shangguan Jun's respect and manner of conduct.

Whether it was following the host's lead or adhering to the etiquette of books and rites, Liuyi was already the Saintess of the Spirit Control Sect—in other words, his subordinate. As a person arriving abruptly, the rules dictated he should sit below the main seat, yet this Shangguan Jun had chosen to treat them as equals. Truly interesting.

"Little Liuer, I just heard Young Master Shangguan say that you lost your memory. What exactly happened?"

"It is a long story, truly." Jun Liuyi sat down in the seat below him before continuing, "Three years ago, the Wolf War Alliance pursued us relentlessly. People around me betrayed me, fled, or died; I can no longer remember how many. In the end, only Chunliu and Xiahe remained by my side. If not for their unwavering loyalty, I might have truly been forever separated from Master before I ever met the Sect Leader."

A murderous intent surfaced on Yao Ze's face as he said, "Your Master searched frantically for your whereabouts but found no trace, only to discover you were saved by the Sect Leader of the Spirit Control Sect. To think the Wolf War Alliance actually dared to touch someone from my Divine Medicine Workshop—we shall meet again!"

Listening to his disciple's words, Yao Ze's irritation was difficult to suppress. He was naturally a person who was extremely protective of his own. As his only closed-door disciple, Jun Liuyi had received all his affection, and he regarded her almost as his own granddaughter. The fact that she spoke so nonchalantly now was merely her temperament, and also a way to soothe him.

"I must thank the Spirit Control Sect for their full assistance. Please forgive our transgressions tonight." Reining in his killing intent, Yao Ze nodded toward Shangguan Jun. "In truth, this old man's theft of the Cold Jade Pillow was also for Liuyi's sake."

Knowing he was in the wrong regarding the theft of the Cold Jade Pillow, Yao Ze spoke up proactively without evasion. "Liuyi's situation happened so suddenly. When this old man went to rescue her, I only saw heavy casualties. After several visits by my Divine Medicine Workshop, we could only learn that Liuyi was not only severely injured but had also been afflicted by the domineering Blazing Flame Powder."

Mentioning the past, the murderous intent flared in Yao Ze's eyes once more. "This old man knows well that as long as Liuyi's injuries were not too severe, she would naturally have a way to suppress the toxin. However, to dispel the Blazing Flame Powder, one cannot do without the rare medicinal ingredients that only the Divine Medicine Workshop possesses. But after waiting for a long time, there was no sign of anything."

"Master's personality is that if one is alive, he wants to see the person, and if one is dead, he wants to see the corpse. As long as he hasn't seen my corpse, he won't give up searching for me," Liuyi interjected. "Therefore, no news is the best news."

Her eyebrows lifted slightly, and a joyful smile appeared in her eyes.

"Since the corpse was not found, and this toxin has been prolonged for so long, it is no longer something that the ingredients from the Divine Medicine Workshop can cure," Jun Liuyi smiled.

"Even if I hadn't come, it would be about time for you, girl, to come and ask me for the Divine Medicine Workshop's Hundred Flower Brew." Yao Ze shook his head dotingly and sighed. "It's just that you, the ungrateful one, didn't even know how to let your Master know you were safe once your body was out of danger. If I hadn't been thinking that in case you appeared with injuries too severe and needed the Cold Jade Pillow, I wouldn't have come out of retirement for you."

Hearing the Ghost Doctor's scolding, Shangguan Jun, who was sitting aside, spoke up to explain: "When Father rescued Liuyi, she was already at death's door. Even Chunliu and Xiahe were not lightly injured. In that freezing snow and ice, if those two hadn't covered Liuyi with their own bodies to keep her warm, the consequences would have been dire."

Sitting to the side, Jun Liuyi also nodded and continued, "To save me over these past few years, the Sect Leader exhausted his entire cultivation, and as a result, he fell into a coma after being ambushed. His condition is unstable, so Liuyi truly could not spare herself to look after him."

"At first, I couldn't remember many things, and it was only gradually that I began to recall some matters. So..." Jun Liuyi lowered her head, looking like a wronged little wife, and said aggrievedly to the Ghost Doctor, "Master won't punish your disciple, will he?"

The corner of Yao Ze's mouth twitched. If this little girl were truly afraid of his punishment, she would have told him everything long ago. Clearly, she hadn't lost her memory but had chosen to pretend to have amnesia instead of going to the Divine Medicine Workshop. It seemed there was something suspicious about this.

"It is also mainly because Father's injuries are truly critical," Shangguan Jun added from the side. "This junior's concern for Father is the same as Medicine Elder's concern for Liuyi."

Yao Ze naturally understood the implication in Shangguan Jun's words, and his teasing gaze unreservedly swept over Shangguan Jun.

With handsome brows and phoenix eyes, an aura of wild arrogance intertwined upon him, yet it possessed an invisible, enchanting quality. He appeared lazy, but was actually profound and unpredictable. It was no wonder no one in the martial world dared to provoke him casually, and no wonder the Spirit Control Sect had grown even more formidable under his leadership.

To show no concealment of his love, and to be completely open about his goals—a person like this was certainly qualified to be Liuyi's husband.

However...

It seemed the little girl didn't necessarily take it to heart. He, the old man, would have to add some fuel to the fire regarding his precious disciple's marriage.

Meeting Yao Ze's scrutinizing gaze, Shangguan Jun spoke slowly, "I hope Medicine Elder will not take offense."

"Young Master Shangguan overstates it." He responded with a smile, very satisfied with Shangguan Jun's conduct. "However, seeing Sect Leader Shangguan's condition just now, it seemed like more than just losing martial arts after dispelling toxins. Perhaps this old man can stay to help, as a token of my gratitude for saving my beloved disciple."

Satisfied as he was, Yao Ze still kept some reservations in his heart. As the old saying goes, "time reveals a person's heart." Whether Shangguan Jun was suitable for him to help push things forward still required observation.

Furthermore, Liuyi's matter seemed to have other hidden depths. At this time, he naturally had to understand it thoroughly, especially since the Sect Leader of the Spirit Control Sect had gone to such lengths to treat Liuyi, which was inherently extraordinary.

"If Medicine Elder is willing to stay and help, the Spirit Control Sect would be most grateful." As soon as Shangguan Jun finished speaking, Chunliu entered carrying hot food.

"I was originally worried that Medicine Elder would not let go of the Cold Jade Pillow, but now it seems I can rest easy. I will not disturb your master-disciple reunion any longer. Farewell." Shangguan Jun nodded politely and departed gracefully.

Watching his retreating figure, the Ghost Doctor became even more satisfied; he was indeed a tactful man.

Chunliu placed various foods on the table and tactfully withdrew, leaving space for the master and disciple to talk.