Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Even the Strong Fall for It (3)
Physician Yang's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.
"Your complexion looks better than I thought."
"……."
"Young master, how are you feeling inside?"
Murong Bi stared at Physician Yang without answering.
'Well, well?'
The Brain Gate Heart Technique cracked open a side door.
Hummm.
A faint vibration hummed in his ears. Brain Gate True Energy surged through his brow and the Hall of Imprint acupoint, sharpening his senses to a keen edge.
'Confirmed.'
He'd deliberately opened the Brain Gate Heart Technique to see more clearly, and sure enough, his instincts had been spot on.
'This guy's packing some serious internal energy.'
It felt like the accumulation of at least ten years of diligent cultivation.
Perfectly contained, it was something even most experts would struggle to detect. Without his past life's experience and raw intuition, Murong Bi wouldn't have pierced through it at his current level.
'His martial skill doesn't seem that high, but his energy reserves are substantial. A Taoist heart method... and he's refined it to this degree? That can only mean...'
One sect naturally came to mind.
'Wudang Sect.'
Among the Taoist sects, Wudang's martial arts uniquely emphasized natural flow.
Their true energy flowed long and steady, the energy itself crystal clear. Perhaps because of that, Wudang Taoists contained their energy masterfully even without profound enlightenment.
Their swordsmanship was renowned, but their mastery of internal energy control was what allowed Wudang, alongside Shaolin, to be called the twin pillars of the martial world.
'Unmistakably a supreme Taoist art. No other sect has energy this soft and resilient.'
Sujing's personal physician was from Wudang?
"Hm? Is there something on my face?"
"No."
"Good timing—I was waiting for you. After performing such an Extreme Vital Transfer, you must be utterly exhausted."
Murong Bi's eyes flashed once more.
'Look at this guy.'
He knew the yang energy infused into Murong Sujing's body was rooted in vital essence.
Any skilled physician would recognize it immediately. Especially someone versed in Wudang's internal heart method.
'And he's not even angry?'
In the world of medicine, transferring life force to another was outright heresy.
Certain martial factions did transmit internal energy or, in emergencies, even extract life force from disciples to pass on.
Admirable, perhaps—but to physicians, it defied the natural order of life. Proper healers abhorred tampering with life force.
Yet Physician Yang?
'Not a hint of anger.'
Far from it—he seemed intrigued, his gaze like a beggar's upon finding a gem.
'Sujing's personal physician...'
Then Physician Yang spoke.
"Your color's good, but you still look drained. There are signs of internal injury too, so let's start with taking your pulse."
No chance of that.
"I'm fine."
"Hm?"
"I can check my own body. Don't worry."
He wouldn't let even a healthy physician poke around his current state. Especially not someone suspicious.
Physician Yang's face hardened.
"Young master, do you not trust me?"
There it was.
Murong Bi openly frowned.
'This guy's getting more suspicious by the second.'
A normal physician wouldn't confront a patient like that. It burdened their mind.
As Murong Bi opened his mouth to speak—
"Physician Yang."
"Hm?"
Murong Sujing spoke in her usual curt tone.
"If anything comes up, I'll handle it myself somehow. You don't need to check Bi's pulse."
When the Acting Patriarch herself intervened, Physician Yang had no choice.
"Well, I know your skills well enough."
"If it gets bad, I'll humbly ask then."
It was a brazen demand, if anything.
Physician Yang clicked his tongue.
"Fine. If the Acting Patriarch insists, no need for me to push."
"Thank you."
"Rest well. Call me if anything happens."
"Yes."
With that, Physician Yang left the patriarch's chamber.
In that moment, Murong Bi caught it—the meaningful look Physician Yang shot him.
Staring at the door, Murong Bi murmured lowly.
"Suspicious."
"Who?"
"The physician."
"Physician Yang?"
"Looks like Wudang..."
Ah, better not say that much.
But perceptive Murong Sujing nodded anyway.
"As a representative healer of Bright Truth Temple, he might practice Wudang arts."
Bright Truth Temple? A medical hall?
Huh? But she doesn't find it odd that I spotted his Wudang training?'
"Anyway, Bi."
Her voice sank heavily.
Though he hadn't done anything wrong, Murong Bi felt himself shrinking like a child caught.
"Y-yeah?"
"What in the world happened?"
"To your body?"
"...Yes."
Murong Bi tried to play it casual.
"I drew out the cold energy with Extreme Vital Transfer."
"That's not all!"
Murong Sujing's sudden shout made him flinch involuntarily.
"How do you explain this pure yang energy lingering in my meridians? Did you secretly learn some extreme yang internal heart method?"
He'd learned never to tell obvious lies.
"No."
"You're not even born with a yang-strong constitution."
"True."
"Then there's only one answer! You transferred your own..."
Murong Sujing bit her lip, unable to continue.
Murong Bi figured some shamelessness was needed. She seemed to know the truth anyway—no point making it heavy.
"It's fine."
"What's fine? You think I'm happy if I get healthy at the cost of your lifespan?"
"I'm happy."
"W-what?"
"Whether you're happy or not isn't my concern. What matters is me."
Murong Bi grinned.
"You're healthy now. That's enough for me."
Murong Sujing fell silent again.
She was grateful for her brother's heart—truly. After years of worry, words couldn't capture it.
But.
"Why do you always..."
Tears welled in Murong Sujing's eyes.
Murong Bi, who'd been smiling warmly, panicked.
'No!'
Don't cry, you fool!
For some reason, her tears made him feel like he'd committed a grave sin. He had no idea what to do.
Murong Bi stammered.
"L-look, the vital essence I transferred is just a fraction—a tiny bit. It's nothing. I'm a little tired, sure, but ten days' solid rest and I'll be good. Not serious at all. So no crying, okay?"
Let's call it even, please.
"Sob."
Murong Sujing collapsed, sobbing into her hands.
'Aaaargh!'
No truce.
Helpless, Murong Bi paced around her before awkwardly squatting and patting her back.
He had no clue if it helped, but what else could he do? When had he ever comforted anyone?
Only after a full two hours did Murong Sujing stop.
Her eyes were puffy when she lifted her head.
"You're really okay?"
A wry smile crept onto Murong Bi's face.
"Aside from being worn out from your crying, yeah."
"……."
"Please don't cry."
Murong Sujing couldn't help but laugh at his gruff tone. It sounded like a joke, and his color wasn't bad.
But now wasn't the time.
"I need to brew medicine to restore your vital essence."
"I'm fine, I said."
"No, I'm not."
It felt like a slap followed by words.
For smooth talk, Murong Bi nodded.
"If it eases your mind, go ahead. It's not important anyway."
"If that's not important, what is?!"
Her voice sharpened again.
A sharp tone meant something might cut—and whoever got cut would cry in pain.
Murong Bi blurted desperately.
"Black Tiger Gang! Black Tiger Gang!"
"What?"
"The important topic now is the Black Tiger Gang!"
Panicking made him sound foolish.
Damn, showing every ugly side in front of the family elder.
"Black Tiger Gang? Don't tell me!"
Murong Sujing's eyes sharpened instantly.
From worried sister to clan head.
"Did they try something?"
"They got wrecked."
"Huh?"
"Black Tiger Gang—wiped out as of today."
"……?"
"……."
"Wiped out?"
"Yeah, wiped out. Meaning the whole sect uprooted..."
"No, I know what wiped out means."
Absurdity crossed Murong Sujing's face.
"The Black Tiger Gang got wiped out?"
"Yes."
"H-how...?"
No, that wasn't the issue.
"When did you find out?"
Real-time.
"I stepped out briefly."
"Right, you did. But why'd the Black Tiger Gang suddenly get wiped? Ten Sword Sect or Hong Sword Clan...?"
A sudden thought stopped her.
Her brother's face was unusually calm. His gaze, deep as a clear lake.
After staring long, Murong Sujing asked in a trembling voice.
"You?"
Murong Bi felt the moment had come.
No, his mind was set long ago. The instant he healed her, it was inevitable.
The question was whether to hide from Sujing or play dumb...
'No point now.'
The family elder's soul was already in this body, calling her "sister." Hiding more or less changed nothing.
'All for the clan.'
Awkward? Sure.
Guilt? None. Better he shoulder the incomprehensible than agonize over it.
Even if it meant hell again.
"About that..."
"Yes, it was you."
Huh?
"Not Ten Sword Sect or Hong Sword Clan. It was you."
Murong Bi's tensed eyes went wide.
What? That assured tone?
"Looking back, you've been different for days—weeks even. Yesterday was just the peak."
"……?"
"Like you were possessed, wandering out constantly. You came back drunk each time, but now I see it was different."
What are you talking about?
"And you said it: 'This isn't just about crumbling a den of thugs.' You've been preparing something for ages."
The flow was getting intriguing?
Murong Sujing sighed.
"I couldn't bring myself to ask what you were thinking. I'm glad you're back to normal now, but I knew you were hiding something."
"……!"
"And this morning, you healed me with that unimaginable Extreme Vital Transfer."
Her eyes blazed like they could shatter mountains.
"I won't ask about the rest. Just answer this."
What was this sudden tension?
Murong Bi swallowed hard. It felt like she saw right through him.
After a thoughtful hum, Murong Sujing asked carefully.
"Bi, did you learn Wudang Sect martial arts?"
...What nonsense is this?