Chapter 147: Chapter 147

Bunny Heroine and Yan Qing both froze. Latest content publıshed on NoveI(F)ire.net

He looked at Medicine Master Wen on the screen—dust-laden, covered in grime, even her fair, delicate face was smudged with dirt. Although bathing was possible last night, she likely didn’t trust the inn’s reputation and didn’t dare to undress and leave herself vulnerable, so at most, she wiped herself down.

Not that it was particularly astonishing for her to endure such things—weren’t Wu Qiu and Shi Dong the same? They even had to serve her.

But the reason Medicine Master Wen could endure all this was because she harbored an enormous wish in her heart, one she was even willing to die for.

And that was to restore the Medicine Masters of Bashui and return to the Zhou Kingdom's court.

Compared to that, revenge wasn’t even the highest priority in her heart. She could accept her father’s death—courtly power struggles were the rule of victors and vanquished. When her father was in power, did he ever spare his rivals? But she could not accept the fall of the Duke of Jin’s Mansion, nor the end of the Bashui Medicine Masters. That legacy was passed down by her ancestors—not her father’s alone.

If she gave up on this goal, she could have lived quite well. Shi Dong had already tried more than once to convince Wu Qiu in secret to help their lady escape to another country.

Great Qi and Great Liang would be more than happy to shelter a persecuted royal of a defeated nation as their own moral emblem, not to mention that Medicine Master Wen possessed Third-Stage cultivation.

To inherit Si Wuxie’s legacy and return in glory to reclaim the honor of the Duke of Jin’s Mansion—easy to say, but the risks were even greater than being hunted by the Zhou.

Never mind how she would inherit Si Wuxie’s legacy—Shu Mountain was a Demon-Infested Zone. Once she obtained the legacy, she’d be targeted by hundreds of Demon-Path Messengers.

She had abandoned all easier options to walk this most arduous path. Even though Yan Qing had reservations about her obsession, he still acknowledged the unshakable will that was harder than stone.

Thus, he could not accept Medicine Master Wen’s decision at this moment.

「Where are Wu Qiu and Shi Dong?」Bunny Heroine looked behind Medicine Master Wen.「Where did they go? If they were here, they’d definitely stop you, Big Sister.」

「They’ve already returned to Eternal Joy City. I gave them enough Spirit Jade to stay at the inn for three days.」

「Aren’t you worried someone might trouble them?」

「I trained them for two hours at dawn. While not particularly strong, if they run into any thugs, they can stir enough trouble in Eternal Joy City. As long as the Three Guardians continue to uphold the Black Market, they’ll be safe,」Medicine Master Wen said calmly.「Of course, there's still risk—but they both agreed to my decision.」

「Even if it means you’ll die on the mountain?」Bunny Heroine questioned.「Big Sister, you heard it just now too—the mountain is full of traps and ambushes, filled with Demon Path experts. Zhong Ji intends for us not even to have the chance to flee… Or do you have a plan?」

「This is my first time on Shu Mountain—what plan could I possibly have? Zhong Ji is a local overlord—how could he leave us any loopholes to exploit?」Medicine Master Wen shook her head.「But you saved our lives before. I, Medicine Master Wen, am clear in my debts. All I can do is give it my all—even if it costs me my life.」

She paused.「If I hadn’t stopped Wu Qiu and Shi Dong, told them you’d just hold us back, they would’ve joined us… They asked me to pass on a message—they hope you won’t mistake them for cowards.」

Bunny Heroine was quiet for a moment, then suddenly let out a snort.「Shi Dong would say that?」

「Of course not—it was Wu Qiu who said it. Shi Dong was so worried she couldn’t speak.」Medicine Master Wen smiled.「But don’t think Shi Dong is timid. Back then, she volunteered to enter the Secret Realm with me, just because I needed someone to carry arrows… As long as it’s her duty, no matter how afraid she is, she’ll muster the courage to complete it.」

「My people are not cowards who forget favors.」

「Then what about your wish? Didn’t you want to inherit Si Wuxie’s legacy?」Bunny Heroine asked.「Are you giving up on revitalizing your family’s grand plan?」

「A grand plan… hah.」Medicine Master Wen planted the Soul-Severing Spear into the ground and scoffed.「I’ve lost my family, my status, everything. All I have left are martial skill and two maidservants. The only thing my clan left me is the dignity of a Bashui Medicine Master.」

「Plans can be remade. But once dignity is tarnished, it becomes everlasting shame. Maybe there are many kings in this world who don’t sweat the small stuff—but I’m not one of them. The principle I uphold, is one that leaves me with a clear conscience.」

Bunny Heroine shook her head and spread her hands like a little adult.「Big Sister, you’re too impulsive.」

「Haha, now it’s you calling me impulsive. Yet it was you who insisted on charging up Shu Mountain,」Medicine Master Wen let out a laugh, though she soon reined it in.「Perhaps it is impulsiveness. I’ll likely pay a heavy price for it. But this is my principle. If I can’t even uphold that, then the Bashui Medicine Masters are truly finished.」

She lowered her gaze to meet Bunny Heroine’s eyes.「Don’t try to persuade me—just as I won’t try to persuade you. Don’t even think of agreeing temporarily and sneaking off on your own. If you die on Shu Mountain, I’ll retrieve your body and bury you. I won’t let them defile your corpse for a single second… Sister, either give this up completely—or leave with me. I won’t give you a third option.」

‘You’re… kind of heavy,’ Yan Qing sighed inwardly.

At this point, he had no choice but to reveal another card… not that he particularly minded.

Bunny Heroine suddenly produced a token in her hand, engraved with the characters: ‘Return.’

Medicine Master Wen was slightly stunned.「Return Token? I heard that half a month ago in Mansu Woodland of Great Liang, a madwoman named Jiang Ten slew two Third-Stage Messengers, routed all others at the scene, and escaped from Thunder King of the Underworld Prison Chen Liexia using a Return Token… Is this the very token Jiang Ten used!?」

It was Yan Qing’s first time hearing one of his alternate characters mentioned by someone else—it felt… pretty great.

A kind of single-player game-style mesh narrative beauty!

「That’s right. It’s a Return Token even Foundation Messengers can’t interfere with—guaranteed escape. My brother gave me this treasure,」Bunny Heroine said.「So you get it now, Big Sister? If something happens on the mountain, I can just use the Return Token to escape. I’m not going to die. You don’t need to come with me.」

Of course, it was a lie.

There were only two uses left on the Return Token. Yan Qing wouldn’t waste them on an alt. He’d still run, of course—but if he really couldn’t escape, he could accept falling here. It’s a city raid after all—losing is normal. He could always come back stronger after reaching Foundation level.

But upon hearing this, Medicine Master Wen showed neither relief nor ease. Her expression became subtly strange—like when Yan Qing used to sneak out to internet cafés and unexpectedly ran into classmates there. A silent “Oh, so you’re like that too.”

「Mine isn’t as good as your Return Token, but I also have a way to escape.」

Medicine Master Wen spoke slowly.「But mine only guarantees my own safety—I can’t protect you. And once exposed, the consequences are dire. I originally planned to use it only when you were in danger, to cover your retreat. If you died, I’d at least carry your corpse out… Didn’t expect you to be so prepared.」

Her method of escape was simple: go to the Thieves’ House.

As long as she entered the Thieves’ House, no one in the world could touch her—but she also wouldn’t be able to influence anything outside. And if it got exposed, she’d essentially be unable to act in the outside world again. Too many Messengers would want to capture her for a shot at the Divine Marquis Estate. So unless it was absolutely necessary, she wouldn’t use this option.

Bunny Heroine was stunned.「You too? Then why didn’t you say so earlier?」

「Well…」Medicine Master Wen looked a little sheepish.「If I said it, maybe you would’ve given up on climbing the mountain. And… if I admitted I could flee anytime, then those things I just said wouldn’t have the same weight…」

Yan Qing quickly realized her intention—she deliberately hid this to raise her favorability with Bunny Heroine!

A Medicine Master Wen who had no retreat yet still chose to stand with her was naturally more moving than one who had a safety net.

Truthfully, Yan Qing had been deeply moved—otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Bunny Heroine show the Return Token to talk her down.

Damn, Medicine Master Wen, this seemingly rough and straightforward woman, turned out to be so scheming!

Yan Qing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But seeing how sincere she was, he couldn’t bring himself to be mad.

「So you still want to climb the mountain with me?」

「Of course. Why else would I reveal my escape plan?」Medicine Master Wen replied with resolve.「You wanted to use the Return Token to convince me—well, I can do the same to convince you.」

「But why?」Bunny Heroine asked, puzzled.「If you only came to repay a debt, now I’ve shown I can leave safely. Climbing with me means offending one of Shu Mountain’s Three Guardians—maybe all Demon-Path Messengers will become your enemies… Don’t you want Si Wuxie’s legacy anymore?」

Medicine Master Wen fell silent, gazing at the Soul-Severing Spear in her hand, as if choosing her words.

「My plan was to join one of the Three Guardians and quietly search for clues about the Foundation legacy, then strike at the right time,」she said slowly.「But honestly, I don’t want to associate with Demon Path folks—I just had no other way.」

「Maybe I’ve been in Chang’an too long—compromise feels natural now. For greater good, anyone can be an ally… If not for you, I’d have forgotten that I still have a choice.」

Suddenly, she twirled the Soul-Severing Spear, creating a sharp burst of spearlight.

「Challenge Shu Mountain—defeat the Three Guardians!」Medicine Master Wen declared.「They’re just Third-Stage Messengers—I’m one too! Why should I serve them? A bunch of ghouls and demons—I’ll carve out my place with my spear!」

「Since you have the will to purge the wicked, how could I not accompany you to the end? Before, I feared being trapped—now we both have a sure way out. What is there to hesitate about?」

Medicine Master Wen extended a clenched fist toward Bunny Heroine. It was filthy—spattered with blood.

「This journey to the mountain—with me, we’re invincible!」

Seeing this, Yan Qing subconsciously held his breath. His heart felt like it stopped. For the first time, he wished he could switch places with his alt and join the coming adventure himself… Even through the screen, he felt a surge of heroic spirit in his chest.

Bunny Heroine extended her tiny fist and bumped hers against Medicine Master Wen’s.

「Invincible with me!」