Rebirth of the Medical Maiden

Lin Wanqing and Zhao Xuan stood in the General's Mansion study, dawn light spilling over the Lin Clan Manual, casting a faint gold sheen. Her fingers tapped the pages, Liu Gonggong's words—Emperor dying, craving immortality, targeting Zhao Xuan—echoing in her mind. She glanced at Zhao Xuan, murmuring, "General, he's after eternal life—this is big. We need his real condition to hit back right."

Zhao Xuan leaned on the table, brows knit, voice icy. "Liu Fu said he's sick—if true, the palace is stirring. We've got to confirm fast."

She nodded, mischief glinting. "Confirm? Easy—I'll peek with the Medical Soul Realm, save us guessing!"

He blinked, frowning. "You can probe the Emperor's soul?"

She grinned smugly, tapping her pendant. "Sure can! Yanked Liu in last night—today, I'll scope His Majesty. General, trust me—we're going big!"

His gaze deepened, then he nodded. "I do. But his guards are elite—be careful."

She beamed. "With you, I'm fearless! I'll just peek—no showing up. Who'd catch me?"

He chuckled, dry. "You're gutsy. Start."

She sat cross-legged, eyes shut, fingers on the pendant. Purple flared, enveloping her; her mind slipped into the Realm. Willing it, the spring morphed into a vast mirror. "I've never met him, but Liu mentioned him—his vibe's traceable!" she muttered.

The mirror cleared—Golden Throne Hall, a gaunt figure lay on the dragon bed, pallid, breaths faint: the Emperor. Her Wheel spun, purple piercing the glass, delving into his soul.

A chaotic haze—his spirit frail, black tendrils choking his vitals, heart failing from chronic poison. Her pulse jumped: Not sickness—someone poisoned him!

She dug deeper; the black stemmed from a jade pendant in his robe, oozing toxic force. "Clever—poison jade, masked as illness!" she hissed.

Hua Tuo's phantom emerged. "It's 'Soul-Devouring Powder,' odorless, hidden in jade—only a 'Soul-Cleansing Pill' from Spirit Heart Grass can cure it. The poisoner's in the palace—beware."

She snapped back, eyeing Zhao Xuan. "General, he's not sick—hit with 'Soul-Devouring Powder' via poison jade!"

He frowned. "Poison jade? Who?"

She squinted. "Bet it's Liu Gonggong! He pushed the Manual last night, claiming immortality—covering his tracks to seize power!"

Zhao Xuan's voice chilled. "Sly bastard. If it's him, we expose him in the palace."

She grinned. "Expose? Easy—let's storm in, rip his mask off!"

Half an hour later, in eunuch garb again, they Realm-shifted to the palace inner court, beelining for the Golden Throne Hall. "General, Emperor's on the dragon bed—Liu's near. Quick strike!" she whispered.

He nodded. "I'll hold 'em—you heal him."

They slipped in; guards abounded, but their disguises held. Nearing the bed, she saw the Emperor—skin and bones, barely alive. This poison's brutal—days left at best! she thought.

She pulled Spirit Heart Grass and Purple Dawn Grass, crafting a "Soul-Cleansing Pill" fast. Herb scent wafted; she fed it to him. Black mist seeped out, his pallor easing.

Then, a shrill shout— "Who's in there? Bold!" Liu Gonggong burst in with guards, spotting them, eyes shrinking. "You? How'd you get in?"

Lin Wanqing sneered, "Hey, Liu Gonggong—miss me? Your goons flopped last night, so I brought the book myself!"

He raged, "Lin Wanqing, Zhao Xuan—palace trespass is death!" Guards surged.

Zhao Xuan drew, blade flashing. "Liu Fu, your game's up!" He parried, a storm of steel.

Lin Wanqing yelled, "Your Majesty, you're poisoned with 'Soul-Devouring Powder'—Liu did it! This jade's proof!" She yanked the toxic pendant, holding it high.

The Emperor, roused, saw it, rasping, "Liu Fu… you dared?"

Liu paled, shrieking, "Lies, Majesty! She's a witch!"

She smirked. "Lies? I just purged your poison with a 'Soul-Cleansing Pill'—how's it feel?"

He breathed easier, glaring at Liu. "Liu Fu, you've got guts!"

Liu bolted; Lin Wanqing's Drug Soul Palm flared, mist netting him. He choked, welts blooming, collapsing in agony.

Zhao Xuan pinned him, sword at throat. "Liu Fu, curtain's down."

The Emperor wheezed, "Zhao Xuan, Lin Wanqing—I trust you. Take him!"

Guards swarmed, binding Liu. Lin Wanqing exhaled, grinning at Zhao Xuan. "General, slick move, huh?"

He huffed, "You're a schemer."

She leaned in, sweet. "You nailed it—we're a perfect team!"

His ears pinked; he muttered, "No chatter—out."

Back at the mansion, she set the Manual down. "General, he's detoxed but weak—palace stragglers might linger."

He nodded. "Liu's down—court's a mess. We brace."

She winked. "Scared? I've got us—medico-martial champs, untouchable!"

He chuckled, dry. "Fearless, huh?"

She cooed, "You guard me, I guard you—no fear, deal?"

His ears flared; he grumbled, "Your call."

She giggled: Tough shell, soft core—mine.

(End of Chapter)