Chapter 69: Habitual Patient

Yun Jiao and Bai Yu stayed at the Celestial Masters Hall for seven full days.

First, because of the evil god incident: the results of the third exam were difficult to evaluate, and the Hall needed time to finalize rankings.

Second… because of Hall Master Xu Qingfeng himself. Cough. That one strike from their Ancestor hadn’t left any grave internal injuries, but the man had suffered plenty of surface wounds.

Since it was their own Ancestor who caused the mess, Yun Jiao felt obligated to clean it up—even if it meant holding back tears while doing so. She treated him until he was completely healed. And because the Hall had so few spirit healers, she also checked over other exam disciples who might have been tainted by the evil energy. The Ancestor, thankfully, didn’t rush them home; the Hall kept feeding them—free chicken soup every day—so naturally they stayed a whole week.

To avoid another “friendly fire” accident, and since they really couldn’t explain the so-called artifact bowl’s mysterious workings, Yun Jiao planned to leave for Qingyang as soon as the exam results came out.

As for the Guest Elder offer, she’d ultimately declined. Mainly because she had no spiritual meridians and couldn’t really help anyway.

(Definitely not because the elder position was unpaid.)

---

“Today should be the day they announce the rankings,” Yun Jiao said, glancing toward the main hall.

“Old man, why don’t you go check and pick up our rank tokens? Once you’re back, we can head to Qingyang.”

“Mm.” The old man nodded, looked her over once. “Girl, you’re not coming?”

“You think I can?” Yun Jiao pointed at the little bamboo tube on the table. “We just ate. If someone barges in uninvited again, who’s going to keep watch?”

The old man’s face darkened. Right—no one could leave the Ancestor unattended. He sighed and shuffled out, planning to grab Old Zhou along the way.

“Oh, and,” Yun Jiao called after him, “remember to pick up the pay!”

Bai Yu: “…”

Once he was gone, Yun Jiao began packing. She didn’t own much, so it took barely any time.

She eyed the bamboo tube—full and quiet like a well-fed chicken—and said, “Ancestor, should I swing by the kitchen and pack some food for the road? I think there’s half a chicken left from earlier—no point wasting it.”

The bamboo tube wiggled, then a calm voice drifted out:

“Can. ~ Hic.”

“Back soon.” Yun Jiao smiled faintly and headed toward the kitchens.

---

She was just about to pack the leftovers when someone burst in, breathless.

“Doctor Yun! Doctor Yun!”

The newcomer, a young man with a slightly immature face, looked panicked and desperate. “Our… my sister is gravely ill. Could you please come save her?”

Yun Jiao turned, startled. She instinctively took a step back, then studied him up and down before asking evenly, “Your sister is sick?”

“Y-yes!” He nodded furiously, anxiety spilling over as he glanced around nervously.

“I heard Doctor Yun’s medical skill is unmatched—you must be able to save her!”

Yun Jiao frowned slightly and shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t make house calls. And we’re about to leave. The Hall has many spirit healers; try them instead.”

“No!” he blurted, shaking his head hard, eyes flicking about with a trace of fear.

“Only you can help. No one else. Please—you must come!”

“Only me?”

“Yes!” His gaze was full of trust and urgency. “No one else can. You can. I’ll… I’ll pay you!”

“…Pay me?” Yun Jiao blinked, studying him more closely. “Fine—describe her illness. What exactly’s wrong?”

“She…” He faltered, clearly unsure how to phrase it. Finally he gestured to his chest. “Here… a huge hole. Lots and lots of blood. She’s been unconscious the whole time.”

Yun Jiao’s eyes darkened. “How long has she been like this?”

“Um… seven, eight…” He counted on his fingers, then said, “Ten days! Ten days already! I’ve been searching so long to find you. Please—save her!”

“Oh.” Yun Jiao nodded slowly, then held up one finger. “Last question.”

“…?”

“This sister of yours—this time is she a wolf, a panda, a rabbit, or… a giraffe?”

“…”

The boy froze. His eyes went round in shock.

“You… you… how did you…”

“You’re the little fox, aren’t you?” Yun Jiao said flatly.

He stiffened further, looking guilty as his head drooped. “D-Doctor Yun… how did you know?”

Yun Jiao reached out and pinched his cheek, then pointed behind him.

“Next time you pretend to be human, tuck your tail away first. Who walks around with a big flaming red tail wagging right behind them? And calling me ‘Doctor Yun’ the moment we meet—only one patient of mine ever does that.”

It was the little fox she’d treated before.

“Just over a month and you’ve already turned into a proper demon?” she asked wryly. The Ancestor had said this fox had gained intelligence but wasn’t yet fully transformed. She hadn’t expected it to manage a human shape so soon.

He glanced back at the tail as if just realizing it was out, slumped in embarrassment, then gave up pretending: poof—two sharp fox ears popped out on his head.

“J-just recently.” Then, suddenly desperate again:

“Doctor Yun, please come with me! If we don’t hurry… she’ll die! I waited for you at the temple for so long… you never came back…”

His voice cracked. Tears welled and spilled down his cheeks.

“Alright, don’t cry.” Yun Jiao sighed, rubbing his head. “Who’s sick this time? Another one of your little friends?” She glanced around. “You’re just a fox—daring to sneak into the Celestial Masters Hall? Aren’t you afraid they’ll catch you?”

“Not afraid. This time’s different…” Seeing she wasn’t refusing, his eyes lit up and tears dried instantly. His big fluffy tail swept happily like a broom.

“This time I came by order of the Great King. He said—no matter the cost—I must bring you. Doctor Yun, you’ll understand when you see.”

“…Great King?” Yun Jiao blinked. But before she could ask further, the little fox suddenly produced something and crushed it in his hand.

“Wait! I haven’t—”

She hadn’t even agreed yet!

Before she could finish, a white light burst forth. The air twisted open into a portal, a tremendous suction dragging at her.

In a blink, both Yun Jiao and the little fox were gone.

---

Not far away, inside the room they’d left…

The bamboo tube wiggled once.

…A faint demon aura?

…

Forget it. These Mystic Gate disciples might be fools, but such a weak demonic presence should be easy for them to handle.

The tube didn’t move.

Hmm… I wonder what snacks my little disciple will bring back for me?

It swayed happily.

(End of Chapter)