Chapter 123. The kids should be helped.
It was another one of those peaceful morning within the Lin Family estate.
Lin Xuan was currently enjoying the peace by his courtyard as warm sunlight filtered into right where he was seated, leisurely he sipped a cup of spiritual tea while reviewing the latest reports from the family elders.
Just then, a familiar figure slowly shuffled through the entrance.
The moment Lin Xuan saw him, his lips twitched.
It was none other than the physician.
The very same physician who had confidently declared that he could have Hong Shaoling running a marathon within a single week.
Lin Xuan calmly set down his teacup before looking at him with a faint smile.
"So..."
He leaned back in his chair.
"How many days are left until that one week of yours is over?"
The physician’s face immediately stiffened.
He opened his mouth several times, yet not a single word came out.
How was he supposed to answer that?
A week?
It had already been months...
Months!
Never in his entire career had he encountered such an unreasonable patient.
Ever since making that bold promise, he had practically become a prisoner within the Lin Family estate.
No one had mistreated him, but they had refused to let him leave.
Every time he packed his things and tried to leave, someone would politely escort him straight back to Hong Shaoling’s courtyard.
"Please continue treating little Hong."
At first, he had protested and when that didn’t work, he turned to pleading and eventually... He simply accepted his fate.
He couldn’t even blame them.
If their positions were reversed, he would have suspected he was nothing more than a fraud as well.
After all, he had made such an outrageous claim himself.
The physician took a deep breath, desperately holding back the tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
Then, with all the dignity he could still muster, he coughed awkwardly.
"...Patriarch Lin. I was wondering..."
His voice became quieter and quieter.
"...whether the Lin Family could spare a few more Pristine Spirit Stones."
He lowered his head in embarrassment.
"My treatment has shown... some progress.... Just not enough progress. So I need... a little more time."
Lin Xuan looked at the physician.
"...What was your name again?"
The physician was momentarily stunned before hurriedly cupping his fists.
"This humble one is Mo Yichen, Patriarch Lin."
Lin Xuan quietly stared at the physician.
It had only been a single day since he had entered the memories sealed within the serpent’s eyes.
He had originally assumed the recollection would take weeks, perhaps even months.
Instead, everything had ended in less than an hour.
Even so, the memories he had recovered proved far more valuable than he had expected.
Lin Xuan nodded slowly.
Mo Yichen, huh.
"Very well. I’ll approve your request for additional Pristine Spirit Stones this month as well."
Mo Yichen flinched at the mention of ’this month’ but when he realised what the full sentence meant, he froze.
"...Really?"
Even he had already begun doubting himself after spending months treating Hong Shaoling with only minimal improvement.
So why... Why was Patriarch Lin still willing to trust him?
The emotions he had been suppressing for so long nearly broke through as a single tear managed to rolled down his cheek.
He immediately wiped the tear away and straightened his back.
"Thank you, Patriarch! This time, I swear I’ll cure Hong Shaoling!"
Lin Xuan merely smiled and nodded.
Being able to see other people’s status was a system from the system.
Like the physician in front of him.
———————————————————
Name: Mo Yichen ( a wandering physician)
Realm: Tenth Layer of the body tempering Realm
Martial Spirit: Seventh-Grade mortal Rank
Current condition: shock and joy (new)
———————————————————
The same ability worked on Hong Shaoling as well.
Although her condition remained critical, the System’s evaluation on her condition was recovering.
Which meant only one thing, Mo Yichen’s treatment was actually working.
After dismissing the physician with another batch of Pristine Spirit Stones, Lin Xuan asked aloud.
"What has Hong Shaoyun been doing these past few months?"
A Shadow Guard hidden upon the rooftop immediately answered.
"Reporting to the Patriarch."
The guard dropped silently into the courtyard before kneeling on one knee.
"She has blended in perfectly with the family servants."
Lin Xuan nodded.
"I see."
After a brief pause, he gave another order.
"For now, investigate the physician thoroughly."
The Shadow Guard blinked.
"...It’s already done, Patriarch."
Lin Xuan looked up in surprise.
"Really?"
The Shadow Guard respectfully lowered his head.
"We investigated him on the very day he entered the Lin Family. Our investigation uncovered nothing suspicious, and his identity, reputation, and medical accomplishments all matched the information we gathered."
A faint smile appeared on Lin Xuan’s face.
"That’s good. Even so, that physician is clearly hiding something. Welp, as long as he bears no ill intentions toward the Lin Family, I have no reason to pry into his secrets."
He slowly rose from his seat and clasped his hands behind his back.
"It has already been twenty days since I sent those children into solitary cultivation. It should be about time to lift their restrictions and see how much they have improved."
His gaze shifted toward the Shadow Guard.
"Notify the guards and have them open the cultivation cave."
"Understood."
The Shadow Guard immediately produced a communication talisman and infused a thread of spiritual qi into it. A faint glow spread across its surface as he relayed Lin Xuan’s order to the guards stationed at the cave.
The courtyard remained quiet for nearly a minute before the Shadow Guard’s expression gradually became strange.
He lowered the talisman and looked at Lin Xuan with visible hesitation.
"...Patriarch."
Lin Xuan frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
"The guards have just sent back their report."
The Shadow Guard paused for a brief moment before continuing.
"...The Young Miss is gone along with the other kids."
He swallowed before adding the rest.
"...Apparently, they dug their way out of the solitary cave. The guards discovered a massive tunnel connecting the cave directly to the outside. Judging by its size, it appears the children excavated the entire passage themselves before slipping away unnoticed."