The Martial Doctor

"Mr. Dongguo, what’s your plan next?"

Dongguo Sun froze: "I’m still not healed, and you’re in such a hurry to kick me out?"

"I barely know you. If I go back, how will I explain your identity? Besides, I’m dressed in official clothes. What if you are a wanted criminal by the authorities? Wouldn’t I be implicated?"

"I’m not any wanted criminal. I have a legitimate identity."

"A legitimate identity that kept you hiding in Li Hen City for twenty years, and why?" Lin Miao said, "Don’t tell me you’re hiding from Wuyou Hall."

"Why would I be afraid of Wuyou Hall? They don’t even know who I really am. I just feel that being in Li Hen City keeps me closer to my junior disciples; if anything happens, I can help nearby..." Dongguo Sun’s words were somewhat evasive.

"Alright, you don’t have to tell me; I don’t want to know anyway. It’s none of my business." Lin Miao wasn’t trying to take advantage of the other.

The other party had told him about the school’s lineage, and he had saved a life in return, not to mention he helped at the auction. This guy’s million-dollar worth at least credits half to him.

The favor has been repaid.

He felt no sense of belonging to this so-called Huichun Valley sect.

"I have a secret, but you can’t tell your wife." Dongguo Sun said mysteriously.

"Why not? I have no secrets from my senior sister."

"I know you two haven’t... Don’t lie to this old man." Dongguo Sun chuckled, "Didn’t your master ever tell you your wife didn’t have a mother growing up?"

"I’ve never seen her anyway. What do you know about it?"

"I not only know, but I also know your wife’s mother is still alive." Dongguo Sun said.

Lin Miao remained expressionless: "Who are you trying to fool? My master told us that my senior sister had health issues because my teacher’s wife had a difficult labor when giving birth. Not long after, her health failed, and she passed away."

"That’s just his version. In fact, your wife’s mother is perfectly fine; she just can’t come to see you."

"Can’t come, out of necessity, or has she remarried?"

"Pah, how could you think of your teacher’s wife like that? She is a rare heroine in the world. Unfortunately, she met your master, such a wooden person, a real blossom stuck in cow dung!" Dongguo Sun sighed with regret.

"Good cabbage getting plowed by pigs."

"That description is even better. Young Master Nephew, you really have a way with words..."

"Focus on the main points." Lin Miao coughed, reminding him that the words were a bit disrespectful.

"Your wife, my junior brother and sister-in-law, your teacher’s wife, her name is Hua Qingye. Twenty years ago, she first emerged in Jianghu and met your master, who was probably around 27 or 28 at the time—exactly how old I don’t know. He had just graduated and passed the physician’s exam. As for how they met, I’m unclear, but somehow, she just took a liking to your master, and the two of them..."

Lin Miao recalled his master’s strengths and weaknesses: what qualities attracted women, why his teacher’s wife liked him—Lin Miao didn’t know. Yet, Mrs. Yun also seemed to hold him dear. This man definitely had good qualities.

The master was a gentle gentleman but rigid in actions, clinging to his beliefs with his own set of values, preferring to bear responsibilities himself...

In Lin Miao’s view, there were many flaws, and as for strengths, apart from being a good person, there really weren’t many.

To think he could charm a dazzling martial arts heroine into eloping, might his demeanor have changed dramatically after she left?

"Your master, aside from looking a bit decent, neither his medical skills nor martial arts were comparable to mine. I can’t fathom how a True Disciple of Wendao School noticed him."

"Are you saying my teacher’s wife was a True Disciple of Wendao School?" Lin Miao was startled; he truly didn’t know this secret at all.

"You didn’t know?"

"How would I know? I was only six when my master adopted me. Regarding the teacher’s wife, he rarely mentioned her even to my senior sister; why would he tell me?"

"I guess he was heartbroken. Your teacher’s wife gave birth to your wife but soon left without a word. He even went to Wendao School to inquire and got driven away. After that, he ended up taking the child all the way to Qingping Town before settling down."

"The child is born; Wendao School is supposed to be an upright sect, so they wouldn’t be this heartless, right?"

"I asked him. Wendao School’s response was that Hua Qingye was young and ignorant, deceived by him, but now she has repented, determined to sever ties with the past and never see him again."

"Is that true?"

"How would I know? After that, there was no trace of Hua Qingye in Jianghu." Dongguo Sun said, "Being a True Disciple of Wendao School, her martial arts talent must be extremely high. They wouldn’t easily marry such a talented female disciple to a plain mortal, naturally having plans for her marriage. So, I reckon after returning, she would have been arranged to marry a disciple within the sect and remain hidden, teaching children."

"If they truly never see each other again, that is quite good." Lin Miao nodded. Such matters are hard to judge right or wrong, for love and the mundane life of rice, oil, and salt are two very different things.

No matter how passionate, feelings must return to the tranquility of life. Given master’s indifferent personality, the True Disciple wife from a major sect surely would face hardship being with him.

He is different; at least he can earn money, women with him can live well and won’t suffer.

A man with money stands strong.

With power, too.

"Does this secret deserve some food from you?"

"Not impossible, but if you are discovered by people from Wuyou Hall, it will be troublesome for me." Lin Miao said, "However, you can change your identity and work in my mansion. Even if your identity is exposed, I won’t be implicated."

"You sure do calculate well, kid!"

"Hey, I’m not just thinking about myself, I’m considering you as well."

"How are you considering me?"

"As long as I’m not exposed, if you’re discovered, I can still help you in secret. But if I get exposed too, do you think I’d have a chance to help you?" Lin Miao said, "One of us must always have the opportunity to lend the other a hand."

"What you said makes sense. But what can I do at your place?"

"A gardener. The job is just taking care of flowers and plants at home, it’s light work, and my household has good food, with wine and meat every day, but don’t rely on your status and get picked on by others." Lin Miao said.

"You..."

"You don’t have to do it, I’m not forcing you. Anyway, you’ve got a fortune in your pocket, you can enjoy yourself anywhere."

"Fine, I’ll do it, isn’t that good enough?" Dongguo Sun lowered his head, forced to acquiesce under the circumstances.

There were some things he didn’t say. With Dongguo Sun right under his nose, he could observe him a bit. If there were really no issues, he could accept this master’s uncle and take care of him in old age.

After all, Dongguo Sun had indeed revealed quite a few of the master’s secrets to him.

Most importantly, he learned from Dongguo Sun about some things regarding his master’s wife, which he never expected. His master’s wife came from an elite sect, the Wendao Sect, and might still be alive.

This was troubling. Should he tell his senior sister?

His senior sister had always believed that their master’s wife had passed away. Could she accept the sudden news that her mother might still be alive?

Would she want to go to the Wendao Sect to search? It has been so many years, if the master’s wife wanted to reconcile, she should have come forward long ago.

Or did she heartlessly sever ties with both her husband and daughter years ago?

The Wendao Sect is an elite sect, not easy to deal with!

Forget it, take it one step at a time.

Let’s return first.

Leaving West Gate Town, two days later in the evening, he finally arrived at Si Miaoxue’s manor outside the city: Miao Manor.

The convoy entered the manor through the main gate.

Yue Mei’Er had already received the news and was waiting with her people.

"Why hasn’t Miaoxue come back with you?" Yue Mei’Er asked with some surprise, not seeing Si Miaoxue.

"She can’t leave for now. She’ll return by the New Year." Lin Miao replied blandly, "No need to unload the stuff from the car. I’ll stay here for the night and head back to the city tomorrow."

"You’re staying just for one night?" There was a trace of surprise in Yue Mei’Er’s beautiful eyes.

"Yes, I bought you some things. Lianxin, bring them in."

"Yes, sir."

"Arrange for them to stay in the west courtyard." Lin Miao instructed as he walked. His room was in the east courtyard, so naturally, he would stay there.

Helian Wanwan, Dongguo Sun, and the others were guests, so they were arranged to stay in the west courtyard, aligning with the host’s arrangements.

The manor steward waved his hand, "Everyone, please follow me."

After settling in.

Lin Miao went directly to the small building where Yue Mei’Er lived. The people around had long been dismissed, and Yue Mei’Er eagerly gave him a kiss.

She missed him so much after such a long time apart.

Tonight, she intended to completely occupy this man.

"Mei’Er, don’t rush, let’s talk about her first." Lin Miao pushed Yue Mei’Er, who wanted to escalate things, away, asking. He wasn’t in that much of a hurry.

Yue Mei’Er quickly calmed down, knowing who Lin Miao was talking about.

Ji Fei’Er had been staying at the manor for almost twenty days, attempting to break in several times to directly meet the "young master."

Yue Mei’Er stopped her every time. The excuse of seclusion was only usable once or twice at most, and Ji Fei’Er was allowed to see the "young master" every day, though Yue Mei’Er kept her a distance away, claiming it disturbed the "young master’s" cultivation.

However, over time, she was worried that Ji Fei’Er might start suspecting something.

So, a way to dispel Ji Fei’Er’s doubts was needed.

"I’ll handle it. How will you explain it to her?" Lin Miao asked. With their group entering the manor, Ji Fei’Er was bound to see and hear about it, unless she was blind.

"That’s easy to explain. I took over Huaye Tower, became neighbors with Mr. Lin, and opened a tavern as partners. Your group coming to my manor for a temporary stay is normal social interaction. It’s very ordinary. Without these normal social interactions, people would easily become suspicious of me." Yue Mei’Er explained.

"And your relationship with me?"

"Partners..." Lin Miao abruptly closed his mouth, "Shh, she’s here, I’ll hide for now."