36. The Ghost Physician’s Past
Although the dark energy had been repaired by Yan Chuyue, the traces of the severed and repaired meridians were still there. A skilled physician could easily tell what had been deliberately done.
“That’s right.”
After examining Gong Yiling’s meridians, Feng Lili gave a firm answer. “It’s the Illusory Bird Dream Courtyard.”
“So it’s them…” Gong Musheng sneered. “After this girl’s dark energy erupted, I wanted to find someone from the Illusory Bird Dream Courtyard to help. If they had gotten to her again, she would surely have died.”
“The physician my mother killed before, was he also from there?” Gong Yiling couldn’t help but ask. “But that person seemed to be a spy.”
The Illusory Bird Dream Courtyard, a name not unfamiliar to Gong Yiling.
As an organization all physicians and alchemists aspired to join, it was practically the light of all healers on the continent.
However, the entry requirements were high, requiring a personal introduction from a renowned physician, or a peak Earth-grade alchemist.
To think this organization would secretly do things against medical ethics under the orders of the Hundred Paths Mountain was truly disappointing.
“Having physicians secretly do things is their usual trick.” Gong Musheng said bluntly. “Their principles are dictated by their buttocks. That’s why I never trust them to treat anyone seriously.”
“But this Ghost Physician is different!” Gong Musheng suddenly stood up and gently tapped Feng Lili’s shoulder. “The Ghost Physician has a benevolent heart, and for my sake, as an old friend—
“Friend?” Feng Lili sneered. “Gong Musheng, when did I say I was your friend?”
“Ah, this…”
Seeing their strange relationship and conversation, Gong Yiling just smiled. “It’s fine. I have Chuyue. Chuyue can solve all my problems. I don’t need any other dedicated healer.”
“As for Senior Feng, she should be left to Little Auntie.”
Strictly speaking, her words held a deeper meaning.
Mainly, Gong Yiling felt that there was something going on between these two, but it was very subtle.
Confusing, very confusing.
“If you’re fine, then I’m relieved.” Gong Musheng crossed her arms, feigning nonchalance. “Before I left, your mother gave me a strict order.”
“But it seems she was just being overly cautious.”
These words were spoken with such sincerity, but Gong Yiling didn’t believe a word of it.
Their purpose was clearly the Hundred Ghosts Ridge, but Gong Musheng had been avoiding the topic.
The specific reason, Gong Yiling didn’t know. She was just waiting for her to find an excuse to send her away, so she could ask some questions.
And at this moment, she had the leisure to study the quest related to the Hundred Ghosts Ridge.
“Quest Name: [The Wailing of a Hundred Ghosts]
Quest Difficulty: Disaster
Quest Objective: After clearing the secret realm “Hundred Ghosts Ridge,” obtain a portion of its information. The completeness of the information will determine whether the second half of the quest is unlocked.
Quest Description: This is a secret realm quest, only related to the secret realm itself. No rewards will be given after completing the first round.
Quest Reward: None.
Time Limit: None.
Penalty for Failure: None.
Note: You will encounter the Ghost Physician Feng Lili in this quest. She is the key factor in determining how long you can stay in the Hundred Ghosts Ridge.”
After reading the full quest description, Gong Yiling was a bit speechless.
Well… she didn’t know if it was her imagination.
Ever since the first quest with no reward appeared, the subsequent ones were all the same.
If you don’t give a reward, then why should I do this stupid thing?
Was it just for that Ghost Essence Crystal?
The problem was, what was this Ghost Essence Crystal used for? She certainly didn’t know.
After helping Miss Gong with her check-up, Feng Lili was called away.
Seeing her leave with her medicine box, it was clear she wouldn’t be back for a while. Gong Yiling quickly said to Gong Musheng, “Little Auntie, are we really not going to the Hundred Ghosts Ridge?”
“I was just bluffing.” Gong Musheng smiled. “We came here specifically for the Hundred Ghosts Ridge. How could we not go in?”
“Then why didn’t you tell Senior Ghost Physician?”
“Do you know why she specifically chose this place, and not the other secluded paradises?” Gong Musheng asked with a smile.
“Is it because… of her Ghost Dao?”
“Heh…” Gong Musheng chuckled. “I thought you might guess that, but you don’t know why it has to be the Ghost Dao.”
“Because Lili was actually raised by ghosts.”
—
—
The world was full of strange and bizarre things, and Feng Lili’s past was just as unexpected.
She still didn’t know where her biological parents were, but she was certain that parents who would abandon their newborn daughter in a cemetery were not worth looking for.
And the reason she survived was because… there were really ghosts in that cemetery.
As the saying goes, when a person dies, they become a ghost. When a ghost dies, they become a “zhān(魙)” (a type of ghost). No one knew for sure if reincarnation existed, but ghosts were real.
However, once a person became a ghost, they would forget most of their past life, and their cultivation would be greatly diminished.
Most of them would wander aimlessly until they faded away, but a small portion would remain in a certain place, even able to manifest their former appearance and talk to real humans.
Of course, at this time, their time in the mortal world would be greatly shortened, and even with a physical form, they couldn’t touch anything in this world.
Given these limitations, it was hard to imagine how a ghost could raise a person.
As for this part of the story, only Feng Lili knew. In short, it wasn’t the most crucial part.
The most crucial part was that because of this childhood experience, Feng Lili’s attitude towards this land of ghosts was completely different from others.
She was dedicated to maintaining the balance between the two. She didn’t want the ghosts to interfere with the villagers’ lives, and she also didn’t want the humans to disturb the ghosts.
She was a mediator.
So, even if Gong Musheng wanted to explore that place, she would surely be beaten back by Feng Lili.
It was that simple.
