Help, I’m Being Forced to Marry a Frail and Sickly Immortal Doctor! 27

Chapter 27: Short Are These Bitter Days

…it would only dirty Yin Buran’s dress.

As it happened, Ning Ruoque was quite familiar with both Chu Xuan and the Forging Fire Sect.

The Forging Fire Sect, one of the four major immortal sects, was mostly composed of artifact cultivators, skilled in refining artifacts and formations.

Their Tianbao Pavilion had opened all over the country, specializing in selling all sorts of practical artifacts and talismans, from storage bracelets to the Seven Kills Formation. They had everything.

The quality was also excellent, with a very good reputation among cultivators.

And Tianbao Pavilion could provide services for a sword cultivator’s sword, such as maintenance, improvement, and reforging, which was especially loved by the majority of sword cultivators.

In the past, Ning Ruoque had thrown most of her savings into it.

And a hundred years ago, the old sect master of the Forging Fire Sect had stepped down and gone traveling.

This new sect master was the renowned artifact refining prodigy in the cultivation world—

Chu Xuan.

This person had exceptional talent in forging and formations. She had even participated in the creation of Azurefall Creek’s sect grand formation.

Before Ning Ruoque became the Sword Venerable, she had once gone deep into the ancient battlefield to kill a nine-tailed fox. There were only three people willing to go with her.

Yin Buran, Chu Xuan, and the Palace Master of Heavenly Eon Palace, Si Mingyue.

She vaguely remembered that although Chu Xuan and Yin Buran’s relationship was not intimate, they could still chat a little.

How was it that after a hundred years, Yin Buran seemed to be very dissatisfied with Chu Xuan?

Just like now, Yin Buran questioned with a cold expression, “Why her?”

Qin Jiangli explained patiently, “Sect Master Chu requested it herself. It wouldn’t be good for me to refuse her.”

Finally, she added, “She’s so enthusiastic. She must know something.”

Senior Sister was still as outspoken as ever. Ning Ruoque sucked in a sharp breath.

Immediately after, a cold gaze shot over, and the target of Yin Buran’s bristling became her.

Qin Jiangli: “The Forging Fire Sect is far from Azurefall Creek. When are you planning to set off?”

Yin Buran quickly retracted her gaze and spoke without hesitation.

“Tonight.”

*

Yin Buran left as she said she would. Qin Jiangli tried to persuade her a few times but failed, so she let her be.

So Azurefall Creek packed up Yin Buran’s usual belongings overnight with extremely high efficiency.

The bright moon hung high, and the group set off.

The flying boat was powered by spirit stones and could travel thousands of miles a day. But even at the fastest speed, they would only arrive tomorrow.

Yin Buran only brought two young girls with her this time, Qingtong and Qieyu.

When Ning Ruoque carried Yin Buran onto the flying boat, the two of them had already tidied up the largest room.

They had burned calming incense, set up a warming formation, and made the bed thick and soft. They had even prepared a wooden wheelchair.

It was extremely thoughtful.

Now, Yin Buran could sit in a wheelchair wherever she wanted to go, and she didn’t need Ning Ruoque to carry her.

Ning Ruoque couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart.

If Yin Buran wanted, even the night watch could be done by Qieyu, who was at the Form Transformation realm.

But she didn’t mention it, so Ning Ruoque kept watch by Yin Buran’s bed as usual, and after she finished her medicine, she handed her a piece of sweet cake.

Yin Buran ate slowly and glanced at a certain sword cultivator. “You contacted Chu Xuan privately?”

The latter did not refute and just let out a muffled “mm.”

After she answered, Yin Buran did not speak again. She neither asked what the two of them had talked about, nor did she question why Ning Ruoque had done so.

On the contrary, Ning Ruoque said directly, “Yin Buran, do you have some grudge against Chu Xuan?”

Yin Buran’s reaction was flat. “No.”

The room was instantly quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind.

After eating the sweet cake, Yin Buran shrank into the quilt and prepared to sleep.

She was quiet, even burying her head in the quilt, leaving only a small back for her.

It was a bit like a cat sulking, so it didn’t want to pay attention to people. If one reached out rashly, they might be scratched.

Why? Because I didn’t believe her words and even asked others to confirm?

Ning Ruoque didn’t know how to coax her and could only extinguish the lamp and say softly:

“Good night.”

*

It was only early winter, but Shuozhou was already covered in heavy snow.

While tidying up the fur collar of Yin Buran’s cloak, Qingtong couldn’t help but look out into the distance curiously.

She had never been to the Forging Fire Sect before and had only heard that there was a volcano where the Forging Fire Sect was located, which spewed out hot air day and night.

She thought it wouldn’t be very cold, so Little Senior Sister would suffer less.

The flying boat streaked across the sky and finally stopped within the Forging Fire Sect.

Qingtong watched as Ning Ruoque carried Yin Buran onto the wheelchair, and then she foolishly retreated behind her, grinding her teeth in frustration.

She pointed at the Sword Venerable on the spot. “What are you standing there for? Push!”

Yin Buran yawned, looking indifferent.

Ning Ruoque observed her expression, cautiously approached, and pushed Yin Buran.

The entire morning, Yin Buran had not spoken to her.

She just sat beside her, drinking medicine, reading medical books, and when she was cultivating, she would sleep in a place a few feet away from her.

Every time Ning Ruoque glanced at her, her heart would become very strange, and she would have an urgent desire to touch her, even if it was just to poke Yin Buran’s face.

Too strange. How can one coax someone like this? She should keep her distance from Yin Buran.

But when they got off the flying boat, Ning Ruoque still couldn’t help but put her hand in front of Yin Buran.

A scorching wind blew in their faces, mixed with flying sparks.

Qingtong’s eyes widened, and she even forgot what she wanted to say.

Before them was a furnace several tens of zhangs high.

Huge and intricate gears were embedded in it, sending the scorching magma to different channels.

Under the iron bridge was not a clear river, but hot molten iron. What shuttled through the air were not small sparrows, but exquisite mechanical birds.

The entire Forging Fire Sect was like a large workshop, and the sound of forging weapons was endless.

At the end of the bridge stood a woman in red.

Her features were deeper than an ordinary person’s, her skin was wheat-colored, and her curly long hair was tied into a bundle, looking both fluffy and messy.

The original sleeves of her clothes were rolled up to her elbows, revealing her strong and sturdy forearms.

When she saw the visitors, the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing sharp canine teeth.

She said in a loud voice, “It’s been a long time, Divine Pivot Lord.”

Qingtong silently commented in her heart, So this is what Sect Master Chu looks like, like a large mastiff.

She secretly glanced at Ning Ruoque again for comparison.

This one is even dumber than the dog Ah Wang from the next mountain.

For convenience, Ning Ruoque had used her previous disguise.

At this moment, she was pushing Yin Buran without a word, pretending to be just an ordinary guard.

Yin Buran was too lazy to exchange pleasantries with Chu Xuan and asked directly, “Where’s the letter?”

Chu Xuan laughed and scratched her head, her gaze sweeping back and forth among the three behind Yin Buran.

“Don’t be in a hurry. This matter is a bit strange. It’s been a long journey. Why don’t the Divine Pivot Lord first soak in our special hot spring, and then—”

She suddenly paused.

In an instant, Chu Xuan’s figure appeared behind Ning Ruoque.

A giant axe came down from the sky, and she laughed wantonly, “Let me explain in detail!”

“Bang!”

The axe and the sword collided, creating a huge roar.

Qieyu immediately set up a barrier, protecting Yin Buran and Qingtong behind her.

Looking up again, the two were already in a fight.

The axe was used with wide, sweeping motions, while the sword’s edge was as fast as lightning and as fierce as a sudden rain. Their movements were impossible to see clearly. One could only hear the clanking of iron chains and the splashing of molten iron under the bridge.

However, the gap in their realms was too large. Even though Ning Ruoque was ruthless, aiming for Chu Xuan’s vitals with every move, she was still powerless.

She raised her sword to block an axe, and her entire arm was numb from the shock.

Qingtong looked at Yin Buran in a panic. Before she could say anything, she silently closed her mouth.

Because she found that Yin Buran’s face was terrifyingly dark.

Yin Buran took a deep breath, and then a small green snake slid out from her hand and went straight for the two of them.

Qingtong recognized this thing. It was actually an artifact specially made by Qin Jiangli, and its toxicity was comparable to some demonic beasts at the Spirit Refinement realm.

After leaving her hand, the small snake turned into a stream of light, nimbly avoiding the sword qi and axe momentum, and bit Chu Xuan’s…

Butt, with lightning speed.

“Ow!” A miserable cry echoed in the furnace.

Qieyu covered her mouth and chuckled, and Qingtong even turned her head away, unable to bear to look.

The fight stopped there. Ning Ruoque sheathed her sword and landed silently beside Yin Buran.

Her breathing had not yet calmed down, but she subconsciously looked at Yin Buran.

A certain person sat with a proper posture, her expression cold, and her temperament was like a lotus in the water, elegant and self-possessed.

Who would have thought that such an immortal doctor would deliberately let a snake bite someone’s butt?

Ning Ruoque curled her lips and moved a step closer to Yin Buran.

Chu Xuan followed closely behind, slammed the giant axe on the ground, and threw a detoxification pill into her mouth.

Her face fell, and she stared at Yin Buran with a hostile expression.

The latter met her gaze without a care.

Qingtong was startled, thinking that this Sect Master of the Forging Fire Sect had lost face and was going to get it back from her Little Senior Sister.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xuan soon laughed again and clapped her hands in praise, “Haha, that move is really vicious! I’m going to refine an artifact that specializes in biting people’s butts too!”

Qingtong: “…”

Ning Ruoque had long been accustomed to this person’s personality and immediately interrupted helplessly, “Stop fooling around. Let’s get down to business.”

Chu Xuan laughed a few more times before stopping.

She put away the giant axe and led the way out with large strides.

“The day before yesterday, a subordinate came to report that he had received an urgent letter. He didn’t know who sent it. There was only one sentence.”

As she spoke, she threw an opened letter to Yin Buran.

On the letter, it was written in a dashing script: “There is something strange in Xiaochi Village.”

Chu Xuan pushed open the large door in front of her, and what came into view were all sorts of messy artifacts, thrown around as if they were free.

“I searched for a long time before I found this Xiaochi Village on the map of the lower realm. I sent people to investigate, and hey, guess what?”

She let out a sneer. “Not a single one of my people came back, not even a single message.”

An ordinary village wouldn’t “eat people.”

Yin Buran’s expression was blank, but her tone was decisive. “I want to go.”

If it was really the same person who sent the letter, then the situation in the village might be similar to Brightlight Pavilion, or they might even find a fragment of Ning Ruoque’s life-bound sword.

But Chu Xuan twisted and turned, leading the group to the deepest part of the corridor.

In the room was a pool of water, with steam rising from it. The smell of sulfur and some kind of medicinal herb filled the air, making one feel warm all over.

Chu Xuan leaned against the doorway and said to Yin Buran, “It’s useless even if you’re in a hurry.”

“This village is on the border of Shuozhou, half a day’s journey from the Forging Fire Sect. The wind and snow in the north are harsh. It’s better for you to soak in the hot spring before setting off.”

Yin Buran said without hesitation, “I won’t.”

This hot spring was actually not ordinary. For people who were afraid of the cold, it was very effective in restoring yang and replenishing qi.

Just as Ning Ruoque was about to persuade her, Chu Xuan said first, “If you don’t soak in the hot spring, I won’t take you. What can you do to me?”

Ning Ruoque let out a soft hiss and saw Yin Buran’s fists clenched tightly.

She finally understood why Yin Buran disliked Chu Xuan.

In the past, Yin Buran could fight back and forth with Chu Xuan.

Now that she couldn’t beat her, and Chu Xuan’s mouth was so cheap, it would be strange if she didn’t get angry.

But although her words were infuriating, the effect was immediate.

Yin Buran suppressed her anger, closed her eyes, and scolded coldly, “Get out!”

This was a compromise. Qieyu and Qingtong exchanged a look and stayed behind to prepare the supplies for the hot spring.

Chu Xuan, on the other hand, called Ning Ruoque to leave with a grin.

The two of them walked one after the other, silent all the way, back to the place where the artifacts were originally piled up.

With her messy curly hair, she rummaged through the pile of artifacts and found two small jars of wine, throwing one to Ning Ruoque.

The seal was broken, and the room was filled with the fragrance of aged wine, like the distant years, intoxicating just by smelling it.

Chu Xuan raised a toast to Ning Ruoque from afar and laughed heartily, “Long time no see.”

Ning Ruoque paused, took a gulp, and the spiciness made her face hot.

“It hasn’t been that long for me.”

She was really a little curious. “How did you recognize me?”

Both Yin Buran and Chu Xuan could recognize her at a glance. If this continued, she would really start to suspect if her disguise technique had regressed.

Chu Xuan held the wine jar and drank heartily. Finally, she wiped her mouth and let out a burp. “I guessed. You look as silly as her.”

“Tell me more about yourself. When I received your transmission talisman, I was really shocked. What on earth happened? How did you end up with Yin Buran?”

While it was still early, Ning Ruoque spoke briefly, picking and choosing to recount the events of the past few days.

She emphasized Yin Buran’s abnormality, such as Yin Buran insisting that she was her fiancée.

After hearing this, Chu Xuan shivered. “That’s terrifying!”

Ning Ruoque was puzzled. “What’s so terrifying?”

She really wasn’t used to drinking, so she took out a piece of sweet cake and nibbled on it slowly.

“Isn’t that terrifying? Don’t you know what you were like in the past?”

Chu Xuan spread her hands and began to walk in circles in the room. “At every gathering, you would just shrink into a dark corner and wipe your sword, as if you were about to go out and kill someone.”

Ning Ruoque: “…”

This was just the beginning. Chu Xuan recalled the past with vivid emotion.

“When you were killing people… oh no, killing demons, you were even more terrifying.”

“Like a mad dog, the more you killed, the more excited you got. You chased a gu-diao for hundreds of miles. After killing it, you were covered in blood, and you came back with a wild chicken, asking us if we wanted to eat it as if nothing had happened.”

“Every time I went out with you, I was afraid that you would kill me after you finished killing the monsters.” Chu Xuan shook her head and sighed deeply.

“If I hadn’t accidentally discovered you squatting in a corner, gnawing on a cold steamed bun with a silly look on your face, I would have started a betting pool on when you would fall to the demonic path.”

Only then did she know that Ning Ruoque’s ghostly appearance when she fought was not cultivated, but innate.

Just like a sword, no matter how gentle and harmless it was in its scabbard, it had to see blood when it was unsheathed.

She clapped her hands and came to a conclusion, “It’s really hard to imagine that Yin Buran could be with you.”

Ning Ruoque quietly finished the entire piece of sweet cake and did not refute.

It was undeniable that she did have a very fierce side.

Many people were afraid of her, and many people hated her. Ning Ruoque didn’t care. All she needed was a sword.

She was very dull in matters of love, and she was always fighting and killing. It would only dirty Yin Buran’s dress.

What on earth did Yin Buran like about her?

Chu Xuan knocked on the table, bringing Ning Ruoque’s attention back.

“Yin Buran said she has a strand of your sword qi.” She finished the last mouthful of wine and frowned.

“You also know that there are few people in the world who can forge an artifact that can contain your sword qi. I am one of them. But I have no impression of this at all. How is this possible?”

Chu Xuan lowered her head and stroked her chin, racking her brains. “Where did it go wrong? Could it be that Yin Buran…”

“Has hysteria?”

Ning Ruoque: “…”