The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 11

Yan Qingshuang carried Jian Li, her Bamboo Staff lost, relying on her familiarity with the terrain to navigate toward the Medical Cultivator’s inner chamber.

 

After taking a few steps, she turned back and called out to Du Xiaqing, her voice low and serious: “Junior Sister, you and I are actually quite similar.”

 

Similar? Du Xiaqing froze, then frowned deeply.

 

She recalled years ago when their Master had taken them on demon-slaying missions. Both had naturally given their all.

 

Yan Qingshuang had worked silently and diligently, while Du Xiaqing had reported every demon she killed to their Master.

 

How could they be similar? Ridiculous.

 

Jian Li’s tail drooped against Yan Qingshuang’s waist, swaying listlessly.

 

She sniffled, “Little Shuang, I need to work harder.”

 

Yan Qingshuang hummed in response.

 

Her indifferent tone made Jian Li’s nose sting. “Do you think I’m useless?”

 

“No,” Yan Qingshuang tightened her grip. “It’s my fault…”

 

“…Little Shuang, let me guide you. You’ve lost your Bamboo Staff and can’t see.”

 

“I come here often. I remember the way.”

 

Jian Li insisted, “No! I’ll lead the way, or I’ll scratch you!”

 

Yan Qingshuang bent down and gently set her down. “Does your paw still hurt?”

 

Jian Li glanced at her swollen paw pad and tried hopping.

 

It hurt, but she suppressed the pain.

 

She forced a casual tone. “It doesn’t hurt. I can run and jump just fine. I’m perfectly healthy.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

Jian Li opened the map and selected a physician’s room, leading Yan Qingshuang to follow her.

 

Knowing Yan Qingshuang was in pain, Jian Li walked very slowly, frequently turning back to remind her to watch her step.

 

What would normally take a hundred strides for an average person took Jian Li nearly half an hour.

 

Before they even stepped inside, a clear, crisp voice called out, “Please come in.”

 

Jian Li turned to Yan Qingshuang and said, “We’re here.”

 

Inside the room, an incense burner burned medicinal herbs, filling the air with a potent aroma. Jian Li felt a sense of reassurance.

 

The physician, dressed in a soft green robe, greeted Jian Li, “We meet again.”

 

Assuming the physician was addressing Yan Qingshuang, Jian Li asked, “Little Shuang, are you two well-acquainted?”

 

Yan Qingshuang replied, “I don’t seem to recognize her.”

 

“But didn’t you say you come here often?”

 

“Not to this place.”

 

The physician approached them and first placed a hand on Jian Li’s head. “Little Spiritual Beast, I’m sorry you had to witness my furnace explosion earlier.”

 

Jian Li remembered now. She scrutinized the physician, noting her pleasant features—a proper nose, clear eyes, and none of the sooty grime that had obscured her face before.

 

Delighted, Jian Li circled around the physician’s legs and looked up at Yan Qingshuang. “Little Shuang, I know her! She’s the one who caused that nuclear explosion!”

 

The physician watched the Little Spiritual Beast nuzzle against Yan Qingshuang’s skirt, her voice rising in surprise. “Senior Sister Yan, this Spiritual Beast is so friendly!”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s name was known throughout the Sect, but her reputation was less than stellar. The physician naturally assumed the beast would share its master’s aloofness.

 

Yan Qingshuang nodded curtly. “It’s still young and curious about everything.”

 

“Little Shuang, you’re joking! I’m not that young anymore,” Jian Li protested, rubbing against the physician’s skirt. She tilted her head and asked Yan Qingshuang, “Ask her what her name is!”

 

Before Yan Qingshuang could speak, the physician introduced herself.

 

She stood up and retrieved her Spirit Mirror. “Senior Sister Yan, I’m Chang Chi. Please, sit anywhere. Let’s add each other’s spirit imprints first.”

 

The physician seemed to have forgotten or simply didn’t care about Yan Qingshuang’s blindness. Jian Li gently nipped at Yan Qingshuang’s finger, guiding her to a cushion.

 

“I don’t have a Spirit Mirror,” Yan Qingshuang said.

 

“Huh?” Chang Chi looked confused.

 

Yan Qingshuang touched Jian Li’s ear. “I lost it when I rescued her.”

 

Jian Li felt a pang of guilt, her meow softening to a kitten’s purr. “Your Spirit Mirror is in that sash! I thought you were just old-fashioned and didn’t like using them.”

 

“I’m not that old,” Yan Qingshuang retorted.

 

“Not that old,” Jian Li corrected, “but your mindset isn’t exactly youthful.”

 

Chang Chi exclaimed in surprise, “Senior Sister, you can understand Beast Speech? Have you already bound her?”

 

Beast Tamers from Spirit Taming Peak could communicate freely with beasts, provided they had performed the Bl00d Recognition Ritual.

 

Chang Chi had initially assumed Yan Qingshuang was simply taking the Little Spiritual Beast out for a stroll.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s reply was ambiguous: “She’s very cute and kind. It might not be a bad idea to make her my Contracted Spiritual Beast someday.”

 

So she hasn’t bound her yet, Chang Chi thought, puzzled.

 

Apart from being cute and clever, the Little Spiritual Beast had no distinguishing features. Its current strength was likely inferior to that of a large goose from Spirit Taming Peak.

 

Hearing the praise, Jian Li blushed and swept her tail across Yan Qingshuang. “Little Shuang, I’ll buy you candy later.”

 

“What kind of candy?”

 

“Snow Leopard Brand Great Tonic Pill! It’s good for your Dantian, guaranteed to work for young and old alike!”

 

Yan Qingshuang hadn’t heard of it, but she nodded and thanked Jian Li.

 

Chang Chi checked the Spirit Mirror and found that Yan Qingshuang’s Master, He Guhua, had arranged a comprehensive care package for her. He Guhua really spoils Yan Qingshuang, she thought, he’s willing to spend a fortune on her.

 

“Senior Sister Yan, let me take your pulse first.”

 

Yan Qingshuang lowered her gaze. “Check on Xiao Li first.”

 

Jian Li instinctively drew back her front paws and looked up. “It’s okay, I was still hopping around earlier.”

 

Chang Chi chuckled. “So you’re Xiao Li? Come here, let Senior Sister examine your little paw.”

 

Jian Li felt deeply embarrassed, hiding her injured paw against her fluffy chest as she resisted Yan Qingshuang.

 

“I’m really fine! It’s just a little swollen. Your back is riddled with wounds—you should worry about yourself first!”

 

“I can’t take that risk. What if there’s internal damage? I have no spiritual power to check. It’s best to let Junior Sister Chang diagnose you.”

 

No spiritual power? Chang Chi was shocked. She immediately took Yan Qingshuang’s pulse and channeled spiritual power into her meridians, finding them utterly empty.

 

Her eyes widened. “Senior Sister Yan, your Dantian…”

 

Yan Qingshuang gently withdrew her hand. “It’s nothing. Let’s focus on Xiao Li first. She was stepped on.”

 

Remembering the humiliation she had endured, Jian Li’s voice trembled with indignation. “It’s not just that! You have to pay Du Xiaqing ten thousand Spirit Stones! This is worse than extortion!”

 

Chang Chi had been holed up in the Pill Furnace Room for ten days straight, the door sealed shut, completely cut off from news and gossip.

 

It seemed Yan Qingshuang’s loss of spiritual power had caused quite a stir within the Sect. Chang Chi had missed out on a major scandal.

 

She felt too embarrassed to bring it up now; this news would be devastating for anyone.

 

Chang Chi scooped up Jian Li for an examination, glancing intentionally at Yan Qingshuang, who sat calmly, her expression serene.

 

Soon, Chang Chi applied a medicinal ointment to Jian Li and turned to Yan Qingshuang. “Xiao Li is fine, just some superficial injuries.”

 

Jian Li watched as the white ointment seeped into the swollen area, visibly reducing the swelling and almost completely eliminating the pain.

 

She purred, “So magical! Thank you, Physician Chang!”

 

Chang Chi didn’t understand her words but found her utterly adorable. Without hesitation, she ruffled Jian Li’s head. “You need to be more sensible from now on. Cultivate diligently and protect your Master well.”

 

Jian Li remained silent, the word “Master” always leaving her with an odd feeling.

 

Chang Chi turned to Yan Qingshuang. “Senior Sister Yan, let me take a look at you too.”

 

After a long examination, Chang Chi ultimately reached the same conclusion as Zhao Yu: Yan Qingshuang’s condition was essentially beyond hope.

 

Faced with the Sword Peak Head Senior Sister’s forced composure, Chang Chi could only offer shallow words of comfort. “Senior Sister Yan, as long as you’re still alive, that’s all that matters.”

 

Yan Qingshuang nodded slightly. “Mm, thank you.”

 

Jian Li crouched beside Yan Qingshuang, who was sitting cross-legged, worried about her fragile heart. “Little Shuang, you need to stay positive. Everything will get better. The future is bright.”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s lips curved into a faint smile.

 

After Chang Chi finished treating Yan Qingshuang’s injuries, she glanced out the window. The sun was setting, painting the sky with fiery orange clouds.

 

Yan Qingshuang thanked them and rose to leave.

 

“Without Spiritual Power, your wounds will heal slowly,” Chang Chi said. “Why not stay and rest?”

 

“I wouldn’t want to trouble Junior Sister Chang,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

 

“Well, suit yourself,” Chang Chi shrugged. After all, the patient’s body was their own to decide.

 

But Jian Li tugged at Yan Qingshuang’s sleeve. “I’m hungry.”

 

Aside from the meat bun she’d eaten that morning, she hadn’t had a drop of water, let alone food, all day.

 

Does Yan Qingshuang have a stomach made of steel? Jian Li wondered. Sigh, Little Shuang needs to learn to prioritize meals. She lacks awareness.

 

“Alright, I’ll make something when we get back,” Yan Qingshuang said.

 

Jian Li’s face fell at the thought of Yan Qingshuang’s stingy Spirit Stone Teleportation Array. “That’ll take forever! Are you really going to let me starve? Doesn’t this medicine shop have a Dining Hall?”

 

Yan Qingshuang replied gently, “The Dining Hall is on Supreme Peak. I’ll take you there to eat.”

 

Chang Chi, who was scrolling through the Spirit Mirror nearby, felt her mouth water at the mention of food.

 

Considering that Yan Qingshuang’s position as Head Senior Sister was likely in jeopardy—who knew where she might be demoted to, let alone her monthly stipend—Chang Chi generously offered, “I’ll order delivery. What do you want to eat?”

 

Jian Li, never one to refuse a free meal, eagerly agreed. “Little Shuang, she’s so thoughtful! What a good person!”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s expression returned to its usual calm. “Mm.”

 

She retrieved ten Spirit Stones from her Storage Ring and handed them to Chang Chi. “Junior Sister Chang, please buy extra meat.”

 

Chang Chi waved her hand dismissively. “It’s just a meal! I can afford it.”

 

Five Spirit Sand per portion of poultry Spirit Meat with Spirit Rice was enough to cover half a month’s food expenses for an ordinary Sect disciple.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s hand remained suspended in mid-air, showing no intention of withdrawing. Reluctantly, Chang Chi accepted the stones.

 

Chang Chi recalled a junior sister’s complaint: “When Yan Qingshuang shops at the Sect market, she always picks the cheapest talismans and weapons. Even a Direct Disciple is so stingy!”

 

Now, seeing Yan Qingshuang casually produce ten Spirit Stones, Chang Chi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at how generous Senior Sister Yan was toward her Little Spiritual Beast.

 

She pocketed the Spirit Stones with a clear conscience. “Senior Sister Yan, I’ll keep the rest as a tip for my trouble.”

 

A tip for simply tapping a few buttons on the Spirit Mirror?

 

Jian Li grabbed Yan Qingshuang’s finger and pulled her into a secluded corner to discuss the situation.

 

“You said you’d give Du Xiaqing ten thousand Spirit Stones—was that just a stalling tactic?”

 

Yan Qingshuang pinched Jian Li’s wet saliva between her fingertips, crouched beside her ear, and murmured softly, “No.”

 

Jian Li’s eyes widened abruptly, her blue pupils trembling. “Then how much money do you have left?!”

 

Yan Qingshuang gave a precise number: “311 Spirit Stones.”

 

“Isn’t that practically bankrupt?!”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Are you out of your mind? Why would you give away your entire savings—the money you’ve been saving for years to marry me—to that bastard? I’m not some Monster Beast!”

 

“What is… ‘marriage savings’?”

 

“Don’t focus on the details! I’m asking you, how do you plan to earn money to support a family—to support me? You’re still…”

 

She couldn’t bring herself to say it: You, Yan Qingshuang, are a blind woman with no Spiritual Power.

 

Yan Qingshuang replied, “I don’t have a family.”

 

“You! I ask one thing and you answer another. This is impossible!” Jian Li, suddenly furious, abandoned Yan Qingshuang and stormed over to Chang Chi, immediately ordering her favorite dishes.

 

Yan Qingshuang remained silent, swallowing a Pain Relief Pill and sitting cross-legged on the ground, listening to their conversation.