19 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 19 The headmaster's spirit lamp was extinguished without warning, leaving the Fenghua Immortal Sect in complete disarray. When Yun Mi Xue received the news and hurried to the sect’s grand discussion hall, even the elders, usually composed and dignified, were arguing heatedly, abandoning their poise. The dispute was over who would take the position of headmaster. They were not vying for the position themselves, but the headmaster's sudden demise left no time to choose a successor. Whoever took this seat would have to bear immense pressure. The successor needed to have exceptional strength, command respect within the sect, possess a steadfast character, and be someone who could shoulder responsibilities in this trying time. When Yun Mi Xue entered the hall, the chattering elders turned their eyes to her, with a mix of eagerness, expectation, and approval. She understood their intentions after a brief reflection. Titled disciples were originally intended as potential successors to the headmaster. However, the headmaster's sudden passing left them unprepared, and she had not yet reached the level to smoothly transition into the headmaster's role. Ideally, a titled disciple should inherit the position, but Yun Mi Xue did not wish to take it; she knew herself too well. The Fenghua Immortal Sect needed a tough, decisive headmaster, not someone as gentle and mild as herself. Yun Mi Xue saluted the elders and spoke before they could, “Has Senior Brother Gu Chen received the news of the headmaster’s incident?” The hall fell silent for a moment, and the elders exchanged looks, swallowing the words they initially wanted to direct at Yun Mi Xue. “Gu Chen is in seclusion at the Bitter Reflection Cliff, where communication from the outside world cannot reach. Yun Shi-niece, we must trouble you to inform him.” Respectfully agreeing, Yun Mi Xue exited the discussion hall, understanding she would not be the next headmaster. In her heart, Yun Mi Xue expressed apologies to her senior brother, but she truly believed that Gu Chen was the only one suitable for the position at present. Exiting the hall, she planned to visit the Bitter Reflection Cliff but first sent a message to her named disciple. She remembered that Yan Zhu Guang had not eaten for days. Unfortunately, she had not prepared any fasting pills and left in haste, worrying Yan Zhu Guang might go out searching for food. Yun Mi Xue knew the conditions at Zhou Xue Peak—ideal for her cultivation but harsh for someone like Yan Zhu Guang. With only the first level of Qi refinement, Yan Zhu Guang could face danger in such a bitterly cold place if she ventured out. Unable to leave personally, Yun Mi Xue quickly arranged for someone to look after the girl. Her named disciple He Sheng, though somewhat aloof, had always been reliable in actions. Yun Mi Xue entrusted He Sheng with fasting pills and sent her to Zhou Xue Peak with a few instructions. Despite feeling uneasy, Yun Mi Xue pressed the matter aside, focusing on seeking out Senior Brother Gu Chen. The Bitter Reflection Cliff, true to its name, was not a proper place for cultivation. The elders used the term “seclusion” merely to save face for the potential next headmaster, Gu Chen. He was sent there by the former headmaster for reflection as punishment. However, current circumstances demanded a change. Gu Chen’s previous misconduct was trivial compared to what lay ahead. Yun Mi Xue did not take long to find Gu Chen. After years apart, Gu Chen had transformed from his once edgy self into someone much more reserved. Incredibly, even in this spiritually barren place, her senior brother had managed to break through his cultivation barriers. Indeed, he seemed destined to inherit the headmaster role. Yun Mi Xue stated her purpose directly. Seated on rugged stone, Gu Chen opened his eyes, showing no surprise. “With you here, I will accept,” he said. “Go on ahead, junior sister. I will join you shortly.” Though unaware of his intentions, Yun Mi Xue did not linger, departing from the Bitter Reflection Cliff. Before returning to the discussion hall, her unease compelled her to check on Zhou Xue Peak first. Yan Zhu Guang, new to the Fenghua Immortal Sect, knew no one but Yun Mi Xue. Understandably wary, sending a stranger like He Sheng might cause mistrust and refusal. Yun Mi Xue knew that the seemingly delicate girl was extremely independent and guarded. Her trust was probably only given to Yun Mi Xue due to past rescues, which might not extend to others. Yun Mi Xue felt a need to reassure her, at least letting Yan Zhu Guang know that He Sheng was sent by her and could be trusted. However, upon arrival at the snow-laden abode, Yun Mi Xue found it completely empty. Neither He Sheng nor Yan Zhu Guang were present. Her heart started racing with concern—did He Sheng arrive too late, forcing Yan Zhu Guang to leave in search of food? Unable to ponder what transpired, Yun Mi Xue swiftly extended her spiritual senses across Zhou Xue Peak. Fortunately, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, her spiritual reach was vast, and she quickly detected Yan Zhu Guang’s faint presence. To her alarm, the girl’s aura was extremely weak, barely clinging to life. Yun Mi Xue teleported to her location, witnessing a scene that ignited her anger. He Sheng, the disciple she sent, was kicking Yan Zhu Guang. The young girl lay lifeless upon the snow while He Sheng sneered venomously, calling her a nuisance. Was she venting her irritation over Yun Mi Xue’s instructions? Even someone with a temper as gentle as Yun Mi Xue's found it hard to suppress her fury. She never imagined He Sheng, always so calm before her, would show such a vile side alone. For the first time, Yun Mi Xue dispensed with her usual decorum, ruthlessly flicking her sleeve to push He Sheng aside, ignoring any reaction, swiftly scooping up the girl, now cold and stiff, into her arms, infusing her with spiritual energy to drive out the chilling cold. Only after Yan Zhu Guang’s temperature gradually warmed and her pale complexion turned an unusual flush did Yun Mi Xue relax slightly. She gently caressed the girl's frostbitten cheeks, cut by the cold wind, feeling a deep pang of sorrow. Setting up a protective barrier against the fierce snow, Yun Mi Xue looked icily at He Sheng, kneeling in the snow, “I had no idea you harbored such resentment against me to take it out on a young girl.” The blue-clad woman, He Sheng, flinched and hastily denied, “Ancestor, you have misunderstood. I didn’t intend any harm.” Yun Mi Xue had always been mild, never showing disregard even to her named disciples. This cold demeanor was something He Sheng had never seen, filling her with fear and a bit of indignation. It was just a mere servant from a small sect. So what if she was kicked? Did she warrant such a gaze from Yun Mi Xue? Years of faithful service to Yun Mi Xue suddenly seemed to count for nothing against this lowly servant? Annoyed by Yun Mi Xue’s favoritism, He Sheng couldn’t fathom what the fuss was about. “Misunderstanding?” Yun Mi Xue's voice cut through like ice, “Was it a misunderstanding that you harmed her, or misunderstood the term ‘nuisance’?” He Sheng pressed her lips together, “I was merely stern to wake her from pretending to faint to gain sympathy.” “Who is she pretending for sympathy from?” Seeing He Sheng's unrepentant attitude, Yun Mi Xue felt profoundly disappointed. “I simply hurried a bit and meant to teach her not to be so presumptuous,” He Sheng justified her actions. “Teach?” Yun Mi Xue exclaimed. “Presumptuous? I sent you to care for her!” “This is your method of care?” Yun Mi Xue's sleeve flicked, shaking the snow around and triggering an avalanche with a single emphatic motion. He Sheng, trembling from the massive sound, gritted her teeth, trying to remain stable as snow rumbled down the mountain. Holding Yan Zhu Guang up in the air, with swirling snow behind her, the avalanche's roar around her, Yun Mi Xue stood poised and unmoving amidst the tempest of wind and snow, wrapped in a protective shield that cast her as a celestial figure—an ethereal deity commanding icy doom. “If these are your thoughts, you are unfit to be a disciple, much less the headmaster!” “Ancestor, I—” He Sheng attempted to defend herself, but Yun Mi Xue cut her off with finality, “There is no place for you here.” Yun Mi Xue retrieved a small jade arrow, causing He Sheng’s eyes to widen in disbelief, “Ancestor!” The jade arrow shot out, and without another glance at He Sheng, Yun Mi Xue vanished amidst the snowstorm. How could this happen? Bewildered, He Sheng stared blankly into the void, feeling void of all strength, falling back in dejection. Carefully carrying the young girl back to the snow-covered cottage, Yun Mi Xue gently placed her onto the bed, tenderly brushing her now feverish cheeks and letting out a soft sigh. After this incident, she no longer dared to entrust Yan Zhu Guang’s care to anyone else.