SWHCBB 22

Chapter 22: The Little Husband Doesn’t Value His Life, No Coddling Today!

Jiang Chuang was blocked by Zhuge Qing and could only glare angrily at Bai Yuan from where he stood. Only he knew how panicked he truly felt inside.

Wen Jue slowly got up and groped his way to Jiang Chuang, tugging on his sleeve. “Yunchuan, didn’t you say there are other divine physicians? It’s fine, we’ll find someone else. We won’t trouble Divine Physician Bai any longer. It’s simply a matter of fate that we weren’t meant to meet. Have someone escort him out of the residence and settle the consultation fee. I’ll have the servants prepare some light gifts as an apology. I hope the divine physician won’t refuse.”

The murderous rage in Jiang Chuang’s heart was forcibly subdued by Wen Jue’s words. He gripped Wen Jue’s hand tightly and nodded silently, eyes rimmed with red.

Zhuge Qing let out a breath of relief, Bai Yuan couldn’t die just yet. What a waste it would be to kill him now.

Seeing Wen Jue’s calm attitude, Bai Yuan quietly watched him for a moment. Zhuge Qing nudged him and whispered, “Still not leaving? You really want to die?”

Bai Yuan calmly refuted, “No one can kill me.”

Jiang Chuang didn’t want to engage with them any longer. He had already forced down his anger and disappointment, and now began gently coaxing Wen Jue. “I’ve seen many strange things on campaign, there’s nothing truly absolute in this world. We can’t just believe one person’s words. Who knows if he’s a real divine physician or a fraud? It’s my fault, I brought in this wretched thing. Don’t be afraid, Zhiyu, you’ll definitely recover.”

Wen Jue said, “I know. I don’t blame you.”

Suddenly, Bai Yuan’s voice cut through the air: “I’ve changed my mind. I can cure him.”

He walked back, set his medicine chest on the table, opened it, and began rummaging through bottles and jars. A strange scent wafted from the chest, uncertain in nature, peculiar and exotic.

After searching a while, he noticed the hall had fallen silent. He looked up and swept his gaze across them. “What, gone deaf? I said, I can cure him. His eyes can be healed. The poison can be purged.”

Jiang Chuang remained guarded. “Is that true? If you dare lie to me, no matter who tries to stop me, you will die by my hand.”

Bai Yuan gave a cold snort. “Daring to speak to a physician like that, and you still want treatment?”

Wen Jue asked in confusion, “Since you can cure me, why did you say earlier that it was incurable?”

If he wasn’t a conman and could really cure him, then this man didn’t need to be killed by Changning, for now. He could die later, just not in the next few years.

If what this man said was true, and Wen Jue was doomed to die soon… what would become of his elder sister, left alone in this abyss?

Seeing the tense atmosphere ease, Zhuge Qing finally relaxed and sat down, lounging with one leg up. “Exactly, exactly. Xiao Bai, you didn’t sound like you were joking when you said that earlier! You’ve always been straightforward. If you said it was incurable, then it must’ve been. So why the change now?”

Since Bai Yuan had decided to treat him, he naturally explained. He had no interest in playing riddles, he disliked wasting words.

“I said it was incurable because curing it would cost me my life. Why should I gamble my life for someone I’ve never even met?” For the first time, a trace of displeasure showed on Bai Yuan’s perpetually cold face.

At those words, Zhuge Qing and Jiang Chuang exchanged glances. Zhuge Qing half-doubted, “It’s just healing, how could it cost you your life?”

Wen Jue asked, “Then why have you decided to cure me now?”

Bai Yuan directly ignored Zhuge Qing and answered Wen Jue instead. “Because fate has come.” His tone carried reluctance, as if forced into it.

The emotional whiplash left Jiang Chuang uneasy. He solemnly said, “Whether what you said is true or not, as long as you can truly cure Zhiyu, no matter what you ask, except for my life, treason, or anything that endangers Zhiyu, I will do my utmost to fulfill it.”

Wen Jue shook his head. “What the divine physician seeks likely isn’t something we can provide. I venture to guess, if he’s willing to risk his life, perhaps it’s because the prescription is tied to him personally.

For example, maybe the medicinal herbs grow in extremely dangerous places, where harvesting them could cost one’s life. But even then, the divine physician needn’t fetch them himself, so it wouldn’t go that far.”

Bai Yuan let out a cold “Mm”, a tacit confirmation of his guess.

Wen Jue continued, “Then there’s only one explanation left. One of the ingredients in the prescription… is the divine physician himself. Perhaps bone, blood, or flesh, taking a part of his own body to treat me. Over time, that would endanger his life.”

Zhuge Qing had reached the same conclusion, though he still looked at Bai Yuan in shock. Was there really such a medicine in the world that required eating the physician?!

Bai Yuan said, “That’s about right.”

Jiang Chuang couldn’t stop frowning. “What kind of wicked sorcery is this? Will it harm Zhiyu’s body? You can’t turn him into a…” A monster, if that happened, Zhiyu would rather die than live like that!

Bai Yuan gave a cold laugh, clearly displeased. “Wicked sorcery? Ignorant! Don’t worry. Your precious darling won’t be affected at all. The one affected is me. The one who’ll die is me. Truly, this is a cursed fate from my ancestors!”

No sooner had Bai Yuan finished speaking than a loud thunderclap struck on a perfectly clear day. There was no sign of lightning, only sound. Everyone turned in astonishment toward the source of the noise.

Suddenly, a fierce wind surged in like an invisible dragon twisting the air, sweeping straight into the hall as if trying to overturn everything. Jiang Chuang instinctively shielded Wen Jue in front of him, wrapping an arm around his waist to keep him from falling.

Strangely, Wen Jue’s sleeves didn’t move an inch, while everyone else was blown back a step, then the wind stopped.

As the gust died down, Bai Yuan tugged at the robe nearly torn from his body. He looked at the sudden wound on his hand, his expression darkening, but his tone was noticeably more polite.

“In short, don’t worry. I’ll save who should be saved. I’ll take what I’m owed. What I shouldn’t take, I won’t accept even a bit. That’s it.”

Jiang Chuang stood in a daze. Only now did he begin to believe that the person before him might truly be a “divine” physician. If he could come back from the dead, the world clearly wasn’t bound by ordinary logic.

He immediately apologized: “I was too anxious just now. Please forgive me, Divine Physician!”

Wen Jue also sensed that something unusual had just occurred. He pushed down his shock and bowed. “Many thanks, Divine Physician. I’ll remember your kindness always. If you ever need anything, just speak.”

Zhuge Qing stood to the side watching the show, arms folded, one thought in his mind: Damn. Bai Yuan really knows some kind of magic? Then how am I supposed to mess with him in the future? But… he’d already done it so many times…

If Bai Yuan actually decided to get revenge, then Zhuge Qing’s days were probably numbered! Spooked by his own thoughts, he quickly put on a flattering smile when Bai Yuan glanced his way, only to receive a disdainful eye-roll in return.

Bai Yuan said, “The Fifth Prince has toxins accumulated in his body since youth. His eyes are completely necrotic. Even though he’s used medicine to prolong his condition, the toxins have sunk too deep. Even draining all his blood wouldn’t save him.

Right now he seems fine, but within two years, the latent poison will begin to act. He won’t be able to bear wind or cold. Even a minor injury will trigger the toxins, and each flare-up will be worse than the last, his muscles and bones wracked with pain, worse than death.

When that happens, he won’t have more than a few years left to live. Using tonics to sustain him will only prolong his suffering. He may look like a normal person, but inside he’s already rotting away, just an empty shell.”

Every word Bai Yuan said made Jiang Chuang’s heart sink further. A chill crept over his whole body as he stared at Wen Jue in disbelief. He didn’t even dare grip Wen Jue’s hand tightly, afraid of hurting him.

But Wen Jue still wore a faint smile, unafraid of Bai Yuan’s diagnosis. It was as if he’d long known his body was beyond saving, that he didn’t have many years left. Only when he sensed Jiang Chuang’s irregular breathing did he squeeze his hand in concern.

Seeing Jiang Chuang’s face turn pale with fear, Bai Yuan finally felt slightly appeased. Not letting him speak, Bai Yuan continued, “Now that I’m here, he won’t die. But, General Jiang, you must agree to a few conditions.”

Jiang Chuang said, “Name them. Whatever I can do, I’ll agree to all of it.”

Only then did Wen Zhuo realize Jiang Chuang’s voice had gone hoarse.

Bai Yuan listed, “First, the medicinal ingredients I require must be procured within the set timeframe.

Second, not a word of this treatment may be leaked.

Third, one hour of treatment must be conducted every day with the Fifth Prince alone, no guards, no servants, no one else.

Fourth, no questions. You’re not allowed to ask anything.

I don’t know when he’ll be cured. It might be three to five years, maybe ten or more. During that time, even if he’s sick to death, it’s normal. He won’t die, so don’t ask. Understand?”

Jiang Chuang nodded solemnly, committing each rule to heart. He couldn’t write them down, only repeat them to himself over and over. “Understood.”

Bai Yuan then looked at Zhuge Qing. Zhuge Qing pointed at himself in surprise. “Me too?!”

Well, he had been there to witness it. He couldn’t afford to be careless about such a huge matter. He nodded quickly and seriously. “If I break any of the conditions, may I drop dead before the Fifth Prince!”

Wen Jue suddenly spoke, “I am deeply grateful the divine physician is willing to treat me, but I do not wish to see him lose his life over it. If you can extend my life by ten or eight years, that’s more than enough. In the end, life is the same for everyone. Living long doesn’t mean much.”

“Not the same!” Jiang Chuang couldn’t help but retort, staring intently at Wen Jue’s downcast face. His voice was even raspier now, filled with both grievance and anger. “Do you know how much it hurts me when you say things like that?”

Wen Jue paused but didn’t respond. He continued speaking to Bai Yuan, “Whether I can see again doesn’t matter. I’ve long grown used to darkness. Perhaps not seeing has its own benefits. Your life is worth more than mine, it shouldn’t be wasted on me.”

After those words, Jiang Chuang looked away and hardened his expression.

No matter how angry he was, the most he did was let go of Wen Jue’s hand.

Zhuge Qing looked curiously at Wen Jue. It was rare to see someone willingly give up a chance at recovery just to avoid dragging others down. Was he a saint, or did he have some hidden motive?

Bai Yuan finally couldn’t help rolling his eyes, even at a blind man. “You think I want to save you? Saving you might kill me. But not saving you? That would definitely kill me! Enough nonsense. Get me a room, one where no one’s allowed nearby. Unless I permit it, no one may disturb me.”

Jiang Chuang nodded and stepped forward. “Divine Physician, wait here. I’ll have it arranged at once.”

Wen Jue knew he was angry, he wouldn’t hold his hand, wouldn’t talk to him, and wouldn’t try to coax him.

It should’ve been expected. Yet Wen Jue couldn’t stop the disappointment and sadness that crept in.

He knew he shouldn’t be like this. He shouldn’t fall out with Jiang Chuang. He couldn’t be emotional—he should be scheming, luring, coaxing, making Jiang Chuang circle around him helplessly. But he found he simply couldn’t do it anymore.

He was blind. Standing there, with no Changning, no Yunchuan, no walking stick, he couldn’t take a single step.

Useless.

But then a warm hand gripped his wrist. Jiang Chuang tugged him forward and said in a grumpy tone, “Let’s go. When we’re back in the room, I’ll settle this properly with you!”