Rebirth of the Medical Maiden

Lin Wanqing and Zhao Xuan stood in Lin Manor's yard, the fire quelled but smoke still acrid. She'd just bandaged his shoulder, fingers tinged with herb scent. Looking up, she murmured, "General, it's not deep, but rest it—no heroics."

He frowned, grunting, "Minor scratch—you fuss too much."

She winked playfully. "Fussing's my privilege—get used to it! You took that spear for me last night—I owe you big!"

His ears pinked; he looked away. "Cut the nonsense—clean this up."

She opened her mouth to tease, but distant hooves jolted her. The Wheel spun, purple flashing—masked riders closed in, lethal, their bowman leader nocking an arrow. "General, bad company—here for us!" she hissed.

Zhao Xuan drew his sword, icy. "Perfect—post-fire, they dare? Let's end 'em."

Lin Wanqing nodded, musing: Xue'er's nabbed, Li Fugui's down—court's move now. This Manual's a hot potato!

Hooves thundered; a dozen riders stormed in. The bowman barked, "Lin Wanqing, Zhao Xuan—hand over the Lin Clan Manual, or die!"

She sneered, "Same old tune? Last guy who said that's still flat!" Her hand waved; Drug Soul Palm primed, purple mist coiling.

Zhao Xuan stepped up, blade gleaming. "Wanqing, take the bow—I'll mop up."

"Got it!" She lunged, Drug Soul Palm roaring, mist surging like a dragon at the bowman. Caught off-guard, he choked, bow clattering. "What sorcery?" he roared.

She smirked. "Sorcery? It's Drug Soul Palm—for court dogs like you!" Another strike sent him flying, a crumpled heap.

Zhao Xuan tore through like a storm, sword felling riders in flashes. He pinned the last, blade at throat. "Who sent you?"

The rider gritted, "You're doomed—court wants you dead!"

Lin Wanqing frowned. "Court? Li Fugui wasn't bluffing—big fish behind this." She pressed, but the Wheel pulsed—more foes lurked outside, deadlier. "General, ambush!" she warned.

He squinted. "Good—wipe 'em out."

She shook her head. "Too many—hard fight's dumb. Trust me?"

He met her gaze, nodding. "Yes. Your call?"

She grinned, touching her pendant. "Into the Medical Soul Realm—lure 'em in!" She inhaled; purple light flared, swallowing them. They vanished, leaving riders baffled.

In the Realm, they stood amid floating herbs and springs, specks like stars. "General, my turf now—watch the show!" she whispered.

He frowned. "You can drag them here?"

She nodded. "It probes dreams—I hit Xue'er last night. Now, live targets!" Her hand waved; a spring morphed into a vast mirror, reflecting the riders. A thought—purple shot out, sucking them in.

Riders landed, panicking. "Where are we? How'd we get here?"

Lin Wanqing appeared, smirking. "Welcome to my playground! Want the Manual? Pass me first!"

The leader charged, snarling, "Witch!" His blade swung—herbs turned vines, snaring him mid-air.

She chuckled. "I'm boss here!" A flick; the spring surged, forming a drug-laced water dragon, dousing the group. Welts erupted, itching maddeningly—they wailed.

Zhao Xuan blinked, muttering, "You're ruthless."

She teased, "Smart, General! Pitch in—nab stragglers!"

He snorted, sword flashing—rebels dropped. "This place kills for real?" he asked mid-swing.

She grinned. "Soul hits, not flesh—out there, they'll sleep a few days. Lesson enough!"

Fight done, vines bound the lot, moaning. She strolled over. "Who sent you?"

The leader gritted, "Kill me—I won't talk!"

She smirked. "Oh, you will!" A wave; drug mist drilled his nose. Welts exploded, agony buckling him.

"Talk?" she asked coolly.

He broke. "Liu Gonggong—palace eunuch! Ordered by the Emperor for the Manual and Zhao Xuan's head!"

Her eyes locked with Zhao Xuan's, gut sinking: Liu Gonggong? The Emperor's right-hand eunuch? Big trouble.

Zhao Xuan pressed, "What else?"

Gasping, "Liu says Zhao's too mighty—must die. The Manual's his ticket!"

Lin Wanqing squinted. "Court's all-in. General, we need a plan."

He nodded. "Back first—leave 'em here."

She waved; the Realm dissolved, dumping them in the yard, riders gone, chaos left.

At Zhao Manor, she relayed the confession. "General, Liu Gonggong's the Emperor's lapdog—this is serious."

He frowned. "Liu Fu? Palace power-player. If it's him, we're in deep."

She grinned cheekily. "Scared? With me, we're medico-martial dynamite—who dares touch you?"

He chuckled, dry. "Fearless, huh?"

She leaned in, sweet. "You guard me, I guard you—no fear, deal?"

His ears pinked; he muttered, "Up to you."

She giggled: Tough shell, soft core—mine.

(End of Chapter)