Rebirth of the Medical Maiden

Lin Wanqing and Zhao Xuan returned to the General's Mansion as dawn hinted on the horizon. Last night's clash had settled, but the Lin Manor blaze and masked riders' confession cast a pall. In the study, clutching the Lin Clan Manual, she eyed Zhao Xuan's bandaged shoulder, murmuring, "General, Liu Gonggong's the Emperor's right hand—if he's after us, quiet days are over."

Leaning by the window, Zhao Xuan's brows knit, voice cold. "Liu Fu's palace kingpin—the Emperor's puppet. If it's him, we strike first."

She nodded, mischief glinting. "Preemptive? My style! But the palace is a fortress—we need a killer plan."

He glanced over. "Got one?"

She grinned cheekily, tapping her pendant. "General, this Medical Soul Realm's no toy. It yanked folks in last night—today, it'll sneak us into the palace, dig up Liu's dirt!"

He blinked, frowning. "The Realm can do that?"

She beamed. "Yep! Last night I shifted it—give me a mark, and we're there. Never been to the palace, but Liu's goons came—his vibe's locked in my head!"

Admiration flashed in his eyes. "You're a schemer. Fine—I'm in."

She smiled sweetly. "Trust me, General—that's enough! But it's dicey—we'll need disguises."

He nodded. "I've got palace gear—two eunuch outfits."

She burst out laughing. "You in eunuch rags? Gotta see this—you'll be the hottest 'gonggong' ever!"

His ears pinked; he growled, "Laugh again, and I'll toss you to palace dogs tonight."

Giggling, she waved, "Okay, okay—no laughs! General, let's roll!" She inhaled, pendant flaring purple, enveloping them. A blink—they stood before a gilded palace: the imperial inner court.

"Got it!" she whispered. "Liu's vibe's close."

Zhao Xuan scanned, low. "Careful—guards everywhere. Don't blow it."

She nodded, and they shuffled forward, heads down, feigning bustle. Patrols passed, eyeing their eunuch garb but not stopping. Realm teleport's a cheat code—saves so much hassle! she mused.

Weaving through halls, they reached a secluded courtyard, ablaze with light, murmurs leaking out. Lin Wanqing edged to a window; the Wheel spun, purple flashing—Liu Gonggong sat inside, a sealed letter in hand, plotting with a masked figure.

She hissed, "General, Liu's in there—scheming!"

He nodded, signaling quiet. She held her breath; Liu's shrill voice pierced, "Zhao Xuan survived, Li Fugui flopped—the Emperor's furious. We need that Lin Clan Manual, or we're done!"

The masked man rasped, "Relax, Gonggong—second wave's set for tonight. Zhao Xuan dies, book's ours."

Liu cackled, "Good! That Lin Wanqing's a freak—her medicine's too weird. Kill her too."

Her blood boiled: Wipe me out, Liu? Watch me flip you!

Zhao Xuan whispered, "They're hitting tonight—we beat 'em to it."

She grinned wickedly. "General, let's trash 'em here!"

He blinked. "Here?"

She nodded, waving; the Realm flared, purple swallowing the yard. Next breath, Liu and the masked man—room and all—landed in a grim forest.

Liu flailed, "Where am I? Who did this?"

Lin Wanqing stepped out, sneering, "Hey, Liu Gonggong—long time no see! Your boys flopped last night, so I brought the book myself!"

His pupils shrank. "Lin Wanqing? How're you here?"

She smirked. "My tricks, old man. Heard you want me gone—sorry, I don't wait to get hit!"

The masked man charged, blade out. "Witch, die!" Vines sprouted from herbs, snaring him mid-swing, hoisting him up.

Liu's legs buckled; he squeaked, "What are you?"

She laughed coldly. "Someone you can't touch!" A flick; the spring surged, a drug-laced water dragon dousing Liu. Welts erupted, itching him to madness.

"Help!" he rolled, a wreck.

Zhao Xuan emerged, sword at Liu's throat. "Liu Fu, talk—what's the Emperor up to?"

Panting, "Zhao Xuan! You too? Mercy—I'm just following orders!"

Lin Wanqing crouched, chirpy. "Orders? Spill—why's he want this book?"

Liu gritted, "Emperor's dying—heard the Manual cheats death. He wants immortality!"

Their eyes met, stunned: Immortality? This just got insane!

Zhao Xuan pressed, "More?"

Shaking, "He fears your rebellion—kill you first, then live forever with it!"

Lin Wanqing sneered, "Greedy snake swallowing an elephant!" She waved; drug mist drilled Liu's nose. He shrieked, out cold.

The masked man quaked. "Spare me—I'll talk! I'm Liu's grunt!"

She shrugged. "Live—tell the Emperor the book's mine. He wants it, come himself!"

They exited; Liu and his man slumped in the yard. Back at the mansion, Lin Wanqing sighed, "General, Emperor's next."

He frowned. "If he's that ill, palace chaos looms. We prep."

She winked. "Scared? I've got us—medico-martial duo, untouchable!"

He chuckled, dry. "Fearless, huh?"

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

His ears pinked; he muttered, "Your call."

She giggled: Hard shell, soft core—mine.