105. Le Qianxue Is a Ghost Doctor

After arriving at the ancestral hall, Le Qianxue found that someone was indeed waiting to receive her. Hidden behind the hall was a secret chamber, located deep beneath the structure; it would have been impossible to discover without a guide. Upon closer inspection, she saw the room was quite spacious, easily capable of holding two hundred people.

"Since you have come with the tiger tally, are you here to convey General Le's orders?" the guide asked as he led her through the winding paths of the chamber. Without his guidance, one would surely lose their way.

"I am here to borrow men," Le Qianxue replied. "Select thirty with excellent martial arts skills, immediately."

The man did not hesitate and went to make the arrangements. Within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Le Qianxue had led the group toward the Yi Hong Courtyard. While bringing such a large group would normally invite suspicion, Le Yongcheng had been clever when constructing the secret chamber; he had dug a small tunnel leading directly to a private residence, allowing them to enter unnoticed and with great convenience.

Qingqing remained displayed on the street, surrounded by Wind Shadow guards. It was already night, and the commoners had dispersed. Le Qianxue surveyed the surroundings and counted the opposition: eight Wind Shadow guards and about a dozen Imperial Guards—not a large force. As her men masked their faces, Le Qianxue whispered, "Be careful, everyone. You must protect Miss Qingqing at all costs."

The group nodded silently in acknowledgement. Wasting no more time, Le Qianxue waved her hand, and they sprang into action.

The Wind Shadow guards anticipated the sudden arrival and drew their weapons without hesitation. Le Qianxue charged forward alongside a man named Qingyang, her goal simple: to rescue Qingqing. The Imperial Guards rushed to intervene, but they were no match for the intruders; only the Wind Shadow guards offered any real resistance.

Le Qianxue flicked her wrist, firing several poison-tipped silver needles, striking down several Imperial Guards. The Wind Shadow guards were too occupied to stop her. Reaching the center of the fray, she saw that Qingqing was barely clinging to life. Amidst the flashing blades, Qingqing looked up with hazy eyes, unable to recognize her rescuer.

Noticing how close Qingqing was to death, Le Qianxue quickly forced a medicinal pill into her mouth and pressed a pressure point to ensure she swallowed it. Meanwhile, Qingyang pried the nails from Qingqing’s body, though blood continued to flow freely.

"Take her and leave!" Le Qianxue commanded. As a Wind Shadow guard lunged at her, she blocked the strike, though the immense disparity in power left her hand numb. When Qingyang hesitated, she pushed him away, urging him to get Qingqing to safety. Qingyang had no choice but to carry the girl away under the cover of the others.

The Imperial Guards were mostly neutralized, but the eight Wind Shadow guards proved formidable, suffering only minor injuries. Le Qianxue found herself cornered by one of them, nearly losing her life. However, once she saw that Qingyang had vanished from sight, she flicked something from her hand. The guard, assuming it was a hidden weapon, slashed at it with his sword.

To his shock, the object burst into a cloud of fine powder. As the wind caught it, everyone nearby inhaled the substance. Le Qianxue chuckled, whistled, and turned to leave. The guards tried to pursue, but their legs buckled, and they nearly collapsed. Only then did they realize the powder was a potent sedative. Seeing the black-clad figures vanishing into the night, the guards realized they could no longer give chase before darkness clouded their vision and they collapsed to the ground.

Back at the residence, Qingyang greeted her, relieved. "Miss, you've returned. The girl is in critical condition; she is holding on by a mere thread."

Le Qianxue removed her mask. "I expected as much."

She hurried inside. It was no surprise the girl was in such a state after being tortured. When Qingyang asked if they should fetch a physician, Le Qianxue refused. If she could not save Qingqing, no one could.

Qingqing was covered in gruesome bloodstains. Upon examination, Le Qianxue discovered that her meridians were severed, meaning she would never be able to practice martial arts again. Her expression turned icy. She signaled for Qingyang to assist her, and with practiced speed, she opened her medical kit and began dressing the wounds.

After administering a heart-strengthening pill and performing acupuncture under the flickering candlelight, she managed to stabilize Qingqing's life. However, the deep wounds to her hands and feet had damaged the tendons, making a full recovery difficult.

"She will likely be a cripple," Qingyang observed. "The tendons in her hands and feet are severed."

Le Qianxue shook her head. "Severed tendons can be reattached. Go find me some wooden boards."

Qingyang was skeptical, wondering if she truly possessed such a skill, but he complied. After applying a medicinal paste to the wounds, Le Qianxue used the boards to set and fix the bones. After two hours of intense work, they were finished.

"Miss," Qingyang said, "it is quite late. Perhaps you should return to the General's estate. Should this girl stay here or be moved to the secret chamber for recovery?"

Le Qianxue considered this. She had rescued Qingqing largely for Zhan Lianjing’s sake. "No rush. Let her stay here to recuperate. I will bring someone to check on her in two days."

Qingyang’s expression grew grave. "Miss, this house is the entrance to the secret passage. It is not wise for outsiders to know of it."

Le Qianxue understood the implication and nodded. "Very well, I shall not bring anyone else."

The news of the rescue soon reached the Prince Zhan estate. Haoyue found it strange, as they knew Zhan Lianjing had not planned a rescue, having already accepted the girl's fate. If the Zhan estate didn't do it, who did? Zhan Lianjing suspected Le Qianxue, but he decided to ask her the following day.

Suddenly, the Commander of the Imperial Guards arrived at the estate, demanding to search for the fugitives. When Zhui Xing and Haoyue blocked his path, the Commander insisted he was acting under orders.

"You dare imply the Prince’s estate is harboring rebels? That is an insult to Prince Zhan! Can you bear the consequences of such an accusation?" Haoyue demanded.

The Commander was in a bind; he had been sent by Yu Zhiyang but couldn't even cross the threshold. Remembering a silk pouch Yu Zhiyang had given him—claiming it would grant him entry—he produced it, pretending it was his own. "I have vital information for the Prince. Please, let me pass."

Haoyue took the pouch and led him to Zhan Lianjing’s study. Zhan Lianjing opened it to find a slip of paper. He remained calm, though the message seemed trivial.

"So, you use this information to bargain with me?" Zhan Lianjing asked.

Before the Commander could react, Zhan Lianjing’s demeanor shifted. He flicked his sleeve, sending the Commander flying against the wall with such force that his internal organs felt displaced. The Commander slumped to the floor, coughing and pleading for mercy.

Haoyue was shocked; he had never seen the Prince so enraged. Zhan Lianjing slammed his hand onto the desk, nearly shattering it. He threw the note at the Commander. "You dare bring this message to me? Who told you this?!"

The Commander glanced at the note and felt his blood run cold. It read: *Le Qianxue is the Ghost Doctor.*

Haoyue froze, looking at Zhan Lianjing, whose face was dark and terrifying. "Prince..." Haoyue began, but Zhan Lianjing seemed not to hear him, his eyes locked on the trembling Commander. "I asked you a question! Will you speak or not?"

The Commander saw the Prince’s hand move slightly—a single strike would surely end his life.