NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: The Clue
Chapter 14: The Clue
Within Lin Mu’s notes were records of many dishes from his past life.
Though some ingredients couldn’t be found, Lin Mu had substituted them with local alternatives, managing to recreate about eighty percent of the original flavors.
But after losing his sight, he had never cooked them again.
“Mmm~”
“These dishes are actually pretty good!”
“A taste I’ve never experienced before!”
After a few bites, Ji Wutong’s face lit up with delight.
“You’re the one who cooked them well.”
Lin Mu smiled in praise.
This wasn’t flattery—Ji Wutong had an innate talent for cooking. To replicate these dishes so accurately based solely on written descriptions was no small feat.
Even if Lin Mu had made them himself, he doubted he could have done better.
“Then eat more~”
“Open wide, aaah~”
Ji Wutong sat to his left, sharing the same pair of chopsticks with him as usual.
Before they knew it, every last bite had been cleared.
Listening to the sound of dishes being washed in the kitchen, Lin Mu felt an unprecedented sense of tranquility.
If life could just continue like this… it wouldn’t be so bad.
Early the next morning, as soon as the clinic doors opened, Gu Xing’s shocked cry echoed through the hall.
“Master! Someone’s fainted at our doorstep!”
Hearing this, Lin Mu grabbed his cane and groped his way to the entrance.
“Master, it’s an old man. Should I carry him inside?”
“No rush~”
Lin Mu waved a hand, then crouched down to check the unconscious man’s pulse.
If the collapse was due to a heart condition, moving him recklessly could worsen his state.
“Hm?”
But the moment his fingers touched the man’s wrist, Lin Mu froze.
This person was faking it.
A second later, he deliberately felt the man’s arms and legs—further confirming his suspicion.
“Fetch the silver needles.”
Lin Mu’s voice was flat.
If there was one thing physicians despised most, it was people pretending to be sick.
And for this man to pull such a stunt at the clinic’s doorstep?
If Lin Mu didn’t teach him a lesson, how could he live up to his lifelong studies?
“Master, here are the needles.”
Gu Xing handed over the needle case, but Lin Mu shook his head after feeling them.
“Too thin. Bring the thickest ones.”
“Oh~”
Gu Xing nodded and hurried off.
Meanwhile, the “unconscious” old man’s brow twitched imperceptibly.
A bad premonition crept into his heart.
Soon, Gu Xing returned.
This time, Lin Mu felt the needles and nodded in satisfaction before swiftly drawing one out.
With lightning speed, he stabbed it into a pressure point at the base of the old man’s neck.
Instantly, searing pain erupted through the man’s body.
He wanted to scream—but found he couldn’t move, couldn’t make a sound.
He couldn’t even open his eyes.
“Hmph.”
Lin Mu snorted coldly and flicked three more needles, burying them deep into the man’s back.
His movements were so fast, no one would guess he was blind.
And this godly needle technique left Gu Xing utterly awestruck.
Lin Mu’s title of Divine Physician had been earned precisely through this skill.
As the locals of Yanshan City often said:
“Once his needles fly, even the King of Hell demanding a life would have to wait three days.”
Let alone ordinary patients.
“Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!”
A dozen more needles shot forth, piercing the man’s arms and legs.
Under this torment, he finally truly passed out.
Once finished, Lin Mu dusted his hands and stood.
“Pull the needles out in half a quarter-hour. He’ll wake on his own.”
“Yes, Master!”
Gu Xing nodded, then helped Lin Mu back inside.
“What happened outside?”
Just then, Ji Wutong emerged from the back room, yawning.
She had stayed up too late and ended up oversleeping.
“I’ll explain over tea.”
“Gu Xing, guard the entrance.”
Without question, Gu Xing hurried out.
Once alone, Lin Mu recounted the incident.
“Faking illness right at a clinic’s door? How stupid~”
Ji Wutong covered her mouth, giggling. “Serves him right!”
“It’s not that simple.”
Lin Mu’s tone grew serious.
“That man’s limbs were strong—likely a martial artist.”
“I suspect he’s from the Demon Sect. Here for you.”
“You mean—!!!”
Ji Wutong’s eyes widened.
Quick-witted, she grasped the implication immediately.
If Lin Mu was right, this was likely a pawn sent by the Demon Sect traitor to confirm her identity.
Probably some low-ranking member who had seen her before—but whom she wouldn’t remember.
Which meant Elder Ku Die still hadn’t abandoned her suspicion that Ji Wutong was the Holy Maiden.
“The needles I used will leave his entire body in constant pain and itching.”
“Follow that trail, and you should uncover the traitor’s identity.”
“Once that rat is dealt with, the court loses its lead.”
“Thank you.”
Ji Wutong nodded, already forming a plan.
Just last night, Lin Mu had said the traitor would come to them.
Who knew it would happen so soon?
“As for Elder Ku Die… she needs a warning too. Can’t let her keep watching the clinic.”
“Or Wutong’s cover will eventually blow.”
After a moment’s thought, Lin Mu made up his mind.
“Old Man Li can handle that.”
Outside, the “unconscious” old man gradually stirred.
Gu Xing promptly removed the needles.
But before he could speak, the man scrambled up in terror and bolted.
That agony—like being flayed alive—had been pure nightmare fuel.
He never wanted to experience it again.
At this point, missions be damned. All he wanted was to get as far from this clinic as possible.
“Hey! You—! Not even a ‘thank you’?!”
Gu Xing yelled indignantly after him.
“After Master saved your life too! Rude!”
Ji Wutong stifled a laugh.
“I’ll tail him.”
“Be careful. If there’s trouble, come straight back.”
“Relax~ I’m not that weak.”
With that, she vaulted over the back wall and vanished.
“Divine Physician Lin! I’m here!”
“A-and… me too!”
Before long, Old Man Li strolled into the clinic, grinning as he carried two large bags of tea leaves.
Beside him was Niu San—though unlike Old Man Li, the latter now regarded Lin Mu with visible fear.
“Perfect timing.”
Lin Mu chuckled.
“Gu Xing! Bring those silver needles again!”