NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Inquiring
Chapter 5: Inquiring
The recent heavy snowfall had driven most fish vendors from the market.
Thankfully, a few remained.
Their prices, however, were steeper than usual.
“Young lady, you’re not from around here, are you?”
The fish vendor appraised the woman before him, with a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
Clad in an immaculate white dress, her face veiled, she exuded both nobility and mystery.
He wondered how she stayed warm in such thin clothing on so frigid a day.
“Uncle has a keen eye. How did you know?”
Ji Wutong watched as the fishmonger cleaned her fish, her voice soft and curious.
“Isn’t it obvious?” The fish vendor chuckled, his hands never pausing. “Yanshan City lies on the northern border, where the weather is cold and dry.”
“Just look at your hands—delicate and smooth!”
Realizing his words might seem forward, he quickly added, “Forgive me, miss, I didn’t mean it that way…”
“I understand~”
Ji Wutong waved a hand dismissively, unperturbed.
Relieved, the fish vendor ventured cautiously, “You’re from the south, aren’t you?”
“What brings you to Yanshan City?”
“I’m looking for someone~”
“Your husband?” The fish vendor exclaimed. “I wonder which man is so fortunate to wed a virtuous lady like you.”
“Not like my wife—she wouldn’t look for me even if I vanished for three days!”
“No, no, Uncle, you’ve misunderstood~” Ji Wutong’s cheeks flushed slightly, a rare hint of panic in her eyes. “I’m here to see Divine Physician Lin for treatment~”
“I see~” The fish vendor nodded, understanding dawning. “I spoke out of turn, miss. But you’ve come to the right person!”
“His medical skills surpass even the doctors at the governor’s mansion!”
Ji Wutong’s curiosity piqued at the mention of Lin Mu. “Is Divine Physician Lin’s skill truly that remarkable?”
“Absolutely!”
The fish vendor raised a thumb in admiration. “I’ve never seen anyone as skilled as Divine Physician Lin!”
“His silver needle technique is extraordinary!”
“They say with Divine Physician Lin around, even those at the gates of hell can be pulled back!”
“What’s more, his heart is unmatched in kindness.”
“See those beggars over there?” He pointed to a group huddled in the distance. “If not for Divine Physician Lin’s medicinal broth, provided free every winter, they’d have frozen to death long ago.”
“It’s just a pity that such a good man… his eyes…”
The fish vendor shook his head with a sigh, handing two cleaned fish to Ji Wutong.
Hearing such praise for Lin Mu, Ji Wutong felt an inexplicable swell of pride and satisfaction.
It was as if she shared in his honor, and a faint smile crept onto her face.
If the Demon Sect saw this, their jaws would drop.
The Holy Maiden… smiling?
“Oh? What a pretty young lady~”
Just then, a group of ruffians passed by. Their leader, leering, fixed his eyes on the graceful Ji Wutong and sauntered toward her.
“Whose family are you from, miss? Why the veil?”
“Take it off—let big brother have a look!”
He reached for Ji Wutong’s veil.
“Blind fool, Niu San!” A loud bang rang out as the fish vendor slammed his cleaver onto the chopping block, roaring, “This lady is an honored guest of Divine Physician Lin!”
“Dare touch her, and when you’re battered from brawling, don’t come crying for treatment!”
“Divine Physician Lin?” Niu San froze, turning to the fish vendor. “Old Li, is that true?”
“Believe it or not, I’ve warned you!”
The fish vendor ignored him, resuming his work with the cleaver.
Intimidated by Lin Mu’s reputation, Niu San dared not press further.
For ruffians like him, who brawled daily, offending Divine Physician Lin was unthinkable.
He was their savior!
The fish vendor subtly signaled Ji Wutong to leave quickly.
Amused, Ji Wutong stifled a laugh and turned from the stall.
Who would’ve thought my benefactor’s name alone could scare off thugs?
Strolling through Yanshan City’s streets, Ji Wutong’s spirits soared.
Yet the higher her mood, the deeper her guilt toward Lin Mu grew.
Had he not lost his sight saving her, he would surely have achieved greatness by now.
Such a profound loss to his future couldn’t be repaid by merely finding him a wife.
“After our restoration succeeds, I’ll grant my benefactor a high-ranking office!”
Ji Wutong vowed silently.
Unknowingly, she returned to Yanshan Benevolent Clinic.
By now, the morning rush of patients had dwindled.
Only a few remained, nursing dislocated arms from slipping on icy roads.
Crack!
A crisp sound of bone friction echoed as Lin Mu reset a patient’s arm.
His movements were so deft, none could tell he was blind.
“Thank you, Divine Physician Lin. How much do I owe?”
“A minor matter, no charge. Use your arm sparingly for a few days, and it’ll heal faster.”
“Alright, thank you, Divine Physician Lin!”
The patient nodded gratefully, then, while Gu Xing was distracted, slipped a small piece of silver onto the counter.
Lin Mu’s ears twitched, catching the sound, and a wry smile curved his lips.
Blind as he was, he chose to pretend he hadn’t noticed.
As the sun set, the last patients departed.
Ji Wutong emerged from the kitchen, carrying a basin of fish soup and several side dishes.
The aroma of food swiftly overpowered the clinic’s medicinal scent.
“Wow!”
“Fish soup and braised fish today~”
Gu Xing hurried over, eyes alight with delight.
Lin Mu and Gu Xing rarely ate fish.
For one, it was inconvenient for the blind Lin Mu.
For another, Gu Xing’s cooking skills were limited, unfit for such dishes.
“You can cook? That’s impressive!”
The dishes’ aroma surprised Lin Mu.
Gu Xing might not know Ji Wutong’s identity, but Lin Mu did.
This was the Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect, a scion of the former royal family.
In another era, she would’ve been a princess, exalted beyond reach.
Yet she possessed such culinary talent.
“I only know a few dishes, but if you like them, I’ll learn more~”
Ji Wutong nodded earnestly at Lin Mu’s praise.
Gu Xing was stunned.
Where was the cold, combative woman from last night, ready to strike at a word?