The city lord’s wife, Lin Ruxue, had always been frail due to congenital weakness. Over the past two years, her health had declined day by day, and recently, she had fallen into a coma, remaining unconscious to this day.
City Lord Teng Zhang had summoned physicians to examine her, but they could only shake their heads in the end, stating that Lin Ruxue’s illness had reached an incurable stage, with no remedy left. They advised Teng Zhang to prepare for her funeral.
Teng Zhang and Lin Ruxue shared a deep, affectionate bond. How could he bear to watch his wife slip away from him? Thus, he dispatched his men from the city lord’s residence to search far and wide for a way to save her.
Yao Chun had come to the Mutual Market today precisely to seek a method to cure Lin Ruxue.
The Mutual Market of Tianshui City was open to all surrounding cities and tribes, regardless of race. The items exchanged here were bizarre and varied—anything and everything could be found. Perhaps, among them, lay a miraculous cure for the lady.
However, after scouring the Mutual Market, Yao Chun found no means to save the lady. Instead, he heard rumors that Chu Xuan had awakened a Healing Ability.
Yao Chun found it hard to believe. After all, Chu Xuan was notorious in Tianshui City as a good-for-nothing, excelling only in arrogance, bullying males and females alike, and contributing nothing of value. Her survival in Tianshui City unscathed was entirely due to the shelter of her father’s legacy.
Yet, seeing Gui Lianjun speak with such conviction, and noting that her Beast Husband was indeed standing there unharmed, Yao Chun had no other options left. Swallowing his pride, he stepped forward to give it a try.
What if she truly had awakened a Healing Ability?
Upon hearing Yao Chun’s request, Chu Xuan agreed almost without hesitation: “Please lead the way, Steward Yao.”
The original host had caused plenty of trouble in Tianshui City before, often reported to the city lord’s residence by the Beastmen. However, the city lord had always turned a blind eye and suppressed the matters. Whether it was out of respect for Chu Xiao’s merits or for other reasons, the fact remained that he had protected the original host.
Now that Chu Xuan occupied this body and continued to live, she would repay this debt of gratitude on behalf of the original host.
Yao Chun was taken aback by how readily Chu Xuan agreed. After a moment of stunned silence, he quickly collected himself and led the way: “Miss Chu, please follow me.”
“Let’s go see if she’s really awakened a Healing Ability.”
“That’s the city lord’s wife. If she fails to cure her, she’ll be held accountable. Come on, let’s check it out.” Driven by curiosity, the Beastmen flocked toward the city lord’s residence.
Su Jin had already fleeced Chu Xuan for a large sum today and was in no hurry to trade the remaining items. Besides, without Chu Xuan as his plump little sheep, few would show interest in the goods he brought. Thus, he stored the remaining items in his space and joined the crowd to watch the spectacle.
.
The guards at the city lord’s residence spotted a massive crowd of Beastmen approaching from afar, led by Chu Xuan and her five Beast Husbands.
Sensing trouble, the guards scrambled inside in a panic.
“City Lord, it’s bad! A huge crowd of Beastmen is outside, here to accuse Chu Xuan.”
Teng Zhang: “…”
Teng Zhang had been agitated by Lin Ruxue’s condition these past few days, and now this incident only added to his irritation. He frowned displeased:
“Which family’s Male Beast is that girl trying to steal now?”
His tone was laced with impatience, but he still strode outward. There was no other choice—he had to handle her affairs. Even if she tore the sky apart, he would have to cover for her.
When Teng Zhang walked into the front courtyard, Yao Chun happened to be leading Chu Xuan inside.
“Speak. Which family’s Male Beast have you taken a fancy to now that you want to snatch?” Before Chu Xuan could open her mouth, Teng Zhang spoke first. “Let me make this clear to you—you already have five Beast Husbands. These five husbands are first-rate in both strength and appearance within Tianshui City. If you still intend to forcibly take another decent Male Beast, I absolutely will not permit it.”
After speaking, Teng Zhang’s gaze swept over the five Beast Husbands behind Chu Xuan, then revealed a look of disdain.
These five Beast Husbands were truly useless—they couldn’t even keep their own Female Master satisfied, constantly thinking about straying. What a waste of such handsome appearances.
Chu Xuan: “…”
“Was I… like this before?” She slightly turned and quietly asked the Beast Husbands behind her.
Jian Ze: “When Female Master previously visited the city lord’s residence, eight out of ten times it was to forcibly seize Male Beasts.”
Chu Xuan drew a sharp breath. No wonder the city lord had such a stereotypical impression of her—it was all because her predecessor had committed too many misdeeds! And every time, it was the same kind of misdeed.
Yao Chun stepped forward respectfully and said, “City Lord, Miss Chu has awakened a Healing Ability. I invited Miss Chu here this time to treat your wife’s illness.”
“What did you say? Treat illness?”
Teng Zhang thought he had misheard. This girl only knew how to cause trouble every day—since when could she treat illnesses?
Yao Chun then relayed everything he had heard at the Mutual Market to Teng Zhang. However, after listening, Teng Zhang remained rather skeptical.
After all, he knew Chu Xuan too well. He had watched this girl grow up, and from childhood to adulthood, she had never been capable of anything except causing trouble.
Chu Xuan stepped forward and said, “City Lord, you currently have no better solution for Madame Teng’s illness. Why not let me give it a try? Perhaps I truly can heal her?”
“And if you cannot heal her?” Teng Zhang retorted.
Chu Xuan: “My life will be at your disposal.”
“Nonsense!”
As soon as Chu Xuan finished speaking, Teng Zhang scolded her. If he truly wanted to punish Chu Xuan, given all the arrogant deeds she had committed in Tianshui City over the years, her life would have been forfeit long ago.
“City Lord, please let Sister Xuan try. I can testify—my Silver Wolf was previously gravely injured and near death, and it was Sister Xuan who saved him.” Gui Lianjun stepped forward and spoke, simultaneously pulling Yin Lang forward.
Teng Zhang carefully examined Yin Lang—a completely intact Beastman, with no visible traces of injury on his body, unlike someone who had been near death from severe wounds just days before.
Yao Chun also seized the moment to persuade him: “City Lord, please let Miss Chu try. At present… we have no other options!”
Lin Ruxue had been unconscious for nearly a month without waking.
All the renowned physicians in Tianshui City had been summoned to the city lord’s residence to examine her, but none could identify the cause of her illness. They only delivered the same verdict: Lin Ruxue was beyond saving, and he should prepare for her funeral.
But Teng Zhang refused to accept this. How could his wife leave him just like that?
“You… have truly awakened a Healing Ability?”
He looked at Chu Xuan, this time asking with much greater seriousness.
Chu Xuan nodded. Teng Zhang took a deep breath and said, “Very well, follow me!”
As Yao Chun had said, he currently had no other options. He could only try every possible remedy, even if it seemed hopeless, and let Chu Xuan attempt it.
Chu Xuan followed Teng Zhang to the bedchamber. Lin Ruxue lay quietly on the bed, her face as pale as paper, without a trace of color. If not for the faint, weak pulse, she would appear no different from a corpse.
Chu Xuan stood before the bed, forming hand seals as she channeled the Returning Spring Art to examine Lin Ruxue’s condition.
After a moment, she withdrew her hands and said to Teng Zhang, “There are long-accumulated toxins in Madam Teng’s body that have not been cleared. Her current coma is due to the toxins flaring up. If not treated promptly, it may endanger her life. During the detoxification process, I must not be disturbed. Please, City Lord, wait outside with the others.”
Upon hearing that Lin Ruxue could be saved, Teng Zhang nearly wept with joy. With a wave of his hand, he immediately ushered everyone out of the room. Then, he too stepped out. As he closed the door, he said to Chu Xuan:
“Thank you for your efforts, young lady Chu.”