"Hmph, today is the day you'll show your true colors," Xu Yuehuai thought to himself, then moved and approached the servant he had disguised himself as last time.
After a series of swift movements, the servant felt a sudden darkness before his eyes and lost consciousness.
Xu Yuehuai quickly changed into servants' clothes, making sure every detail was impeccable, before carrying the massage equipment that had been prepared beforehand and stepping into the cave.
Inside the cave, the fake ghost doctor's face, half-hidden in shadow, was icy cold. His robes were half-undone, clearly enjoying some kind of leisure. Upon seeing Xu Yuehuai enter, he couldn't help but frown: "Why are you so slow today?"
Xu Yuehuai deliberately lowered his voice, imitating the respect of a servant: "I caught a cold today and am feeling a little unwell. I hope you will forgive me, sir."
Upon hearing this, the fake ghost doctor casually pulled a bottle of medicine from the medicine cabinet beside him and tossed it to Xu Yuehuai: "Take this, and come back to serve me after you've taken it."
"Thank you, sir." Xu Yuehuai took the medicine bottle, a cold smile playing on her lips, but her face remained impassive. After she "took the medicine," she began massaging the fake doctor.
Although her technique was skillful, her mind had already wandered elsewhere, observing the fake doctor's every move and looking for possible flaws.
However, just as the massage was halfway through, the fake doctor suddenly groaned and spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto Xu Yuehuai's hand.
Xu Yuehuai quickly stepped back a few paces, feigning panic, and said, "I'm sorry, sir, I... I didn't mean to."
The fake doctor wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "It's alright, it has nothing to do with you, continue."
Xu Yuehuai suppressed her doubts and stepped forward again, her movements even more careful and cautious.
The fake doctor suddenly spoke up: "I'm not that delicate, put some effort into it!"
After much effort, Xu Yuehuai was covered in sweat, but she dared not slacken in the slightest.
After the massage, the fake doctor instructed her to apply medicine.
Xu Yuehuai pulled open the fake ghost doctor's clothes at the back, revealing that they were covered with wounds of varying depths, yet not a single drop of blood seeped out, making it appear exceptionally eerie.
"What's wrong with this person's constitution?" Xu Yuehuai was shocked, but she could only pretend to be calm as she applied the medicine.
"Don't talk nonsense to outsiders, just do your job well," the fake ghost doctor said coldly.
Just as Xu Yuehuai was packing her things to leave, she slipped and lost her balance, falling squarely into the arms of the fake ghost doctor.
The fake doctor casually put his arm around her waist, his tone playful: "Your waist is so soft, it's like a woman's."
Xu Yuehua forced a smile: "I have been frail and sickly since childhood, please forgive me, sir."
The fake doctor chuckled and then shoved her away, saying, "Get out of here."
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xu Yuehuai quickly left the cave and returned to the rest camp in the underground mine. Along the way, her mind was in turmoil, the strange occurrences in the cave replaying in her head.
Back in the tent, Qi Guze saw Xu Yuehuai return and went up to ask with concern, "What did you find this time?"
Xu Yuehuai shook her head, indicating that, as before, she had not found anything.
“This fake ghost doctor is indeed not simple, but our opportunity is coming soon. I have already secretly sent out the message, and our backup will arrive soon.” Qi Guze put his arm around her and sat down.
The night was still deep, but a spark of hope had been ignited in their hearts.
In the dark and silent night, a sudden, intense headache surged like a tidal wave, causing Xu Yuehuai to curl up involuntarily. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her lips were tightly pressed together, yet she could not utter a sound.
Like a guardian in the darkness, Qi Guze quickly and gently pulled her into his arms, calling out in a low and anxious voice, "A-Yue, what's wrong?"
Xu Yuehuai barely opened her eyes, her gaze filled with pain and confusion. She tried to speak, but could only let out a weak groan.
"I... um..."
Qi Guze immediately took out a precious pill from his pocket and carefully fed it to her. Then, he gently placed his hands on Xu Yuehuai's back, and a warm and powerful force surged into his palms. It was a mixture of his profound inner strength and rare magical power, trying to soothe the disorder in her body.
After a moment, Xu Yuehuai's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and her breathing became steady.
"Much better, that's enough, Aze."
Qi Guze gently stroked her cheek. "Your face is so pale. What happened to you at the fake ghost doctor's place? Did he use some insidious methods on you?"
Xu Yuehua tried hard to recall: "I didn't detect any unusual smell, so it shouldn't be poison. But he really has no reason to trust me so easily and put those puppets in charge. Perhaps he did tamper with things in the dark." As she said this, her eyes became deep and complicated.
Qi Guze clenched his fists, a flash of anger in his eyes: "It seems we need to be more careful and not break with him easily. But your safety is the top priority, and we must find a solution."
He paused, then softened his tone, "Ah Yue, do you believe me?"
Xu Yuehua nodded. "I believe you, Aze. Besides, as long as the real Ghost Doctor can come back, all these problems will be solved. What we need to do now is find something to use against the fake Ghost Doctor."
"Everything will be alright."
Qi Guze gently kissed Xu Yuehuai's forehead, then hugged her and patted her back lightly.
The next morning, Xu Yuehuai got up and, after a quick wash, picked up the whip that symbolized her authority and flicked it lightly. The crisp sound instantly broke the tranquility of the morning.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Hearing the sound, the puppets sprang into action, quickly emerging from their tents and forming neat rows to begin their day's work.
Standing on high ground, Xu Yuehuai gazed at this scene, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew her current predicament well; she couldn't reveal anything unusual, nor could she let these puppets perceive her weakness. Therefore, she suppressed her unease and maintained a facade of calm and dignity.
In the afternoon, as the sunlight grew languid, Xu Yuehuai was enjoying a simple lunch in her tent when an unexpected discovery caught her eye—among a pile of seemingly ordinary crystals, there was a dazzling golden crystal hidden within.
She subtly gave Pei Hai a wink, and Pei Hai immediately understood. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he quietly slipped the crystal into his sleeve.
As night fell, Xu Yuehuai, Pei Hai, and Qi Guze gathered again inside the tent.
“This crystal contains extraordinary power.” Xu Yuehuai spoke first, placing the golden crystal in her palm and examining it carefully. “Its radiance is so unique; it must be no ordinary item.”
Pei Hai agreed: "Indeed, if we study this crystal carefully, we might be able to discover the secret behind their frantic crystal mining here."
"At the same time, we cannot let our guard down against the fake ghost doctor. The fact that he can operate in the shadows means that he has forces that we have not yet discovered," Qi Guze said.
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