Chapter 93 Ninety-Three
Chapter Summary: Wei Wuxian said, "No, no. You're very capable too. What surprises me is that your sister is Wen Qing."
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Wei Wuxian said, "No, no. You're quite impressive too. What surprises me is that your sister is Wen Qing, the sect leader, and you actually dared to..."
At this moment, Jiang Cheng on the couch stirred slightly and frowned slightly. Wei Wuxian immediately turned over to check on him: "Jiang Cheng?!"
Wen Ning hurriedly said, "He's awake and wants to take his medicine. I'll go get it."
He walked out and closed the door behind him. After sleeping for a long time, Jiang Cheng finally woke up slowly. Wei Wuxian was overjoyed at first, but soon realized that something was wrong.
Jiang Cheng's expression was strange; it was very calm. Too calm.
He stared at the ceiling, seemingly uninterested in his current situation and indifferent to where he was.
Wei Wuxian hadn't expected this reaction; he showed none of the usual emotions—sorrow, joy, anger, or surprise. His heart leaped into his throat as he asked, "Jiang Cheng, can you see me? Can you hear me? Do you recognize who I am?"
Jiang Cheng glanced at him but remained silent. Wei Wuxian pressed him for more information, and finally, he used his arms to prop himself up on the wooden couch and sat up. He looked down at the whip marks on his chest and gave a cold laugh.
Once the marks of the discipline whip are on your body, you can never erase those shameful marks. Wei Wuxian, however, said against his will, "Don't look, there's always a way to get rid of them."
Jiang Cheng slapped him. The slap was weak and powerless; Wei Wuxian didn't even flinch. He said, "Go ahead and hit me. As long as it's to your liking."
Jiang Cheng asked, "Did you sense it?"
Wei Wuxian was taken aback and asked, "What? What does it feel like?"
Jiang Cheng asked, "Can you sense my spiritual power?"
Wei Wuxian said, "What spiritual power? You didn't use any spiritual power at all."
Jiang Cheng said, "I used it."
Wei Wuxian asked, "What exactly... what did you say?"
Jiang Cheng repeated, word by word, "I said, I used it. That palm strike just now, I used all my spiritual power. I'm asking you, did you feel it?"
Wei Wuxian looked at him. After a moment of silence, he said, "Try hitting me again."
Jiang Cheng said, "There's no need to fight anymore. No matter how many blows you strike, the result will be the same. Wei Wuxian, do you know why the Core-Melting Hand is called the Core-Melting Hand?"
My heart sank completely.
Jiang Cheng continued, "Because of his hands, he can dissolve a person's golden core, preventing them from ever forming a core again, causing their spiritual power to dissipate, and turning them into an ordinary person."
"And an ordinary descendant of a cultivation sect is just a useless person. He can only live a mediocre life and can never dream of reaching the top again."
"My mother and father were first stripped of their golden cores by Wen Zhuliu, leaving them powerless to resist, before he killed them."
“Ah, Cheng, you…”
Upon seeing this, Jiang Fengmian, Yu Ziyuan, and the others immediately looked at Jiang Cheng with tension and anxiety.
Jiang Yanli then grabbed Jiang Cheng's hands.
"Acheng, you, your golden core..."
"Sister, Father, Mother, I... am alright now."
Jiang Cheng patted Jiang Yanli's hand reassuringly, but subconsciously glanced at Wei Wuxian, who was looking down and lost in thought. He didn't know how to explain that his perfectly intact golden core was given to him by Wei Wuxian.
"Can……"
Jiang Yanli glanced at her two younger brothers, about to ask something, when she suddenly heard a warm voice:
"Miss Jiang, there's no need to worry about Sect Master Jiang's health. As for the rest you want to know, we'll get to you later."
Wei Wuxian's thoughts were in complete disarray, and he was utterly lost and confused. He murmured, "...The Core-Melting Hand...The Core-Melting Hand..."
Jiang Cheng sneered, "Wen Zhuliu, Wen Zhuliu. I want revenge, I want revenge, but how can I take revenge? I've even lost my Golden Core, and I can never form a Golden Core again. How can I take revenge? Hahahaha, hahahahahahahahaha..."
Wei Wuxian collapsed to the ground, staring at Jiang Cheng, who appeared to be insane, on the couch, unable to utter a single word.
No one knew better than him how competitive Jiang Cheng was, and how much he valued his cultivation and spiritual power. And now, with a single strike of the Core Formation Hand, he had shattered Jiang Cheng's cultivation, his pride, and his hopes for revenge!
Jiang Cheng laughed maniacally for a while, then lay back on the couch, spread his hands, and said in a self-deprecating tone, "Wei Wuxian, why did you save me? What use is it to you? Just to let me live in this world, watch the Wen dogs run rampant, and see that I can't do anything about it?"
Just then, Wen Ning entered. With an almost ingratiating smile, he carried a bowl of medicine to the bedside. Before he could speak, Jiang Cheng's eyes were immediately drawn to his blazing robe, and his pupils instantly contracted.
Jiang Cheng kicked Wen Ning, knocking over the medicine bowl and splashing the black liquid all over him. Wei Wuxian, intending to catch the bowl, instinctively pulled back the terrified Wen Ning. Jiang Cheng roared at him, "What's wrong with you?!"
Wen Ning was so frightened that he backed away repeatedly. Jiang Cheng grabbed Wei Wuxian by the collar and roared, "You saw that Wen dog and you didn't kill him?! You still tried to pull him away? Do you want to die?!"
Despite his best efforts, his hands remained weak and powerless, and Wei Wuxian easily broke free. Jiang Cheng seemed to only then notice where he was, looking around warily and asking, "Where is this?"
Wen Ning said from afar, "The Censorate in Yiling. But it's very safe..."
Jiang Cheng suddenly turned to Wei Wuxian: "The Supervisory Bureau?! You've walked right into their trap?"
Wei Wuxian said, "No!"
Jiang Cheng said sternly, "No? Then what were you doing in the Supervisory Office? How did you get here? Don't tell me you sought help from Wen dogs?!"
Wei Wuxian grabbed him and said, "Jiang Cheng, don't panic, it's safe here! Stay calm, the Core-Melting Hand might still be able to be undoed..."
Jiang Cheng was completely deaf to reason; he was half-mad, grabbing Wei Wuxian by the neck and laughing maniacally, "Wei Wuxian, hahahahahahaha Wei Wuxian! You! You..."
Suddenly, a red figure kicked open the door and flashed in, striking down with a palm that flashed with silver light. Jiang Cheng was struck in the head with a needle and immediately lay back down.
Seeing himself roaring at Wei Wuxian like a madman and cursing and hitting Wen Ning, Jiang Cheng looked away.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's frenzied state, Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan felt their hearts clench with pain.
How much suffering and hardship did the children endure after they left?
Judging from Wen Qing's words just now, and considering that A-Cheng and A-Xian have always been tight-lipped about certain things, it's probably not the hardest thing for A-Cheng to lose his golden core.
Wen Qing turned and slammed the door shut, angrily hissing, "Wen Ning, how stupid are you? Letting him shout and laugh so loudly?! As if he's afraid no one will find out?"
As if she had seen a savior, Wen Ning cried out, "Sister!"
Wen Qing said, "What are you calling me 'sister' for! I haven't even asked you yet, when did you become so audacious? You actually dared to hide people! I already subtly inquired about it earlier, no wonder you suddenly wanted to go to Yunmeng! You've got some nerve, who gave you the audacity this time? If Wen Chao knew what you did, wouldn't he tear you apart? If he really decides to get rid of someone, do you think I can stop him?"
She spoke rapidly, clearly, and forcefully, leaving no room for argument. Wei Wuxian couldn't find a chance to interject. Wen Ning's face turned deathly pale. "Sister, but Young Master Wei..." Wen Qing said sternly, "I'm only saying this because you're acting out of emotion. But these two absolutely cannot stay here! Your sudden departure has immediately embarrassed Wen Chao. Do you think Wen Chao is that stupid? They'll find this place sooner or later. This is my supervisory office, and this is your room. What will be the charge if they find out you're hiding someone? Think about it carefully!"
She explained the situation so clearly, it was practically a veiled threat to Wei Wuxian: "Get out of here and stop dragging us down!" If Wei Wuxian were the one injured, or if someone else had saved them, he would have confidently said goodbye and left immediately. But now it was Jiang Cheng who was injured, and not only injured, but also had lost his golden core, making him extremely unstable. He simply couldn't be assertive. Moreover, it was the Wen family who had put them in this predicament, so it was understandable that he felt resentful. Wei Wuxian could only grit his teeth and remain silent.
Wen Ning said, "But, but it's the Wen family..." Wen Qing interrupted him, saying, "What the Wen family did doesn't mean what we did, and the sins committed by the Wen family don't mean we have to bear the consequences. Wei Ying, you don't need to look at me like that. Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. I am the head of the guild in Yiling, but I was appointed to this position. I am a physician and pharmacist and have never killed anyone. I have never even touched the blood of your Jiang family!"
Indeed, there has never been any news of any deaths or tragedies involving Wen Qing; instead, people everywhere are eager for her to take over their cases. This is because Wen Qing is one of the few people in the Wen family who acts with normal conduct, and sometimes she can even say a few good words for Wen Ruohan, so her reputation has always been good.
The room was completely silent.
Upon hearing this, those who had just been cursing Wen Qing and Wen Ning shut their mouths in embarrassment.
Many elderly people are carefully recalling the scenes from back then—
Although Wen Qing's rank was the same as Wen Chao's, it was merely a favor that Wen Ruohan occasionally thought of, and Wen Qing's unique medical talent.
Because the Wen family lineage possesses the benevolence of healers, they have never participated in any of the evil deeds committed by the Wen family.
Everyone's initial anger or current disgust stems solely from the fact that they share the surname Wen.
After a long pause, Wen Qing said, "Don't remove that needle. If this kid wakes up, he'll go crazy and shout so loudly that everyone outside can hear him. Wait until his injuries have healed before removing it, and then leave quickly. I don't want to deal with Wen Chao, especially that woman beside him; she disgusts me!"
She finished speaking and decisively left. Wei Wuxian said, "She... does that mean we can't stay long, but we can stay for a few days...?"
Wen Ning nodded quickly and said, "Thank you, sister!"
A packet of medicinal herbs was tossed in from outside the door, and Wen Qing said from afar, "Thank you so much! I'll do my best! What kind of awful medicine did you just make? Boil it again!"
Wen Ning was hit squarely by the medicine packet, but she said happily, "The medicine my sister made is definitely good. It's hundreds of times better than mine, absolutely better."
Wei Wuxian finally felt completely relieved and said, "Thank you."
He knew that both the siblings had taken enormous risks—one turning a blind eye, the other offering help. Just as Wen Qing had said, if Wen Chao were determined to eliminate someone, Wen Qing might not be able to stop him, and she might even be implicated. After all, someone else's child can never compare to one's own.
Jiang Cheng, with the needle in his head, slept for three days. His bones and external wounds had healed, but the lash mark from the discipline whip that would never fade and the golden core that he could never retrieve were destined to never fully recover.
Wei Wuxian also thought about it for three days.
Even without seeing Tianying, everyone knows the difficulties Wenqing faces.
Jiang Fengmian stood up again and bowed to Wen Qing, saying, "I thank Miss Wen."
Wen Qing also stood up to return the greeting. After thinking for a few seconds, she still said, "Perhaps the person Elder Jiang should thank the most is not me."
Jiang Fengmian paused, as if he suddenly understood something, and sighed deeply.
Others might not understand Wen Qing's words, but after seeing what Wei Wuxian had been thinking over the past three days, they all understood.
“This is Jiang Cheng’s medicine for today. If he drinks it for another three days, his external injuries will be almost completely healed, except for the marks from the discipline whip on his back.” Wen Qing said to Wei Wuxian while handing the medicine to Wen Ning, who was helping Wei Wuxian take care of Jiang Cheng. “Once he’s better, you can leave.”
"Warmth".
Wen Qing was about to turn and leave when Wei Wuxian stopped her.
"Wenqing, can you do me a favor?"
Wenqing looked at him with a puzzled expression, only to hear his weary voice:
"Could I borrow your medical books to take a look?"
Wen Qing immediately understood what Wei Wuxian wanted to do: he wanted to find a way to repair Jiang Cheng's golden core.
But this is clearly impossible.
But seeing Wei Wuxian's bloodshot eyes, filled with pleading and exhaustion, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Let him give it a try.
Seeing this, Wen Qing truly regretted not being more ruthless back then.
Why should Wei Wuxian read any more books? They should just be driven away like this.
It also prevented Wei Wuxian from becoming the way he became later.
Wei Wuxian sat at the table, turning the pages of all the medical books and ancient texts on Wen Qing's bookshelf, not daring to miss a single word or sentence. One candle after another burned out on the table, and the food that Wen Ning and Wen Qing had brought was hardly touched.
When Wen Qing passed by the study countless times, she couldn't bear to look at it anymore and pushed the door open to go in.
Wei Wuxian was seen dozing off, one hand supporting his head, the other hand clutching an open medical book. His brows were furrowed, and he couldn't even sleep peacefully.
Wen Qing stood there stunned, her gaze gradually becoming complicated.
After a while, she sighed, squatted down, and silently began to gather the other scattered ancient books and bamboo slips around him.
The next day, Wen Qing was arranging medicinal herbs in the house when there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Please come in."
Wei Wuxian pushed open the door and entered the room. He was a little unsteady because he had not eaten or drunk anything for a long time, but his eyes suddenly became exceptionally bright.
Just as Wen Qing was about to ask a question, an ancient book was suddenly handed to her, which clearly recorded the method of changing the core.
She quickly glanced at the contents of the book, then abruptly stood up, her eyes flashing with anger:
"Wei Wuxian, have you gone mad?!"
"Wen Qing, I'm not crazy. This is the only way to save Jiang Cheng..."
"Is Jiang Cheng all you can think about right now?!" Wen Qing interrupted him mercilessly. "Have you even read carefully what price you'll pay after the core is replaced?!"
"Whether you succeed or not, you will have no chance to cultivate spiritual power again."
Is there no one else who can cultivate spiritual power?
Lan Wangji was like an ice sculpture.
Back then, Wei Wuxian didn't choose the wrong path because he wanted to go astray; rather, he had no other choice but to take this path.
So every time he tried to guide Wei Wuxian back to the right path, he was just rubbing salt into his wounds.
Ultimately, it was because he didn't trust his own heart back then.
"Change...change the pill?"
Jiang Fengmian murmured in disbelief, while Yu Ziyuan, Jiang Yanli, and countless cultivators behind them all froze in place.
Jiang Yanli's fingers trembled. Her gaze swept over Jiang Cheng, who stood there dumbfounded, before she turned and grabbed Wei Wuxian's hand, stammering, "A-Xian, you, you changed your core, you..."
"Senior sister, I'm fine." Wei Wuxian smiled, but couldn't say anything else to comfort her.
Everyone fell silent, and many even secretly hoped that Wen Qing wouldn't agree to Wei Wuxian's request.
Otherwise, how can they face the fact that the seemingly wicked Yiling Patriarch is actually a selfless hero who saves others?
Unfortunately, that's the truth.
Wei Wuxian's hand, which was holding the ancient book, fell limply to his side, and he gave a bitter smile.
"I know, I know all of that. But there's no better way, is there?"
“You know Jiang Cheng. He’s too competitive, too focused on gains and losses. Cultivation is his life. If he can only be an ordinary person who’s neither here nor there, then his life is over…”
"No!" Wen Qing exclaimed, even wanting to hit him to wake him up. Had he even considered what would happen to her? "I can't do it!"
"Wenqing, please help me with this!"
"No! Get out!" Wen Qing turned away, unwilling to pay any more attention to Wei Wuxian's absurd request.
"Warmth!"
"Get out! Once Jiang Cheng wakes up, you can leave."
Wen Qing pushed Wei Wuxian out of the room, turned around and closed the door, leaning against it to calm her anger.
"Wen Qing! Please! Help me! I promised Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu that I would take good care of Jiang Cheng. Shijie and the Jiang family need him. Wen Qing! Wen Qing!" Wei Wuxian kept banging on the tightly closed door. At this moment, he didn't know what else he could do but beg.
Seeing that Wen Qing had no intention of opening the door, Wei Wuxian took two steps back, gritted his teeth, and knelt down with a flick of his robe.
He cast aside all thoughts of his arrogance as a young master from a prominent family and his unruly nature; only the thought of seeking Wen Qing's help remained in his mind.
"Our eldest brother would never beg for help in such a humble way." The Jiang family brothers choked up.
In the past, even when Wei Wuxian was punished by kneeling, he would not behave properly and would have to twist his body in all sorts of ways to feel comfortable.
At this moment, Wei Wuxian knelt with exceptional humility. Even though he was exhausted to the extreme, he still used the most sincere and humble method to beg Wen Qing, who could save Jiang Cheng's life.
Jiang Cheng stared, his eyes red, at Wei Wuxian, who was kneeling in the cold wind, enduring the pain.
He kept muttering to himself, "I don't need you to kneel before others, I don't need you to exchange your golden core for mine, I..."
But he had to admit that Wei Wuxian was right.
Sometimes, one thing he envied about Wei Wuxian was that Wei Wuxian always managed to find a way to survive in desperate situations.
If it were him, he would only be left to fend for himself in a desperate situation.
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