Chapter 26 – Consensus

“Administrator Zhang, what was I poisoned with?” Fang Yang asked.

Feng Ye and Hao Chen stood at his side, looking at the familiar administrator before them with some suspicion. 

Administrator Zhang was in charge of dormitory management at the foot of the mountain. He also served as a supervisor for miscellaneous affairs and had a hidden profession as a gossip porter.

In addition to these three identities, Feng Ye and the others had discovered that he had one more.

He turned out to be a doctor.

A barefoot one.^[1]

Soon after the end of the competition, the crowd gradually dispersed and the three of them went to the sect doctor who was responsible for treating the disciples’ illnesses and injuries.

Although the poison had destroyed most of Fang Yang’s cultivation, since it was a poison, there might be a cure.

Even if a cure didn’t exist, it was good to see a doctor to confirm what kind of poison it was, as well as if it would have any other impact aside from destroying his cultivation.

However, the three of them arrived at an inopportune time. The doctor had gone into seclusion to cultivate and would not be coming out in the near future.

And although there was a market town near Lingxiao Sword Sect, the only doctors there were ordinary ones who treated mortals. They were likely clueless about this type of poison that could dissipate one’s spiritual power.

Just as the three were standing at the door of the clinic at a loss, Administrator Zhang appeared.

Administrator Zhang had an interest in Feng Ye and Hao Chen that went beyond the norm. Each time he passed by the two, he would stop and look to see if there was any new gossip to share.

This time was no exception. He saw their conundrum.

The three of them were either squatting or standing at the clinic entrance with frowns on their faces, and seemed to be in a predicament.

What problem could a dual cultivation couple encounter?

Naturally, it would be an emotional one.

Thus, Administrator Zhang turned around and walked straight up to the three of them. He felt that he was a senior with a wealth of experience, and was ready to help the young couple solve their little emotional difficulties.

However, before this caring big brother could pass on his experience, he received an unexpected answer from Fang Yang, who was squatting on the ground.

“Poison?” Administrator Zhang repeated in disbelief.

Fang Yang on the ground and Feng Ye and Hao Chen standing on either side of him nodded in unison.

Fang Yang also informed him that they had come to see the doctor but couldn’t find him.

Upon hearing this, Administrator Zhang promptly patted his chest and recommended himself: “Why look for him? You might as well come to me instead.”

As he spoke, he pointed a contemptuous finger at the door of the clinic. Then, he explained under the disbelieving gazes of the three: “Have you forgotten the identity of our sect? We are a sword cultivation sect to the core, ah! How could there be a serious doctor here? This one only has some knowledge of herbs and can handle simple external injuries, but as for everything else, he’s no different from a half-baked quack.”

Feng Ye, Hao Chen, and Fang Yang: “……”

Although what he said made sense, it didn’t seem very…..reliable.

However, there was currently no other option.

They must try their best in a hopeless situation!

So Fang Yang made the final decision, and they followed Administrator Zhang to his residence.

This was the scene before their eyes.

Administrator Zhang had taken his pulse and flipped through books for a long time, but he couldn’t even come up with a name.

Faced with Fang Yang’s question, he hesitated: “It’s just…..I feel….this poison of yours…..how should I put it…..”

In short, he couldn’t give them an answer.

Feng Ye could only sigh. They couldn’t expect a barefoot doctor like Administrator Zhang to be reliable. They would have to figure it out themselves.

When Hao Chen heard him sigh, he immediately spread out his fan close to Feng Ye’s ear. Using the fan as a cover, he began to whisper in Feng Ye’s ear while Administrator Zhang was busy taking Fang Yang’s pulse and didn’t have the attention to spare for them.

“Is Fellow Daoist Feng Ye in a dilemma?” Hao Chen spoke with a slight smile on his face; he was in a good mood today.

Feng Ye had given him so many surprises, and his excitement was only just beginning to subside.

But Feng Ye and Fang Yang were worried about the poison, and he pretended to share their worries in order to not seem too out of place.

Only Feng Ye was able to see him behind the fan, so Hao Chen had no need to pretend anymore. After all, they had a deep understanding of one another.

Hao Chen leaned in too close as he whispered, and his deliberately lowered voice floated into Feng Ye’s ear along with his breath.

Feng Ye immediately leaned back to distance himself from him.

Only then was he able to ponder Hao Chen’s words.

He’s asking what he already knows, thought Feng Ye. Hao Chen was clearly aware of his worries, but still asked such a question – it seemed he had something else he wanted to say.

Feng Ye simply looked at Hao Chen without giving an answer, waiting for him to continue.

Hao Chen had set up the stage, but Feng Ye failed to come up and sing with him. He could only sing a one-man show. But he wasn’t lonely, and continued to speak on his own: “If Fellow Daoist Feng Ye is in a dilemma, why not come to me?”

“Go to you?” Feng Ye raised an eyebrow and teased, “Why? Has Fellow Daoist Hao Chen studied medicine?”

Hao Chen shook his head, saying with a smile: “No, but…..if Fellow Daoist Feng Ye asks me for assistance, perhaps I can help?”

He had so many subordinates in the North Sea, and could always find one who studied medicine. Wouldn’t it be easy to help find a cure for Fang Yang? The only question was whether he wanted to help.

Hao Chen naturally didn’t want to. Although he was bored, he was not a zealous fish. But if Feng Ye was willing to bow his head and ask him for help, he might consider it.

“Ask you?” Feng Ye asked in a joking tone, laughing as he spoke. Then he turned his head and ignored Hao Chen.

Hao Chen wasn’t amused, but he wasn’t embarrassed either. One reason was his thick skin, and the other was that he’d guessed Feng Ye would say that.

How could such a proud person bow his head to others?

Hao Chen had just posed the question with a hint of deviant enjoyment. It would be a surprise to see Feng Ye bow his head, but not seeing it wasn’t a bad thing.

“I’ve got it!” Administrator Zhang shouted abruptly.

“You found a cure?” Fang Yang asked in surprise.

Alerted by his shout, Feng Ye and Hao Chen looked toward Administrator Zhang.

But Administrator Zhang shook his head and said: “I have an idea.”

Feng Ye and the others: “……”

Seeing their speechless expressions, Administrator Zhang immediately defended himself: “I’m not a professional, so it’s already good that I could come up with an idea so quickly. Anyway, come back later. I’ll look through my books and definitely come up with a solution for you.”

Although the three of them didn’t truly believe his statement, they had already wasted so much time that there was no harm in waiting a little longer.

And this was also a good time for…..

“Let’s go to the Armory Pavilion to pick out an earth-grade magic weapon,” Feng Ye said to Fang Yang.

After Feng Ye kicked Lu Chengye off the stage, he had chatted for a while with a group of curious junior disciples who had questions for him.

No one knew what Sect Leader Ji and Elder Zhou on the viewing platform were discussing during this period, but they also announced that in addition to the tournament champion Lu Chengye, Feng Ye would also receive an earth-grade magic weapon as a reward for his outstanding performance.

This was beyond everyone’s expectations. When Feng Ye heard Sect Leader Ji’s announcement, he was stunned for a rare moment. He looked up at Sect Leader Ji atop the platform, and they briefly stared at each other across the distance.

Although they were far away from each other, Feng Ye could still clearly make out the expression on his face.

The sect leader seemed to be considering him with a complicated look. There was so much mixed into that look – nostalgia, resentment, and…..sorrow.

Along with many more indistinguishable emotions that Feng Ye couldn’t recognize.

Feng Ye stood there motionlessly. It wasn’t until Fang Yang silently tugged on the corner of his robes that he remembered to salute.

Sect Leader Ji gave Feng Ye a nod, then turned and departed with Elder Zhou.

Rather than going to retrieve an earth-grade weapon he had no use for, Feng Ye had taken Fang Yang to see the doctor after the fight. He just hadn’t expected to find someone as unreliable as Administrator Zhang.

Since they had to wait anyway, they might as well go and get the earth-grade magic weapon first. It wouldn’t waste any time.

Fang Yang nodded vigorously upon hearing this. He was rather excited. Even though the earth-grade magic weapon wasn’t his, he was just as happy that his Useless Shixiong won it. And he could even follow Feng Ye to the Armory Pavilion to broaden his horizons. He had heard that there were many powerful magic weapons hidden inside.

“I’m going too.” Feng Ye had no intention of taking Hao Chen along, but the man shamelessly insisted.

I just knew he would say that! Feng Ye thought. This sticky candy was indeed sticky. However, Hao Chen really couldn’t accompany them this time.

Feng Ye revealed a gloating expression: “Fellow Daoist Hao Chen…..I’m afraid it’s not very convenient.”

Feigning regret, he tugged at his black daoist robes, then glanced at Hao Chen’s white daoist robes with golden edging and called attention to his false identity: “Even though I have a close relationship with Fellow Daoist Hao Chen, he is not a member of my Lingxiao Sword Sect and his unable to enter such a high-profile place.”

Hao Chen’s smile froze. He had almost forgotten that he was from Tiangong Pavilion. Compared to Tiangong Pavilion, he had been staying in Lingxiao Sword Sect for several days and was much more familiar with it.

Administrator Zhang suddenly spoke up: “What inconvenience? Anyway, you’re both…..family.” As he spoke, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a token, handing it to Hao Chen. “Take this and nobody will stop you.”

After saying this, he sent a covert wink toward Feng Ye, as if saying that there was no need to thank him.

Feng Ye: “…..”

Who would thank you, ah?! Feng Ye was dumbstruck.

Wasn’t Administrator Zhang too enthusiastic?! And why did this scene seem so familiar? This seemed to be the same scenario as when he went to the main square for the meeting!

Administrator Zhang failed to notice Feng Ye’s devastated expression. He turned his head to look at Hao Chen and said amiably: “You’re from Tiangong Pavilion, so I’m sure you must have a good eye for choosing magic tools. This is a good opportunity for you to help them make a selection.”

Hao Chen was a little surprised, but when he thought about the rumors, he understood Administrator Zhang’s attitude.

He couldn’t help but smile as he accepted the token handed to him by Administrator Zhang. He thanked him politely, then glanced at Feng Ye and vowed duplicitously: “Leave it to me.”

Administrator Zhang smiled like an old father who had finally entrusted his daughter to someone else, giving a nod of satisfaction.

Feng Ye: “……”

He felt like they had reached some kind of consensus behind his back.

Feng Ye hadn’t a clue, and glanced toward Fang Yang for help, hoping he would be able to think of something.

But Fang Yang didn’t get the hint at all. Instead, he said happily to Hao Chen: “Great, Hao-dage can go with us too!”

Feng Ye: “……”

No, it’s not great at all.

In the entire room, everyone other than Feng Ye had a smile on their face.

Feng Ye wore a blank expression as they forcibly reached a consensus.

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[1] A barefoot doctor is someone with medical knowledge, but who is not a full time or fully trained doctor. They often work in very rural areas. ⮐

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Chapter 25 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 27