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ED Note: I have to say, I love it when there's a mole or a spy in the story, especially if they aren't discovered yet. I wonder what Ling Qingxue will do to rip the doctor’s mask off in front of everyone… Subscribe to our Patreon if you want to find out early!
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After much deliberation, Ling Qingxue decided to give it a try.
She wasn't without a backup plan, and Beiming Feng was the best candidate.
The three days she mentioned were to wait for him to arrive in Nanchuan Province. She had already contacted him on her way to the governor's mansion.
Three days were enough for Beiming Feng to travel from Kyoto to Nanchuan Province.
A message arrived on her phone, indicating that he had arrived.
Ling Qingxue pushed open the door and went to Hong Lie's room.
The Divine Physician Li was also present, discussing something with Lin Zhennan.
Seeing Ling Qingxue arrive, a smile appeared on his face.
"Qingxue, we've found a way to save the governor. I'll send someone to take you back to Lingtian Middle School shortly."
Hearing this, Ling Qingxue's expression changed slightly, and she looked at Doctor Li.
"I wonder what method Doctor Li has found to save the governor?"
Doctor Li smiled slightly and took out an ancient scroll.
"I've consulted numerous medical books, but haven't found this soul toxin. However, by chance, I found an ancient text about a Soul Cleansing Pool. According to the text and modern research, the Soul Cleansing Pool is located within the Soul Secret Place of our Nanchuan Province. If we can bring the Governor into the Soul Cleansing Pool, the toxin can be washed away!"
The description in the ancient text was similar to what Ling Qingxue remembered.
"Doctor Li, you are indeed very knowledgeable. You even found clues to such a hidden treasure."
"It was just luck. But even knowing about the existence of the Soul Cleansing Pool, finding it will still be very difficult. The Soul Secret Place is a high-level realm, containing Ninth Rank magical beasts. This trip is very dangerous," Doctor Li replied.
Lin Zhennan took a deep breath. "Since we know there's a way to save the governor, we must try. Besides, the governor can now control his unconscious moments and still has a King Rank combat power!"
For a King Rank expert, conquering a high-level secret place was quite easy.
"Director Lin, may I also enter the Soul Secret Place?" Ling Qingxue asked.
"That's out of the question. You're only a Second Rank peak martial artist, and high-level secret places are teeming with Fourth Level and higher magical beasts. This mission is to save the governor. If you want to go in, wait until the governor recovers and have the provincial soldiers escort you."
Ling Qingxue's face showed confidence. "I have a protective item given to me by Instructor Beiming Feng. Opponents below the King Rank can't harm me. Besides, I want to do my part for Nanchuan Province."
Lin Zhennan was still hesitant.
But Hong Lie sat up at this moment.
"Qingxue, you can come along too. Although I'm not at my peak, protecting a low-rank martial artist like you is still easy."
Since Hong Lie said this, Lin Zhennan could no longer oppose.
"Alright. Qingxue, after entering the secret place, stay close to me as much as possible. Leave the path clearing to the provincial soldiers. We will set off this afternoon!"
Soon, Lin Zhennan went to gather the provincial soldiers, while Doctor Li went to pack his things.
Only Ling Qingxue and Hong Lie remained in the room.
Hong Lie sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her slightly confused.
"Qingxue, can you tell me now why you asked me to allow you to enter the Soul Secret Place three days ago, and also warned me to be wary of Doctor Li?"
Indeed, three days ago, the note Ling Qingxue gave Hong Lie not only contained a secret technique to temporarily suppress the Soul-Devouring Curse with the power of light, but also explicitly stated that he must agree to let her enter the Soul Secret Place in three days, and to be especially wary of Doctor Li.
This meant that Ling Qingxue knew about the Soul Cleansing Pool three days ago!
This left Hong Lie utterly incredulous.
Ling Qingxue then began to explain.
"Governor, actually, Yang Wuqi's curse may not be targeting you, but my Taotie. You are the strongest in the entire Nanchuan Province. If you fall, and with Instructor Beiming Feng absent, Yang Wuqi can easily obtain the Taotie bloodline.
I thought of the Soul Cleansing Pool three days ago, but Yang Wuqi, as the caster, most likely knows about it too. Therefore, I needed three days to wait for Instructor Beiming Feng to arrive in Nanchuan!"
Hearing this, Hong Lie's eyes lit up.
With Beiming Feng in Nanchuan Province, even if he was not in his best shape, he could still defeat Yang Wuqi.
"You actually thought of so many things in advance. Your brain works better than ours. But is it true that Beiming Feng gave you a life-saving item? I remember that the three major martial arts universities encourage competition and rarely give such precious protective treasures to their students."
Martial artists were forged through life-and-death trials, and top martial arts universities cultivated top geniuses.
And a dead genius was no longer a genius. Talented people appeared every year, but ultimately, only survival proved one's genius.
They could provide resources, but they wouldn't raise students into spoiled brats.
Ling Qingxue shook her head. "No, I lied to them."
"Then, you still dare to come in with us? To be honest, in my current state, I'm not absolutely confident I can protect you from Yang Wuqi, and Beiming Feng can't guarantee your safety either!"
"I have to go in. Otherwise, Yang Wuqi won't show up. He's obsessed with the Taotie bloodline, and he's extremely good at hiding. Unless I eliminate him, I'll always have a ticking time bomb by my side."
She needed at least a Seventh Rank martial artist to have the strength to survive against Yang Wuqi.
This time, Yang Wuqi had set a trap to seize the Taotie bloodline. As someone caught in the scheme, this was the perfect opportunity for her to use Beiming Feng's strength to turn the tables on Yang Wuqi!
Hong Lie's face showed deep appreciation.
"Such courage! I've rarely seen a woman like you. I'll risk my life to protect you this time!"
He took out a precious pearl and handed it to Ling Qingxue.
"This pearl was formed from the essence of my magical beast, the Fiery Two-Headed Lizard. When crushed, it creates a fire barrier that's virtually impossible for anyone below the King Rank to break through for half an hour. Use it to protect yourself."
Ling Qingxue placed the pearl into her storage ring, feeling even more confident.
Currently, Yang Wuqi and the Grand Elder of the Beast King Cult were both at the King Rank, but the Grand Elder was severely injured by Hong Lie and was definitely not fully recovered yet.
In the entire Beast King Cult, no one except Yang Wuqi could instantly kill her.
"By the way, what did you mean by telling me to be wary of Doctor Li?" Hong Lie asked, puzzled.
Ling Qingxue curled her lips into a cold smile.
"Didn't you notice that during the last Beast King Cult operation, only the Third Elder didn't appear, and his name is... Jade-Faced Physician!"
Many members of the Beast King Cult were hidden among ordinary people.
Chen Xiao was like that, and so was the Jade-Faced Physician; few knew his true identity.
"Three days ago, I had some doubts about Doctor Li's reaction, but I wasn't certain, so I only told you to be wary of him.
But today, I'm completely certain of his identity. He must be Yang Wuqi's mole, constantly monitoring our movements. Such a powerful disguise could only come from the Jade-Faced Physician!"
The Jade-Faced Physician was the weakest of the three Elders, only at the Ninth Rank, but he was skilled in using poison and medicine, hence the name.
Ling Qingxue needed to be wary not only of Yang Wuqi, but also of this Doctor Li!