Chapter 143: Checking the Cause of Illness

Chapter 143: Investigating the Cause

"Ring ring~"

The phone rang for a long, long time before Aunt Xiaoyuan picked up, her tone extremely unpleasant: "If you've got something to say, spit it out!"

Uh, why does she sound like she swallowed dynamite... Zhang Yuanqing put on an enthusiastic smile:

"Aunt Xiaoyuan, long time no see, I've missed you terribly. I still owe you ten thousand, after all, so I was wondering if you have time now—I'd like to come pay a visit."

Master Wuhen had said last time that he hoped Zhang Yuanqing wouldn't go to the hotel again; the righteous and the wicked walk different paths, don't bring ruin upon yourself.

Therefore, even though Zhang Yuanqing excelled at socializing, with a big shot having made things clear, he didn't dare visit on his own initiative.

Making this call was a roundabout strategy—taking a detour to have Aunt Xiaoyuan probe Master Wuhen's stance.

Aunt Xiaoyuan let out a cold "Hmph": "If you've got nothing to say, I'm hanging up."

"The official comprehensive physical examination is about to begin. Word is, this time the Songhai Branch has applied for a Tiger Tally." Zhang Yuanqing spoke seriously: "I wanted to ask for Master Wuhen's opinion."

Silence for a few seconds on the other end, then Aunt Xiaoyuan's voice turned cold:

"You're worried that your past dealings with us will become a liability, affecting your standing in the official ranks, your reputation?"

Zhang Yuanqing keenly detected emotion in her tone—she didn't sound too happy.

At that moment, he faintly heard a young man's low roar from the other end of the line: "Let go of me, my business is none of your concern, who are you talking to? How do you have connections with the officials?"

Followed by a dull "thud," then the young man's muffled groan—he seemed to have been knocked unconscious.

"Uh, Aunt Xiaoyuan, did I interrupt something?" Zhang Yuanqing asked cautiously: "Is that your son?"

"Son?" Aunt Xiaoyuan's voice suddenly shot up an octave.

Zhang Yuanqing heard the sound of teeth grinding, and laughed dryly: "Aunt Xiaoyuan, trouble you to ask for me."

Aunt Xiaoyuan was a woman of indeterminate age, her figure curvaceous with the fullness of a mature woman yet the vitality of a young girl, eyes round and alluring, skin fair and tender.

But her temperament, the overall feeling she gave, was absolutely not that of a young girl.

So Zhang Yuanqing couldn't gauge her age—maybe thirty, maybe forty. Having a half-grown son wouldn't be strange.

"Wait!"

Aunt Xiaoyuan replied coldly, then hung up.

About ten minutes later, she called Zhang Yuanqing back and said:

"Master Wuhen says the Tiger Tally is a Scout-class rule-type artifact. In its presence, no one can lie. Unless one possesses an artifact or power of the same level to resist it.

"The Master also said, instead of thinking about how to block the artifact's ability, you'd do better to consider who will be wielding it. Additionally, I personally think our reputation is still quite good. Your interactions with us have been ordinary; with your merits, the Five Elements Alliance wouldn't cut off your future over this.

"I've said my piece. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

She really is angry. Aunt Xiaoyuan is quite sensitive—I merely showed a hint of concern and she immediately detected it, acting like she wants to sever all ties with me. Strong self-esteem...

Zhang Yuanqing coughed: "There is actually one more thing. I obtained a Guild Token, and wanted to ask Aunt Xiaoyuan if you'd be interested in joining my guild?"

"You... want to invite me to join a guild?" Aunt Xiaoyuan froze, somewhat incredulous, her voice deep:

"You think this through. I am an Evil class. You invite me to join your guild—have you considered the consequences? If you haven't, let me tell you. First, you will never be able to invite official friends into the guild again; it will ruin your networking. Wild Lawful classes will also keep their distance because an Evil class is in the guild. Your Guild Token might as well be scrap.

"Second, once this leaks, the severity will be far worse than it is now. Even with a distinguished record and merit, you are destined never to reach the upper echelons of the Five Elements Alliance. The official 'political vetting' is extremely strict."

Zhang Yuanqing said, "I know. I just want to invite Aunt Xiao Yuan."

"You!" Xiao Yuan flared up subconsciously, but her tone suddenly softened, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Why..."

Zhang Yuanqing fell silent for a long while, then spoke slowly:

"Admittedly, because of their class traits, those of the Evil alignment are mostly heinous villains. Toward such people, I show no mercy, no quarter. But I also know that not all Evil classes are bad people. Like you, Aunt Xiao Yuan. Like 'Unworthy of Being a Father'."

Aunt Xiao Yuan said coldly, "You don't know me. Don't speak in such absolutes."

Zhang Yuanqing said:

"I don't know your past, but I believe that as long as one's heart turns toward good, anyone deserves a chance at self-redemption. Just like 'Unworthy of Being a Father'—his killing karma was entirely forced upon him. Society gave him no justice, so he took up his blade and reclaimed his own justice.

"I may not know your past, but I know the you of now. I trust my own judgment."

Xiao Yuan sneered, "Perhaps one day you will die because of your blind trust."

Zhang Yuanqing replied instantly, "Then I die in the right place, and I die unrepentant."

She fell silent.

Zhang Yuanqing's tone turned serious as he continued:

"I haven't been with the officials for long, yet I've seen far too many Lawful classes doing wicked deeds. I have my own view of good and evil; I will not be shackled by the Spirit Realm. If the Five Elements Alliance squeezes me out of the core power circle because of this, so be it—I'll just be an outsider.

"Besides, my original intent in founding this guild was to build a network independent of the officials."

Zhang Yuanqing spoke with utter sincerity; they were his true feelings, without a shred of falsehood. But his purpose wasn't solely to persuade Xiao Yuan to join. There was another layer: he was using Xiao Yuan's mouth to convey his philosophy to Master Wuhen.

Master Wuhen's stance was clear—drawing a line in the sand.

But Zhang Yuanqing didn't want to let go of this massive backer. He intended to cultivate the relationship properly, securing another layer of insurance for the future.

Xiao Yuan listened quietly to the end, then said, "Since you've made up your mind, I don't care. No need to tell me all this. Later, open your warehouse, click the search icon in the upper right corner, enter my Spirit Realm ID, and I'll receive the invitation prompt. By the way, what did you name the guild?"

Her tone had softened considerably, a world away from the icy timbre of moments before.

"The Dead Return!"

"???" Aunt Xiao Yuan's tone flipped instantly, freezing over. "My apologies. Our paths diverge; we cannot walk together. Forget the guild invitation."

Listening to the dial tone from the phone, Zhang Yuanqing's mind was full of question marks.

What was with this woman? Far too fickle. We were talking perfectly fine just a moment ago.

Sigh! Looks like there's no escaping it. Stretch your neck or shrink it, it's a blade either way. Good thing I haven't done anything heinous... Zhang Yuanqing sighed silently.

...

Wuhen Hotel. Xiao Yuan put down her phone, pursing her lips. "What a trash name."

She thought for a moment, then picked up her phone again and sent a message to Yuanshi Tianzun:

"I'll think about it!"

Then, Xiaoyuan placed her phone on the table, lifted her gaze, and looked toward the hotel lobby, at the youth lying motionless on the icy floor tiles.

He was about sixteen, his face pale, eyebrows thick, eyes brilliant as stars; a remarkably handsome, fiercely sharp young wolf-dog.

Right now, the anger on the youth's face deepened, yet unlike the rage from before, this fire was laced with resentment and heartbreak:

"Xiaoyuan, when did you get mixed up with the official organization? How can you face us? Back then, we all swore to follow Master Wuchen in cultivation, to forget the past, redeem ourselves, never to consort with the evil faction, never to deal with the lawful faction."

The more he spoke, the angrier he grew, roaring like a little lion: "I want to see Master Wuchen."

Xiaoyuan glanced at him, her tone flat: "That person just now, Master Wuchen knows him too."

"Ah?" The youth's expression froze, he stalled for seconds, his bluster deflating as he said awkwardly: "Oh, then, then it's fine..."

He immediately flared up again: "Xiaoyuan, hurry up and undo the anesthetic on me."

"You want revenge, I have no objection, but if you're seeking death, I certainly won't stand by and watch." Xiaoyuan, in flat shoes, walked out from behind the counter, not even sparing him a glance:

"Stay here and reflect. I'm going up to see Master Wuchen."

She entered the elevator, arrived at the fourth floor, and stopped before room 404.

"Knock knock!"

Xiaoyuan rapped lightly on the door, voice low: "Master, it's me."

Finished speaking, she turned the doorknob; the surrounding scenery shifted rapidly, the hotel corridor transforming into an ancient temple wreathed in curling incense.

"Yuanshi Tianzun invited me to join his faction." Xiaoyuan bowed.

Master Wuchen had his back to her, his voice echoing with suppressed pain:

"You come to ask my opinion rather than refuse; your heart is already moved. What did he say to you?"

Xiaoyuan lowered her head, relaying Yuanshi Tianzun's philosophy to Master Wuchen.

The figure in the cyan robe sat in silent stillness. Long moments passed, then a deep voice resonated once more:

"He really said that?"

Xiaoyuan nodded gently: "Words alone are proof of nothing."

"Then go verify it yourself." Master Wuchen spoke slowly.

...

Two days later, Tang Hospital.

Tang Hospital was an asset of the Hundred Flowers Association, a top-tier private hospital in Songhai, used as the venue for the comprehensive physical examination.

An extended luxury MPV pulled up outside the clinic; the electric doors slid open, and Jingwei was the first to leap from the cabin, red hair dancing like flames.

"Jingwei, slow down. Remember to maintain elegance at all times; there are many colleagues watching here."

Leaning on a cane, Li Dongze stepped down. The weather was growing increasingly sweltering, yet he still wore that suit—black jacket, white shirt, dark vest—at most he had just removed the jacket.

His little mustache was also trimmed impeccably neat.

Zhang Yuanqing subsequently emerged from the car door, smiling as he turned, striking a gentleman's pose, raising the back of his hand as an armrest, and said with a grin:

“Come, Consort Guan, take hold of Zhen’s hand.”

Guan Ya shot him a glare, then broke into a smile, resting her hand on the back of his; with Zhang Yuanqing's assistance, she stepped down from the car door.

Ahead, Li Dongze leaned on his cane, silently watching the scene; as a Squad Leader, he did not approve of “office romances,” yet he had no grounds to object—after all, he was merely a Squad Leader, not an elder.

Hmph, in terms of age, he was old enough to be Yuan Shi's elder, but the twenty-seven-year-old Guan Ya would have to call him “Old Brother.”

So Guan Ya grazes on such tender grass… Li Dongze shook his head slightly.

Zhang Yuanqing released Guan Ya's hand and turned his gaze to Teng Yuan inside the compartment, saying:

“Squad Leader Teng Yuan, when do you plan to return to work?”

Due to the Grand Physical Examination, Jingwei and Teng Yuan had been recalled; the Grand Physical Examination was mandatory, no leave permitted, no absence allowed, unless one was in the Spirit Realm, or dead.

Teng Yuan pushed up the glasses on his nose bridge, wearing an air of utter passionlessness toward life:

“Why work? Life is short; one should savor existence, not squander finite time on earning money and fighting, even if the aim is to uphold order.”

Sigh, this salted fish is beyond saving… Zhang Yuanqing said no more, following Li Dongze and the others into the hospital.

Passing through the Outpatient and Emergency buildings, they went deeper; the fewer the people, the quieter the surroundings, until finally, the Second Squad members halted before a small building shrouded in greenery.

At the entrance of the small building stood two guards in formal attire, hands clasped, backs ramrod straight, faces grim.

They were Official Walkers who had already passed the Grand Physical Examination.

Li Dongze led his subordinates forward, presented their credentials, and after verification passed without issue, the group entered the building's interior.

The first-floor lobby was spacious and open, gathering over twenty people—all Official Walker squads from the Kangyang District, familiar faces to Zhang Yuanqing.

Captains Tang Guoqiang, Bai Long, Qing Teng, and the Boxing King huddled together in low conversation.

Their subordinates, too, clustered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing; female Walkers let out crisp laughter from time to time.

Zhang Yuanqing even overheard a few female colleagues saying:

“Heard the Second Squad's Yuan Shi Tianzun is coming too.”

“Can't wait; that Queen on the forum says he's handsome, and our Captain Qing Teng also says he's a fine young man.”

Besides these examinees, there were a dozen or so guards in formal wear, stationed orderly at every vantage, blocking windows, stairwells, the main gate, and such.

This is the rhythm of catching the traitor and executing them on the spot… Zhang Yuanqing muttered with a twinge of guilt.

“Yo! Our great hero, Yuan Shi Tianzun, has arrived.”

Da Jiba sensed someone entering, turned his head, and upon seeing Yuan Shi Tianzun, immediately broke into a hearty grin.

Yuan Shi Tianzun?

Huo Shi's booming voice echoed through the first-floor lobby.

The slightly clamorous lobby fell silent in an instant; everyone “swished” their heads around, looking toward the main entrance.

In a flash, Zhang Yuanqing felt gazes land on him one after another—scrutinizing, observing, gloating, satisfied…

Recognized me just like that? Am I that distinct, that dazzling? Zhang Yuanqing turned his head to glance at the Squad Leader stroking his little mustache, then at the bespectacled Teng Yuan with his slightly dull gaze, and Wang Tai, equally dull-eyed…

Oh, it's all thanks to the contrast provided by peers.

"Indeed handsome, and not old either—a little milk pup."

"Early twenties, I'd wager. How nice. Men that age have the most vigorous energy."

Amidst the whispered gossip, Qingteng whipped her head around and glared at her female subordinates.

A pack of rutting little fillies.

The temperament of Wood Yaos is the most complex among all professions—lofty, aloof, gentle, passionate, and so on. Yet some Wood Yaos possess exuberant vitality, harboring intense reproductive urges, especially in spring.

Coupled with the fact that the women of this profession possess delicate, alluring features and graceful, swaying figures, many female Wood Yaos are famous social butterflies within the organization.

In earlier years, even Official Walkers came to blows over these socialites, fighting out of jealousy, causing the reputation of Transcendent-stage Wood Yaos within the Five Elements Alliance to plummet.

Having warned her female subordinates with a look, Qingteng turned toward the Second Squad members, smiling: "Yuanshi, you're the idol in the hearts of all the girls in the Songhai Branch now."

Bailong scrutinized Yuanshi Tianzun and sighed with emotion: "Heard you're Level 3 already? I reckon I can't recruit you. Why not join my squad instead? I'll hand you the captain's position."

Li Dongze, standing nearby, couldn't help but marvel. Just over a month ago, these guys were secretly scheming to poach him; now they've sunk so low as to beg him to be captain.

"Captain Bailong flatters me. My experience is shallow; I cannot be captain." Zhang Yuanqing replied modestly.

The muscle-bound brute slapped his shoulder hard, his heroism soaring to the clouds: "You butchered Li Xianzong yourself—what's so hard about being a captain? You kid, you've really brought honor to our Songhai Branch."

Just as they spoke, the examination room door to the left swung open, and a middle-aged man walked out with a rather unsightly complexion.

"Looking like that... is your health bad?" a companion stepped up to ask.

"Don't ask, don't ask." The middle-aged man hurriedly waved his hand, evasive and secretive.

Not far off, Guanya leaned close to Zhang Yuanqing's ear and whispered: "He has kidney deficiency..."

Warm, fragrant breath puffed against his earlobe, bringing a tingling, numbing sensation. Zhang Yuanqing rubbed his ear and murmured: "How do you know... oh, right, you're a Scout. Sister Guanya, there doesn't seem to be any equipment here. How do they check the body?"

The first stage of the Grand Physical examines physical health. Spirit Realm Walkers get sick too, after all—they're still carbon-based lifeforms.

Guanya explained: "For the physical examination stage, our Songhai Branch only needs a single device. It's called the 'Divine Physician Detector,' a high-grade artifact of the Musician profession. By scanning the whole body with special light rays, it can diagnose physical conditions—any disease can be detected.

"It can also detect if someone is being controlled by special abilities."

Controlled by special abilities... No wonder the Demon Lord said he couldn't pass the Grand Physical. The power of the Fallen Chalice is evil and terrifying, yet lacks concealment, so it can't escape the physical... Zhang Yuanqing suddenly understood.

At the same time, he felt a growing impatience to experience this stage.

His old chronic headache had always been a heart disease. Before becoming a Spirit Realm Walker, he constantly worried, terrified that one day the wonder drug would fail and he would be gone.

Moreover, his strong-willed mother had dragged him to countless major hospitals, yet none could diagnose the cause.

Amidst the long wait, the Official Walkers ahead filed out of the examination room one by one, heading upstairs for the second stage.

"Li Dongze!"

A summons rang out from the examination room.

Finally, it was Squad Two's turn.

Leaning on his cane, Li Dongze glanced back at his subordinates, an elegant smile on his lips.

"If you don't mind, why don't we go in together? I believe a joint physical will enhance our familiarity, and as your Squad Leader, I have an obligation to know your physical conditions."

"Ah, this isn't mandatory. If you value your physical privacy, you may stay outside."

With that, he lifted his cane and stepped into the examination room.

Zhang Yuanqing, curious for a long time, immediately followed. Jiang Jingwei hesitated not a second, tagging along for the excitement.

Guan Ya frowned, hesitated briefly, then entered behind the two.

As for Teng Yuan and Wang Tai, the two were desireless and unasking, simply drifting with the tide.

Inside the examination room, Zhang Yuanqing laid eyes on the "Divine Doctor Detector." It was a waist-high instrument, cylindrical in shape, resembling a thickened, heightened charging pile.

The metal base and body were painted white; the cylinder's surface was a screen.

A cable ran from the body, terminating in a T-shaped scanner.

A female doctor in a white coat sat behind the desk. She swept a glance over the entrants and asked, "Which one is Li Dongze?"

Li Dongze propped his cane aside and sat at the desk's edge. "That would be me."

The female doctor gave a cold nod, not even looking at Zhang Yuanqing and the others. She picked up the scanner, aiming it at Li Dongze's forehead.

*Beep beep...*

The scanner's yellow warning light flared, projecting a red linear beam onto Li Dongze's forehead.

The machine instantly emitted an electronic voice:

**[Beep beep, commencing diagnosis... Condition: Erosive Gastritis. Advisory: Maintain regular diet, abstain from alcohol, avoid spicy foods... Diagnosis complete!]**

Li Dongze rose smoothly, sighing. "A bad stomach has been my old ailment, but quitting alcohol is truly too difficult."

The female doctor glanced at the computer screen. "Jiang Jingwei!"

The roster was sorted by entry order.

"Me me me..." Jingwei squeezed Li Dongze aside and perched on the desk's edge. The female doctor raised the scanner to her forehead:

**[Beep beep, commencing diagnosis... No pathology detected. Stomach slightly enlarged, IQ slightly low. Advisory: Do not binge eat... Diagnosis complete!]**

Everyone: "..."

Quite the "slightly low IQ." This broken machine actually has some EQ; shouldn't it be "extremely low"? Zhang Yuanqing nearly burst out laughing.

The female doctor looked at Jingwei with pity, offering comfort. "Young lady, your body is fine. Your stomach is just stretched, but that's not a defect. Every Fire Master has a slightly enlarged stomach. Next, Guan Ya."

Zhang Yuanqing instantly perked up.

【Beep beep, initiating diagnosis... No pathology detected. Your physique is excellently maintained. Please keep it up... Diagnosis complete!】

Guanya cast a glance at Zhang Yuanqing, her lips curving in a confident smile.

Young Spirit Realm Walkers rarely suffered poor constitutions; next came Teng Yuan—the old salted fish was in fine form, barring severe myopia.

Wang Tai, by contrast, bore a roster of ailments: fatty liver, hemorrhoids, endocrine dysfunction, and so on.

A Scholar's physical enhancement in the Transcendent phase was minimal; Wang Tai might cut a fine figure among ordinary men, but among Spirit Realm Walkers, he was naught but a weakling.

"Yuan Shi, you're up!" Li Dongze declared.

Zhang Yuanqing stood unmoving, drawing a slow, deep breath, his face taut with tension.

"Come on, come on." Jiang Jingwei pressed, "Let me see if you're hiding any sickness."

Guanya smiled indulgently, "Fear not—you're not kidney-deficient. I read people like books."

Zhang Yuanqing took his seat at the table, spine ramrod straight.

The white-coated physician repeated her earlier motions, raising the scanner to his forehead.

…