Bai Hehuai watched with amusement as the group of old men argued among themselves. In the midst of their quarreling, they noticed the young man and woman who had just entered the courtyard. The elder who had earlier mentioned performing acupuncture glared at Bai Hehuai and snapped, "Little girl, what are you laughing at?"
Ignoring him, Bai Hehuai asked the guard, "Where is the patient?"
"In the inner chamber," the guard replied.
"Lead me there." Bai Hehuai adjusted the medicine box slung over her shoulder.
The physicians exchanged glances, realizing this was another healer who had arrived. The elder snorted coldly, "So you're the so-called 'Little Divine Physician' from that newly opened Crane Rain Medicine Manor in the city?"
"A Miracle Healer is a Miracle Healer—there's no need to distinguish between big or small," Bai Hehuai replied with a smile. "Bai Hehuai of Crane Rain Medicine Manor greets you all!"
"Hmph. Quite the bold talk for a mere girl," the elder sneered. "It's only because we've been confined to this prefectural residence these past days, leaving the city's patients with nowhere else to go, that you've had the chance to make a name for yourself."
Bai Hehuai bowed slightly. "Then I truly must thank you, venerable elder."
"Tch. Go on in, girl," the elder waved dismissively.
"Follow me," the guard said, stepping forward to lead Bai Hehuai and Su Muyu inside. In the outer chamber sat a middle-aged man in official robes, his face ashen. Beside him was a richly dressed woman, her face haggard and streaked with tears. Upon seeing Bai Hehuai enter, the official rose and said, "The Miracle Healer has arrived."
Bai Hehuai nodded. "Greetings, Prefect."
The official waved his hand. "No need for formalities, Miracle Healer."
"Might I ask who in your household has fallen ill?" Bai Hehuai inquired.
"My son," the official sighed softly.
"Ah, so it's the young master," Bai Hehuai said, having already guessed as much. "Is he in the inner chamber?"
"Yes." The official stood. "I'll take you there, but please be prepared—my son's condition may be unlike anything you've encountered before."
"Oh?" Bai Hehuai remained composed. "How so?"
Su Muyu frowned slightly. He could clearly sense the guard beside them tensing up as they approached the inner chamber, his expression growing increasingly nervous.
After a brief pause, the official spoke slowly, "Tell me, Miracle Healer—have you ever read those tales of the supernatural? My son now resembles the creatures described in such stories—neither fully human nor fully ghost."
Bai Hehuai suddenly halted and sniffed the air lightly.
"What do you smell, Miracle Healer?" the official asked.
"This scent—it's wrong!" Bai Hehuai's expression turned grave.
Su Muyu stepped forward, positioning himself protectively beside her. "What's wrong?"
"I smell... the stench of death." Bai Hehuai hurried forward a few steps and finally took in the full scene inside the chamber. A shirtless man was bound to an iron bed by four chains securing his limbs. Hearing their approach, the man turned his head toward them, his eyes glowing an eerie blue-red. The iron bed began to tremble as the man strained violently against his restraints, struggling to break free.
"Be careful, Miracle Healer. Kui Wu, protect her well," the prefect instructed the guard.
"That won't be necessary. I'll handle her protection," Su Muyu said, raising a hand.Bai Hehuai stood frozen in place. She was by no means a timid person—even during Dark River's Bloody Night, she had never shown the slightest fear. Yet now, she was completely petrified.
The prefect sighed inwardly, thinking: What kind of Miracle Healer is this? In the end, she’s still just a girl. I shouldn’t have placed my hopes on her. She’s already terrified before even examining the patient.
Su Muyu had never seen Bai Hehuai like this before. He asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“This can’t be,” Bai Hehuai murmured. “This can’t be!”
“What can’t be?” Su Muyu pressed quietly.
“Escort the Miracle Healer out,” the prefect said, having already given up.
“Wait.” Su Muyu stepped forward, releasing a surge of energy that sent the prefect and his guards stumbling back.
Bai Hehuai crouched down, retrieving a roll of Silver Needles from her medicine box. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them flying—each needle embedding into the man’s body. Yet the man showed no reaction, still struggling to break free from the iron chains.
Su Muyu had witnessed this technique more than once. Even someone as formidable as The Head had been forced into deep slumber by it. Yet this man remained unaffected.
“He can’t even feel pain anymore,” Bai Hehuai muttered, stepping closer to examine the man’s pupils. “The closer I get, the stronger the stench of decay. How laughable. Absolutely laughable.”
Su Muyu seemed to grasp her meaning, his killing intent flaring abruptly.
“No need.” Bai Hehuai stopped him, then turned and walked out.
“Miracle Healer, please wait!” The prefect, sensing she had uncovered something, hurried after her. But Bai Hehuai ignored him entirely, striding into the courtyard where the other physicians were still arguing. She shouted furiously, “As healers, you should act with integrity. Yet you disgrace the title, each of you flaunting the name ‘Miracle Healer’!”
The elderly physician was stunned for a moment before snapping back, “You insolent child! You barely examined him and now dare to lecture us? Ridiculous!”
Bai Hehuai retorted, “What’s there to examine? Any healer with a few years of experience could tell—he’s already dead! And here you are, debating whether to use needles or medicine on a corpse. What kind of farce is this? Are you afraid the prefect will have you executed if you tell him the truth? Is this what you call ‘compassion’—spouting nonsense instead of speaking honestly?”
The prefect, who had followed her out, stood trembling in the doorway. “Miracle Healer… what are you saying? My son, he’s already…”
“Dead. Deader than dead,” Bai Hehuai stated solemnly. “Beyond saving.”
The prefect collapsed to the ground.
“Nonsense! If he’s dead, how can he still move?” One of the younger physicians, unable to hold back, challenged her.
“Ever heard of Corpse Transformation?” Bai Hehuai shot back.
The man faltered. “That’s just something from books. I’ve never seen it—have you?”
Bai Hehuai sneered. “Oh, I’ve seen it. A hundred corpses rising, slaughtering village after village.”The elderly man who had been speaking all this time pondered for a long while before finally asking, "May I ask the young lady's name and who her master is?"
"My name is Bai Hehuai, and I study under the Medicine King Valley!" Bai Hehuai declared loudly.
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