Chapter 228: Mission Partner

Shangguan Sheng was also puzzled. He said, "I don't know how Sect Master Liu made these arrangements. Leaving aside my junior brother's martial arts prowess, even just considering his medical skills, he should have been sent to the front lines. Having him escort spirit herbs... I don't quite understand the intention behind this."

The elders were all dumbfounded.

"Such a powerful disciple, and he's assigned to logistics?"

"What's going on? He can single-handedly challenge a Beast King-level demon beast, yet they're not sending him to the front lines?"

Just as everyone was bewildered, the person sent to inquire about Jiang Fan's information returned.

"Sect Master, I've found out!"

"His name is Jiang Fan, and he is Sect Master Qingyun's disciple."

"A few days ago, Sect Master Qingyun publicly announced the joyous news of Jiang Fan's marriage to his daughter."

"He acknowledged him as his son-in-law."

Upon learning that Jiang Fan was Liu Wenchen's son-in-law, everyone's confusion was instantly cleared.

It turned out Liu Wenchen was afraid his precious son-in-law would encounter danger on the front lines, so he arranged for him to handle logistics in the rear!

But precisely because they understood, they were instantly enraged!

The Grand Sect Master, furious, smashed the table in front of him with a punch and roared, "Liu Wenchen! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Just because he's your son-in-law, you're assigning such a powerful disciple to logistics, carrying out a Grade 3 mission?"

"Are the powerful disciples from our other sects supposed to foolishly head to the front lines?"

"You just wait! I'm writing a complaint to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion about you right now!"

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

The usually good-tempered Grand Sect Master was so angry that he kept cursing. He immediately wrote a complaint on the spot.

Shangguan Sheng's face twitched as he muttered, "Liu Wenchen certainly went a bit too far." He quickly winked at Yan Yuqing, signaling her to take Jiang Fan away.

Shortly after, outside the mountain gate.

Yan Yuqing bowed respectfully, her eyes full of apology, and said, "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble, Uncle."

"You've been unnecessarily drawn into so many troubles because of me."

Jiang Fan shook his head, unconcerned. "It's fine. If they dare bully you again, just tell me."

Yan Yuqing smiled wryly, "After seeing Uncle's might, who would be so foolish as to trouble me again?"

After a brief contemplation, she spoke as if having made a firm decision:

"Uncle, you were right before. It's best to specialize in either medical or martial arts; otherwise, you won't excel in either."

"Therefore, I've decided to focus solely on... medical arts from now on."

Jiang Fan looked surprised. "What about martial arts then?" He had thought she would strike while the iron was hot, capitalizing on her recent major victories to continue her martial arts journey.

Yan Yuqing's expression turned bitter. "Before I met you, Uncle, I always thought my martial arts talent was quite good."

"I believed that with hard work, my future achievements wouldn't be inferior to others."

"But now, it seems I'm merely ordinary in the face of true genius."

"Rather than that, I might as well switch to medical arts and become a divine physician like my master."

Quite a few disciples shared her feelings. In life, encountering someone truly astonishing can leave one feeling trapped in their shadow, unable to break free. Jiang Fan's extraordinary talent dimmed the spirits of many, causing them to doubt their own futures. However, unlike Yan Yuqing, they weren't fortunate enough to have the path of a divine physician open to them.

Jiang Fan understood her mindset. He had also always felt that Yan Yuqing would have a more promising future by focusing on medical arts. After thinking for a moment, he took out a compilation of insights he had gained while studying the 'Undying Medical Tome' in his spare time. Although not comprehensive, it contained some of the essence of the 'Undying Medical Tome.'

"I give you this. I hope you make good use of it."

Yan Yuqing unfolded it and found it was a collection of medical insights personally written by Jiang Fan. The various medical principles within astonished her; they were incredibly profound. She immediately realized the preciousness of this item. Moved to tears, she fell to her knees with a soft thud.

"Uncle, please accept three bows from your junior!"

Jiang Fan thought about reaching out to help her up, but after a moment's thought, he accepted her three bows. She would likely never get a chance to repay this kindness in her lifetime. If he didn't even allow her this bow, she would carry this sentiment with her for the rest of her life.

At this moment, Xia Chaoge arrived, driving three fully loaded carriages, all filled with spirit herbs. She handed the horsewhip to Jiang Fan, saying, "Here, Uncle."

Jiang Fan checked the items against the mission list, counting them one by one. After confirming everything was complete, he leaped onto the lead carriage. He cupped his hands and said, "My two juniors, the road ahead is long; take care." With that, he rode off.

Yan Yuqing stared blankly as Jiang Fan departed, silent, crystal tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Uncle..."

Choking back a sob, she clutched the insights Jiang Fan had given her. Although they had only spent half a day together, it had changed her life. It left her with memories that would linger for a lifetime. She would never forget that a young uncle in white had fought against all the Supreme Sect's prodigies for her.

"Sister, what's in your hand?" Xia Chaoge asked curiously.

Yan Yuqing carefully opened it, her tear-filled eyes full of warmth. "It's medical insights Uncle gave me."

Xia Chaoge leaned closer to look and was instantly engrossed. Many medical puzzles that had plagued her for years were instantly resolved. It wasn't until Yan Yuqing closed it that Xia Chaoge, still wanting more, couldn't help but lightly stomp her foot and playfully chide, "Uncle is biased!"

"Why didn't he give me one?"

Yan Yuqing was taken aback. After so many years, it was the first time she had seen the typically aloof Xia Chaoge display such a childlike demeanor. Uncle's charm must be truly immense, mustn't it?

Wiping away her tears, she broke into a teary smile.

"What's the rush? I never said I wouldn't share it with you."

"You can copy a portion of it when we get back."

"Remember not to damage it; this is a gift from Uncle!"

Only then did Xia Chaoge beam with delight, eagerly pushing her back to Divine Physician Peak.

Meanwhile, Jiang Fan drove the beast-drawn carriages to the foot of the Supreme Sect. He had expected to wait a few more days for the other three partners assigned to the mission to arrive. However, to his surprise, at the foot of the mountain, under the dappled shade of some trees, sat two disciples with swords on their backs. The man was handsome and dashing, and the woman was tall and beautiful. Judging by their attire, they appeared to be from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. They, too, sensed Jiang Fan from afar and tentatively asked, "May I ask who you are?"

Jiang Fan directly displayed his identity token. "A disciple of Qingyun Sect," he stated, "on a mission to escort spirit herbs."

The two looked relieved, stood up, displayed their own identity tokens, and cupped their hands in greeting, saying,

"Lu Xinghe, from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect."

"Qin Caihe, from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect."

Jiang Fan jumped down from the carriage and took out his mission jade slip to verify. Seeing him produce his jade slip, the two were completely at ease and each took out a jade slip of their own. All three were identical upon verification, confirming they were the mission executors.

Qin Caihe, around nineteen years old, was exquisitely beautiful with a perfect bone structure, possessing the elegant charm of a classical beauty. Looking at Jiang Fan, whose skin was even fairer and more delicate than her own, she felt a sense of goodwill.

"May I ask Junior Brother's name?"

Jiang Fan hesitated for a moment but still replied truthfully, "Jiang Fan."

Jiang Fan?

Jiang Fan of the Qingyun Sect?

She and Lu Xinghe exchanged glances, having clearly heard that name before. However, like others, the rumors they'd heard were not favorable.