TRWSB – Chapter 52 The Whereabouts of the Evil Doctor

Qi Shaorong returned to his dormitory and found an unexpected guest waiting for him.

“Why are you here? Did anyone see you?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Yi Fan shook his head and replied, “I snuck in carefully. Even if someone saw me, it shouldn’t matter. Two disgraced outcasts catching up—there’s nothing extraordinary about that.”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “True enough.”

“Young Master, congratulations! You got away from the Qi family so easily. It took me over a decade to break free from the Yi family, but you managed it with just a single sentence. Truly impressive,” Yi Fan said with admiration.

Qi Shaorong: “…” Was that supposed to be a compliment?

Yi Fan’s gaze shifted toward Qi Shaorong, his lips curving into an uncontrollable smile. “Young Master, it seems your arrangement with the Evil Doctor has really upset Zhuang Hao.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

“Enough about that. Since you’re divorced from Mu Xuelan, do you have any plans to remarry?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Yi Fan shrugged. “I’ll think about it later.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

“By the way, Young Master, Yi Huo has almost fully recovered,” Yi Fan added.

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Is that so? Lucky him.”

Yi Fan glanced at Qi Shaorong. “Since his recovery, he’s been itching to pick a fight with the Evil Doctor. However, the doctor has vanished. He heard you’re on good terms with the doctor, so he might…”

“Come after me?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Yi Fan nodded. “It’s possible.”

Qi Shaorong sneered coldly. “What’s this about? Am I some kind of easy target for everyone?”

In the palace.

“Ah Hao, I checked the serial number on this purple-gold card. It used to be in Father’s possession and was recently given to the Evil Doctor. How did it end up with you? The doctor disappeared after receiving it. Have you seen him? If you meet him, please ask him to give Little Tiger a follow-up examination,” Tang Tianying said.

“Is something wrong with Little Tiger?” Zhuang Hao asked.

Tang Tianying shook his head. “Not really. Although the doctor is missing, he left enough medicine to last for a long time. It’s just that Little Tiger seems to miss him.”

“I don’t know where he is,” Zhuang Hao said despondently.

Tang Tianying gave Zhuang Hao a puzzled look. “You don’t know?”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “No, this purple-gold card was something I traded from Qi Shaorong, adding an extra ten thousand gold coins. Qi Shaorong said the doctor gave it to him.”

Tang Tianying: “… You paid an extra ten thousand gold? Ah Hao, you’re quite generous. Still, this card’s value is immeasurable. In a way, you got a bargain.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Tang Tianying looked at Zhuang Hao thoughtfully. “The Evil Doctor gave the purple-gold card to Qi Shaorong? Does this mean your former fiancée is now officially your romantic rival? Ah Hao, I have to say, you shouldn’t have broken off the engagement. If you hadn’t, you could’ve married both Qi Shaorong and the doctor. Look at you now—reaping what you sowed!”

Zhuang Hao shot Tang Tianying a chilling glare. Tang Tianying awkwardly chuckled. “Just kidding. Only joking.”

Clenching his fists, Zhuang Hao asked, “Do you have any news about the doctor?”

Tang Tianying shook his head. “No, the Evil Doctor is incredibly enigmatic. Despite his rising fame in recent years, no one knows his appearance or origins. Even Father has been investigating, but without success.”

“He seems to dislike me,” Zhuang Hao said.

Tang Tianying looked baffled. “Why would he dislike you? You’re so handsome! Doesn’t the doctor like good-looking men?”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “I don’t know either.”

In the library.

Qi Shaorong sat in a corner, flipping through various books. Opposite him, Zhuang Ling took a seat.

Looking up, Qi Shaorong asked, “Instructor Zhuang Ling, why are you here?”

“Instructor Sun Lin has received the medicine from the Evil Doctor. Thank you for your efforts, Qi,” Zhuang Ling said.

Rubbing the book pages between his fingers, Qi Shaorong replied, “Instructor Sun Lin’s daughter was fortunate. No need to thank me.”

Zhuang Ling observed Qi Shaorong. “You’re quite a fast reader.”

Qi Shaorong smiled. “I’m just skimming.”

Zhuang Ling chuckled. “The Evil Doctor certainly lives up to his reputation. After just one dose of medicine, Furong has improved significantly.”

“That little girl was lucky,” Qi Shaorong remarked.

“Qi, have you heard about the upcoming Hundred Schools Tournament?” Zhuang Ling asked.

“What’s that?” Qi Shaorong responded.

“It’s an exciting competition. Hundreds of academies each select ten participants to enter the Blood Moon Mystic Realm and search for seven-colored stones hidden by a Saint-level expert. Different colors represent different points.”

“At the end, points are tallied to determine the top ten academies. An academy’s reputation is directly influenced by its ranking.”

“Additionally, the top ten participants will receive generous rewards.”

Qi Shaorong pondered. “With the Capital Seven Prodigies concentrated in the Holy Emperor Academy, they’re bound to dominate.”

Zhuang Ling nodded. “Yes, Zhuang Hao is a favorite to win the individual championship.”

“Is that so?” Qi Shaorong crossed his arms, lost in thought.

Zhuang Ling sighed. “The Holy Emperor Academy has an advantage with its talented students. Principal Lu Ming is ecstatic and has been eagerly awaiting this competition.”

Qi Shaorong murmured, “Our principal must be worried.”

“Exactly. Principal Lu Ming and the Holy Emperor Academy’s principal have been rivals for years. Now, with the Holy Emperor Academy’s rise, our principal is quite distressed. Unfortunately, Tianlan Academy doesn’t have many exceptional talents. In past years, we barely held onto a top-ten spot in the tournament. This year, who knows? Qi, are you interested in participating?”

Qi Shaorong replied flatly, “Instructor Zhuang Ling, you must be joking. That’s a competition for geniuses. Why would a magic and martial arts cripple like me join?”

Zhuang Ling smiled. “Well, who knows? If you participate, the tournament might become far more entertaining.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

“Mentor Zhuang Ling, Zhuang Hao is looking for you,” another instructor came over and said.

Zhuang Ling’s expression changed slightly; it was clear she hadn’t expected Zhuang Hao to show up.

She glanced at Qi Shaorong and said, “Qi, I’ll be going now. Do seriously consider the tournament.”

Qi Shaorong waved at her, watching as she left.

……

“Ah Hao, what are you doing here?” Zhuang Ling asked.

Zhuang Hao said urgently, “Sister Zhuang Ling, do you have news about the Evil Doctor?”

“Where did you hear that from? I’m still looking for him myself,” Zhuang Ling replied.

Zhuang Hao stared at her and said, “Sister Zhuang Ling, if you do hear anything about the Evil Doctor, you absolutely mustn’t hide it from me! Since he disappeared, he hasn’t taken on any more cases — the only one he accepted was your colleague, Instructor Sun Lin’s daughter.”

“Well, that was pure luck,” Zhuang Ling said. “Sun Lin wrote a letter detailing Furong’s illness and sent it to the Evil Doctor’s outer estate. Apparently, someone there was able to reach him. The Evil Doctor happened to find her condition interesting, so he sent a few doses of medicine and a prescription.”

Zhuang Hao looked at her and said, “Sister Zhuang Ling, I’ve inquired about the Evil Doctor’s outer estate. The people there only pass along the letters they receive — and there are thousands of pleas for help every day. But he only responded to your colleague?”

Zhuang Ling nodded. “That’s right. The Evil Doctor really values loyalty. I wrote a recommendation letter for Sun Lin, asking him to help — and he actually did.”

Zhuang Hao sighed in disappointment. “I thought… never mind…”

Zhuang Ling looked at him and asked tentatively, “Ah Hao, how are things between you and Qi Shaorong?”

Zhuang Hao looked puzzled. “Sister Zhuang Ling, why are you asking that?”

Zhuang Ling smiled. “Just curious.”

“I don’t like him,” Zhuang Hao said, frowning.

Zhuang Ling looked at him helplessly. “Ah Hao, to be honest, when you broke off the engagement, you were the one in the wrong. I think you should try to improve your relationship with Qi Shaorong.”

Zhuang Hao stared at her, dumbfounded. “Sister Zhuang Ling, do you even hear what you’re saying?”

Zhuang Ling nodded. “I do.”

Zhuang Hao: “……”

Zhuang Ling looked at him and said, “Ah Hao, do you know the saying ‘love me, love my dog’? The Evil Doctor likes Qi Shaorong. If you want to win the Evil Doctor’s favor, getting along with Qi Shaorong would be a good shortcut.”

Zhuang Hao stared at her for a while and said, “Sister Zhuang Ling, you’re not joking, are you?”

Zhuang Ling smiled. “Did I scare you? I’m just kidding.”

Zhuang Hao let out a long breath, visibly relieved. “You scared me to death. I thought you really wanted me to get along with Qi Shaorong.”

Zhuang Ling: “……”

Zhuang Hao stood up and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now, Sister Zhuang Ling.”

Zhuang Ling waved her hand. “Go on, go on.”

She watched his figure disappear from view and sighed helplessly.

Just as she was about to get up, Sun Lin placed a hand on her shoulder and said, “Mentor Zhuang, your cousin is really handsome — and quite capable too.”

Zhuang Ling gave a bitter smile. “What’s the use of being capable if he’s got the brain of a pig? I spelled everything out so clearly, and he still thought I was joking. He’ll regret it sooner or later.”

Sun Lin: “……”

“What were you talking about just now?” Sun Lin asked, confused.

“Nothing,” Zhuang Ling said, shaking her head.

Sun Lin: “……”