TNIBFT -Chapter 146 The Disappearing Huichun Hall

“Brain-damaged?”

“What does that mean?” Qiu Feibai asked, puzzled, looking at Ye Tian in surprise.

In the original story, Qiu Feibai had tried to stop Shen Jie and Jiang Yunxi from being together. In the end, he was killed, not only ruining his reputation as a divine physician, but also losing everything in Medicine King Valley to Shen Jie.

Ye Tian smiled. “Some people are born with missing limbs, while others are lacking in intellect.”

“I see…” Qiu Feibai lowered his gaze, his eyes dimming instantly. He sighed helplessly. “It’s my fault for not teaching Yunxi well. I never expected that after she met Shen Jie, she would become so obsessed—so deranged like this.”

Thinking of Jiang Yunxi’s resolute expression, Qiu Feibai felt a sharp pain in his heart. The child he had raised with his own hands, cherished like a precious gem—yet all those years of care couldn’t compare to a single Shen Jie.

Ye Tian reached out and patted Qiu Feibai on the shoulder.

The atmosphere in the room turned awkward.

No one spoke. Xiao Jiang held onto Qiu Feibai’s large hand, quietly looking at his master.

Qiu Feibai came back to his senses, suppressed his emotions, and said with a smile, “If you hadn’t come, I really would have given the Revival Pill to Yunxi. After all, we were master and disciple.”

Ye Tian silently felt fortunate that he had arrived in time.

Qiu Feibai continued, “The ‘Teacher Tao’ Xiao Jiang mentioned—could it be Tao Lichun, the Sage Lord Tao?”

“Yes!”

Seeing Ye Tian nod, Qiu Feibai glanced at Xiao Jiang and smiled. “I never expected our Xiao Jiang to have such a connection with Sage Lord Tao. The reason I changed my mind and decided to give the Revival Pill to Xiao Jiang—first, because he is my disciple; second, because Tao Lichun’s character is worthy of such a medicine.”

“These past few days, all of Great Liang has been in an uproar. News spread that Sage Lord Tao has taken office in Sifang City. The people are ecstatic—it’s as lively as celebrating the New Year. When Xiao Jiang mentioned it, I guessed it must be him. I had heard years ago that his health was poor and that he had gone into seclusion.”

Qiu Feibai looked at Ye Tian, smiling warmly.

Ye Tian nodded slightly. Tao Lichun’s influence in Great Liang had been mentioned in the original novel, though only briefly—after all, in that timeline, Tao Lichun was already close to death.

Shen Jie using his name as a banner—that would happen several years later.

Seeing the three children staring at him in shock, Qiu Feibai found it amusing. These little ones truly had no idea just how remarkable their teacher was.

“Where is Sage Lord Tao now?” he asked.

“We’re free today—we can go with you to visit him,” Qiu Feibai said.

Ye Tian and the three children lit up with joy. Xiao Jiang tilted his head up and flattered, “Master, you’re the best person in the world—the best physician!”

The carriage couldn’t pass through, so the four of them set off together on foot toward Tao Lichun’s residence.

…

Meanwhile—

Jiang Yunxi failed to obtain the Revival Pill. She harbored resentment toward Qiu Feibai and even greater jealousy toward Xiao Jiang.

Her life had been completely ruined because of Ye Hanjiang!

Her master was gone!

She was no longer a disciple of Medicine King Valley, no longer the disciple of a divine physician. The halo above her head was gone—but so what?

With her talent, Jiang Yunxi believed that one day her achievements would surpass Qiu Feibai’s. When that time came, he would regret failing to recognize her worth—choosing Ye Hanjiang instead of her.

Snow fell endlessly.

Jiang Yunxi’s face was flushed red from the cold. Raised in luxury since childhood, this was her first time venturing out alone in such heavy snow.

“Miss…!”

“Miss!”

On the silent street, a maid from Huichun Hall shouted her name while searching everywhere. Jiang Yunxi only felt annoyed; she didn’t even spare a glance, walking forward coldly.

Brother Shen was still waiting for her to bring back the pill to save his life—what should she do now?

Thinking of Shen Jie’s pale face, Jiang Yunxi felt a stabbing pain in her heart. She quickened her pace, breaking into a run toward Huichun Hall.

The doors of Huichun Hall were tightly shut.

Jiang Yunxi frowned. Huichun Hall had never closed its doors—so what was going on today?

She pushed the door open with force. Creak…

The carved wooden doors swung open, but the interior was eerily silent—there wasn’t a single person inside. A strange unease crept over her. Her beautiful eyes scanned the surroundings nervously, and then she noticed pools of blood on the ground, not yet dry.

Her heart jolted.

Staring fixedly at the bloodstains, panic surged through her as she rushed toward the inner courtyard. “Father…!”

“Brother Shen!”

“Father…!”

In the snow-covered courtyard, several chaotic footprints were scattered across the ground, mixed with streaks of blood. Jiang Yunxi sensed that something terrible had happened. Her legs went weak, but gritting her teeth, she ran toward Shen Jie’s room.

She pushed the door open.

Jiang Huichun was lying beside the bed, a gaping hole in his chest still oozing blood. His eyes were shut, his lips pale—completely drained of color.

Jiang Yunxi’s eyes widened. Like a madwoman, she lunged forward, grabbing Jiang Huichun’s body and shaking him desperately. “Father! What’s wrong with you, Father?!”

“Father, wake up! What happened to you? Don’t leave me… I have nothing left…”

“Father, wake up…!”

Her eyes turned bloodshot as she cried in utter despair. Jiang Huichun’s body, still faintly warm, showed no response no matter how much she shook him, collapsing limply to the ground.

From this moment on, the father who had cherished her was gone forever. She no longer had a home…

Jiang Yunxi couldn’t accept it. How could this have happened?

“Father…”

Kneeling before Jiang Huichun, she sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly, she thought of Shen Jie. Lifting her head, she realized he was gone as well. The unconscious Shen Jie who had been lying on the bed was nowhere to be seen—only the empty blanket remained.

“What am I supposed to do…?”

“What do I do?!”

Terrified, Jiang Yunxi staggered backward before suddenly dashing madly out into the heavy snow…

…

At Tao Lichun’s residence.

After becoming the Chief Clerk of Sifang City, Tao Lichun had been overwhelmed with official duties. Coupled with his already frail health and the recent sharp drop in temperature, his body had finally given out—he was now bedridden.

Ye Tian and the others followed the steward to the outside of Tao Lichun’s bedroom.

The wooden door was tightly shut.

From a distance, Ye Tian could already hear Tao Lichun coughing relentlessly. Just from the sound alone, he could tell the illness was severe.

“Father…”

“Have some medicinal tea to soothe your throat.”

Tao Ling’er’s voice rang out.

Then came Zhao Kang’s concerned tone. “Teacher, how did your illness become so serious?”

“It’s nothing…”

Tao Lichun gasped for breath, his voice hoarse. “The one I worry about most is Yunting. That child is strong-willed—at such a young age, he never shows his emotions. There’s too much suffering in his heart. After I’m gone…”

Cough, cough…

Before he could finish, he broke into another fit of coughing.

Ye Yunting halted in his tracks. Standing frozen, his fists clenched tightly, he no longer dared to step forward. Noticing his son’s reaction, Ye Tian also stopped.

Inside, Tao Lichun continued, “After I’m gone, Zhao Kang, swear that you will look after Yunting. He’s still young. When he comes of age, he will surely repay your kindness. Yunting… Yunting…”

Cough, cough…

A suffocating pressure filled Ye Yunting’s chest. When he raised his head again, his small face was already streaked with tears.

Hearing Tao Lichun’s labored breathing, Ye Yunting suddenly rushed toward the room.

Creak…

The door was pushed open.

He dashed to Tao Lichun’s bedside, dropped to his knees, and grabbed his hand. “Teacher, you won’t die! I’ve brought Divine Doctor Qiu—he’s here. You won’t die!”