Chapter 128: Returning to Gu Village |
A momentary blankness washed over Yu Xiao’s expression. Finally, she understood why all the reinforcements George had recruited were ghosts she knew. So that was the truth!
Closing her eyes, she exhaled deeply. A cold smile crept onto Yu Xiao’s face. ‘Well played, Georgie, fancy that! I saved your life, and this is how you repay me?’
“Thanks for the heads-up,” she said, the icy smile still lingering on her lips.
Zhou Xiao Zhen scratched her head. “Smiley, your vengeful ghost count seems to be growing.”
“Gluttony’s no pushover. He managed to overpower so many attending doctors,” Zhao Lan remarked, her voice laced with worry. “He doesn’t seem like the type to let things go, and now that he’s jobless, he’s even more unfettered than those doctors. What if he comes for revenge…”
Nightmare’s cat face was etched with seriousness. “I will protect you!”
“Sigh,” Yu Xiao rolled her eyes so hard they almost got stuck, ‘Why are you even getting involved?’
“You’re still public enemy number one, kitty,” she reminded him. “If they catch you anywhere near me, I’ll be sharing a jail cell with you faster than you can say ‘boo.’ You’ve gotta lay low.” She fumed. “But more than Gluttony, it’s George I despise the most! He’s a real ingrate!”
Nightmare, ever the eager beaver, puffed out his furry chest. “Then let me go and beat George to death.”
Nope, not on her watch. Yu Xiao couldn’t risk her hospital. She waved her hand dismissively. Until she found a better candidate among the ghosts, George couldn’t die. This line of thought led to a sudden question. “Hold on, if patients can be Deans, can they also be attending doctors?”
“This…” Zhou Xiao Zhen was stumped by the question. “Can patients do that?”
Zhao Lan considered another angle. “Tie Niu said you need a domain to be an attending doctor, and patients don’t have those, right?”
Damn, she was right. Yu Xiao shot Nightmare a look and sighed. “If only you weren’t a fugitive, you’d be the perfect candidate.”
Nightmare slumped on the floor, his tail twitching in frustration. He felt utterly useless, as if he couldn’t do anything to help.
Luckily, Gluttony had been sentenced to community service, so even if he wanted revenge, he had to wait until he finished his sentence. Yu Xiao had some time to figure out how to avoid becoming his next midnight snack.
Although she planned on taking a break, that didn’t mean doing nothing. Yu Xiao wanted to use her time productively by drawing talismans. Just as she spread out her brushes and ink, her phone buzzed with a call from an unfamiliar number.
“Hello?” she said, noticing that she had been getting more calls from unknown numbers lately. “Who is this?”
“Hi there,” a sweet female voice replied. “I’m an assistant from the Health Bureau Director’s office. Are you ‘Deaf Descendant?”
“Um, yes,” Yu Xiao confirmed. “What can I help you with?”
“Great! Your inspection work is about to begin. Because you’re a patient, we believe in fairness and impartiality. So, you can’t inspect places you haven’t been to before.”
Yu Xiao sighed. Of course, there were rules. “Fine by me.”
“However,” the cheerful voice continued, “most of the places you’ve been to are currently closed for renovations. So, you can choose between Gu Village or the Ghost Corporation. Take your pick!”
“…” Yu Xiao’s skin crawled at the mention of the Ghost Corporation. There was no way she was going there. “Then… Gu Village it is.”
“Wonderful! We’ll send over a snazzy uniform and some ghost-busting gear. Oh, and one more thing – the inspection team is short-staffed right now. As the leader, you’ll need to recruit some new members. Get me that list to me ASAP, chop-chop!”
The line went dead, leaving Yu Xiao looking at her friends with a “what the hell” expression. They all looked just as clueless as she felt.
Zhao Lan’s radar for weirdness pinged loudly. “Judging by your face, it’s not bad news, is it?”
“Hmm… yes,” Yu Xiao replied with a grin. “I’ve got a job to do.”
“A job?” Zhou Xiao Zhen repeated, her forehead wrinkled. “But didn’t you say you were taking a week off? And what’s the point of working when St. Elizabeth’s is still under construction?”
“My inspection gig has finally arrived,” Yu Xiao explained, bustling around as she stuffed talismans and tools into her backpack. “This time, it’s Gu Village.”
“Village?” The name brought back distant memories for Zhou Xiao Zhen. “Why is it always the places we’ve been to before?”
Yu Xiao paused, her backpack halfway packed. “I can only inspect the instances I’ve personally survived. It’s only fair, right?”
Zhao Lan quickly connected the dots. Most of the dungeons that Yu Xiao had explored were currently off-limits due to the doctors in charge being assigned community service. That left only Gu Village and the Ghost Corporation – and Yu Xiao wouldn’t step foot in the latter even if you paid her. Gu Village was her only option.
“Be quick and come back in one piece,” she urged, knowing that the inspection work shouldn’t pose any significant danger. “Stay safe, got it?”
Nightmare, with his large, pleading eyes, positioned himself directly in front of Yu Xiao, hoping she would bring him along.
However, she was too focused on packing to notice.
Just as she was about to zip up her backpack, a knock at the door interrupted her. “Delivery!”
“Coming!” Yu Xiao opened the door a crack and received a large box, its weight nearly causing her to lose her balance.
With a creak, the box revealed its secrets: a crisp black uniform, a slim assessment book, a sleek fountain pen, and a weighty stamp. The uniform, cut like a sharp Western suit, held a curious pin on its collar – a white skull grinning against black, with tiny characters declaring: “Health Bureau Investigator.” (医院考察)
“Damn, girl, this uniform looks rather dashing,” Zhou Xiao Zhen whistled, holding it up. “Get your butt in that thing right now!”
Yu Xiao took the uniform, but suddenly turned her head to look at Nightmare. He met her gaze and immediately widened his eyes, staring at her expectantly.
She went to the bathroom to change. Nightmare blinked and asked, “Did she used to go to the bathroom to change clothes?”
“Of course not,” Zhou Xiao Zhen replied. “That would be too much trouble.”
A wave of disappointment washed over Nightmare. So, Yu Xiao didn’t trust him completely. He needed a plan – Operation: Become-Best-Friend-Like-Zhao-Lan-and-Zhou-Xiao-Zhen was a go.
Moments later, Yu Xiao emerged, transformed. The uniform, paired with a low ponytail, gave her an air of cool competence. She twirled, a playful smirk on her lips. “So, whatcha think?”
“Total babe alert!” Zhou Xiao Zhen squealed. “Like one of those stone-faced government types in dramas, but, you know, way hotter.”
- (Mu de gan qing (木得感情): This is a slang term used to describe someone who is emotionless or indifferent.)
Zhao Lan, eyes twinkling, nodded in agreement. “Sharp. So, Smiley, what kind of work do you plan to do after graduation?” She looked so good as if made for a government or movie queen’s role.
“Probably something in the art field,” Yu Xiao replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.
Zhao Lan mentally facepalmed. Of course, the art major would pursue art. Duh.
With her new tools safely packed in her backpack, Yu Xiao slung it over her shoulder. “Alright, ladies, wish me luck!” And with that, she set off, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her as a Health Bureau Investigator.
Closing her eyes, Yu Xiao silently chanted, “I want to go to Gu Village.”
The world tilted, and a familiar feeling of nausea washed over her as she transitioned into the instance. When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing on a dusty country lane, worn smooth by countless footsteps.
Ah… Yu Xiao looked around, a wave of nostalgia sweeping over her. This place held so many memories.
A figure emerged from the village, walking towards her. It was a scene that triggered déjà vu. This was where she and the girls – Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen – first met Luo Jin and Lu Xu, with Gu Shu appearing from the same path. But Gu Shu had left Gu Village. Yu Xiao remembered burying a piece of monster flesh in his courtyard before she left. Judging by his subsequent behaviour, it seemed he had been quite tormented by it.
The newcomer was tall and dressed in a flowing black robe, his hair pulled back to reveal a smooth forehead and a shock of black bangs. He wore a monocle on his right eye, which glinted in the sunlight as a faint smile curved his lips.
He extended a hand and spoke in a smooth as silk voice. “Welcome. I am Chao Ge (朝歌: “morning song” or “song of the dynasty”), the attending doctor of the Gu Village instance.”
- 朝 (Cháo) often means “morning” or “dynasty” and can also refer to “facing toward” or “court” in a royal context.
- 歌 (Gē) means “song” or “sing”.
“Hello,” Yu Xiao shook his hand, her own smile a touch sharper. “I am the leader of the investigation team from the Health Bureau, Deaf Descendant.”
Chao Ge’s pupils contracted slightly. “Ah, the esteemed investigator. Right this way, then.”
As they walked into the village, Yu Xiao felt a sense of familiarity. Every sight triggered a memory. She fished out her assessment book and pen, ready to take notes.
“The previous batch of, ahem, patients just checked out,” Chao Ge explained, “and the new arrivals are due any minute. Perhaps you’d like to freshen up at my place first? We can chat over some tea.”
Yu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “You enjoy tea as well?”
“Not at first,” Chao Ge admitted. “But the previous attending doctor of Gu Village was a tea enthusiast, and the villagers developed a habit of regularly gifting tea leaves to the village doctor. With so much tea, I started trying it. Although, I still prefer using it to make tea eggs.”
- (茶叶蛋 – chá yè dàn: These are eggs that are hard-boiled and then cracked and simmered in a mixture of tea, soy sauce, and spices.)
Yu Xiao tried to suppress a smirk. “Rest can wait,” she said, fighting the urge to twitch her lips. “I’ll come with you to greet the patients.”
Chao Ge shrugged and led the way, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path toward the village.
Moments ago, the road had been deserted, but now it was buzzing with activity. Nine fresh faces huddled together, their chatter dying down as they spotted the approaching duo. Confusion clouded their features. Wasn’t the attending doctor supposed to be alone? Who was the chick in black?
With a smile, Chao Ge announced, “Greetings. Welcome to Gujia Village. I’m Chao Ge, your attending doctor.”
The patients exchanged wary glances, muttering polite greetings.
“Follow me, folks,” Chao Ge said, ushering them toward the village.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiao had opened her assessment book and began scribbling notes as they walked.
【 Subject: Dr. Chao Ge, Village Quack
Notes: Failed to clearly explain the instance details, using deceptive tactics instead to lure patients into the village… 】
Curiosity getting the better of him, Chao Ge sneakily peeked over her shoulder. The words hit him like a sucker punch, almost causing him to trip.
The patients, who had just been admiring the doctor’s confident swagger, now witnessed a complete 180. His face went from smug to utterly bewildered.
“Whoa, wait a minute,” he stammered, his voice cracking. “That’s… wrong, isn’t it?”
“Wrong?” Yu Xiao echoed, raising a sceptical eyebrow.
“Deception?” he sputtered, indignation flaring in his eyes. “Everyone does it! Even the previous attending doctor before me.”
Yu Xiao nodded slowly and silently wrote: 【 He is completely oblivious to his own mistake and is trying to shift the blame onto the previous attending doctor. 】
“…”
As a result, in the eyes of the patients, Chao Ge, the ghost, seemed to be enveloped in an unnatural gloom, as if a dark cloud had settled over him.
With a lacklustre expression, Chao Ge finished giving instructions to the patients and led Yu Xiao towards his humble abode.
His house stood where an ancient tree had once been. However, the towering tree and the charming brick-and-tile house were now gone, replaced by a dwelling made entirely of wood.
Yu Xiao admired the unique craftsmanship of the wooden house, her curiosity piqued. “Why didn’t you build a brick-and-tile house like the others in the village?”
This house was Chao Ge’s pride and joy. He smiled and replied, “I simply wanted to be different. Coincidentally, there was a magnificent old tree here when I arrived. So, I used the available resources and cut down the tree to build this house. What do you think, esteemed Investigator?”
Yu Xiao stifled a laugh and nodded in approval. “Very impressive.”
Secretly, she sent a text message to George: “Let Gu Shu know that the new attending doctor has chopped down his tree in Gu Village. Do a good job, and I might consider reducing your sentence.”
Yu Xiao was on a mission to nail every attending doctor who dared to cross her, George being top of the list. She was going to turn him into the pariah of the ghost community.
**
George, who was watching the other attending doctors lay bricks by the construction site, suddenly received a text message. His eyes twitched slightly as he put down his phone and began to wander around the construction site.
As he wandered ‘aimlessly’, he inadvertently found himself next to Gu Shu.
Gu Shu, sleeves rolled up, revealing the rugged muscles on his forearms, shot George a dark, brooding glare. “Back off, George.”
“Do you know the new attending doctor of Gu Village?” George asked.
Gu Shu’s scowl deepened. “No, don’t know him.”
“Figures.”
Gu Shu detested people who only spoke in half-sentences. “Spit it out!”
George shrugged, his tone a tad too casual. “Heard he chopped down that tree you planted in Gu Village to build a house. Guess he didn’t know it was your baby, so… no surprise there.”