A Shocking Dream

Chapter 182

She could never have imagined that the tyrannical and domineering Marquis who coveted her sisters' beauty would be the young and shy boy Xie Yuan who confessed to her back then.

Memories flooded back like a tide: the peach trees in bloom in spring, their pink petals fluttering like snow. Back then, Xie Yuan, dressed in a plain blue shirt, his face fair and his eyes clear, stood awkwardly before Lin Wunian, hands tugging at the corners of his clothes, his ears reddening as he stammered, "Sister Wunian, I... I'm attracted to you. Ever since I first saw you, my heart has been restless." That look, pure and sincere, like the most flawless jade in the world, sent a fluttering heart through the young Lin Wunian.

But time, like a sharp blade, cruelly shattered the beauty of the past. Xie Yuan, now dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe, with flamboyant patterns traced by gold thread, a jade pendant jingling at his waist, his every move radiating arrogance and extravagance. His eyes no longer had the clarity they once had, leaving only endless greed and wantonness.

The candlelight flickered in the room. Lu Yao's face was filled with indignation. She spoke rapidly, detailing every evil thing Xie Yuan had done over the years to Lin Wunian. "Miss Lin, Xie Yuan is simply the devil of this city! For him, robbing women is a daily routine. Any girl of even the slightest beauty he encountered on the street would inevitably face his doom. Countless families have been shattered because of him. He even murdered those fierce women who refused to comply, without mercy."

Lu Yao took a breath and continued, "And then there's the murder and arson. To rob merchants of their money, he secretly ordered his men to set fires and loot. He destroyed several commercial streets, and the people suffered terribly. Those who went to the government to file a complaint were either killed on the way or were accused and thrown into jail. There was no way to redress their grievances at all!"

Kanan, who had been drowsy at the side, was now completely awake. Her eyes widened, her face filled with fear. She unconsciously leaned closer to Lin Wunian, her small hands tightly grasping her sister's sleeves, her body trembling slightly. "Sister, this...what should we do? We met him today, and he must have bad intentions."

Lin Wunian's face was as solemn as ice. His hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. His eyes were blazing with anger. "I never thought Xie Yuan would commit such evil deeds! In this clear and bright world, he was allowed to do such arrogant evil. Heaven cannot tolerate it!"

Lu Yao stomped her feet so hard that the wooden floor seemed to be cracking. She said indignantly, "Ms. Lin, I'm so angry! How many families have been destroyed by Xie Yuan, and he is still sleeping so peacefully!" The candlelight in the room shook violently, as if it was also disturbed by the surging anger.

Outside the window, dark clouds piled up, threatening to crush the entire city. A fierce wind, lashed with cold rain, crackled against the window frames, like the silent cries of countless people. Lin Wunian clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with hatred like a burning fire. "This Xie Yuan has committed countless evil deeds, reveling every night, unconcerned about the people being displaced and their families being torn apart. Heaven knows no bounds; how can he be allowed to act so freely?"

Kanan's face was filled with sorrow as she bit her lower lip: "Sister, I saw those refugees on the street yesterday. They were half-naked and had empty eyes. When I asked, I found out that they were all forced to die because Xie Yuan had seized their land. His evil deeds are like this endless night, with no end in sight." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

"He will pay with blood for this. Kanan, get me a pen and paper. I need to write a letter to the court." Lin Wunian raged, his teeth clenched, a hint of anger etched in his cheeks. His usually gentle eyes were now filled with determination. Kanan hurriedly ran for a pen and paper, leaving Lin Wunian and Lu Yao alone in the room. The atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if water could be squeezed out of it.

"The imperial court? You're the ones?" Lu Yao was startled, a wave of doubt filling her heart. She looked Lin Wunian up and down, trying to discern some clues from her. While Lin Wunian's demeanor and posture hinted at something extraordinary, her daily words and actions were normal. Why would she suddenly mention filing a complaint with the imperial court, and appear so confident?

Lin Wunian sighed slightly, her expression solemn and with a hint of helplessness: "Sister Lu Yao, now that things have come to this, it is inconvenient to hide it from you. I am not an ordinary girl, nor am I a member of the court, you don't have to worry." She raised her eyes, her gaze was deep, as if hiding an endless past.

Lu Yao's face was filled with surprise. She subconsciously clutched the corner of her clothes, her eyes full of inquiry. "Miss Lin, what on earth is going on? I've always felt that you're different from ordinary people, but now it's even more confusing."

Lin Wunian slowly sat down, brushing his sleeves gently as he spoke, "I was originally the founder of the Su Nu sect of Qiuluo Mountain. The Su Nu sect upholds the principle of healing the world, using medicine and martial arts to protect the common people. Life in the mountains is peaceful, with disciples studying the art of medicine and diligently practicing swordsmanship. The sect's rules are strict, yet filled with warmth."

Her gaze faded into the distance, as if gazing into the past, and she sighed, "Unexpectedly, a sudden wildfire, like the roar of a demon, swept across Qiuluo Mountain. The flames devoured the heavens, reducing everything in their path to ash. The disciples fought hard to put out the blaze, but ultimately, they were no match for the ferocity of nature. The sect's sacred grounds were burned, and most of the secret manuals and pharmacopoeias were destroyed. Many disciples perished in the fire, and only a few managed to survive. At that moment, the foundation of the Su Nu sect was destroyed, and everything was in ruins."

Lin Wunian's eyes were slightly red. He paused for a moment, calmed down, and then continued, "As the master, how could I watch the inheritance die out? In desperation, I had no choice but to dismiss the remaining disciples and let them retreat into the martial arts world, each seeking their own path. After that, I ventured into the martial arts world alone, trying to regain my former faith."

Her expression relaxed slightly, a hint of relief emerging. "Some time ago, an epidemic raged through Linzhou. It was like a dark night of miasma, filled with poisonous fog. The people suffered terribly, and countless people died and were injured. As a doctor, how could I bear to stand by and watch? I threw myself into the fight against the epidemic. In those days, the pharmacy was like a battlefield. I prepared medicine day and night, and personally went to the hardest-hit areas to administer acupuncture and deliver medicine. Every time I rescued a person from the clutches of death, I felt a glimmer of hope rekindled. Fortunately, the epidemic was finally contained, and Linzhou gradually saw hope."

Lu Yao was shocked as she listened to Lin Wunian's slow narration. Although she didn't know much about the Su Nu Sect, the woman in front of her was actually the world-famous doctor Wunian.

He was the life-saving doctor who turned the tide in the Linzhou epidemic storm and was praised by the people. In the stories on the streets and alleys, Doctor Wunian was like an immortal who descended from heaven, carrying a medicine box and magical skills to shuttle through the haze of epidemic, dispel the haze of death, and pave the road of life in the abyss of despair.

"Ms. Lin, I never thought it was you! During that time in Linzhou, everyone was talking about the kindness and skillful hands of Doctor Wu Nian. How many families were reunited and their homes rekindled because of you. I heard that you worked tirelessly to develop prescriptions and take care of patients, and even brought those with serious illnesses back from the brink of death. How did you do it in such a dangerous and desperate situation?" Lu Yao's eyes were full of admiration. She leaned forward and spoke eagerly, as if she wanted to immediately find out all the details of that thrilling journey.