51 - Chapter 46

“What makes you so certain that I have no form of amnesia?” asked Sa Bina, her tone aggressive. “Is this how healers work in this kingdom? Throw out diagnosis and disbelieving patients without even conducting an examination or asking any questions? If that is the case then it is no wonder most of the healers in this kingdom are not able to think past using qi to fix the most obvious then ignore the rest.” Sa Bina was aware that if she did not take the offensive in this conversation she would be forced on to the defensive. She was not ready to reveal the truth just yet. She also did not feel that Shao Jia’s conclusions were as solid as she was pretending. Her tone, her words, her body language, it was all designed to put Shao Jia on the backfoot. For her this was a high stakes game of chicken, and she could not blink first. Not if she wanted to keep her secret. She knew that she would have to pay for her acting in the future, probably in the form of loss of trust.

Shao Jia was taken aback by Sa Bina’s response. She had been certain in her assertions. She had also been certain that a young girl, no matter how well trained, would be unable to stand up to pressure from her. She was left floundering for a response, especially in light of the fact that her questions and assertions were warranted. The response even had her questioning her conclusions. She decided to see if she could use the opportunity to gather further information.

“Would you consent to an examination now?” she asked.

“What would your examination tell you after so much time has passed?” asked Sa Bina. “Also you can ask Sun Li for the details around the incident to confirm that the events took place. She was the one who rescued me and had me healed. At the hands of your very own sect healers.”

Each response from Sa Bina left Shao Jia reeling. She had not known that Sun Li had led her rescue, or found her and had her healed. Each point Sa Bina made, led Shao Jia to doubt her own conclusions. Yet the girl's maturity and attitude led her to reinforce her conclusions. As she was formulating her next response, Sun Li entered the room.

“Sun Li,” said Sa Bina. “Wonderful timing. It seems our healer here is doubting my story. Would you be so kind as to relate the events from your perspective?”

Sun Li gave Shao Jia a look. Though their cultivation levels were similar, Sun Li held a much higher position in the sect. Sun Li also had her own concerns about Sa Bina, and it would be good to get the views of an accomplished healer. She decided to play along for now.

“I would also like to remind you,” said Sa Bina. “Since you signed the contract, you are formally attached to my kingdom's military. Hence if you were to reveal anything that you learn without express consent, then you would be committing treason.”

Shao Jia gulped, she had not expected to land in such a situation. Then she caught on to one phrase in Sa Bina’s statement. “What do you mean your kingdom?” she asked bewildered.

“So it would be better if I presented my version of events,” said Sun Li. “I was asked to help an army unit to raid a significant bandit camp. During the raid we discovered that several people had been captured and enslaved by the bandits. Most were commoners and non-cultivators. They were used and abused as you would expect in such a situation and were destined to be sold off.”

“However, there was one individual that had been kept separately,” continued Sun Li. “She had been kept isolated, not allowed to interact with anyone, barely fed, but left alone. She had not been physically or sexually abused. During our attack, this girl managed to get free of her cage and attempted to escape. She was struck in the head and found unconscious. We were certain that the brain injury should have been enough to kill the girl, yet she survived. I was asked to scan her, and she managed to block my scan. I then asked for her permission and then scanned her. I discovered her perfect spirit roots, then kept her unconscious until I could get her back to the nearest town. She was scanned by Elder Ja Son, and then healed. She was also checked by the Elder of the outer hall when we visited the sect.”

The more Shao Jia heard, the more her confidence in her diagnosis crumbled. She was a healer, so she should be more proficient in the subject. Yet could she really learn more than two elders? She formed her resolve and decided to push for the examination.

“So even after this much time,” said Shao Jia. “I will still be able to see impressions of the injuries you suffered and evidence of the healing you received.”

By this point Sa Bina was also curious. She wanted to see how good this healer was. “Is the ability to learn about past injuries a common healer ability?” she asked. “And yes I am happy for you to examine me. If I can learn anything more about what my body has suffered, it may lead to clues about my family.” She had to be careful to present the right motivation in front of Sun Li.

“No, it’s a very rare ability,” replied Shao Jia. “I have pushed it to help in my work. I postulated that if I can understand the injury, it may help to understand the psychological issues that led on from the physical injuries.”

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“That is an interesting hypothesis,” said Sa Bina. She extended her arm out to Shao Jia. “I would love to discuss it with you further at another time. Feel free to examine me. I would love to see what you learn.”

Shao Jia touched the offered arm and passed her qi into Sa Bina. She realised that without permission it would not have been possible. This was surprising for a young girl. She started by examining the organs one by one.

“Would you be able to narrate your findings as you conduct your examination?” asked Sun Li. She was interested to see what this technique would reveal.

“Ah of course,” said Shao Jia. It reminded her of her time as a journeyman practicing under her master. She started to narrate her findings. “The organs are in good shape, they show evidence of starvation, though that is a relatively recent condition. The organs show no signs of historical deprivation.”

“Would that indicate a noble upbringing?” asked Sa Bina.

“Not necessarily,” said Shao Jia. “It may show noble upbringing, or a wealthy commoner family. The muscles show no evidence of training, though that is not unusual in girls of your age group. Moving on to the bones, there are no signs of long term malnutrition or maladies. The bones and bone marrow show good signs of recovery from starvation. This also confirms your age at just over thirteen years. You are still in your growing phase, and have not yet started your monthly cycle. The blood and circulatory system is in good health. You could use a more varied diet, but there is nothing concerning. At your current rate of recovery, you should be back to normal within six months.”

“So the signs are that Lady Sa Bina is from a noble house, or a wealthy commoner house?” asked Sun Li.

“Yes,” said Shao Jia. “If she was from a poorer background, I would see evidence of it in the body. Continuing to the head, yes I can see evidence of the injury. I would say it looks like a qi related injury. There is evidence of significant damage and bleeding. You are right, this should have been enough to kill Lady Sa Bina. You are saying she was able to not only communicate but walk with this level of injury?”

“Yes, she moved from where she was found to the triage tent under her own power,” said Sun Li. “She was also lucid during our conversation.”

“That should not be possible,” said Shao Jia. “She should have been dead. Yet, there is no evidence of soul-body dysphoria. She was not and is not possessed. Even if she had been possessed then released, the evidence would be clear to see. This is an impossible case.”

“What is soul-body dysphoria?” asked Sa Bina.

“The soul and body link at conception,” said Shao Jia. “If the soul is moved by another soul, or manipulated, suppressed, overtaken or in any way changed, the body and soul would not fit together. That would come across. It would be like trying to fit a square in a circle. You could force it in, but it would leave evidence of the tampering. Continuing on, your spirit roots are amazing, they are at the highest end that I have ever seen. There is no doubt that you are a high noble.” On a whim she decided to check Sa Bina dantian. At this age there should have been nothing to see. Just a space where the dantian would form and then ignite. That is not what she found. The shock led her to drop Sa Bina’s hand. She looked at her with shock on her face.

“What did you find?” asked Sun Li, now anxious at the expression on Shao Jia’s face.

“What are you?” asked Shao Jia. “This should not be possible.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about?” said Sa Bina. “What did you find?”

“How is this possible,” muttered Shao Jia, seeming lost in her own world. “No, it can’t be.”

Sun Li walked over to Shao Jia and sent a small shock of qi into her to bring her out of her shock.

“What did you discover?” asked Sa Bina again.

Shao Jia looked on, her expression of shock morphing into an expression of fear. She looked between Sun Li and Sa Bina. “You should not exist,” she said in a whisper.

“Will you get a hold of yourself,” said Sun Li. “Tell us, what is the issue?”

“You don’t understand,” whispered Shao Jia, looking on in awe. “She has already started to cultivate. She is only thirteen and she is already cultivating. At this rate she will ignite her dantian. This is simply not possible.” She looked towards Sa Bina. “Have you been actively cultivating? Do you even know how?”

“I have no idea,” said Sa Bina, confused yet realising that this was a big deal. “I was told that I could not start until I was 17 at the earliest.”

“Are you sure?” asked Sun Li. “Could you have made a mistake?”

“Check for yourself,” said Shao Jia. “It is far enough along that any cultivator from the foundation realm upwards would be able to tell from a cursory scan.”

“May I?” asked Sun Li.

Sa Bina held out her hand. She had no idea what this meant. It was not supposed to be possible. What new complications would this bring? Since she had taken no actions, It meant it was not something she would be able to stop or hide. From the way Shao Jia was acting, anyone and everyone would be able to tell soon.

Sun Li extended her hand and touched Sa Bina. She extended her qi and sent it looking for her dantian. Shao Jia was right. The dantian was fully formed and was, even now, drawing in qi. Sa Bina was close to her dantian igniting. She was cultivating without cultivating. Sa Bina didn’t have perfect spirit roots, she had divine spirit roots! This was truly supposed to be impossible.

“We have no choice, we have to go to the sect,” said Sun Li. She needed guidance and only the Patriarch could help. A part of her doubted, it screamed that no one would be able to help.