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Chapter 35: "Doctor Whomst Among Us."
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The odd knock sounded from the door again. It was hollow and almost echoed, like it was coming from down a long hallway.
"Oh, that's the privacy formation." Yun went to the door and opened it. "Yes?"
"Why hello miss Fairy. I am Doctor Ho, here to check on Miss Zhi."
"Wrong room, this is Wise Shae's room." She closed the door and turned back to Shae. "Now where were... we...?"
Zhi Shae was covering her mouth and trying not to laugh.
"Oh. Right," Yun said and briefly hunched her shoulders.
A single knock struck the door and Yun opened it immediately. "Yes?"
The Doctor gave her a raised eyebrow, but she held firm. "I am here to check on a..." He looked at his clipboard, "Wise Zhi Shae."
"Of course." Yun said and smoothly stepped back from the open door.
Shae did her best impression of someone utterly failing to hold in laughter.
"Well, it's good to see you are in a pleasant mood, Wise Zhi. The pair outside warned me you might be foul."
The reminder broke away some of the humor. "Ahhh, ha-heh. Well, I guess Fairy Yun can be commended for lightening my mood. Are you going to get this cast off?"
"It's more of a brace, but yes, I think so. I found your unique flesh heals amazingly fast, especially when healing qi is added."
"Yes! That's great to hear. Oh, and I should thank you, Doctor Ho. I'm sure it wasn't an easy task, even with the quick healing." She smiled.
"Hah, you're not wrong. Frankly, if you were not a cultivator, you would have lost the arm from the state you left it in."
Yun gasped. "It was that bad?" She looked almost as concerned as when she first rushed into the room.
"That severe, yes it was. Bad is too subjective. All injuries are bad, yes?" He smirked as he unlatched the brace holding her arm steady. "Now, I'll need some time. Carry on as you were, please."
The women exchanged glances then shrugged at each other and went back to flipping through the law book. Their conversation instantly switched to murmurs and pointing at the pages. Shae understood immediately that Yun was slowing down for her, letting her be involved. She thought she had pointed them in a few new directions, so didn't feel bad about it. Even if slower, the tangled web of legal jargon was still being unwound.
The key they focused on now was that Shae had been essentially hired by the guard to assist. Initially it was only an implied request, but Lou had introduced her as a consultant to Tan. If they're argument held up, it meant the city would be liable for Shae's injuries during the job. Same as any employee.
However, if she had accepted the public reward, the implied dynamic would change. Shae still wasn't convinced Tan's deception was appropriate, but could now see some of the why.
"In either case," Shae had to ask, "any claim on the found item?" She pointed at herself, with a raised eyebrow.
Yun understood the half-question; they had reached a shared mental wavelength and were dancing around most of the specifics because the doctor was in the room, and the privacy formation on the door was off.
The fairy wavered, tilting her head back and forth, wobbling a hand, then frowned and gave a thumbs down briefly before flipping to a section they had reviewed several times and tapping a paragraph.
It was the section detailing outcomes from damage to evidence during an investigation. Employees and contractors would be investigated, but not held liable. Whereas outside agents could be fined for such occurrences. Shae sucked in air sharply as she read. "That's bad." She thought for a breath. "So we need to double down?"
Yun raised an eyebrow and looked at the door then back.
Shae mimed placing a key in a lock and turning it. "Click."
Yun smirked and nodded. Then gasped. "Shae, your arm!"
She looked over and made a startled noise. The doctor had removed the bandage and her arm was, charitably, a mess. The damage started at her upper arm where the incision from the surgery to remove her mysterious marble made a clean line half a hand long. It was slightly red, but was otherwise just a faint scar with a few small stitches.
The rest of her arm was a disaster zone. At the elbow, where the furthest shadow qi strands had reached, thin black lines started. The flesh around them was red and puffy. Yet, it was the quantity that was the concern. It reminded Shae of Yungfan's tattoos. Not like the single one she now held, but more like the mass of writhing, moving tattoos the monk possessed.
These didn't move, and were all identical, but the density was there, like dense cobwebs that had been woven over each other repeatedly. They joined together like streams into a river as they went down her arm, collecting together at her palm, where a large black spot resided.
Ah, right, they breached out from the ring, not the other way. Unlike branches and rivers though, the lines stayed thin. They clustered but never got beyond the width of a pin until reaching her palm.
"Doctor Ho, is that safe?" Yun asked.
"Hmm? Oh the lines? Yes, perfectly safe. We scanned them thoroughly. Just scar tissue tinted by dormant qi."
"Dormant shadow qi?" Shae asked.
"Well yes." He looked at the young woman. "You don't remember what you did, do you?"
Her flat stare was answer enough.
"Instead of destroying all the qi, you seem to have deactivated some of it, stripped it of all power and intent. It likely slowed the curse down considerably and saved your life. Or your arm, at least."
"Can it reactivate?" Yun asked as she reached out to run a finger over one of the lines.
"Hehe, tickles."
"The reddened skin will be sensitive. But no, it shouldn't reactivate. You should be able to cleanse it away naturally. It should even fade in the sun and break up on its own."
"Heh. I did want to get a tan again."
A cough came from the door.
"Not you!" Shae called with annoyance.
"Not yet." Yun corrected with an apologetic frown. "Can she be released?"
"Yes, I believe so. Try not to exert yourself too much before the healing completes. I'd normally say a few weeks, but this flesh is so different that I can't be sure."
"That different?" Yun asked.
"We don't get many patients with strange body constitutions in here. Most have their own doctors through their sects." He shrugged. "Is it reproducible? Can you cleanse your whole body like this?" He asked with clear interest.
Shae shook her head. "Unlikely. And I wouldn't want to try it on my head and organs, anyway. The process was very messy and destructive."
"Ah, yes that type of body cultivation is always a bit... existential, for the young." Doctor Ho nodded sagely.
Shae looked at Yun with an eyebrow raised. The older cultivator smirked like she knew something. "Uhm, well," she looked at her hand again. "Couldn't you cut it out?"
"Certainly. If you'd like to spend even longer healing as your flesh slowly regrows. But, if you had that kind of time, I don't doubt you could have just grown a new arm and saved plenty of effort."
Yun gasped. "Full regeneration, Doctor?"
Shae's eyes bugged out. That would have been much easier.
He shrugged and smirked. "It's not something you want to test. But maybe. I did some digging after the surgery, and the closest match seems to be divine cleansing."
Shae's mouth went dry. So it has been done before.
"That's just a rumor, though." Yun said and squeezed Shae's leg.
"Of course." Ho agreed.
"Uhm. What is it?" Shae asked genuinely curious now.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Yun hesitated, nodding to Doctor Ho.
"It takes a few forms in stories and rumors of cultivation techniques. If anyone has done it, they refuse to be tested, or sampled." He paused while debating how to explain. "One common method is to use enlightenment qi to cleanse and refine a certain body part. Eyes are common. Nervous system, or just a part of it, like the spinal cord. Though, a manual would point to a specific meridian and specific branch, vague directions leading to a similar result." He frowned slightly and rolled his eyes. "The quantity of qi, however, requires a grand effort of enlightenment, or several combined efforts. Many that have tried could not complete the refinement and so aimed for a lesser result."
After a pause, the young woman asked, "but if done fully, the result is supposed to be divine flesh?"
Ho nodded. "Though the name isn't specific, and gets used a lot to mean other things."
Yun picked up the thread. "Stories also speak of certain items giving similar results. That is usually just assumed to be written as comparison. As good as, not literally divine flesh. And then there's ascension once beyond nascent soul stage."
Doctor Ho waved to stop her. "No need to speculate about that. The girl's far too young for it."
"True, but it's an interesting fact." She paused and let the doctor shrug. Shae was clearly still interested, so Yun continued, "Supposedly, to ascend beyond immortality, your body needs to be perfect. Meaning you must completely purify your mortal form, or build a new one."
Shae's eyebrows rose. "That is too far to think ahead. I can barely cleanse properly. Maybe worse now if my lightning has changed, hairpins might not help anymore." She looked at her right hand again and saw something missing. "Hey where's my pin?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh, were you wearing it as a ring again?" Yun asked.
She nodded.
"Oh. I think I know to what you refer. I'm afraid it was destroyed. A mangled scrap of twisted iron was all we found around your center finger."
Shae scowled at him. "And you took it and threw it out? Go get it, Doctor Ho. It is important."
He looked shocked and slightly upset, switching between the two expressions.
Yun silently applied some social force with an insistent expression.
Shae raised her voice and looked at the door. "Or perhaps Inspector Tan and your surgery assistant know where it went? Should I ask if anything else is missing?"
Doctor Ho's expression flashed with anger. He took a step back, bowing slightly and excusing himself from the room without a word.
"Well done." Yun patted Shae's hand.
She smirked, then whispered, "and for my next trick." Then she called to the door again. "Second Captain Lou, do you have a moment?"
He came in quickly. "Wise Shae, Fairy Yun. I'd like to apologize on behalf of the guards-"
"That's fine, Lou." Shae interrupted. "Close the door and turn on the privacy formation, please?"
He did. "Turn on?" He asked as he stepped away from the glowing formation.
"Sorry, old slang. I should also apologize for my behavior earlier, but it seems my actions and emotions weren't entirely my own fault. Let's just move on for now. When you first approached me, what were your intentions?"
Lou was slightly shocked. Then a flush hit his neck when he looked at Yun. Any expression she held was gone by the time Shae looked.
Lou coughed. "Simply to distract Choun. I'm ashamed to say I didn't expect much from you, sorry."
She shrugged. "I don't look like much. Yet, you implied my sword carried responsibility, surely more than just a petty distraction?"
He shrugged. "Yes, I suppose it does imply more than that. A different day I might have asked for more, and more directly."
"And when you do, is it just favors? Or proper consulting work for real pay?"
He considered, "Depends on the case, how official it needs to be."
"When inspector Choun asked you to take me for a stroll on the wall, was that official enough?"
"Hmm, that was just to see the city, I believe."
"Alright, let's talk hypotheticals. If you had known I was affiliated with the Honorable Dragon's Entreaty sect, and knew that I was more capable than I looked. Let's say I was older and more experienced than my current appearance suggests. Would you have hired me to investigate, or consult?"
"For the crime scene specifically? No, that would imply I thought you were better than the existing inspectors. Besides, I'm a wall guard captain, not the inspector's captain. Wouldn't be my place to act."
"Right." Shae chewed her lip for a breath. "Why did you take me down into the slums? If we were only to see the city from the wall?"
"Hmm." He thought, then nodded. "As you said, due diligence. You were asking the right questions, and it would feel wrong to not let you try, since you wanted to."
"And just anyone can try? Anyone can request Inspector Tan walk them through a crime scene? Just to have a go?"
"Well, no. Obviously, it was a unique situation."
"Unique? Or one that was by the books, if slightly off them? One where you introduced me to Tan as a consultant?"
"Did I?" Lou asked and fell into silent thought. "Huh. I guess I did. That was mostly to get you in, though. Can't say it meant a lot, no offense."
"Just to get me in? So casual. Do you lie to your co-workers often to get things done, to grease the wheels?"
His expression darkened. "I don't appreciate that accusation, Miss Shae. Why the leading questions? Are you trying to trick me into something?"
Shae raised her hands, palms out, then was distracted by being able to move her right hand again.
Lou leaned in to get a better look at her freed arm, but just frowned at it. He had seen it before.
Shae got back on topic. "Uhm. Not at all. A trick wouldn't be enough for a proper agreement, you could easily deny it and point out the obvious trap. Being a government official gives you power to deny that kind of thing. Unlike in the reverse case, an official can trick a peasant or outsider, and getting that sorted out is nearly impossible for the pleasant."
The young woman paused to frown at the door. "Too bad inspector Tan didn't overhear that. I feel she really should." She inhaled quickly and huffed. "Yun, I'd ask Lou to do it, but it might affect his budding romance."
"Oh, and we wouldn't want that! I'll see if I can't find a time to repeat the point to the inspector."
The two smiled conspiratorially then Lou cleared his throat, a darker blush was creeping up his neck.
"Ah! Right, where was I?" Shae asked the room. "Tricks? Yes! Second Captain Lou, I am trying to determine if my presence at the crime scene was in an official capacity. Even informally official. I believe Tan's actions were to push me into firmly being an outsider acting on their own. Accepting the reward would certainly suggest that. Whereas if I had been hired or even officially requested to look into the situation, I think the outcome, and the city's responsibility will be significantly different."
"The outcome, Wise Shae?" Lou looked puzzled. "How would that affect the smuggling case?"
"Oh, not that, my language was vague."
"The outcome of pocketbooks, Second Captain Lou." Yun explained. "What, if anything, is owed to Wise Shae for her assistance and injury." She tapped the law book for emphasis.
"Surely the injury is resolved? You look, mostly fine." He asked.
Shae flexed her hand, testing for pain. It was sore, and the stitches pulled, but was surprisingly well off, considering. "I used a lot of power to fight that trap off. Power beyond simple qi collection. Whether you believe that or not doesn't really matter. Doctor Ho just ran off to find the remains of a unique spiritual tool that may have been destroyed. And when I say unique, I mean it was one of a set of three living metal acupuncture pins that were created during a heavenly tribulation. So, it's safe to say it would be very hard to replace."
Lou paled slightly. Any signs of the blush on his neck vanishing as well.
"Both you and Tan were ready to warn me not to use the ring. As though you knew it could be trapped. Yet, prior to that, there was no warning of that possibility. Even when you saw me personally searching for the thing. What excuse do you have for that failure to communicate?"
His training had kicked in while she talked. His posture straightened and his expression became flat and stoic. He took a beat to collect an answer. "Considering a recent discussion with Inspector Tan, I can say neither of us truly expected you to find it. The warning didn't seem necessary as shadow qi was mentioned. Shadow cultivators usually trap their valuable items."
The room stayed silent for a few breaths.
"It seems my appearance, and perhaps my actions, have led me to be underestimated yet again. To my severe detriment." Shae sighed.
Yun rubbed the young woman's back. "And yet, they overestimated your knowledge of shadow qi." Shae looked up at that. "Or it's a clearly hypocritical lie to cover their blunder." Yun finished by glaring at Lou.
He coughed. "I accept that we did make a mistake. It was very hypocritical of us. In my case, all our on duty guards were briefed of the risk, thus I overlooked the need. I cannot speak for Tan in that matter."
"On duty." Shae pointed at the man. "Again, an action that treats me as working with the guards." She looked up to Yun. "Do we have enough?"
"Maybe. Something more formal would be nicer, but I think I can work with this. Thank you, Second Captain Lou."
He relaxed. "Is it really that important? Heh. I'll lay out a few coins as payment if it clears up the situation faster."
Yun shook her head. "This isn't about a few coins anymore. And even if you did, a transcript of this conversation could easily look like we browbeat you into it. We need to establish what was socially expected of Shae. Show that she felt she was working for you. Not just acting on her own."
He looked contemplative. "Then it hinges on her peace-bound sword. The expectations involved in that are vague at best. But we should establish its credibility before she leaves."
Yun nodded. "I agree."
"Wait, I'm leaving? When?"
Yun giggled. "Hehe of course Shae. You have a caravan to catch, no?"
"Oh. Yeah, I suppose." She flexed her arm. "Guess I was expecting to lose more time to this."
Lou chuckled. "What were your words earlier? You can make up a few hours on the road?"
"Heh, yes. But this legal mess doesn't look like it's going to wrap up today. Don't I need to be here for that? Even if I'd rather not be."
"Usually, for legal matters, you hire or appoint a representative." Yun smirked.
"Ah! Yun! You're the best! You'll handle this for me? What will it cost me?" She extended her arms to hug the woman beside her.
Accepting the hug, she said, "I will handle this for you. I think we've sorted out most of the paper knots already, so it's mostly talking to the right people. Which I'm quite good at. As for cost, I'm your friend, do you really think I'd charge you money?"
"Mmh, Fairy Yun is so kind and talented." The young woman mumbled into her friend. Then she sighed, "It is nice to hug with two arms again."
Yun giggled, "You were only without it for an hour at best. Don't act like it was years." She mussed up the young woman's hair and returned the hug.
Another knock came at the door.
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