Chapter 49

At midnight, the medical hall was still brightly lit.

"Little Apple, my little apple!" Ling Lingfa hummed a tune he had heard from Ling Xiao, swaying as he returned.

Strangely, he pushed the door open, "You're here! Why are you still up at this hour?"

Ling Xiao casually greeted him and sat by the table, continuing to stare into space, "What? Heartbroken?"

Ling Lingfa had never seen him dazed before; usually, he was very decisive. Could it be the turmoil of adolescence? Isn't it a bit late for that?

Ling Xiao thought for a moment and asked, "If an unparalleled master has the reason, ability, and right to kill a civilian, but doesn't do it, why is that?"

Ling Lingfa was slightly taken aback, "Are the civilian and the master of the same sex or different sexes?"

"Does it matter?" Ling Xiao was surprised.

"Of course!" Ling Lingfa answered matter-of-factly. Seeing Ling Xiao listening intently, he continued, "Do you know the story of the wolf and the sheep?"

"I know many, but it's probably not the one you're talking about."

Ling Lingfa nodded and looked out the window with a deep expression, "Once upon a time, there was a wolf and a sheep."

"Can you get to the point?"

"Shut up! After a series of events that should have been elaborated on but weren't because of someone's interference, the wolf fell in love with the sheep!" At this point, Ling Lingfa paused, waiting to see Ling Xiao's surprised expression.

"Is that it?" Ling Xiao asked with a grin.

Ling Lingfa pouted, "What an unlovable kid! The wolf was very, very hungry, but because of his love, he couldn't eat the sheep. In the end, he would only face death. The sheep also deeply loved the wolf. She knew that if this continued, the wolf would die, so she wanted the wolf to eat her."

"And then?"

"The sheep's idea was good, but she didn't realize that the wolf, who deeply loved her, wouldn't eat her! In the end, the wolf died." Ling Lingfa took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

"Is that it?" Ling Xiao asked.

Ling Lingfa shook his head, "There's another version. The sheep begged the wolf to eat her, and in the end, the wolf ate the sheep to fulfill her last wish."

"What does this prove?" Ling Xiao was confused.

Ling Lingfa, with the air of an experienced person, said, "Love is a magical thing that can drive countless people mad! When two people who shouldn't be together, the one who loves more will die first!"

"So what? What does this have to do with my question?" Ling Xiao suddenly had a bad feeling.

"It's simple! The martial arts master must have fallen in love with the civilian."

Sure enough, Ling Lingfa never said anything reliable. Ling Xiao resignedly rested his head on the table. Ling Lingfa didn't mind and said, "Put everything aside for now; the Emperor's matter is the most important."

Ling Xiao perked up, "What? Did you make any progress this time?"

Ling Lingfa nodded solemnly, "I gave the thousand-year-old pearl the Emperor rewarded me to Qin Cao. She didn't show any surprise! So I concluded she's not a woman!"

"Is that evidence? Some women don't like such vulgar things!" Ling Xiao rolled his eyes.

"True, there are many women who see gold and silver as trash, but there are no women who don't love money and don't have their period." Ling Lingfa nodded and smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"From the time she gained fame to becoming the top courtesan, it's been almost a month. But according to the maids, they've never seen Qin Cao deal with her menstrual cloth. A top courtesan like her wouldn't wash it herself, so there are only two possibilities. First, she's pregnant, which causes her period to be irregular. Second, she's not a woman!" Ling Lingfa confidently affirmed.

Ling Xiao's eyes sparkled as he clapped and praised, "Brilliant! Truly brilliant! After hiding in the medical hall for so many years, you've finally lived up to the reputation of a gynecological expert! Your dedication to the menstrual cycle is truly a model for us all!"

"Stop being sarcastic! The only one who can disguise so perfectly is that faceless old ghost. We can't be too hasty with him. I plan to set a trap."

The master and apprentice discussed the plan for the whole night until the master's wife, unable to bear it, dragged Ling Lingfa by the ear into the room.

...

The next morning, Ling Xiao, as usual, practiced the Buffalo Horn Divine Skill but couldn't continue. He didn't mind; he had more important things to do today.

When he stepped out of the room, Ling Lingfa was already waiting in the yard. The two planned to go to the palace to explain their plan to the Emperor.

"I've already confessed our identities to your master's wife," Ling Lingfa said casually.

"What was her reaction?" Ling Xiao asked curiously.

Ling Lingfa smiled satisfactorily, "She said she'll give me face and never pull my ears again! She even cooked me noodles with two eggs!"

"Ha! Ha! Your standards are really low," Ling Xiao said with a smile.

The two laughed and pushed open the medical hall's door. Clang! Swords were drawn, and a cold light flashed. Countless weapons were pressed against their necks.

Black clothes, black armor, black helmets, and official steel knives at their waists. In the capital, only the Six Gates wore this way!

A black-armored constable stepped forward and said to the two, "Ling Xiao! Your matter has been exposed! Come with us!"

"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding! We're on the same side! We're on the same side!" Ling Lingfa shouted, but the constables were unmoved.

"Who's on the same side as you? Move aside! If you obstruct the investigation, you'll be taken too," the leader roughly pushed Ling Lingfa and shouted.

Ling Lingfa, in a hurry, was about to say something but was stopped by Ling Xiao, "Master! Mr. Huang's matter is important, go ahead! Remember to come to the Six Gates to bail me out after you're done." Ling Xiao had noticed people outside but didn't feel any murderous intent, so he didn't pay much attention. He didn't expect it to be the Six Gates.

Ling Lingfa thought for a moment, "Alright, I'll find you after I'm done. I believe the Six Gates will be a very safe place, right!" He looked at the leading constable, and his words carried a sharp momentum that pierced the constable's eyes.

The leading constable looked deeply at Ling Lingfa, puzzled by how a gynecologist could have such a presence. But his years of experience told him it was best to avoid trouble with this person.

"The Six Gates is naturally very safe. As long as you don't commit crimes, it's the safest place in the entire capital," the leading constable said solemnly.

Ling Xiao sneered, "The safest place! Do you think the palace is just a tourist attraction?"

"Since that's the case, I'll trouble you, constable," Ling Lingfa said, stepping back. The leading constable frowned and nodded, leading Ling Xiao away.

Ling Lingfa frowned, a deep breath of anger rising from his nostrils, "Even my people dare to arrest! Are they the Emperor's clowns? Humph!" He grumbled and walked away.

...

Ling Xiao followed a group of constables to the Six Gates, greeting the neighbors along the way.

"Hey! What's wrong with Little Ling?" Old Cai exclaimed. The last time the black-armored men caught a notorious bandit at the Welcome Inn, Old Cai had seen it. These Six Gates people were ruthless!

"Oh! Nothing, the Six Gates constables invited me to assist with the investigation. They provide meals! If it's late, they even provide lodging!" Ling Xiao said nonchalantly. The neighbors, hearing about the Six Gates, stopped in their tracks, but hearing Ling Xiao's light-hearted tone, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

"I told you! Little Ling wouldn't do anything wrong."

"Exactly, such a good person."

"Only assisting with the investigation! Good thing they provide meals and lodging."

The neighbors chattered, and the constables' ears buzzed. After so many years of service, they had never seen such a carefree criminal. Were these people planning to send him off for ten miles?

"You're a good person," a cold voice came from beside Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao turned to see a constable beside him. The helmet obscured his face, but the exposed skin was smooth, indicating he was young.

"How can you tell? If I were a good person, would you arrest me?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow, amused. He had actually been given a "good person card" by a man!

"Didn't you mention the Six Gates to avoid conflict and protect the neighbors?" the constable said as they walked.

Ling Xiao was slightly surprised, "Very perceptive! But you should also reflect on your methods. Just looking fierce won't catch anyone."

The constable glanced at Ling Xiao and said coolly, "The problems of the Six Gates don't need outsiders to worry about. If I were you, I'd worry about yourself. Being kind doesn't mean you're not breaking the law. You seem very familiar with the Six Gates' methods, which isn't typical for a medical hall apprentice."

Ling Xiao rolled his eyes, "Trying to get information from me! Unfortunately, everyone on this street knows your style! You run around the city every day, glaring and cursing at anyone you don't like, dressed in black, with eyes more fierce than a serial killer! Who designed your uniforms? Did you offend the costume designer?"

The constable didn't respond, turning his head to pretend he didn't hear. Not just him, but the surrounding constables were also stunned. When had they seen such a brazen criminal? And, was their reputation really that bad? What about the good reviews?

"Don't chat with the criminal!" the leading constable turned and scolded.

The constables immediately fell silent and continued forward. Soon, the Six Gates was in sight.

"By the way, what's your name?" Ling Xiao suddenly asked the constable he had been talking to.

The constable paused, looking at the leading constable, and slowly said, "Leng Lingqi."

(Regarding the slow updates, I have a stable full-time job and can't rely on writing to make a living. I can only try my best to write, maintaining one update per day, and two if I have extra time. I sincerely apologize and thank everyone for their attention and support. Thank you!)

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