Chapter 99: Azure Jade Pupils

“Big guy, didn’t you say that the ancestor’s private hospital is right up on this mountain peak? Is there a place to stay? I’m thinking of staying here for a day or two.”

After school, Zhang Shouzheng and Jiu’er left the campus and immediately saw Iron Bull guarding the school gate. They walked over without hesitation and asked him.

“Of course, Young Master. Why do you suddenly want to stay here? Could it be because of Miss Jiu’er? Are the blood bags I brought today not enough?”

Iron Bull took off his sunglasses and looked at Zhang Shouzheng with a mixture of anxiety and respect.

Zhang Shouzheng waved his hand. “That’s not it. The Imperial Dragon High School is incredibly strange, and the evil cultivators here are blatant. This place is practically a graveyard for disciples of the Dao. I want to stay nearby to investigate the school more thoroughly.”

“I see, Young Master. Imperial Dragon High School is indeed no ordinary place, but isn’t it too dangerous for you to be there? I’m worried the master will blame me.”

Iron Bull hesitated; he had no idea what kind of trouble Zhang Shouzheng might stir up. If rescue was delayed, he’d be the one suffering the consequences.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits. Even if I act, I’m not alone—there’s Jiu’er with me, and I’ve made some classmates in my class, including two from the Jiang family.”

Zhang Shouzheng grinned, recalling what Jiang Mingyue had said—they planned to sneak into the Nine-Sided Ghost Soul Seizing Formation at night, apparently searching for something very important.

“The Jiang family? Descendants of Jiang Shang? That’s not bad. But if you get into trouble, don’t keep the jade talisman thunder charm on you. You must come out unscathed. No, I think I’ll follow you inside to be safe.”

Iron Bull rubbed his palms together, his nerves taut at the prospect of a big fight.

“You forget, you’re a corpse servant. Inside are all malevolent spirits. Do you really know any magic?”

Zhang Shouzheng gave Iron Bull a sidelong glance. Not all corpse servants were like Jiu’er; she was a very special case. Ordinary zombies couldn’t wield any magic, but Jiu’er somehow could.

“Young Master, don’t underestimate me. I’ve been by the master’s side for many years. Fine, I won’t go inside with you—I’ll stay outside to guide you. Now, let me take you to the hospital. Get in the car.”

Iron Bull waved his hand, and Zhang Shouzheng and Jiu’er climbed into the vehicle. The car drove up the mountain as Zhang Shouzheng pulled out his phone, scrolling through contacts until he found Jiang Mingyue and quickly typed a reply: “See you tonight.”

***

The private hospital was vast, its buildings entirely white, resembling a pristine palace. Perched atop the mountain, the air was fresh and pure. Only the elite and dignitaries came here; it even served as a sanatorium.

As the car stopped outside, a young female doctor in a white coat appeared. She looked barely in her twenties but exuded a classical beauty. Her face was heart-shaped, with a high, straight nose and an icy pallor, giving her a cold, unapproachable demeanor. She showed no smile upon seeing Iron Bull, but when her gaze landed on Zhang Shouzheng, her lips lifted slightly in a rare, though strange, smile.

“Jade-Eye, greetings, Young Master.”

Her voice was hoarse and low.

Zhang Shouzheng froze, glanced at Iron Bull, silently asking for an explanation. Iron Bull chuckled nervously.

“I forgot to tell you, Master’s four great corpse servants are also known as the Four Guardians. I rank fourth; this is Jade-Eye, the third guardian. Her seniority far surpasses mine. They say she’s followed Master for a hundred years and was once a famous physician with extraordinary medical skills.”

“Shouzheng greets Sister Jade-Eye. I’ll be staying here for some time, so please take care of me.”

“No trouble.”

Jade-Eye nodded and led them toward the lodging. Jiu’er walked close to Zhang Shouzheng and whispered, “Senior Brother, she’s very powerful—probably a Bronze Corpse level. Even without a light-avoidance spell, she can walk in daylight.”

“Bronze Corpse?!” Zhang Shouzheng was startled. Jiu’er was already at the Iron Corpse level, which was terrifying enough; Jade-Eye was even stronger.

“Yes, at least mid-level Bronze Corpse, possibly high-level. Iron Bull is a low-level Bronze Corpse, but he’s less threatening than Jade-Eye.”

Jiu’er’s voice lowered further. She was roughly equivalent to a low-level Iron Corpse herself. Both Iron Bull and Jiu’er were of considerably higher rank.

“This place is quiet. Here it is. I’m upstairs. If you need anything, find me.”

Jade-Eye smiled faintly, then strode toward the staircase.

“Hey, Jade-Eye, long time no see. Aren’t you going to catch up with me?”

Iron Bull grinned and trailed behind her like a shadow, only for Jade-Eye to suddenly spin and deliver a swift kick, sending Iron Bull tumbling down the stairs with a scream.

“Looks like their relationship isn’t so cordial,” Zhang Shouzheng said with a helpless shrug.

He entered the room, which had two beds close together. He glanced at Jiu’er, who stared at the beds, her cheeks flushed. It was unclear what she was thinking.

*Ding dong…*

A message notification sounded. Zhang Shouzheng checked his phone—it was Jiang Mingyue’s reply: “Meet at nine tonight by Great Mirror Lake.”

He smiled slightly, put away his phone, and lay down to rest. Jiu’er pulled out her Yin-Yang umbrella from her bag. With a little help from the spirit, this mission should be much easier.

***

In a luxurious mansion in Dragon City, an elderly man with snow-white hair sat on a sofa. Standing before him were Jiang Mingyue and Jiang Putai.

“Grandfather, we’ve decided to enter Imperial Dragon High School tonight to retrieve the Jiang family’s relic. It’s only a fragment, but it’s still very important to our family. Brother Jiang Wu is probably dead; his primordial spirit never escaped. He’s likely been transformed into a ghost servant by those evil cultivators. I’m just worried that the fragment might be seized by them.”

Jiang Mingyue spoke respectfully as she outlined their plan.

“No worries. Only members of the Jiang family can wield the fragments. Even other Dao disciples can’t use them; in their hands, the fragment is just decoration. Wu’er was careless. If he truly became a ghost servant, you only need to erase the talisman on his forehead to break their control.

“By the way, Mingyue, you mentioned the Nine-Sided Ghost Soul Seizing Formation inside? If that’s true, you must be very cautious. It’s hard to believe those evil cultivators are so ruthless to set such a deadly array in Imperial Dragon High School. It seems disciples of the Heavenly Demon Sect have gotten involved, along with the Qian family. I need not remind you about the Heavenly Demon Sect—you both know them well. As for the Qian family—hmph—they may have declined, but there are still a few formidable elders hiding in the shadows. Don’t worry, these elders have been timid and haven’t appeared publicly, but you must be careful. The Qian family isn’t easy to provoke. At least until we collect all twelve fragments, avoid tangling with them.”

The old man stroked his long beard thoughtfully, issuing his warnings.