Chapter 118 The Praying Lotus

Within a place not too far from Sun and Kenny, Joan and Sumsa entered a building.

They were immediately greeted by a receptionist at the front desk, who said. "Welcome. Please, take your hats off before going to your appointment."

To which Sumsa simply replied. "No." Causing the receptionist to just giggle.

Joan walked over and asked. "I'm here for my check-up."

"Right away, Miss Joan. Come with me. Miss Sumsa can join in if she wants."

As the three off them walked down a hall, Sumsa asked. "Is she here?"

"Last I heard of the Master, she was still in the mountains."

"That's good."

"Thank goodness."

"...And here we are."

The receptionist then opened a door, leading to a room where a lady is waiting.

"I hope you enjoy your stay. I'll also inform you if the Master returns."

"Thank you~!"

The receptionist then went back to her desk as Sumsa and Joan entered the room.

"Beautiful morning today, Miss Joan. Miss Sumsa." The woman in the room greeted.

"Yes. It is quite peaceful."

The woman gestured a seat for Sumsa while she guided Joan to a bed, which Joan sat on.

As the woman sat on a chair by the bed, she pulled out a piece of paper, saying. "You are here to make a check-up on your left leg, correct?"

"That is true."

"Can I ask why it happened? The report doesn't go into detail."

"I met up with some suspicious individuals while I did my rounds a fair bit outside of the city. Before I even said a word, they attacked."

"What happened to them is a bit... Well, I got an injury on my leg after the battle. I broke a bone or two."

"I see... Let's start our test then."

As the woman ran a few test on Joan's leg, Sumsa kept herself occupied on the tea and snacks that was served by a servant.

After a while, the woman stood up, saying. "There's still a few fractures, but other than that, you are fine, Miss Joan. I recommend still a few days off of intense activities."

"Got it."

"Miss Joan, do you perhaps want to take an acupuncture session while you are here?"

"Do I get a discount of some kind?"

"Your discount is me doing it. Do you perhaps want the Master to do it herself?"

"Whoa, no need to go there. Sumsa, do you also want one?"

Sumsa stared at the cup in her hands as she said. "I don't think these snacks are free... Sure."

"Unfortunately, the others are still out with the Master. So, Miss Sumsa will have to wait."

"Okay..."

"Do we just do the deed here or..."

"Phrasing, Miss Joan. Phrasing."

"Hehehe!"

A few minutes later, Joan was laying face down on the bed while the woman loomed over her with a cup full of needles. While Sumsa continued to munch off to the side.

"I presume it's not your first time?"

"Phrasing, Miss Doctor. Phrasing. Hehehe! Ow! Don't think it's supposed to be that forceful?!"

"My hand slipped."

"That's something you don't want to here from a doctor! Oops! I dropped your heart! Haha! Ow!"

"Miss Joan. Please, shut up."

"Ow! Like you truly are your Master's disciple! Ow!"

Then, after only the eighth needle, a proud feminine voice boomed. "WHERE IS MY PATIENT?!!!"

Recognizing the voice, the three women in the room froze in place. Joan then said. "She wasn't supposed to be here."

Then, after only a few heartbeats, the door to their room swung open.

On the otherside, a beautiful woman wielding a carpenter's hammer on one hand, and a bundle of nails on the other.

With steam coming out of her mouth, the woman said. "Move away, disciple of mine. She is mine."

The disciple tending to Joan performed a neat bow before rushing out of the room.

Joan then screamed. "Wait! I can't move! Don't leave me with her! Sumsa!"

The hammer wielding woman then said. "Sumsa isn't going anywhere. She is next."

Sumsa, who stood up the moment the hammer wielding lady entered the room, had her feet pierced with semi-transparent nails.

Seeing that it was pointless to run, she just sat back down and ate her snacks as her death loomed over her.

"Don't just give up! Help me before you give up!"

"Hush now, dear Joan." Said the hammer wielding woman as she pressed a finger on Joan's mouth.

She then raised the very same finger onto Joan's forehead, which somehow manifested another semi-transparent nail as the woman continued. "I'll make sure it won't hurt, dear Joan."

As the woman lined up the shot on Joan's forehead, drawing her carpenter's hammer backwards, Joan yelled. "Please, Sister Zi, don't-"

"Die, dear Joan."

In a place far away from the city, almost reaching the imposing mountain ranges in the fartest reaches of the Jade region, Matt walked.

He crossed a stream, leapt off a cliff, weaved himself through a forest, and even evaded the local wildlife.

He did all of this while holding a bouquet of flowers. And also, without moaning and groaning like someone else.

After a few more obstacles, he found himself on a hilltop clearing.

He walked towards the lone, dead tree on the very top before scaling it with ease.

Once he was at the top, he sat down on a branch, embedded the bouquet into an opening into the trunk as he stared off into the distance, barely seeing the capital from where he sat.

He then said. "Hello... Doctor Evelyn."

No one answered. Only the wind and the slight rustling in the distance.

"I know... I grew up a bit since you last saw me. Everyone grew up as well... All thanks to you."

Still, no one answered.

He then stared down the tree from where he sat. He saw a little furball of a creature scurrying on the ground.

Matt then made a whistle sound, spooking the creature which then scurried away.

He then faced forwards once more. He closed his eyes even though he was looking at a beautiful scenery.

Then, he vividly heard a feminine voice yell. "Matt! We have to go!"

"To where, Miss Evelyn?"

"Somewhere not here! That child broke the goddamn wall! We must take this opportunity!"

"What child? And what opportunity? And, what was that explosion? And... all that ruckus?"

"An opportunity to be free, Matt! Let's go! Before they set up a blockade!"

"To be free... But... What about the others?"

"T-they... they can wait, Matt. They are simply too far away."

"Too far away? But if we are going to leave, we must also-"

"I'm sorry, Matt. There's simply no time. Please, understand."

"But Ros-"

"She can wait. They can all wait. It would be easier if we can get some allies from outside to help. Please, Matt, let's go."

"But... the others."

"Please, Matt. Please, understand."

When Matt finally opened his eyes, the once beautiful surroundings where now a dark, gloomy downpour as far as he could see.

"Help me! Help us!"

"Please, just the child is fine!"

"Please, we can't go back! Please!"

All these sorts of screams filled Matt's ears as he just sat there, face hidden by his hair that was drenched in rain.

Then, a bell rang.

Matt then opened his eyes once more, being greeted by a breathtaking scenery before him.

"*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong* *ding*"

As the bell continued to chime, Matt stared down the dead tree once more, seeing the furball once more that scurried on the ground.

Matt clapped his hands, which spooked the creature once more before it ran away.

He then jumped down as the loud ringing of the bell continued.

With a straight pose and a salute, Matt stared back at the tree as he said. "Sorry, Doctor Evelyn. It looks like I have to cut it short today. I'll be back soon... I promise."

And with that, Matt then made his way back to the city.