Chapter119

Elara thought for a moment.

"Does he have any special abilities?"

"Uh… other than being extremely skilled in medicine and having a status here almost equal to some ancient herbal masters from Earth, and the fact that his body holds strong medicinal power from tasting hundreds of herbs, he has no other abilities. His lifespan is far longer than normal, but in other ways, he is just like an ordinary person, not even possessing martial strength."

He had no special powers, no mystical energy, yet he could live forever… what kind of force could make that possible?

Elara looked again at his pale fingers still moving. She recognized every gesture, all of it was standard sign language from Earth. Why did a universal Earth sign language appear in this world?

"System 92, can you detect if there are other transmigrators in this world?"

System 92 paused.

"I can, Master. But based on my scans, in the past hundred thousand years, no other transmigrators have appeared in this world except you. And a hundred thousand years ago, the nations and martial sects here didn't even exist."

"Also, this world is very stable. The chance of a time-space rift appearing is extremely low. The likelihood of another transmigrator existing is almost zero."

You were able to come to this body because it belonged to you in the first place.

Even though your soul was born on 21st-century Earth, and no one knows why your body was also there, you were drawn here by instinct.

This world recognizes you as someone who belongs here, which is why you succeeded in arriving.

System 92 had already explained this when Elara first arrived in this world, but back then, she hadn't paid much attention.

Now, after hearing it again, she wasn't focused on herself but rather puzzled about how Earth's modern sign language could exist in a world with no other transmigrators.

Coincidence? That was too much of a stretch. Practically impossible.

She thought for a while, then lowered her voice and asked the nearby whispering people behind her,

"The sign language that Master Healer used just now, do you know where it came from?"

The people whispering were surprised that Elara spoke to them so directly.

Unfortunately, they didn't know where the white-haired master's sign language came from.

In fact, they didn't even realize it was sign language until Elara asked.

"Oh, so that's sign language..."

"This immortal lost his voice before becoming immortal, so he can only use sign language. But… only a few people know it. Usually, those from powerful families with a mute relative. I don't know more than that… forgive my ignorance."

No useful information. Elara's mind drifted back to the name they used for the white-haired master: "earthbound immortal."

A title granted by divine lineage… no, it was "celestial attendant."

She thought of the strange things that had happened in the Plumera palace temple and asked System 92 if this white-haired celestial attendant had anything similar to what she saw there.

But she received only a negative answer.

Elara felt helpless.

There were too many unsolved mysteries in this world.

And this so-called divine lineage didn't seem to be just a legend.

This trip to the Healer's Valley had uncovered more strange things, but none of them had answers.

Elara could only set her curiosity aside for now.

She remembered the totem medallion she had pried out from the stone lantern in the Plumera palace temple. It was still in her pocket.

Her hand, hidden under her sleeve, gently rubbed at her clothing. She would need to find time soon to study that item properly.

As her thoughts settled, Elara looked ahead and saw a surprising scene happening between the master and disciple still using sign language.

The white-haired master's gentle gaze turned to Elara, his pale fingers signing to Oswyn,

"Is that the Plumera princess who imprisoned you?"

Oswyn had been just about to introduce Elara and the others, but that question caught in his throat. He looked shocked and awkward.

"Y-you knew?!"

The white-haired master smiled even more kindly at his startled disciple and signed again,

"I heard it from your eldest senior brother."

Oswyn's expression turned green and white like a confused lizard. He clenched his teeth.

"Eldest senior brother! I knew it! He's not just ranked first, he's full of hot air from head to toe! Especially that mouth! Years pass but he's still leaking every secret!"

After muttering in a low voice about his senior brother, Oswyn looked at his smiling master.

He wanted to say something to fix the situation but then glanced at Elara and the others.

He paused, then raised his hand and quickly signed back:

"That's not true, Master! Don't listen to that big mouth! She's just my patient! I wasn't imprisoned! I'm still the heir of Healer's Valley! How could I be imprisoned?! I sacrificed myself for the greater good! For Healer's Valley! I gave myself up willingly!"

Oswyn emphasized the words "sacrificed himself" repeatedly.

His face filled with righteousness and noble fury, trying to make it clear that he had spent two years in the palace only for the sake of duty.

But the white-haired master simply made a calming gesture and signed again,

"No need to be embarrassed, Oswyn. Being imprisoned is also a kind of training. All your senior and junior brothers know, but we didn't interfere because this was your personal experience. Still, since you brought the Plumera princess here to the Healer's Valley, it must mean you don't see her as cruel. Your true opinion of her must be good. Her character must be different from the rumors. That makes me feel at ease..."

Oswyn stared wide-eyed at the gentle words his master signed.

What did he mean by Oswyn's opinion of her was good?

What did he mean by saying she wasn't cruel in Oswyn's eyes? She was!

She used to hit him all the time! Maybe she stopped recently, but she still made his life miserable every day!

And what did he mean by "being imprisoned is also training?"

He had already said he made a noble sacrifice! A noble one!

Why wouldn't his master believe him?!

Oswyn's face turned red.

He hadn't even been back in the Healer's Valley long enough to relax before his mood got crushed again.

It was all that loudmouth senior brother's fault.

Oswyn was so angry he didn't even want to speak to his master, but then he saw his master walking toward Elara. Those pale white eyes, almost the same color as his white hair, looked at Elara gently, and his fair fingers slowly signed a message.

[The arrival of the Princess to Marigold Valley is an honor. In the past two years, Oswyn has troubled you. The Valley's meals and clothing are plain and simple. Please forgive us for any shortcomings.]

The white-haired master had just finished signing and was about to ask the child nearby to translate.

But Elara had already raised her hand and saluted him. "You're too kind. Oswyn has been wonderful and helped me a lot. This valley is also quite beautiful and peaceful."

The master's pale eyes showed a flicker of surprise. His gaze toward Elara grew even more gentle. [You understand sign language. You truly are different from the rumors, knowledgeable and well-learned.]

A small smile appeared on Elara's face. She looked at the man in front of her, dressed entirely in white, like he was carved from snow and ice. "You flatter me. I just happened to read a book once…"

Before she could finish, Oswyn's shocked voice cut in. "You! You know sign language?!"

He rushed in front of her, and when Elara nodded, Oswyn's face, already frustrated, turned red and pale by turns.

She actually knew sign language? Since when?! She spent all her time in bed messing with men. Where did she find the time to learn sign language?!

Even worse, if she knew it, didn't that mean she saw everything he just signed with his master?

His face grew even redder. Shock and panic mixed with shame flickered across his face, trying to maintain pride but completely exposed in front of her.

Just as his face looked like it would burst into colorful stripes, a little medicine boy ran over to the white-haired master and said quietly, "Master, the medicine is nearly ready."

The master nodded and signed to Elara again. [You've come a long way. I've asked the children to prepare food and drinks from the valley. It'll be ready in about half an hour. Please make yourself at home. I have some patients to treat and will take my leave.]

"Please go ahead."

The white-haired master gave a slight bow and left with the medicine child.

Oswyn, too embarrassed to even look at Elara, quickly followed behind. "Master! I'll help you! Let me help!"

But the master turned back and signed, [I don't need help here. Go to the dining hall and adjust the food according to the Princess's preferences.]

Oswyn only wanted an excuse to leave that humiliating situation anyway. Hearing this, he nodded and turned quickly toward the dining hall without saying another word to Elara or anyone else.

Elara understood exactly why he acted like that and found it a little amusing. She didn't mind his sudden escape at all.

Since this was her first time in Marigold Valley, Elara naturally wanted to look around.

The medicine boy led them toward the dining hall while introducing the scenery around them.

As she looked, her mind instinctively began to evaluate the valley's location and advantages.

To put it simply, the geography of Marigold Valley was excellent. Though she didn't understand feng shui, she could tell the valley was surrounded by high mountains and had strong natural defenses. The path into the valley was guarded by five elemental formations. Unless an entire army came to crush the mountains, this valley could easily last for a long time.

Still, since it was located within Plumera State and half of it belonged to the Marigold region under her rule, Elara had more to consider beyond just geography.

For example, since Marigold Valley was known as the strongest medical place of their time, and it happened to be inside Plumera, there was no reason to waste such a great resource. It could become the foundation for future medical development and talent training in her state.

But sects like this preferred to stay hidden from the world, rarely accepting disciples. If she wanted them to work for her, she'd have to make a proper plan.

Elara's mind automatically ran through several possible strategies. For now, they were only rough ideas without details. After all, she had only just started managing the Marigold region. She would have to defeat people like Lord Gregory and regain full control of Plumera before she could deal with the Valley.

"Master, someone is secretly watching us," came a quiet warning from Uno.

Elara paused, then glanced calmly at the quiet surroundings. "People from Marigold Valley?"

"No, it seems to be outsiders here for treatment. They smell of blood. I think they just noticed someone entering the valley and came to investigate. There's one each at your left front, right front, left rear, and right rear. Should we deal with them?"

Elara looked ahead at the medicine boy, who was still sincerely introducing the area, and then at General Qi behind her, who had also noticed something and was slightly alert.

"No need. Send a few people to Oswyn's master. Find out who those people are and what they want. Don't alert them."

"Yes."

Elara's expression didn't change as she continued admiring the peaceful scenery of Marigold Valley. After half a cup of tea's time, they reached the dining hall.

The ones watching had vanished as they approached, but the moment Elara stepped inside, she again felt a dozen icy cold gazes aimed right at her.

She calmly looked around and saw them. On the far left side of the hall, four or five tables were already occupied by over a dozen men.

They were dressed strangely, and each had a dark, sinister presence.