Female doctors were already rare in ancient times, and those who made it into the annals of history were few and far between.
Zeng Rui was one of those very few.
She was from the Early Qing Dynasty, born into a scholarly Noble Family. As a child, she saw many people suffer from illness and was filled with compassion. She also despised the incompetent quacks whose bungling cost lives. And so, she devoted herself to studying medicine, forgoing food and sleep to pore over both ancient and modern texts. Through self-study, she eventually became a renowned physician of her generation. She not only traveled far and wide to treat the sick and alleviate suffering but also compiled her life's knowledge into books that are still passed down today.
Zhao Yuan never imagined that the Ghost he had attracted was this esteemed predecessor in the field of medicine!
'No wonder she has the ability to consume incense offerings.'
She had cured many people in her lifetime. After she died, out of gratitude and remembrance, people built a temple to make offerings to her. Even today, a temple dedicated to her still stood in Yanghua Town. It was just dilapidated now, and no one visited to burn incense anymore.
Zhao Yuan suddenly understood why Zeng Rui had said she was drawn to his Qi. It was because they were both doctors, both possessing the desire to heal the sick and save the dying! 'Of course, it's more likely because of my Witch Doctor legacy!' he thought.
At this point, the Ying Family Ancestor had also figured out Zeng Rui's identity and told Ying Ji.
Ying Ji was stunned. She remembered playing in Zeng Rui's dilapidated temple with her friends when she was little. To think that today, she would meet the very person that temple was dedicated to.
At the same time, she was also very envious. "Wow, she's a historical figure... no, a historical *specter*! If you could take a Ghost like this as your Ghost Spirit, it wouldn't just boost your power, it would give you incredible bragging rights!"
But the Ying Family Ancestor was still puzzled by one question. "That can't be right. Ghosts linger in the mortal world because of unfulfilled wishes. How could you not have one? It's illogical!"
Zhao Yuan was also pondering it.
He suddenly recalled some historical records he had once read about Zeng Rui. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he blurted out, "I know! Your unfulfilled wish is to heal the sick and save lives!"
Zeng Rui tilted her head, thought for a moment, and a smile bloomed on her adorable face. "I guess that's it."
Seeing her act like this, Zhao Yuan wanted to cry.
'Damn it, do you have to be this adorably clueless? You need someone else to remind you of your own reason for lingering in the mortal world?'
The more he thought about it, the more something felt off. He couldn't help but switch back to speaking normally and ask the Ying Family Ancestor, "Ancestor, if my memory serves, historical records say Zeng Rui passed away in her sixties, right? So why is her Ghost Soul a girl of fifteen or sixteen?"
The Ying Family Ancestor explained, "Because the deep-seated conviction in her heart was formed when she was fifteen or sixteen. So, when she became a Ghost after death, her appearance and personality reverted to how they were at that age. Her knowledge and experience, however, were not diminished."
"I see," Zhao Yuan said, finally understanding.
'So it seems that when Zeng Rui was fifteen or sixteen, she made the great vow to teach herself medicine and save people's lives!'
But even though that mystery was solved, Zhao Yuan wasn't happy.
Because Zeng Rui's unfulfilled wish was simply too immense!
To heal the sick and save the dying...
There were countless millions of sick people in the world. If Zeng Rui was like Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, adopting a "my wish remains as long as sickness exists" mentality, wouldn't he be pestered by her for all eternity?
'This is way too tragic, isn't it? Isn't this just forcing me to accept her as my Ghost Spirit?'
Zhao Yuan was thoroughly depressed. Watching him, Ying Ji genuinely wanted to smack him. He was someone who didn't appreciate his own good fortune! To have such an incredible Ghost, and instead of keeping her, he was thinking of shooing her away. It was like winning the grand prize in the lottery and refusing to claim it!
The Ying Family Ancestor was kinder, offering some comfort. "Don't look at it so pessimistically. Perhaps she'll leave after she watches you heal a few people? Besides, she's an Earth Ghost of the Celestial Spirit Level. You could just accept her as your Ghost Spirit!"
Zhao Yuan gave a wry smile. "I'm just not used to the idea of having a Ghost following me around 24/7. They'd see everything. I'd have no privacy at all."
Ying Ji twisted the knife without hesitation. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it after a while."
The Ying Family Ancestor shot her a look and chided, "Is that any way to talk to Zhao Yuan? Be more polite, understand?"
Then, the Ancestor offered a suggestion with a gentle smile, "If you're really that uncomfortable with having a Ghost around you at all times, you can make a Ghost Residence for her. She would live inside it, and she'd need your permission to enter or exit. Wouldn't that solve your problem?"
"Huh? You can do that?" Zhao Yuan was very surprised.
"Of course. You didn't know that?" Both the Ying Family Ancestor and Ying Ji were taken aback.
"Nope." Zhao Yuan threw up his hands. "I always thought a Ghost or a Ghost Spirit had to be by your side at all times, watching you eat, drink, take a crap, and sleep."
Ying Ji couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a snort of laughter. She laughed louder and louder until tears streamed down her face. "Hahaha, that's hilarious! You didn't even know something that simple. Hey, don't tell me *that's* the reason you've been refusing to accept a Ghost Spirit?"
She was right. Zhao Yuan had indeed refused to accept a Ghost Spirit because he mistakenly believed it meant a complete loss of privacy.
When you thought about it, having a Ghost by your side every second of every day really was a terrifying prospect.
A Ghost cheering you on while you take a dump; a Ghost giving you pointers while you're hitting on a girl; a Ghost... while you're getting it on...
But now that there was a solution, Zhao Yuan suddenly thought that having a Ghost Spirit might not be so bad after all.
Of course, the cost would be enormous!
Ying Ji was still laughing. Zhao Yuan muttered in resignation, "I'm not a Witch Priest, of course I wouldn't know this stuff."
Hearing that, Ying Ji stopped laughing.
It was true that Zhao Yuan wasn't a Witch Priest, but his accomplishments in their arts were countless times greater than those of Ying Ji, who was a genuine Witch Priest!
It was a huge slap in the face!
Ying Ji was mortified, but Zhao Yuan paid her no mind and instead asked the Ying Family Ancestor how to make a Ghost Residence.
The Ying Family Ancestor held nothing back, teaching him with great care.
The so-called Ghost Residence was, in fact, a type of Jade Talisman. A Ghost could live inside it to not only avoid the harmful rays of the sun but also absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to advance their Cultivation. This was a Ghost Nurturing Technique developed and perfected by generations of Witch Priests over countless millennia.
With the help of the Information Leaf, Zhao Yuan quickly mastered the method. He then switched to the Ghost Language and asked Zeng Rui, "Are you willing to become my Ghost Spirit?"
Zeng Rui's reply was simple and direct, just two words: "I don't!"
Zhao Yuan was dumbfounded.
A moment ago, he had been the unwilling one. Now that he had changed his mind, she was the one refusing.
'What happened to my heaven-defying luck? Where's my protagonist halo? Where did it all go?'
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