The Divine Urban Physician Chapter 3781: A Strange Feeling (Sixth Update)
Previously on The Divine Urban Physician...
Upon hearing this, Lin Rutian offered a smile, yet to Ye Chen, it appeared profoundly melancholic.
With that very smile, Lin Rutian addressed Elder Jun, “How many times have you been the one to save me?”
Elder Jun responded, “Thirty-nine times.”
Lin Rutian drew a deep breath and suddenly roared, his voice resonating with profound emotion, “I, Lin Rutian, firmly believe that throughout these past twelve hundred and thirteen years, I have committed no wrongs against Elder Jun. Why, then, did Elder Jun choose to betray me!”
Ye Chen’s gaze intensified. With a swift movement of his wrist, both the Slaughter Sword and the Eight Treasures Ghost Buddha Relics materialized in his grasp!
From the very inception of the confrontation between the two, Ye Chen had an indistinct premonition that events would unfold in precisely this manner!
The purpose behind Lin Rutian’s decision to conceal this enigmatic jade pendant in this location appeared to be a safeguard, not against any external threat, but specifically against Elder Jun, the very individual who had rescued him numerous times!
Even when confronted by those from the Faceless Divine Sect, did Elder Jun not intervene to offer aid?
What was the underlying reason for all these actions?
If Elder Jun harbored infidelity towards Lin Rutian, then why did he repeatedly save him and remain by his side throughout all these years?
Elder Jun remained silent for a spell before finally asking, “How did you discover the truth?”
Lin Rutian lowered his head, his gaze fixed upon the Blood Pattern Yellow Jade clutched in his hand. He appeared to be expending considerable effort to suppress the turmoil within his mental realm, and then he sighed, “Did I not mention that the Chen Family Master served as bait? This bait was prepared exclusively for you.”
Elder Jun’s previously impassive countenance abruptly contorted into a grim, chilling smile. “I had never fathomed that after saving you so many times, you still harbored such deep mistrust?”
Lin Rutian responded with cool detachment, “You saved me? Were it not for this Life-bound Blood Jade, would you have lifted a finger to help? Had I not hidden this Blood Jade away and instead kept it on my person, I tremble to think how many times I might have already met my end, do I not?”
His obsidian eyes locked onto Elder Jun, seemingly searching for an answer, but Elder Jun had already reverted to his inscrutable, emotionless facade.
Upon hearing this dialogue, a flicker of profound understanding dawned in Ye Chen’s eyes!
He had encountered tales of this Life-bound Blood Jade; it was reputed to be a supreme treasure. Once a person’s blood was sealed within it and a mental connection was established, their life became intrinsically intertwined with the individual who refined the Life-bound Blood Jade, making severance virtually impossible!
Its efficacy surpassed even the most potent spirit contracts!
Once a cultivator ascended to the Qiankun Realm, very few spirit contracts possessed sufficient binding power; only artifacts like the Life-bound Blood Jade could achieve such a formidable connection!
It now seemed plausible that Lin Rutian’s mother had once aided Elder Jun, but not without exacting a significant price…
The reason Elder Jun had remained as Lin Rutian’s protector for all these years was, in essence, dictated by the formidable power of the Life-bound Blood Jade!
A bitter smile touched Lin Rutian’s lips as he continued, “Furthermore, had it not been for the necessity of gaining my trust to ascertain the identity of the individual orchestrating the Chen Family Master’s actions, even with the Life-bound Blood Jade’s existence, I fear I would have long ago lost my autonomy, existing merely as a potted plant, confined to some gloomy corner devoid of sunlight, would I not?”
Elder Jun’s expression shifted subtly, a mere twitch of his features, before he calmly inquired, “Then, having brought me here and revealed the Life-bound Blood Jade, do you now intend to dispatch me?”
Lin Rutian’s reply was direct: “That hinges entirely upon your answer. Why did you choose to betray me?”
In the very next moment, Elder Jun erupted into unrestrained laughter!
His gaze, brimming with derision, fixated on Lin Rutian. “Betray you? Why? Lad, after enduring years by your side, do you possess any inkling of what that felt like! I, Yan Jun, have never harbored the desire to be subservient to anyone! Yet your mother, through this damnable Life-bound Blood Jade, held me captive for so many years. Do you truly believe I should not harbor resentment towards you?”
His eyes blazed with a crimson hue, radiating a venomous hatred that starkly contrasted with his prior demeanor of indifference and calm!
It was only at this precise moment that Lin Rutian grasped the truth: that expressionless facade had merely been Elder Jun’s elaborate disguise to conceal the depths of his animosity!
Had he not maintained that impassive mask, would Elder Jun not have revealed his current visage, akin to a ghastly specter, before him at any given moment?
Elder Jun taunted, “My hatred extends not only to you but also to your mother! However, exacting retribution upon you and your mother proved to be no simple feat, did it? The sect master of Jiuqing Mountain, who stands behind you, is no individual I can carelessly provoke.”
Lin Rutian spoke softly, “So, your intention was to leverage my siblings to eliminate me?”
He let out a somewhat desolate laugh. “Had an outsider dared to act against me, my father would never have let them off the hook. Yet, ultimately, he would not penalize the more accomplished heirs for the sake of a mere squabble among siblings, would he?”
Elder Jun let out a booming laugh, "You've truly grasped your father's thoughts, Lin Rutian; you're incredibly astute, and everything you've surmised is correct. Now, what course of action will you take? Will you employ the Life-bound Blood Jade to dispatch me?"
Lin Rutian gazed at Elder Jun and responded, "Elder Jun, this Life-bound Blood Jade only binds your life if you actively infuse your blood essence into it. Even if it was a transaction, it was one you willingly accepted for your own survival. Furthermore, throughout these years, I have never once wielded this Life-bound Blood Jade as a threat against you. Had you even inquired, I might have relinquished this Blood Jade, yet in the end, you still plotted my complete downfall?"
Elder Jun's countenance contorted into an expression of unparalleled malevolence, and he bellowed, "You impudent brat, silence!"
In the very next moment, the surroundings of Lin Rutian and Ye Chen underwent an instantaneous transformation. The once familiar mountain forest vanished entirely, replaced by a desolate, barren expanse!
"Freedom Heaven!"
Elder Jun, astonishingly, directly unleashed the power of Freedom Heaven!
Instantly, an overwhelming force, akin to a colossal hand guided by universal laws, ensnared Ye Chen and Lin Rutian, constricting them as if intent on their utter annihilation!
Lin Rutian's expression grew grim, and the Blood Jade clutched in his hand suddenly blazed with an intense radiance!
In the subsequent moment, Elder Jun's eyes bulged grotesquely, becoming engorged with blood. His entire being flushed a deep crimson, appearing on the verge of implosion!
Abruptly, with a tremendous crack, a cloud of blood mist erupted from Elder Jun's form. He emitted a piercing scream as his body disintegrated, collapsing into a heap upon the ground.
The desolate terrain beneath Ye Chen and Lin Rutian's feet also dissipated in an instant, returning the pair to the tranquil mountain forest...
Lin Rutian wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He cast his gaze upon the blood-drenched Elder Jun sprawled on the ground and stated, "This Life-bound Blood Jade links our lives, but I am its rightful master. Even though you are a Qiankun Realm expert, if I fully unleash this Blood Jade's power, extinguishing your life will not prove difficult."
Ye Chen observed the apparently mortally wounded Elder Jun lying incapacitated on the ground, yet a slight frown creased his brow. For reasons unknown, Elder Jun emanated an exceedingly peculiar sensation for him!