The Doctor's Three-Time Marriage

Chapter 478: 478. The next plan

Translator: 549690339

A gust of wind blew into the cave, and Mo Yan looked back before returning his gaze to the gradually calming surface of the water.

Sheng Yue still hadn’t put the sleeping little girl in his arms, and he was also looking at the pool.

From behind the stone screen, the younger of the twin brothers peeked out, only to be quickly pulled back by the older brother, soon becoming quiet again.

The time Yan Shiba spent in the water was almost the same as Ying Ying’s previous attempt.

The “miracle” Mo Yan was waiting for did not happen, as the water surface rippled again, and Yan Shiba’s head emerged, gasping for air.

Mo Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he glanced at Sheng Yue, “Pull her up.”

Only then did Sheng Yue bend down to put the little girl back on the bed, then walked forward two steps, and reached out to Yan Shiba.

After Yan Shiba’s breathing stabilized, she glanced coldly at Sheng Yue, swam over, didn’t take his hand, and climbed up on her own.

The water in the pool wasn’t very cold, and Yan Shiba was dripping wet, with her hair and clothes dripping water. She wiped her face with her hand and said to Mo Yan, “No luck.”

This wasn’t a phrase from this world, but one Yan Shiba had heard from Su Liang, learned what it meant, and found it interesting enough to remember.

“You didn’t see anything?” Mo Yan questioned skeptically, “You need to try harder.”

“People have an instinct to survive,” Yan Shiba scoffed. “Otherwise, you press my head down and not let me come up? Drowning me would only make the thing you want to see even less likely to happen.”

Mo Yan looked at Yan Shiba’s face, his eyes devoid of warmth, “You know what to do, but you’re unwilling. Don’t make me force you.”

Yan Shiba sneered, “Using that kid? Or those people you captured into the magic treasure?”

Sheng Yue’s eyes flickered slightly. He had already suspected that Mo Yan wouldn’t just bring one person back, and sure enough, there were others, and it seemed like quite a few.

“You know that’s enough,” Mo Yan didn’t deny it. “Gu Ling might be on the island too. If I lock him up, you’ll learn to behave.”

Yan Shiba frowned and fell silent.

“Tell me, did you find anything, or keep going until you tell me something useful?” Mo Yan’s tone was icy.

Yan Shiba wrung out the water on her sleeve and closed her eyes, “I did find something, but I couldn’t hold on any longer.”

Mo Yan’s eyes narrowed, “What did you find?”

Yan Shiba countered, “Did you guard this lousy water hole for so many years without ever going in yourself?”

“Answer my question!” Mo Yan said coldly.

Yan Shiba continued to wring out her clothes, “I saw a white light at the bottom of the pool.”

Mo Yan’s face lit up, “What kind of light? Is it a passage?”

Yan Shiba snorted, “Can’t you understand human language? White light, not a passage. The light was dazzling, and I couldn’t see what was beneath it. When I tried to get closer, I couldn’t breathe and came back up.”

“You go back down and head straight for the white light!” Mo Yan said, grabbing Yan Shiba’s arm, trying to push her back in.

Yan Shiba shook off his grip, stepped back two steps, her back against the stone wall, and frowned at Mo Yan, “Do you think you finally see hope? Can’t you let me catch my breath? If I drown, will you be satisfied?”

The exchanges of words and looks between the two had nothing to do with “family” or “grandparent and grandchild.” Mo Yan’s actions showed that he didn’t care about his supposed granddaughter. Bringing back “Su Liang” made him eager to have her scout the way, even without waiting for the next day.

“You can rest, and when you’re rested, you can go back down.” Surprisingly, Mo Yan didn’t get angry. On the contrary, his tone became even gentler, “Are you hungry?”

Yan Shiba responded without hesitation, “I’m very hungry. I need to eat meat to recover my strength.”

Mo Yan looked at Sheng Yue, and Sheng Yue immediately nodded, “I will arrange it right away.” With that, he walked towards the entrance of the cave.

Mo Yan took a dry towel from his space for Yan Shiba. Yan Shiba took it and sat down against the stone wall, covering his face with the towel. “I need to rest for a while. Call me when the meal is ready.”

“Alright,” Mo Yan replied.

A moment later, Mo Yan had a blanket in hand. He walked over and covered Yan Shiba with it before asking, “Do you want to go inside to change your clothes?”

“Why didn’t you say that earlier?” Yan Shiba grabbed the blanket.

The next moment, Mo Yan’s left hand grabbed Yan Shiba’s arm, and they instantly disappeared from their original location.

Mo Yan sat cross-legged by the pool, and as he stared at the now-calm water, he exhaled a long breath.

After leaving the cave, Sheng Yue headed towards the forbidden area’s kitchen.

Halfway there, he was hit squarely on the head by a falling pine cone from a tree.

Sheng Yue glanced around. Elder Song and Elder Pang should be guarding the front and back gates at this time. He leaped up and climbed the tall ancient pine tree.

“Is it Mo Yan?” Gu Ling’s voice rang out from a nearby tree.

Sheng Yue spotted a shadow and replied, “He’s back, and he’s captured Su Liang.”

Gu Ling’s heart sank, “Just her?”

Sheng Yue shook his head, “Your daughter and disciple are not there, but there are other people trapped in his magic treasure. I only saw Su Liang being released.”

“How is she?” Gu Ling asked.

But Sheng Yue said, “Earlier in the cave, I thought you would not be able to resist barging in. After all, it’s Su Liang. You should know what Mo Yan would do when he captured her.”

“If I had entered, I would have been captured too,” Gu Ling coldly replied.

“It was wise of you not to go in.” Sheng Yue said. “You wait here, I’ll go and order the kitchen to cook dinner. Su Liang said she’s hungry. We’ll talk later.” With that, Sheng Yue jumped down from the tree, checked his surroundings, and continued towards the kitchen.

Sheng Yue called the cook and asked her to prepare a meal for one person as soon as possible. The meal had to be well prepared and include meat. He would come back for it later.

After leaving the kitchen, Sheng Yue did not return to the cave. Instead, he climbed back up the ancient pine tree.

“Su Liang has already been pushed into the pool by Mo Yan once.” Sheng Yue said, “She came up and said she saw a white light. Mo Yan plans to let her eat first before going down again. What do you plan to do?”

At this moment, Gu Ling still didn’t know that the captured Su Liang was a fake. Before he left, he hadn’t discussed the matter of arranging a stand-in with Su Liang. Yan Shiba acting as Su Liang’s stand-in was her own idea, not arranged by Su Liang.

Therefore, when he heard Sheng Yue’s words, Gu Ling felt terrible. But he constantly reminded himself that he must not lose his rationality in such circumstances, and that he should trust Su Liang to protect her own life. He couldn’t act recklessly.

However, Sheng Yue then said, “There’s something I have to tell you. The Su Liang captured by Mo Yan is a fake.”

Gu Ling wanted to slap Sheng Yue to death! Since he was saying this, he must have evidence. But he deliberately kept this from Gu Ling until now.

“Don’t get angry. I just wanted to see if you would rush to save her if it really was Su Liang.” Sheng Yue said, “But it seems you won’t, which is for the best. If you act impulsively, it won’t benefit any of us.”

“How do you know she’s fake?” Gu Ling asked.

Sheng Yue replied calmly, “I couldn’t be sure if it were anyone else, but that’s Yan Shiba. She had been under my control for a long time, so I know her to some extent. Of course, she disguised herself very successfully, acting exactly like Su Liang, completely unlike her own character, which was why she was able to deceive Mo Yan, who still hasn’t discovered her true identity. Mo Yan doesn’t understand Su Liang or Yan Shiba. The proof is the scar I saw on her right arm when she came out of the water—that’s a cut I made. If Su Liang has the same scar in the same place, I have nothing more to say.”

Gu Ling, of course, knew best whether there were scars on Su Liang’s body. Hearing what Sheng Yue said, her heart loosened. As for whether it was Su Liang who anticipated that Mo Yan would capture her and asked Yan Shiba to act as her substitute, or whether Yan Shiba decided to do it on her own, it was still uncertain. Gu Ling tended to think it was the latter, which was more in line with Yan Shiba’s preference for pursuing excitement and caring the most about Su Liang.

Since Yan Shiba came as Su Liang’s substitute, Gu Ling would not leave her alone. But as long as it was not Su Liang, he wouldn’t be so passive. Because Su Liang was the real Transmigrator, if there really was a way to another world in that pool, and as Mo Yan wished, only the Transmigrator could go there, the result would be unpredictable if Su Liang was forced to go. Mo Yan wanted to see Su Liang go in and disappear inside, but that was something Gu Ling could never accept.

Of course, regarding this matter, Su Liang and Gu Ling had discussed the possibility of returning to their original world before they knew about Mo Yan. Both of them agreed that it was impossible, as a one-way transmigration was already an inexplicable miracle.

But now, considering that Ying Ying, the descendant of the Transmigrator, had seen a white light at the bottom of the pool, Gu Ling had to take into account all possible situations. After all, his special ability and Su Liang’s transmigration itself transcended common sense and cognition. As for Yan Shiba’s claim of seeing the white light, Gu Ling thought it was to deceive Mo Yan because she knew Ying Ying had seen it before.

“So it’s Yan Shiba, and you won’t save her tonight.” Sheng Yue looked at Gu Ling and said, “That’s right. She knows what she is here for, and she won’t die in the water. Mo Yan’s hope lies with her, and he won’t let her die before he realizes she’s not Su Liang. Now, can you tell me your plan? I’m sure you have one.”

Something flew towards Sheng Yue, who caught it. It was a small medicine bottle.

“There’s a pill in here. Tomorrow, find a way to make Mo Yan take it.” Gu Ling said.

Sheng Yue opened the bottle and couldn’t see the medicine inside. “What is it?”

“Truth-telling drug.” Gu Ling said.

Sheng Yue’s eyes narrowed slightly, “After taking this drug, people will speak the truth obediently?”

“Yes,” Gu Ling replied.

“Made by Su Liang? Truly a Divine Doctor.” Sheng Yue understood the power of this kind of medicine, of course. To deal with a tricky enemy and get them to confess important information, it’s often difficult to verify the authenticity of the enemy’s words. If this drug could ensure that someone’s words couldn’t be faked, it would solve the problem easily.

At the moment, both Sheng Yue and Gu Ling were most wary of Mo Yan, and what made them difficult to deal with was his magic treasure – whether it was an object or exists in his mind, whether it could change ownership, and how to use it. Only by figuring these out could they truly deal with Mo Yan. Otherwise, Gu Ling would hesitate even to approach him.

“Will he know what he said afterward?” Sheng Yue asked.

“No, but he will be unconscious for a while.” Gu Ling said.

“In that case, once the drug is given, I will be exposed as well. And if we can’t take his space, there will still be hostages in his hands that we can’t save. We still can’t do anything to him.” Sheng Yue sighed almost inaudibly.

“You object?” Gu Ling asked.

Sheng Yue shook his head, “Of course not. I agree with your plan. We have to do something, or the situation will only get worse. Even if the magic treasure can’t change its owner, having a showdown with him face to face is just a matter of time. But I am not sure when I will have the opportunity to drug Mo Yan tomorrow. You won’t be present, aren’t you afraid that the magic treasure can change hands and be snatched by me?”

“If you can take it, I can seize it back.” Gu Ling replied indifferently.

“That’s good, then we both have a chance to try.” Sheng Yue nodded, “I should go now. If there’s news tomorrow, I don’t need to look for you; you will show up.”

“Find an opportunity to release the child in the cave.” Gu Ling said.

Sheng Yue shook his head, “Doing this now will arouse Mo Yan’s suspicion.”

“After drugging him.” Gu Ling said, “I will take care of the two elders.”

“As you say.” Sheng Yue disappeared into the night after leaving the ancient tree.

Gu Ling did not leave and waited for a while. Seeing Sheng Yue carrying a basket and walking under the tree, Gu Ling secretly followed, keeping a safe distance. Watching Sheng Yue enter the cave, he hid outside the cave, not leaving or approaching the entrance. He couldn’t hear the movement inside, but if someone came out, he could see it.

Sheng Yue entered the cave, only to see Mo Yan, not “Su Liang”.

Mo Yan looked at him as he entered, and Yan Shiba, who had changed her clothes and had half-dried hair, appeared not far from him.

“Miss Su, let’s eat.” Sheng Yue took out the food and placed it on the small square table where he usually ate with the three children. He handed the chopsticks to Yan Shiba.

Without saying a word, Yan Shiba started eating at a not slow pace but with elegance, which she had also learned from Su Liang on purpose. At that time, imitating Su Liang at home, there was another reason: Yan Shiba tried her best to deceive Gu Xiaonuan, desperately wanting Gu Xiaonuan to call her “mother.” Unfortunately, she put a lot of effort into it, fooling many people at home, but Gu Xiaonuan never fell for it. The reason, which Yan Shiba later knew, was that Ji Xiaoshu told her – Gu Xiaonuan was very smart, knowing her real mother would not suddenly ask her to call her like that.

But when Yan Shiba “floated by” around Gu Xiaonuan, or appeared suddenly before her, Gu Xiaonuan would not call him ‘mom’, which left Yan Shiba at a loss. Ji Xiaoshu clarified for her—Yan Shiba looked at Gu Xiaonuan with an overly doting gaze, something Su Liang would never do.

As they ate, Yan Shiba’s gaze wandered to a small bed nearby, where a young girl around Gu Xiaonuan’s age lay wrapped in a blanket, fast asleep.

Yan Shiba’s eyes dimmed, and she suddenly missed her children at home. This trip had indeed been exhilarating, and she had genuinely been able to help Su Liang. She would not regret it, even if she were injured or lost her life, but she felt bored at home and missed it when she was far away. Now that she had a family, she was not afraid of death, but she absolutely did not want to die. She had to go back, continue her efforts, and trick Gu Xiaonuan into calling her mom.

Mo Yan and Sheng Yue saw Yan Shiba’s gaze fixed on the sleeping child. Mo Yan naturally assumed that “Su Liang” missed her daughter, while Sheng Yue thought that Yan Shiba’s acting was quite good…

Yan Shiba had eaten half of the food Sheng Yue brought, then put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth before asking Mo Yan, “If I go down again and can’t come back but successfully travel back, don’t you think this is too cruel for me? I won’t be able to take my child with me, and I won’t even have a chance to say a proper goodbye.”

It sounded like something “Su Liang” would say after seeing the little girl in the cave and thinking of her own daughter.

Mo Yan’s expression was indifferent, “Do you want me to bring Nuannuan here, too?”

Yan Shiba shook her head, “No. I want to go home, my home is here. You want me to willingly search for Transmigration Road, but I can’t do it.”

Mo Yan was silent for a moment, “I understand your intentions. But your home is not here, you have already left a child for Gu Ling. Father and daughter will keep each other company in the future, and in your absence, they will live well. You should return to the place where you truly belong. If you don’t cooperate, I won’t go looking for Nuannuan if you get too far away for the time being, but Gu Ling is probably on the island. If I let him into my space, I can starve him to death inside without doing anything, and no one can save him. He won’t be able to see you or even your child ever again.”

Yan Shiba’s face showed anger, but soon calmed down, looking coldly at Mo Yan and said, “Release the children in this cave and the people in your space first. I can’t escape your control and will listen to you.”

Mo Yan shook his head, “You know that’s not possible. The premise of me releasing them is to capture Gu Ling or your friends. Are you sure you want to make matters more complicated?”

Yan Shiba clenched her fist, then released it, “You already have plenty of hostages in your hands, so there’s no need to torment the children, right? You can keep the people in your space, but release the children in the cave and let them return to their parents. It’s not an unreasonable request. I’ll cooperate with you, so you should show some sincerity. Having children around makes me feel terrible and will affect what you want me to do.”

“Their parents have already abandoned them and ran away,” Mo Yan said coldly.

Yan Shiba stared at him, “I don’t believe it.”

Mo Yan frowned, “Fine, as you wish. But that girl has really been abandoned. Sheng Yue, send all three children to the woman who stayed behind.”

Sheng Yue replied respectfully, “Yes.” With that, he went behind the water curtain and brought out the two children who were merely pretending to sleep out of fear.

Yan Shiba hadn’t seen these twins before and wouldn’t recognize them even if she had seen them. She didn’t know if Sheng Yue would play any tricks, but she felt that with hostages in Mo Yan’s hands, there was no need to hurt the children, so she still insisted on doing this.

Sheng Yue carried the little girl from the small bed and walked out, with the twins holding hands and following behind.

Yan Shiba watched them disappear from her sight, “We’ll continue talking when Sheng Yue comes back.”

Mo Yan didn’t say anything either.

Sheng Yue really sent all three children to Peng Wu. Late at night, Peng Wu was already in bed but tossing and turning due to worrying about her children. Suddenly seeing her children being sent back, she was overjoyed.

Peng Wu didn’t just get her two children back, but also took in another child. She knew the child had been abandoned by her parents and felt very sorry for her, so she promised to take good care of her without waiting for Sheng Yue to speak.

Sheng Yue said nothing, simply setting down the child and leaving.

When Sheng Yue returned to the cave, he saw Yan Shiba holding a pillow from the small bed and standing by the pool.

Mo Yan said coldly, “I fulfilled my promise to you.”

“Fine.” Yan Shiba said icily, putting down the small pillow, “There’s nothing more to say now. I’ll do what you want me to do, but I have no idea what the result will be, and I might not even encounter the white light next time.”

“You can try several times. Delaying will be of no benefit to you. If you want to see Gu Ling and be reunited with him in my space, I’m not against it.” As Mo Yan finished speaking, he reached out and made a “please” gesture, “Go on.”

Yan Shiba took a deep breath and dove back into the water.