Chapter 47: The Root of the Problem

"Mr. Jiang…"

Su Meiruo hurried a few steps and caught up with Jiangnan, who was at the front.

She pressed her lips together and asked:

"Mr. Jiang, is Director Qu…?"

Jiangnan gave her a look, fell silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"I can only solve external problems."

"As a doctor you should understand that some illnesses stem from the heart."

Su Meiruo's complexion turned starkly pale the instant she heard that. She opened her mouth a few times, but each time she realized she seemed to have lost the courage to speak.

At that moment, Jiangnan suddenly raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder.

Su Meiruo's spirit had already been on the brink of collapse, but Jiangnan's palm gave her a tremendous comfort!

"Don't overthink it; people are always complicated."

Jiangnan sighed softly, and his mind involuntarily recalled his marriage with Li Lishu.

Even he himself was powerless to change fate.

People are just that complicated!

Jiangnan gathered his thoughts, but saw Su Meiruo's eyes reddened. Feeling pity, he paused briefly and said again:

"Perhaps… we were all wrong?"

"Let's go see first, then decide."

……

Plans never keep up with changes.

Zhou Yu's original plan was completely thrown off after Li Sisi appeared.

Zhou Yu looked up at the sky, but only saw a thick fog.

Yet a faint glint seemed to flicker in his eyes.

After a moment, he chose another direction and said calmly:

"Stay close to me; within ten steps, you won't be in danger."

The pitch‑black night draped over the whole village.

The air was filled with a damp earthy scent, tinged with a faint whiff of decay.

In the distance, a few low hoots of owls drifted, adding an eerie touch.

The four of them moved silently toward the River God Spring.

Below their feet lay a rugged mountain path; on both sides, dense forest.

As Jiangnan's party went deeper, even the usually bold Lin Wan now clung obediently to Jiangnan's side, daring not to stray far.

Even though Jiangnan emphasized the ten‑step safety several times, the problem was that no one listened to him!

Just as Lin Wan opened her mouth to ask how much farther Jiangnan intended to go,

Jiangnan suddenly halted his steps, stopping in place!

"Wait!"

Jiangnan's deep voice broke the silence. His gaze burned like a torch as he scanned the depths of the forest ahead and said calmly:

"Li Dong, come out."

Those words left Murong Wan and the others stunned.

Li Dong?

How could he be here!

Wasn't he with Li Sisi?

Just as they were puzzled, a rustling sound arose from the forest.

Li Dong's figure emerged from the darkness.

"No wonder, Mr. Jiang."

Li Dong's expression was numb, like a puppet on strings.

Jiangnan slightly frowned, glanced at his chest, and let out a silent sigh.

"Letting emotions guide you inevitably leads to hurt."

"However, I'm angry now."

As the words fell, Jiangnan's aura surged upward in an instant!

His whole being radiated an overbearing aura.

"Creeping, hiding, the reptile that avoids being seen."

He snorted coldly, then threw a sudden punch that erupted in a burst of golden light.

Li Dong's complexion changed abruptly, and he stood there dumbfounded.

He stared at Jiangnan in a daze and blurted:

"Impossible, who on earth are you!!!"

A flash of golden light streaked by,

Li Dong let out a "Wa" and spewed out a mouthful of black water.

He weakly opened his eyes, saw Jiangnan, and instantly showed a delighted expression.

"Jiang, Mr. Jiang, please save my sister…"

"Where is your sister?"

Jiangnan slightly frowned and asked.

"Si Si, Si Si—she…"

Li Dong's mind was in total confusion.

He pounded his own head heavily a few times, his face full of pain, and said:

"Si Si—she… she was thrown into my talisman and left with the River God!"

"River God?"

Jiangnan frowned.

His purpose in coming to River God Spring Village was to investigate the River God Spring.

The Smallpox Rash Virus that has appeared here has already spread throughout the city, making the situation extremely critical. The so‑called River God must have a huge connection with the Smallpox Rash Virus.

"Take me to see her."

Li Dong immediately nodded, hurried to his feet, and shakily led the way ahead.

As Jiangnan and his party walked further, the surrounding mist grew denser.

The thick fog writhed like a living thing, wrapping the damp cold, eroding everything around.

Visibility was less than one meter!

Murong Wan and the others instinctively moved closer to Jiangnan; she felt her heart as if seized by an invisible giant hand, and her breathing became somewhat difficult.

The bizarre surroundings filled everyone's hearts with unease.

Lin Wan said nothing, but her gaze scanned the surroundings warily.

She could sense that within the fog, some unknown danger seemed to be hidden.

Jiangnan let out a cold snort, and a flash of golden light vanished from his body.

In an instant, a golden bolt seemed to slash through the mist, and a powerful force, centered on him, radiated outward.

The surroundings instantly cleared.

The once thick fog was as if driven away by an invisible giant hand, receding swiftly.

Murong Wan and Lin Wan both involuntarily exhaled a sigh of relief.

Their gazes toward Jiangnan were filled with awe.

This man always managed to give them a sense of security at the most critical moments.

Jiangnan's expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened moments ago.

He stared ahead, his tone indifferent: "We've arrived."

Jiangnan looked toward the distance,

a pool of water came into view.

The pool was small, its water clear to the bottom, yet it exuded an eerie atmosphere.

A thin layer of mist floated on the surface, dreamlike and illusory.

Around the pool, various oddly shaped trees grew, gloomy and terrifying.

The air was filled with a rotting scent that made one feel nauseous.

By the water's edge, a huge green stone suddenly bore three blood‑red characters—River God Spring!

The script was twisted, as if written in fresh blood, shocking to the eyes.

"Si Si is here!"

Li Dong shouted in surprise, pointing to the center of the pool.

At that moment, Li Sisi's figure was seated cross‑legged in the middle of the pool.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her complexion pale, lips bluish‑black, and her whole body radiated a chilling aura.

Li Dong tried to run forward again, but Jiangnan reached out and stopped him.

"Don't go over."

Jiangnan's voice was low and calm, bearing unquestionable authority.

Li Dong's body froze; he abruptly turned his head toward Jiangnan, his eyes filled with urgency and pleading.

"Mr. Jiang, I beg you, save my sister!"

His voice was hoarse, tinged with a sobbing tone.

Jiangnan said nothing, his gaze deep as he stared at Li Sisi in the pool's center, his brows tightly knit.

"Saving a person isn't difficult, but she is no longer your sister Li Sisi now."

At those words, everyone was stunned.

At that moment, Li Sisi in the pool turned around.