Chapter 45: Ye Xun Presents a Special Gift, and the Medical Saint Acts Aloof?

Upon seeing Ye Xun, both Ye Jin and Ye Ren stepped forward to greet him respectfully.

They did not put on sullen faces, nor did they resort to low-level sneers or mockery.

Over the past few days, Ye Xun's exploits had spread far and wide across the capital city.

Amateurs watched the spectacle, while experts watched the mechanics.

Although they were equally baffled by Ye Xun's recent transformation, they firmly believed that Wei Wuji's judgment was infallible.

Today, Wei Feng and Shangguan Yunqing were accompanying Ye Xun.

One was the son of Great Xia's most powerful chancellor, and the other was the daughter of Great Xia's purse holder.

This alone spoke volumes.

Amidst this invisible storm, Ye Jin and Ye Ren possessed the weakest strength.

Their involvement was not driven by an ambition to seize the throne, but rather by the desire to rally some factions to their side and ensure their own survival.

Outside the thatched cottage.

Wei Feng and his two companions walked into the courtyard and approached the front door.

Shangguan Yunqing took a step forward and called out into the house, "Medical Saint, Shangguan Yunqing, granddaughter of Shangguan Hongchang, requests an audience."

Hearing these words,

Ye Jin and Ye Ren, standing outside the courtyard, looked at each other in utter bewilderment.

This...

How could she just drop names like that?

Who uses such a bizarre tactic?

It was simply playing without any regard for the rules of martial arts.

At the same time, they were extremely curious: When had the Shangguan family ever crossed paths with the Medical Saint? Why had they never heard a whisper of it?

Just then,

With a creak...

The wooden door of the cottage slowly swung open, and a weathered voice drifted from within, "Come in."

"Thank you, Medical Saint," Shangguan Yunqing replied. She then led Ye Xun and Wei Feng into the house.

Watching the three of them enter the cottage,

Ye Jin and Ye Ren were left dumbfounded, scarcely believing their eyes.

Just like that? They went in?

Does Shangguan Hongchang really wield such immense influence?

What on earth was happening?

Had the Shangguan family truly defected to Ye Xun's side?

Shangguan Yunqing's sudden move was simply too much for the two of them to fathom.

If Ye Xun could genuinely persuade the Medical Saint to descend the mountain, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar throughout the capital.

***

Ye Xun and his companions entered the cottage, carrying a small, sealed jar of distilled Immortal-Retaining Brew.

The cottage was small, its interior furnished with utmost simplicity, while the rich fragrance of medicinal herbs permeated the entire room.

Wu Shouzhi sat at his desk sipping tea, raising his eyes to appraise the three visitors.

They stepped forward and bowed in salute.

"Junior Ye Xun pays respects to the Medical Saint."

"Junior Wei Feng pays respects to the Medical Saint."

"Junior Shangguan Yunqing pays respects to the Medical Saint."

Before a Medical Saint like Wu Shouzhi, basic respect was still essential.

Ye Xun took in Wu Shouzhi's appearance: he had the youthful face of an infant and the hair of a crane, fair skin, and wore a grayish-blue robe. His eyes were bright and piercing, as deep as an abyss, making him entirely inscrutable.

Wu Shouzhi gave a slight nod, looked at Shangguan Yunqing, and mused, "How is your grandfather holding up?"

Shangguan Yunqing hurriedly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Medical Saint. Grandfather is in very robust health."

Wu Shouzhi nodded again.

"Although your grandfather once did me a favor, you should know the rules: unless someone belongs to the Shangguan family, I will not offer my services."

"Furthermore, by bringing outsiders in today, I might not even extend my help to members of the Shangguan family in the future."

At this, Shangguan Yunqing spoke up, "Rest assured, Medical Saint, Yunqing understands the rules. Today, Yunqing has come solely to introduce... to introduce the Medical Saint to Ye Xun."

She had intended to say Prince Qin, but fearing that Wu Shouzhi might think they were using power and status to pressure him, she changed her wording.

Wu Shouzhi, however, said indifferently, "No matter. There is no need to be so restrained in your speech. Whatever background, status, or title you hold is all the same to me."

Facing the Medical Saint,

Even Wei Feng, who was typically calm and unwavering even if the heavens were to collapse, felt an intense wave of tension, entirely unsure of how to speak.

He was terrified that a single wrong word would prompt the Medical Saint to throw them out.

Immediately afterward,

Wu Shouzhi still showed no intention of offering them a seat. Instead, his gaze fell upon Ye Xun, and he murmured, "For the Shangguan family to give up such a precious opportunity solely to arrange a meeting between you and me proves that you possess extraordinary qualities."

"Speak. Whom do you wish me to treat, and what is your reason?"

Ye Xun offered a slight bow and said, "The Medical Saint flatters me. I wish for you to descend the mountain to treat the Emperor of Great Xia, Ye Lantian. A father's love is as heavy as a mountain, and as his son, this is a duty I must fulfill. I earnestly request the Medical Saint to lend your aid."

As his voice fell,

Wu Shouzhi put down his teacup and looked up at Ye Xun.

Ye Xun met his gaze, his eyes resolute.

He wasn't just spouting nonsense; Ye Lantian had blocked a blade for him, surviving by a hair's breadth. This was a debt he owed Ye Lantian.

Following that,

Wu Shouzhi furrowed his brows and shook his head slightly.

"If you were not born into the imperial family, I could believe your words."

"Yet you happen to be an imperial prince seeking to save the emperor. And since you are a meticulous and composed person, I cannot be certain whether your words stem from the heart or if you are deliberately putting on this filial facade for me to see."

"I do not do things of which I am uncertain."

"Even if you told me you are doing this for the imperial throne, as long as I can perceive your true sincerity, I would still take action."

Wu Shouzhi spoke casually, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

Hearing this,

Both Wei Feng and Shangguan Yunqing stared at Ye Xun in astonishment.

They had not expected the Medical Saint to admit that he could not read Ye Xun's true intentions.

Ye Xun gave a slight nod and asked, "Then what must I do to make the Medical Saint believe me?"

As he spoke, he covertly loosened the lid of the wine jar in his hand.

Wu Shouzhi pondered for a moment and murmured, "If..." Before he could finish, a slow drift of wine fragrance caught his attention. He stared at the jar in Ye Xun's hand and asked in puzzlement, "What is that you are holding?"

Hearing this, Ye Xun felt a surge of secret delight; Shangguan Yunqing's intelligence had proved utterly accurate.

This Medical Saint truly was a consummate alcoholic.

Ye Xun hurried to remove the lid, presented the small jar before the desk, and smiled, "Medical Saint, this is a token of appreciation I brought for you. Although the wine is scarce, it represents this junior's sincere gesture."

He did not exaggerate how wondrous the wine was, but he was confident that once Wu Shouzhi tasted it shortly, he would find it utterly addictive.

Looking at the small jar of wine,

Wu Shouzhi knitted his brows. This was the most pathetic gift he had ever received in his entire life.

Just this tiny jar?

Yet, the aroma wafting from this little container was purer than any wine he had ever tasted, and he was already burning with impatience to sample this nectar of the gods.

Promptly,

Wu Shouzhi murmured, "How about this: the three of you step outside and wait for a moment while I consider whether to accompany you down the mountain."

"Thank you, Medical Saint." Ye Xun bowed slightly and turned toward the door.

Wei Feng and Shangguan Yunqing blinked in surprise, then followed Ye Xun out of the room.

The three of them stepped outside, pulling the wooden door shut behind them.

Wu Shouzhi maintained a stern expression as he sipped his tea and glanced toward the entrance.

Ensuring that Ye Xun and his companions had indeed reached the courtyard,

He hastily set his teacup aside, retrieved a clean cup, and carefully picked up the wine jar, pouring himself a small measure, terrified of wasting a single drop.

As he poured the wine, Wu Shouzhi muttered under his breath,

Damn it.

Keeping up this aloof facade is truly exhausting.

If I had known, I wouldn't have acted so arrogant when I first came down the mountain.

But if I weren't arrogant, people would walk all over me...

He shook his head helplessly.

Being a human is tiring, and being a Medical Saint is even more so.