Chapter 14: The Divine Healer

Although it was just a single needle, Xu Yang could be certain that Chen Xing’s lascivious tendencies had been completely cured by his hand. From this day on, although he would no longer need to squat when using the restroom, only that single function remained to him.

Carefully withdrawing the silver needle and storing it away, Xu Yang took a deep breath, then turned and headed downstairs. Soon, he reached the first floor and nodded to the bodyguard before continuing toward the exit.

“Wait a moment.”

At that moment, the bodyguard behind him suddenly called out. Xu Yang’s heart skipped a beat; instinctively, he clenched his fists and turned around.

The bodyguard’s face showed a hint of embarrassment, and he stammered, unable to get the words out.

“What is it?” Xu Yang asked, puzzled.

“Bro… brother, that medicine of yours, could you give me some? I have a friend whose health is a bit frail.”

With a flattering smile, the bodyguard asked, still stammering.

“Sorry, I didn’t bring much with me this time. Maybe next time,” Xu Yang replied, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, alright. See you next time.” The bodyguard nodded heavily, a look of regret on his face.

…

Several hours after Xu Yang left the Pavilion of Fragrant Warmth, Chen Xing finally woke up from the large bed, still dazed and confused. A sharp, piercing scream soon echoed through the entire establishment.

A dozen minutes later, Chen Hu, the head of the Chen family, arrived at the Pavilion of Fragrant Warmth, storming in with over thirty family guards, radiating murderous intent. The owner of the pavilion approached, face filled with fear, trying to explain, but Chen Hu kicked him away.

“Xing’er, what happened to you?”

Chen Hu’s gaze was fixed on his only son, whose face was the picture of utter misery. His voice was dark and stern.

“Father, someone harmed me… stuck a needle in me… I… I can’t go on…”

Choking back tears, Chen Xing collapsed onto the floor in despair. His words landed like a heavy blow to Chen Hu’s heart. For a moment, stars danced before his eyes. His tone grew icy and menacing as he barked,

“Find out for me! Who dared lay hands on my only son!”

In an instant, the entire Pavilion of Fragrant Warmth and the Chen family’s underground network were in an uproar. Since Xu Yang had used the alias Zhou Jian, the Chen family’s men immediately apprehended Zhou Jian.

After a brutal beating, the utterly bewildered Zhou Jian was dragged before Chen Xing. Naturally, Chen Xing could confirm he was not the culprit. Thus, Zhou Jian, battered and bruised, was thrown out onto the street by the Chen family guards.

Meanwhile, the incident spread like a plague, radiating outward from the Pavilion of Fragrant Warmth—a den of all sorts—swiftly reaching all corners.

At the Su family villa, Old Master Su Wenshan and Su Yanran received the news almost at the same time. Both were left gaping in astonishment, unable to believe what they heard.

“Grandfather… could this have been Xu Yang’s doing?” Su Yanran’s heart pounded wildly as she spoke, her voice trembling.

Su Wenshan was silent for a while before he replied, “It’s only been a day, and Chen Xing has already met with misfortune. Who else could it be?”

“That madman…” Su Yanran muttered under her breath, her exquisitely beautiful face shifting through a myriad of expressions. At that moment, recalling the man with whom she’d had only the briefest of encounters, she couldn’t say what she felt in her heart.

“Yanran.” After a long silence, Su Wenshan turned to her, his tone more severe than ever.

“Yes, Grandfather?” Su Yanran looked at him in confusion.

“Xu Yang has created a disaster this time. You must not breathe a word of what happened. If you do, Xu Yang will not survive.”

“Yes!” Su Yanran nodded emphatically.

Meanwhile, Xu Yang, the instigator of this affair, had already boarded a tour bus and arrived at a scenic area on the outskirts of River City. Though he had used a false name, he had shown his face. He wasn’t sure whether the pavilion’s surveillance would identify him, so he decided to lay low for a while, traveling and relaxing his tense mind.

As it wasn’t a holiday, there were few tourists on the bus. The carriage was very quiet, with only a faint fragrance drifting from the seat in front of Xu Yang.

“Grandpa, cheer up a little, won’t you?”

From the seat ahead came the melodious voice of a young woman—the source of that subtle fragrance.

“Sigh, Feng’er, you don’t need to comfort me. I know what must be done. I’ve lived to this age, and compared to my old comrades, I’m already fortunate enough. My only regret is that I may not live to see you marry and have children. Ah, nothing is more beautiful than the glow of sunset, but even the sunset doesn’t last long.”

“Grandpa…” The young woman’s clear voice quivered with emotion as she tried to comfort him. “Please don’t lose heart. When this trip is over, I’ll contact a few more renowned doctors. I refuse to believe no one can cure your illness.”

“There’s no need. Doctors treat disease, but this is fate. If fate decrees my calamity, no miracle doctor can help…”

Listening to their conversation, Xu Yang’s expression flickered with emotion. He hadn’t expected, since inheriting the Emperor’s legacy, to encounter so many patients in need. Then again, he thought, there were always many people in this world suffering in the depths of despair. He’d simply never paid attention before.

Now, having mastered supreme medical skills, Xu Yang wanted to help the old man. But then he recalled the ancient admonition: a doctor does not solicit patients. Since time immemorial, only patients have sought out doctors. If a doctor approached a patient, it was hard to gain their trust, and without trust, saving a life was as difficult as scaling the heavens.

He sighed inwardly and stopped thinking about it, closing his eyes to rest.

About ten more minutes passed before the tour bus slowly came to a stop. Xu Yang got off, wandering alone and aimlessly through the picturesque scenic area. Though already in his twenties, he had rarely traveled due to financial constraints. Now, with money in his pocket and a light heart, he gazed at the beautiful scenery, feeling utterly refreshed.

Strolling and pausing as he pleased, Xu Yang soon found himself in front of a stall selling antiques.

“Boss, take a look at this—it’s a fine item!”

The stall owner, a dark-skinned fellow, flashed a cunning smile as he saw Xu Yang, and without waiting for a response, lifted a celadon tube to hand it to him.

“Careful!”

Just then, a clear, pleasant female voice sounded behind Xu Yang.