Chapter 18: Blood from Seven Orifices

Ye Tianci’s words pierced Yang Ming’s nerves like needles.

“Insolence! You meddle here again and again, disrupting my efforts to save a life, slandering my medical skills. I will not tolerate you!” Yang Ming shouted in a fury, waving his hand angrily. “Akang, confiscate all the medicinal herbs he bought! Then throw him out!”

Tang Zhenguo frowned. “Doctor Yang, he is of no consequence. Let him go—do not create further trouble. Saving my granddaughter is what matters most.”

“Yes, yes.” Yang Ming nodded repeatedly, like a pecking hen.

Tang Ying stepped forward, gazing arrogantly at Ye Tianci. “Doctor Yang’s master is the famed Divine Physician Xue of Shu City. Who are you, a mere boy, to question Doctor Yang’s skills?”

“I advise you to leave at once, lest you bring trouble upon yourself!”

Ye Tianci snorted lightly. “A disciple of Xue Huaisu? The master is a quack, and so is the disciple.”

His words landed like thunder on a clear day.

“What did he say? He called Xue Huaisu a quack? My god, how dare he!”

“Is this boy mad? Xue Huaisu’s name resounds throughout Shu City—he’s cured countless dignitaries, officials, and wealthy merchants! Yet this boy calls him a quack?”

“Either his brain is waterlogged or he’s been kicked by a mule.”

“He doesn’t seem mad—more like an imbecile.”

The crowd erupted in angry murmurs, Ye Tianci’s words had truly provoked them.

Tang Ying’s face darkened with fury. “Boy, Doctor Yang is someone I, Tang Ying, admire. Divine Physician Xue is my idol. You dare call them quacks? You’re begging for a beating!”

“I order you to slap yourself twice and apologize sincerely to Doctor Yang. Otherwise, I, Tang Ying, will not let this go.”

Ye Tianci pointed at Tang Qiong, who lay on the stretcher. “You’re more concerned with currying favor with a quack than with your family’s safety? How laughable.”

Infuriated, Tang Ying clenched his fists, about to strike.

But just then, Tang Qiong, who had been lying on the stretcher, suddenly sat up with a jolt.

Tang Ying immediately abandoned Ye Tianci and rushed to his sister’s side, calling anxiously, “Sister, are you alright?”

Tang Zhenguo hurried forward too, his face full of concern for his granddaughter.

Though Tang Qiong sat up, her eyes remained tightly shut, brows furrowed in pain, half-conscious.

Yang Ming, one hand behind his back, the other stroking his protruding belly, declared confidently, “She’s about to wake up, don’t worry—”

But before he could finish, Tang Qiong’s mouth wrenched open.

With a violent retch, she spewed a mouthful of black blood.

Fortunately, Tang Ying dodged in time, or he would have been covered in it. The blood splattered across his chest, reeking of a metallic stench.

After vomiting, Tang Qiong collapsed back onto the stretcher, her body convulsing as if electrified.

And not only that—black blood began oozing slowly from her eyes, nostrils, and ears.

Her whole body convulsed.

Blood streaming from all seven orifices!

It was exactly as Ye Tianci had predicted.

“Sister!” Tang Ying cried.

“Qiong’er!” Tang Zhenguo’s face changed drastically.

With a thud, Yang Ming, who just moments ago brimmed with confidence, collapsed to the ground.

His legs gave out; he could not even stand.

“How… how could this happen?” Yang Ming’s face was full of confusion and terror.

“Yang Ming!” Tang Zhenguo’s eyes blazed with fury. “Didn’t you swear my granddaughter would recover soon? What is this? Why is she convulsing and bleeding from every orifice?”

Panic completely overtook Yang Ming. He fumbled and stammered, “Sir Tang, I… I don’t know what’s happening either! How could this be?”

With a resounding slap, Tang Zhenguo struck Yang Ming’s face, his eyes murderous. “If anything happens to my granddaughter, every soul in Huairen Hall, everyone in your Yang family, will pay with their lives!”

Yang Ming shuddered, nearly wetting himself. He tried to argue, “Sir Tang, it’s normal for accidents to happen during treatment. Besides, I’m the Qi family’s son-in-law. My father-in-law is Qi Changling…”

At that name, a glint flashed in Ye Tianci’s eyes.

Tang Zhenguo snorted disdainfully. “Qi Changling isn’t fit to shine my shoes.”

“If I destroy your Yang family and Qi Changling dares to interfere, I’ll destroy the Qi family as well!”

His domineering gaze and killing aura made everyone present shudder. The very air seemed to grow cold.

Yang Ming was utterly terrified. Suddenly, his eyes darted, and he pointed at Ye Tianci. “Sir Tang, this boy—”

“This boy just claimed your granddaughter would convulse and bleed from all seven orifices, and it happened exactly as he said. He must be able to save her.”

Yang Ming wasn’t repenting or offering the position to Ye Tianci out of good will—he simply wanted someone to take the fall. If Ye Tianci tried and failed to save Tang Qiong, Yang Ming could pin the blame on him.

Tang Zhenguo turned to Ye Tianci, eyes full of hope. “Young man, can you save my granddaughter?”

Ye Tianci replied coolly, “If I can diagnose the issue, of course I can treat it.”

A look of joy appeared on Tang Zhenguo’s face. “In that case, please, I beg you to save her.”

“I warned you kindly, yet you did not believe me. Now you order me to help. Why should I obey your commands?” Ye Tianci’s expression was calm.

Tang Zhenguo was taken aback—he hadn’t expected anyone in Shu City to speak to him in such a manner.

Yang Ming, still sprawled on the ground, flew into a rage and shouted, “Boy, when Sir Tang tells you to save someone, you save them!”

“Sir Tang deigning to speak with you is a blessing upon your ancestors! How dare you embarrass him?”

With another crisp slap, Tang Zhenguo struck Yang Ming’s face again.

“Shut your foul mouth!” Tang Zhenguo barked coldly. He turned to Ye Tianci and clasped his fist. “Young man, I was too anxious about my granddaughter’s condition and lost my judgment. I apologize for not trusting you before.”

“My grandson Tang Ying also offended you with his words—I offer my apologies on his behalf as well.”

“I am Tang Zhenguo of the Tang family. If you cure my granddaughter, I will reward you handsomely. Whatever you desire, I will give it to you—I will not break my word!”

Seeing the sincerity of his apology, Ye Tianci did not press further. He waved his hand. “Move your granddaughter to a room with fewer people. Also, prepare a bowl of fresh chicken blood and a bamboo skewer.”

“That’s all you need?” Tang Zhenguo asked, puzzled.

“Yes. That’s all,” Ye Tianci nodded, offering no further explanation.

“Yang Ming, arrange a room for my granddaughter at once. Is there one in the back of your pharmacy?” Tang Zhenguo demanded.

“Yes, yes! Akang, quickly take them to the back!” Yang Ming stammered.

The assistant Akang led Tang Zhenguo and his group to the back, arranging for an empty room.

Tang Qiong remained unconscious on the stretcher.

Ye Tianci instructed the four women, “Turn her over and loosen her clothing at the back.”

Tang Ying snapped, “You want to undress my sister? Are you up to no good?”

Without even glancing at him, Ye Tianci said, “Get out.”

“And who are you to order me out?” Tang Ying sneered.

“Leave,” Ye Tianci repeated calmly.

“Grandfather, didn’t you see him limping as he came from the front hall? If he really had medical skills, would he be lame himself? I say he’s just playing tricks—”

A slap cut him off.

The room fell silent.

Tang Zhenguo’s cold voice echoed, “Out!”

Clutching his cheek, Tang Ying slunk away in humiliation.