Chapter One Hundred and Thirty: Hall of Benevolent Healing

In the city of Lunu, on a street not far from the Zhang family estate, servants were bustling about, busy cleaning a mansion.

The courtyard was not particularly large, but its layout was sophisticated, with well-placed trees and flowers that breathed life into the hitherto unoccupied residence. Every detail, both inside and out, was arranged with care, and the location itself was among the finest in the city.

Hua Tuo accompanied Zhang Yu to the entrance. Above the gate hung a plaque with the words "Hall of Universal Salvation" written in gold-leaf calligraphy by Zhang Yu himself. Hua Tuo was moved to excitement, unable to help but read the name aloud:

"Hall of Universal Salvation..."

"Exactly," Zhang Yu replied with a smile. "It is said that a physician possesses a benevolent heart, hanging their gourd to save the world. Thus, I took the liberty of naming your clinic this way. If you are dissatisfied, sir, I can have it changed without any trouble."

"No, no, do not change it! This name suits me perfectly. If I were to show dissatisfaction with a gift from Young Master Yu, I fear the world would laugh at me... You have been so kind to me, I hardly know how to repay you."

"With your medical genius, your willingness to come to Zhongshan to spread your knowledge is a blessing for this region and for the people of the world. I am deeply honored. If you truly wish to repay me, then simply focus on saving lives and healing the sick."

Hua Tuo laughed heartily, "I shall spare no effort to live up to your kind intentions, Young Master."

The two men stepped inside. As Zhang Yu had visited before, he gave Hua Tuo a brief tour.

"This is the main hall. Patients must collect a number plate here—a numerical identifier."

"What is the purpose of this?" Hua Tuo asked, puzzled.

"Though your medical skills are unparalleled, sir, your energy is limited. Limiting the number of patients daily not only regulates the flow of visitors but also ensures you are not overly burdened, Master Yuanhua."

With that, Hua Tuo’s favorability toward Zhang Yu crossed the ninety-point threshold.

"Ding! Excellent, a bond of gold and jade—precious and valuable. Hua Tuo has attained the [Bond of Gold and Jade] with you. Should you ever fall ill in the future, extending your life by another second is no longer just a dream."

"Bah! ... Master Yuanhua, this side chamber can serve as your consultation room. It is quiet and will be free from excessive disturbance."

"And here, as you can see, is the pharmacy I prepared especially for you. Each small box is designed to store the herbs you choose. The craftsmen assured me that this type of wood provides the maximum protection for the potency and medicinal properties of the herbs."

"Indeed, you have been very thoughtful, Young Master."

Afterward, Zhang Yu led Hua Tuo to several other rooms and arranged for servants to assist him in recruiting apprentices and opening the clinic.

Once everything was settled, Zhang Yu and Zhang Shuo took their leave, letting Hua Tuo continue to admire his new base of operations.

"Hua Tuo’s medical skills are beyond reproach. With a few special methods from the future, this 'Hall of Universal Salvation' is bound to be a success. It’s certainly more effective than the Zhang brothers waving charms and drinking ash," Zhang Yu mused.

***

As they emerged from the alley, many passersby looked at Zhang Yu with respect and affection, with some even stepping forward to bow and greet him. This treatment, as if he were a precious treasure, greatly satisfied Zhang Yu’s vanity while also making him sigh, "This truly is my territory."

They had not gone far when a commotion erupted on the street, accompanied by the sounds of smashing and shouting.

This was Lunu, and regardless of how much sway the Zhang family held here, no one dared to openly challenge Zhang Yu; even the county magistrate would not dare to cross him.

Zhang Yu understood what his name represented, and others understood it even better: to become his enemy was to become an enemy of the people, a path leading inevitably to defeat.

Without hesitation, he led Zhang Shuo toward the source of the disturbance.

"How can you be like this? Is there no sense of reason left?" a youth demanded indignantly, his clear eyes burning with rage.

"Hahaha! Reason? My words are the only reason! So what? When the 'Tiger of Zhongshan' sets his sights on a property, no one dares to say no!"

"Sir..." a middle-aged man beside the youth spoke up. "Our Qin family mansion has stood for a century. Were it not for necessity, I would not have mortgaged it to you. But we agreed only to sell the outer courtyard..."

"Sell only the outer courtyard? Who would believe that! I paid fifty thousand coins in total; you think I’d pay that for just an outer courtyard? If it weren't for that Zhang Yu wanting to open some clinic in this area, I wouldn't even want your dilapidated house!"

"Fifty thousand... it was clearly five thousand!" the middle-aged man exclaimed in panic.

"Five thousand? Hahaha! Perhaps you swallowed the other forty-five thousand? You are the first person to dare swindle the 'Tiger of Zhongshan.' You have guts!"

The brute stretched his neck and cracked his knuckles, leading his band of thugs toward the gate. "Are you not going to get out? Are you waiting to be carried out?"

The crowd of onlookers grew, and though some voices of justice were raised, they were quickly hushed by others: "That's the county magistrate’s brother-in-law! Don't provoke him!"

"This is outrageous! Can the magistrate’s brother-in-law just run wild like this?"

"His sister, the 'Jade-Faced Fox,' is the magistrate’s favorite concubine. While the 'Tiger of Zhongshan' is a bully, he usually doesn't go too far or take lives. Sometimes, one must endure."

The murmurs of the crowd, centered on the idea that this man was untouchable, filled Lu Biao with immense satisfaction. Muttering, "A real man should be like this," he led his men toward the mansion.

"Stop!" the youth at the gate shouted.

"Oh? Is the little brat planning to kneel and beg for mercy?"

"I challenge you to a duel! If I lose, the house is yours. If I win, you must never covet my family's home again!"

"Hahaha! How amusing! I accept, but... we must add one more condition!"

"Speak."

"If you lose, the house is mine, and you belong to me as well." As he spoke, a look of malice and greed crept into Lu Biao's eyes. Only then did the crowd notice that the youth was fair-skinned and handsome, with a heroic air.

"Fu'er, let's go! We won't bet! Father doesn't want the house anymore!" The middle-aged man pulled at the boy, trying to leave.

"No, Father, trust me. I am certain," the boy said with resolve, stepping before Lu Biao. "Please!"

"Hahaha, such a pretty little thing, I really can't bear to—" Before Lu Biao could finish, he launched a preemptive strike. Almost no one present could react.

His fist, large as a gourd, whistled through the air toward the boy. The onlookers snapped to their senses, forgetting to curse Lu Biao, instead fearing for the boy.

That punch was powerful; the man possessed genuine skill.

However—

The boy caught it!

With a swift pull and a sudden turn, he kicked his leg out, striking Lu Biao’s supporting leg and forcing him to his knees.

"I concede the point!" The boy stepped back and bowed.

"Good! Well fought!"

"Brilliant!"

"A hero emerges from the youth!"

While it was unrealistic for the commoners to join the fight, the people of Lunu were different from those elsewhere; shouting from the sidelines was the least they could do.

"Heh, the kid has a few tricks," Lu Biao laughed, but it was a hideous, twisted expression. He pushed off the ground with his right leg and charged again.

Fists and palms clashed. Despite the vast difference in stature, the sound of flesh hitting flesh struck fear into the onlookers, revealing that the boy was by no means as fragile as he appeared. After a brief struggle, a perfectly timed punch sent Lu Biao to his knees once more. The boy had won by a narrow margin.

He remained humble, reaching out to help the "Tiger of Zhongshan" up, only to see Lu Biao lift his head, his eyes burning with a predatory, devouring light.