Chapter 113: Just Teasing You—So What?

That evening, just after Chu Yun had finished dinner with everyone, someone came to report: "Lord Count, the city guards say that a man has arrived outside the gates, claiming to be a medical officer from the Witch Doctor Sect. Shall we let him in?"

Chu Yun smiled faintly. "A lobbyist has come, then! Let him in."

"Understood!" The messenger turned and ran off to relay the order.

Since everyone had just finished dinner and had not yet dispersed, they decided to stay where they were upon hearing that a medical officer from the Witch Doctor Sect was entering the town. Other residents of Chu Family Town, hearing the news, also curiously emerged from their homes to see how Chu Yun would handle the official.

Before long, led by a city guard, three men arrived at the Earl's manor, right where Chu Yun and the others were gathered.

Leading the trio was a pot-bellied man with a fat head, though he lacked prominent ears. He had round eyes and a thin mustache, giving him a cunning and treacherous appearance. He wore the specially crafted robes of the Witch Doctor Sect, clearly marking him as the envoy. Behind him followed two men in soldier’s attire, evidently his escorts.

Upon reaching the manor, the fat man felt hundreds of pairs of cold, piercing eyes fixed upon him. Trembling, he shrank his neck and ducked behind his guards. Feeling a chill at his back, he quickly ordered the two soldiers to position themselves in front of and behind him for protection.

"Hahaha, hahahaha, hahahahahaha!"

Watching this spectacle, Chu Yun found it ridiculous and began to laugh in a rhythmic, booming tone. Seeing their leader laugh, the crowd was momentarily stunned before joining in.

"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"

In an instant, the entire town of Chu Family was filled with laughter. The fat man, terrified, came to a dead stop, pulling one of his guards in front of him as his body shook.

Chu Yun stopped laughing and waved his hand; the crowd fell silent instantly. He then addressed the man: "What business does your Witch Doctor Sect have with me?"

The fat man was stunned. He had never imagined that Chu Yun’s authority could be so absolute. When he laughed, everyone laughed; when he gestured for silence, everyone obeyed. It felt as if the hundreds of people present were trained soldiers or puppets under his total control.

Regaining his composure, the fat man said, "Count Chu Yun, although there have been some misunderstandings between you and our sect, as the saying goes, 'friends are made through conflict.' We have witnessed your talent and deeply admire you, which is why we hope you will join the Witch Doctor Sect."

Chu Yun smiled. "Haha, very well! Since your sect admires my talent and wants me to join, I accept."

The fat man froze. Everyone present was equally stunned. No one had expected Chu Yun to agree so readily.

Regaining his wits, the fat man’s lips curled into a smug smile; he secretly concluded that Chu Yun must have been intimidated by the army at the gates and forced to surrender. The townspeople, however, were deeply moved, believing that Chu Yun was sacrificing his own pride to protect them.

The fat man chuckled, "Hahaha, Count Chu Yun is indeed a wise man."

Suddenly, Chu Yun added, "I can join the Witch Doctor Sect, but you must agree to my conditions."

The fat man paused, then laughed, "Count Chu Yun, what conditions could you possibly have for our sect?"

Chu Yun shook his head with a touch of disdain. "What is your rank in the sect? Are you even capable of representing them to agree to my terms?"

The fat man smiled. "Count Chu Yun, my name is Huang Tiangui. Although I am only a seventh-rank medical officer—the lowest in our order—and cannot personally commit to your demands, I am here as an envoy to recruit you, so I can certainly relay your message. Please, state your conditions, and I will pass them on."

Chu Yun replied, "Very well, then here are my terms: I require the Witch Doctor Sect to end its monopoly on the medicinal herb market. You must allow private clinics to procure herbs, permit herb gatherers to sell their hard-won harvests at fair market prices through competition, and ensure that every patient can afford treatment by fostering a competitive market."

He stated only this one condition. But it was one that the Witch Doctor Sect could never accept. If they did not monopolize the herb trade, they could not control the entire medical system.

However, the townspeople were overjoyed upon hearing this. "Yes! Let the Count join your sect if he must, but you must ensure that every one of us can afford to see a doctor so that we don't just wait at home to die from minor injuries or illnesses!" They clamored in agreement.

Huang Tiangui’s expression turned dark instantly. "Chu Yun!" he hissed, dropping the title of Count. He asked coldly, "You know full well that our sect could never agree to this. Are you mocking me?"

Chu Yun smiled faintly. "Heh, if you think I’m mocking you, then I suppose I am!"

"You, you..." Huang Tiangui was so angry he nearly fainted.

"Hahaha! Hahaha!" The crowd burst into laughter again, which only made Huang Tiangui feel as though he might vomit blood.

He took several deep breaths, and after a long moment, regained his composure. He stared at Chu Yun and said, "Chu Yun, did you not look over the city walls today? Our sect has brought three thousand soldiers to station outside your gates. If you do not comply, you and everyone in this town will die!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd remembered the army waiting outside and their laughter died down, their expressions turning grave. Three thousand men! That was a massive force. Even counting the elderly, the weak, and the children, the entire town of Chu Family had only five hundred and fifty people. How could they stand against an army of three thousand?

Seeing the fear return to the faces of the crowd, Huang Tiangui smiled triumphantly.

Huang Daniu, unable to stand the man's smug face, rushed forward. "Seeing your face makes me sick. Even if we share the same surname, I want to kill you and rid our family of a scourge like you!" He balled his fists and lunged at Huang Tiangui.

Seeing Huang Daniu’s massive frame, the fat man was terrified and scrambled backward. His two guards quickly stepped forward, shielding him and preparing to defend him with their lives.

"Stop!"

Just as Huang Daniu’s fist was about to strike the guard, Chu Yun roared, stopping him in his tracks.

"Lord Count, don't worry about me. These two little runts can't stop me," Huang Daniu said, pausing to look at Chu Yun.