Chapter 47: What Was Meant to Come, Has Come

Soon, Luo Feng led Chu Yun to the Eastern Palace where Prince Qi resided.

Inside the grand hall of the Eastern Palace, an elderly man with graying hair paced back and forth, his expression anxious. He stood an imposing six feet three inches tall, exceptionally large and robust by the standards of this world. With thick eyebrows and a square face, he exuded a natural air of authority, his presence radiating the aura of a ruler.

Upon seeing the elder, Luo Feng bowed deeply. "Luo Feng pays respects to King Qi."

Chu Yun followed suit, hurriedly bowing. "Your humble subject Chu Yun pays respects to King Qi."

"Rise," King Qi said calmly, raising his hand.

Luo Feng and Chu Yun straightened themselves.

King Qi glanced at Luo Feng, then fixed his gaze on Chu Yun. "Guard Luo, is this the doctor you invited to treat my son?"

Luo Feng answered promptly, "Yes, this is Doctor Chu Yun. It was thanks to his treatment that my own injuries recovered. The medicine he used to treat my wounds proved highly effective. I trust his medical skills and intend to recommend his healing salve for use in the army."

King Qi kept his gaze on Chu Yun, nodding slightly. "Doctor Chu, how confident are you in curing my son's illness?"

Before Chu Yun could reply, a messenger arrived to report, "Your Majesty, Master Zhou requests an audience."

"This Zhou Bing, what is he doing here at such a time?" King Qi muttered, pursing his lips in displeasure.

Luo Feng's face darkened, for Zhou Bing was none other than the head of the Witch Doctor Sect's branch in the Great Qi Dynasty. His sudden appearance likely meant he intended to obstruct Chu Yun from treating Prince Qi.

King Qi hesitated briefly. "Let him in."

The messenger bowed and hastened out.

King Qi then looked to Chu Yun. "Doctor Chu, you have yet to answer my question."

Chu Yun replied, "Your Majesty, without examining the prince, your humble subject cannot answer."

King Qi ordered, "Someone, take Doctor Chu to see my son," and gestured to an attendant.

The attendant prepared to lead Chu Yun to the prince's quarters.

"Stop!" A sharp voice interrupted just as Chu Yun had taken two steps.

Chu Yun paused, turned to see who had spoken. It was a portly, large-eared middle-aged man in a blue robe, holding a horsetail whisk, though he looked more like a charlatan than a sage. This must be Master Zhou Bing, Chu Yun thought, surprised by his appearance.

Luo Feng's expression grew even grimmer as he asked, "Master Zhou, why did you stop Doctor Chu?"

Master Zhou smiled faintly, ignored the question, and bowed to King Qi. "Zhou Bing pays respects to King Qi."

He offered a bow, not a kneel, showing his extraordinary status within the Great Qi Dynasty. In fact, King Qi had not wanted to see him, but had allowed him in, knowing Zhou Bing was not someone he could afford to offend.

"Master Zhou, you may rise," King Qi said softly.

Zhou Bing then turned to Luo Feng. "Lord Luo, I heard you invited a doctor to treat Prince Qi? Is that true?"

Luo Feng, though reluctant, replied, "Yes, Master Zhou."

Feigning ignorance, Zhou Bing asked, "May I know who this doctor is?"

Luo Feng gestured to Chu Yun. "This is him—Doctor Chu Yun."

Following Luo Feng's gaze, Zhou Bing looked at Chu Yun and nodded with a smile. "Oh, so he's the one you've chosen to treat Prince Qi."

Luo Feng pressed, "Master Zhou, just now Doctor Chu was about to attend to the prince. Why did you stop him? If his treatment is delayed, will you bear the responsibility?"

Zhou Bing shrugged. "I'm sorry, I didn't know he was a doctor. He doesn't look the part from head to toe. Had I known, I wouldn't have stopped him."

His words, seemingly apologetic, subtly implied that Chu Yun was not a true doctor.

Luo Feng caught the implication and was at a loss for words.

Chu Yun, however, responded bluntly, "Master Zhou, it seems your eyesight is lacking if you can't recognize a doctor when you see one."

Zhou Bing was momentarily stunned, surprised that Chu Yun would speak to him so directly. Though annoyed, he kept smiling. "It's not that my eyesight is poor, but I simply don't recognize doctors who aren't well-known."

He shifted his tone. "So, may I ask your name? Let me see if I've heard of your reputation."

Chu Yun answered, "My name is Chu Yun."

Zhou Bing feigned surprise, shaking his head. "Chu Yun? I've never heard of that name. Am I too ignorant, perhaps? To my knowledge, there is no famous doctor by that name."

Chu Yun replied, "I'm not a famous doctor."

Hearing this, Zhou Bing inwardly smirked, but outwardly acted astonished. "You're not a famous doctor, yet you dare treat Prince Qi? Do you realize that even the renowned physicians of the Great Qi Dynasty and neighboring kingdoms have failed to cure the prince?"

He turned to Luo Feng. "Lord Luo, how can you let an unknown nobody treat Prince Qi? The prince is heir to the throne, of noble status. How could you let such a rustic charlatan near him?"

Seeing King Qi remain silent, waiting for his explanation, Luo Feng hurriedly bowed. "Your Majesty, though Doctor Chu is not famous, his medical skills are unquestionably trustworthy. His methods were taught by immortals."

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Chapter Forty-Seven: What must come, has arrived. Free to read.