Chapter Fifty-Eight: Claiming the Reward and Departure

After listening, Chu Yun hurriedly knelt to express his gratitude. “Chu Yun, a humble subject, thanks King Qi for his gracious reward.”

A private army!

This was the outcome he desired most. It was also the chief reason he chose the western lands, close to the battlefield, as his fief. Chu Yun wanted nothing less than a kingdom of his own. Without an army, how could one call it a kingdom? How could he ensure his own safety or truly enjoy a life of freedom?

King Qi smiled as he helped Chu Yun to his feet. “Doctor Chu, you saved my son, yet you choose to go to the war-torn west, essentially guarding the kingdom's gate for me. The one who should be thanking you is me.”

Having said this, he glanced triumphantly at Zhou Bing and Grand Physician Huang.

See? In the end, Chu Yun is serving me.

Zhou Bing and Grand Physician Huang had been delighted to hear that Chu Yun would be sent to the chaotic west. But upon hearing King Qi’s words, their expressions soured, as if stricken by constipation.

King Qi continued, “Count of Dingxi! Doctor Chu, from now on, you are the Count of Dingxi of the Great Qi Dynasty. I exempt you from taxes for thirty years and grant you an additional two hundred taels of gold as a reward, hoping it will help you grow strong quickly to resist mountain bandits and defend against the invasion of the Great Xin Dynasty.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Chu Yun bowed again in gratitude.

He then accepted his reward of two hundred taels of gold and went to Ye Zelan’s room, waking her gently.

Ye Zelan woke up drowsily. “Doctor Chu, is it my turn to stand guard?”

Chu Yun waved his hand. “Miss Ye, not yet. I woke you because we no longer need to guard Young Lord Qi’s chamber.”

Ye Zelan instantly became clear-headed, surprised. “What happened, Doctor Chu? Why is our duty no longer required?”

Chu Yun replied, “The Sect of Witch Physicians has taken over the treatment of Young Lord Qi. We are no longer involved.”

Ye Zelan was stunned. “Why? Young Lord Qi’s condition has improved, and he can finally eat meals. Now they want us gone and leave everything to the sect? Isn’t this casting us aside after crossing the river?”

She found this utterly unacceptable.

She had hoped that curing Young Lord Qi would earn her merit, prompting King Qi to confront the Sect of Witch Physicians and help the Ye family seek justice.

Chu Yun shook his head. “There is no betrayal. I withdrew voluntarily.”

This left Ye Zelan dumbfounded, gazing at Chu Yun in disbelief, her heart full of questions.

Chu Yun understood her confusion and explained, “Miss Ye, I know you wish for King Qi to help your family seek justice. But the harsh reality is, you cannot count on him. The Sect of Witch Physicians wields vast power, spanning many kingdoms. The status of a branch leader like Master Zhou is equal to that of King Qi. Even King Qi dares not offend them—how could he help you?”

Ye Zelan was instantly overwhelmed with disappointment, tears streaming down her face. She threw herself into Chu Yun’s arms, sobbing, “I thought this was an opportunity for my family to reclaim justice. I never imagined the outcome would be so disheartening.”

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

Before, Ye Zelan had seen no hope and felt little. Now, having glimpsed a sliver of hope only to see it snatched away, her sadness was all the greater.

Chu Yun understood her feelings and, unconcerned with propriety, let her bury herself in his arms, hoping to offer some comfort.

When Ye Zelan had calmed, he whispered, “Miss Ye, though King Qi cannot help you, he has made me a count and granted me a vast fief. Trust me—one day, I will help you seek justice.”

Ye Zelan looked up at Chu Yun, her heart glad for his elevation to count and deeply moved by his promise to help her. After all, it was the Sect of Witch Physicians—the one even King Qi dared not cross!

Chu Yun continued, “Now that King Qi has rewarded us, it is time to depart. Let’s go bid farewell to Lord Luo, then return to Chu Family Town.”

“Alright, Doctor Chu!” Ye Zelan replied, quickly gathering her belongings and heading off to say goodbye to King Qi.

“Doctor Chu, are you leaving so soon?” King Qi was surprised by Chu Yun’s haste.

Chu Yun smiled and waved. “Not exactly—I plan to stay with Lord Luo for a few days.”

King Qi nodded. “Very well, stay at Lord Luo’s residence. I have already ordered the count’s jade insignia to be crafted for you. When it is ready, I will present you with the relevant documents for your fief. For now, I will give you the scrolls detailing the rights and responsibilities of a count—take them to Lord Luo’s and study them well.”

With that, he had several bamboo scrolls brought over.

Chu Yun accepted the scrolls, bade King Qi farewell, and left the Eastern Palace, riding to the Luo residence.

Luo Feng was not asleep. Hearing the two had arrived, he was very surprised.

Upon seeing them, he immediately asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be attending to Young Lord Qi at the Eastern Palace? Why are you here? Aren’t you afraid the Sect of Witch Physicians will stir up trouble?”

Chu Yun replied, “Lord Luo, the sect won’t cause trouble. I have handed over all treatment of Young Lord Qi to them.”

Luo Feng froze. “You handed it over? Why?”

Chu Yun said, “King Qi has already agreed with the sect, and these past days, I’ve been on edge, guarding against them. I am exhausted and wish to rest.”

Luo Feng sighed. “So that’s how it is.”

Chu Yun continued, “It’s for the best. With the sect in charge, there’s no worry they’ll harm Young Lord Qi.”

Luo Feng said, “True, but the merit that should have been yours is now stolen by them.”

Chu Yun waved his hand. “Don’t worry, Lord Luo. King Qi has already rewarded me.”

Luo Feng asked, “Did you get a title and a fief?”

Chu Yun nodded with a smile. “Yes, and not just any title—a count!”

“A count?” Luo Feng exclaimed.

“That’s normally reserved for King Qi’s direct descendants who have achieved military merit. How did King Qi grant you such a title? Did you choose a fief in the war-torn lands?”

At this, Luo Feng’s eyes widened in disbelief.

For a non-native to become a count in a war-torn land was tantamount to suicide! The counts of foreign surname in Great Qi had no military command and could not summon troops. Without an army, survival in such chaos was impossible.

Put kindly, it was being named a count.

Put bluntly, it was exile!

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Receiving the Reward and Leaving.