Chapter Seven: What on Earth Is Going On?

Chu Yun listened to Luo Feng’s words and replied calmly, “Since ancient times, no doctor has ever dared to claim he could cure every illness. Since you’ve said as much, Lord Luo, I must apologize—I won’t treat your condition. You’ll have to rely on your own fortune. As for the fee for my diagnosis, I’ll not accept it.”

Luo Feng was taken aback, truly not expecting such a response from Chu Yun. Instead, this left him feeling somewhat at a loss.

Jiang Lin frowned and said, “Doctor Chu, Lord Luo’s words were indeed a bit harsh, but he has done me a great favor. I hope, for my sake, you will treat him.”

He then turned to Luo Feng. “Lord Luo, I feel Doctor Chu’s diagnosis is quite accurate, and I believe in his skills. If you think so too, then trust him. Don’t miss the window for treatment.”

Luo Feng considered this for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Doctor Chu, you cannot be swayed by poverty or riches. I admire that. My words earlier were out of line—please forgive me.”

If his injury truly was as grave as Chu Yun said, it could threaten his life. This was not something to be delayed. Moreover, he was no match for Chu Yun and had no choice but to soften his tone.

For the sake of the fee, Chu Yun relented and said to Jiang Lin, “For your sake, Lord Jiang, I’ll treat Lord Luo’s injury. But I cannot guarantee a full recovery.”

Luo Feng waved his hand with a smile. “That’s all right. I trust you, Doctor Chu. Your diagnosis was so precise—your skill is surely enough to heal me.”

With that, he took out two taels of silver. “Doctor Chu, please accept this payment. I leave my illness in your hands.”

Chu Yun accepted the money with no hesitation, then looked at the braised venison on the table. “Lord Luo, you’re injured and shouldn’t eat this stimulating food. Let me take it instead.”

Luo Feng laughed in reply, “Please, Doctor Chu, help yourself. Otherwise, it would just go to waste.”

Jiang Lin couldn’t help but remark, “Doctor Chu, weren’t you full already?”

Chu Yun waved his hand, “No, Lord Jiang. I’m quite full, thank you for your hospitality. I plan to take this venison home for my wife.”

Hearing this, Luo Feng said, “Doctor Chu, you truly care for your wife. She is fortunate to have a husband like you.”

Jiang Lin added, “It seems the rumor that you intended to sell your newlywed wife to the Red Blossom House is pure nonsense.”

He then continued, “Doctor Chu, shall I order some more dishes for you to take home?”

Chu Yun replied, “Thank you, Lord Jiang, that won’t be necessary. I’ve already ordered three more dishes, untouched—I’ll take them all back.”

Jiang Lin, upon hearing this, immediately went downstairs to settle the bill for Chu Yun’s table. Chu Yun watched this with amusement, secretly admiring Jiang Lin’s tact.

He thanked Jiang Lin, bade them farewell, and then spent a coin to ask the inn for a basket, packed up the food, and left.

For the time being, he had no intention of seeing more patients. Of the three he’d attended—Boss Wu, Jiang Lin, and Luo Feng—only Jiang Lin had gone smoothly. With Boss Wu, there hadn’t even been a chance to collect his fee; Luo Feng had drawn his sword on him, and if not for his own skills, he might have died.

Besides, he now had three taels of silver. After buying medicinal ingredients, he would still have some left over—enough to improve his life for a while.

More importantly, he believed that as long as he cured Jiang Lin and Luo Feng, people would gradually accept him. Once word spread that he’d received skills from an immortal in his dreams, more and more people would come to him for treatment.

Wouldn’t it be better to let people come and offer money on their own?

After Chu Yun left, Luo Feng turned to Jiang Lin. “Lord Jiang, a leopard can’t change its spots. This Chu Yun—he’s famous as a street loafer in the whole of Chujia Town. Do you think he’ll take our money and run? Should we have someone follow him, just in case?”

Jiang Lin shook his head. “No need. I know Chu Yun quite well. I know what he was like before, but today he’s very different. I think the immortal in his dream not only gave him medical skills but changed him in many ways. He never used to fight, but just now he defeated even you—which is incredible.”

Luo Feng snorted dismissively, “If not for my injuries, how could he have bested me?”

Jiang Lin replied, “Lord Luo, I know how skilled you are. Even wounded, an ordinary person couldn’t beat you—certainly not the old Chu Yun.”

Luo Feng nodded with a confident smile. “Yes, that’s true.”

He looked at Jiang Lin. “It seems Chu Yun really has changed a great deal. Perhaps he truly is trustworthy now.”

He sighed. “Let’s hope so.”

Jiang Lin sensed Luo Feng was holding something back but found it hard to ask more.

Meanwhile, Chu Yun left the Fragrant Ten Miles Inn and headed straight home.

As soon as he arrived, he found a middle-aged man in the house, a sword at his waist just like Luo Feng’s, though his clothes were merely plain hemp and far from Luo Feng’s splendor.

Yang Liu’er was sitting on a rickety chair, sobbing. Whether she’d been crying since earlier or had only just started, he couldn’t say.

Seeing this, Chu Yun instinctively suspected the man had done something to Yang Liu’er and felt a surge of anger.

Unexpectedly, the middle-aged man beat him to speak, flinging a rope at him and roaring, “You little scoundrel, you’re finally back! Beast! Tie yourself up with this rope and come with me to the magistrate’s office!”

Chu Yun was dumbfounded.

He sighed inwardly. Just what on earth is going on here?