Feng Feishuang clapped his hands. “Nothing escapes you, Doctor Xianyue.”
“The demonic sect grows stronger and is sharpening its blades against the martial world. Our major families have gathered in Jiangnan to discuss countermeasures and remove this scourge. Would you be interested?”
“Why invite a free spirit like me to a family gathering? I don’t belong to a martial-arts family. No, no!”
She refused outright, but he persisted.
“You underestimate yourself. With your reputation as the Medical Immortal, a single call would bring thousands willing to serve you. Why belittle yourself?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Am I that impressive? Still no. How could I help against the sect? Go there to be slaughtered?”
He was extraordinarily persistent. Eventually they agreed she would not attend the conference but would stay in Jiangnan for now. If fighting truly broke out, she would provide support and help as much as possible.
His smile creased the corners of his eyes. Clearly, he smiled often. After a few steps, Jiang Chan stopped. “You’re far too calculating.”
Now she understood. He had probably wanted medical support all along, beginning with a larger request to make the smaller one harder to refuse.
Exposed, he remained composed. “You’re exceptionally clever, Doctor Xianyue.”
Feeling rather helpless, she then smiled. “I don’t know those families. So I count as outside help invited by you, correct?”
“Correct!”
“Then shouldn’t you pay me? And shouldn’t you repay the herbs from last time, with interest?”
“Naturally. What payment would you like?”
After considering briefly, he readily agreed.
Her lips curved. “Simple. That jade ring looks interesting. I’ll take it.”
Something dark flickered in his eyes as he studied her. “You truly want this?”
“Of course!”
He suddenly laughed aloud and pulled it from his belt. “Then it’s yours. Take good care of it.”
His expression was strange enough to unsettle her. “Is there something special about this jade ring?”
He immediately denied it. “No. Just an ordinary jade ring.”
Doubtful, she still put it away. At its touch, she felt a ripple in her soul, as though something inside the jade had been taken.
But closer inspection revealed no change. Blinking, she wondered whether she had imagined it.
He had walked several paces before noticing her still standing there. “We should go, Doctor Xianyue. Any later, and we won’t get into the city.”
That evening, he had another meeting with the families. She had not wanted to go, but he persuaded her that people ought at least to recognize the Medical Immortal’s face.
On the way to Willow Manor, she asked, “How did you recognize me after all these years?”
She had even altered her appearance slightly. He rubbed his nose. “I didn’t at first. Only after seeing your movements was I certain.”
“So you were bluffing?”
She was helpless. She considered herself clever, yet he seemed full of schemes from head to toe, impossible to guard against.
Talking and laughing, they reached Willow Manor, a major Jiangnan family estate whose master naturally bore the surname Liu. A young man greeted them with measured steps.
“Feishuang, you suddenly said you’d seen an acquaintance this morning. Was it this young lady?”
He punched Feng Feishuang’s shoulder and examined Jiang Chan curiously. He too had witnessed her skill that morning and found it astonishing.
“Yes. Doctor Xianyue. We met several years ago.”
Smiling, Feng Feishuang introduced her.
“Doctor Xianyue, this is Willow Manor’s young master, Liu Mingxuan.”
“Doctor Xianyue… That sounds familiar.” Liu Mingxuan frowned, unable to place it.
“Are you Doctor Xianyue of Yun City, the Medical Immortal?” he suddenly exclaimed, looking her over doubtfully.
He did not mean to belittle her, but weren’t older doctors generally more accomplished? This girl looked eighteen or nineteen. Could she really be so skilled?
She nodded. “I wouldn’t claim the title, but I am Xianyue from Yun City.”
He immediately grinned. “Your connections are remarkable, Feishuang. You’ve brought the elusive Medical Immortal herself. We’re much better protected now.”
“Quickly, come inside!”
He eagerly ushered her in, forgetting Feng Feishuang. His loud voice carried into the hall, setting everyone whispering.
Naturally, the Song family attended too. Sitting among several family heads, Song Qin was asked, “Family Head Song, you also live in Yun City. Is this doctor truly so accomplished?”
He stroked his beard. “Indeed. She cured my daughter’s congenital weakness. In a month, she became as healthy as anyone.”
Of course he would praise Xianyue vigorously. She had ties with his family. That would lend them greater weight at the conference.
“So remarkable? We saw your daughter this afternoon. Her martial arts are good.”
“Yes. Her constitution originally prevented her from practicing. Once cured, she could learn martial arts too. Doctor Xianyue is our family’s great benefactor. She gave my daughter a new life.”
Smiling like an old fox, he stroked his beard, never failing to support Jiang Chan.
“With the Medical Immortal here, we needn’t fear grave danger. Her reputation is extraordinary. We can face the demonic sect more confidently.”
Whatever else happened, her arrival considerably strengthened the families’ spirits.
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