Chapter 575: Ghost Doctor's Disciple

Outside the waterside pavilion, Yuan Gang walked past.

Shang Shuqing noticed him, left Yin'er's side, and stepped out of the pavilion to stop him. “Is there any news from Master Dao?”

By now, Yan's intention to attack Nanzhou was no secret. Naturally, she knew of it as well, and worry weighed heavily on her heart.

Yuan Gang could see the concern in her eyes and reassured her, “If the situation were truly beyond control, Master Dao wouldn't leave this place without arrangements. Up to now, we haven't received any instructions from him. That means the situation hasn't slipped out of control yet. Commandery Princess, don't worry. Since Master Dao personally went to Jinzhou to hold the situation there, he won't simply stand by. He'll definitely act to contain it. No one can say what the final result will be, but Master Dao is no pushover. You should have confidence in him.”

Ever since they had taken Nanzhou and driven Tianyu Sect out, Yuan Gang himself had relaxed considerably. He was much more composed and no longer as worried as before.

From what he knew of Niu Youdao, a Master Dao with more room to maneuver was hardly going to fare worse than he had in the past.

Shang Shuqing thought it over and found that it made sense. Master Dao was not someone who would abandon this side if real trouble came. The fact that everything here remained calm and peaceful already said a great deal...

...

At Fufang Garden, Yucang sat crookedly behind a long table in an upper pavilion, reading.

Dugu Jing came upstairs, walked to one side, and knelt into a seated posture. “Master, the matter in Jinzhou succeeded.”

Yucang asked, “No flaws left behind?”

“They withdrew cleanly. Not a single clue connecting the matter to us was left.” Dugu Jing hesitated, then said, “Only, that fellow's nerve is a little too great. Isn't he afraid Song will suspect him and come settle accounts?”

“At this point, do you still think he's some harmless man?” Yucang replied. “He isn't worried, so what are you worrying about?”

“What this disciple means is, if Song drags him into the affair, could he drag us out with him as well?”

“Unless he has absolutely no other choice, he won't do that. At the very least, there is one thing we can now feel easier about. With leverage like this in our hands, he won't dare lightly expose my identity.” Yucang set down the book a little and continued, “After this affair, I actually hope his Nanzhou side matures sooner. Taking a little risk is no great matter. It will benefit us in the future. By the way, how are Her Highness and the Young Master doing over there?”

“Very well. According to Junior Brother Xingshan, the Young Master is wholly absorbed in his studies. Her Highness is carefree and being treated to fine food and drink. She may come and go there as she pleases, often leaving the mountain to wander about, with people accompanying her and protecting her properly.”

“Ah! Women simply can't endure loneliness.” Yucang sighed. He lost interest in reading, tossed the scroll onto the table, and asked, “What about that disciple of Ghost Doctor?”

Dugu Jing shook his head. “We sent Master's calling card, but he still refuses to meet us. This disciple wonders whether he has a guilty conscience. Whether he's truly Ghost Doctor's disciple remains open to question.”

“If he dares openly expose his identity as Ghost Doctor's disciple like this, he should be genuine unless he's tired of living. Even if there is some falsehood involved, he is probably closely connected to Ghost Doctor.” Yucang said, “Send another card. After three attempts, if he still refuses to see us, I'll personally visit him and test the waters.”

“Yes.” Dugu Jing nodded, then asked with some puzzlement, “Since he's putting on airs and refusing visitors, why would Master lower yourself and insist on seeing him?”

Yucang gave him a sidelong glance. “The Spirit-Torment Pill! I want to see whether this one has merely come out to cross bridges, admire the scenery, and broaden his experience, or whether he intends to let himself be swept into the storm. The waters of the jianghu run deep. I hope this disciple of Ghost Doctor knows what is good for him.”

Dugu Jing's expression turned solemn. He understood.

Quite a number of people inside Xiaoyue Pavilion were controlled through the Spirit-Torment Pill, and there was no true antidote capable of eradicating its effects once and for all. They did not know whether Ghost Doctor could neutralize the Spirit-Torment Pill, but anyone capable of neutralizing even Red Child poison had to make them uneasy. If he could also neutralize the Spirit-Torment Pill, the problem would become enormous.

Previously, there had been little reason to worry. Ghost Doctor was difficult to find and would not lightly treat people. Everyone knew how difficult he was to deal with.

But now Ghost Doctor's disciple had openly appeared. If he could neutralize the Spirit-Torment Pill and remained this conspicuous in the open, people secretly controlled by Xiaoyue Pavilion would inevitably seek him out for help. The consequences for Xiaoyue Pavilion would be severe.

His master intended to probe the man, see whether he would readily treat those who came to him and whether he truly could neutralize the pill, then prepare an appropriate response.

...

In the Qi capital stood an unremarkable residence in a relatively quiet neighborhood. At the moment, however, visitors crowded its entrance.

Outside the tightly shut gates, servants from noble and powerful households who had come bearing calling cards were packed together, each staring eagerly at the closed doors.

For the most part, everyone remained quiet. No one dared make a loud disturbance.

The sound of hoofbeats suddenly came from the street. A group of riders approached with a broad-shouldered man in purple robes seated upright at their center. His face had hard, chiseled lines, and a golden circlet rested around his head.

“It's the Prince of the Western Court,” someone in the crowd murmured.

The appearance of Hao Yunsheng, Prince of the Western Court, made the crowd in the alley squeeze toward both sides and clear a path.

He dismounted before the gate. One of his legs was enclosed in a metal brace, and every limping step produced a conspicuous clack.

The people blocking the entrance moved aside as well, leaving him room before the gate.

One of Hao Yunsheng's attendants climbed the steps and was about to knock.

Whap!

Hao Yunsheng swung his riding whip and struck him across the back, tearing the attendant's clothing. Pointing the whip at him, Hao Yunsheng barked, “Who told you to disturb Sir without permission? Stand by the door and wait!”

“Yes!” The attendant who had been struck did not dare complain. He immediately stepped down and waited.

Hao Yunsheng himself obediently stood outside the gate as well, waiting with remarkable patience and displaying quite the air of a lord respecting a worthy man.

He had already sent a calling card earlier, but the man inside had completely ignored him, prince or not.

Hao Yunsheng had naturally been furious. Yet after thinking about the background of the man inside, he realized this was not someone he could afford to offend. In the end, he had obediently come in person.

The servants from the various residences in the alley also kept silent. He had cut in front of them, but who could complain when he was Qi's Prince of the Western Court?

They waited and waited until evening was drawing near.

A restaurant worker approached carrying a food box. The imposing scene around the Prince of the Western Court frightened him so badly that he hardly dared come closer.

Someone whispered a few words beside Hao Yunsheng. Hao Yunsheng beckoned the worker over and asked, “Are you delivering food to the guest inside?”

The worker nervously replied, “Yes, Your Highness. The guest inside ordered three meals a day from our restaurant. This lowly one is responsible for delivering them.”

Hao Yunsheng waved for him to knock.

The worker climbed the steps apprehensively and knocked on the gate.

Before long, it creaked open. A woman in blue-green robes opened one half. Her features were delicate, and she held an empty food box in one hand. She exchanged it for the worker's full one.

Just as she was about to close the gate, Hao Yunsheng stepped forward, swept the worker aside with one hand, and cupped his hands with a smile. “I hear Mr. Wuxin is staying here. This prince, Hao Yunsheng, has waited outside for a long time hoping to see him. Would Miss be willing to announce me?”

The Prince of the Western Court of Qi had come personally?

The woman looked slightly surprised and nodded. “Please wait.”

The gate closed again.

Inside the modest courtyard, an old painting hung from a tree branch. It depicted a completely naked human figure with the skin removed, the muscles and tissues beneath rendered so vividly that the sight was somewhat frightening.

Wuxin sat beneath the painting playing with a lump of clay. More precisely, he was sculpting the figure shown in the anatomical image.

“Sir, the food has arrived.” The woman returned and called to him.

Her name was Guo Man, the very woman Wuxin had rescued on the road. After talking a little during the journey and learning something of her circumstances, Wuxin had said that he lacked someone to assist him and asked whether she was willing to stay with him.

Guo Man had hesitated at first. Once she learned he was Ghost Doctor's disciple, however, she readily agreed.

Here in the Qi capital, she had finally seen for herself just how much weight the name Ghost Doctor carried. Countless powerful and noble people found it difficult even to obtain a meeting with his disciple.

Wuxin gave a quiet acknowledgment.

Guo Man came closer. “Sir, the Prince of the Western Court, Hao Yunsheng, has personally come. He's been waiting outside for a long time and hopes to see you.”

Wuxin said nothing.

Guo Man understood. She carried the food box to a nearby pavilion and arranged the dishes layer by layer on the stone table.

Then she drew clean water from the well and brought it over. “Sir, wash your hands and come eat.”

Wuxin suddenly said, “Let him in.”

“Mm?” Guo Man froze for a moment before realizing what he meant. She turned and left.

Before long, the clacking sound of the metal brace echoed through the courtyard. Hao Yunsheng entered. He had not been permitted to bring many people; only one attendant accompanied him.

“This prince, Hao Yunsheng, greets Sir.” Hao Yunsheng came forward and bowed with great respect.

Wuxin ignored him, wholly focused on the clay figure in his hands.

The situation left Hao Yunsheng somewhat embarrassed. He looked at what Wuxin was working on, then at the hanging anatomical painting, and searched for something to say. “Sir truly does possess miraculous hands!”

Wuxin finally spoke. “Don't say useless things. If you have business, say it directly.”

Hao Yunsheng did not dare show displeasure. He touched his crippled leg. “This leg of mine was left crippled after an injury. I've heard Sir can bring the dead back to life with your skill. Could I trouble you to take a look? Whether or not I can walk normally again, so long as Sir is willing to treat me, compensation will not be a problem.”

Wuxin raised his eyes slightly and looked at the leg that could only support him with the aid of the metal brace. He lifted a clay-smeared finger, pointed at it, and made a gesture.

Hao Yunsheng did not understand at first. Only when Guo Man brought over a chair and indicated it did he realize what Wuxin wanted.

He immediately called his attendant to help. Sitting down, he removed the metal frame from his leg, took off his boot and sock, and rolled up his trouser leg.

Guo Man ladled clean water over Wuxin's hands and washed away the clay. At Wuxin's indication, she then brought over his leather needle case.

Wuxin opened the roll and took out a silver needle. First he touched and pinched Hao Yunsheng's scarred leg, where the old injury was startling to behold. Then he prepared to insert the needle and warned, “If it hurts, say so.”

“Good!” Hao Yunsheng nodded repeatedly.

The words had barely left his mouth when Wuxin drove the needle in.

“It feels like an ant bite. I wouldn't call it painful.”

Wuxin withdrew the needle and inserted it again.

He tested more than a dozen points. Each time, Hao Yunsheng said there was no pain.

Hao Yunsheng was beginning to wonder why he could barely feel anything where Wuxin was needling when the next insertion produced a violent stab of pain. He instinctively wanted to kick, but the crippled leg could no longer move that way. He hurriedly cried, “Pain! Sir, it hurts!”

Wuxin withdrew the needle and stood. “A section of your sinews and bones was destroyed. Too much time has passed, so regrowing it is basically impossible. To cure the leg, the damaged section of sinew and bone will have to be replaced and rejoined. Recovery will not be quick either. It will take at least half a year.”

Hearing that the leg could be cured, Hao Yunsheng was overjoyed. With his attendant's help, he hurried to his feet and cupped his hands. “So long as it can be cured, I've already waited all these years. Why would I care about another half year? Sir, I beg you to save me!”

“I can treat the injury.” Wuxin looked toward the gate. “It's too noisy outside. I don't like so many people blocking my doorway.”

Hao Yunsheng immediately became indignant on his behalf. “It truly is outrageous! What kind of behavior is it to block another man's gate all day? Sir, rest assured. From today onward, this prince guarantees that such a thing will not happen again!”

[End of Chapter 575]