Chapter Three: The Contest for Talent

"Master Lei, please wait a moment and allow us a brief discussion," the physicians replied to Lei Tiechuan’s question, choosing not to answer directly. They understood that the young master’s life was not something they could risk with even the smallest mistake.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, an elderly man with graying hair stepped forward from among the physicians and spoke. "Master Lei, our opinions are unusually unanimous. The young master is not suffering from an illness, but rather from a constitutional condition. Although it is a matter of physique, each episode brings him unbearable pain."

"A constitutional issue?" Lei Tiechuan and Situ Qingqing spoke in unison, unable to understand how a problem of constitution could render Lei Yan unconscious, especially when it could erupt at unpredictable intervals.

"The young master’s constitution is extremely rare. Ancient texts once described it: 'When the vital energy is excessive, it stirs the blood to such vigor that the energy and blood surge outward…'"

"Enough! What I want to know is my son’s exact condition!" Lei Tiechuan, seeing the gray-haired physician about to launch into a long-winded account, interrupted him at once.

"Ahem… ahem…" The old man, cut off, coughed twice. "The young master possesses the Pure Yang Body, also known as the Nine Suns Constitution."

"The Nine Suns Constitution?" Lei Tiechuan’s brows furrowed. He had a general understanding—anyone with the Nine Suns Constitution had reached the peak of yang energy in their body. If this was paired with martial arts that harnessed pure yang, the results would be twice as effective with half the effort.

"Shouldn’t this be a good thing? Then, what’s going on?" Lei Tiechuan, agitated, pointed at the child lying on the bed.

"Ordinarily, it would be fortunate, but the young master suffered an invasion of yin evil at birth, causing his yang energy to scatter chaotically. The rampant yang energy damaged his own meridians. This may even have occurred before birth, if yin evil invaded in the womb. To put it simply, his meridians have atrophied. But the root cause is still the invasion of yin evil," the gray-haired physician explained.

"Atrophied meridians? Invasion of yin evil?" Lei Tiechuan and Situ Qingqing were both shocked. They were not physicians, but they had heard that atrophied meridians could lead to lifelong disability at best, and death at worst. As for the yin evil, they understood little.

"How could this happen? How could this happen?" Situ Qingqing muttered, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face as she walked to the bedside and gently stroked Lei Yan’s small cheek.

"What is the invasion of yin evil? Is there no cure?" Lei Tiechuan asked, his heart aching as he looked at his weeping wife and unconscious son.

"Yin evil refers to cold, dampness, and the like. To speak plainly, it means the lady was affected by cold or other external influences during pregnancy… There are too many uncertainties; it’s impossible to determine now. The young master’s condition has already deteriorated. All we can do is use medicine to prolong his life. How many years he can live, we cannot say. Of course, he must also have an extraordinary will to survive. If he avoids strenuous activity, he should be able to live to thirty," the gray-haired physician said.

Lei Tiechuan looked at the other physicians and saw them all nod in agreement. Heart-weary, he turned to the steward, Lei Fu. "Take them to the accounts room for payment, and fetch the prescribed medicines as well."

"Please, follow me," Lei Fu gestured for the physicians to accompany him.

Suddenly, at the threshold, the gray-haired physician paused and said, "Master Lei, the reason I mentioned the need for strong will is that, as the young master ages, the frequency of his episodes will increase gradually. At first, perhaps once a year, then once a month, then perhaps every hour, until the final episode, from which there will be no recovery. This may well have been the very first episode."

"I understand," Lei Tiechuan waved him away.

When everyone had left, Lei Tiechuan embraced Situ Qingqing and tried to comfort her. "Qingqing, don’t grieve. Doesn’t Yan’er still have thirty years of life? If he lives well, thirty years can be filled with meaning, can’t they?"

"But he can’t even engage in strenuous activity—how can that be called living well? Even ordinary people can do more than this, and he must bear the agony of every attack. How could such a life be meaningful? It’s unfair enough that fate has wronged us, but now it won’t even spare our son?" Situ Qingqing wept bitterly.

Just as Lei Tiechuan was about to continue comforting her, a commotion arose outside. Frowning, he patted her shoulder. "Qingqing, I’ll go see what’s happening."

In the front courtyard of the Lei residence, several men in Taoist robes and carrying longswords were surrounded by Lei family guards. Lei Tiechuan arrived to find Han Yu, who had just been about to report to him. Lei Tiechuan glanced at the injured guards lying on the ground, relieved to see that none were gravely hurt, then asked Han Yu, "What happened?"

"Some Taoists appeared out of nowhere and demanded to see you, Master. When the guards tried to bar their way, they were attacked," Han Yu reported truthfully.

"Let them through," Lei Tiechuan instructed.

"But…" Han Yu was about to protest, concerned for his master’s safety, but upon seeing Lei Tiechuan’s stern expression, he turned to the guards and barked, "Stand aside!"

As the guards split to either side, Lei Tiechuan finally got a good look at the newcomers. Among them, he immediately recognized Xuan Zhen. Xuan Zhen could be said to have been Situ Qingqing’s fiancé; years ago, Qingqing’s mother had arranged the marriage, but Qingqing herself wanted no part of it and fled her home. In Jiangzhou, she had met Lei Tiechuan, and the two, finding themselves kindred spirits, pledged themselves to each other. Qingqing had confided everything to him. By chance, Xuan Zhen had discovered their whereabouts, which was how they had ended up in Yicheng.

"Lei Tiechuan, did you think you could hide from me here? Hand Qingqing over, and I might spare your life!" shouted a young Taoist among the group.

"Insolence!" Han Yu barked, stepping forward to defend the honor of his master.

Lei Tiechuan raised his right hand to halt Han Yu, then strode forward to face the Taoists, his tone icy. "Xuan Zhen, Qingqing is now my wife. You should give up."

"Nonsense! Qingqing is my wife. Hand her over, or I’ll level your entire residence!" Xuan Zhen roared, his face contorted with fury.

"Xuan Zhen, when did Qingqing ever agree to marry you? This was always one-sided. I told you, Qingqing is my wife now. If you have come as guests, you are welcome. If you have come to make trouble, don’t blame me for being ruthless," Lei Tiechuan replied coldly.

"Lei Tiechuan, I’ll kill you!" Xuan Zhen drew his sword and lunged forward.

"Zhen’er, stand down!" ordered another Taoist, grabbing Xuan Zhen before he could reach Lei Tiechuan.

"Father!" Xuan Zhen cried out in anger, restrained.

"Return," the elder commanded, then turned to Lei Tiechuan and spoke coolly, "So, you are unwelcoming. I am Hongqing. Let me ask you: in matters of marriage, it is always the parents’ will and the matchmaker’s word that count. Situ Qingqing’s parents are still alive—have they consented to your marriage?"

Hongqing paused, then continued, "I think not. However, they did approve my son’s betrothal to Situ Qingqing. That makes her my daughter-in-law, and you the man who stole her away. Both by reason and by custom, you ought to return my son’s bride."

"I have told you already: Qingqing is my wife. If you want to take her, you’ll have to step over my dead body," Lei Tiechuan replied with a cold snort.