Chapter Forty-Two: Strategies for Coping

Chu Yun led Luo Feng into the room and waved his hand, “I’m not injured.”

With that, he closed the door, turned to Luo Feng, and his expression grew grave. “That was an assassin—sent to kill me!”

Luo Feng frowned. “An assassin? Who would hire someone to kill you?”

Chu Yun replied, “They knew where we’d be and set up an ambush, so it must be someone from Chu Family Town. Of those who have issues with me in the Chu family, it comes down to Fragrant Ten Inn, Wu’s Apothecary, Red Hibiscus Brothel, and Good Fortune Casino. It has to be one of those four.”

After a moment’s thought, Luo Feng said, “I think we can rule out the brothel and the casino. From what I know, hiring an assassin costs at least five taels of silver. They’d never spend that much just to have you killed.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Exactly. Their incomes aren’t high, and even though we have our conflicts, there’s no deep-seated hatred. They wouldn’t pay such a steep price to deal with me. So, Lord Luo, which do you think is more likely—Fragrant Ten Inn or Wu’s Apothecary?”

Resting his chin in his palm, Luo Feng pondered, “Either is possible. Both have the means to produce that much silver. And neither can imagine what will happen after you cure Young Master Qi’s illness in the royal capital.”

Chu Yun shook his head and sighed, “Honestly, I’ve never had any real feud with them. I didn’t expect them to hire an assassin after me. Since that’s how it is, I won’t hold back anymore.”

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he finished speaking.

Luo Feng patted his shoulder. “Don’t be hasty, Doctor Chu. Li Duofu’s father from Fragrant Ten Inn once served as Head Imperial Chef in Prince Qi’s palace and has connections with many influential people in the capital. As for Wu’s Apothecary, it’s practically an arm of the Witch Doctor Sect—Master Wu is one of their own. If you go back now, dealing with them will be troublesome. But if you heal Young Master Qi, handling them will be much easier.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m not foolish. I know what has to be done. But since they’ve gone so far as to hire an assassin, I fear treating Young Master Qi may not go so smoothly this time. We’ll need to plan carefully.”

Luo Feng’s face grew serious. “Prince Qi has shown me great kindness, and I have a good relationship with his son. We must find a way to cure him. Now that things have turned out like this, we really should think hard about our next steps.”

The two sat before the oil lamp, deep in thought.

As the harsh smell of burning oil filled his nose, Chu Yun felt lightheaded and couldn’t help but think again of lanterns and candles.

Just then, Luo Feng spoke up. “Doctor Chu, I think if they mean to stop you from treating Young Master Qi, they’ll surely contact the capital’s powerful figures to whisper in Prince Qi’s ear, persuading him not to let you treat his son.”

“Although I’m a trusted bodyguard at Prince Qi’s side, and he has great faith in me, your reputation is still unknown. I fear he’ll find it hard to trust your medical skill.”

“So, faced with this situation, I’ve thought of a way. I wonder if you agree.”

Chu Yun was surprised. “You’re asking for my opinion? Does your idea have something to do with the wound-healing medicine I gave you?”

Luo Feng was taken aback, then laughed. “Doctor Chu, you’re too clever. You guessed it at once. That’s right, I want to recommend your wound-healing medicine to Prince Qi first. Once he sees its effect and recognizes your skill, I’ll introduce you to him.”

Chu Yun nodded. “That’s a good idea. Go ahead and arrange it.”

Luo Feng smiled. “Alright, I’ll take care of it. But if Prince Qi still doesn’t trust your skills, you might have to show him something even more impressive.”

Chu Yun replied, “That’s no problem.”

He thought perhaps lanterns and candles could convince Prince Qi that he possessed knowledge passed down from the immortals.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Lord Luo, don’t you find the smell of this oil lamp unpleasant?”

Luo Feng agreed, “Yes, it’s rather unpleasant. But ordinary folk burn animal fat. It’s not like the palace, where they can use expensive vegetable oil.”

So the palace uses vegetable oil—that meant this world truly had no candles.

Chu Yun asked again, “Have you ever seen anything that could block the smell from an oil lamp, like a lantern?”

Luo Feng shook his head. “No. And by the way, Doctor Chu, what exactly is a lantern?”

Chu Yun smiled. “I don’t really know either. An immortal in a dream told me about it. I only know it’s related to oil lamps. Once I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”

Luo Feng said, “Then do your best to figure it out, Doctor Chu. If it comes from the immortals, it must be something good. Even the palace sometimes burns animal oil, and something to block the smell would be useful. Plus, moths are always drawn to oil lamps; if something could keep them away, that would be even better.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Alright.”

But in truth, he was puzzled. Why couldn’t Luo Feng imagine what a lantern looked like, even now?

Was he really so dull?

But he quickly dismissed the thought. It wasn’t stupidity that kept Luo Feng from picturing a lantern. In this world, lanterns didn’t yet exist. No one had ever seen one, so even if it was something simple, it wouldn’t come to mind right away.

Many things only seem simple once you’ve seen them.

That which is unknown always appears complicated.

Luo Feng then said, “Since we have some plans in place, I’ll go get some sleep.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Go ahead, Lord Luo. We have a long journey tomorrow. Only by resting well can we face whatever troubles await us in the capital.”

With a bow, Luo Feng left the room to sleep.

Chu Yun didn’t think too much, either. He lay down and rested, gathering his strength.

You are reading the latest update of “The Humble Overlord” by the renowned author Jin Xixi. Remember to bookmark this page for the fastest updates!

Chapter Forty-Two: Strategies for Countering the Foe.