Chapter Forty-Three: Marked

After that, Chu Yun and Luo Feng encountered little trouble on their journey to the royal city. Although there were some bandits along the way who had set themselves up as local kings, they had the sense to recognize that these two, with their fine horsemanship, were not ordinary travelers. They refrained from foolishly blocking the road and declaring ownership over the mountains and trees.

As for assassins from the Hall of Yama, no further attempts were made on Chu Yun’s life. The previous killers sent to frighten him were not their own trained men, but hired hands. Their deaths, resulting from the failed mission, were of little consequence to the organization. In any case, the task of intimidating Chu Yun could be considered accomplished. Unless Boss Wu was willing to pay a higher price, they would not dispatch more assassins. Yet Boss Wu, being notoriously stingy, would not consent to such expenses. After all, the fact that an assassin had died at Chu Yun’s hands was proof enough for Chu Shiniang, Chu Fugui, and Li Duofu that he had indeed tried to have Chu Yun killed.

Nevertheless, Boss Wu did contact the Witch Doctor Sect’s members in the royal city and informed them that Chu Yun had opened a clinic in Chu Family Town and was purchasing medicinal herbs at high prices. This would not only hurt his own pharmacy’s business but also impact those of neighboring towns, ultimately threatening the Witch Doctor Sect’s interests. Now that Chu Yun was being recommended by Luo Feng to treat Young Master Qi—whose illness was notoriously difficult—there was a chance, however slim, that Chu Yun, having dreamed of immortals and received their legacy, might perform a miracle.

Should Chu Yun succeed in curing Young Master Qi, his fame would spread, posing an even greater threat to the Witch Doctor Sect. Boss Wu urged them not to underestimate Chu Yun and to do everything in their power to prevent him from treating Young Master Qi.

The Witch Doctor Sect did not fully believe Boss Wu’s warnings. Yet, seeing that Luo Feng had indeed brought someone to the royal city—Luo Feng being a trusted guard at King Qi’s side and closely connected to Young Master Qi—they feared that the doctor personally recommended could truly possess remarkable skill. If Chu Yun really cured Young Master Qi, it would ruin their long-planned schemes. Thus, they resolved to do everything possible to stop Chu Yun from treating him.

Luo Feng noticed that members of the Witch Doctor Sect were watching them and said to Chu Yun, “Doctor Chu, as expected, the Witch Doctor Sect is monitoring us. You should stay at my residence in the royal city for now, and we’ll proceed according to our original plan.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Very well.”

He then sighed softly. “I only hope that Young Master Qi’s illness hasn’t worsened and that he can hold on for a few more days.”

Luo Feng frowned at these words, a wave of anxiety washing over him. He then led Chu Yun to his home in the royal city. Upon entering, a servant hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear. Luo Feng’s face instantly darkened.

Chu Yun asked, “What has happened, Lord Luo?”

Luo Feng replied, “The night we left Chu Family Town, your clinic caught fire and was burned to the ground.”

“What?” Chu Yun was momentarily stunned. “Was anyone hurt?”

“No one was injured,” Luo Feng explained. “The clinic hadn’t officially opened yet, and the workers had gone home to rest after their daytime labor.”

Chu Yun breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as no one was hurt. A clinic can be rebuilt—lives cannot.”

Moreover, he was thinking that this journey to treat Young Master Qi was meant to earn himself a title and land. If successful, he might leave Chu Family Town altogether, so the clinic there was of little importance to him now.

But Luo Feng said, “Doctor Chu, your clinic was clearly set on fire deliberately!”

“I know,” Chu Yun replied. “It was either Li Duofu or Boss Wu.”

Luo Feng nodded. “That’s very likely, but the greater issue is that if it’s discovered your clinic was set ablaze, people could claim you were a poor physician who killed a patient, and someone burned your clinic out of revenge. If it isn’t proven to be arson, others might say the heavens judged your skills unworthy, striking your clinic down. Either way, it would damage your reputation, making it hard for King Qi to trust you and allow you to treat Young Master Qi.”

Chu Yun’s expression grew grave. “Lord Luo, you’re right. Fortunately, we’ve already prepared some countermeasures.”

Recalling their precautions, Luo Feng nodded, hope flickering in his eyes. “Let’s hope our plan proceeds smoothly.”

He continued, “Doctor Chu, please stay here for now. To avoid trouble from the Witch Doctor Sect, it’s best you don’t go out. I’ll head to the palace at once to check on Young Master Qi’s condition—may he still have time left for our plan.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Go ahead, Lord Luo. I’ll remain here and not set foot outside.”

“If you grow bored staying here,” Luo Feng suggested, “perhaps you can think about how to solve the problems of the lamp’s pungent smell and of moths being attracted to it.”

Chu Yun smiled. “That is exactly what I intended.”

Luo Feng couldn’t help but laugh. “It seems you already have an idea, Doctor Chu. That puts my mind at ease.”

With that, he turned, mounted his horse, and rushed off toward the palace.

Chu Yun noticed that Luo Feng’s horse wore no horseshoes. In fact, whether in Chu Family Town or here in the royal city, he had seen many horses, whether ridden or pulling carriages—none wore horseshoes.

A faint smile played at his lips.

“If even trauma medicine, lanterns, and candles fail to convince King Qi to trust me and allow me to treat Young Master Qi, then presenting horseshoes should suffice.”

But unless it became absolutely necessary, he was reluctant to offer horseshoes—he intended to use them to strengthen the military power of whatever territory he would govern.