Chapter Six: Friendship Forged Through Conflict

Jiang Lin pushed open the door to the second Heaven-class private room, and was stunned. He saw Chu Yun holding a bronze sword, its sharp tip pointed directly at a man's throat.

Clearly, Chu Yun had won.

But Jiang Lin recognized the man—it was Luo Feng from the neighboring Xinquan Town. Years ago, they had joined the army together, fighting side by side. Luo Feng was a master of martial arts, invincible on the battlefield. All of Jiang Lin’s skills were taught by Luo Feng. Thanks to him, Jiang Lin survived the war, became a baron, and now enjoyed a comfortable life.

He never expected such a formidable figure to be defeated by Chu Yun.

“Is he really Chu Yun?” Jiang Lin shook his head in disbelief.

Had he not witnessed it himself, if someone told him that Chu Yun—a notorious idler without any learning—had beaten Luo Feng, he would never have believed it. But thinking of the miraculous events, like receiving medical skills from immortals in a dream, all happening to Chu Yun, it no longer seemed so strange.

“Jiang Lin! Quick, seize this villain for me!” Luo Feng recognized Jiang Lin, joy flickering in his eyes, and shouted urgently.

Chu Yun turned his head to look at Jiang Lin. “Lord Jiang, you know him?”

Jiang Lin nodded. “Doctor Chu, put down the sword. Lord Luo is my friend. How did you get into a fight with him?”

Chu Yun hesitated, but did not lower the sword. Instead, he asked, “I came here out of goodwill to treat him, but he drew his sword at me for no reason.”

Luo Feng snorted, “You came uninvited. Surely you have a motive?”

Chu Yun replied, “I said I just wanted to earn some money for food. If you don’t believe me, ask Lord Jiang—I offered to treat him earlier as well.”

Luo Feng looked at Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin nodded. “Lord Luo, you must have misunderstood Doctor Chu. His name is Chu Yun, infamous in Chu Family Town. Last night he dreamt of immortals imparting medical skills, and only then became a doctor. Naturally, he has no pharmacy or clinic yet, and still lives in hardship, so he treats people everywhere for money.”

“He diagnosed my chest pain and tightness with uncanny accuracy. I’m counting on him to treat me, so when I heard he was in a fight, I rushed up here.”

Luo Feng was speechless. “So you’re here to help him?”

Jiang Lin gave a sheepish smile.

Luo Feng waved his hand. “It seems I was indeed suspicious and misunderstood Doctor Chu.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Yun withdrew the bronze sword and smiled lightly. “No matter, let’s consider it as forging acquaintance through combat.”

Though he said this, a trace of displeasure lingered in his heart.

Jiang Lin, seeing this, quickly smoothed things over. “Haha, now that the misunderstanding is cleared, all is well. But Lord Luo, the medical skills Chu Yun obtained from the immortals are truly remarkable. You really should let him examine you.”

Luo Feng recalled how Chu Yun had instantly identified his ailment—he was indeed impressive. Moreover, Luo Feng wanted to see if Chu Yun could cure Young Lord Qi’s strange illness.

He nodded and bowed. “Then I’ll trouble Doctor Chu.”

Chu Yun smiled and waved his hand. “No need for formalities, Lord Luo. As long as you don’t skimp on the consultation fee.”

At this, both Jiang Lin and Luo Feng couldn’t help but laugh.

And so, Luo Feng’s suspicions of Chu Yun faded further.

Chu Yun then sat down and asked Luo Feng to extend his left hand for a pulse diagnosis.

After feeling the pulse, Chu Yun said, “Lord Luo, allow me to speak frankly?”

Luo Feng replied, “Doctor Chu, speak freely, it’s fine.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Your pulse is deep and sluggish, I fear the injury penetrates far beneath the surface. To be direct, there remains a trace of blade poison in your ribs, causing the flesh there to rot and fester. This poison is attacking your heart—if not treated swiftly, your life is at risk.”

Luo Feng’s expression turned grim.

He recalled a friend who suffered a sword wound; though treated promptly and seemingly recovered, his health suddenly deteriorated and he died not long after.

He feared his own case was similar.

He hurriedly bowed. “Doctor Chu, I apologize for any offense earlier. How should my injury be treated?”

Chu Yun smiled. “The cure is simple. The question is, do you prefer a gentle or a drastic approach?”

Luo Feng asked, “What’s the gentle method? And the drastic?”

Chu Yun explained, “The gentle method is for me to prescribe medicine, which you take gradually to nurse yourself back to health. The drastic method depends on whether you can endure it.”

Luo Feng straightened his chest. “A true man can endure anything.”

Chu Yun said, “Very well, Lord Luo is indeed a true man. The drastic method requires cutting open the wound with a blade, squeezing out the pus, scraping away the rotten flesh, and then applying my specially prepared healing salve. In a few days, you’ll see improvement.”

Luo Feng frowned, sensing the treatment would be extremely painful, but having made his boast, he could not back down. “Fine, treat me that way.”

Chu Yun could tell Luo Feng was forcing bravado, so he cooperated and praised him. “Impressive, Lord Luo. Please wait until I gather the herbs and prepare the salve, then I’ll treat you.”

Luo Feng asked, “When will the salve be ready?”

Chu Yun replied, “No later than five days, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.”

Luo Feng nodded, “Alright, I’ll come tomorrow for treatment.”

Chu Yun answered with a smile, then said, “Lord Luo, I have no money with me. I’ll need you to provide funds for the herbs, as well as the consultation fee.”

Luo Feng asked, “How much in total?”

Chu Yun considered, “Two taels of silver.”

“What, two taels?” Luo Feng thought Chu Yun was demanding an exorbitant fee.

Chu Yun had indeed raised the price on purpose, since Luo Feng had drawn his sword indiscriminately—if not for his skill, he could have been seriously hurt or worse.

He would not be polite to Luo Feng.

Jiang Lin interjected, “Chu Yun, two taels is a bit much.”

Chu Yun replied, “Is it? Lord Luo’s case is unlike yours, Lord Jiang. If not treated quickly, it’s very dangerous. Two taels is already a concession for your sake.”

Luo Feng gave Chu Yun a cold look and snorted, “Alright, Doctor Chu, I’ll give you two taels. If you can heal me quickly, I’ll give you another two taels, and even greater rewards. But if you fail, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”