Chapter Sixty-Five: The Best of Both Worlds

After listening to Chu Yun’s words, Bai Hao couldn’t help but praise him, “What a brilliant plan to slip away unnoticed! Let’s follow Doctor Chu’s arrangement and do exactly as you say.”

Chu Yun continued, “After we part ways, I must ask Captain Bai to send a message to Prince Qi by carrier pigeon, and have him find someone to take the blame for the death of Prince Qi’s son. Only in this way can I clear my name.”

He knew that the timid Prince Qi dared not offend the powerful Witch Doctor Sect. Even if he could uncover evidence that the Witch Doctors were responsible for the prince’s death, there would be nothing he could do. So, finding a scapegoat was the best solution.

He hadn’t told Prince Qi this plan while still in the capital because the prince was simply too weak and unreliable. Even if they managed to deal with the Witch Doctors this time, who could say what might happen next? There was no way Chu Yun would stay in the capital to serve such a lord and put himself at further risk.

Hearing this, Bai Hao was even more impressed. “What an excellent solution, truly the best of both worlds!”

Ye Zelan gazed at Chu Yun with growing admiration and affection. This plan of his really was a win-win. Not only did it deal with the Witch Doctor Sect, but it also preserved Chu Yun’s reputation as a divine healer to some extent. Otherwise, even if Chu Yun left the capital, the Witch Doctors would still pin the blame for the death on him, leaving him unable to practice medicine ever again.

Following their plan, they went to a tailor in Ning City and purchased a set of men’s clothes and a set of guard’s uniform. The men’s attire was given to Ye Zelan, transforming her into a dashing young gentleman, while Chu Yun, for the time being, disguised himself as her attendant.

The clothes they took off were given to two members of Bai Hao’s cavalry squad, who then covered their faces with black burlap.

After having their meal, they bid each other farewell.

Bai Hao cupped his fists, “Doctor Chu, Miss Ye, take care of yourselves!”

Chu Yun took out two hundred taels of silver. “Captain Bai, you’ve all worked hard on this journey. Please divide this silver among the brothers.”

Bai Hao waved his hands in refusal, “That wouldn’t be right, Doctor Chu. We can’t accept this.”

Chu Yun insisted, “Take it, you’ve earned it. If not for you, we would have already been killed by the Witch Doctor Sect’s ambush.”

Bai Hao politely declined a few more times, but under Chu Yun’s persistent urging, he finally accepted the money. The entire cavalry squad was deeply grateful. After all, their monthly pay was only two taels of silver—now each of them would get more than ten taels.

With their goodbyes said, Bai Hao’s cavalry squad left the post station, exiting through the south gate of Ning City.

Chu Yun waited a while after their departure before leaving himself, exiting through the west gate and then circling south toward Chu Family Town. His plan went off perfectly: the journey back to Chu Family Town was smooth, with no sign of pursuit from the Witch Doctor Sect.

Upon entering Chu Family Town, Chu Yun worried that people would misunderstand his relationship with Ye Zelan if they saw them return together. He took out thirty taels of gold. “Miss Ye, thank you for traveling all the way to the capital to help me. Please take this money and live well.”

Though thirty taels of gold was a considerable sum, Chu Yun believed Ye Zelan truly deserved it after all she’d endured, having nearly been killed by the Witch Doctors.

Ye Zelan looked at the gold in his hand and quickly pushed it back. “Brother Chu, there’s no need for this. I helped you mostly because I have a deep personal grudge against the Witch Doctor Sect. Besides, when you go to your fief, there will be many expenses.”

Chu Yun opened his mouth to reply, but Ye Zelan went on, “Brother Chu, if you’re truly grateful, take me with you to your fief. Let me help you build your own power and grow strong, so that one day you can confront the Witch Doctors and avenge me, restoring justice.”

Chu Yun was taken aback. “You want to come west with me?”

Ye Zelan nodded. “Yes, I believe in you. You can quickly become strong enough to rival the Witch Doctor Sect. Please, promise me you’ll take me with you to your fief.”

Seeing her earnest expression, and knowing her skills in martial arts and herbal medicine—she was no useless ornament—Chu Yun nodded. “All right, I agree. But the place is close to the battlefield; life will be hard and dangerous. You should think it through.”

Ye Zelan waved her hand with a smile. “I’m not afraid of hardship or danger.” She wanted to say that, as long as she could stay by his side, nothing else mattered, but shyness held her back.

Chu Yun replied, “In that case, once I set the date for heading west, I’ll come find you.”

“Good, Brother Chu, it’s a promise. Don’t you dare go without me. Even if you do, I’ll still come looking for you in the west.”

Ye Zelan was overjoyed that Chu Yun agreed.

Then Chu Yun took out ten taels of silver. “You won’t take the thirty taels of gold, but at least accept these ten taels of silver. Buy some food and meat, take care of yourself, and build up your strength so you’ll be ready to join me in the west.”

“Alright.” This time, Ye Zelan didn’t refuse and accepted the silver.

She then mounted her horse and rode away. “Brother Chu, don’t forget to let me know!”

Chu Yun smiled, nodding as he watched her vanish into the distance. Only then did he lead his horse home.

“Liu’er, Liu’er...”

It had been almost a month since Chu Yun last saw Yang Liu’er. The thought of seeing her again filled him with excitement, and as soon as he reached the courtyard gate, he couldn’t help calling out in anticipation.

But there was no response from inside the house, though the door stood open.

“What’s going on? Could something have happened to Liu’er? Did the Witch Doctor Sect, failing to catch me, take it out on my family?”

Worried, Chu Yun quickly tied his horse outside the woodshed and rushed inside to look for Yang Liu’er.

He searched the entire house, but Liu’er was nowhere to be found.