Chapter 138: Madam Is So Powerful, Making Me Look...

Chapter 138: The Duchess Is So Remarkable, It Makes Me Feel Like—

A Saint of Medicine?

Chen Yi chuckled softly to himself, acknowledging that the art of "Yi Qi Yu Zhen" was indeed a rare and esteemed medical technique. Not because the number of practitioners was few, but because those who could actually wield it were even scarcer.

This scarcity stemmed from the high barriers to mastering the art itself.

It demanded not only a practitioner’s mastery of acupuncture—knowing precisely where to strike to unblock meridians and sever arteries—but also a certain level of martial prowess.

At minimum, one had to be above the eighth rank in martial cultivation and possess true energy. Only then could one learn and practice "Yi Qi Yu Zhen."

Such practitioners could not only unclog blocked meridians but also use true energy to mend damaged internal organs, the Six Bowels, and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, transforming decay into vitality.

Thus, martial artists like Liu Rong, whose meridians were severely damaged, would show such profound respect toward those versed in "Yi Qi Yu Zhen."

As he continued treating his own wounds, Chen Yi mused aloud, "The Saint of Medicine cannot claim such honor—I merely employ modest methods."

"Modest methods..."

Liu Rong opened his mouth, at a loss for words.

This man was, without a doubt, identical to the legendary medical masters whispered about in the martial world.

His demeanor was astoundingly bold.

Had "Yi Qi Yu Zhen" been so easily attainable, why had he resorted to hiding within the Bai Caotang, gambling on fortune?

After a long pause, Liu Rong hesitated, then asked, "Um, Senior, I’ve heard you’ve discerned the injuries upon my body. Might you tend to my wounds?"

Though he puzzled over how Chen Yi had come to know his identity, the immediate priority was his injuries.

Otherwise, as the black-clad man had warned moments ago, the vast majority of his true energy was already expended suppressing his wounds, leaving him unable to defend himself.

Chen Yi glanced at him, then smiled gently. "Your injuries are simple to treat. But can you afford the fee?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Rong wore a bitter smile.

"Senior, you must know my background—since I’ve roamed the martial world alone, I’ve possessed nothing but a broken sword and a long spear. No silver or gold to speak of."

During his years in the Northern Desert, he’d dabbled in a few herb transactions, earning a modest sum. But he’d always spent lavishly on pursuits of pleasure and frivolity.

Otherwise, upon arriving in Shu Zhou, he wouldn’t have indulged in such debauchery at the Spring Rain Tower.

Chen Yi studied him thoroughly, raising an eyebrow. "You’ve also mastered spear techniques?"

Of course, that wasn’t his primary concern—the spear itself was.

Liu Rong’s face brightened with pride. "My spear skills are no match for my swordplay, though few can offer me a worthy opponent to test them."

On the surface, he boasted, but inwardly, he added:

Xiao Jinghong wasn’t a true rival—and too powerful.

He’d never had the chance to spar with him, and even if he did, it would end in a single blow.

Chen Yi nodded slightly. "Then show me your spear."

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Rong rolled up his sleeve, revealing the long spear bound to his forearm under the flickering torchlight in the hall.

"This spear was crafted specially for me. For portability, its barrel is joined with ten iron rings, allowing it to be assembled into a spear when needed."

Chen Yi examined the segmented spear shaft and blade coiled around Liu Rong’s arm, interest sparking in his eyes.

"How about I accept this spear as part of your payment?"

Liu Rong blinked, then promptly unbound the five-section spear, placing it on a nearby table.

"If you wish, Senior, take it."

To Chen Yi’s surprise, the man showed no reluctance.

A gentleman would not seize what was not offered.

For any martial artist, a portable weapon was a cherished possession.

"You don’t mind?"

To his astonishment, Liu Rong shook his head without hesitation. "Actually, since my severe injury, I’ve resolved to focus solely on sword techniques from this day forward."

"Is that so? Why?"

"Senior may not know, but my master was a 'Sword Ghost.' I should have progressed further in swordplay. But my own arrogance led me to waste energy practicing spear techniques, hindering my advancement in the sword path. Now, I fear my potential remains untapped."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully. "Specializing in one art is commendable."

"Then I shall accept this spear," he said, before adding with a smile, "though that is merely part of the payment."

Liu Rong inhaled deeply, his voice steady. "Senior, say only what needs to be said. I’ll find a way to fulfill your request."

Masters of "Yi Qi Yu Zhen" were as rare as seeing a dragon’s head but not its tail.

Most people wouldn’t even recognize their existence, let alone encounter one.

Even Liu Rong had heard whispers of such legendary healers: the bandit who severed a limb to save a life, the sorcerer who demanded ancient medical texts as payment, and others of similar infamy.

Though their demands were strange, many gravely wounded martial artists had sought them out.

After all, compared to one’s life, limbs and techniques were mere trifles beyond the grave.

Chen Yi pondered carefully. "In that case, I have three requests for you."

When Liu Rong was about to agree outright, Chen Yi raised his hand. "Think carefully."

"My requests involve considerable risk. Should anything happen to you, do not blame me for failing to warn you."

After the recent events, Chen Yi had grown acutely aware of his own shortcomings.

That night, whether it was the black-clad man wielding a spear or Cui Qingwu and his attendant, their cultivation and techniques surpassed his.

Without adequate preparation, he’d struggle to escape.

Thus, his three requests were designed to ensure his own safety, lest he venture forth and meet peril.

Liu Rong smiled and nodded. "Senior, even if there were thirty requests, I’d fulfill them all without hesitation."

"Since I set foot on the martial path, life and death have long since become secondary. My sole aim is to preserve my life and evade the strongest warriors."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi felt satisfied.

"Then very well. Three requests seem too few for you. Thirty it shall be."

"…"

Liu Rong’s smile faltered, then he choked out a laugh, "Senior, I was only—merely jesting!"

Chen Yi brushed it all aside. "A man’s word is a heavy promise; thirty deeds means thirty deeds."

With that, he remembered to offer some reassurance. "Rest assured. If you get hurt because of this afterward, as long as you still draw breath, I will ensure your body returns to health."

If he died, well, there was nothing to be done about that.

He did not yet possess the heaven-defying means to bring the dead back to life.

Seeing this, Liu Lang could only clasp his hands in a respectful salute. "In that case, Liu offers his deepest gratitude for Senior's saving grace."

Thirty deeds it would be.

Fortunately, he had to stay in the Shu Province territory for some time longer, so stepping in a few more times would be no trouble.

Moreover, if he could become well-acquainted with the miracle healer before him, it would be equivalent to having an extra protective talisman in the future.

It was not a losing bargain.

During this time spent chatting.

The meridians within Chen Yi's body had already completely repaired themselves, and even the wounds on his arm and waist had healed considerably; a few days of quiet rest would see them fully mended.

Liu Lang took all of this in, his heart filling with even greater reverence for the man's medical arts.

To think that a grandmaster of medicine like him possessed skills no less formidable than those of the Evil Doctor or the Medicine Demon.

"Senior, I wonder when it would be convenient for you?"

Chen Yi glanced at the sky outside and said, "Tomorrow evening."

Liu Lang was delighted. "Then where should Liu go to find you?"

"Right here, of course. When the time comes, tell Wang Ji to prepare a quiet room, and I will come around the hour of the Dog."

Wang Ji?

Liu Lang dazed slightly, reflecting for a moment before the realization struck him, and he said in astonishment, "You—you are that mysterious owner of Baicao Hall?"

Chen Yi cast a side glance at him, stood up to retrieve the folded long spear from the counter, and said with a smile:

"So coming to Baicao Hall truly is coming home for me."

Embarrassment instantly flooded Liu Lang's face. "So that is how it is, Liu feels deeply ashamed."

"Presumably the moment Liu arrived at Baicao Hall, Senior saw right through my identity."

Chen Yi gave a noncommittal nod, weighed the long spear in his hand, and proceeded to bind it to his arm.

Previously he had wanted to find a handy weapon, yet he never expected it would be "robbed" from someone else's hands.

Thinking this, he looked toward Liu Lang and inquired, "Tell me about the few things you have done recently."

"I heard that you were not injured when you plundered the Xiao family's medicinal herbs, so how did you fall into your current plight?"

Hearing him ask about this, Liu Lang's heart stirred slightly, and he could not help but speculate about the man's identity.

During his days at Baicao Hall, he had long known that the relationship between Baicao Hall and the Xiao family was far from shallow.

Setting aside the fact that Wang Ji, the manager of Baicao Hall, originally came from the Xiao family.

The single matter of that highly lucrative tea beverage was enough to prove this point.

Without the approval of the mysterious owner before him, Wang Ji could never have privately supplied the tea beverage to the Xiao family's medicine hall.

So...

With these thoughts in his mind, Liu Lang became a bit more serious. "To not hide it from Senior."

"Liu plundering the Xiao family's medicinal herbs was at the behest of another."

"The Liu family of Jing Province? I know about that, tell me something I do not know."

"Uh... since Senior knows of this, Liu will say no more. After that matter, Liu left Shu Province."

Chen Yi asked with great interest, "To evade the Xiao family's pursuit?"

To his surprise, Liu Lang shook his head. "Liu left the prefectural city

“……”

(End of chapter)