Chapter 35

The Divine Physician (35)

The next morning.

Feng Jinsheng gently woke Dan Yakeshan.

"Master, are you awake?"

After waiting for a long time, there was still no response from inside the room.

"Master?"

Worried, Feng Jinsheng opened the door. At that moment, several pairs of eyes fixed on him.

Three people were sitting cross-legged.

In the center, Dan Yakeshan was carefully placing needles.

Click.

A bead of sweat rolled down Dan Yakeshan's face and dropped to the floor. Upon closer inspection, the floor around Dan Yakeshan was already drenched in sweat.

Feng Jinsheng quietly closed the door without making a sound.

He knew how much mental energy such concentration required.

How much time had passed?

"Phew…."

After finishing the acupuncture, Dan Yakeshan let out a long sigh. He then noticed Feng Jinsheng and smiled.

"You're here?"

"You've done well."

Feng Jinsheng smiled and looked at the three people being treated.

"May I take a look?"

Dan Yakeshan nodded readily. As Feng Jinsheng examined the positions of the needles in the three people, he looked at Dan Yakeshan with surprise.

"Could it be that you're using the acupuncture techniques of both masters?"

"I've been researching this for a long time, and I've started to see results recently."

Feng Jinsheng's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"I only thought it was theoretically possible…."

While carefully examining the positions, depths, and types of the needles, Feng Jinsheng let out a bitter laugh.

"Indeed, this is an acupuncture technique that is only theoretically possible."

"What? How can that be? It's clearly effective, and there have been no significant side effects so far."

Dan Yakeshan's words made Feng Jinsheng smile wryly.

"Who else but Master could attempt such a thing? That's why I said it's only theoretically possible. I wouldn't even dare to try it myself."

Feng Jinsheng pointed to a needle inserted in Fan Jiewei's neck.

"If this needle goes in just a bit deeper, he'll be paralyzed."

"…!"

Fan Jiewei's eyes widened.

"Even a slight tremor could make him deaf."

Chao Yeliang's face turned pale as Feng Jinsheng pointed to a certain acupoint.

Feng Jinsheng then looked at Han Xuehua.

"This is really dangerous! If you make even a small mistake, he could go blind…. I wouldn't even dare to try it myself."

Even Han Xuehua, who rarely showed any emotion, had a slight tremor in his eyes.

Dan Yakeshan turned and firmly said,

"Don't move!"

The three people, feeling the strange authority in his voice, desperately tried to steady their trembling hearts. Once they had calmed down, Dan Yakeshan asked Feng Jinsheng,

"What brings you here at this hour?"

Feng Jinsheng took out a letter from his robe.

"I just received a message from the Wulin Alliance."

"The Wulin Alliance?"

"Yes."

Feng Jinsheng nodded and continued with a worried expression.

"We should hurry on our journey."

"Has the patient's condition worsened?"

Feng Jinsheng nodded.

"Yes. The Alliance Leader sent this letter personally."

* * *

Not long after crossing the border of Shaanxi Province, the group passed through Junxian County in Hubei Province.

"Ah, I really regret it. I really wanted to see Wudang Mountain."

Dan Yakeshan kept looking outside the carriage with a regretful gaze.

Wudang Mountain, located south of Junxian County, is a sacred mountain of Taoism. It has seventy-two peaks, twenty-six rock formations, and numerous ancient temples, each with its own history and stories.

However, what made Wudang Mountain famous was something else.

One of the pillars of the orthodox faction, alongside the Northern Shaolin, the Southern Wudang, had its base there.

But they had to pass by Wudang Mountain.

They chose the fastest route to Wuhan.

After several days of non-stop travel, they finally arrived in Wuhan.

"We arrived faster than expected."

Dan Yakeshan, who had been admiring the city from the carriage, tilted his head.

Unlike the many cities they had passed through, a strange atmosphere permeated the entire street.

First, the people's eyes lacked vitality.

Instead of the usual vibrancy of a major city, a heavy and oppressive air seemed to weigh down the entire place.

Reading Dan Yakeshan's expression, Chao Yeliang spoke.

"Wuhan used to be a vibrant city, more so than any other. But things changed when the Wulin Alliance took root."

Wuhan is a strategic location where the Yangtze River and the Han River converge.

It connects Shanghai and Chongqing from east to west, and Beijing and Guangzhou from north to south, earning it the name "Jiusheng Tongqu" (Nine Provinces Thoroughfare) since ancient times.

The Wulin Alliance chose Wuhan for this reason.

It was easy to gather information quickly and dispatch personnel promptly to address issues across the Central Plains.

"They first pushed the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance out when they established themselves here."

Dan Yakeshan recalled an old story.

"The Yangtze River Waterway Alliance is a coalition of pirates, right?"

Chao Yeliang nodded.

"Thanks to this, many waterway factions, including the Jujingfang, lost their bases and retreated. But they later reorganized and blocked both waterways. As a result, many innocent merchants have been killed."

"Isn't the current Alliance Leader from the Nangong family?"

Fan Jiewei asked, and Chao Yeliang nodded.

"The once noble Nangong of Cangtian has long since turned into a den of vipers. The Alliance Leader is just as corrupt."

"Can we endure seeing that guy's face?"

The Wulin Alliance was a sore spot for both of them.

"We have to, for Doctor Dan's sake."

As they spoke, the carriage began to slow down.

"Is the head of the Feng family from the Jinsheng Hall here?"

Feng Jinsheng stepped out of the carriage.

A group of people lined up outside the carriage and bowed to Feng Jinsheng. A middle-aged man dressed in scholar's robes approached him.

"It's been a while. I'm not sure if you remember, but I'm Huang Bosheng, the head of the Reception Hall. We met at the Alliance Leader's birthday last time."

"Yes, I remember. How did the head of the Reception Hall of the Wulin Alliance come all the way here…."

"I received special instructions from the Alliance Leader and have been waiting here for four days."

As Huang Bosheng introduced himself, he looked extremely haggard and tired.

"Since time is short, we will escort you immediately."

The martial artists of the Reception Hall surrounded the carriage, and the group was able to enter the Wulin Alliance headquarters without delay. People quickly cleared the way as soon as they saw the carriage escorted by Wulin Alliance martial artists.

"To think we would be welcomed into the Wulin Alliance's territory like this."

Chao Yeliang chuckled, finding it absurd.

"The Alliance Leader is waiting for you in the Xianzheng Hall."

Hearing the head of the Reception Hall's voice, Dan Yakeshan said to Chao Yeliang and Fan Jiewei,

"Uncles, you really need to keep your cool."

Chao Yeliang and Fan Jiewei forced a smile and nodded.

Finally, the group got out of the carriage.

Chao Yeliang clenched his teeth as he looked around, and Fan Jiewei's forced smile caused his eyes to twitch.

Every one of them.

The place was filled with people they wanted to kill.

Their enmity towards the Wulin Alliance ran deep.

* * *

"Damn it."

Chao Yeliang couldn't help but curse as he entered the Xianzheng Hall with Huang Bosheng.

In the center of the Xianzheng Hall, the words "Poxie Xianzheng" (Breaking Evil and Revealing Righteousness) were written in a majestic calligraphy.

"Welcome."

A middle-aged man sitting on a high seat stood up to greet the group. The moment they saw his face, Chao Yeliang and Fan Jiewei had to suppress their boiling murderous intent with their innate qi.

He was Nangong Bai, the leader of the Wulin Alliance.

The one who, during the chaotic period of the Zhengma Battle, united the Five Great Families to establish the current Wulin Alliance.

Nangong Bai slowly stood up and approached the group.

"Nangong's junior pays his respects to TaTai Xianzi."

He then bowed respectfully to Han Xuehua, knowing from the letter sent from Huashan that she was traveling with Feng Jinsheng. Despite feigning calmness, his face betrayed a hint of confusion when he raised his head.

Fortunately, Han Xuehua nodded, seemingly not bothered by the title.

Chao Yeliang and Fan Jiewei looked at Han Xuehua with peculiar expressions.

How many people in the current martial world would receive such a respectful greeting from the Wulin Alliance Leader?

"Why?"

The two pretended to be calm and turned their gaze away.

"I will greet TaTai Xianzi again in a moment."

Nangong Bai immediately took Feng Jinsheng's hand.

"I am deeply grateful that you came despite the long journey. Before being the leader of the Alliance, I am also a father. Your visit gives me great hope."

"That's not the case. As a physician, it is my duty to come. I am only sorry that I couldn't come sooner."

Feng Jinsheng turned to introduce Dan Yakeshan, who was standing behind him.

"Oh, this is…."

"I know. The young master who carries on the legacy of the Divine Physician."

Nangong Bai bowed respectfully and said,

"Welcome to Wuhan."

Though it was a polite greeting, it didn't escape the keen eyes of Chao Yeliang. For a moment, disappointment flashed across Nangong Bai's eyes, which Chao Yeliang didn't miss.

Nangong Bai led Feng Jinsheng out of the Xianzheng Hall, holding his hand.

"Please take a look at my child's condition first."

Seeing Nangong Bai like this, Dan Yakeshan thought he was different from the rumors. He had always imagined Nangong Bai as an extremely cold and authoritative figure, but now he seemed very down-to-earth.

Following Nangong Bai's lead, the group moved to a separate building.

Chao Yeliang and Fan Jiewei deliberately kept their distance, clearly showing their aversion to being close to Nangong Bai.

"I know a bit about physiognomy. That guy is bound to cause a big accident, like the leader of the demons who disappeared from Qilian Mountain."

Chao Yeliang's words made Fan Jiewei tilt his head.

"You mean the Heavenly Demon?"

"Yes. He looks just like that guy."

Chao Yeliang glared at Nangong Bai, who was walking far ahead.

"That's why he acts as if this is his world."

Fan Jiewei, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke.

"Come to think of it, faces like his don't seem to match with me."

"Faces like his?"

Fan Jiewei's interest in physiognomy surprised Chao Yeliang.

"He's handsome."

Chao Yeliang chuckled.

"Is that the reason? Who would match with you then?"

"Still, I get along quite well with Brother Chao."

"Me?"

Thinking about it, Chao Yeliang suddenly felt his mood sour.

"Are you saying I'm ugly?"

Fan Jiewei neither confirmed nor denied it.

Chao Yeliang found this even more annoying. Just as he was about to say something, he felt a sharp, frosty gaze.

Chao Yeliang and Fan Jiewei shut their mouths.

Han Xuehua, who had been walking ahead, turned to look at them.

"…."

"…."

The group finally arrived at a house set up in the backyard of the Wulin Alliance.

Dan Yakeshan's gaze grew heavy as he entered the house.

There were about a dozen or so.

A woman lay on the bed, enduring pain. Her complexion was as pale as paper. A particularly greenish aura was visible between her furrowed brows, and her eyes were dark, almost black. Her arm, partially exposed under the blanket, was as thin as a withered branch.

Moreover, her body was covered in red and purple rashes, and despite being wrapped in several layers of blankets, she was shivering and curled up tightly.

Two doctors were already by her bedside, but they seemed helpless.

"What has happened here?"

Nangong Bai asked, and the doctors replied with trembling voices.

"Her condition has suddenly worsened in the past hour. We've tried every possible method, but there's been no improvement…."

The doctors' faces turned ashen as they faced the icy blue flames in Nangong Bai's eyes.

Suddenly, Dan Yakeshan stepped forward and abruptly pulled back the blanket.

"What are you doing!"

The doctors were startled and tried to stop Dan Yakeshan.