Chapter 41

Shinma's Line (41)

Chao E Liang returned to the annex and told the group about his encounter with Shamu Xin.

"That guy would be a great help if he joins us. At least we won't have to worry about money anymore."

"Like how our parents relied on Uncle Feng?"

"Feng Yi is extraordinary, and we know that from experience, but it's hard to compare him to Shamu Xin in terms of financial capability."

Chao E Liang was not one to easily praise others, which made Dan E Xian even more curious.

"What kind of person is he?"

Fan Jie Wei answered.

"He's a money demon. No wonder Ming Hao is the leader of the money demons."

Chao E Liang added to the explanation.

"Five major merchant houses have collapsed because of him. The number of gambling dens, brothels, and battlefields he controls is countless."

"Amazing."

"Still, he has principles. He doesn't harm individuals, and he doesn't use the money he earns for himself."

"Really?"

"He supported orphans who lost their parents due to martial artists' fights until they became adults. Over a thousand children must have been helped by him."

Dan E Xian was genuinely impressed.

"He must have been a remarkable person."

Fan Jie Wei shook his head.

"He is, but sometimes I can't understand why he became a villain."

"There are many people he's killed, right? He is a bad guy."

Chao E Liang turned his head and asked Dan E Xian.

"I want to hear your thoughts, Doctor Dan. If you oppose, I won't force him to come."

Dan E Xian nodded readily.

"He's much better than a hypocrite who pretends to be good on the outside but is bad on the inside."

"But there's one problem."

"Problem?"

"They say he's suffering from Zhuahua Ruma. In this state, he won't last more than three months."

Dan E Xian smiled.

"That's not a big problem. If it's just enough to move his body, I can fix it."

Dan E Xian also proposed a solution to get the wooden box.

"After the treatment, I'll ask him for the wooden box he's looking for."

"For the treatment fee?"

"Yes."

Chao E Liang hesitated for a moment.

An iron token of exemption from death, or elixirs and treasures.

Nan Gong Bai, with his strong pride, would surely agree to any request. However, he didn't want to exchange such a good opportunity for just a wooden box.

Fan Jie Wei, who was standing beside him, also chimed in.

"You can just take the wooden box. You should ask for something bigger as a treatment fee."

"Just take it?"

"There are many ways. Doctor Dan, leave it to us."

Dan E Xian guessed what they were thinking.

"I don't want you to take unnecessary risks. And don't be too stingy. This is about gaining a person."

"Still, do we really need to go that far?"

"Follow the guild master's advice."

Meanwhile, Feng Zhen Cheng, who had been listening to the conversation, smiled and said.

"I'll take it within reason."

He winked at them.

"Alright."

Chao E Liang nodded with a smirk, having seen Feng Zhen Cheng's ability to obtain elixirs from the martial arts alliance.

"Then we should focus on the treatment. Once the patient is cured, everything will be resolved."

Four days passed.

* * *

Nan Gong Bai hurriedly stood up in Taishi Hall.

Approaching the old man, Dan Li Xiong Feng, the steward of the Nan Gong family, who had just entered Xian Zheng Hall, Nan Gong Bai's face showed urgency.

"Did you get it?"

"Yes…."

The answer felt somewhat unsatisfactory, but Nan Gong Bai was relieved nonetheless. The steward handed him a small porcelain bottle sealed with wax.

Carefully taking it, Nan Gong Bai felt a strange sensation.

The steward's expression was unusually dark.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with this Gong Qing Shi You?"

"No, it's the best quality, as confirmed."

"Then why the long face?"

The steward looked at Nan Gong Bai for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"My incompetence has brought shame to the family."

"What do you mean?"

Nan Gong Bai was puzzled.

He knew better than anyone that the old man had devoted his life to the family.

"Gong Qing Shi You is extremely hard to obtain."

"And?"

"There's no market price. The seller's asking price is the price. I managed to get it, but the cost was enormous."

"It's fine. No one will hold you responsible."

The steward often complained about money, but when he sighed again, Nan Gong Bai began to feel uneasy.

"How much did you spend?"

"In short, we incurred a huge debt due to the purchase of Gong Qing Shi You."

"Debt? Did you just say debt?"

Nan Gong Bai looked at Dan Li Xiong Feng with disbelief.

"Without enough time to negotiate, I had to compete with others who also wanted Gong Qing Shi You. Moreover, the family's finances were already strained due to the previously purchased elixirs…."

Dan Li Xiong Feng added after a long pause.

"Even if I use my personal savings, it's not enough to cover the debt…."

Nan Gong Bai felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

The old steward's appearance, who had served the family loyally all his life, was even more painful to see.

"Has our family ever been in debt…?"

To Nan Gong Bai's muttered words, Dan Li Xiong Feng replied bluntly.

"For the first time in five hundred years."

"Ah…."

Nan Gong Bai finally let out a sigh.

* * *

"Huff…."

Chao E Liang took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

For a moment, a deep light shone from his eyes, a powerful aura that could overwhelm the surroundings, something never seen before.

Han Xue Hua and Fan Jie Wei, who were holding his pulse, let go and stepped back.

Chao E Liang conveyed his gratitude with his eyes.

"How is it?"

Dan E Xian asked, and Chao E Liang smiled quietly.

"Perfect."

That one word was enough.

Dan E Xian smiled brightly and nodded.

"Finally, it's complete. Now all the preparations are done."

Seeing Dan E Xian start to gather her medical supplies, Feng Zhen Cheng was slightly flustered.

"Are you going to start right away?"

"There's no reason to wait."

Feng Zhen Cheng turned his head and silently mouthed the words.

'Gong Qing Shi You.'

Chao E Liang immediately understood the meaning.

The other elixirs had arrived, but Gong Qing Shi You had not. If the treatment ended without receiving it, the justification for receiving it would disappear.

"Aham! Ah, I'm tired. Did I overdo it?"

Fan Jie Wei suddenly yawned widely, having received a mental message from Han Xue Hua.

"Ah! I didn't consider the two of you. Please rest for a while. We'll start the treatment later."

In fact, through repeated practice, Han Xue Hua and Fan Jie Wei had mastered the method of circulating inner energy, so they didn't expend as much mental energy as before.

"Guild Master, you should also rest. Isn't it important for the doctor to be in the best mental and physical state before treating the patient?"

"I'm fine. I have other things to do while you two recover."

Dan E Xian took out a brush and ink to start recording the treatment method.

After about two hours,

―Brother Chao! How long do I have to keep sleeping?

Chao E Liang turned his head and met the half-closed eyes of Fan Jie Wei.

―Close your eyes! What if you're caught?

―Oh! Brother Chao, you can use mental messages now?

―I've recovered my inner energy.

At that moment,

"Fan Uncle seems very tired. It's time to wake up."

Hearing Dan E Xian's voice, Fan Jie Wei quickly closed his eyes.

―I feel like I'm going to die from itching!

Chao E Liang turned away, and Fan Jie Wei sent a mental message to Han Xue Hua.

―Witch! Can you do something about it?

―You look ridiculous. Stop whining.

Just then, a voice came from outside the annex.

"The alliance leader asks if he can enter."

It was a martial arts alliance member responsible for relaying messages and running errands between the annex and the outside.

Fan Jie Wei's eyes snapped open.

"Tell him to come in quickly!"

Only after speaking did Fan Jie Wei realize that all eyes in the room were on him.

Fan Jie Wei awkwardly stretched.

"Brother! I slept well."

Chao E Liang and Han Xue Hua shook their heads.

A moment later, Nan Gong Bai entered the annex and handed a small porcelain bottle to Dan E Xian.

"I did my best, but this is all I could get."

Dan E Xian opened the bottle and checked the contents, then smiled and nodded.

"This is enough."

"Can the treatment begin now?"

"Yes, I was about to start in a moment."

Nan Gong Bai, with a tense face, asked.

"Can you tell me how you plan to treat her?"

Dan E Xian started to explain as if it were nothing.

"First, I'll use the Weihua Qigong therapy and combine it with acupuncture."

Nan Gong Bai's eyes showed confusion. It was an unfamiliar treatment method he had never heard of.

"Weihua Qigong therapy?"

Feng Zhen Cheng stepped in.

"It's a unique technique of the guild master, so please understand that I can't explain it in detail. However, I can assure you that it's the best meridian therapy in existence."

Nan Gong Bai nodded, trusting Feng Zhen Cheng's guarantee. There was no other choice now.

"Can I meet my daughter?"

Dan E Xian asked, and Nan Gong Bai cautiously replied.

"Is that possible?"

"She'll wake up soon, so go ahead. But once the treatment starts, no one can enter this room, no matter what happens."

"I understand."

Dan E Xian and her group temporarily left to allow Nan Gong Bai to talk with Nan Gong Xiang.

"Looking at him, he's just an ordinary father…."

Feng Zhen Cheng's comment was followed by remarks from Chao E Liang and Fan Jie Wei.

"Everyone is like that. Emperors and the leaders of the demon sect are no different. They're just weak in front of their own blood."

"You're right. That's why doctors are the best. Everyone becomes good in front of a doctor."

At this point, Feng Zhen Cheng suddenly asked Dan E Xian.

"Is there a reason you named it Weihua Qigong therapy?"

Dan E Xian smiled and looked at Fan Jie Wei and Han Xue Hua.

"I took a character from each of your names. It's a treatment method that can only be performed with both of you."

Fan Jie Wei's shoulders sagged.

Han Xue Hua, though she didn't show it, had a satisfied smile on her lips.

A moment later, the annex door opened, and Nan Gong Bai walked out.

His tense face had softened considerably, having gained more trust in Dan E Xian and her group through the conversation with his daughter.

"I look forward to good news. Please…."

Nan Gong Bai bowed, unable to finish his sentence. Dan E Xian nodded with a smile.

"I'll do my best to bring you the news you're waiting for."