Chapter 4: Riding Out of the City, Northward Bound
Chapter 4: Riding Out of the City, Northward Bound
The handsome and peerless Qin Zhong, the eldest son of Qin Xiaoyi, known as the 'Iron Heart that Shakes the Eight Directions', was already nearing thirty years of age. As the only secular disciple of the current Shaolin Abbot, Master Xin Hu, his skill in the Shaolin Divine Fist was unmatched among the younger generation in the martial arts world, with few rivals.
Yet, he was still no match for the Mei Hua Thief.
Although he had managed to avoid a vital spot in the nick of time and the Mei Hua Thief had not struck again due to the presence of many experts in Xingyun Manor, the five petals of the plum blossom imprint nailed to his right chest had pierced through.
The insidious energy wound its way like a festering bone abscess, causing Qin Zhong to fall into an unconscious state. Even after consuming the Shaolin sacred pill, the Xiao Huan Dan, he still hovered at death's door.
When You Longsheng arrived at Qin Zhong's room, he saw that his face was as pale as paper, his eyebrows twitching occasionally, and his breathing faint and labored, clearly still in a critical condition.
"Qin San Ye, please forgive this old man's powerlessness."
An elderly physician at Qin Zhong's bedside removed his hand from the young man's wrist and shook his head as he turned to the purple-robed elder beside him. "The Mei Hua Thief's unique hidden weapon, imbued with his own venomous energy, has damaged Qin Gongzi's heart and lung meridians. While the Xiao Huan Dan has temporarily sustained his life, if he does not receive treatment from a master within ten days, I fear..."
The purple-robed elder, Qin Xiaoyi, had a face like a red date and a long beard that reached his belly. He was also a secular disciple of Shaolin, specializing in hand-to-hand combat, and had earned the moniker 'Iron Heart that Shakes the Eight Directions' in the He Shu region with just a pair of iron hearts.
But at this moment, his expression was ugly, his face a mix of red and white.
He never expected that the first person the Mei Hua Thief would injure would be his own son.
Although he had several sons, this eldest son was undoubtedly the most talented and outstanding.
He had originally planned to let Qin Zhong win over Lin Xian'er and share the millions of wealth contributed by dozens of martial arts sects.
A setback!
Beside him, a middle-aged man in splendid clothes, his face filled with concern, frowned and asked, "Doctor Du, you are the best physician in Baoding Prefecture. In your opinion, who else can save Qin Gongzi?"
You Longsheng turned to the middle-aged man, who was none other than the master of Xingyun Manor, Long Xiaoyun.
"This..." Doctor Du hesitated, "Not to boast, but in Baoding Prefecture, I'm afraid there is no holy hand that can save Qin Gongzi..."
Long Xiaoyun immediately looked at Qin Xiaoyi and said, "I heard that Sai Hua Tuo appeared in Jinan Prefecture some time ago. I'll send someone to invite him right away!"
Zhao Zhengyi, adept at reading people's expressions, immediately noticed the hesitation in the old physician's eyes, and seeing that Qin Xiaoyi seemed to have guessed something, he quickly interjected, "Doctor Du, you're holding something back. Is there something else we should know?"
Zhao Zhengyi paused, then said in a deep voice, "Qin Gongzi is the only secular disciple of the current Shaolin Abbot. If you deliberately conceal a cure, the tens of thousands of secular disciples of Shaolin will not let you off the hook!"
Doctor Du was startled. He couldn't afford to offend the tens of thousands of Shaolin disciples.
"I dare not hide it!"
Doctor Du quickly shook his head. "It's just that this person is not in Baoding Prefecture, and I'm not sure if he can treat your young master's injury."
"Who is he?" Qin Xiaoyi asked immediately.
"Have you gentlemen heard of the Seven Marvels?" Doctor Du asked suddenly.
"The Seven Marvels have been famous for over twenty years, of course, we've heard of them." Qin Xiaoyi frowned. "I heard they are a group of unorthodox and lowly martial arts vagabonds. Are you talking about the second of the Seven Marvels, the Mystical Physician? Does he have the ability to cure my son?"
"Indeed, it's the Mystical Physician, Mei Er Gongzi," Doctor Du said. "I've seen him treat people in Baoding Prefecture, and his skills are indeed superior to mine. To call him a holy hand in the medical arts would not be an exaggeration.
"I don't know where he is, but I know where his older brother, Mr. Mei, lives. It's in a town on the outskirts of Beiping Prefecture," Doctor Du said.
"I'll send someone right away," Long Xiaoyun said.
"I'll go there myself," Qin Xiaoyi said.
Long Xiaoyun's eyes lit up as he glanced at the injured Qin Zhong lying on the bed. He suddenly interjected, "Qin's brother is severely injured. I want to go too. We must bring that doctor back and cure Qin's brother!"
"Alright!" Long Xiaoyun nodded, and then Doctor Du spoke up again, "Gentlemen, please wait. There are a few rules that Mr. Mei has for treating patients."
"What rules?" Long Xiaoyun asked.
"First, he doesn't treat patients unless the consultation fee is paid upfront. Second, he doesn't treat those who speak to him disrespectfully. And third, he doesn't treat bandits, thieves, murderers, or those who engage in smuggling," Doctor Du explained.
"Quite a few rules for a mere wanderer healer," Zhao Zhengyi commented, sounding displeased.
Noticing Doctor Du's hesitation, Qin Xiaoyi frowned and urged, "If there's anything else, just say it."
Doctor Du hurriedly added, "It's said that Mr. Mei loves paintings and calligraphy. If you can cater to his preferences, things may go much smoother."
A spark flashed in Long Xiaoyun's eyes, and without hesitation, he said to Qin Xiaoyi, "There are quite a few masterpieces from various dynasties in the manor. Feel free to take them with you, Third Brother."
"Thank you! Then I won't be polite!" Qin Xiaoyi nodded. "We must depart immediately. There's no time to waste."
"I'll have horses prepared for you." Long Xiaoyun scanned the room and motioned to a man. "This is Ba Ying, a hero from the Heluo region. He's well-traveled and quick-witted, and he knows the area inside and out. He'll accompany you, Third Brother and Xiao Yun."
Hearing Long Xiaoyun's praise, Ba Ying's face lit up, but he was also aware of the seriousness of the matter. He nodded earnestly and said sincerely, "Rest assured, Manor Lord. I will do my best to assist Third Brother Qin and Young Master Yun in finding Mr. Mei."
As the group turned to look at Long Xiaoyun, they noticed that You Longsheng was also present.
"Young Master You..."
You Longsheng nodded, "I didn't expect the Mei Hua Thief to be so brazen, injuring Brother Qin. But with Third Brother Qin and Xiao Yun taking action, I won't go. I'll stay at Xingyun Manor and see if the Mei Hua Thief dares to show up again."
"By the way," You Longsheng added, turning to Long Xiaoyun, "Isn't Xian'er staying at Lengxiang Cottage?"
The group fell silent, and Long Xiaoyun's face twitched. "After the appearance of the Mei Hua Thief, Lin Xian'er was startled and said she wanted to hide for a few days. We don't know where she is right now."
"I see," You Longsheng nodded, understanding the situation. He thought to himself that the information about the Golden Silk Armor and Li Xunhuan's entry into the pass must have been leaked, causing various forces to gather in the north.
You Longsheng glanced at Long Xiaoyun and Zhao Zhengyi, who were openly present at Xingyun Manor. He wondered if they had received the news as well.
In any case, he was unaware.
Of course, he knew now.
That evening, after Qin Xiaoyi and Long Xiaoyun had left, You Longsheng left a message for Duan Qian and Feng Wan, asking them to stay at Xingyun Manor. He then took a horse and left the city under the pretext of searching for the Mei Hua Thief.
Hmm, but everyone guessed that he had gone to find Lin Xian'er...
(End of Chapter)
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