Yi Fan walked over to Qi Shaorong's side and took out a stack of papers. "I spent a lot of gold buying insider information from this area. There are a total of 20 experts who're coming to see Feng Yuan this time, here's all the information I could find on them."
Qi Shaorong looked at the thick stack papers and thought: Yi Fan, this guy, has done a really thorough job!
Yi Fan paused, and then said, "Feng Yuan's condition seems to be getting worse and worse. The Business Alliance has made a promise that as long as someone can cure Feng Yuan, they'll utilise all their power to fulfill that person's request."
"Well that's a heavy promise!" Qi Shaorong said.
Yi Fan nodded and said, "Yep. I also made some inquiries and found out another piece of news."
Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and said, "What is it?"
"A problem has indeed occurred with the Tianhu Mu Family's business, and they've now placed all their hopes on curing Feng Yuan's illness. If the Mu Family's doctors can cure Feng Yuan, then with the support of the Business Alliance, they'll easily be able to solve the family's crisis." Yi Fan said.
Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and said, "Then what has the Mu Family prepared?"
"A type of spiritual plant, called the Nine-Leafed Life-Saving herb, which is rumored to be able to bring the dead back to life. I heard that the Mu Family is currently cultivating this spiritual plant." Yi Fan said.
Qi Shaorong shook his head and said, "It won't be of any use!"
Yi Fan looked at Qi Shaorong and said with some puzzlement, "Young Master, you seem very certain about this, could it be that you already know what kind of illness Feng Yuan has?"
Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and said, "If my guess isn't wrong, Feng Yuan's situation should be similar to Zhuang Renquan's back then."
The doctors in this world were all very skilled at boosting a person's life vitality.
This kind of treatment would be effective for someone who's been seriously injured, but it's not good for treating tumors. When the doctors stimulate the patient's vitality, they're also stimulating the growth of the tumor cells at the same time. In this situation, not only would it not solve the problem, it may also accelerate the death of the patient.
Feng Yuan was a very powerful and important person, and there were many people who wanted to get on his good side. If the normal methods of treatment were of any use, then the Business Alliance wouldn't be making such a big fuss over it.
Yi Fan was a little confused and said, "It's similar? No way! Back then, one of Zhuang Renquan's symptoms was a headache, but I heard that Feng Yuan-qianbei's symptoms include lumps forming in his neck, and difficulty breathing and eating."
Qi Shaorong smiled. Zhuang Renquan had a form of brain cancer back then, but if he guessed correctly, this Feng Yuan-qianbei probably has thyroid cancer.
Qi Shaorong said, "It's similar."
"Well Young Master, if you say so, then you must be right. Young Master, when are you going to go see Feng Yuan?" Yi Fan asked.
Qi Shaorong shook his head and said, "There's no need to rush, Feng Yuan can try some other treatments first, after all, my method is a lot riskier."
His method was a little too shocking for the people of this world, as it requires him to cut open Feng Yuan-qianbei's throat, and cut off the diseased part. If it's not used as a last resort, then he's afraid that Feng Yuan wouldn't be willing to try it. Even if Feng Yuan was willing to try, Qi Shaorong would still inevitably be suspected of harbouring bad intentions. If he didn't force Feng Yuan to the edge of the cliff first, then it won't be easy for Qi Shaorong to make a move!
"Since you investigated the Mu Family, then you must have investigated Mu Xingzhi too? What are the results for that?" Qi Shaorong said, smiling.
Yi Fan frowned and said, "After Mu Xingzhi returned to the Mu Family that year, his temperament changed drastically. When he joined the Mu Ling sect, it's said that Mu Xingzhi led an important life within the sect, but the information I found says otherwise."
Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and said, "Really? What did you find?"
"When all is said and done, Mu Xingzhi is still a person of the Mu Family. After he left the Mu Family and joined the Mu Ling sect, although the Mu Ling sect accepted him, they were always guarded against him. In these years, although Mu Xingzhi was always hostile towards the Mu Family, he's never actively made a move against them." Yi Fan said.
Qi Shaorong smiled disdainfully and said, "What an indecisive guy. Looking at it this way, even if Tingxuan wants his father to stand up for him, I'm afraid it's highly unlikely that'll ever happen."
Yi Fan nodded and said, "Exactly! Speaking of, the Mu Ling sect is also sending someone over to see Feng Yuan."
Qi Shaorong held his chin and asked with interest, "Then what is the Mu Ling sect planning on doing?"
"Inviting a deity." Yi Fan said. "Rumour has it that the Mu Ling sect is currently preparing a sort of summoning ceremony. If it succeeds, they can get the God of Life to temporarily possess someone, and this way, they'll be able to use the God of Life's Tree of Life to treat Feng Yuan's illness."
Qi Shaorong was a little surprised and said, "Inviting a deity, interesting! Do gods really exist in this world?"
Yi Fan shook his head, and said, "I'm not too sure about this either!"
"When are the Tianhu Mu Family and Mu Ling sect planning on visiting Feng Yuan?" Qi Shaorong asked.
"Today." Yi Fan said.
Qi Shaorong nodded and said, "Today! Then, I'll go see him tomorrow."
Yi Fan nodded and said, "Alright!"
"By the way, you seem to have investigated the Mu Family's affairs pretty thoroughly, did you find out who sent all those people to intercept us on the road here?" Qi Shaorong leaned back in a rocking chair and asked languidly.
Yi Fan looked at Qi Shaorong with some embarrassment.
Qi Shaorong: "…" Yi Fan, this guy, only cared about Mu Tingxuan's affairs, how did he end up accepting such a love-foolish subordinate [1]?
"I know, I know!" Chen Yuan hurriedly walked over.
"What do you know?" Qi Shaorong asked.
"I just established contact with the Chen Family. The people who tried to stop us on our journey here can be divided into three categories."
Qi Shaorong asked with some confusion, "Three categories?"
Chen Yuan nodded and said, "Yes, most of the people who intercepted us were from Jing Country. Jing Country and our Yuan Country are sworn enemies, Jing Country was probably afraid that Yuan Country would gain the support of the Business Alliance and invade and occupy Jing Country's territory, so they tried to stop us. The other category is made up of some bad-hearted people from the Yi Family and Qi Family. They were afraid that if you perform a meritorious service this time, you'll become even more difficult to deal with in the future. The other category includes the people who're invited to treat Feng Yuan's illness. Some people were worried that their future would be affected if you were to cure Feng Yuan."
Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes and said, "Since when did my popularity become so bad?" There were actually so many people working against him.
Chen Yuan looked at Qi Shaorong and said, "The greater the power, the greater the responsibility! A tall tree catches the wind [2]!"
The next day.
Accurate to Qi Shaorong's prediction, the people from the Tianhu Mu Family and Mu Ling sect who went to treat Feng Yuan's illness all left without success.
"Young Master, when are you leaving to meet Feng Yuan?" Yi Fan asked eagerly.
Qi Shaorong glanced at Yi Fan and said, "Calm down, hasty men don't get to eat hot tofu [3]. I'll go after I finish my meal, I'll only have more strength when I'm full."
"I will accompany…"
Qi Shaorong waved his hand and said, "You don't need to accompany me."
Qi Shaorong took a look at Mu Tingxuan and said, "Tingxuan, you'll go with me later."
Mu Tingxuan nodded and responded flatly, "Okay."
Qi Shaorong glanced at Mu Tingxuan and saw that Mu Tingxuan didn't even bat an eye.
"Young Master, let me go with you instead." Yi Fan said, frowning.
Qi Shaorong glanced at Yi Fan and said unpleasantly, "What's wrong? Worried that I'll accidentally kill Feng Yuan and implicate Tingxuan!"
Yi Fan hurriedly shook his head and said, "Young Master, I didn't mean it like that."
Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and said, "Tingxuan is a wood mage, he can give off life energy. If he goes, he may be able to help out a little bit, but you're a dual water and fire mage, there's no point in you going there."
Mu Tingxuan looked at Yi Fan and said lightly, "I'll go, there won't be a problem."
After they finished eating, Mu Tingxuan and Qi Shaorong left.
Qi Shaorong walked to the gate of Feng Yuan's mansion and handed over an invitation.
"Tingxuan, this place is really big, isn't it?" Qi Shaorong asked.
Mu Tingxuan nodded, and said, "Yes!"
"When I become rich in the future, I'll also build a big house like this." Qi Shaorong said, full of envy.
"Young Master, even if you own thousands of houses, you can only live in one at a time, having that many would just be a waste." Mu Tingxuan said.
Qi Shaorong: "…" Mu Tingxuan, this guy, can't he have some aspirations! Even if he can't live in all of those houses, he can still put them on display to look at!
"So this is the Ghost Doctor who was recommended by the monarch of Yuan Country! Please come in." The guard at the door said respectfully.
Qi Shaorong followed the guard and walked into the house. Feng Yuan was lying in a rocking chair, and a few cultivators beside him were currently giving Feng Yuan an examination, with worried expressions on their faces.
Feng Yuan's complexion was very poor, and his body emaciated, looking as if he had one foot already in the grave, but Qi Shaorong could sense the surging spiritual power within this person's body.
Qi Shaorong looked at Mu Yueshan, who was busily working by Feng Yuan's side, and he raised his eyebrows, scoffing at him in his heart.
Qi Shaorong had asked around and found out that not only did the Nine-Leafed Life-Saving herb provided by Mu Yueshan not have any use, but it also ended up worsening Feng Yuan's already precarious condition. Qi Shaorong originally thought that since Mu Yueshan failed to treat Feng Yuan's illness, he should've left already, but he didn't expect that he'd still be here. Not only was Mu Yueshan still here, but Mu Yueshan's son, Mu Huai, was also here.
When he saw Qi Shaorong walk in, Mu Yueshan couldn't help but frown and said, "This is?"
"Qi Shaorong." Qi Shaorong said lightly.
Feng Yuan, who had been resting in the rocking chair with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and said, "So it turns out that the Ghost Doctor has arrived!"
Qi Shaorong nodded at Feng Yuan, and said, "Shaorong greets Feng Yuan-qianbei."
Feng Yuan smiled and said, "Young Master Qi, no need to be so polite. Young Master Qi is a lot younger than I imagined, looking at you, I feel so old now."
Qi Shaorong looked at Feng Yuan and said, "Of course now, Feng-qianbei, you're currently in the prime of your life, how could you be old?"
"So you're the Ghost Doctor! I heard that you often perform cosmetic surgery on people, and use knives to operate on people's faces. Feng-qianbei is different from your past patients… You can't act recklessly with matters regarding one's life." Mu Yueshan said coldly, his tone filled with deep disdain.
Qi Shaorong looked at Mu Yueshan and said, "I don't know Your Excellency's name, are you a member of the Feng Family?"
Mu Yueshan froze for a moment, and some anger showed up on his face. Mu Yueshan was certain that Qi Shaorong definitely knew his identity, and Qi Shaorong's words just now were criticizing him for being too nosy.
"You… Qi Shaorong, how many years have you even spent learning medicine! You actually dare to come all the way here, a youth without facial hair can't be relied upon…"
Feng Yuan interrupted Mu Yueshan's words and said, "Brother Mu [4], I've troubled you a lot this time, you should go back home and rest a little."
"Feng-qianbei, he's so young, he can't shoulder such a heavy responsibility…"
"Success goes to the determined regardless of age, Brother Mu, enough!" Feng Yuan said coldly.
Mu Yueshan frowned, looking at Feng Yuan's cold expression, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Mu Tingxuan lowered his head, hiding the turbulent waves of emotions surging in his eyes.
Mu Huai looked at Mu Tingxuan, and a strange feeling flashed through his heart.
Footnotes:
Love foolish: So the original idiom means "to lose one's head over lust" or "sex crazy" lol.
A tall tree catches the wind: A person in a high position is liable to be attacked.
Hasty men don't get to eat hot tofu: One has to be patient; haste will ruin everything.
Brother: Courteous from of address between male friends ("xiong"). Sometimes using "brother" sounds kind of weird, Idk if I should change it to "xiong" or just keep it as "brother".