Volume 1, Chapter 36: You Dare Touch Me?

"How does a miracle doctor treat a patient?"

This plain yet chilling question struck Liu Chengye’s heart like an invisible, heavy hammer. He was left completely dazed, staring blankly at Ye Xuan, his mouth opening and closing in silence, unable to utter a single word.

A grand banquet? Inviting every prominent figure in the city of Yun'an? And the larger and more sensational, the better? Was this Master Ye truly insane? Wang Defa’s butcher’s blade was already hanging over the throat of the Liu family; instead of keeping their heads down and fleeing to save their lives, he wanted to beat the drums and make sure the whole world knew? Was this not just asking for himself and the entire Liu family to die faster?

Liu Chengye’s complexion shifted from ghastly pale to a bruised purple, veins bulging on his forehead—a look woven from extreme terror and bewilderment. He wanted to kneel, grab Ye Xuan’s leg, and beg him to retract this plan that would surely lead to the Liu family’s total ruin. But when his gaze met Ye Xuan’s bottomless eyes, all his words died in his throat.

"Go and arrange it."

Ye Xuan did not grant him any further room for debate, turning and walking back into the courtyard, leaving behind only a resolute silhouette.

"Master Liu, remember: fear does not solve any problems. Sometimes, the more you retreat, the more others will take advantage. If you want to survive, you must be more ruthless and stronger than your enemies."

The voice drifted back, each word clearly branded into Liu Chengye’s ears. He stood frozen, as if struck by lightning. A cold wind blew, making him shiver, yet in the deepest corner of his heart, a faint spark was ignited by Ye Xuan’s words.

More ruthless and stronger than the enemy...

He watched Ye Xuan’s retreating figure, then thought of his daughter’s radiant, healthy smile after her recovery. Finally, the dense, unshakable fear in his eyes was gradually replaced by a flash of frantic resolve.

He would gamble! Liu Chengye had lived his whole life with extreme caution, never taking a single wrong step. But for his daughter, for the Liu family, today he would go mad just once with this unfathomable Master Ye!

"Someone, come here!"

Liu Chengye stomped his foot and shouted toward the house, his voice trembling violently with excitement. "Pass on my words: everyone in the estate, start preparing immediately! Bring out the best items from the vault! Hire the best chefs and the finest entertainers in the city! Also, draft the invitations! Every official and notable in the city—invite them all, without exception!"

The steward and servants arrived in haste, but upon hearing their master’s orders, they looked at one another in confusion, assuming he had been provoked into a state of madness.

"Master, this... this must not be done! What about Wang Defa..."

"Do as I say!" Liu Chengye commanded. "Tell them the Liu family is hosting a banquet to celebrate the recovery of my daughter, Yuexue—first to thank the miracle doctor, and second to share the joy with the whole city! Go!"

Seeing their master’s near-manic state, the servants dared not argue further and left in a state of panic.

For a time, the entire Liu estate fell into a bizarre state of frantic activity. Red silks and lanterns were hung high, and wine and delicacies were prepared in an endless stream. It seemed joyous, yet beneath it all lay a deathly silence and tension, like the heavy air before a storm.

...

Meanwhile, at the Yamen of the Yun'an City Garrison.

At the first light of dawn, a troop had already assembled. Leading them was the Deputy Commander of the Garrison, Wang Defa. He was clad in heavy iron armor, a steel saber at his waist, his face thick with flesh and radiating a murderous aura. Yet, behind him followed a dozen servants carrying heavy chests, each decorated with a bright red "Happiness" character, filled with gold, silver, jewelry, fine silks, and rare medicinal herbs. The procession, half murderous and half festive, appeared bizarre and deeply incongruous.

"Is everything prepared?" Wang Defa’s voice was as rough as thunder, painful to the ears.

The old steward hurried forward and bowed. "Reporting to you, Master, everything is ready. These are the finest items in the vault, enough to show our sincerity."

"Sincerity?" Wang Defa sneered, a flash of humiliation and violence crossing his eyes. "If he cures him, it’s called sincerity. If he fails, this is called burial goods!"

If not for his precious son’s broken leg, he would never have lowered himself to such a state in Yun'an!

The old steward trembled and whispered, "Master, please suppress your anger; the young master’s leg is what matters! That is a miracle doctor who cured the Liu girl’s terminal illness; we cannot afford to offend him. We must keep a low profile!"

Wang Defa spat viciously on the ground. "Hmph! Move out!"

He cracked his horse whip and roared, leading the way toward the Liu estate. The procession marched through the morning streets, drawing the gazes of countless citizens, who whispered and wondered who "Tiger Wang" was going to bully today.

Soon, the gates of the Liu estate came into view. When Wang Defa saw the festive decorations and lanterns, he froze. The steward and soldiers behind him were equally stunned. What was this? The Liu family was holding a celebration? They hadn’t heard of anything!

Wang Defa’s face darkened as he strode inside, his voice echoing through the front hall. "Liu Chengye! With your house decked out like this, are you holding a banquet to celebrate the fact that my son’s leg is broken?!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengye’s face turned white, and he rushed out from the hall. "A misunderstanding, Master Wang, it is a massive misunderstanding! My daughter has recovered from her illness, and I am... I am preparing a banquet to thank the miracle doctor!"

"A miracle doctor?" Wang Defa’s eyes narrowed, his killing intent slightly dampened. This was, after all, his purpose for coming today.

He shoved Liu Chengye aside and said coldly, "Cut the damn nonsense! Is the miracle doctor who cured your daughter in your house?"

"Y-yes, he is." Liu Chengye nodded repeatedly, his heart in his throat.

"Take me to him!" Wang Defa demanded, his tone brooking no argument. "Have him treat my son, Wang Teng’s leg! If he succeeds, I shall reward him handsomely! But if he fails..." He did not finish, but the murder in his eyes said it all.

Liu Chengye felt bitter but had no choice but to bite the bullet and lead the way. "Master Wang, this way, please."

Passing through several corridors, the group arrived at the quiet courtyard where Ye Xuan resided. In the courtyard, Ye Xuan sat leisurely by a stone table, sipping tea in a measured, unhurried manner. Su Qingxue stood by his side, dressed in white, her expression cold and aloof, like a fairy from a painting, detached from the world.

Hearing the footsteps, Ye Xuan did not even look up, merely taking a faint sip of his tea.

As soon as Wang Defa stepped into the courtyard, his eyes locked onto that figure in cyan. When he saw Ye Xuan’s face clearly, his pupils shrank to the size of needle points, and a monstrous rage erupted from his chest like a volcano, rushing straight to the top of his head!

"It’s... you!"

It was this face! This calm, indifferent face, as if nothing had happened! He would recognize it even if it were reduced to ashes! It was this little bastard who, in broad daylight and before the entire city, had broken his son’s leg!

What kind of damn miracle doctor! This was clearly the culprit! That old dog, Liu Chengye, actually dared to play him for a fool and hide the real killer!

"Men!" Wang Defa went completely berserk, letting out a thunderous roar that sent the fallen leaves in the courtyard scattering. "Take! Him! Down!"

With a sharp "clang," he drew the steel saber from his waist, pointing the tip directly at Ye Xuan, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes red as blood. Behind him, the soldiers drew their blades in unison, the polished steel reflecting the cold morning light, and the temperature of the courtyard seemed to drop to the freezing point.

Liu Chengye’s legs gave out, his vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground, his face ashen. It was over. Everything was over.

However, in this tense, hair-trigger moment of deathly silence, Ye Xuan finally set down his teacup.

The cup clinked against the stone table with a crisp, light sound. He slowly lifted his eyes, looking at the raving, furious Wang Defa, a playful curve even appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"Master Wang, such a fiery temper."

"Are you here to seek treatment, or to seek death?"