Li Jingxuan's chest rose and fell in frantic rhythm, her garments shifting as though something writhed beneath her flesh, sending a chill down the spines of those watching.
With a sharp rip, her clothing split open, and a streak of crimson light darted forth, attempting to flee.
"Wretched beast, where do you think you're going?"
Ye Chu raised his hand, releasing a silver needle that pinned the blood-red shadow against the distant wall.
The crowd, shaken from their daze, turned their eyes to the spot.
There, wriggling, was a scarlet worm—grotesque in form, its surface etched with mysterious markings, radiating an aura of eerie malice.
Gulp.
Several swallowed hard, trembling at the sight of a genuine Gu parasite.
Ye Chu paid no heed to their horror. With swift precision, he sealed the wound on Li Jingxuan's chest with needles, channeling his inner energy to nourish her weakened body.
In moments, a faint flush of color returned to her pale cheeks.
Huang Haijun stepped forward with concern. "Jingxuan, how do you feel?"
"I feel so much lighter." A smile bloomed across her face, her eyes filled with gratitude as she turned to Ye Chu. "Divine Physician, thank you for saving me."
Ye Chu waved dismissively. "It was but a trifling effort. Think nothing of it."
Soon, he withdrew the needles, instructing Huang Haijun to fetch brush and paper. With quick strokes, he penned a prescription.
"Follow these instructions. Within three or four courses of treatment, Madam will be fully restored."
Huang Haijun received it as though it were a priceless treasure, bowing repeatedly. "Divine Physician, I owe you my deepest thanks. I was rude before—please forgive me. From this day forth, should you ever need me, simply speak the word."
His attitude had turned a full one-hundred-and-eighty degrees.
Ye Chu replied coolly, "Mr. Huang, no need for courtesy. Just remember not to judge others by their appearance in the future."
Awkwardly, Huang Haijun nodded, promising to mend his ways.
Huangfu Shiyue's lips curved into a bright smile. "Little brother, who would have thought your medical skill was so extraordinary?"
Though she had suspected, Ye Chu's ability had still taken her aback.
With modesty, he answered, "Merely a minor technique, not worth mentioning."
Li Zhengyuan interjected with admiration, "Young friend, you underestimate yourself. The Crimson Flame Divine Needle is no ordinary trick. To think you've inherited the true teachings of the Medicine Sovereign at such a young age…"
His tone carried a trace of probing, seeking to uncover Ye Chu's connection to the legendary master.
But Ye Chu simply returned the silver needles, saying lightly, "Elder, thank you for lending these."
When Li Zhengyuan noticed he did not take the bait, disappointment flickered across his face. Yet in his heart, he became certain—Ye Chu's ties to the Medicine Sovereign ran deep.
"Young friend, it is but a box of needles. I gift them to you," he said, declining to take them back.
Ye Chu paused, surprised. These were no ordinary tools. That the elder would so casually present them was telling.
Recognizing the man's goodwill, Ye Chu accepted with a nod. "Then I thank you, elder. Should you require aid in the future, you may call on me."
Li Zhengyuan's eyes lit with satisfaction. He immediately exchanged contact information with Ye Chu.
"Stop right there. Where do you think you're going?"
Ye Chu's voice rang out as a bald, heavyset man attempted to slip away.
The man forced a smile onto his round face. "Brother, is there something you need?"
Ye Chu arched a brow. "Have you already forgotten what you just said?"
The man's expression flickered uneasily. "Brother, I was speaking nonsense just now. Please don't take it to heart."
Ye Chu cleaned his ear with a finger, his tone cold. "Unfortunately, I do take such things seriously. So tell me—what should we do about it?"
The man's jowls quivered. He drew a deep breath. "Brother, mercy is a virtue. If we push things too far, it benefits no one. I am Zhang Dequan, Director of the First People's Hospital. If you should need assistance in the future, my door is always open."
"Is that a threat?" Ye Chu's gaze narrowed. "A petty hospital director dares to posture before me?"
Zhang Dequan's face darkened, but before he could reply, Huang Haijun cut in coldly.
"Director Zhang, a man must keep his word."
Crushed, Zhang Dequan ground his teeth, then fell to his knees with a thud, croaking out, "Grandfather!" before scrambling to his feet and fleeing in humiliation.
Meanwhile, George's attention remained fixed on the blood-red worm. It was his first time encountering such a thing, and curiosity consumed him.
Ye Chu removed the pinning needle and remarked coolly, "Well, foreigner? Do you admit that our medicine surpasses your Western science?"
George blinked back to his senses, nodding fervently. "Unbelievable! There truly was a parasite within Madam Huang's body. Yet when I scanned her earlier with our instruments, nothing appeared."
Ye Chu sneered inwardly. A heart-devouring Gu, fused with flesh and blood—how could mere machines detect it?
"Esteemed sir, would you consider taking me as your disciple?" George looked at Ye Chu with eager eyes. Witnessing such a miracle had ignited his passion for Eastern medicine.
Ye Chu shook his head, preparing to refuse, but George suddenly dropped to his knees with a heavy thump.
"I know! In your Dragon Kingdom, disciples kneel and kowtow before their masters!" He bent forward to bow.
Ye Chu hastily stopped him. "Don't kneel! I do not take apprentices." His heart was speechless—this foreigner was far too direct.
George rose, disappointment clouding his face, and quietly departed. Li Zhengyuan soon followed.
Ye Chu turned to Huangfu Shiyue, intending also to leave.
The day had grown late; it was time to return home.
"Divine Physician, you've labored much today. Stay and share a meal before you go," Huang Haijun urged.
Seeing Ye Chu hesitate, Li Jingxuan added gently, "Please, join us for dinner. We have yet to properly thank you."
Unable to refuse, Ye Chu nodded. "Very well."
Huang Haijun made arrangements at once, and soon a feast was laid before them.
"Divine Physician, I was offensive before. Allow me this cup as an apology." He poured wine himself and offered it to Ye Chu.
Ye Chu lifted a hand. "It was a trifling matter—no need to dwell on it."
His graciousness only deepened Huang Haijun's embarrassment.
Huangfu Shiyue laughed lightly. "It's all in the past. Come, let's enjoy the meal."
The banquet lasted over an hour. As Ye Chu prepared to depart, Li Jingxuan produced a golden card.
"Divine Physician Ye, this is a membership card to the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. With it, you may freely make use of any of our establishments. It is but a token of my gratitude—please, accept it."
Ye Chu accepted without ceremony, slipping it into his pocket before leaving the manor with Huangfu Shiyue.
Outside, dusk had already descended.
"Sister Shiyue, I'll take my leave here," he said, parting ways despite her intent to see him off. He dared not risk being seen at Jiang's household in her company.
Catching a taxi, Ye Chu headed toward the Jiang family villa.
Midway, his phone rang. A strange number. Frowning, he ignored it.
Moments later, it rang again. This time, he answered.
"Boy, if you want to save your little sweetheart, come to the Dynasty Nightclub in the southern district."
A familiar voice sneered over the line—the red-haired thug Ye Chu had beaten earlier.
"Ye Chu, don't come! They… mmph—" The desperate, muffled cry was unmistakably Sun Yurou's.
Ye Chu's expression turned icy. "If you harm her, you will pay dearly."
"Heh, then you'd best hurry," came the mocking reply before the call ended.
Murderous light flashed in Ye Chu's eyes. He leaned forward and instructed the driver, voice cold as steel:
"Change course. Take me to the Dynasty Nightclub in the southern district."