Yun Zhonghe returned to his senses, his face darkening.
Despite all his careful preparations, he had still failed.
Forcing a smile, he said, "Young friend, you are far more formidable than you appear. I concede this round. You may leave."
Ye Chu shook his head. "We'll go, certainly—but first, Third Master, you must apologize to my brother, and compensate him for his injuries."
Zhang Miaochun panicked and tried to interject, but Ye Chu waved him silent.
Yun Zhonghe stared in disbelief. He had already chosen not to pursue the matter, yet the other side pressed on.
"Young man, do not overreach. Yes, I injured your companion, but you also extorted twenty million from me—and harmed my men besides." His voice quivered with restrained fury.
Ye Chu replied calmly, "That may be true. But do not mistake me—I never said I came here to reason with you."
"You—!"
Yun Zhonghe's eyes widened in rage. "Boy, you fight well, but the Yun family is not to be trifled with. Are you certain you wish to escalate this?"
Ye Chu shook his head. "You are mistaken, Third Master. I have already shown mercy. Were it not for the Yun family's name, these men would be far worse than merely injured."
Yun Zhonghe faltered, and Feng Hansan quickly stepped forward. "Third Master, a wise man does not suffer needless loss. Perhaps you should yield, just this once."
Drawing a long breath, Yun Zhonghe subdued his temper and asked coldly, "Then speak. What do you want?"
Ye Chu smiled faintly. "Now that is better. The wise adapt to circumstance. My request is simple: one million in medical expenses for my brother, and an additional fee for my own exertions."
Yun Zhonghe frowned. "What exertion fee?"
"I fought for quite some time—wasn't that tiring enough?" Ye Chu grinned. "I happen to need certain medicinal herbs. Consider them payment for my effort."
Yun Zhonghe's lips twitched, his heart seething with curses.
To injure his men, and then demand payment on top of it—utterly intolerable.
"Third Master, have someone prepare it. I won't ask much—five portions will suffice."
Ye Chu produced a slip of paper. Yun Zhonghe took it, glanced at the list, and his expression grew grim.
The herbs were rare and priceless, worth well over two million each. Five sets would total more than ten million.
This wretch truly takes me for a fool.
Yet he did not erupt. Fixing Ye Chu with a hard stare, he said lowly, "These herbs are scarce. Some are not here—I will need time to procure them."
Ye Chu waved casually. "That's fine."
Without sparing him another glance, he turned to treat Zhang Miaochun's wounds.
"Ye Chu," Zhang murmured, "perhaps we should let it go. The Yun family's influence is vast—we ought not provoke them too deeply."
Ye Chu chuckled softly. "Do not fear. The Yun family alone does not trouble me."
Zhang opened his mouth, but no words came.
Moments later, a troop of security guards and black-clad bodyguards stormed into the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, weapons in hand.
Behind them came two graceful figures—Li Jingxuan and Yun Bingwan.
Ye Chu narrowed his eyes. "So, Third Master, you had no intention of honoring your word?"
Yun Zhonghe snorted. "Boy, I told you—the Yun family is not to be trifled with."
He strode quickly toward the entrance. "Little sister, why are you here?"
"I heard someone was causing trouble at the Pavilion," Yun Bingwan replied.
Li Jingxuan asked curiously, "Who dares stir trouble on Yun family ground?"
The two women had been strolling the marketplace when they saw the guards rushing in. Curious, they followed.
With the crowd surrounding Ye Chu, neither woman had yet noticed him.
Yun Zhonghe pointed. "A mere brat—there he is."
The guards parted, revealing Ye Chu.
"Doctor Ye!" Li Jingxuan exclaimed in surprise, her expression swiftly darkening.
Ye Chu blinked—what a coincidence.
Yun Zhonghe paled. Never had he imagined Ye Chu would know the mayor's wife.
"Doctor Ye, what is going on here?" Li Jingxuan asked, puzzled at the conflict between him and Yun Zhonghe.
Ye Chu did not conceal the truth, recounting the events succinctly.
Li Jingxuan's face hardened. "Fear not, Doctor Ye. I will see that justice is done for you."
She turned to Yun Bingwan, who gave a slight nod. "Rest assured, I will handle this matter."
Looking to her brother, she commanded, "Third Brother, apologize to this young man."
Yun Zhonghe's expression soured. "Little sister, but this boy—"
"Apologize," Yun Bingwan said sharply.
Clearly, Yun Zhonghe feared her. He dared not protest further. After a long pause, he ground his teeth and muttered, "Young friend, I am sorry."
Ye Chu was taken aback. A mere illegitimate daughter, yet Yun Zhonghe bowed to her?
"Well then, since Third Master has apologized, let us put this matter to rest," Ye Chu said lightly. "Though the herbs must still be provided, and the compensation for my brother must not be forgotten."
Yun Zhonghe's eyelids twitched, but he forced a nod. "Of course. I'll see to it at once."
He ordered the attendants to gather the herbs and personally transferred one million to Zhang Miaochun.
Soon after, the clerks returned with five sets of rare ingredients.
Yun Zhonghe handed them over himself.
"Much obliged, Third Master." Ye Chu smiled, then turned to Li Jingxuan. "Madam Huang, thank you for your intervention. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Li Jingxuan smiled warmly. "Safe travels, Doctor Ye."
Ye Chu departed with the still-bewildered Zhang Miaochun.
After they left, Yun Bingwan said to Li Jingxuan, "Jingxuan, go ahead to the Ten Thousand Herbs Hall. I'll join you shortly."
Li Jingxuan nodded and departed.
The moment she was gone, Yun Zhonghe burst out, "Little sister, that boy humiliated me beyond measure—why did you side with him?"
Instead of answering, Yun Bingwan asked, "You said that boy defeated Elder Feng. Tell me exactly what happened."
Yun Zhonghe recounted the earlier encounter in detail.
Yun Bingwan's eyes widened. Turning to Feng Hansan, she said, "Elder Feng, describe your battle with him."
Feng Hansan nodded and gave a meticulous account.
"He even wields the Eagle Claw technique? And mastered it so thoroughly?!" Yun Bingwan was stunned.
Feng Hansan nodded solemnly. "Not only does he wield it, but his mastery surpasses mine. Such skill could only come from years of training. His claim of learning it on the spot must be empty boasting."
Yun Bingwan's beautiful eyes narrowed, her interest in Ye Chu deepening.
"Third Brother, that youth once saved Jingxuan's life. Let today's matter end here. Do not provoke him further."
Leaving these words behind, she departed from the Pavilion.
Ye Chu escorted Zhang Miaochun back to the clinic.
"Ye Chu, thank you. Were it not for you today, I…" Zhang's voice was thick with gratitude.
Though they had only reunited two days prior, Ye Chu had already done so much for him.
If he had been a woman, he might well have pledged himself in marriage.
"It was nothing. Don't dwell on it," Ye Chu said with a reassuring smile. "Focus on healing. Next time, if something happens, call me—don't stubbornly endure."
Indeed, had Zhou Xiaoyun not pleaded for help, Zhang's temperament would have kept him silent even unto death.
Zhang nodded solemnly.
"Miss Zhou, take good care of Miaochun," Ye Chu added.
He had already noticed her affection for Zhang.
Alas, Zhang seemed utterly oblivious.
"Don't worry, I will," Zhou Xiaoyun said earnestly.
After chatting briefly, Ye Chu departed from the clinic.