Medical Sage

About half an hour later, a travel-stained Chen Fei arrived at a small, lakeside teahouse in Northern Mountain City.

”Mr. Chen, you’re here?” Secretary Zhuo Qun’s voice came from the entrance. At the sound of it, both Elder Xunn and Old Master Xuu, who were inside, reacted. Their expressions changed subtly, and a gleam of insight flashed in their eyes.

He’s here? Hearing Secretary Zhuo Qun’s voice, the old man’s grandson, Xuu Ji, couldn’t restrain his impulse. He muttered to himself before getting up to welcome them. But just as he was about to push the door open, someone else beat him to it.

With a respectful expression, Secretary Zhuo Qun pushed open the teahouse door. He was followed closely by a young man, no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, who strolled in under his escort, causing Xuu Ji’s expression to freeze in shock.

”You are Chen Fei, Mr. Chen?” Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Xuu Ji was still taken aback by how young Chen Fei was.

He couldn’t help but furrow his brow, a look of impatience and complexity crossing his face. After all, his grandfather was one of the few remaining elder statesmen in Huaxia, a man whose status needed no further description. Yet now, this young man was being led before his grandfather. More importantly, they were pinning their hopes on this greenhorn to cure his grandfather’s illness!

My god, is this some kind of joke? The man is four or five years younger than I am, so what skills could he possibly have? He probably doesn’t even know how to compound medicine, right? Has Elder Xunn... gone senile?

”You are Doctor Chen?”

At that moment, Elder Xunn, who had been standing behind the old man, suddenly took a step forward. A flicker of contemplation passed through his murky eyes, swiftly replaced by shock before vanishing completely. He smiled and extended his hand. ”I am Xunn Lun. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, young man.”

Seeing this, Xuu Ji, Secretary Zhuo, and even Old Master Xuu were all stunned. They were astounded that someone of Elder Xunn’s standing would make such a gesture—personally extending his hand for a handshake and, moreover, introducing himself by name as a complete equal.

This... this... this was simply unbelievable, wasn’t it?

”Xunn Lun? So you are the renowned Dr. Xunn. It’s an honor to meet you. I am Chen Fei. Hello.” Chen Fei was initially just surprised that such an elderly man would be so courteous to him, and he felt rather flattered. But then, his eyes met the other man’s, and he felt a terrifying, vortex-like pressure emanating from them. His heart suddenly clenched, his fingers trembled slightly, and two words involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

A master! A true master!

Thanks to his cultivation of the Immortal Sect technique, the ”Scripture of Meditation,” his senses were at least ten, if not a hundred times sharper than an ordinary martial artist’s. Yet now, despite his cultivation level at the dignified Qi Refining Fourth Layer, a mere glance from this man had left him unsettled, even afraid. What did that mean? It meant the other party was very likely an expert of heaven-defying strength, someone whose power surpassed generations!

Damn, with this level of skill, even my master would be nothing before him, right? I never thought Elder Xunn would be this terrifying. Is he at the Innate Late Stage Peak, or perhaps even an Innate Grandmaster?

Frankly, even his master Ming Daochuan, a man over a hundred years old, was not as formidable. It was clear this man’s strength surpassed his master’s.

Impressive! This is truly impressive!

”Chen Fei, a good name. I’ve long heard of you. It’s true what they say, seeing is believing. I didn’t expect, Doctor Chen, that not only is your medical expertise profound, but even your... you truly leave this old man no choice but to admit his inferiority,” Elder Xunn said with a surprised smile, not expecting the young man to see through to his depths. He couldn’t help but express his admiration.

Indeed, talents arise with each new generation, each leading the way for centuries. This old bag of bones is truly getting old... so old!

Hearing this, Xuu Ji and Secretary Zhuo could only exchange glances, their eyes filled with utter shock. It was unavoidable; the scene was just too astonishing. They never imagined that a mere young man like Chen Fei could receive such acclaim from Elder Xunn. No, this was beyond acclaim; it was an expression of pure awe.

But how was this possible!?

Who was Elder Xunn? He was the Master of the Medical Sage Hall, the Smiling Death God who had struck fear into the circles of Forty-Nine City decades ago, a personal attendant to the nation’s leaders! So many of the younger generation’s brightest talents had exhausted themselves just for a single word of his praise, only for most to return defeated and dejected. The very few who succeeded would boast about it for the rest of their lives.

If those people in the Capital City knew that a young man in his twenties had earned Elder Xunn’s heartfelt admiration after a single meeting, what would they think? It was simply beyond belief.

”Old Xun, you two are speaking in riddles, and it’s making this old man’s head spin. Do you mind letting me in on the secret?” even Old Master Xuu couldn’t help but ask.

Hearing this, Elder Xunn glanced at Chen Fei. Seeing him mouth the words ”keep it secret,” he smiled and nodded. He then turned to the old master and mouthed the word, ”Innate.”

The old man gasped, drawing in a sharp breath. Despite his status and years of experience, his legendary composure failed him. He stared at Chen Fei again, his eyes filled with a new level of shock.

An Innate expert in his twenties... even the strongest heirs in the history of the First-Class Ancient Martial Arts Sects couldn’t all achieve such a feat. And now...

”Indeed, each era brings forth new talents who excel for centuries. For Huaxia to have a hero like you emerge is truly a blessing from the heavens,” he couldn’t help but exclaim. One could only imagine how shocked and stupefied Xuu Ji and Secretary Zhuo Qun were upon witnessing this.

”Elder, you flatter me. If not for you and the other heroes of your time, people like me wouldn’t be here today. Since I have the honor of meeting you, please accept my bow,” Chen Fei said slowly, then unhesitatingly bent his tall, straight back. The man before him was a hero of his era; he was worthy of such respect.

As Chen Fei bowed, the old master’s eyes narrowed. A wild, domineering aura, like that of a long-slumbering ancient beast, suddenly erupted from his aged frame as he quietly accepted the gesture. His eyes, however, grew moist. Although he hadn’t endured decades in the turmoil of war for the sake of a bow, Chen Fei’s deeply sincere action made him feel that their generation had not been forgotten. The merits they had fought for with their lives were still remembered, still acknowledged by the youth. That was enough.

My struggles back then were not in vain!

”Mr. Chen, you should be aware of the reason we’ve come to find you, right? The Chief is feeling somewhat unwell, you see...” Elder Xunn said slowly at this moment.

”Yes, I know. It’s because of the gu poison in the elder’s body, isn’t it?” Chen Fei replied as he slowly straightened up, a glint in his eyes.

”You could tell?” Even with Elder Xunn’s legendary composure, he couldn’t help but be flabbergasted.

It had taken him nearly a week of observation to diagnose the old master’s condition. But Chen Fei had only just walked in and met the old Chief, yet he had hit the nail on the head with a single sentence. How could he not be shocked?

Upon hearing Chen Fei’s words, Xuu Ji and the old master stared in disbelief, while Secretary Zhuo was simply confused. After all, if even Elder Xunn was this stunned, how could they possibly remain calm? This implied that Chen Fei’s medical skills were superior to Elder Xunn’s! And not just by a little... but by a lot.

How was that possible!? He was only in his twenties! How could he have reached such a level?

I see it, but that’s not the main issue. This seems rather troublesome... The elder’s condition isn’t as optimistic as I first thought. It seems... his time is almost up!? Chen Fei murmured to himself, his eyes narrowing.

”That’s not the main issue?” Elder Xunn’s expression changed drastically. ”Mr. Chen, have you discovered something else? This is a matter of great importance. Can you please speak frankly?” If that wasn’t the main issue, then things were truly dire.

”...Is it a convenient time to speak?” Chen Fei asked hesitantly, glancing at Secretary Zhuo and Xuu Ji.

”Elder, Elder Xunn, Mr. Chen, I’ll step outside and stand guard,” Secretary Zhuo reacted immediately, bowing before excusing himself from the room.

”Then I’ll also...” Xuu Ji began to retreat as well.

”Little Ji, you stay. There’s nothing you need to be shielded from.” Just then, the old master spoke up, a calm smile on his face. ”Young man, you can tell us now what’s going on. Don’t worry, speak your mind. This old frame of mine can take it.”

”Alright then, Elder. I’ll be direct. Your time... is near,” Chen Fei said softly.

What?

His time... is near!?

Elder Xunn was taken aback, and the old master himself looked stunned.

Only Xuu Ji, hearing Chen Fei dare to curse his grandfather, couldn’t stop himself from blurting out in anger, ”You—you’re talking nonsense! Impossible!”

”Silence! Who taught you to speak like that? Apologize to Mr. Chen immediately!” Before he could finish, the old master’s expression hardened, and he roared at him with a stern voice.

”Grandpa, I... he...”

Startled by his grandfather’s outburst, Xuu Ji, though feeling wronged, immediately bowed his head to Chen Fei. ”Mr. Chen, my apologies. I was too agitated. I’m truly sorry, it was my fault.” In the face of his grandfather’s anger, he didn’t dare act out of line again. Even as Xuu Ji, the most beloved grandson, he knew he could not defy that tone.