Chapter 280: Butler Lu

Zhang Xuan, standing before her, had completely transformed, now looking exactly like Physician Bai Chan, who lay on the ground. If she hadn't personally seen him put on the disguise, she would have truly suspected Physician Bai had a twin brother.

She had heard about disguises and transformations before, but Mo Yu had always thought they were just tricks, easy to see through with a bit of care. However, the scene before her completely overturned her understanding.

He had transformed into another person in the blink of an eye, without the slightest flaw... How on earth did this guy do it?

Could it really be... the Profession of Disguise?

According to ancient legends, among the Middle Nine Paths, there was an extraordinary profession called Disguiser. Although it didn't enhance combat power, it allowed one to perfectly mimic anyone they had seen, leaving no discernible flaws. It was considered the best method for concealment and escape.

However, this profession had long vanished from history; no one had ever witnessed it. She had only heard it mentioned by elders in conversation and had dismissed it as a myth. She never expected... it actually existed!

Physician, Beast Tamer, Alchemist, Master Teacher...

She had thought these were already the limits of this young man's abilities, but now he had added disguise to the list!

Normal cultivators might spend their entire lives and not even master one of these, but he seemed to know everything...

Is your family in the business of selling professions? Otherwise, how could you have learned so many before even turning twenty?

How could such a monster exist in this world!

The crucial thing was, being a prodigy was one thing, and following the rules was fine, but he... played completely outside the norm!

Before, she had only thought this guy was annoying to talk to, making people speechless and uncomfortable. She never dreamed... he'd be even more ruthless in action!

At the Beast Hall, he stole the savage beast she had painstakingly tamed—she endured that. This time, he knocked Physician Bai unconscious with a single punch, leaving her to bear the entire blame...

She was just here to help. Who did she offend?

With this blame on her shoulders, how would she ever be able to take the Physician assessment in the future?

The thought filled Mo Yu with an urge to go mad.

"Let's go!"

Ignoring Mo Yu's conflicted expression, Zhang Xuan, now fully prepared, lifted his feet and headed towards the Grand Apothecary's mansion.

The Art of Heavenly Disguise allowed him to alter his entire body's muscles and bones at will. Not only did his appearance perfectly match Physician Bai Chan, but his voice could also be imitated so vividly that it was impossible to discern the difference.

It was precisely because he had this reliance that he decided to impersonate, rather than take the assessment.

As for offending the Physician Guild with this act, he had no worries at all.

No matter what, Mo Yu was a princess. It would be a joke if she couldn't handle such a minor issue.

Besides, impersonating someone was just to meet the Grand Apothecary and get clear directions to the Poison Hall. He wasn't committing any wrongdoing; it was harmless.

"Damn it..."

Seeing him already leave the alley, Mo Yu gritted her teeth and followed.

She was already dragged into this. Even if she wanted to deny it, she couldn't. She had no choice but to go all the way with him.

"It's easy to find a physician's emblem, but what will you do when you meet the Grand Apothecary and can't say anything?"

Some physicians specialize in treating people, others in treating beasts. This guy cured the Heaven-Howling Beast with extreme ease, but treating humans might not be as simple for him.

If he couldn't cure the illness, what good would meeting the Grand Apothecary do?

The two continued on, and before long, they arrived at the Grand Apothecary's mansion once more.

Guards still stood outside. It seemed people knew the Grand Apothecary wasn't receiving visitors, as many stood around discussing but no one dared to approach with a visiting card.

Zhang Xuan straightened his clothes and, recalling Physician Bai Chan's gait, imitated it as he walked towards the entrance.

"Look, someone else is asking for trouble!"

"Heh heh, several clueless people have already been beaten to death today. This guy still dares to come over, he truly doesn't know his limits!"

"Let's watch the show. He probably won't even know he's been poisoned!"

Seeing him step forward to enter, the onlookers around him reveled in schadenfreude.

Countless people wanted to visit the Grand Apothecary every day. Rushing in like that was nothing short of seeking death.

"Halt, both of you!" A guard raised an eyebrow and blocked their path.

"I am a physician!" Zhang Xuan produced the emblem.

"A physician?" The guard looked, then shook his head after a glance: "I apologize, but our mansion only receives physicians of two-star rank and above!"

"Only two-star and above?" Zhang Xuan was stunned, almost spitting blood.

He had heard from that old man that any physician could enter, so he had rushed to find an emblem. He never expected there to be additional requirements.

Even if there was enough time, where would he find a two-star physician's emblem?

One-star physicians mostly had strengths in the Pillaring or Ethereal Realm, easily dealt with. Two-star physicians were typically Grandmaster experts; even if he wanted to snatch one, he wouldn't dare make a move!

"Please return, esteemed sir!" Taking a step forward, the guard made a gesture to leave.

Hearing this and seeing the guard's action, Mo Yu knew there was no hope of getting in. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she saw Zhang Xuan put his hands behind his back and raise an eyebrow.

"How audacious!"

He exuded an irresistible aura of authority: "It's true that I, Bai Chan, am a one-star physician, but who says a one-star physician cannot treat people?"

Mo Yu felt her vision go dark.

It was true that a one-star physician could treat illnesses... but even his one-star status was fake. Where did he get such confidence?

Your guts are too big!

Didn't you see what just happened? People could die from this...

Her heart clenched, and she somewhat regretted coming with this guy.

"A one-star physician can treat illnesses, it's just that..."

The guard clearly hadn't expected such audacity from a mere one-star physician. He paused, then just as he was about to speak again, the middle-aged man opposite him waved his hand, his voice laced with interrogation: "Did those two-star and three-star physicians who went in earlier manage to cure your master's illness?"

"Uh..."

The guard was taken aback.

Many two-star and three-star physicians had come in the past few days, but so far, no one even knew what illness their master had, let alone cured it.

"An emblem's rank does not represent true skill. If you delay your master's treatment, can you bear the responsibility?"

Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow, his voice stern and sharp: "Release the path, and let us in!"

"This..."

The guards exchanged glances, unable to make a decision.

While it was true that higher-ranked physicians generally possessed higher skill, there were also some truly capable ones who simply hadn't taken the assessment for higher ranks.

What if this guy truly had ability but was turned away, and their master placed the blame? Who could bear such a responsibility?

However, the regulations also stipulated that one-star physicians were not to be admitted. For a moment, everyone felt conflicted.

"What's going on?"

As they stood in a stalemate, a voice sounded, and a middle-aged man walked out.

"Steward Lu!" Seeing him, the guards simultaneously bowed.

"What's the matter?"

Stepping out, Steward Lu frowned as he saw Zhang Xuan and Mo Yu standing nearby, blocked by the guards.

"This Physician Bai Chan is a one-star physician..." the guard quickly explained.

"A one-star physician? Just send him away!" Steward Lu waved his hand.

As the Grand Apothecary's steward, he had seen many two-star and three-star physicians. He held no regard for a one-star physician, the lowest rank.

"But he said... if the master's treatment is delayed, no one can bear the responsibility, and he seems confident he can help the master..."

The guard hesitated.

"What arrogance!" Steward Lu snorted, turning to look at Zhang Xuan, his eyes full of disdain: "You say you can cure our master's illness? Many two-star and three-star physicians wouldn't dare make such a claim. Where do you get your confidence?"

These guards might not know about his master's illness, but he knew it very well. Even several three-star physicians had consulted and couldn't figure it out. What could a mere one-star physician possibly know?

"You don't need to know where I get my confidence! If you don't believe me, we can make a bet!"

Zhang Xuan looked at him.

Steward Lu lifted an eyelid, a hint of disdain in his gaze: "What's the bet?"

"You punch me once, and I'll know what illness you have!" Zhang Xuan said, hands clasped behind his back.

"What nonsense! Steward Lu is strong and healthy, what illness could he have?"

"That's clearly baseless talk. I've seen many three-star physicians, and they all use various diagnostic methods. I've never heard of treating illness by punching!"

"He's just putting on an act. Send this kind of person away!"

The guards shouted in unison.

Mo Yu, standing to the side, felt her face burn, almost wanting to dig a hole and jump into it.

When other physicians examined patients, they would observe, listen, question, then carefully investigate and diagnose. She had never heard of diagnosing an illness by punching... Did he think this was a monkey show? Do a few somersaults, and he'd know if there's a problem...

She had initially thought, seeing him cure the Heaven-Howling Beast, that he truly had extensive knowledge of medicine and a high level of skill. But it turned out...

You're not treating a person; you're treating a savage beast!

Savage beasts can't speak; usually, they need to be moved around to discern their injuries or illnesses. Asking Steward Lu to do the same... shouldn't you first confirm if he's a savage beast?

Besides, it's the Grand Apothecary who's ill. Why are you asking his steward to do this...?

"You..."

Steward Lu often interacted with physicians, so he naturally knew that punching and moving limbs were typically for examining savage beasts. His face flushed with anger, and just as he was about to speak, his eyes blurred as a fist shot straight towards him.

"How dare you!"

Seeing a mere one-star physician dare to swing a fist at him right at the Grand Apothecary's entrance, Steward Lu's face darkened, almost bleeding with rage, and he flipped his hands to meet the strike.

"Seeking death!"

"What insolence!"

The guards also hadn't expected Zhang Xuan to be so audacious. Their weapons clattered as they were drawn, radiating murderous intent, and some even held poisons in their palms, ready to throw them at any moment.

Before Steward Lu's palm could even connect, the physician who had attacked him had already retreated to his original spot, hands clasped behind his back, looking calm as if he had never moved.

"Guards, seize him!"

Steward Lu roared.

No matter what the other party intended, Honglian City was the Grand Apothecary's territory. Daring to cause trouble here, whether you were a one-star or two-star physician, even if a prince or princess came, it would be useless!

"Seize me?"

Zhang Xuan shook his head, glancing at the middle-aged man before him: "If Steward Lu believes his nightly asthma is tolerable and nothing to worry about, then I will leave immediately. There's no need for anyone to lay a hand on me!"

"What did you say?"

Steward Lu froze, his face suddenly turning pale.