Chapter 281: The Butler

Zhang Xuan had completely transformed, now looking identical to Physician Bai Chan, who lay on the ground. If they hadn't witnessed him donning the clothes, they would have suspected Physician Bai had a twin brother.

Mo Yu had heard about disguises and transformations, but always dismissed them as simple tricks, believing any flaws could be detected with caution. Yet, the sight before her completely shattered her perceptions. In the blink of an eye, he had become another person, without a single flaw. How had he managed it? Could he truly be... a Disguise Master?

Ancient legends spoke of an extraordinary profession among the Middle Nine Paths: the Disguise Master. While not enhancing combat power, they could perfectly imitate anyone they had seen, leaving no discernible flaws, making it the best method for stealth and escape. However, this profession had long vanished from history; no one had ever witnessed it. She herself had only heard whispers of it from elders, believing it to be a mere legend. To her astonishment... it was real!

Medical arts, beast taming, alchemy, master teacher... She had believed these were the young man's limits, yet now he possessed the skill of disguise as well! A typical cultivator might spend their entire life and not even master one of these, but he, on the other hand, seemed to know everything. "Is your family in the business of selling professions? Otherwise, how could you have mastered so much before the age of twenty? How could such a prodigy exist in the world!

The crucial point was, even for a freak, it would be tolerable if he simply followed the rules. But no... he completely defied convention! She had only ever thought this guy was infuriating to talk to, leaving people speechless and frustrated. She never dreamed... that his actions would be even more outrageous! At the Beast Hall, he snatched away the spirit beast she had painstakingly tamed—she had tolerated that. But now, he had knocked Physician Bai unconscious with one punch, and she would be left to bear all the blame. She had only come to help; who had she possibly offended? With this blame on her, how would she ever be able to take the Physician examination in the future? The thought alone filled Mo Yu with an urge to scream.

"Let's go!"

Ignoring Mo Yu's conflicted expression, Zhang Xuan, fully prepared, set off toward the Great Physician's residence. The Art of Heavenly Dao Disguise allowed him to alter his muscles and bones at will. Not only did his appearance perfectly match Physician Bai Chan, but he could also mimic his voice so accurately that it was almost impossible to distinguish. It was precisely this ability that led him to impersonate rather than attempt the examination. As for whether this would offend the Physician Guild, he had no concerns whatsoever. After all, Mo Yu was a princess. If she couldn't resolve such a minor issue, what kind of joke would that be? Furthermore, impersonating someone was merely a means to meet the Great Physician and ascertain the location of the Poison Hall. It wasn't for any malicious purpose, so it was largely harmless.

"Darn it..." Seeing him exit the alley, Mo Yu gritted her teeth and followed. She had been dragged into this mess; there was no way to deny it now. She could only see it through to the end.

"It's easy to find a Physician's emblem, but when you meet the Great Physician later, I'd like to see what you'll possibly say!" she thought. Some physicians specialize in treating humans, while others excel at treating beasts. This guy cured the Howling Sky Beast with remarkable ease, but treating humans might not come as naturally to him. If he couldn't cure illnesses, what good would meeting the Great Physician do?

The two continued their journey, and it wasn't long before they arrived at the Great Physician's residence once more. Guards still stood outside, seemingly aware that the Great Physician was receiving no one. Many people lingered nearby, whispering amongst themselves, but no one dared approach with a visiting card again.

Zhang Xuan straightened his attire, then, recalling Physician Bai Chan's distinctive gait, he mimicked it as he approached the entrance.

"Look, another one looking for trouble!"

"Heh heh, several fools who didn't know their place have already been beaten to death today. This guy still dares to come; he truly doesn't know his limits!"

"Let's enjoy the show. He probably won't even realize it if he gets poisoned to death!"

Seeing him stride directly inside, those gathered around gloated. Countless people wished to visit the Great Physician daily. Rushing in like this was simply courting death.

"Stop right there, both of you!" A guard's eyebrow shot up as he blocked their path.

"I am a Physician!" Zhang Xuan declared, producing his emblem.

"A Physician?" The guard glanced at it, then shook his head. "My apologies, but our residence only receives physicians of two-star rank and above!"

"Only two-star and above?" Zhang Xuan froze, almost spitting blood in frustration. That old man had told him any physician could enter, so he had rushed to find an emblem. He hadn't anticipated additional requirements. Even if there were enough time, where would he find a two-star Physician's emblem? One-star physicians generally possessed strength in the Aperture and Profound Connection realms, easily managed. Two-star physicians, however, were typically Grandmaster experts; even if he wanted to seize an emblem, he wouldn't dare make a move!

"Please leave, sir!" Stepping forward, the guard made a dismissive gesture.

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

"How dare you!" He exuded an undeniable aura of authority. "It's true that I, Bai Chan, am a one-star physician, but who said a one-star physician cannot treat patients?"

Mo Yu felt her vision go dark. A one-star physician can indeed treat illnesses... but your one-star status is entirely fake! Where do you get such confidence? You are incredibly bold! Did you not see what just happened? People could die from this... Her heart clenched, and she began to regret coming along with him.

"A one-star physician can treat illnesses, it's just..." The guard was clearly taken aback by the audacity of a mere one-star physician. He paused, about to speak again, when the middle-aged man opposite him waved a hand, his tone laced with accusation: "Did those two-star and three-star physicians who entered before manage to cure your master's illness?"

"Well..." The guard faltered. Many two-star and three-star physicians had already visited in recent days, but so far, they hadn't even identified the master's ailment, let alone cured it.

"Emblem rank doesn't equate to true skill. If you delay your master's treatment, will you be able to bear the responsibility?" Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow, his voice sharp and severe. "Don't just stand there; let us in!"

"Uh..." The guards exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to proceed. While it was true that higher-ranked physicians generally possessed greater skill, there were also some highly capable individuals who simply hadn't taken the examinations for higher ranks. What if this individual genuinely possessed skill but was turned away, and the master later held them accountable? Who would bear that responsibility? However, the rules also stipulated that one-star physicians were not to be admitted, leaving everyone in a dilemma.

"What's the matter?" As they stood at an impasse, a voice broke the silence, and a middle-aged man emerged.

"Steward Lu!" The guards simultaneously bowed upon seeing him.

"What's happening?" Stepping out of the gate, Steward Lu saw Zhang Xuan and Mo Yu standing nearby, blocked by the guards. He frowned.

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

"A one-star physician? Just send him away!" Steward Lu waved dismissively. As the Great Physician's steward, he had encountered numerous two-star and three-star physicians and held utter contempt for one-star physicians, considering them the lowest rank.

"But he claimed... that if the master's treatment were delayed, no one could bear the responsibility, and he seemed confident he could treat the master..." The guard hesitated.

"What arrogance!" Steward Lu snorted, then turned to Zhang Xuan, his eyes filled with disdain. "You claim you can cure the master's ailment? Many two-star and three-star physicians wouldn't dare make such a boast. Where do you get such confidence?!" The guards were unaware of the master's illness, but Steward Lu knew it intimately. Even several three-star physicians had consulted on it and failed to ascertain its cause. What could a mere one-star physician possibly know?

"You don't need to concern yourself with the source of my confidence! If you don't believe me, we can make a bet!" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

Steward Lu's eyelid twitched, revealing a hint of disdain. "Bet on what?"

"Punch me, and I'll tell you what ailment you have!" Zhang Xuan said, his hands clasped behind his back.

"What nonsense! Steward Lu is robust and healthy; how could he be ill?"

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

"He's just putting on an act. Send him away!" The guards shouted in unison.

Mo Yu, standing to the side, felt her face flush with embarrassment, almost wishing she could dig a hole and jump into it. Other physicians diagnose by observing, listening, asking, then meticulously examining before making a careful diagnosis. She had never heard of diagnosing an illness by punching someone. Did he think this was a monkey show? As if doing a few flips would reveal any health issues... When she first saw him cure the Howling Sky Beast, she thought he truly possessed extensive knowledge of medicine and a high level of skill. But after all this... You're not diagnosing a person; you're diagnosing a spirit beast! Spirit beasts can't speak, so they often need to move around a bit to reveal their injuries or ailments. But asking Steward Lu to do the same—shouldn't you first confirm if he's a spirit beast? Moreover, it's the Great Physician who's ill; why are you involving the steward in this...

"You..." Steward Lu, who frequently interacted with physicians, naturally knew that punching or moving limbs was only for diagnosing spirit beasts. His face flushed crimson with anger, and just as he was about to speak, his eyes blurred as a fist shot directly towards him.

"How dare you!" Seeing a mere one-star physician dare to throw a punch at him right outside the Great Physician's gates, Steward Lu's face turned so grim it looked like it might drip blood. He flipped his hands up to meet the strike.

"You're courting death!"

"What audacity!"

The guards were also stunned by Zhang Xuan's sheer audacity. Their weapons clattered from their scabbards, radiating killing intent, and some even clutched poison in their palms, ready to strike at any moment.

Before Steward Lu's palm could even connect, he saw the physician who had ambushed him already back in his original position, hands clasped behind his back, his expression serene, as if he hadn't moved at all.

"Guards, seize him!" Steward Lu roared. Regardless of the man's intentions, Red Lotus City was the Great Physician's domain. Daring to act so recklessly here, whether you were a one-star or two-star physician, or even a prince or princess, was utterly pointless!

"Seize me?" Zhang Xuan shook his head, glancing at the middle-aged man. "If Steward Lu believes his nightly asthma attacks are tolerable and amount to nothing, then I'll leave now. There's no need for any of you to intervene!"

"What did you say?!" Steward Lu froze, his face abruptly draining of color.