Chapter 282: Entering the Courtyard

For the past three years, ever since his cultivation went awry, he had suffered from severe asthma every night. It was as if someone were choking him, tormenting him to the brink of death.

He had consulted physicians about this condition, from two-star to three-star, but none could find the root cause. Many medicines were prescribed, but they had little effect.

He had resigned himself to suffering from this illness for the rest of his life, never imagining that this seemingly unremarkable one-star physician would pinpoint it instantly.

Could it be that he only *appeared* to be a one-star physician but was, in fact, a master?

"May I know your name, Physician?" Steward Lu asked, suppressing his shock and stopping the many guards who were about to act, then bowing.

"Bai Chan, from Tianwu Kingdom," Zhang Xuan said calmly.

"So, it's Physician Bai Chan. Might we speak in private for a moment?" Few people knew about his asthma, and he didn't want it to become public knowledge throughout the city.

"Please," Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Uh..." Mo Yu witnessed the entire scene, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief, almost popping out of her head.

By now, even a fool would realize that Zhang Xuan's diagnosis of "asthma" must be correct; otherwise, Steward Lu would never have changed his demeanor so abruptly. No questions, no observations, just a punch to diagnose the illness... using a method for diagnosing spirit beasts to diagnose a human, and succeeding immediately... How could she possibly believe this?

Others might think Zhang Xuan had investigated Steward Lu's condition beforehand and was deliberately revealing it now, but Mo Yu knew better. This fellow hadn't even known about the Grand Apothecary before, so how could he possibly have known about a minor steward? He must have just diagnosed it on the spot.

Subduing spirit beasts by beating them, refining pills by offering pointers, and now diagnosing illnesses by punching people—she had always known he didn't follow conventional paths, but this... this was simply *too* unconventional!

"Let's go and see!" After a moment of shock, she realized the two had already entered the courtyard and quickly followed. Seeing Steward Lu's order, the guards dared not obstruct her.

"Even if I don't know how he diagnosed the illness with a punch, it's useless if he can't cure it!" Mo Yu thought, her mind clear. Red Lotus City, as the largest medicinal herb trading hub among the twelve kingdoms surrounding Tianwu, saw countless apothecaries and physicians. Given Steward Lu's hidden ailment, how could he not have sought treatment? Even two-star and three-star physicians couldn't cure him, so she didn't believe that Zhang Xuan could completely heal him with just a glance.

As she made these private conjectures and entered the courtyard, still wondering what would happen if Zhang Xuan diagnosed the illness but couldn't cure it, she saw the two men who had entered before standing not far away. With just a glance, her body involuntarily stumbled, and she nearly fainted on the spot. Steward Lu, who had just requested a private word, was now standing respectfully before Zhang Xuan, like a student, his eyes filled with excitement and fervor.

"This..." Mo Yu rubbed her eyes hard, afraid she was seeing things. She had only waited a short while before following, and no more than a minute had passed since they entered. Steward Lu had been aggressive and angry just moments ago; how could he have transformed like this in the blink of an eye? If no one was lying unconscious on the ground, she would genuinely suspect that he had knocked someone out again and was using his "disguise" tactic.

Just as she was about to walk over and ask what was going on, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, full of impatience: "Alright, take me to see the Grand Apothecary!"

Mo Yu staggered. Impatient? What do you have to be impatient about? This is the Grand Apothecary's mansion. Aren't you afraid of being beaten to death for showing impatience towards his steward? She expected Steward Lu to show displeasure at such an attitude, but he instead bowed, his demeanor as respectful as if he were greeting his parents: "Yes, this way, please! I'll take you to see the Grand Apothecary right now!"

Mo Yu reeled again, feeling completely disoriented. What on earth happened? Even if he pointed out your illness, it shouldn't warrant such a reaction, should it? Diagnosing an illness and solving it are two different matters. To act like this without a cure—you're utterly spineless! Mumbling to herself, she couldn't resist, taking a few steps to Zhang Xuan's side and quietly transmitting her voice.

"What exactly happened? Steward Lu's attitude, how did it..."

"Oh, he had a problem with his body. I just cured him!" Zhang Xuan's voice replied.

"C-cured him?" Mo Yu's delicate body stiffened, and her head spun. He entered the courtyard barely a minute before her, and he cured the man's illness? Are you kidding me?

"That wasn't an illness; he was just poisoned. I helped him remove the poison, so naturally, he's grateful," Zhang Xuan explained, seeing her confusion. This Steward Lu's nocturnal asthma wasn't due to a cultivation mishap but because he had been secretly poisoned. This poison was extremely peculiar; even three-star physicians couldn't detect it, making it very difficult to cure. However, Zhang Xuan was different. With his Heaven's Path zhenqi, this level of poison could be easily expelled from the body. The treatment was completed in a few breaths; a minute was more than enough time.

"Poisoned? Detoxified?" Hearing him say it so simply, Mo Yu beside him looked utterly distraught. Detoxification is harder than curing an illness! Otherwise, poison masters wouldn't strike fear into countless hearts. Moreover, only true poison masters can detoxify people and remove residual toxins from the body... Didn't you say you knew nothing about poisons, that you didn't even know where the Poison Hall was? When did you learn to detoxify?

She had originally intended to return to Tianwu Royal City after bringing Zhang Xuan here, but now, she found herself increasingly curious about this young man. She wanted to continue following him to see how many more unbelievable miracles he could create.

Ignoring Mo Yu, whose face alternated between red and white as she pondered, Zhang Xuan followed behind Steward Lu, quietly observing his surroundings. No wonder the princess had said it was difficult to sneak in; only after observing for a while did he realize this was true. Not only were the paths throughout the mansion intricate and complex, but it was also riddled with guard posts. Most of these guards possessed Pi realm cultivation, and the formidable commanders had even reached the peak of Tongxuan realm.

Furthermore, array flags and foundations were visible in some corners of the courtyard. Without a doubt, in addition to highly cultivated guards, there were also arrays locking down the area. Without knowing the specific layout and positions, one could easily become trapped and find it very difficult to escape. Guards and arrays were only what was visible on the surface. Since this Grand Apothecary had close ties with the Poison Hall, how could there not be potent poisons involved? Therefore, even with considerable strength, attempting to sneak into this courtyard would be almost impossible.

With the steward leading the way, they proceeded without obstruction and soon arrived at a spacious hall. Upon entering, they saw no fewer than a dozen middle-aged and elderly individuals already seated, each wearing an emblem on their chest. Zhang Xuan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement after just one glance. They were all two-star physicians or above, and three of them had even reached three-star rank. Three-star physicians were top-tier experts even in first-tier kingdoms. To have three gathered here truly spoke volumes about the Grand Apothecary's influence.

"Steward Lu, wasn't the requirement to be at least a two-star physician to enter? Why did you bring a one-star physician here?" a three-star physician asked, frowning upon seeing Zhang Xuan enter.

"Isn't that Physician Bai Chan? This isn't the place for you; please leave quickly!" another physician recognized Zhang Xuan and snorted.

"Physician Muhong, Physician Chengfeng, although Physician Bai Chan is only a one-star, his understanding of the medical dao is profound, which is why I invited him," Steward Lu hastily explained, seeing their disdain.

"Profound understanding of the medical dao? Steward Lu, are you joking?" Physician Chengfeng, who recognized Zhang Xuan, chuckled softly and snorted, "I've known him for at least twenty years; how could I not know his capabilities?" Although Physician Bai Chan was only a one-star physician, he was notorious within the Tianwu Kingdom Physician Guild. He was greedy, lecherous, and had committed many absurd acts, almost losing his physician's qualification once. If not for a stroke of luck at a crucial moment, he might not even have his one-star emblem anymore. Steward Lu actually said someone like *this* had a profound understanding of the medical dao... and specifically invited him...

"Steward Lu, you must have misjudged this time!"

"I know this guy too. He struggled just to become a one-star physician. 'Profound understanding'? 'Invited'?"

"Don't be fooled by this fellow's glib tongue..."

Many in the crowd who knew about this and recognized Bai Chan openly displayed disdain. He was just a one-star physician with no real ability, only capable of buying medicinal herbs and afraid to treat patients. When did he become an expert?

"He..." Hearing everyone's words, Steward Lu was stunned. Clearly, he hadn't expected this formidable physician, who had effortlessly cured a stubborn ailment, to have such a poor reputation. Just as he was about to explain a few things on Zhang Xuan's behalf, a three-star physician in the crowd waved his hand, interrupting him.

"Alright, never mind whether he's one-star or two-star. As long as he keeps his mouth shut and doesn't babble later, it's fine. We are here to treat the Grand Apothecary, Steward Lu. Since so many people have arrived, shouldn't you take us to see him now?"

"Yes, I will now invite the master over for everyone to diagnose!" Hearing that no one was pursuing the matter further, and after arranging for Zhang Xuan to sit to one side, Steward Lu quickly nodded.