"You little brat. How dare you insult this old man? Do you have any idea what kind of price you will pay for such arrogance?"
The group of so called Great Master physicians flushed red with fury. Their angry shouts echoed through the room, and a chilling glare filled their eyes.
To these physicians, medical skill was their greatest pride and the foundation of their status. Yet Li Yun had openly dismissed their expertise as idiocy. To them, this was a humiliation beyond endurance, a hatred no less severe than having one’s parents killed or one’s spouse stolen.
Physician Zhao stared at Li Yun with a dark expression and spoke coldly. "Boy, considering your youth and ignorance, this old man can overlook your earlier disrespect. However, you must immediately apologize to us. If not, do not blame this old man for taking harsh measures."
"Li Yun, hurry and apologize to the Great Masters," the Grand Elder urged anxiously. He could tell that these physicians were truly enraged. If matters escalated, even the Xi Family would not be able to protect Li Yun. Although the Grand Elder did not particularly like him, Li Yun had been brought back by Xi Luo, and he did not wish to see him come to harm.
"Apologize? Why should I apologize?" Li Yun replied coldly. "I have not said a single thing wrong."
His gaze swept over the furious physicians, and a mocking smile curved his lips as he continued, "You dare call yourselves Great Masters? You truly have no shame. It is true that Red Blood Jade Ginseng is a second tier spirit herb, but besides healing injuries, its primary effect lies in strengthening the body and refining the meridians.
"The Xi Family Head’s injury is caused by an abnormal energy lingering within his body, one that is continuously damaging his meridians. After enduring this torment for so long, his meridians have already become extremely fragile. Yet you intend to use Red Blood Jade Ginseng to treat him. If he were to consume it, the overwhelming medicinal force would instantly destroy his weakened meridians. Are you trying to save him? In my eyes, you are trying to kill him."
"Young Master Li, is what you said truly correct?" the Grand Elder asked, his expression filled with surprise.
"Whether it is true or not, Grand Elder will know once he examines the Family Head’s meridians," Li Yun replied calmly.
Hearing this, the Grand Elder immediately stepped to Xi Dong’s side. He circulated his qi and carefully sent it into Xi Dong’s body to probe his condition. After a brief moment, he withdrew his hand, his face dark and solemn.
"Young Master Li is right," the Grand Elder said in a deep voice. "The Family Head’s meridians have become extremely fragile and can no longer endure any stimulation. I also know that Red Blood Jade Ginseng strengthens the body and meridians. If the Family Head were to consume it, the violent medicinal force would instantly rupture his weakened meridians, leading to his death."
The group of Great Master physicians hurried forward one after another to examine Xi Dong as well. Each of them reached the same conclusion as the Grand Elder.
At once, their faces flushed with embarrassment. The word "idiotic" that Li Yun had used earlier now rang painfully true. They had prided themselves on being Great Masters, yet they had failed to notice such an obvious and critical flaw. What else could that make them?
"Hmph."
Li Yun had no interest in continuing to argue with these arrogant physicians. He let out a faint snort, walked to Xi Dong’s bedside, and took out a purple fruit. Without hesitation, he fed it to Xi Dong.
The purple fruit was known for its restorative properties. As soon as its medicinal energy entered Xi Dong’s head meridians, the abnormal energy lingering there was quickly dispelled. The strain that had been tormenting his meridians eased almost immediately.
"Great Master Li, how is it?" the Grand Elder asked as he stepped closer, his tone cautious yet hopeful.
Li Yun replied evenly, "The abnormal energy has been completely cleared. The Family Head should regain consciousness shortly. After half a month of quiet recuperation, he should be able to recover fully."
"What?"
The group of Great Master physicians froze in shock when they heard Li Yun’s words. They had gathered for days, exhausting every method they knew, yet none of them had been able to resolve the problem.
Now Li Yun claimed to have cured it in mere minutes after arriving. How could such a thing be possible?
Although Great Master Zhao had already been humiliated earlier, he refused to accept it. He immediately stepped forward and sneered, "Boy, stop talking nonsense. After days of examination, I determined that even a three star alchemist would find the abnormal energy in the Xi Family Head’s body extremely troublesome to deal with. And yet you claim to have resolved it so quickly. This is simply..."
"Cough, cough..."
Before Great Master Zhao could finish the words "utter nonsense," his voice was cut off by a faint and feeble cough.
Everyone turned toward the sound in disbelief.
On the bed, Xi Dong, who had previously lain motionless like a corpse, slowly opened his eyes.
Great Master Zhao’s mouth fell open, and the rest of his sentence died in his throat. His old face flushed red, burning as if he had been slapped in public.
"Today, after meeting Great Master Li, we old men finally understand what it means when people say there is always someone stronger," one of the physicians said bitterly. "We were arrogant earlier, accusing Young Master Li of conceit, but in truth, we were the ignorant ones, like frogs trapped at the bottom of a well. Grand Elder, this old man is ashamed and unworthy to stay any longer."
The other Great Masters shared the same sentiment. They bowed deeply to Li Yun, offered their apologies, and left the room in dejection, unable to remain any longer.
"Father, how are you feeling now?" Xi Luo asked softly as she carefully helped Xi Dong sit up on the bed, her eyes filled with concern.
"It is nothing serious anymore," Xi Dong replied with a weak smile. He then turned toward Li Yun, gratitude clear in his gaze. "Thank you, Young Master, for saving my life."
"You are too polite, Family Head Xi," Li Yun replied with a modest smile. "It was only a small matter. Besides, I merely fulfilled a promise I made to Young Lady Xi. It was simply my responsibility."
Xi Dong smiled and said nothing further. He then instructed Xi Luo, "Xi Luo, go and tell the servants to prepare a banquet at once. I want to properly entertain Young Master Li tonight."
"Yes," Xi Luo replied obediently before turning to leave.
"Family Head Xi, you have only just recovered and still need ample rest. I will not disturb you any longer," Li Yun said as he cupped his hands in farewell.
With that, Li Yun turned and left the room together with Xi Luo.
He had only taken a few steps outside when the Grand Elder hurried after him. His expression was complicated, and the moment he reached Li Yun, he moved as if he were about to kneel.
Li Yun was startled and quickly stopped him, saying with a wry smile, "Elder Xi, what are you doing?"
"This old man said earlier that if Young Master Li could cure the Xi Family Head, I would kneel and apologize," the Grand Elder replied solemnly. "I always keep my word and never go back on it."
He looked at Li Yun with deep remorse and continued, "Young Master Li, this old man was disrespectful before. I hope you will not take it to heart."
"Elder Xi, for a senior like you to kneel and apologize to a junior like me would be far too much for me to accept," Li Yun said with an easy smile. "What was said earlier was nothing more than a joke. Please do not dwell on it."
"Young Master Li truly has a broad and generous heart. This old man admires that greatly," the Grand Elder said with gratitude. After all, given his age and status, kneeling in apology would have left him without any dignity.
After exchanging a few more polite words with the Grand Elder, Li Yun followed the attendants to the guest room that Xi Luo had arranged for him, where he finally went to rest.
Night soon fell.
A servant from the Xi Family came to Li Yun’s guest room and respectfully invited him to the dining hall reserved exclusively for honored guests. By the time Li Yun arrived, a lavish banquet had already been laid out. Xi Dong, Xi Luo, and the Grand Elder were already seated inside.
"Young Master Li, please take a seat at once," Xi Dong said warmly when he saw Li Yun enter. He personally arranged a seat for him in a position of great honor, directly to his right.
After Li Yun sat down, Xi Dong immediately lifted his wine cup and laughed heartily as he addressed him. "This banquet is held mainly to thank Young Master Li for saving my life. In truth, you did not only save me, but also my daughter, Xi Luo. The kindness you have shown to the Xi Family is something I, Xi Dong, will remember for the rest of my life. If Young Master Li ever needs anything in the future, simply speak the word, and I will do everything in my power to help."
"You are too kind, Family Head Xi," Li Yun replied with a polite smile as he raised his own cup.
"Cheers."
At the call, everyone lifted their cups and drained the wine together.
Just as they set their cups down, a panicked shout suddenly echoed from outside the hall.
"Family Head. This is terrible. Something awful has happened."

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