Chapter 566: Agree or disagree? (2/2)
Chu Yunyi chuckled lightly. “When have you placed any importance on the medical academy’s rules?”
“Nether Clan Head, there’s no 100 percent guarantee that the early labor will succeed. A careless mistake could cost two lives instead,” the white-robed man replied.
“With your skills, this old man has nothing to worry about,” Chu Yunyi said, his smile growing cold. “It was hard for this old man to find you. You’re not going to ask me to find someone better qualified again, are you?”
“This junior certainly has the skills to induce early labor, but I would never agree to do it. Nether Clan Head, what fault does a seven-month old baby have? Why force an early birth instead of allowing a normal process of development? Do you know how much suffering a premature baby has to endure just to survive? And how sickly they’ll be for the rest of their lives?” the white-robed man asked.
Rejected once again, Chu Yunyi’s tone grew cold as his temper flared. “This old man just knows that child needs to be here soon. Otherwise, there’s no need for the baby to exist anymore! This old man will ask you one last time, are you helping us or not?”
The white-robed man rose to his feet and bowed with his hands clasped in front of his chest. “I regret that I cannot comply with your wishes.”
“You!” Chu Yunyi slapped the table and stood up. “Do you know the importance of the throne at West Liang?”
Long Feiye was nearly on his way to Western Zhou, where the emperor already dreaded the might of their Chu Clan. If Long Feiye involved himself in their mess, it’d be even harder for the Chu Clan to exist peacefully in their home country. Thus, they had to quickly seize Tianning’s throne at West Liang. Although Tianning Country itself had broken up into three separate power factions, reducing Emperor Tianhui’s territory to West Liang city, his might was still formidable. As the saying went, ‘a lean camel that dies of starvation is still bigger than a horse.’ The military might, wealth, and territory in Emperor Tianhui’s hands were all things that the Chu Clan desperately needed.
Currently, both the Chu Clan and Western Zhou were Chu Qingge’s sources of support. They also helped Emperor Tianhui stand up against the forces of Tianan Country, led by Long Tianmo, and the southern central regions where Long Feiye dwelled. But before long, Tianning would become the Chu Clan’s source of strength to challenge Western Zhou instead.
There were never permanent friends nor allies in the royal court; the same logic held for one’s enemies as well. Sources of support wouldn’t last forever, either. The only way to hold power was to make sure it was all under your own hands! Chu Yunyi was a man full of ambition. The Chu Clan’s schemes were also wide and far-reaching, but the white-robed man didn’t care for any of that. Even if this was the first time he’d seen Chu Yunyi so furious, he was still serene and peaceful. He didn’t say much, only remarked lightly, “If there’s nothing else, this junior will take his leave.”
He made to turn and leave, but Chu Yunyi wouldn’t let him off that easy. “Gu Beiyue, you’ve rejected this old man twice. Where does your heart truly lie?”
“…..” said Gu Beiyue.
Yes, the white-robed gentleman was none other than the former Head Imperial Physician of Tianning’s royal court, now the in-residence doctor at Pill Fiend Pharmacy. He had laid low in Tianning for many years without no one but the Nether Clan aware of his true identity and origins. Those in the clan never called him by his full name—today could count as the first time. It was a testament to Chu Yunyi’s true rage, but Gu Beiyue simply opened the door and prepared to step out.
“Someone come, stop him!” Chu Yunyi ordered, and a team of archers soon surrounded the tiny courtyard on all sides. All of them only held arrows with no bows. Faced with such an array, anyone would back off, but Gu Beiyue simply kept walking. The archers grew flustered first because they didn’t know how to stop him. In response, the Nether Clan Head simply grabbed an arrow and attacked on his own!
The object flew straight past Gu Beiyue, a clear warning. But he remained aloof and indifferent.
“Is your Shadow Clan planning to break off with our Nether Clan? If your grandfather knew this, he wouldn’t be content even if he was up in Heaven!” Chu Yunyi roared.
“Nether Clan Head, your words are too severe. If my grandfather was still alive, he would also refuse to do such a cruel and ruthless thing.” Gu Beiyue was almost gone before he added, “Nether Clan Head, if this junior hears any new regarding the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion, I will tell you promptly.”
By now he was right in front of the archers, none of whom dared to shoot without orders. All they could do was make way for the man while the Nether Clan Head looked coldly at his retreating form. His expression had completely fell, but he still couldn’t move to really kill Gu Beiyue. In the end, he only let the man go.
—
General Chu—Chu Yunyi’s brother and the head of the Chu Clan—arrived on the scene after Gu Beiyue had left. “Why didn’t you stop him?” he asked.
“What’s the use of that? At least he can be a spy while he’s still at Pill Fiend Pharmacy,” Chu Yunyi murmured back.
“This brat is on good terms with Han Yunxi. He’s offended Emperor Tianhui multiple times just to help her. As I see it, Han Yunxi merits another investigation!” General Chu was a prudent type, but Chu Yunyi disagreed.
“We’ve already got to the bottom of it. He’s only interested in her because of the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion. Han Yunxi’s poison skills are advanced and mysterious. If she really gets the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion, it won’t be difficult for her to crack it.”
General Chu nodded and muttered to himself, “I was overthinking things. If that’s his aim, then we can still keep him.”
“How goes things with Qingge?” Chu Yunyi asked next.
With Chu Tianyin captured, Chu Qingge’s side was like a host of dragons missing their head.
“Witch Aunt is already with her. As for inducing early labor…why don’t we find someone from Medical City?” General Chu suggested.
“Medical City…” Chu Yunyi’s eyes glittered. After a long while, he finally spoke. “Even if it’s Medical City, we’ll need to find someone of at least rank seven—a Medical Sage—to prevent any chance of failure.”
“Medical Sage…then there’s only three possible choices. There’s the Head Elder Ling Guyi1, Second Elder Li Xiuyuan2, and Third Elder Shen Jueming,” General Chu replied.
1. Ling Guyi (淩古易) – Ling is a surname that means “insult, bully, rise high/tower aloft,” Gu is “ancient,” and Yi is “easy, amiable.”
2. Li Xiuyuan (李修远) – Li is a surname that also means “plum (tree),” Xiu means “to cultivate,” and Yuan means “far away, distance, remote.”