Chapter Thirty-Nine: Your Illness Is Not an Illness

In Hua Li’s eyes, his younger brother Wei was thoroughly taken in by this young man. Divine doctor? Nonsense! He was obviously just a fraud. If not for his desire to expose the young man’s tricks for his brother’s sake, he wouldn’t have bothered with so many questions. Normally, he had no interest in exchanging words with someone so young; he would simply have his men give the fellow a beating and toss him on the rubbish heap.

“I told him not to mention me outside,” Su Zheng said calmly, his demeanor unchanged, but his words left everyone momentarily stunned before they burst into laughter.

“Hahaha… Did you hear that? I have to give full marks for this guy’s bragging skills!”

“I can’t take it—did he really just claim he could order Doctor Luo around? I must have heard wrong, right?”

“Second Brother, what kind of big shot have you invited to your house? According to him, even the Li family from Qingyang has to listen to him!”

“Alright, we believe you. Go on, please, keep it up!”

Hua Li’s four or five men, emboldened by their boss’s contemptuous look, now mocked Su Zheng loudly without restraint. It was hard to blame them. Luo Huichun was a legendary name; anyone with the slightest standing knew of this peerless master of traditional medicine, held in the highest regard in the field. For this young man to pose as Luo Huichun’s senior—what a laughable boast!

Hua Li shot his brother a disappointed glare. “Wei, all these years following me, and you still can’t judge people?”

“Brother Hua, you’ve got it wrong. Physician Su is truly skilled, I wouldn’t dare trick you!” Wei’s face was anxious as he protested. Yet inwardly, even he found Su Zheng’s words hard to swallow, suspecting Su Zheng was exploiting Luo Huichun’s name to impress his brother.

“Hmph! You’re about to be sold off and still make excuses for him. Fine, if he’s such a divine doctor, let him diagnose me—see if I have any ailments!” Hua Li slammed his teacup on the table, his tone growing harsher.

“But Brother Hua, you’re in such great shape, you don’t look sick at all,” Wei said helplessly, knowing his brother was deliberately making things hard for Su Zheng.

“Who says? Your brother’s been suffering lower back pain lately, and nothing helps.” Su Zheng interjected, his tone unhurried. “No matter how skilled the doctor, he can’t cure your problem—because it isn’t an illness at all.”

“Watch your mouth! If it weren’t for Second Brother’s sake, I’d have taught you a lesson for that nonsense!” one of Hua Li’s men snapped, his tone growing threatening.

“Quiet!” Hua Li’s expression was now grim. No one enjoys being told to their face they have an incurable ailment; for a hardened figure like Hua Li, even the slightest disrespect was intolerable. He waved off his agitated brother, then pointed at Su Zheng coldly. “You’re the first in Qingyang to curse me to my face. Very good. I was going to visit Huichun Hall this afternoon, but now I think I’ll call Doctor Luo’s apprentice here instead. Let’s have him examine me—if it turns out you’re wrong, I won’t take your life, but you’ll leave your tongue behind!”

“Brother Hua!” Wei’s face changed, glancing at Hua Li in panic before whispering in shame to Su Zheng, “I’m so sorry, Physician Su. My brother just has this temper, please don’t take it to heart. I never expected things to go this far…”

Su Zheng waved a hand, signaling Wei not to blame himself. Then he turned to Hua Li, his gaze frosty.

“Since we can’t see eye to eye, there’s no need for me to share your table. But before I go, let me make one thing clear: this apprentice of Luo Huichun you speak of—is his name Nie Feng? He can’t cure your problem. Not even his master could—because, as I said, you’re not sick at all.”

“Wei, bring me paper and a pen. Quickly,” Su Zheng ordered.

Intimidated by Su Zheng’s presence, Wei didn’t hesitate, and soon a servant brought the requested items. Su Zheng wrote a list of medicinal ingredients on the paper and slapped it on the table. “This is the prescription Nie Feng will give you. Compare it yourself if you don’t believe me. Goodbye.”

With that, he rose to leave.

“Stop! You’re not going anywhere!” Hua Li slammed the table, icy malice glinting in his eyes. Did this young man actually believe he could insult him, claim his back pain was incurable, and just walk away?

Two of Hua Li’s men immediately stood to block Su Zheng’s path.

“Sit down,” one of them said, relying on his strength as he reached to press Su Zheng’s shoulder, convinced the thin young man would crumple at a touch.

But Su Zheng caught his wrist midair, immobilizing him. The man gasped in pain, cold sweat breaking out as if his wrist were caught in a steel vise.

“You’d better sit down yourself,” Su Zheng said coolly. With a slight squeeze, the man’s body convulsed uncontrollably from the pain, and he collapsed onto the floor.

Seeing this, the other man rushed forward, but Su Zheng was faster. He gripped the man’s shoulder—just a little pressure, and the fellow shrieked, half his body going numb and useless.

“Looking for trouble?” Hua Li’s face was thunderous as he reached for his waist, ready to draw a weapon against Su Zheng.

“Brother Hua! For my sake, please don’t make things worse for Physician Su. He saved my life; if you insist on going through with this, start with me!” Wei said firmly, grabbing Hua Li’s hand, pleading yet resolute.

Hua Li’s eyes flickered as if considering something, then he slowly lowered his hand.

“Let him go. Since you’ve spoken for him, as your brother I’ll show some respect. But if Doctor Nie cures me later, I won’t let him off—then you’ll have nothing to say, will you?”

He sank back into his chair, wearing a vicious, mocking smile.

Wei dared not protest further, and motioned urgently for Su Zheng to leave.

Su Zheng glanced back at Hua Li. “Your smile is revolting. But when you come begging me for help, I want to see you cry.”

Ignoring Hua Li’s renewed rage, he turned and left Wei’s villa.