Chu Yu and Wei Yun entered the city wearing cloaks. As they reached the gates, Chu Yu instinctively gripped her sword, surveying their surroundings warily.
When they approached the entrance, the guards didn’t even stop them, merely leaning against the side while cracking melon seeds, letting them pass without question.
Chu Yu exhaled in relief and quickly led Wei Yun into the city. She first found an inn to settle him in, then asked the innkeeper for directions to a physician before taking Wei Yun to seek treatment.
Not daring to visit the large clinics in the city center, Chu Yu headed toward the outskirts. Finally, in a desolate corner of the city, she found a simple earthen house. Just as she reached the door, she heard a lazy male voice from inside, speaking in the Great Chu dialect:
"Pass me some atractylodes."
"Here."
A young girl’s voice responded. The man then said, "Give me some angelica."
"Here."
"Give me some—"
"Are you annoying or what?!" the girl suddenly roared. "It’s right next to you—why must I hand it to you?"
"If I don’t make you do it, how else can I prove you’re my disciple?"
The man chuckled. Chu Yu stepped closer and knocked politely. Both the girl and the man turned to look, and Chu Yu finally got a clear view of him.
He was a very young physician, appearing just over twenty, dressed in a white silk robe that shimmered with a faint blue hue under the sunlight. Half of his hair was casually tied up with a jade hairpin, while the rest cascaded loosely, gleaming like his robe as it draped over his shoulders.
Seated behind a desk, he raised an eyebrow when he saw Chu Yu carrying someone on her back. "Oh? This young lady’s got some strength."
"Quick," he waved at the girl beside him. "Help the guest bring him in."
The girl rolled her eyes but still stepped forward to assist. Chu Yu smiled and carried Wei Yun inside, carefully placing him before the physician. "Sir, please take a look."
Wei Yun extended his wrist, his eyes lowered, but his ears remained alert to the sounds around him.
The physician nodded. "Great Chu folk."
As he took Wei Yun’s pulse, he rested his chin on his hand, studying him for a moment before withdrawing and leaning back in his chair. "I can treat him, but let’s discuss payment first."
"I have one tael of gold," Chu Yu offered.
The man smirked. "You think I’m a beggar?"
Wei Yun spoke calmly. "Sir, we don’t have much on us now. If you treat me, I won’t forget your kindness in the future."
"Fine," the physician nodded. "Write me an IOU—a hundred taels. Of gold."
Wei Yun frowned. The man turned to Chu Yu. "Madam, if you don’t agree to this, I can guarantee your husband’s legs will be crippled for life. Owe me a hundred taels, and I’ll give you a fifty percent chance of healing him."
"Fifty percent?!"
Chu Yu was taken aback. The man grinned. "What, you think I’m lying? Go ahead—carry him out and ask around the city. Who else dares say they can cure him?"
"Anyone who dares say so has already been beaten up by you," the girl remarked flatly.
The young man turned and lightly smacked her head. "You asking for a beating too?"
Wei Yun and Chu Yu remained silent. After a moment, Chu Yu stood. "I’ll take you—"
"Bring the paper and brush," Wei Yun cut in decisively.
The physician smiled brightly at him, pushing the writing tools forward before lazily stretching and glancing at Chu Yu. "Truly, it’s easier to meet the King of Hell than to deal with his little demons."Wei Yun silently finished writing the IOU, then pressed the pen straight into the table as if it were a dagger. The pen sank halfway into the palm-thick wooden surface. Leaning forward, he fixed his gaze on the other person and said calmly, "The IOU is written. If my leg isn't healed properly, you won't be keeping your head either."
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