Medical Sage

”Have you not heard the rumors outside? That boy with the surname Chen is supposedly Old Master Xuu’s lifesaver. If that’s true, how could the Central Guard Bureau possibly arrest him?” the elder seated in the main position voiced his doubts.

”It’s just a rumor. It can’t be taken seriously.”

However, hearing this, Second Master Sunx, Sunx Qinian, simply shook his head and said with disdain, ”What kind of status does Old Master Xuu have? He’s from the same generation as our father. How could he possibly get involved with such a lowly brat? Besides, Elder Xunn Lun has been by Old Master Xuu’s side for decades. With his medical skills, which are considered Peerless in the nation, would Old Master Xuu need to seek out anyone else?”

”This…” Hearing Sunx Qinian’s words, the elder in the central seat had nothing to say in rebuttal. It was true. Elder Xunn Lun was the Master of the Medical Sage Hall, hailed as Peerless and the modern-day Bian Que. Moreover, he had been with Old Master Xuu for decades, right up to the present day. With him around, would Old Master Xuu really need anyone else?

”Elder Brother, I also think you’re worrying too much. There aren’t that many so-called Divine Doctors with strange and miraculous skills in this world. Besides, that kid is so young, only in his twenties. How could his medical skills possibly surpass those of Elder Xunn Lun?”

The elder known as Old Five clearly agreed with Sunx Qinian. He then narrowed his eyes, a cold glint appearing within them. ”Actually, I don’t think there’s much to discuss. The Three Great Clans of the Forty-Nine City have been stable for so many years. Now someone is riding roughshod over our heads and picking fights. Are they looking down on our Old Sunx Family? Or do they think we’re easier to bully than the other two families?”

He paused abruptly, a frightening dark aura swirling in his murky, aged eyes as he continued in an ominous tone, ”In any case, we cannot allow such a wicked trend to grow! Otherwise, what will those people outside think of us? I don’t want to hear anyone saying our Old Sunx Family is inferior to the other two!”

”Exactly!”

Hearing this, Sunx Qinian nodded emphatically, his face grim and stern. ”Now that Old Master Chen has passed away, the Chen Family is like a tiger without claws and teeth. What right do they have to be mentioned in the same breath as our Sunx Family? This is a perfect opportunity for the Old Sunx Family to assert our authority and show them what we’re made of.”

”That’s precisely my meaning.”

The elder known as Old Five rose from his seat, squinting as he smiled at Sunx Qinian. ”Second Brother, shall we set out now? For the Central Guard Bureau.”

Sunx Qinian nodded and turned to the elder in the main seat. ”Elder Brother, is that okay?”

”...Alright, you two go ahead.” The Sunx Family Elder hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding. Although he felt something was amiss, the words of Sunx Qinian and Old Five had still persuaded him.

Now that Old Master Chen has passed away, the Chen Family is like a tiger without claws and teeth. What right do they have to be mentioned in the same breath as our Sunx Family? Therefore, now is the best time to establish our authority.

「...」

While the Forty-Nine City was immersed in discussions about this ”earthquake,” the second-generation’s Second Master Sunx, Sunx Qinian, and the Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group, Sunx Lie, had already taken their seats in the office of Zheng Weiguo, the incumbent chief of the Central Guard Bureau. They had arrived uninvited.

”Second Master Sunx, Team Leader Sunx, your distinguished visit is a rare honor indeed,” Bureau Chief Zheng Weiguo said with a broad smile as he personally brewed two cups of tea and handed them to Sunx Qinian and Sunx Lie.

Of course, he knew the reason for their visit, but he hadn’t expected such a show of force. One was Second Master Sunx, and the other, the Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group.

”Not at all. We wouldn’t come uninvited if it weren’t important. I hope you don’t mind, Bureau Chief Zheng,” Sunx Lie said as he accepted the teacup. However, his face and eyes, which occasionally exuded a dark aura, gave him a sinister air.

”You two don’t have to beat around the bush. Just tell me what’s on your minds. As long as it’s something I can help with, I will certainly cooperate,” Zheng Weiguo said, forcing a smile after meeting Sunx Lie’s gaze. He couldn’t help but tremble internally. As expected of a notorious figure from the Dragon Group. Is his imposing presence alone this formidable?

Unlike the other elders of the Sunx Family’s second generation, Sunx Lie had walked a mysterious path. He had inexplicably vanished as a teenager, only to reappear thirty years later, returning to the public eye in the Forty-Nine City. By then, his identity was already that of a squad leader in the Dragon Group, one of the Four Departments of Capital City.

As for where he went or what he experienced during that thirty-year gap, no one knew. Perhaps only Old Lord Sunx and the few at the absolute pinnacle were privy to that information.

”You’re too kind, Bureau Chief Zheng. But we have come with a matter that will require your assistance, and will require you, as the Chief of the Central Guard Bureau, to exercise a bit of your authority.” Sunx Lie’s smile vanished. He took several photographs from a file folder beside him and handed them to Zheng Weiguo. ”Please take a look at these photos first, Bureau Chief Zheng.”

”This is…”

Zheng Weiguo’s eyes flickered as he took the photos from Sunx Lie.

”That’s my Second Brother’s grandson, Sunx Long. I believe you should have some impression of him, Bureau Chief Zheng? Such a fine young man, yet his life was taken for no reason at all. Isn’t it outrageous? Isn’t it a tragedy?” Sunx Lie said slowly, giving Zheng Weiguo a meaningful look.

”Bureau Chief Zheng, although it is no longer appropriate for me to meddle in your daily work given my current status, Little Long was my own grandson, my own kin. Now his life has been taken from him. My heart aches! Can you understand that?” This Sunx Qinian was quite an actor. Although he wasn’t nearly that sad on the inside, he gave the impression that he was on the verge of tears, his heart utterly broken.

Hearing this, Zheng Weiguo could no longer feign ignorance. He collected his expression and said impassively, ”Second Master Sunx, I can understand how you feel right now, but… if you two have something to say, please say it directly.”

”Very well. Since Bureau Chief Zheng doesn’t appreciate us beating around the bush, we’ll be direct.”

Sunx Lie and Sunx Qinian exchanged a look, then said in a deep, slow voice, ”I know this may be slightly against the rules. However, Bureau Chief Zheng, could you hand over the murderer who killed Little Long to our Dragon Group? You can rest assured that we will handle this matter with integrity and in accordance with the law! We will not spare any evildoer, nor will we wrong any innocent person. What do you say, Bureau Chief Zheng?”

As expected. The words echoed loudly in Zheng Weiguo’s mind. If they didn’t want to take someone from his custody, the Sunx Family and the Dragon Group would never be speaking to him so cordially, given their usual disposition.

However, considering their status, they were powerful figures. One was the esteemed Second Master Sunx of the Forty-Nine City, and the other was Fifth Master Sunx, who was also the Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group, one of the Four Departments of Capital City. With such standing, Zheng Weiguo would normally have to grant them any minor favor and show them respect.

Yet, this matter was not so simple. It concerned that little monster. Even Old Master Xuu had personally spoken out.

With this thought, Zheng Weiguo cast aside his distracting thoughts and smiled faintly. ”Team Leader Sunx, you exaggerate. With your status as Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group, you deal with a myriad of matters daily. It’s impossible for you to personally oversee everything. Besides, we have already found some leads in our investigation, so there’s really no need to hand it over to the Dragon Group.”

”No need?” Sunx Qinian’s expression changed abruptly upon hearing this, a surge of anger rising in his chest. He truly hadn’t expected Zheng Weiguo to dare to disrespect the Old Sunx Family over such a trivial matter. What does he mean by this?

”You’ve found some leads?”

Sunx Lie’s eyebrows twitched. His thoughtful eyes glinted as he suddenly said, ”Bureau Chief Zheng, let’s speak plainly. You released that information from the Central Guard Bureau to specifically target our Sunx Family, didn’t you? Are you looking for some kind of benefit, or are you trying to clear that boy’s name? There must be a motive, right? Care to share?”

As expected of the Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group, one of the Four Departments of Capital City. His mind works on a completely different level from ordinary people’s. In just that short exchange, he’s already deduced so much. Sunx Lie thought. A benefit? What status does the Central Guard Bureau have? What benefit could they possibly need? So, it goes without saying… they want to clear the boy’s name?

At this thought, an intense chill spread across his face, giving him a sinister vibe. He said flatly, ”Bureau Chief Zheng, there are some things I’d rather not say. However, you’ve seen our Old Sunx Family’s recent momentum. With Elder Master Chen gone, the Chen Family has become a tiger without teeth or claws, completely unqualified to be compared to our Old Sunx Family.”

”Under these circumstances... are you sure you don’t want to give our Old Sunx Family this face, Bureau Chief Zheng?”

Hearing this, Zheng Weiguo’s smile froze, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes. He hadn’t expected Sunx Lie to be so aggressive, throwing the ”Old Sunx Family” name around again and again. Is he threatening me?

After all, he was the chief of the Central Guard Bureau. To outsiders, he was a man of great power and authority. So, even with Second Master Sunx and Fifth Master Sunx here in person, as long as he hadn’t seen Old Lord Sunx’s attitude on the matter, he, Zheng Weiguo, wasn’t necessarily afraid.

”This is some information my people happened to stumble upon. Would you two care to take a look?” At this thought, Zheng Weiguo’s expression grew much colder. He casually pulled a file folder from his desk and slid it in front of Sunx Lie and Sunx Qinian.

This is the first card I’m playing. Let’s see if they can handle it.

”What is this...”

Seeing the sudden coldness on Zheng Weiguo’s face and his change in attitude, Sunx Lie felt a subconscious seed of unease. He pulled the documents from the folder and flipped through them casually, but his expression quickly turned ashen, then contorted with rage.

”Old Five, what is it?”

Seeing his reaction, Sunx Qinian’s face changed dramatically, sensing that something was wrong. He snatched the file from Sunx Lie’s hands and quickly skimmed through a few pages.

The next second, with a heavy THUD, his teacup slammed onto the table, splashing tea everywhere. He seemed completely oblivious.

”Zheng Weiguo, where did you get this?” he demanded, his face ashen as he stared intently at Zheng Weiguo.

The documents detailed his grandson Sunx Long’s affair with his own son’s mistress, along with irrefutable evidence of Sunx Long hiring a foreign Assassin Organization to assassinate Chen Fei. He had no idea how Zheng Weiguo had obtained this information, but if it were to leak, the reputation of their Old Sunx Family would be utterly destroyed