Morning sunlight streamed through the brand-new windows into the luxurious bedroom on the second floor of the Wang Pai Divine Medicine Hall.
On the spacious bed, Liu Yuexin stirred slightly before opening her eyes brightly. She felt reborn! Not only was her body free of aches and pains, but it was also miraculously brimming with energy. The Qi circulating within her was noticeably purer and denser than before.
She turned to look at her "Master" lying beside her with a sweet, blissful smile... before her smile turned into a suppressed giggle.
The image of "Uncle Wang" right now was truly comical!
He lay breathing weakly, utterly drained. Dark circles under both eyes made him look like a panda. The wrinkles on his face, which usually gave him a dignified air, now looked haggard, aging him by several years! His condition was no different from someone who had just survived a fierce battlefield... which wasn't far from the truth! Last night's battles... both with the "patient" at the Li Family Manor and the "disciple" in his own shop... had been truly intense.
Wang Cheng struggled to peel his eyes open. His entire body ached, especially his back and lower waist.
'Damn system!' he groaned inwardly. 'Is this Dual Cultivation to enhance power, or milking a cow!? Why do I feel like I've been drained dry like this!'
"Good morning, Master!" Liu Yuexin's clear voice rang beside his ear. "Did you sleep well last night?"
The question, seemingly innocent but laced with hidden meaning, made Wang Cheng want to grab the girl and spank her bottom hard!
He tried to sit up but let out a soft groan.
"Ouch... my back... my back... Yuexin, you little brat... tell me the truth. Did you sneak some aphrodisiacs last night!? Why were you so energetic and tireless like that!"
Liu Yuexin giggled adorably. She scooted closer and began to massage her master's shoulders attentively.
"It's because Master's 'Yang Medicine' is of such high quality. Yuexin feels that her Qi has been purified to another level... Master is truly the best!"
She praised him sweetly before whispering in his ear with a pleading tone.
"...Tonight... you must 'examine' me again, okay?"
Wang Cheng's eyes widened in horror!
"Stop! Tonight is a break!" he refused, his voice cracking. "Let Uncle recover first! If this continues, I'll surely die young all over again!"
His panicked reaction made Liu Yuexin laugh happily.
After teasing each other for a bit, the atmosphere returned to work mode.
Liu Yuexin began reporting the shop's status fluently, while Wang Cheng explained the plan to generate hype for the "Foundation Establishment Pill" for the upcoming auction.
While the two were enthusiastically planning...
The sound of heavy, disciplined footsteps from a large group of people rang out in front of the shop!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Ten royal guards in gleaming silver armor marched into the shop in unison! On their armor was the emblem of a "Tiger Clenching a Sword," the symbol of the "City Lord's Manor"!
The atmosphere inside the shop instantly became tense!
The Captain of the Guards, a man with a scarred face and fierce eyes, stepped forward. He swept his gaze around the beautiful shop before stopping at Wang Cheng.
"This is the Wang Pai Divine Medicine Hall... and you are 'Uncle Wang,' correct?"
Wang Cheng bowed slightly with humility. "I am. May I ask what business the Captain has?"
"No need for formalities!" the Captain said sternly. "The City Lord has issued an order! Invite you to the City Lord's Manor... immediately!"
Liu Yuexin immediately stepped in front of Wang Cheng to block him. "Why does the City Lord want to invite my Master!? My Master is just an ordinary doctor; he has never done anything illegal!"
The Captain glanced at her coldly. "Step aside, little girl! This is an order, not a request!"
Wang Cheng placed his hand gently on Liu Yuexin's shoulder, signaling her to calm down. Then he turned to face the Captain with his usual calm smile.
"I am but a country doctor. Surely I haven't done anything to offend the City Lord?"
The Captain's gaze softened slightly upon seeing his calm demeanor.
"It's not that... It's about the Eldest Young Master... the City Lord's only son."
He sighed deeply. "The Young Master has fallen ill with a strange condition for months... His body is withering away daily like a plant without water. The City Lord has invited divine doctors from all over the realm, but no one can cure him... Until rumors began to spread that a 'Nameless Doctor' has appeared in our city, capable of curing incurable diseases... The City Lord has commanded me to 'invite' you to take a look."
His use of the word "invite" was as heavy as a hammer blow... It was clearly coercion!
This was an extremely dangerous situation!
However... Wang Cheng smiled faintly.
'A new mission has arrived, I see...'
He bowed again. "Since it is a matter of life and death... as a doctor, how could I dare refuse?"
He paused slightly before stating his own condition.
"But I have one condition... Treating complex illnesses requires an assistant who knows my methods... My disciple here must come with me."
He nodded towards Liu Yuexin.
The Captain looked at Liu Yuexin, then at Wang Cheng, before nodding indifferently.
"As you wish! As long as you come! Let's move!"
Wang Cheng turned to give Liu Yuexin a reassuring look before walking out of the shop gracefully, leading the guards... stepping into a new battlefield that was both dangerous and filled with sweet rewards...