Interlude: The Father''s Tale Part III

    ~~~

    Barely a week after Liu Jianguo talked with the young man from the Xiao Sect, members of the Xiao Sect were dispatched all over the city. They went to every major marketplace, every plaza, and even to those who lived outside the city walls. Their words varied sometimes, but the message they delivered was the same.

    Any doctor who wished to test his skills was free to knock on their gates.

    Naturally, this had sent the entirety of Eastern Port City into a frenzy. The city buzzed with conversation and even Liu Jianguo, who preferred to keep to himself, could not escape it. There was no doubt in anyones mind now. It might have started out as a rumor, but it was now an undeniable fact.

    Xiao Zheng was not well.

    For the Xiao Sect to call upon the doctors of the city like they had done was unthinkable. The Xiao Sect was the strongest Sect in Eastern Port City. They already had some of the best doctors in the city working for them and could afford the services of someone like Doctor Wu. There was no need for them to bother with all the other nameless, lesser doctors of Eastern Port City.

    Those doctors were for the common people. They werent worthy of meeting the eyes of anyone in the Xiao Sect. That was something everyone in the city understood.

    If they were calling all doctors in the city, it was because they had no other options.

    In other words, they had already called on all the best doctors in the city, and that hadnt worked.

    All that was left for the Xiao Sect was to rely on the chance that someone in the city might be able to help. For the dozens of doctors working in the city, it was without a doubt a one in a million chance. If they managed to heal whatever ailed Xiao Zheng, their fortunes would change overnight.

    However, as far as anyone knew, no one had gone to the Xiao Sect yet. Even though it was the offer of a lifetime, no one had dared to answer the call. The reason why was obvious.

    What would happen to them if they failed?

    If they were to go to Xiao Sect only to come up short, wouldnt that mean they had just wasted the Xiao Sects time?

    The Xiao Sects gratitude was sure to be something beyond their wildest dreams.

    The Xiao Sects wrath was sure to be something beyond their darkest nightmares.

    That was why for the weeks that followed the announcement, the doctors of Eastern Port City carefully considered their odds. It was a decision that would likely affect the rest of their lives. Thus, it needed to be taken with utmost care.

    When their patients asked if they would go to the Xiao Sect to try their luck, they laughed and tried to play it off while fiercely weighing the odds inside their minds.

    However, Liu Jianguos case was different.

    I still say Doctor Liu should go!

    The young man from the Xiao Sect who had become a regular at his clinic crossed his arms as Liu Jianguo examined him. This time he wasnt there due to any injury or illness. The young man had just come for a check-up.

    It was the second time in as many weeks that he had done so.

    His real reasons for visiting Liu Jianguo were dreadfully transparent. He was trying to encourage the doctor to take up the Xiao Sects challenge. Although the fact hadnt been officially confirmed, the young man made no effort to hide it was Xiao Zheng who needed medical help.

    If someone like me were to show up at the Xiao Sects doorstep, I would only be offending them, Liu Jianguo said. It was not the first time he used this argument. Besides, how could someone with my skills be of any use to the Patriarch of the Xiao Sect? Such a thing cannot possibly be.

    That part was a lie.

    Liu Jianguos case was far different from that of the other doctors in the city. They were hesitant to approach the Xiao Sect because they feared failure. Liu Jianguo, however, did not fear failure.

    Liu Jianguo didnt fear failure because he knew hed succeed.

    If he went to see Xiao Zheng, there was no doubt in his mind that he would figure out what was wrong with him. At the very least, hed be able to identify his condition. Although whether Xiao Zheng could be healed or not would largely depend on the medicine required and the resources available to the Xiao Sect.

    However, how would he be able to explain it?

    If a cripple like him were to succeed where the best doctors in the city had failed, how would he be able to play it off? Such a thing would draw unwanted attention. The glory and riches other doctors wanted would become nothing but shackles around his neck. His reputation would grow beyond his ability to manage and would surely draw the envy and enmity of many.

    Liu Jianguos mind flashed to Liu Jin resting in his crib, and he felt his gut wrench.

    He could not afford to attract the wrong kind of attention. He felt sorry for Xiao Zheng, but his was not a life he could save. Not if he wanted his son to live a happy life.

    If angering the Xiao Sect is what Doctor Liu is worried about, then this one will go with him and protect him, the young man from the Xiao Sect said, lightly bumping his chest with his fist. This one is an Inner Disciple of the Xiao Sect. If this one were to bring Doctor Liu there, then hed not need to fear the Xiao Sect punishing him. Itd be my responsibility.

    If he did that and Liu Jianguo managed to heal Xiao Zheng, itd be the same as claiming credit for Xiao Zhengs recovery. However

    If you do that and the Xiao Sect is angered by my presence, you would be the one to receive the punishment.

    Past a certain point, it became hard to tell the difference between centimeters and decimeters.

    We recognize you, Brother, the other guardian spoke. It is the man behind you we ask about. Who is he for you to bring him to our door?

    Why, my friend here is a doctor, Li replied without hesitation. I asked, and he has come to answer the call of our most precious Xiao Sect.

    For a moment, there was silence.

    Brother, I will ignore the joke you told just now, the gate guardian who spoke first said. I advise you to turn away right now.

    I thank Brothers kindness, but this one has not told any joke.

    What else can bringing a cripple to our doors be called?! The second guardian said, his face angry. Even for a joke, this is too far!

    We called for doctors, did we not? Li said, moving to stand in front of Liu Jianguo. Does he not have the right to try his luck?

    Brother, do you even understand what you are doing? The consequences of your actions could be-

    Whats going on here?

    At once, all gazes turned towards the source of that voice. Standing there was a young child who was not even ten yet. He was dressed in fine robes of white and blue. However, while Lis robe was mostly white with blue borders. The childs robe was of a dark blue color with a white collar and a white sash tied around his waist. On his hands, there was a bag of sweets, one of which he was currently munching on.

    The armband around his arm was yellow.

    The effect of his presence was instantaneous. At once, the guards bowed their heads to him and offered their greetings.

    Greetings, Young Master Xiao Nan!

    The child looked at them in silence for a moment. He took one of his sweets and popped it into his mouth, chewing loudly.

    Those are some nice greetings, the child said. They dont really answer my question, though. Are perhaps your ears not working?

    Young Master Xiao Nan, Li cried out before the guards could act as he too knelt down. This one has brought a doctor to the Xiao Sect. This one hopes that he is allowed to treat our honorable Patriarch.

    Young Master, there is no need to pay attention to this fool, this one will quickly take-

    Its fine.

    Young Master?

    It said its fine, Xiao Nan said, looking bored. Ill allow it. Its fine. Open the gates for them.

    B-but Y-Young Master! spluttered the first guard. How can we possibly allow a cripple like him into our Xiao Sect!

    Were the ones who called the doctors of Eastern Port City because we feared asking help from Sects outside the city, werent we? Xiao Nan replied, rolling his eyes. I cant say I get it, but that was what Uncle chose. If so, we have no right to complain when one does exactly what we asked of them. Open the gates.

    The guards eyes grew progressively wider as the child spoke. B-but...

    Xiao Nan narrowed his eyes. I wasnt aware you had permission to argue with your betters. Open. The. Gates.

    A single glare was all it took for the guards gazes to drop down, too scared to meet Xiao Nans gaze. Wordlessly, they followed Xiao Nans instructions.

    Hey, you! He said to Li, who was still kneeling.

    Y-Yes, Young Master?

    You might think Im doing you a favor, but if this goes wrong, you know whats going to happen to you, right? Uncle doesnt like having his time wasted or his hopes raised in vain. You look like youre about to do both.

    Li swallowed. I understand Young Master.

    Good. Just checking.

    Once the gates were fully open, Xiao Nan stepped inside the Xiao Sects compound.

    Li and Liu Jianguo followed after him.

    ~~~