CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 7: FULLY HEALED

The days have not been easy for the Zhao Family recently, as the only heir of the Zhao Family was injured. Both the master and the servants wore grim expressions, casting a heavy gloom over the entire residence.

Zhuo Shiyu had been to the Zhao residence before; the servants all knew her, and Zhao Yunchi’s parents were very pleased with her. They hoped for a match between Zhuo Shiyu and Zhao Yunchi and had instructed that she need not announce her visits. Thus, Zhuo Shiyu led Gu Qingqing and the others directly to Zhao Yunchi’s courtyard.

In Zhao Yunchi’s room, Master Zhao and Mrs. Zhao were present. Master Zhao was pacing anxiously around the room, while Mrs. Zhao sat in a corner, weeping softly.

"Uncle, Aunt, how is Senior Brother Zhao’s condition?" Zhuo Shiyu asked, leading Zhuo Tingqiu and Mu Chen over to Mrs. Zhao.

"Shiyu, you’re here. As for Yunchi..." Mrs. Zhao grasped Zhuo Shiyu’s hand, unable to continue as she recalled her son’s condition, breaking into tears.

"Shiyu, who are these two?" Master Zhao, more composed, asked, noting Zhuo Tingqiu and Mu Chen with a hint of curiosity.

"Uncle, this is my third brother, the Young Master of the Zhuo Family, and this is his friend, Mr. Mu. They heard about Senior Brother Zhao’s injury and came to visit." Zhuo Shiyu introduced the two according to Zhuo Tingqiu’s guidance to Master Zhao.

Upon hearing Zhuo Tingqiu’s identity, Master Zhao was momentarily stunned, then quickly moved towards Zhuo Tingqiu, "So it is Young Master Zhuo. Thank you, Young Master Zhuo, for being concerned about my son."

The Zhao Family was quite prominent in Anping City, but they were only second-tier compared to the leading influences of the Xuantian Continent like the Zhuo Family. Master Zhao felt both surprised and honored that someone of such high status would care about his injured son, and he knew it was all thanks to Zhuo Shiyu, making him even more amicable towards her.

"Don’t mention it. Young Master Zhao once helped Shiyu, so I have come on both personal grounds and as a matter of courtesy," Zhuo Tingqiu, skilled at handling such situations, answered courteously, leaving a good impression.

Master Zhao was about to offer more formalities, but Zhuo Tingqiu stopped him. Zhuo Tingqiu and Mu Chen then approached the bedside to observe Zhao Yunchi’s condition.

Though Zhao Yunchi had handsome features, he lay there lifeless; his face was ghostly pale and he resembled a corpse save for the faint rise and fall of his chest.

"Master Zhao, would it be possible for me to take a look at your son’s wound?" Knowing that Zhuo Shiyu liked Zhao Yunchi, Zhuo Tingqiu remained very courteous when addressing Master Zhao, aware that such a request might be intrusive, yet he proceeded to ask.

Master Zhao hesitated briefly before nodding.

Only then did Zhuo Tingqiu move forward, pulling back the quilt to reveal Zhao Yunchi’s chest.

There was a wound stretching from his left shoulder to his lower right abdomen. It appeared deep, and the bandages were already bloodstained, indicating persistent bleeding.

Mu Chen stood beside Zhuo Tingqiu, examining the wound clearly, noting a trace of black around its edges.

"Master Zhao, may I ask what caused this wound?" As a doctor, Mu Chen naturally needed to know more since it would aid the treatment.

Master Zhao hadn’t paid much attention to Mu Chen initially, thinking he looked unwell. However, realizing Mu Chen was a friend of Zhuo Tingqiu, he wasn’t overly concerned but was surprised when Mu Chen spoke, instinctively looking towards Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Master Zhao, my friend here is also an Alchemist, skilled in medicine. Maybe he can help, if you tell us." Zhuo Tingqiu explained.

Master Zhao hesitated for a moment; had Zhuo Tingqiu not been there, he might have dismissed Mu Chen. But with Zhuo Tingqiu’s endorsement, he thought he’d try to please him and spoke up.

"My son encountered a fierce beast in Ghost Cry Ridge a few days ago. The beast was strong, and my son was clawed by it. If not for the talisman his master gave him, he might’ve lost his life. But this wound refuses to heal and we’ve seen many doctors to no avail. If the bleeding doesn’t stop soon, my son might..." Though Master Zhao didn’t finish his sentence, everyone present understood his implication. Zhuo Shiyu and Mrs. Zhao grasped each other’s hands and started weeping.

Upon hearing about Ghost Cry Ridge, Mu Chen recalled what he had heard before and recognized it as a Zhu Yan attack, understanding the situation immediately.

Zhuo Tingqiu glanced at Mu Chen, silently asking if he could save him. Mu Chen nodded.

"Master Zhao, may I allow my friend to try and treat Young Master Zhao’s injury?" Knowing Mu Chen’s capabilities, Zhuo Tingqiu felt assured as Mu Chen nodded, taking a deep breath and speaking to Master Zhao as he glanced at the weeping Zhuo Shiyu nearby.

Master Zhao shot a sharp look at Zhuo Tingqiu, his smile vanishing as he eyed them critically.

Zhuo Tingqiu met Master Zhao’s gaze with fearless confidence.

The tense atmosphere drew taut, making even Zhuo Shiyu and Mrs. Zhao pause their tears, anxiously awaiting the outcome.

Only Mu Chen, at ease, calmly observed the room’s furnishings.

After a tense silence, just as Zhuo Shiyu felt she could hardly breathe, Master Zhao suddenly smiled, and so did Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Please." Master Zhao gestured towards Zhuo Tingqiu with his hand.

Zhuo Tingqiu nodded and looked at Mu Chen.

Mu Chen approached the bed, aligning his fingers as Spiritual Power emanated from his fingertips. With it, he neatly cut open Zhao Yunchi’s bandages, revealing the deep wound. Black traces became evident to all present, and a knowing light flashed in his eyes as he hovered his fingers over the wound.

As Spiritual Power flowed from his fingers into the wound, the black markings turned to smoke and disappeared into the air.

As Mu Chen’s fingers moved, the black markings around Zhao Yunchi’s wound dissipated into smoke, prompting everyone—Master Zhao, Zhuo Shiyu, and Mrs. Zhao—to hold their breath for fear of interrupting Mu Chen’s treatment.

Once the last trace of smoke vanished, Zhao Yunchi’s expression relaxed slightly and his breathing strengthened.

Mu Chen, unfazed, flipped his wrist, revealing a Jade Bottle. He uncorked it, tilting it to pour fine white powder onto the wound, immediately halting the bleeding and healing the wound at a visible pace.

As Mu Chen applied the powder to the deepest part of the wound, the upper wound began to scab over.

Replacing the cork on the bottle, Mu Chen put it away, turning to find the wide-eyed stares of the others, startling him.

"It’s done." He stepped aside, allowing Master Zhao and the others to see Zhao Yunchi’s improved condition.