Chapter 12: The Divine Doctor Trapped in a Deadly Dilemma

The night wind howled as Niu Yichen moved like a phantom, scaling the tall building with a few agile leaps.

The rooftop was deserted, save for a few night owls emitting eerie cries.

“A lure to draw me away?” Niu Yichen sneered coldly. Such a petty trick truly underestimated him.

His gaze swept across the terrace and finally settled on an inconspicuous corner—there lay a crumpled piece of paper.

Scrawled hastily on it were a few words: “If you want to save Zhan Qingxue, come quickly to the West City Dock.” Niu Yichen’s brow furrowed tightly. Zhan Qingxue?

This was clearly a trap set for him!

The other side knew of his connection to Zhan Qingxue. It seemed the mastermind behind this had investigated him far more deeply than he had imagined.

Niu Yichen did not rush to the dock. Instead, he returned to the Zhan family residence.

The Zhan estate was brightly lit, yet an unsettling atmosphere hung in the air.

Zhan Qingxue was unharmed, conversing with several elders of the family, though her expression was troubled.

“Qingxue, what happened?” Niu Yichen stepped forward, his tone filled with concern.

Upon seeing him, a complex emotion flickered in Zhan Qingxue’s eyes. “Yichen, you’re finally back. Some things have happened within the family...”

It turned out that shortly after Niu Yichen’s departure, one of the companies under the Zhan family suffered a massive crisis, incurring heavy losses.

Moreover, some “evidence” suggested that this disaster was somehow linked to Niu Yichen.

“Truly a masterstroke of killing with a borrowed knife!” Niu Yichen thought bitterly. Not only did they try to lure him away, but they also sought to sow discord between him and the Zhan family.

In the days that followed, Niu Yichen found himself ensnared in a meticulously woven labyrinth.

The clues he uncovered seemed deliberately placed bait, leading him step by step into a trap.

Each piece of evidence appeared to point to different targets, yet all ultimately implicated him.

Doubt grew louder within the Zhan family. Elders who once held him in high regard now regarded him with suspicion and caution.

“Mr. Niu, you’d better provide us with a reasonable explanation!” one elder said coldly.

Niu Yichen smiled faintly. “An accusation is easily made; a defense, much harder.”

“You...” The elder’s face turned ashen with rage.

Zhan Qingxue stood nearby, her expression grave. Though she believed in Niu Yichen, the “evidence” was difficult to refute.

Niu Yichen scanned the room, surrounded by doubtful eyes, as if he were the very mastermind.

Suddenly, he understood—this was not merely a personal conspiracy aimed at him, but a trap set against the entire Zhan family.

“Looks like some can’t wait any longer...” Niu Yichen’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Then let me see what game you’re really playing!”

He slammed his fist onto the nearby table, shattering the solid wood instantly.

“Whoever dares slander me again, just try it!”

His fierce display silenced the loudest elders, who were like ducks with their throats clutched, instantly mute.

“Evidence? Your so-called evidence is nothing but clumsy framing!” Niu Yichen scoffed. “If you want to play, I’m game!”

Within the Zhan family, there was division—not all doubted him; some chose to believe.

Zhan Qingxue naturally stood by Niu Yichen’s side, her voice firm: “I believe in Yichen. He is not that kind of man!”

Yet once doubt is planted, it is not easily uprooted.

Several elders pressed on aggressively: “Miss Qingxue, we understand your feelings. But the family’s interests come first; emotions must not cloud judgment. Mr. Niu, if you wish to prove your innocence, please cooperate with our investigation and do not leave the Zhan estate for now.”

“Restrict my freedom?” Niu Yichen arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to do that?” His tone carried a warning, only strengthening their resolve.

They mistook his words for anger born of shame.

“Mr. Niu, we only do this for the safety of the family,” one elder said firmly. “Please cooperate.”

Niu Yichen sneered inwardly. These old foxes truly believed they could trap him?

Yet he offered no resistance. Instead, he said, “Fine. I accept your ‘protection.’ Let me see who’s really pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

This decision surprised everyone—especially those secretly watching.

They had expected defiance or escape, not such apparent compliance.

This made them doubt whether their plan had flaws.

Niu Yichen was “softly confined” in a guest room.

On the surface, all was calm, but he secretly began his investigation, using his exquisite medical skills and keen observation to unravel the truth thread by thread.

Late at night, he sat cross-legged on the bed, holding a tiny silver needle.

“The game has only just begun...” A cold smile played at his lips, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Suddenly, faint footsteps approached outside the door.

Niu Yichen snapped his eyes open. “Who’s there?”

A coquettish voice answered, “Brother Yichen, it’s me.”

He frowned slightly—it was Zhan Qingyu, the youngest daughter of the Zhan family.

This mischievous girl usually clung to him, but today her tone felt off.

He opened the door. Zhan Qingyu stood there in pink pajamas, looking pitiful.

“Brother Yichen, I’m scared...” Her eyes were red, as if deeply wronged.

“What’s wrong?” Niu Yichen’s guard rose. Was she here to test him?

Zhan Qingyu bit her lip, hesitating to speak.

“I... I heard some bad rumors. They say... they say you...”

Niu Yichen’s lips twitched in a cold smile. Sure enough, she was fishing for information. “They say what?”

Lowering her head, she whispered, “They say... you’re colluding with outsiders to harm the Zhan family...”

“Oh?” Niu Yichen looked at her with a half-smile. “Do you believe that?”

Zhan Qingyu raised her head, tears welling in her eyes.

“I... I don’t know...” Then she suddenly threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly.

“Brother Yichen, I believe you wouldn’t harm our Zhan family, right?”

Niu Yichen gently pushed her away, his tone calm. “Of course.”

After she left, Niu Yichen remained alert.

He moved to the window, scanning the Zhan estate.

The courtyard appeared peaceful, but danger lurked beneath the surface.

Several figures in black hid in the shadows, watching his every move.

“Hmph, amateur tricks.” Niu Yichen sneered, having long detected the watchers.

He picked up a teacup, took a casual sip, then flung the tea out the window.

The liquid struck one of the black-clad men squarely in the face, eliciting a muffled grunt.

The others immediately became alert and revealed themselves.

“Niu Yichen, you really are suspicious!” one shouted sharply.

A cold smile curved Niu Yichen’s lips. “You puny lackeys think you can catch me?”

Before they could react, he flashed out like a ghost.

The black-clad men hadn’t even recovered when Niu Yichen appeared before them.

His strikes were lightning-fast and lethal.

Though skilled, these men were no match; they fell like children before him.

“Is this all you’ve got? Coming here to die?” Niu Yichen sneered, kicking one away.

At that moment, a figure descended from above, blocking his attack.

“Niu Yichen, I’m your opponent!”

The newcomer was burly and imposing—clearly a formidable warrior.

A spark of excitement lit Niu Yichen’s eyes. “Finally, someone worthy.”

He flexed his wrist, a cold smile playing on his lips. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”

The two clashed instantly, fists and feet colliding with explosive sounds.

Though confined within the Zhan estate, Niu Yichen’s agility remained unhindered.

He used the surroundings, turning the courtyard into his battlefield.

“Interesting...” The fire of battle burned in his eyes. “But it ends here!”

Suddenly, he seized the man’s wrist and twisted sharply.

Crack!

The crisp sound of bone breaking rang out.

The man grunted, his face paling.

Niu Yichen pressed the advantage, unleashing a relentless flurry of strikes, leaving his opponent defenseless.

“That’s it? A so-called expert?” Niu Yichen scoffed. “You can’t even touch a finger and yet you dare to roar in my presence?”

He lightly tapped his toes, moving with ethereal grace, as if defying gravity.

The burly man who had just been so fierce now flailed helplessly, toyed with like a ragdoll.

The Zhan elders gawked in disbelief.

They had never witnessed such overwhelming power from Niu Yichen.

Previously doubting his abilities, they now realized how limited their vision had been.

“Damn! Is Niu the Divine Doctor cheating or what?” a young Zhan family member exclaimed.

“This is insane! Like a human Gundam!” another echoed.

Zhan Qingxue watched Niu Yichen’s form, her eyes shining brightly.

She knew he was strong, but not to this extent.

Amid the fight, a sudden revelation flashed through Niu Yichen’s mind, deepening his understanding of longevity.

A mighty power surged within him; he felt as if he had merged with heaven and earth, becoming invincible.

“Boom!” He unleashed a punch that seemed to tear the very air.

The burly man was blasted away, crashing heavily to the ground, his fate unknown.

“That all you’ve got?” Niu Yichen clapped his hands lightly, utterly composed.

“Who else dares challenge me?” His gaze swept the room, blazing with dominance.

The elders fell silent, unable to meet his eyes.

They finally understood: Niu Yichen was beyond their control.

“Mr. Niu, it’s our blindness to not recognize your greatness. Please forgive us our past mistakes,” one elder stammered, stepping forward to apologize.

Others quickly followed, their attitudes reversing completely.

Niu Yichen smiled faintly. “Recognizing one’s errors is the greatest improvement.”

He chose not to press the matter further; his true target was not the Zhan family but the hidden mastermind behind these events.

This battle thoroughly intimidated the Zhan family and solidified Niu Yichen’s position within it.

Yet he knew this was only the beginning.

The enemy’s plot was far from over. To protect himself and Zhan Qingxue, he must uncover their true intent quickly.

He walked over to Zhan Qingxue, gently taking her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.”

She clasped his hand in return, her eyes filled with trust.

As night deepened, the Zhan estate returned to calm.

Niu Yichen returned to his room, sitting cross-legged on the bed to meditate.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He looked toward the window.

A shadow flickered past, vanishing into the night.

A cold smile curved his lips. “Finally, they can’t hold back any longer...”

He rose and approached the window, watching the direction the shadow disappeared.

In a low voice, he said, “The game is truly just beginning now...”

From his pocket, he drew a simple copper coin, rubbing it slowly in his palm.

“Looks like it’s time to pay a visit to an old friend...”