Chapter Nineteen: The Disgraced Divine Physician

When it comes to Bai Yanxi, many of the older generation in Kuaiji and Qiantang still remember him—a legendary master of traditional Chinese medicine in his day. Like many folk healers whose skills were passed down through generations, Bai Yanxi was literate and well-versed in medical texts, yet he lacked an official physician’s license. Still, on the strength of his skill and reputation, a steady stream of patients sought him out. Wu You’s grandfather, Wu Rongyuan, had once consulted him; the swift cure left even the young Wu You with a deep impression.

Life, however, is seldom smooth sailing. Bai Yanxi once took on a patient in his fifties suffering from a terminal illness. After examining the man, he declared there was hope, but warned the patient to avoid rich food and, above all, abstain from sexual relations. Hou Hui, the patient, obeyed at first, strictly heeding Bai Yanxi’s instructions for half a year. His health improved dramatically—until he could no longer resist temptation. Succumbing to desire, he undid all the progress he’d made, and ultimately died.

The family would not let it rest. They hounded Bai Yanxi for an explanation, smashed up his clinic, and, during a campaign against illegal practices, reported him for causing death by practicing medicine without a license. Bai Yanxi was sentenced to five years in prison. Upon his release, his fortune was gone, his home lost, and he was unable to practice medicine again. For years he survived by scavenging.

Bai Yanxi did have children, but fate was unkind. His eldest son died young and childless; his second son was cold-hearted, and his daughter-in-law calculating—naturally, neither would care for the old man. As the older generation passed away, few remembered that the old scavenger living in the eastern corner of SY County was once a master healer.

...

Wu You, while driving, called Zhang Guihua to inquire and learned that the famed Doctor Bai had once lived in the Shanyin area. But upon arrival, he was at a loss. He asked everyone—from sanitation workers to shopkeepers and neighborhood security guards—but none had ever heard of Doctor Bai, nor was there any Bai family running a clinic nearby. Wu You rubbed his chin. Had the old man passed away? Or moved?

...

At that moment, Bai Yanxi was in poor shape.

...

“Hey, Bai, you’re a tough one to find. Do you remember me?” Hou Li grinned down at Bai Yanxi, who was dozing atop a cardboard box. Bai Yanxi, clad in a filthy, tattered jacket, squinted up at his visitor.

The man looked to be about forty, wearing a checkered short-sleeve shirt, three bodyguards in black T-shirts at his back.

“I don’t know you, and my name isn’t Bai. I’m Huang Guangrong,” the old man replied, scratching an itch.

He truly didn’t recognize the man, but could tell trouble when he saw it.

Hou Li grabbed Bai Yanxi by the collar, hoisting the old man into the air.

“Come on, Divine Doctor Bai. Playing coy now? You were plenty arrogant when you killed my father.”

At once, Bai Yanxi realized who he faced—the Hou family who had ruined his life. But now, at their mercy, he dared not speak carelessly.

“You must be mistaken, sir. I really am Huang Guangrong. I don’t know any Bai,” Bai Yanxi stammered, rubbing his hands nervously.

A sharp slap landed on Bai Yanxi’s right cheek, quickly followed by another on the left. Blood and a yellowed tooth flew from his mouth, his head ringing.

A bodyguard steadied the staggering old man.

Hou Li stepped up and filmed Bai Yanxi’s face with his phone.

“Remember now?”

...

Bai Yanxi dared not deny it further. At eighty-six, he was still in decent health thanks to years of self-care, but he couldn’t withstand a beating from younger men.

“What do you want with me? You know the truth of your father’s case,” Bai Yanxi croaked. “My family is ruined. Won’t you leave me in peace?”

Hou Li wiped the sweat from his neck with a tissue and tossed it to the ground.

“You could have saved yourself the trouble and just admitted it. I’m here to ask for your help.”

Bai Yanxi nearly fainted from rage. Was this how people asked for help?

He stayed silent, waiting for Hou Li to continue.

Hou Li glanced sidelong at Bai Yanxi. “Your specialty—setting bones, restoring sinews, and nursing the body back to health.”

“The patient is a big shot. If you cure him, you might just get another chance at life.”

Seeing Bai Yanxi’s impassive face, Hou Li merely sneered.

“But if you think you’ll use this to clear your name, think again. Our Hou family can’t compare to his, but making an old Bai disappear is hardly difficult.”

Bai Yanxi understood. The patient must be someone even more powerful than the Hou family, having tracked down Bai Yanxi’s reputation and seeking his aid. Hou Li, afraid Bai Yanxi might use this to overturn old grievances, was here to intimidate him in advance.

...

At that moment, Wu You was driving past and saw four men surrounding an old man, beating him.

Outrage surged within him.

He summoned Garuru from inside the car and accelerated straight toward the group.

“Watch out, Mr. Hou!” a bodyguard shouted, pulling Hou Li aside.

The Maybach screeched to a halt right in front of them.

One bodyguard rushed forward, intent on pounding on the car door.

“Are you crazy? Do you know who you nearly hit?”

But Hou Li stopped him. “Come back, Liuzi.” Staring at the Maybach Zeppelin, he hesitated. Anyone who could afford, let alone obtain, such a car was no ordinary person.

...

The car door opened. A young man in a white T-shirt and casual pants stepped out—it was Wu You. Before Hou Li or the bodyguards could react, a hulking brute emerged from the passenger side.

Despite the sweltering heat, he wore a black suit without a bead of sweat, towering two meters tall. His mere presence inspired an oppressive sense of dread.

A few stray dogs had been lurking around the garbage, but now, with low whimpers, they slunk away.

Wu You quickly went to help Bai Yanxi up, Garuru following close behind.

“Are you all right, sir?” Wu You checked the old man over. His face was swollen, blood at the corner of his mouth, and a few scrapes.

Bai Yanxi was bewildered. Who was this young man?

...

The four across from them felt a mounting pressure. The “bodyguard” who had appeared out of nowhere fixed them with his tawny gaze, making it hard to breathe.

Hou Li, more accustomed to tense situations, managed to speak first.

“And who might you be? Bai Yanxi has already agreed to come with me to treat an important patient. If you’re here to snatch him away, General Li won’t be pleased.”

“What? You’re really Mr. Bai?” Wu You exclaimed in delight, ignoring Hou Li’s veiled threat.

“Sir, I finally found you! I have an important idea in Chinese medicine I’d like your guidance on.”

He glanced at the ramshackle hut and scattered cans.

“It seems you have little tying you here. Why not come with me? My grandfather was cured by you once, and we never properly thanked you.”

Hou Li was losing his patience; Wu You had surveyed the hut and trash, but ignored the four of them completely.

“You’re going too far, boy. You can’t take Bai Yanxi. Tell me, who are you and whose family do you belong to?”

But Garuru stepped forward, and a single look from him made Hou Li swallow the harsh words he’d been about to utter.

Though Hou Li had brought three bodyguards, Garuru’s arms were thicker than their thighs, and none dared meet his gaze.

Wu You still paid Hou Li no mind, turning to the old man instead. “Mr. Bai, would you be willing to come with me? I’d like to hire you as my consultant in traditional medicine, with a monthly salary of fifty thousand. What do you say?”

Bai Yanxi glanced at Hou Li, then smiled at Wu You.

“I’m an old man who’s seen all of life’s wonders. There’s nothing holding me here.”

Wu You was overjoyed. “Hahaha! Mr. Bai, perhaps the most exciting chapter of your life is just beginning!”

...

With the roar of the engine, the Maybach started up.

Seeing Wu You help Bai Yanxi into the car and drive away, Hou Li and his bodyguards scrambled to give chase.

But after only a few seconds, the Maybach ahead did not speed up—instead, it stopped.

Garuru stepped out of the passenger seat and strolled into the middle of the road.

Inside Hou Li’s Mercedes, Liuzi instinctively slowed and stopped as well.

“What’s he doing?” a bodyguard asked nervously.

Hou Li watched in silence.

Suddenly, Garuru lunged forward, covering more than ten meters in a flash, and raised his right palm high above the hood.

With a whoosh, he brought his palm down.

Bang! The car’s rear end lifted two meters off the ground before crashing back down.

The hood crumpled, the windshield shattered into shards, and smoke poured from the engine.

The alarm blared incessantly.

The Mercedes was dead.

Inside, Hou Li and his men sat frozen, mouths agape, as the Maybach sped away in a cloud of dust.