â`
Hu Keqing had already drunk the anesthetic, and by now, he had lost consciousness.
Qi Yue and Huang Zaiâan exchanged glances and immediately switched their primary and secondary roles.
The treatment plan had been set the night before.
But when Huang Zaiâan saw Qi Yue use the âGhost Gate Needleâ technique, he was still shocked.
âDisciple, if you had told me earlier you possessed such divine skills, I wouldnât have been so worried,â the master said.
âWould you have believed me if I told you earlier?â replied Qi Yue, while her eyes stayed focused on her hands.
Soon, Hu Keqingâs misaligned bones and twisted tendons were back in place.
Watching Qi Yue deftly stitch and apply medicine, Huang Zaiâanâs eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Even after Qi Yue had finished her bustling work, he was still there muttering excitedly to himself, âDid I take on a disciple, or did I find a grandmaster for myself?â
âOf course, you are my master,â Qi Yue said, tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Indeed, in this place, at this time, having a master who could take a bullet for you was very important.
Soon the master and disciple were in agreement, and all of Hu Keqingâs treatments would be under the full responsibility of Huang Zaiâan, with Qi Yue merely assisting.
The reason for this was mainly so that they could leave this place as soon as possible. She was now somewhat worried that because of Hu Keqing, she might not be able to depart anytime soon.
As expected, after the medical treatment was over, and before Huang Zaiâan could even speak the words to let her go back to Northern Ridge first, Hu Chengxuan spoke up.
âDoctor Qi, you and Elder Huang can stay at our house without worries. My Keqing needs a meticulous person who understands medicine by his side, so I will trouble you with this,â he said.
Just as Qi Yue was about to speak, Mrs. Hu also came forward and took her hand, pleading with her in all earnestness to look after Hu Keqing.
âDoctor Qi, I am just afraid that Qingqing wonât be able to stand up. If he canât stand up, his life would be ruined,â she said, breaking into tears.
Qi Yue couldnât bear to see a woman the same age as her own mother cry, so she could only agree to stay.
After all, according to her treatment, as long as he rested for a few days, Hu Keqingâs leg would no longer be an issue. Once the wounds healed, he would be able to stand and walk.
By then, the Hu Family should have no excuses to keep her any longer.
And so, the plan to leave once the treatment was finished went down the drain.
Qi Yue once again felt how terrifying power could be.
Even with her Innate Divine Strength and a space full of innumerable gold and silver treasures, she was still powerless against a Prefectural Magistrate.
As the highest-ranking Military Officer stationed in Longnan County, the Prefectural Magistrate was responsible for the security of the entire county and wielded overwhelming authority, so much so that even the Prefectural Governor in charge of administrative affairs couldnât do anything to him.
The words of Hu Chengxuan just now might have sounded like requests of a patient to a doctor, but they were more of an absolute domination in terms of status.
She had almost no ability to retort.
Half a Shichen later, Hu Keqing finally woke up.
The Hu Family members all rushed forward with inquiries, but after Huang Zaiâan checked, he declared that everything went smoothly and that it wouldnât be long before he could stand again.
Qi Yue felt that her great task had been accomplished, and she could step back now. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Hu Keqing call out to her.
âDoctor Qi~â
Just by hearing that voice, she could imagine his overly fervent eyes, and Qi Yue really did not want to approach.
But Mrs. Hu apparently perceived her sonâs affections and hurried over to pull her, inviting her warmly to examine Hu Keqing once more with an eager face.
âDoctor Qi, I really canât thank you enough for Keqingâs leg,â she said.
â`
âMadam, the young masterâs legs are now fine, and my master is here. He is the one who knows the most about Young Master Huâs condition,â Qi Yue said, standing two meters away from the bed, refusing to come any closer.
Her words were a clear refusal, and immediately a subtle tension spread among those present.
Mrs. Hu grabbed her hand, which stiffened sharply.
Huang Zaiâan quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
âYes, yes, yes, my disciple is right. Young Master Hu will be able to stand up in a few days. However, he should rest more for now and not get out of bed. Resting like this will speed up the recovery.â
Hu Keqing glared from his bed.
âWonât I be just like before then, having to lie in bed motionless?â he asked.
Huang Zaiâan hurriedly replied, âThis is only temporary. Just endure for a few days, and then youâll be able to get out of bed and walk.â
Hu Keqing seemed a bit cheered by this, but his eyes quickly shifted to Qi Yue.
âThen, can I ask for Dr. Qi to come and see me during these days? Staying alone in the room is just too suffocating,â he said.
Qi Yue was about to speak when she heard Hu Chengxuan say, âQingâer, rest assured, Iâve already asked Dr. Qi to take care of you.â
After speaking, Hu Chengxuan looked at Huang Zaiâan with a domineering tone, âMaster Huang, I know youâre worried about Little Shanzi in the valley. Iâll send someone to bring him back right away. From now on, you and your disciple can settle down in my residence. I, Hu Chengxuan, will not mistreat you.â
Listening to this, Qi Yue felt her scalp tingle. What was Hu Chengxuan trying to do?
He was clearly planning to keep her and her master here in the residence!
She quickly made eye signals to Huang Zaiâan, indicating for him to speak up, but her nominal master was unable to say a word, his mouth agape.
Annoyed, she spoke up.
âPrefectural Magistrate, my master and I have lived in Northern Ridge for many years and are accustomed to life there. Young Master Hu will recover soon, and when that happens, my master and I will return to Northern Ridge. It would be best not to bring Little Shanzi over,â she said.
No sooner had her words fallen than she felt the temperature in the room drop bit by bit.
Huang Zaiâan hurriedly signaled to her, telling her to stop talking.
Sure enough, Hu Chengxuanâs cold voice rang out.
âIs Dr. Qi here to teach me how to handle matters?â he asked.
Sensing that the Prefectural Magistrate was about to become angry, Huang Zaiâan quickly came forward with a fawning smile.
âYour honor jokes. How could a child dare to meddle in your decisions? Itâs just that the child is used to Northern Ridge and might not adapt well to living in the residence,â he said.
At this, Hu Chengxuanâs grim face finally eased a bit.
He snorted coldly and arrogantly from his nostrils, âNorthern Ridge is damp and cold, while it is much better here; how could she not adapt? Master Huang, it seems youâre not training your disciple well!â
âThe disciple is stubborn and has always been wild; please donât take it to heart, sir. I will speak to her about this right away,â Huang Zaiâan said, grabbing her and pulling her to a deserted place outside.
âWhat was that about just now? I was signaling you, and you still spoke out. Now look what youâve done, youâve angered that fiend. Iâve told you before, we canât afford to provoke Hu Chengxuan!â he exclaimed.
Qi Yue was already indignant, and Huang Zaiâanâs words only made her angrier.
âI havenât even asked you yet, why did you come here? We had agreed that once I got the White Rhino Horn, we would return to the valley. Werenât you just waiting for this day?â she asked.
Hearing this, Huang Zaiâan also shouted back.
âYou ungrateful disciple, do you have no conscience? Who am I doing this for? Iâm asking you. Zhang Fang had sent a message long ago. When Mr. Hu heard you didnât get the White Rhino Horn, he was going to kill me to set an example. I had no choice but to follow him to this damned place. Do you think I wanted to come here? At my age, I never intended to leave Northern Ridge, but ever since I took you as a disciple, this old man has had no peace!â
As he spoke, the old man with a face full of white beard suddenly squatted down and started wiping away tears.