Chapter 66: No One Gets to Live

Note: Don't Forget to join my Patreon.com/flokixy to get access to +50 Advance Chapters so I can bring more Chapters for you Xia Jiang had just picked up the medicine for his son and was about to head home when he overheard two people talking outside the clinic. Straining to listen, he caught words like "divine physician," "regrowing bones," and "resurrection." Curious, Xia Jiang stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, which divine physician are you referring to?" The two men stopped their conversation and glanced at him. "The divine physician you’re asking about lives in the southern part of the city. His skills are extraordinary! My bedridden mother, who’d been paralyzed for nearly ten years, took just one dose of his medicine—bam! She’s walking again, even a full mile without stopping!" The other man shot his companion a look. Buddy, you’re exaggerating too much. What if this guy doesn’t believe you? But Xia Jiang didn’t have time to think that far. All he could focus on was the hope that his son might finally be saved! Suppressing his excitement, Xia Jiang politely asked, "Where exactly in the south does this divine physician live?" One of the men replied, "I’ll write down the address for you. This divine physician is indeed skilled, but his consultation fees are exorbitant." Xia Jiang thanked him, thinking to himself that no matter how high the cost, he had to save his son! Following the address, he eventually arrived at the location. "Is anyone here?" After calling out several times, an elderly man with a serene and otherworldly demeanor slowly emerged from within. "Who are you looking for?" Xia Jiang respectfully asked, "Are you Wu Ciren, the divine physician?" "I am. Do you have a patient in need?" Xia Jiang nodded. "Yes, I’d like you to treat my son." The old man stated bluntly, "My consultation fee is extremely expensive." "I know, I know," Xia Jiang quickly replied. "Just name your price." "Tell me about your son’s condition first." Xia Jiang explained Xia Wencai’s current state in detail. The old man fell silent, deep in thought. "One hundred taels." Xia Jiang sighed in relief. Though it would be difficult, he believed he could scrape together the money—until the old man added two more words: "Gold taels." Xia Jiang gasped in shock. "Gold?! Divine Physician, isn’t that... too much?" The old man’s tone turned icy. "That’s my price. Not a single tael less will do." Anxious, Xia Jiang pleaded, "Please don’t be angry, Master. I’m not refusing to pay." The old man considered for a moment. "Very well. I’ll give you a prescription first. Give it to your son. If he wakes up after taking it, then decide whether you want me to continue treating him." Xia Jiang repeatedly expressed his gratitude before leaving with the prescription. Back home, he immediately instructed a maid to prepare the medicine and feed it to Xia Wencai. Hours passed, and there was still no change in Xia Wencai’s condition. Just as Xia Jiang began to lose hope, a maid rushed in to report that Xia Wencai had awakened. Xia Jiang and his wife, who were preparing to retire for the night, hastily ran to their son’s room without even putting on proper outer garments. Sure enough, Xia Wencai was awake. With great effort, Xia Wencai called out weakly, "Father... Mother," before falling silent once more. But those two words alone were enough to fill the couple with joy. However, less than fifteen minutes later, Xia Wencai succumbed to exhaustion and fell back into unconsciousness. Xia Jiang instructed the servants to take good care of their son, then returned to his room with his wife. "This divine physician truly works wonders!" Lady Xia exclaimed, overcome with emotion. Xia Jiang felt both relief and anxiety. While his son waking up was undoubtedly good news, where would he find one hundred gold taels to pay the divine physician? "Master, are you worried about the consultation fee?" Lady Xia asked gently. Xia Jiang nodded. Lady Xia suggested, "We may not have the money, but your younger sister does!" After some thought, Xia Jiang decided to approach his sister for financial help. --- The next day, shortly after Xia Shi had risen, a servant brought her a letter. By the time she finished reading it, her face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. "How dare they! They really see me as nothing but a money tree!" This time, even if she had the funds, she wouldn’t give them a single copper. If she gave in now, they’d only come back for more. These bloodsuckers! Did they really think her brother’s life was worth less than a hundred gold taels? "Nanny, I need you to do something for me." --- A day passed, and Xia Jiang still hadn’t received the money. Unable to wait any longer, he decided to visit the Su residence himself. But just as he entered an alleyway, several masked black-clad figures suddenly appeared. "What do you want?! Who are you...?" "We’re here to take your life!" Before Xia Jiang could react, one of the assailants swung a blade toward him. Just as his life seemed doomed, a woman dressed in tight-fitting martial attire stepped in and blocked the attack. Xia Jiang narrowly escaped death. Mo Yun turned back, glaring at him coldly. "What are you still standing there for? Run!" "Thank you, Heroine, for saving my life!" Trembling, Xia Jiang fled as fast as he could, abandoning his original plan to visit the Ministry of Rites residence. At this moment, all he wanted was to return home safely. He couldn’t fathom who he had offended to warrant such an assassination attempt! When he finally reached home, what awaited him was a scene that made his blood boil. "Wretch! What have you done?!" Yuqi was kicked to the ground by Xia Jiang. Lifting the pillow, he discovered his son’s wide-open eyes, his face frozen in a grotesque expression—clear signs of death. Turning to Yuqi with murderous intent, Xia Jiang snarled, "Why did you do this?! Who sent you to kill my son?!" At that moment, Lady Xia entered, collapsing in grief by the doorway. Coming to her senses, she wailed loudly, "My son! My dear Wencai! Ahhhhh!" "You vile wretch! I’ll kill you!" Yuqi was nearly strangled to death by Lady Xia before Xia Jiang intervened, prying her hands away. He demanded once more, "Speak! Was it sent by Concubine Xia Qingzhi?!" Yuqi gritted her teeth and spat, "No, it wasn’t Mistress Xia—it was sent by the eldest miss!" Xia Jiang’s face turned ashen. Had Yuqi admitted outright, he might have doubted her words. But her denial only confirmed his suspicions: behind this act was none other than Xia Qingzhi! How could she risk her own life to carry out such a deed unless she was acting on behalf of someone else? And if she dared to murder his son despite knowing the consequences, how likely was it that she’d reveal the mastermind behind it? "Xia! Qing! Zhi! Since you’ve shown no mercy, don’t blame me for showing none either!" As Xia Jiang prepared to snap Yuqi’s neck, two masked figures burst into the room. Skilled in martial arts, they swiftly wrested Yuqi away from him. Without hesitation, the assassins struck down Xia Shi and delivered a non-lethal blow to Xia Jiang, leaving him writhing on the floor. "It’s done. Let’s go." Yuqi watched in confusion as Xia Jiang’s chest continued to rise and fall. Once they reached the alleyway entrance, the two figures stopped and addressed Yuqi. "You’ve done well, Auntie. Your reward awaits. Go collect it." Yuqi, rendered mute by a pressure point strike, could only stare at them questioningly. Unbeknownst to her, behind her stood Xia Jiang, his face contorted with hatred and pain. Enduring the agony coursing through his body, Xia Jiang stealthily followed the trio, overhearing their conversation. Their words only solidified his suspicions. Xia Qingzhi! How ruthless you are! All I asked for was some money, yet you sought to take both my son’s and my life! If I hadn’t feigned death, my life would have ended right there. Thinking of his son and wife’s deaths, Xia Jiang’s resolve hardened like never before. If that’s the case, then let’s bring everything crashing down! No one gets to live!