Chapter 16: Provoking with Words . . .
"To discover Brother Ye's extensive knowledge and profound mastery of the alchemy path is truly eye-opening. Tang Yu, misled by baseless rumors, unwittingly disrespected Brother Ye. I am sincerely sorry." With Ye Yuan's words, Tang Yu recognized the injustice surrounding Ye Yuan's reputation and promptly apologized.
Ye Yuan silently commended Tang Yu. Despite hailing from a humble background, Tang Yu exhibited honesty and straightforwardness—a quality that made him a valuable friend.
During their journey to Tang Yu's home, he shared details about his family. It was then that Ye Yuan learned Tang Yu was a student at the Dan Wu Academy. It explained how Tang Yu was aware of Ye Yuan's ranking at the academy.
With a friendly smile, Ye Yuan remarked, "No need for apologies, Brother Tang. My past reputation was indeed abysmal, so you bear no blame. Regarding my proficiency in the Alchemy Path, it's not as remarkable as it may seem. In my youth, my father compelled me to learn about medicinal herbs, leading to my recognition of a few."
Tang Yu, no longer underestimating Ye Yuan, hastily replied, "Brother Ye is too modest. Please, come inside."
Guiding Ye Yuan into the house, a series of faint coughs emanated from a figure lying on a bed. Undoubtedly, it was Tang Yu's father, Tang Zonghuai.
"Yu-er... *cough*... You're back?" Tang Zonghuai's condition appeared dire, evident from his severe coughing, even struggling to sit upright.
Observing this scene, Tang Yu hurriedly moved to support his father. "Father, I've told you not to exert yourself."
"Hahaha... *cough*... This time, I probably won't make it. In the... *cough*... future, take care of yourself," Tang Zonghuai admitted defeat.
Tang Yu, tears streaming down, choked up, "Father, don't speak. I... I will cure you! I brought back the Six Leaf Grass. I'll go and refine the Great Returning Pill right away."
Tang Yu was about to rise when Tang Zonghuai grasped his arm. "No... *cough*... No need... It's futile."
It wasn't that the Great Returning Pill was inherently useless; Tang Zonghuai understood that his son lacked the capability to refine it. Instead of wasting the precious herbs, he preferred leaving them for Tang Yu.
*Cough cough* "Yu-er, to... *cough*... think there's a guest. Why... *cough*... didn't you invite him to sit?" Only now did Tang Zonghuai notice someone else standing at the room's entrance.
Upon mentioning Ye Yuan, Tang Yu immediately turned to him, pleading, "Brother Ye, I implore you. Please save my father! If you can cure him, I'll willingly work like a horse for you throughout my life."
Despite Tang Yu's modest background, his pride was evident, and expressing such sentiments revealed the profound bond between father and son.
Empathizing with Tang Yu, Ye Yuan responded, "You and I can be considered as brothers. Why phrase it as laboring for me like a horse? Let Uncle lie down; I'll conduct a diagnosis." Tang Yu made room for Ye Yuan, who, unceremoniously, sat on the bed.
As Ye Yuan prepared to grasp Tang Zonghuai's wrists, the latter pulled away. "*Cough*... No need... Little Brother... Thank you."
"Father!" Witnessing his father's rejection, Tang Yu's anxiety spiked.
Ye Yuan understood that Tang Zonghuai wanted to spare his son from trouble and was determined to die. Moreover, he doubted a young person like Ye Yuan could make a difference.
Ye Yuan remained composed. Signaling Tang Yu to refrain, he inquired, "Uncle, if I'm not mistaken, were you injured by a Giant Wind Rhinoceros?"
Tang Yu, impressed by Ye Yuan's insight, exclaimed, "Remarkable, Brother Ye, to deduce that at a glance."
Tang Zonghuai remained stoic, coughing several times. "It's... *cough*... Yu-er who... *cough*... told you, right? Don't... *cough*... bother."
"Father, I genuinely didn't inform Brother Ye. He deduced it himself," Tang Yu, worried about his father's resolve, clarified.
Observing the situation, Ye Yuan began to furrow his brow. To treat a person, one needed to address the patient's mental state. Tang Zonghuai had lost the will to live. Even if Tang Zonghuai consumed a miraculous panacea, it might not save him. Ye Yuan realized that, at this point, Tang Zonghuai's condition exceeded what a Great Returning Pill could remedy.
Opting for a direct approach, Ye Yuan declared, "Forget it, Brother Tang. What's the point of saving someone so resolute in wanting to die? If he wishes to pass away, let him."
Misinterpreting Ye Yuan's true intentions, Tang Yu, angered by the apparent disparagement of his father, retorted, "Ye Yuan, what are you saying? My father sustained injuries for my sake. How can you call him heartless?"
*Cough*... Such an inexperienced... provocation... technique is ineffective." Though Tang Yu might not discern it, an experienced elder like Tang Zonghuai certainly did.
Ye Yuan, not expecting easy success, responded with a cold smile, "Is that so? Consider it a provocation, then. When Brother Tang perishes on the streets and arrives in the Underworld to reproach you, let's see how you handle it."
A subtle disturbance finally stirred in Tang Zonghuai's composed demeanor. Turning around, he inquired, "What do you mean by that?"
"Didn't you call it a provocation technique? Why inquire further? I considered Brother Tang's filial piety, which is why I agreed to save you. But if his filial piety is unappreciated, saving you becomes unnecessary. Farewell." Ye Yuan uttered these words and turned away.
"Hold on!" Tang Zonghuai and Tang Yu exclaimed simultaneously.
"Is there anything else, Uncle?" Ye Yuan, ignoring Tang Yu, asked Tang Zonghuai icily.
"I would like to know... what did Little Brother mean by... what you said just now." Tang Yu's prediction of his death on the streets stirred him.
"You are on the verge of death; why concern yourself with trivial matters? To disregard your son's life and only care about your own death—what else does that imply but heartlessness?" Ye Yuan sneered.
"As... As long as... this Little Brother clarifies things... I... I'm willing to be treated." Tang Zonghuai's coughing intensified, seemingly strained by excessive talking.
Ye Yuan, maintaining his disdainful demeanor, smiled coldly. "Do you believe that after Tang Yu enters the Dan Wu Academy, his future will be boundless?"
"Isn't... isn't that the case?" Tang Zonghuai inquired with doubt.
"Of course not! The Dan Wu Academy isn't the sanctum you envision; it's an unusually harsh place. Though Brother Tang probably never disclosed this to you, am I right?" Ye Yuan questioned, glancing at Tang Yu.
Tang Yu, with an embarrassed expression, nodded, tacitly confirming the statement. Tang Zonghuai, familiar with his son, knew he wasn't lying, causing his heart to tighten.
Ye Yuan continued, "While the Dan Wu Academy is a gathering place for geniuses, it's also where competition is fiercest; possibly even more brutal than the outside world! The rise of a genius often entails treading on the bones of others. Though Brother Tang possesses decent talent, it's not exceptional. Moreover, he's a commoner. Without abundant resources, he's destined to be a stepping stone for others. In the future, when he's cast aside, even if he survives, at best, he'll eke out a living as a demonic beast hunter. Numerous individuals in the Dan Wu Academy share that fate. How many demonic beast hunters do you think lead secure lives?"
As a demonic beast hunter himself, Tang Zonghuai comprehended the challenges. Imagining his son potentially following his path, he felt that even in death, he wouldn't find peace.
"Little Brother, earlier... *cough*... was my mistake. Can I implore... you to tend to my injuries? I... I'm willing to... pay any price." Initially reluctant to burden his son, Tang Zonghuai, upon realizing that his son might encounter even more difficulties after his death, decided that he couldn't die.