"So you admit it," Dugu Tianke said indifferently, seeming to have expected it, thus he did not show a look of shock.
"Senior, I have given this matter a lot of thought; I know my limits," Chen Yuxin said, with her head bowed, slowly raising it, firmly stating her position.
"Alas, this really puts me in a difficult position, but how could I refuse when fate has brought this youngster to me and I have already made a promise? Xinxin, do you really want this old man to go back on his word and tarnish my own reputation?" Dugu Tianke said with a smile. Although there was no tone of threat in his words, his inherent authority was chilling without him showing anger.
"The junior has no such intention and only asks Senior Dugu to be understanding," Chen Yuxin immediately said. Dugu Tianke, who appears like a normal middle-aged man, is actually over a hundred years old, just like Chen Yaogzu, looking youthful due to their high level of cultivation. Therefore, Chen Yuxin dared not contradict Dugu Tianke.
"Xinxin, this matter truly puts me in a bind. Since that is the case, I’ll just let fate decide this once," Dugu Tianke hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I’ll stay neutral on this matter. I’ll help him, but not to the very end. As for the final outcome, it all depends on the fortune of you two."
"This... very well then," Chen Yuxin bit her lip, obviously somewhat unwilling, but she dared not be too presumptuous to haggle, especially as Dugu Tianke’s imposing inner strength made her a bit out of breath. That Dugu Tianke was willing to relent was already out of respect for Chen Yaogzu and the Chen family; otherwise, he wouldn’t bother to deal with a junior like her.
"Many thanks to Senior Dugu," Chen Yuxin stood up, bowing respectfully.
"Xinxin, there’s something this old man wants to ask you, and I hope you’ll answer truthfully."
"The junior will certainly tell nothing but the truth."
"Do you truly love him?"
"Yes." Hearing the question, Chen Yuxin nodded firmly, the resoluteness in her eyes more determined than when she vowed to become the Family Head.
"Ah, well, let it be then," Dugu Tianke sighed, seemingly speaking casually and then turned to leave the private room.
....................................
"Young friend, I’m truly sorry to have kept you waiting." At Yanjing Airport, Ye Shikai and Dugu Tianke boarded the private plane of Netherworld Palace. Although Yanjing is home to various martial arts sects, Worm Sect was not located there. Ye Shikai had heard that Worm Sect was in Yun City in the southwest of Huaxia. This time, Ye Shikai also brought Soul Destroyer and Wild Wolf along.
"It’s fine, Master please." Ye Shikai nodded slightly, "It’s a long journey, Master, you should rest first."
"Alright then, I’ll rest for a while."
Three hours later, when the plane landed at Yun City airport, Ye Shikai was immediately captivated by the scenery he saw. Yun City has been known for its stunning scenery since ancient times, and seeing it today, it truly lived up to its reputation. A distant waterfall, green mountains, and clear waters painted a beautiful picture beneath the bright sun.
"Young man, how about it? The scenery in Yun City is quite beautiful, isn’t it?" Dugu Tianke said with a smile as he disembarked.
"Back when I first started practicing medicine, this place was like heaven to me," Dugu Tianke’s eyes sparkled with excitement, as if recalling some thrilling memories.
"Master, what are you implying?" Ye Shikai was somewhat puzzled.
"Ha ha, young man, it’s not just the poisonous insects that made Yun City famous. Eight out of ten medicinal herbs in Huaxia come from this area, and some rare herbs can only be found here. Tell me, isn’t this place like paradise for a healer?" Dugu Tianke explained to Ye Shikai as they walked.
"Indeed so, although the junior is not well-versed in herbal medicine, my junior sister is a true herbalist. I must bring her here for a visit one day," Ye Shikai nodded. The "junior sister" in question was naturally Zi Yun, the one who was not only proficient in medicine but also poison, both skills honed to perfection. However, medicine and poison are inherently opposed yet interchangeable; poison used in the right way is medicine, and vice versa.
"Oh, that’s quite interesting indeed," Dugu Tianke said, taking out an old, worn wooden medicine box that shone brightly from long-term contact and friction with palms.
"Master, shall we head to Worm Sect now?"
"No need to hurry, young friend. Before that, we have to go somewhere else," Dugu Tianke shook his head and instructed the driver where to go.
....................................
"This is..." Although it was Ye Shikai’s first visit to Yun City, he was not blind. Various types of medicinal herbs filled the area—both well-known and obscure, seen and unseen – as expected from the city known as the "Herbal Medicine Capital."
"Master, are you planning to purchase medicinal herbs?" Ye Shikai asked curiously.
"Ha ha, young man, just like jewels and jade, the good stuff doesn’t just lay out in the open," Dugu Tianke said with a mysterious smile. "Most of these herbs are common, Yun City produces them in abundance. Most of the people here are wholesalers from all over. The truly valuable herbs that are worth a personal visit wouldn’t be on display for sale."
Ye Shikai understood Dugu Tianke’s point; rare goods were always controlled by the upper echelons of society. In simpler terms, not all treasures could be bought with money alone.
"Master, where can we find what you are looking for?"
"Ha ha, follow me." Dugu Tianke took Ye Shikai’s hand and led him into the largest shop in the market.
"Ha ha, Master Dugu, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other," a man hurriedly approached with a bow to Dugu Tianke.
"Boss Liu, long time no see," Dugu Tianke returned the bow as a sign of respect. Ye Shikai realized that Dugu Tianke had considerable authority in this area, which was no surprise given that he was a Divine Doctor.
"Oh, may I ask who this is..."
"Mr. Ye, welcome, welcome," the man named Boss Liu reached out and shook hands with Ye Shikai.
"Good to meet you, Boss Liu."
"Mr. Ye looks unfamiliar; it must be your first visit to my place," Boss Liu, behaving like a typical businessman, began to engage Ye Shikai in conversation.
"Yes, I am a patient of Master Dugu, here in Yun City for treatment," Ye Shikai nodded.
"Oh, then Mr. Ye is very fortunate, Master Dugu is a renowned Divine Doctor in Huaxia, and there has never been a patient he couldn’t cure," Boss Liu said, then turned to Dugu Tianke, "Master, you’ve come for that batch of medicinal herbs, I presume."
"Ha ha, old Liu, you really understand me. For a healer, medicinal herbs are like books to scholars. If you have the goods, you can cure the disease."