For a moment, Jiu Yue suspected this physician might be a quack.
Her gaze swept over Qian Chunqiu’s swollen wrist before she turned to Hu Lu, silently seeking his opinion.
But Hu Lu seemed to trust Doctor Tang implicitly. He even cooperatively restrained Qian Chunqiu, who was trying to flee, his expression resolute. "Go ahead, miss… Whatever the outcome, I’ll take full responsibility. You needn’t worry!"
With things put so plainly, Jiu Yue didn’t hesitate further. She glanced at the composed old man across from her, who gestured for her to begin whenever she was ready.
Jiu Yue acted decisively.
The moment she gripped Qian Chunqiu’s inflamed wrist, his mouth flew open—but Hu Lu swiftly shoved his own forearm between Qian Chunqiu’s teeth, muffling what would have been a piercing scream.
At the same time, Doctor Tang struck without warning.
With a flick of his sleeve, three silver needles shot through the gaps between Jiu Yue’s fingers, embedding themselves in Qian Chunqiu’s wrist.
An instant later, Jiu Yue’s hand was pinned down.
She paused, her eyes narrowing as she caught a glimmer of deeper meaning in the old man’s gaze.
"Don’t lose focus. Use your inner energy to force his needles out," Doctor Tang instructed calmly.
Jiu Yue lowered her eyes, complying with her left hand while subtly gathering energy in her restrained right, resisting his hold. She could feel the old man attempting to maintain his grip.
Qian Chunqiu had been in agony, but when he accidentally opened his eyes, he saw the table beneath their locked hands quietly splitting apart.
Qian Chunqiu: "…!"
Hu Lu: "!!!"
Both were stunned—
They’d never seen anyone hold their own against the clan elder… let alone someone so young!
Awe replaced their earlier wariness. If they’d merely avoided provoking Jiu Yue out of prudence before, now they were utterly convinced of her prowess.
Qian Chunqiu even forgot his pain momentarily, looking up at his elder brother with starry-eyed admiration.
If only Jiu Yue could stay in the village like Doctor Tang…
Hu Lu nearly lost himself in that sense of security—until a crisp snap snapped him back to reality.
He looked up to see three needles embedded in the opposite wall, then down to find Qian Chunqiu’s swelling rapidly subsiding.
"His hand is fine now. No alcohol for the time being," Doctor Tang remarked offhandedly, prompting Jiu Yue to withdraw her left hand.
Her gaze lingered on the cracks in the table, darkening slightly, but before she could speak, the old man shooed the others away.
"Off you go. I’d like a word with the young lady alone," he said, leisurely closing his eyes.
Hu Lu and Qian Chunqiu dared not disobey, slinking out and shutting the door behind them.
Jiu Yue’s brow furrowed. No longer holding back, her left hand shot toward the restraint on her right—yet at the last moment, instinct made her pull back.
A yelp followed—
"You little—! Why’d you retreat mid-strike?!" Doctor Tang was now nursing five needles stuck in his own hand, his composure shattered as he shook them loose.
Jiu Yue leisurely freed her right hand, watching the old man hop around the room. "Serves you right," she scoffed. "Play dirty, pay the price."
Had she been slower, those needles would’ve been hers.
Doctor Tang: "…"
He glared at her, pouting like a petulant child. "You’ve inherited your master’s worst traits—no manners whatsoever!"
"…My master?" Jiu Yue had moved to the wall, plucking out the three needles. She studied Doctor Tang intently.
No recognition surfaced.
A cold weight settled in her chest.
Was this old man… her master’s enemy?
Killing intent flashed in her eyes as her mind raced through escape plans post-assassination—
Doctor Tang, expecting a tearful reunion, instead found her radiating murderous energy.
What in the—?!
Doctor Tang: "…"
His eye twitched. "Don’t be rash! I held you as a babe—wait, stop looking at me like I’m a criminal! Your master still owes me hundreds in medicine fees!!!"
Jiu Yue: "…"
The hostility vanished, replaced by confusion. "Huh?"
Doctor Tang exhaled heavily, clutching his pounding heart. "You’re sharper than your master. He lacked your decisiveness," he murmured, nostalgia tinged with sorrow.
Silence stretched. He’d expected her to pour tea and ask about the past…
Instead, she remained wary.
"You claim we’ve met, but I’ve no memory of you. Why should I believe you?" Jiu Yue eyed him skeptically.
It wasn’t bias.
In the capital, Nangong Xun had fought her without lethal intent, then surrendered outright. Their duel carried a strange familiarity, which built trust.
But this old man? No recollection whatsoever.
Doctor Tang: "…"
"Just like your master—infuriating!" he grumbled, tugging his hair in frustration as he paced.
Finally, he blurted:
"You wouldn’t remember—you were still babbling when I fed you!"
"That move you used on Qian Chunqiu? Stolen by your master from that old fox Nangong Cang! Shamelessly taught to you, but I spotted it instantly!"
"And your silver hairpin! We nearly pawned it once—only guilt stopped us. No enemy would know that!"
Jiu Yue: "…"
She hadn’t even known her master stole that technique.
The hairpin detail chipped at her defenses.
Doctor Tang nearly wept with relief.
Why did his reunion feel like an interrogation?!
Yet as he studied her, pride outweighed the ordeal.
"I heard you avenged your master yourself."
"Your master would be immensely proud if he could see this from the heavens."
Jiu Yue remained silent for a moment before stepping forward and offering a respectful bow.
"This junior, Jiu Yue, pays respects to the elder."
