Chapter 24: Hah! A shameless villain? I, Yun Qing, hold such people in contempt!

"Yes, I am awake."

Yun Qing’s reply to Wu Wei remained as detached as ever, though perhaps due to the early hour, his tone carried a faint, icy chill.

"Quickly, bring Young Master Yun Qing’s breakfast," Wu Wei commanded. "You, go fetch water and attend to Young Master Yun Qing’s washing and dressing. And you, hurry and tidy the room."

"Yes." "Yes." "Yes."

The servants and maids bustled about under Wu Wei’s orders. Half an hour later, Yun Qing had finally finished dressing and completed his morning meal. Only then did Wu Wei speak up: "Young Master Yun Qing, please accompany me to see my foster father."

"Very well."

Yun Qing rose and walked toward the main chamber. In truth, during his time in the Northern Ji Kingdom, he had heard the rumors surrounding Wu Shanggui. He knew that Wu Shanggui was a base, treacherous man who had conspired with the new emperor to stage a coup, betraying the former Emperor of the Great Zhao, to whom he had owed a great debt. Had it not been for the First Prince, Ji Jiangui, Yun Qing would have held nothing but contempt for a man like Wu Shanggui.

But he had no choice. The First Prince had done his master a great favor. When the Prince’s trusted aide had arrived with a request, his master had been compelled to agree to send someone to treat Wu Shanggui’s injuries. As his master was tied up with urgent matters and unable to travel to the Great Zhao, he, as the disciple, had no choice but to follow his master’s orders and come himself to heal a shameless villain.

Yun Qing walked in front, while Wu Wei followed respectfully, chattering away as he led the path. Soon, they arrived at the courtyard where Wu Shanggui resided. Reflecting on his own quarters, which were but a short distance away, Yun Qing sneered inwardly. *The Wu family steward certainly knows how to arrange rooms. A proximity like this is usually reserved for the women of the house. Does the Wu family expect me to be on call every second to watch over Wu Shanggui? How laughable!*

Though dissatisfied, Yun Qing’s face remained cold and impassive, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

The steward of the Wu household had been waiting in the courtyard since dawn. He had paced back and forth, growing increasingly anxious at the delay. Had it not been for the Second Young Master’s strict instructions, he would have lost his patience and gone to fetch Yun Qing himself. After all, his master’s injuries could not afford a moment’s delay.

It was only when he saw Yun Qing and Wu Wei appear that the steward let out a sigh of relief. He immediately plastered a smile on his face and hurried to greet them. "Second Young Master, Young Master Yun, you have finally arrived."

"Uncle Yan, how is my foster father?"

"The Master has been awake for a long time; his wife just finished feeding him some porridge." The steward’s expression darkened mid-sentence. "It is just that the Master’s injuries are too severe. Even with the Madam and the maids being as careful as possible, the pain makes it impossible for him to eat. During the days you were away, Second Young Master, he barely consumed anything. He has withered away to nothing compared to when you left."

Wu Wei’s face clouded with anger. "Do those imperial physicians in the palace have no solutions at all? My foster father is in this state because he served the court and the Emperor with his life! Are those palace doctors nothing but useless fools?"

The steward trembled slightly at Wu Wei’s outburst. "Please, Second Young Master, calm yourself. Until two days ago, those physicians came every day to change his dressings. But they claimed their medical skill had reached its limit and could, at best, only alleviate a fraction of the agony. They said they could do no more. Two days ago, they made their final visit, declaring that the Master’s life was no longer in danger and that they need not visit daily. They left instructions for the household servants to boil the medicine and for us to have a local doctor change the dressings using the ointments they provided."

Wu Wei’s expression was thunderous. "Absurd! My foster father has not yet recovered, and those doctors dare to stop coming in person?"

"Please, Second Young Master, have mercy! It cannot be helped. The number of physicians in the palace is limited, especially after the palace coup when over a dozen perished. They said the Imperial Medical Bureau is severely understaffed. Even the Emperor has approved this arrangement. Second Young Master, walls have ears—please, be careful with your words!"

The steward’s warning brought Wu Wei back to his senses. "Uncle Yan, I was impulsive."

"Sigh, it is only because you care so much for your foster father, Second Young Master." The steward bowed, gesturing forward. "Second Young Master, Young Master Yun, please."

Wu Wei turned to the silent Yun Qing. "Young Master Yun, please, let us see my foster father."

"Very well."

Yun Qing uttered only those two words and stepped into the room. Making his way from the outer chamber to the inner, he caught sight of Wu Shanggui lying on the bed. As he approached, he took in the man’s condition: pale, gaunt, his shoulders and thighs wrapped in bandages. And, of course, the lower regions... In short, Wu Shanggui’s state could only be described as "too ghastly to look upon."

Yun Qing’s expression remained indifferent, but a flicker of curious light danced in his eyes. *To be able to reduce Wu Shanggui to this state—the culprit must be a capable person. It seems the deposed emperor is not the incompetent fool the rumors claim. I wonder if I shall have the chance to meet this deposed ruler of the Great Zhao?*

At that moment, Yun Qing cared little for the patient before him; his curiosity was piqued entirely by the man who had inflicted such damage.

Wu Wei, standing by the bed and looking at his foster father, felt a pang of heartache. "Young Master Yun, please, examine him."

"What is the rush?"

Yun Qing uttered the words calmly and placed his fingers on Wu Shanggui’s pulse. He then used his spiritual energy to inspect the wounds. The entire process took less than a quarter of an hour. Yun Qing already understood the situation: to a mortal physician, these injuries were indeed incurable, and the patient would be crippled for life. But for someone like him—a genius of the spiritual healing lineage...

"Young Master Yun," Wu Wei’s voice came from behind, filled with anxiety, "will my foster father be able to recover as he once was?"