Chapter 51: A Forced Sale!

Yao Xuanchen!

Hearing this name, Cao Mengchen was stunned for a moment.

"Elder Yao, please forgive me for not coming out to welcome you further. I am the master of the Shennong Pavilion in Jiangnan City."

Cao Mengchen bowed respectfully to Yao Xuanchen.

Then, turning to Duan Lingxiao, he introduced:

"Master Ling, Elder Yao is retired from the imperial capital of Longdu and currently lives in seclusion in Jiangbei City. Generations of his ancestors have practiced medicine, and they are a family of imperial physicians."

"He himself is no exception. Before his retirement, he served as an imperial physician in the Forbidden City."

Cao Mengchen said this to remind Duan Lingxiao.

As an imperial physician, this Yao Xuanchen must have treated countless high-ranking officials and noble figures.

The connections he held in his hands were naturally extraordinary.

In other words, a person like this must not be offended!

When Duan Lingxiao returned to the imperial capital of Longdu five years ago to receive his honors, Yao Xuanchen had already completed his retirement procedures, which was why Duan Lingxiao did not recognize him.

Of course, Yao Xuanchen was even less likely to recognize Duan Lingxiao.

Because Duan Lingxiao had always served in the military in the past and had little to do with doctors and physicians.

Added to the fact that Duan Lingxiao's demeanor and appearance had changed since then, unless he deliberately revealed his identity, ordinary people would never be able to recognize him.

However, even if he did recognize him, so what?

In Duan Lingxiao's mind, the so-called national and imperial physicians could not even compare to his Fourth Evil Master.

The medical skills of the Fourth Evil Master were truly divine.

He had personally witnessed the Fourth Evil Master save a half-dead person—someone whose foot was already stepping into the gates of Hell—with just a few casual strokes of the acupuncture needles.

Naturally, he had now inherited all of those medical skills in their entirety.

"Since you know who I am, I will save myself the trouble of repeating it. Let's skip the small talk; I want to know about the Grand Mystery Medical Saint."

Yao Xuanchen said flatly.

Having lived in Longdu for many years and dealing exclusively with the top-tier wealthy and powerful families of the Dragon Kingdom, he had unconsciously absorbed a thick aura of bureaucratic arrogance.

As he spoke, he exuded an invisible, condescending aura of someone in a superior position interrogating a subordinate.

"The Grand Mystery Medical Saint?"

"Never heard of him."

Duan Lingxiao shook his head.

"How could you not have heard of him? The medical formula you produced at the Giasheng Auction House was the Turtle-Snake Longevity Pill, and moreover, it was the complete, flawless version, not the incomplete version found on the market. That complete version is derived from the Divine Turtle Longevity Pill formula of the Grand Mystery Medical Saint."

"If you are not closely connected to the Grand Mystery Medical Saint, how could you possibly possess such a formula?"

Hearing this, Yao Xuanchen frowned, a trace of impatience already creeping into his tone.

"Do I need to know him to produce this formula?"

Duan Lingxiao frowned, feeling displeased with Yao Xuanchen's tone.

Yet, deep in his mind, he recalled the words his Fourth Evil Master had once told him when imparting his medical skills:

"Little Duan, this Canon of the Medicine King encompasses all things. Anything you can find in the outside world, or even what you cannot find, can be found within the Canon of the Medicine King."

"And this Canon of the Medicine King is the culmination of my life's work. You must make good use of it and never let it gather dust, understand?"

At that time, the Fourth Evil Master's words remained vivid in his mind, echoing in his ears.

And the formula for the Turtle-Snake Longevity Pill was indeed recorded within the Canon of the Medicine King.

Could the Fourth Evil Master be the legendary Grand Mystery Medical Saint?

Duan Lingxiao mused inwardly.

However, whether he was or not, he could never admit it.

The reason the Fourth Evil Master remained hidden in the deepest recesses of Zero-Number Prison was precisely because he no longer wished to have any entanglements with the outside world.

Therefore, Duan Lingxiao could not proactively expose any information regarding him.

"Speak. How much money will it take for you to tell me news of the Grand Mystery Medical Saint?"

"Also, do you have any other medical formulas in your possession? If you do, I'll buy them all!"

Yao Xuanchen demanded.

Duan Lingxiao frowned and was about to speak when Yao Xuanchen continued:

"Furthermore, young man, watch your phrasing. Don't lose the big picture over small matters. The news regarding the Grand Mystery Medical Saint carries too much karma; it's something you cannot handle!"

"If you hand over the news of the Grand Mystery Medical Saint and the formulas to me, you won't just get a large sum of money; you'll also earn a favor from me. You won't be losing out!"

Yao Xuanchen leaned both hands on his dragon-headed cane, his face extremely grim, his words carrying an undertone of threat.

Were it not for his concern over his own reputation and the fact that Duan Lingxiao possessed considerable strength, he would have long since resorted to violent means to resolve the matter.

In any case, he had extensive connections in the imperial capital of Longdu; killing a few people wouldn't amount to a significant issue.

"That's right. Elder Yao is the country's top medical expert. If you have news of the Grand Mystery Medical Saint or other formulas, handing them over to Elder Yao is the only way their true value can be realized!"

"Pavilion Master Cao, why don't you persuade this young brother?"

"A favor from Elder Yao is not something just anyone can obtain. This is a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes!"

Yang Desheng chimed in to persuade him, a look of deep envy in his eyes.

A favor from Yao Xuanchen—let alone in Jiangbei and Jiangnan—was something countless people throughout the entire Dragon Kingdom begged for in vain.

"Uh..."

"I'm sorry, I have no authority to interfere with any decision Master Ling makes."

Cao Mengchen shook his head.

He was equally disgusted by Yao Xuanchen's overbearing attitude of forced buying and selling.

"What! You..."

Yang Desheng's expression darkened as well, surprised that Cao Mengchen was so unappreciative of what was good for him.

Didn't he know that Elder Yao was a heavyweight figure in the medical world?

They were all just trying to make a living in this industry; how was offending Elder Yao any different from seeking death?

"Young man, have you made up your decision?"

"I traveled all the way from Jiangbei City, chasing after you by highway, which is already showing you a great deal of respect. Take what you can get while you're ahead, and don't push your luck!"

Yao Xuanchen looked at Duan Lingxiao and asked in a deep voice.

"Your favor, in my eyes, is worthless."

Duan Lingxiao said indifferently.

As those words fell, Yao Xuanchen's facial expression twisted as if he were constipated, instantly turning ashen and ugly to the extreme.

As for Yang Desheng, his face was full of astonishment, his jaw dropping in shock.

He stared at Duan Lingxiao with absolute disbelief.

Never could he have imagined that Duan Lingxiao would show such utter disrespect.

Elder Yao's favor was worthless?

That took real nerve to say!

"It seems you have no intention of sparing me any face!"

Yao Xuanchen's fingers tightened around his dragon-headed cane, the veins bulging on the back of his well-cared-for hand, clearly harboring immense fury.

"Must I grant you this face?"

"I've said all there is to say. If you continue to pester us, don't blame me for showing no mercy with my fists."

Duan Lingxiao spoke calmly, a sharp, fierce aura instantly erupting from him.

Like a roaring tiger and a chanting dragon, it towered over the firmament, looked down upon the universe, and stood arrogant before the world.

Yao Xuanchen's eyes narrowed slightly; Duan Lingxiao's aura involuntarily made him feel the oppression of someone in a position of supreme authority.

It was just like facing those great figures in the imperial capital of Longdu.

True big figures always concealed their emotions on the surface, remaining entirely unchanged even if Mount Tai collapsed before them.

Yet once the aura stored within their hearts erupted, it was like a roaring mountain torrent or breaking waves—unstoppable and awe-inspiring.

However, such an aura was only possessed by those who had held high positions for a long time and wielded the power of life and death.

How could it appear on a young man from a prefecture-level city?

Yet this feeling could not be mistaken!

Yao Xuanchen had spent so many years in the imperial capital of Longdu; he still possessed that much discernment.

For a moment, Yao Xuanchen hesitated.

"Let's go."

Duan Lingxiao ignored Yao Xuanchen and said to Cao Mengchen.

"Yes, Master Ling."

Cao Mengchen hurriedly opened the car door, started the engine, and the two quickly vanished from the spot.

Even after they had left, Yao Xuanchen still remained silent.

"Elder Yao, are you alright?"

After a long while, Yang Desheng asked with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.