"What opportunity?" Zhou Xuan asked.
"A Deputy Commander in the highest command has gone home to recuperate due to health reasons. He holds a significant position within it."
"You mean, you want me to treat his illness?"
"Yes, and I heard the Qin family, impressed by your abilities, has already recommended you to him," Jingchen said.
"That damned Qin family has had their eyes on this opportunity for a long time. If they gain favor, they'll likely become even more influential," Zhou Xuan thought. Therefore, he had to meet this Deputy Commander as soon as possible and treat his illness first.
"Where is he? What is his illness?"
"We came today to pick you up."
Without a word, Jingchen and Mingyan took Zhou Xuan and set off.
Shangjing.
Lakeside Villa.
It was quiet here, very suitable for recuperation.
The car stopped discreetly on the outer road, and Zhou Xuan, Jingchen, and Mingyan walked towards it.
"You need to be mentally prepared. For someone of his stature, when he falls ill, they summon doctors from all over the country, even the world, for consultations," Jingchen reminded Zhou Xuan.
"I understand. How could I be so impatient?"
"Besides, it's good to try our luck. Perhaps others can't cure him, but I can?"
"Brother Zhou, it's good that you have this mindset."
The Deputy Commander's temper was said to be quite bad.
He was not someone they could afford to offend.
They just hoped Zhou Xuan could cure the Deputy Commander's illness quickly.
Entering the house.
The three entered the courtyard gate.
"May I ask if the Deputy Commander is willing to see us?" Jingchen inquired.
A servant-like man sized up the three of them and then said respectfully, "Yes, my master is in the bedroom. Please follow me."
The man led the three into the living room.
"Please make yourselves comfortable. Wait here while my master changes."
The man turned and left, closing the door.
"Brother Zhou, distinguished people are busy. Please bear with us," Mingyan said with a smile.
Zhou Xuan smiled faintly, having already prepared himself.
The three sat quietly, drinking tea and waiting. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the bedroom door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man in black slowly walked out.
This was the person he was here to meet.
Zhou Xuan's heart grew slightly tense.
Although his medical skills were powerful, he still felt some apprehension.
The Deputy Commander was nine feet five inches tall, with a sturdy build.
His face was rugged, and his gaze was cold.
He looked at Zhou Xuan and snorted, "A doctor?"
"Indeed, it is I."
Zhou Xuan cupped his hands.
The other man scanned Zhou Xuan from head to toe.
"Are you a martial artist?"
"Yes," Zhou Xuan nodded.
The room was exquisitely and luxuriously furnished, decorated in a typical European style, ancient and elegant.
The Deputy Commander then plopped down on the living room sofa.
He wore a black casual outfit, his hair slightly disheveled, giving him a weathered appearance, yet he exuded a dignified presence, with a gaze that seemed to look down upon the heavens.
"This is the master we found. We are here to treat you," Mingyan said respectfully, stepping forward.
The Deputy Commander glanced up at Mingyan and said faintly, "My illness does not require a doctor."
"But our people all said you were ill, and this matter has reached the highest command."
"The superiors are very concerned," Mingyan added.
The Deputy Commander raised an eyebrow.
"My illness is not something a young man like you can cure. Leave before I get angry."
With that, the Deputy Commander stood up and left.
Zhou Xuan and the other two exchanged glances.
They all knew the Deputy Commander had a fiery temper.
But they hadn't expected him to be so strong-willed!
"Brother Zhou, let's go," Jingchen sighed.
He couldn't do anything. He still had some face with the Deputy Commander. If not for the great favor of his deceased meritorious father, they would have been kicked out long ago.
"Alright, let's go," Zhou Xuan stood up.
He had a premonition that this man would ask him back.
The illness was very serious, and the cause was also very strange. Those doctors had probably never seen such a condition.
Even if they knew about it, they might not treat it.
Zhou Xuan felt he had a grasp of the situation.
The three of them reached the courtyard gate, where a group of attendants and guards stood.
Zhou Xuan and the other two were stopped.
"Halt! Who are you?"
"We are medical consultants invited by the Deputy Commander," Jingchen replied.
"Medical consultants?"
The guard sized up the three of them and sneered, "Why would medical consultants be here? Are you also sent to monitor this place?"
"Could you be spies from somewhere?"
Jingchen frowned. The man's attitude was truly terrible.
"We submitted our credentials and applications before entering."
"Get lost, stop lingering here!"
Jingchen had been marginalized, so these people naturally didn't show him any respect.
It was as if even beating a dog required looking at its owner; Jingchen endured it.
Zhou Xuan, however, let out a cold laugh.
Their very presence here was to investigate the illness.
Zhou Xuan said, "What's wrong with being a medical consultant?"
"Are you really medical consultants?" the guard sneered, "Even if you are, people like you cannot enter so casually. The three of you, scram! You are not welcome here."
At this moment, a group of people walked out – the other doctors invited by the Deputy Commander, including sorcerers and even eminent monks.
Seeing this, they all came over.
The leader was clearly very displeased.
"What's going on?"
"Boss, these people came in, were kicked out, and are still lingering around, so I told them to leave quickly."
"What is it? They can leave slowly, but we must be chased away?" Zhou Xuan retorted calmly.
Zhou Xuan's counter-question left the guard speechless.
Zhou Xuan's words hit the nail on the head.
After all, the three of them were merely outsiders.
They were all outsiders, so why the differential treatment?
Was it simply because he had less facial hair?
It made him seem unreliable and incapable.
"And you, Mingyan, although you are isolated in the command, have you now found someone without even a beard to try and make a comeback?"
As soon as this was said, Mingyan froze, while the others burst into laughter.
Mingyan glared indignantly, "What are you laughing at?"
"Laughing at you."
"Laughing at what?"
"I think this person is deceiving you. This person is clearly not a divine doctor. You haven't fallen for desperate measures, have you?"
"What do you know? Why are you talking nonsense?!" Mingyan looked at the other person furiously.
"This, this is actually the renowned divine doctor Zhou..."
"Don't spout nonsense! How could Divine Doctor Zhou be a young fellow who hasn't even grown a beard?"
The guard couldn't stand it either.
"They are international famous doctors, or renowned Daoist priests and abbots. What are you? Hurry up and get lost!"
The others also saw Zhou Xuan and the three of them and began to jeer.
"Young man, gaining the Deputy Commander's approval is not that easy."
"Indeed, his illness is very difficult to handle, something you cannot achieve."