Chapter 110: Second Master of the Han Family
"Grandpa!" Han Chuxue yelled as she hurried into the villa. Zhao Dong followed her inside, but he immediately noticed something was amiss.
After scanning the area, his gaze hardened. There was a faint, almost imperceptible black mist swirling around the Han Family estate! This could only mean one of two things: either there was a corrupting object on the property, or there was a serious flaw in their Feng Shui. He had a bad feeling about this, but there was no time to dwell on it. He quickly followed Han Chuxue deeper into the villa.
The entire Han Family was gathered in a special medical room on the second floor. The family patriarch, Han Qingtian, had two sons, Han Jianping and Han Jian'an, and one daughter, Han Mei. Han Jianping was Han Chuxue's father. At this moment, Han Qingtian was lying on a hospital bed in the center of the room, on a ventilator and hooked up to various medical devices. Two doctors in white coats stood by his side, examining him.
Han Jianping finally lost his patience. "Doctors," he said anxiously, "you must check my father thoroughly. How could he have ended up like this for no reason?"
A middle-aged doctor nodded and, after another careful look, his expression turned grave. "Mr. Han, could you please describe what happened today in detail?"
Han Jianping pondered for a few seconds. "My father was perfectly fine at the dinner table. Then, he suddenly fainted, vomited blood, and lost consciousness."
The two doctors' expressions grew even more serious. Finally, the middle-aged one sighed. "Frankly, Mr. Han… we can't find anything wrong. We've checked your father's vitals several times. He appears to be in perfect health. There's nothing amiss. We're truly at a loss."
"What?! You can't find anything wrong?" Han Jian'an interjected angrily from the side. "What are you even good for? The Han Family provides so much funding to East Sea Hospital every year, investing over ten million a day, just to support a bunch of incompetents like you?"
"Jian'an, that's no way to speak to the doctors," Han Jianping said, displeased.
The two doctors were viciously berated but didn't dare to respond. Han Jian'an glanced at his brother and retorted, "Brother, am I not speaking the truth? As doctors, if you can't even diagnose the illness, what's the use of keeping you around?"
Han Jianping shot Han Jian'an a cold glare, feeling deeply displeased. I am the eldest son, after all. What gives him the right to speak to me like that? Being born into a wealthy family naturally led to struggles for power, and it was no different for the two Han brothers. Both coveted the right of inheritance, each hoping to perform well enough for Han Qingtian to name them the next head of the family.
Finally, Han Jianping turned back to the doctors. "So, is there really no other way to treat my father's condition?"
The doctors exchanged a glance. "Well, there is one possibility. The Divine Doctor, Zhao Shiren, is currently in East Sea. You might want to ask him to take a look."
"Zhao Shiren?!" The Han family members were all astonished. They had all heard of Zhao Shiren's great reputation. He traveled frequently, and his medical skills were said to be incredible—capable of bringing the dead back to life!
"Alright, we'll send someone to find the Divine Doctor immediately!" Han Jianping and Han Jian'an exchanged a look. Though they said nothing, they both began instructing their men to find Zhao Shiren. After all, if one of them found the man who could save Han Qingtian's life, the position of heir would surely be theirs.
Just then, Han Chuxue burst through the door. The moment she saw the unconscious Han Qingtian on the bed, tears welled up in her eyes. She rushed over, crying, "Grandpa, what's wrong with you? Please don't scare me..." Han Qingtian had always doted on Han Chuxue, and the two shared a strong bond. Seeing her grandfather like this, Han Chuxue's heart ached and her tears flowed freely. At that moment, she suddenly recalled what Zhao Dong had told her—that her family's recent string of disasters was surely caused by something. She hadn't believed him then, but now she couldn't help but wonder. Could there… really be something unclean in the house?
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door. The next second, Zhao Dong walked in, catching the entire Han family by surprise.
The family stared, taken aback. Han Jianping sized Zhao Dong up and frowned. "Who are you? Who let you in?"
Han Chuxue turned around, wiping her tears. "Dad, Mom, this is Zhao Dong. He's my friend."
"Zhao Dong?" Han Jianping repeated the name, and in the next instant, his expression changed drastically. "Zhao Dong? The same Zhao Dong who offended Xiao Hongtian of the Xiao Family from the Provincial City at the banquet?"
Zhao Dong rubbed his nose and smiled at Han Jianping. "Uncle, that's me. I'm here to—"
"Get out!" Han Jianping roared before he could finish. "Who allowed you into our home? Leave at once! Are you trying to bring doom upon the Han Family?" He then turned his fury on his daughter. "Chuxue, who told you to associate with someone like him? Do you have any idea that he's offended the Xiao Family from the Provincial City?"
Han Chuxue bit her lip, unsure how to answer her father. Should I tell him that Zhao Dong already took my virginity? That, even if I don't want to admit it, he's my man now? No, I can't say that. Dad would probably kill me if he found out.
Gritting her teeth, Han Chuxue said, "Dad, Zhao Dong is a cultivator. I brought him here to see if he could help."
Han Jianping let out a humorless laugh. "A cultivator? I admit cultivators are one in ten thousand, but this Zhao Dong is no expert. What's more, he's offended such a terrifying power. It's questionable if he'll even live to see tomorrow. I don't care, just make him leave now!"
Han Chuxue's face went pale. "Dad! Why are you being so stubborn? Can't you at least let him say a few words?"
She looked at Zhao Dong, who rubbed his nose again. "Uncle, the truth is, I also know how to treat illnesses. Old Master Han helped me once before, and I also owe Chuxue a debt. I just want to help."
Han Jianping's face was cold. "That won't be necessary. You're neither qualified nor capable. Just leave the Han residence now."
Just then, Han Jian'an spoke up from the side. "Brother, I think we should let this young man try. He probably wouldn't have dared to come here if he didn't have some ability." He then looked at Zhao Dong. "Young friend Zhao Dong, you said you know some medical skills. You're not joking, are you?"
"I have no reason to joke," Zhao Dong replied flatly.
"Good," Han Jian'an chuckled. "After all, this is a matter of life and death. We must be responsible for the Old Master."
Han Jianping was not pleased. "Jian'an, do you realize what you're doing?" he said with a frown. "You want to let some young brat treat our father? If something goes wrong, who will take responsibility? Will you?"
Han Jian'an's brow furrowed, and he hesitated. If Zhao Dong makes a mistake, Jianping will surely use it to attack me. My hopes of becoming the heir would be finished. But a part of him still wanted to trust Zhao Dong, leaving him torn.
At that moment, a Han Family subordinate hurried in. "Sirs, the Divine Doctor, Zhao Shiren, has been found!"
Han Jianping and Han Jian'an spoke in unison. "Who found him?"
"Reporting to you, Sirs, it was Han Fei."
The moment he heard the name Han Fei, Han Jianping's face lit up with elation, while Han Jian'an looked dejected. Han Fei worked for Han Jianping. This meant if the Old Master was cured, the credit would all go to his brother.
"Quick, quick! Show Divine Doctor Zhao in!" Han Jianping laughed heartily. His face then hardened as he turned to Zhao Dong. "Boy, you can go now. You're not needed here. The Old Master has a real doctor to treat him."
"I'll just watch from the side," Zhao Dong said calmly. "Old Master Han helped me once. It would be wrong of me to just leave now."
Han Jian'an chimed in, "It's fine, young friend Zhao Dong. Just stay and watch."
Zhao Dong glanced at Han Jian'an. This second master of the Han Family is certainly easier to get along with than Chuxue's father.
Han Jianping didn't say anything further, as he never considered Zhao Dong to be important in the first place. A moment later, an old man with a white beard and the otherworldly air of a sage entered the room.
Han Jianping immediately rushed forward. "You must be Divine Doctor Zhao! Please, Divine Doctor, take a look at my father!"
The newcomer was indeed Zhao Shiren, an expert in acupuncture whose astounding medical skills had earned him considerable fame over the years. He smiled at Han Jianping. "I've been briefed on the situation. Rest assured, Master Han, I will do my best."
Han Jianping nodded vigorously. "If you can cure my father, your consultation fee will be five million!"
A flash of astonishment showed in Zhao Shiren's eyes. He immediately walked to Old Master Han's bedside and began taking his pulse.
A moment later, Zhao Shiren's eyes shot open, his brow furrowed with a grave expression. "This is not good!"