Chapter Ten: A Daughter of the Li Estate Seeks to Subdue a Demon

Inside the Crown Prince’s palace, Li Chengqian remained lost in thought, ruminating over Su Chen’s words. He realized he had truly underestimated the man. Though he had not fully grasped the concepts Su Chen presented, he still ordered his subordinates to select a group of reliable craftsmen to report to the Su household.

"Does he truly possess a cure for her respiratory ailment?"

Li Chengqian remembered Su Chen’s final remark vividly; hearing it had made his heart skip a beat. He was no fool; he understood that Su Chen was attempting to reach out to his mother, Empress Zhangsun. However, the mere possibility that Su Chen could treat her condition made it impossible for him to remain still. If a cure truly existed, he could not let his own reservations hinder such a crucial matter. Empress Zhangsun had long suffered from this chronic respiratory condition, enduring immense pain with each flare-up. With the imperial physicians unable to offer any relief, hope had all but vanished.

"I shall send someone to fetch the prescription tomorrow. If it proves effective, I will ensure the source remains anonymous, and no one will be the wiser."

Li Chengqian had made his plan. He would send men to retrieve the formula and have the imperial physicians verify it. If it were sound, he would administer it to his mother. Should it prove successful, he would keep Su Chen’s name out of it, thereby preventing the Empress from being drawn into the affairs of the Su family.

Meanwhile, at the medical clinic, Sun Simiao had spent the entire night in deep conversation with Su Chen. Sun had posed several complex questions, all of which Su Chen resolved with ease. Some of Su Chen’s insights had even left the great physician lost in long, contemplative silence.

The next morning, Su Chen awoke to find Sun Simiao gone. Upon inquiring with others, he learned that Sun had departed before dawn, likely to continue his wandering. Before leaving, Sun had left behind fourteen characters: "Su Chen is my junior brother; my medical skills pale in comparison to his!"

During their late-night exchange, Sun Simiao had realized he was not fit to be Su Chen’s master. Having only spent a dozen days with him, Sun felt he could not claim such credit. In the Taoist tradition, fellow practitioners addressed one another as brothers, and Sun had honored Su Chen with that title upon his departure.

The news swept across Chang'an, becoming the talk of every street and alley.

"What? He is the junior brother of the Immortal Sun? No wonder he is so extraordinary! The father of my neighbor’s child’s classmate was on his deathbed, but after one dose of medicine from his clinic, he was back on his feet and working the next day!"

Su Chen’s reputation spread like wildfire, fueled by the common folk’s love for the miraculous and their own vivid imaginations. When the clinic opened its doors, a long line had already formed. Sun Simiao’s every move was closely watched, and the parting message he left behind served as a golden endorsement.

Su Chen was soon overwhelmed with work, though the assistance of several imperial physicians made the workload manageable. "It’s a good thing I managed to rope in Physician Zhou and the others, or today would have been impossible."

By midday, Su Chen had barely managed a bite to eat when he heard someone calling for him. It was Cheng Chumou.

"Little Chen, come with me quickly! My father is waiting for you." Seeing Su Chen, Cheng Chumou grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward the door.

Su Chen had a mountain of tasks remaining, but Cheng Chumou cared little for that. "Wait, Chumou, if you want me to come, you must at least let me finish what I have in hand."

Seeing Cheng Chumou’s persistence, Su Chen did not know what Cheng Yaojin wanted, but having finally established ties with the Niu and Cheng families, he knew he had to tread carefully.

"Fine, fine! Finish whatever you need to, I’ll wait right here. But you have one cup of tea's time at most."

As Cheng Chumou waited outside, Su Chen went back in and handed a prepared bag to Physician Zhou. "Physician Zhou, if anyone from the Crown Prince comes for the prescription, just hand them this bag. I have other matters to attend to; the clinic is in your hands for now."

With a final word of instruction, Su Chen left the clinic, following Cheng Chumou.

"Tell me, Brother Chumou, this doesn't look like the way to your house, does it?" Su Chen was familiar with the route to the Cheng estate and found the direction strange.

"Brother, I won't lie to you. My father is currently with Uncle Li. They are drinking, and in high spirits, they told me to come and fetch you."

It turned out Cheng Yaojin was drinking with Li Jing. After a long conversation, the topic turned to the miraculous medical skills Su Chen had displayed the day before. It reminded them that Li Jing’s health had been poor for years, prompting Cheng Yaojin to send his son to bring Su Chen over.

Su Chen nodded. "I see!"

He had long wanted to meet Li Jing. This was a legendary Great Tang military genius. If he could secure a connection with him, Zhangsun Chong would be the least of his worries. He had originally intended to wait until he had developed new weapons before approaching Li Jing, but since the opportunity had arrived, he would not let it slip.

The carriage rolled over the cobblestone road, the scenery blurring past. Soon, they arrived at Li Jing’s residence. Even from the entrance, they could hear the boisterous laughter of Cheng Yaojin.

"Hurry, follow me in. My father and Uncle Li are waiting for you."

Cheng Chumou pulled Su Chen inside. They felt no jealousy toward Su Chen’s newfound fame; instead, brothers like Cheng Chumou and Li Huai-ren felt a sense of pride. After all, Su Chen was their brother. Once known as one of the "Five Evils of Chang'an," his image had been transformed overnight, thanks to the countless people now seeking his medical expertise.

"Old Li, come quickly! This is the Su Chen I told you about."

As Cheng Chumou led him inside, Cheng Yaojin, hearing the noise, emerged with Li Jing. They met face-to-face. Li Jing did not appear to have drunk much, but there was a faint, dark-purple hue around his brow—a clear sign of an underlying ailment.

Su Chen bowed respectfully to both men. These were two titans of the empire; building a relationship with them would be immensely beneficial. Just then, however, a sharp, piercing cry from a woman cut through the air:

"Demon! Today, I shall see you bleed for your crimes—prepare to meet your end!"