Li Xue gasped as her eyes fell on the emblem. “The Prince’s insignia! Does that mearied to have us killed?”

  Jin Shu studied the insignia in his hand, his expression calm. “Unlikely.”

  “What do you mean? This is the Prince’s insignia, isn’t it?”

  “It is,” he replied, “but think about it—what kind of assassins would carry their employer’s insignia? It’s practically a death warrant if they fail. Besides, he still needs me… or rather, my mother. Killing me would wainst his goals.”

  Li Xue frowned, her fusion deepening. “So if it wasn’t the Prihen who?”

  Jin Shu shrugged nontly. “Yuess is as good as mihough,” he added, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, “it could still be him.”

  “Wait, what? But you just said—”

  “He might’ve ordered them to carry the insignia so that if it was found, he could cim it on another prince's pnting,” Jin Shu interrupted smoothly.

  “So… it was the Prince?” Li Xue asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

  “Who knows?” Jin Shu tucked away the insignia in a er of his earring. “And frankly, I don’t care. I’ve got more important things to worry about—like getting home and healing my friend.”

  ***

  By the time Jin Shu and his panions arrived at Bck Mountain City, the sun had long si. The assassins’ attack had deyed them, and now the city gates loomed before them, sealed so tightly not even a whisper of wind could slip through.

  As they approached, a voice called out from the ramparts above. “Who goes there?” The sound echoed into the stillness of the night.

  Jin Shu raised his head, squinting at the figure partially illuminated by torchlight atop the wall. “I am Jin Shu of the Jin family. I have urgent business. Would you open the side door?”

  The figure hesitated, then called back, “Jin Shu, you say? Hold on.”

  Moments ter, a small slot in the iron door beside the main gate slid open, revealing a pair of scrutinizing eyes. “Are you truly Young Master Jin?” came a voice from behind the door.

  Jin Shu smiled faintly and stepped into the light cast by a nearby torch embedded in the wall. “Last I checked, I am still the young master of the Jin family.” His tone carried a hint of humor.

  “Ah, it is you, Young Master Jin!” the voice excimed.

  The iron droaned as it swung open, and a burly guardsman emerged, bowing slightly. “Please, e inside, Young Master Jin.”

  Jin Shu nodded aured for his panions to follow. They stepped through the narrow doorway and into the city, the heavy door creaking shut behind them. The oppressive silence of the night faded, repced by the muted sounds of life within Bck Mountain City’s walls.

  Jin Shu’s first instinct was to immediately take Dr. Chi to treat Fan Biyu. But as he gnced back at his panions, their weary, drooping eyes reminded him of the day’s trials. They needed rest. With a sigh, he relented.

  “Let’s head to my home a for the night,” he said.

  Li Xue and Dr. Chi gave him silent nods of agreement.

  The group arrived at Jin Shu’s residehout i. He ensured everyone was settled before retiring for the night himself.

  The m, they rose early and shared a quick breakfast. Jin Shu and Dr. Chi the out for Dr. Bai’s courtyard to begin Fan Biyu’s treatment.

  As they stepped into the treatment room, they found Dr. Bai already examining Fan Biyu. He straightened as they entered.

  “Young Master Jin,” Dr. Bai greeted, his tone grave, “your friend remains in a a with no signs of waking.” His gaze shifted to the unfamiliar face beside Jin Shu. “And this is?”

  “This is Dr. Chi, a Divine Physi,” Jin Shu introduced. “He’s here to treat Fan Biyu.”

  Dr. Bai’s brows lifted in surprise. “A Divine Physi? I didn’t expect you to find one so quickly. It’s an honor to meet you, Dr. Chi.”

  “Hm.” Dr. Chi aowledged him with a curt nod before stepping past to examine Fan Biyu himself.

  The room fell silent, save for the faint rustle of fabric as Dr. Chi worked. Seds stretched into minutes as Jin Shu watched anxiously. Finally, Dr. Chi turo face him.

  “Her dition is severe,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “But treatable.”

  Jin Shu felt a surge of relief. “Then please, treat her. Is there anything you need?”

  “Just a quiet enviro,” Dr. Chi replied simply.

  “Okay, then we’ll leave you to it,” Jin Shu said, turning to leave.

  “You stay, young man. Just have everyone else leave,” Dr. Chi added without looking up.

  “Uh…” Jin Shu hesitated, then gave Dr. Bai an apologetic smile.

  Dr. Bai returhe gesture with a nod and quietly exited the room. Jin Shu moved closer to Fan Biyu’s bedside, settling into a chair opposite Dr. Chi.

  “I didn’t take you for a pyer, young man,” Dr. Chi said with a light chuckle, his hands deftly unpag his medical instruments.

  “Huh?” Jin Shu blinked, caught off guard by the ued ent.

  Dr. Chi’s smile widened. “Don’t py coy. You’ve got this little sleepiy here and the General’s daughter tagging along. Quite the ente.”

  Jin Shu frowned slightly, his tone calm but firm. “Fan Biyu is my mother’s disciple and a close friend. As for Li Xue…” He paused, then tinued, “let’s just say I’m doing a favor for a man I respect.”

  Dr. Chi let out a soft hum, his expression unreadable as he g Jin Shu. “If you say so,” he replied, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips.

  Jin Shu felt a headache ing on as his right eyelid twitched. “Didn’t you say you needed a quiet enviro? Just go ahead and ignore me, then.”

  Dr. Chi chuckled softly but didn’t respond. As Jin Shu watched him unpack his instruments, he couldn’t help but notice how oddly familiar they looked. Though powered by qi rather tharicity, they bore a striking resembo modern medical tools.

  When Dr. Chi retrieved a stethoscope, Jin Shu couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “Is that called a stethoscope?”

  Dr. Chi’s head snapped up, his sharp gaze log onto Jin Shu. “How… do you know its name?”

  Jin Shu hesitated before a quick excuse. “Uh… I read about it in a book once.” He couldly expin his knowledge came from memories of another world. “Is it strahat I know its name?”

  “Hm, not strange,” Dr. Chi muttered, his tohoughtful, “but definitely unon.”

  He said no more, returning his focus to setting up the instruments.

  ***

  The treatment began with Dr. Chi pg his fingers on Fan Biyu’s wrist to check her pulse. , he pced a hand over her upper dantian, allowing his qi to flow into her body. Jin Shu watched as the old man picked up several unfamiliar instruments, some of which he fiddled with, while others he positioned carefully on Fan Biyu’s body.

  Hours passed in tense silence, broken only by the occasional faint k of tools. A thin sheen of speared on Dr. Chi’s forehead as he worked.

  Suddenly, he gasped. “Oh no!”

  “What? What happened?” Jin Shu asked, armed.

  “Her lungs are threatening to colpse,” Dr. Chi said hurriedly. “You o pouth on hers and blow lightly to ihem.”

  “Lightly? Shouldn’t I blow harder?”

  Dr. Chi’s brows furrowed in irritation. “Are you the doctor, or am I? Do as I say, boy!”

  Jin Shu groaned but didn’t argue. Leaning down, he pressed his lips against Fan Biyu’s and blew gently.

  What he failed to notice was the cheeky grin that momentarily crossed Dr. Chi’s usually posed face.

  As Jin Shu exhaled softly, Fan Biyu groaned faintly, her eyelids fluttering open. Jin Shu immediately pulled back as her fused gaze focused on him.

  “Were… were you kissing me?” she asked incredulously.

  “No!” Jin Shu protested, waving his hands, his face heating. “I was helping with your treatment. Right, Dr. Chi?” He turo look at the physi for backup—only to find the man nowhere in sight.

  The room fell into an awkward silence, broken only by Fan Biyu’s faint groan as she tried to sit up. Jin Shu sighed, rubbing his temples. “That old man…” he muttered under his breath, already dreading the expnation he’d have to give.

  He stepped forward aly helped her into a sitting position. “I really wasn’t kissing you, I swear,” he said, his tone ear.

  Fan Biyu gave him a skeptical look, her brow slightly raised.

  “How are you feeling?” Jin Shu asked quickly, eager to ge the subject.

  “Like shit… ah, I mean, not well,” she corrected herself, her cheeks flushing as she realized her slip.

  Jin Shu blinked, startled. This was the first time he’d ever heard her swear. “L-let me get the doctor to che you,” he stammered, using the excuse to escape the awkwardness.

  As he turo leave, Dr. Bai appeared at the doorway. “Ah, Young Master Jin,” the older maed with a polite nod. “Dr. Chi has already left. He mentiohat Fan Biyu will o rest for at least a week before she’s well enough to move. He also said his services are no longer required, so he’s heading back to the capital immediately.”

  Jin Shu gaped, stunned by the abrupt departure. “That old bastard…” he muttered as a full-blown headache settled in.

  Dr. Bai’s eyebrows rose slightly as he gave Jin Shu a questioning look.

  Realizing his slip, Jin Shu quickly apologized. “Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  Dr. Bai’s expression softened into a faint smile. “I suppose he left quite the impression,” he said mildly, stepping past Jin Shu to che Fan Biyu.

  Jin Shu sighed deeply, ping the bridge of his nose. He could already tell the few days were going to be exhausting.