novelraw Chapter 1350: Is This Old Man as Stubborn as a Mule?
Chapter 1350: Is This Old Man as Stubborn as a Mule?
Doctor Sun smiled wryly, initially thinking that Yan Zishu was refusing him because of the deep-seated grudge between An Yun and Shang Yue. It was only now that he realized it was due to a competition a thousand years ago."How dare you still have the nerve to ask Miracle Doctor Yan for help? Back then, the Yan Family’s ancestors were too complacent and accidentally lost to the Sun family. The Yan Family could have become the Continent’s top medical family, but all efforts were in vain. Since then, the Yan Family has hidden away in the city, losing their former glory, all thanks to the Sun family."
"If it were up to me, I would have just kicked them out without any courtesy," said a few other elderly men with hostility.
"Forget it, let’s go," Zirong said calmly. Knowing the reason behind it, he lost interest in staying and being humiliated.
Han Yan also understood that continuing to stay was meaningless with Yan Zishu’s narrow-mindedness. However, simply leaving felt unsatisfying, and more importantly, if they left, what would happen to Zirong’s poison?
If possible, Han Yan would have liked to use force to compel Yan Zishu to detoxify Zirong. But she could see that Yan Zishu was a master in the Sword Saint Realm. Even if the other responding old men weren’t Sword Saints, they weren’t far off, making a fight hopeless.
Even if there were a chance, with Yan Zishu’s dignity as a doctor, he likely wouldn’t succumb to coercion. This old man’s narrow mind was not out of cowardice, and threats were mostly useless.
"Yan Zishu, aren’t you also from a family of doctors? I’ve heard that doctors should care for the world and help the people out of suffering. But what about you? You have great medical skills but are obsessed with a trivial grudge from a thousand years ago, lacking a doctor’s compassion. Are you worthy of your ancestors’ teachings?
Your ancestors lost to the Sun family, making the Yan Family hide among the commoners, hoping for their descendants to focus on perfecting medical elixir methods, free from fame’s burden. But you long for the Yan Family’s past glory, unable to let go of the Sun family. Look at your estate, extravagant as it is—there’s nothing of seclusion about it. Do you think you’re fooling yourself or your ancestors? How dare you face the Yan Family’s ancestors?" Han Yan turned and scolded Yan Zishu angrily.
"You... you..." Yan Zishu, from a young age, had never been scolded like this. Trembling with anger, he couldn’t even retort to Han Yan.
"Am I wrong? We traveled long distances across Shang Yue to ask for your help in treating a patient, only to be mocked by you. What’s the use of your medical skills? Is this how you heal the world? If this gets out, the Divine Doctor Family’s reputation will be ruined by you alone!" Han Yan continued to criticize, pointing at the plaque on his chest that read "Healing the World."
Yan Zishu was both embarrassed and annoyed, his face flushed red. Hearing the final words made his heart sink. If he were to drive Doctor Sun and the others away from the Yan family, it might satisfy his grudge. However, if this spread, it would indeed damage the reputation of his Divine Doctor Family.
The Yan family had been in seclusion for so many years, losing its former grandeur, yet still holding considerable prestige in the Holy Court Continent. The seclusion added a layer of mystery, elevating their status. A damaged reputation would truly disgrace their ancestors.
"Fine, fine, I’ll save him, but according to the rules of the Yan Family, you must first do three tasks for me, and then I’ll save him," Yan Zishu said, suppressing his anger.
A barely discernible smile appeared on Han Yan’s lips. Indeed, this old man valued reputation highly. A harsh scolding was much more effective than polite requests.
Doctor Sun was dumbfounded. He had begged Yan Zishu for half the day, only to be humiliated, while Han Yan’s scolding immediately changed his mind.
"Stubborn as a mule, this old man must be part donkey," Doctor Sun thought.
"Does the Yan family really have this rule?" Han Yan asked Doctor Sun via Gathering Qi Transmission.
"Indeed, it’s a rule not only of the Yan family but many medical families," Doctor Sun nodded.
"Why?" Han Yan curiously asked.
"It’s for the reason you mentioned earlier, the virtue of a doctor is to care for the world with compassion. Thus, medical families don’t place much importance on money and sometimes even cover medicine costs for impoverished patients. These families are usually wealthy, so they can afford it. But if it became a norm, it would ruin the practice, leaving new doctors struggling.
So, these medical families established this rule to maintain professional standards and give ordinary doctors a chance. Normally, the required tasks won’t be against morals or excessively difficult, just something to account for other practitioners," Doctor Sun patiently explained.
Han Yan finally understood, frowning slightly. Yan Zishu valued reputation and wouldn’t typically make unreasonable demands, but with this group, it was uncertain.
"Fine, three tasks are three tasks. As long as you save my friend’s life, I will do my utmost!" Although he knew Yan Zishu would likely make it difficult, for Zirong’s sake, Han Yan accepted without hesitation.
"No, no, no, you misunderstood. You must first complete three tasks for me, and then I’ll save the person," Yan Zishu shook his head.
Beside him, the other old men wore knowing smirks.
"Senior Yan, you’re clearly making things difficult for us," Doctor Sun said angrily.
"How is this difficult? This rule exists in the Yan family and the Sun family alike. I agreed to help, but I must adhere to the ancestral rules. You can’t accuse me of violating medical ethics, right?" Yan Zishu sneered, his eyes full of sarcasm as he looked at Han Yan.
He cursed inwardly, "Who knows where this wild girl came from, daring to insult me, Yan Zishu. Now let’s see what you have to say. Even if you have some background, I’m adhering to the rules of the medical family. What can you do?"
"Tell me, what do you want us to do?" Han Yan asked.
Seeing the cold smiles on Yan Zishu and the old men’s faces, Han Yan knew she was right. These tasks wouldn’t be easily accomplished, but for Zirong’s sake, she had to try. There was no retreating without even knowing the demands.