Chapter 117: Clash of the Societies!
Zhang Heifa froze, staring at Ye Wushang in disbelief.
He doubted his own ears and instinctively asked, “Mr. Ye, what did you just say?”
“I said I will take Dr. Hu’s place.”
“I am here on behalf of your Black Dragon Society to treat the head of the Luo family. How does that sound?”
Zhang Heifa gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Mr. Ye, please don’t joke around.”
“Although your martial skills are impressive and you have Tuye backing you, that has nothing to do with healing the sick.”
“But the head of the Luo family is critically ill. No matter how many top doctors have been called, nothing has worked. This time, the two of our societies will handle it — essentially a last-ditch effort.”
“That ghost doctor is quite skilled. Honestly, I never had much confidence when we hired Dr. Hu. And now, with you stepping in...”
Ye Wushang’s expression remained calm and solemn. “I can do it.”
“I have some understanding of the Luo family head’s condition.”
“Although severe, it’s not insurmountable.”
“If I replace Dr. Hu, defeating that ghost doctor will be a piece of cake.”
“Just tell me, will it work or not?”
Zhang Heifa felt utterly exhausted.
Dr. Hu was dead, and he didn’t even know how to report this to the president.
If some reckless newcomer went to treat the patient and made a fool of himself, or caused a bigger mess, his own fate would be sealed.
He wanted to refuse, but the other party had him completely cornered.
He could hardly imagine if he refused, whether the man would instantly turn hostile.
Just then, Qiao Sen emerged from the martial arts hall.
Anxious, he looked around and finally spotted Ye Wushang talking with Zhang Heifa in the corner.
“Mr. Ye!”
He hurried over, unable to hide his urgency. “Ah, why are you here?”
“Quick, come with me to see the family head!”
“Hmm?”
Zhang Heifa was baffled by Qiao Sen’s sudden appearance.
He knew Qiao Sen was the Luo family’s steward. Though not a blood relative, he was a trusted insider.
Usually aloof and unsmiling, Qiao Sen rarely acknowledged anyone.
Not to mention Zhang Heifa himself, even the president was often met with a scowl and disrespect.
Yet now, he was calling Ye Wushang “Mr. Ye” with a respectful and urgent tone, clearly indicating a close relationship.
Initially, Zhang Heifa thought Ye Wushang had followed him to cause trouble, and that his earlier demands had cornered him.
But it seemed this had all been arranged with Steward Qiao beforehand, and Ye Wushang had come specifically to the martial hall.
“Steward Qiao, you know Mr. Ye, then?”
“Mind your own business!” Qiao Sen shot Zhang Heifa a sharp glare, then looked at Ye Wushang with hopeful eyes.
The family head had collapsed twice more, and his vital signs were plummeting.
Especially since the rival Dragon Gate had hired a ghost doctor reputed for exceptional skill.
This was a prime opportunity to make a name for himself, and he would not let others seize it!
He had witnessed Ye Wushang’s abilities and had great faith in him.
He was unwilling to remain a mere steward; if this worked, he might even change his surname and become a true Luo family member.
Then, resources, connections, and wealth would be endless.
“Don’t rush, Steward Qiao,” Ye Wushang waved him off coolly. “From what I estimate, though the family head’s illness is serious, it’s not life-threatening.”
“Please wait a moment. I’m discussing matters with Zhang Heifa, and there are details I still need to finalize on your side.”
He fixed his gaze on Zhang Heifa and said earnestly, “Zhang Heifa, I’ll ask you one last time—do you want me to represent the Black Dragon Society in treating the Luo family head or not?”
“Well…”
“What do you mean, Mr. Ye?”
“Weren’t you invited by me to treat our family head?”
“Why do you now want to represent the Black Dragon Society?”
Qiao Sen looked utterly confused.
Zhang Heifa was even more stunned.
Qiao Sen was a cunning man; he wouldn’t risk anything uncertain.
Yet he just admitted he invited Ye Wushang specifically to treat the family head.
This meant he trusted Ye Wushang’s skills. Could it be that this man truly possessed medical talent?
“Representing the Black Dragon Society in medicine suits my own interests.”
“And I can guess your reasons for inviting me: first, genuine concern for the family head’s wellbeing.”
“Second, to profit from it for yourself. Am I right?”
Qiao Sen’s expression grew awkward; he neither confirmed nor denied, remaining silent.
“Rest assured, once the family head is cured, I will consider your interests,” Ye Wushang said with a slight smile.
“But for now, representing the Black Dragon Society fits my goals better than being personally hired.”
“Zhang Heifa, one last time—do you agree or not?”
“I agree!” Zhang Heifa nodded without hesitation.
With Dr. Hu gone and no immediate replacement, and having promised the president results, he had no choice but to accept Ye Wushang’s offer.
Besides, even Qiao Sen had such high hopes for him, which meant Ye Wushang’s abilities surpassed Zhang Heifa’s expectations.
Who exactly was this mysterious man?
Why did he seem so enigmatic, like a riddle wrapped in fog?
“Very well,” Ye Wushang nodded in satisfaction, patting Zhang Heifa’s shoulder. “I ask for nothing.”
“But once this is done, I will need to borrow five of your Black Dragon Society’s veteran craftsmen.”
“Just temporary use. Once finished, they will be returned.”
“And in the future, when I need to borrow them again, you shall not refuse for any reason. Understood?”
Zhang Heifa was stunned.
Veteran craftsmen? They were the society’s treasures.
Money laundering.
Fencing stolen goods.
Gift giving.
Even bribery.
All required the subtle skill of these craftsmen.
More importantly, such veterans were few—experienced and trustworthy, with no hidden agendas.
They had always been the president’s prized assets; even lending them out was difficult.
For this man to suddenly ask for them was more ruthless than demanding money outright.
“Mr. Ye, why do you want these veteran craftsmen?”
“That’s none of your concern. You only need to tell me if it’s possible.”
Ye Wushang’s gaze sharpened. “Or rather, if I cure the Luo family head, can I win the president’s favor?”
“Will he agree to lend me the craftsmen?”
“I’m not sure, but I will try to persuade him.”
Zhang Heifa took a deep breath. “Curing the family head is secondary.”
“The real goal is to suppress Dragon Gate and prevent them from gaining the upper hand.”
“Veteran craftsmen are important, but the society’s survival is more so.”
“If the society falls, guarding mountains of gold and silver will mean nothing.”
Hearing this, Ye Wushang smiled and nodded.
“Alright, it’s settled then.”
“Let’s go treat the family head.”
...
Inside the martial hall.
The main hall had been transformed into a mourning chamber.
White silk banners hung all around, and everyone dressed in black, a solemn funeral scene.
At the center lay a coffin holding Luo Rongyao, the Luo family head.
He was connected to numerous life-monitoring wires; though not dead, his vital signs were all in the red, nearly zero—hanging by a thread.
Beside the coffin, a richly dressed noblewoman, her figure still full despite the black attire, wept inconsolably, heartbroken.
The atmosphere was heavy, somber, filled with grief.
“Gentlemen, my husband invited you here today mainly to discuss your respective territories,” said Qing Furong, looking earnestly at Jiang Hongwei and Peng Haidong.
“But he suddenly relapsed, and his condition is grave. Can you really cure him?”
Peng Haidong was confident, beating his chest. “Rest assured, madam. The ghost doctor is called the reincarnated Hua Tuo. With him here, even if the Luo family head is critically ill, he can be saved—even brought back from death. Right, ghost doctor?”
The middle-aged man nicknamed the ghost doctor, bald and short, looked calm and nodded. “Correct.”
“Although the Luo family head’s condition is severe, it’s not incurable. After examining his state, I already have a treatment plan,” he said.
“Good,” Qing Furong nodded slightly and urged, “Then please start treatment immediately.”
“We have exhausted all options, hiring numerous top doctors, yet no results.”
“We have even prepared ourselves for the worst, but we still hope you will do your best.”
Peng Haidong waved a hand, smiling. “Madam, please don’t rush.”
“Besides us, doesn’t the Black Dragon Society also have doctors here?”
“Our ghost doctor is ready. What about your side, President Jiang?”
His glance flicked toward Jiang Hongwei, a smile creeping across his face.
He had just received news that the man he sent to intercept Dr. Hu had succeeded.
In other words, the Black Dragon Society’s side was now leaderless, and the initiative was in his hands.
These two societies had clashed for decades; this opportunity to treat Luo Rongyao was their chance to settle matters once and for all.
“I still have to wait,” Jiang Hongwei said darkly, cursing Zhang Heifa’s unreliability in his mind, then explaining, “He came from far away.”
“Maybe there was traffic, or perhaps he’s preparing thoroughly because treating the family head is no trivial matter...”
“Heh,” Peng Haidong chuckled, mocking, “Is it traffic, or is he dead and can’t come at all?”
“President Jiang, you’re facing Madam Qing. If you keep lying so casually, it will only show your insincerity.”
Jiang Hongwei frowned, anger barely concealed. “Peng Haidong, what nonsense are you spouting?”
“Dead? I—”
“Xiao Long.”
Peng Haidong smirked, glancing at his trusted assistant Wang Xiaolong.
Wang immediately took out his phone, scanning the surroundings as he tapped on it. “Everyone, this just came from my contacts at the traffic bureau.”
“There was a car accident here. Seven people died on the spot, including the doctor President Jiang invited—Hu Yidao.”
Boom.
Hearing this, Jiang Hongwei’s head buzzed.
He snatched the phone and, upon seeing the gruesome photos of Hu Yidao’s corpse, felt as if struck by lightning.
His body trembled, nearly losing his footing.
Qing Furong’s expression changed sharply. She whispered, “President Jiang, what is going on?”
“Probably a self-sacrifice scheme by President Jiang,” Peng Haidong added, embellishing the story.
“He had to invite a doctor to treat the family head, but when he found out our side’s doctor was a ghost doctor, he panicked and backed down.”
“So he staged this accident.”
“That way, even if the family head isn’t cured, he can wash his hands clean. I must say, President Jiang’s tactics are quite impressive.”
...