novelden Chapter 1895: Success or failure hinges on this one move.
Chapter 1895: Success or failure hinges on this one move.
Li Xiangnan strode into the house, and Song Ziming followed closely behind, like his most loyal shadow.
The interior space is extremely spacious; such a large area is rare in a place like Yanjing City, where courtyard houses are as numerous as hairs on a cow.
Thick beams support the high roof, and in this vast space, a person sits in the main seat facing the entrance!
The man wasn't wearing any fancy or luxurious clothes; he was simply dressed in a faded, coarse cloth outfit. He wasn't particularly burly, but sitting in that large armchair, his back was straight as a pine tree, exuding an aura as steady as a mountain and as unshakeable as a rock.
Li Xiangnan was slightly startled and couldn't help but glance at the other person a few more times.
The porter was about fifty years old. His complexion was similar to that of the porters outside, a bronze color from wind and sun exposure. His face was rugged, like it had been carved from rock, and the lines of his jaw were taut as if cut by a knife.
What impressed Li Xiangnan the most was that even in the dim light, this man's tiger-like eyes were bright and piercing, radiating a sharp light as if he could easily see through people's hearts.
He just sat there, without making any movement, yet the air in the entire hall seemed to thicken.
This is the current head of the Hongxing Gangfang (a gambling house).
Cheng Kui!
Before coming, Li Xiangnan had heard a brief introduction from Song Ziming and learned his name.
The descriptions are few, mostly just saying that he is very mysterious. During his years as a gang leader, he appeared in the public eye very few times.
But each time, it was a grand occasion, the death of one of the most prominent figures in the capital!
Legend has it that someone in the capital once offered a thousand taels of gold to hire Cheng Kui to carry his father's coffin, but he refused.
The reason was simply because the other party was one of the most successful brothel owners in the Eight Great Hutongs, yet also one of the most abusive young girls.
This story was once widely praised!
But that was almost twenty years ago. Cheng Kui has been out of the public eye for so long, and nobody knows what kind of person he has become!
Judging from his actions of sending someone to invite him, at least in Li Xiangnan's opinion, the other party's character can be described as despicable.
Li Xiangnan's impression of him is zero.
Not far from Cheng Kui, there was a thick fur-lined couch, and lying on it was the old man who had been sent to the Li family earlier, Cheng Kui's father, Cheng Yue!
At this moment, Old Master Cheng's face was ashen, with a deathly pallor. His eyes remained closed, and his brows were furrowed into a deep frown. Even in his unconscious state, his body would occasionally twitch slightly due to pain.
Even standing dozens of meters away, Li Xiangnan could still feel the chilling aura emanating from the other party, as if a block of thousand-year-old ice was placed in front of him.
In just a few breaths, Li Xiangnan had finished surveying the layout of the room.
Cheng Kui's gaze was like two steel knives, instantly fixing on Li Xiangnan as he entered the room.
His gaze held scrutiny, suspicion, and an overwhelming sense of authority, a suffocating aura that came from long holding a high position and wielding the power of life and death.
There is a gap and distance between the various schools of thought and the orthodox path.
Li Xiangnan had never met such a person before, so he felt a chill in his heart. However, he remained calm on the surface. After sensing the other person's gaze, he looked over calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
He knew that the real contest was only just beginning.
Perhaps hundreds of people are already lying in ambush around this house, armed with steel knives and levers, ready to beat him to death at the slightest provocation...
After a brief silence, Cheng Kui spoke first, his voice carrying a peculiar, metallic quality that echoed in the hall: "You are Li Xiangnan?"
“It’s me!” Li Xiangnan replied calmly.
"My men went to invite you, and while the method might be a bit crude!" Cheng Kui's gaze was incredibly sharp. "But in times of emergency, efficiency is key! I, Cheng Kui, don't like beating around the bush. Can you cure my father's illness? Give me a straight answer!"
These words carried a strong sense of roughness and could be described as somewhat crude, but they also revealed a straightforwardness that distinguished them from treacherous villains, befitting the people of the martial arts world.
Li Xiangnan did not answer directly. Instead, he walked to the old man's bedside, examined his pupils, complexion, tongue coating, and limbs, and then reached out to take his pulse.
The more time he spent with Old Master Cheng, the more his brows furrowed.
After a long while, Li Xiangnan withdrew his hand, turned to look at Cheng Kui, and said in a solemn tone: "Cheng Gangtou, your men must have already told you about the strange poison your father suffered from. After my re-examination just now, I confirmed that it is 'Ice Marrow Leech'! This poison is cold and toxic, and it has penetrated deep into your father's meridians, eroding his internal organs!"
Cheng Kui's pupils contracted slightly, and his hands, resting on the armchair, clenched quietly. "Get to the point!"
Li Xiangnan met his piercing gaze and slowly said, "It can be saved!"
A glint of light flashed in Cheng Kui's eyes, but Li Xiangnan's next words caused his hopes to vanish once again.
“However, it’s very difficult!” Li Xiangnan changed the subject. “This poison is like a maggot clinging to the bone. If you forcibly remove it, it’s like pouring boiling water on snow. Although you can see the effect for a while, the patient’s vital energy will be severely damaged and the foundation of his body will be destroyed. Even if I save him, I’m afraid he won’t have much time left. Moreover, the process is extremely painful and unbearable for the patient. He may even want to commit suicide at any time!”
Cheng Kui tilted his head, his gaze hesitant.
He observed Cheng Kui's expression and knew that the other party had taken his words to heart, so he continued to talk about his plans.
"If I use acupuncture and acupoint manipulation, along with special medicinal herbs, and slowly and gradually guide the cold toxins out of your father's body until they are completely dissolved, then your father may have a chance to survive and escape disaster! This method takes a long time, but it seems to be the safest way right now. It can ensure the old man's life is not in danger, and there is even hope that he can recover his strength!"
He said this half-truths, but his purpose was singular.
Ice marrow leeches are indeed troublesome, but that's for ordinary Chinese medicine practitioners. If Li Xiangnan puts in his best effort, he can certainly see results faster!
But that wouldn't be in Li Xiangnan's best interest.
They deliberately exaggerate the severity of the situation and make the treatment process seem longer in order to buy time.
If you stay in the Red Star Clinic or spend enough time with them, you'll surely be able to get Cheng Kui to talk!
"Simmer over a low flame?" Cheng Kui was taken aback, and asked in a deep voice, "Approximately how long will it take?"
His tone already betrayed a hint of impatience.
"It could take anywhere from half a day to a month, or even longer... I can't estimate that, as it depends on the old man's physical condition and recovery!"
Seeing that the other person nodded in agreement, Li Xiangnan suddenly changed the subject, pressing his advantage:
"Cheng Gangtou, this poison is extremely rare and not something an ordinary person could obtain! As far as I know, Gangfang has been without any patients for a long time, and Old Gangtou has not made a public appearance for a long time either... Cheng Gangtou, to cure an illness, we must treat the root cause. If we don't find the source of the poisoning, even if I manage to suppress the poison this time, there's no guarantee it won't recur in the future! Or rather, the person behind the scenes won't strike again!"
At this point, Li Xiangnan took a step back, plopped down in the armchair, and stared intently at Cheng Kui.
"Hongxing Clinic is a well-known name in Yanjing! I really want to know, who exactly did you offend to invite such insidious retaliation? Or was the clinic coerced by someone to point the finger at me, Li Xiangnan? Clinic leader, if I don't find out the cause and effect behind this, I won't be able to have peace of mind while treating this illness, and as for the medicine... it will inevitably be difficult to administer it properly!"
In a word!
If you want me to cure your father's illness, you have to tell me the reason for your poisoning and who's behind it!
Otherwise, forget it!
Brush it!
Cheng Kui's face suddenly turned ugly.
A fierce glint flashed in his tiger-like eyes, his chest heaved slightly, and the muscles on his face twitched; he was clearly not at peace.
He stared intently at Li Xiangnan, a more violent aura rising within him, as if it could erupt at any moment.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze at that moment.
Song Ziming's hand had already silently gripped his waist, ready to draw the soft sword at any moment.
Li Xiangnan himself silently unbuttoned the buttons on his abdomen, seemingly preparing to pull out the gold needles from the bag.
Success or failure hinges on this one battle...