Chapter 1164

Chang Fanqi saw that the two had an extraordinary relationship and immediately chose to avoid them.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "If Miss Qin doesn't mind, I don't mind marrying her." Every time he sees Qin Yutong, he can't help but want to anger her; perhaps it's her aloof demeanor of keeping people at a distance that arouses his latent desire to conquer. In fact, he has always suspected that her scar-covered face is a deliberate disguise, and he really wants to see her true face.

Qin Yutong guessed Hu Xiaotian's motive; the more he said such things to provoke her, the more she refused to fall for it. Qin Yutong said, "I despise it!"

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said, "That really hurts my self-esteem."

Qin Yutong retorted, "If one doesn't know how to love oneself, what self-respect is there to speak of?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Since Miss Qin doesn't want it, how about I give you a medical book?"

Qin Yutong blinked her eyes; Hu Xiaotian's medical skill was extraordinary, and the medical book he would give her was surely a priceless treasure. She softly said, "One does not receive reward without merit; such a heavy gift, I fear I cannot bear it."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You've helped me many times; I should repay you. How about this: I'll find a place in Dongliang Jun to open a clinic, with Miss Qin personally in charge, so we can exchange medical skills, and incidentally Miss Qin can take on more disciples to spread the medical art widely."

Unexpectedly, Qin Yutong readily agreed, saying, "Great! This is a good thing; I accept."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'll have someone take care of it right away; Miss Qin, you can choose the site yourself in Dongliang Jun, pick any building you like, and if you're not satisfied, I can have someone rebuild a place for you."

Qin Yutong said, "Manpower might be insufficient; if I hire some helpers from outside, you won't object, will you?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Of course not, and I would welcome it."

Qin Yutong said, "Then it's settled!"

Qin Yutong indeed opened a clinic in Dongliang Jun, which delighted Hu Xiaotian; soon after, Fang Zhitang and his daughter Fang Fang arrived in Dongliang Jun to help Qin Yutong. Qin Yutong selected a courtyard in the southeast of Dongliang Jun; Hu Xiaotian had originally wanted to have it renovated, but Qin Yutong said no need for such extravagance—just have it cleaned and they could move in.

Five days after the treatment for Old Lady Chang, the effects began to show; her eyes started to sense light and shadow, as Qin Yutong said. After a month, Old Lady Chang's eyes should be able to see scenery. She thanked Hu Xiaotian profusely, and although Chang Fanqi didn't say anything, his attitude toward Hu Xiaotian quietly changed.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Hu Xiaotian had an old friend come from Da Yong—it was Liu Yucheng, the young master of the Shennong Society—and Liu Yucheng's visit wasn't specifically to see Hu Xiaotian; he had come to find Qin Yutong.

The last time Hu Xiaotian went to Yongdu, he had received much help from the Liu family of the Shennong Society; hearing that Liu Yucheng was coming, he personally went to the city gate to welcome him. Old friends meeting naturally have endless things to say, and Hu Xiaotian inquired about Zong Tang's recent situation.

Liu Yucheng said, "I had originally invited Elder Brother Zong to come along for a walk. Elder Brother Zong had agreed, but just before departure, Old Master Zong fell ill, so we couldn't go."

Hu Xiaotian asked concernedly, "What illness? Is it serious?"

Liu Yucheng said, "It's not a serious illness, but with old age the body naturally weakens; even a minor ailment can keep one bedridden."

In fact, what Hu Xiaotian currently lacks most is a skilled artisan; he has many design ideas in his mind, but he has never been able to turn them into reality. He has often thought of inviting the Zong father and son to help, and this time he must make sure Liu Yucheng conveys his intentions.

They came to the medical clinic opened by Qin Yutong; this clinic had not been named Xuantian Guan. Qin Yutong asked Hu Xiaotian to help think of a name; Hu Xiaotian, without thinking, blurted out Hall of Universal Benevolence. Unexpectedly, Qin Yutong praised it endlessly, and already had people make a signboard and hang it up.

Every time Hu Xiaotian saw the three golden shining characters of Hall of Universal Benevolence, he felt a bit embarrassed; fortunately, no one was chasing him over a trademark lawsuit.

Liu Yucheng saw that signboard and couldn't stop praising: 'Hall of Universal Benevolence, what a good name!'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Just made up casually, good enough to hear.'

Liu Yucheng gave him a thumbs up and said: 'Sir Hu truly has talent as high as eight dou.'

The two entered the clinic, only to see Chang Fanqi and his mother also there; originally today was a follow‑up visit, and Qin Yutong had said she would go to the elderly lady's home for the check‑up, but the old lady worried about troubling her, so she had her son accompany her to the clinic. The old lady now had light perception in her eyes, her mood was very good, and hearing that she would be able to see scenery in a month, she could hardly wait.

Liu Yucheng stepped forward, greeted Qin Yutong, and presented the handwritten letter his father had written.

Qin Yutong opened the letter and stepped aside to read it; Hu Xiaotian came to the old lady's side, smiling, and said: 'Auntie, how do you feel?'

The old lady laughed: 'I can already tell day from night; I, this old one, am very happy, little one! Auntie truly does not know how to thank you properly.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily: 'Auntie, please don't stand on ceremony with me; everyone says to treat me like your own child—have you ever seen anyone be polite with their own child?'

The old lady was so happy she couldn't stop smiling, and she whispered to Hu Xiaotian: 'Once my eyes are healed, I will personally go to propose to Miss Yang.'

Beside him, Chang Fanqi's big face flushed red; the old lady simply brought up the very topic she shouldn't have.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhitang also found a free moment to come to Hu Xiaotian's side, and he said to Hu Xiaotian: 'Benefactor! I also have a request.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: 'Mr. Fang, why are you being so polite?'

Fang Zhitang said: 'Speaking of this matter, it is actually somewhat hard to bring up.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Mr. Fang, you need not have any scruples; go ahead and speak.'

Fang Zhitang said: 'Sir Hu, my daughter has reached marriageable age, so I dare to ask Sir Hu to help as a matchmaker.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: 'I don't know which family's young master Mr. Fang has taken a liking to.'

Fang Zhitang said: 'It's Zhan Peng, the valiant warrior.'

Hu Xiaotian pondered, and thought that Zhan Peng and Fang Fang were extremely suitable; initially Zhan Peng had even stepped forward to uphold justice for them father and daughter, and if this marriage could be brought to fruition, it would indeed be a match made in heaven. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: 'Mr. Fang, I will take care of this matter.'

Fang Zhitang was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian also delighted in doing a good deed, but Zhan Peng is still in Baiquan City, so to bring this about he can only wait for his return.

Just as several people were chatting, suddenly a commotion was heard outside, and then a person covered in blood rushed in from the outer gate; everyone was startled, and they saw that person collapse to the ground, wailing bitterly: 'Sir City Lord, Sir City Lord, please save my father!'

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted, and he finally recognized that the bloody figure before him was actually Hu Zhongyang's personal guard, Hu Pi. Hu Xiaotian said: 'Hu Pi? What happened? What exactly occurred?'

Hu Pi said: 'Our fleet was ambushed mid‑journey by the pirates of Mangjiao Island; two warships were sunk, and the remaining merchant and warships were all taken by them…' Upon saying this, his vision went black and he collapsed with a thud.

Hu Xiaotian quickly had people help carry Hu Pi into a room, removed his clothing, and saw that his body was covered in wounds—evidently Hu Pi had suffered greatly on his escape back. Fortunately, Hu Xiaotian had set up a set of surgical instruments in the Hall of Universal Benevolence; he had Qin Yutong fetch them, and Liu Yucheng did not rest, assisting Hu Xiaotian on the spot as he began to clean and suture Hu Pi's wounds.

Fortunately, Hu Pi's injuries were all external, but the wounds covering his body kept Hu Xiaotian busy for nearly half an hour. After handing the final finishing work over to Liu Yucheng, Hu Xiaotian, full of concerns, went outside.

Liang Da Zhuang, who had been sent to gather news, had already returned and reported to Hu Xiaotian: 'Sir, a total of three people escaped back, while two died en route, their corpses still left in the lifeboat.' He handed Hu Xiaotian an arrow; the arrow was very special—its fletching was flame‑red, the tip was bluish‑black, and a whiff of foul odor near the nostrils made one want to vomit.

From behind came Qin Yutong's voice: 'Be careful, the tip is poisoned.'

Hu Xiaotian turned to look at Qin Yutong; Qin Yutong came to his side, reached out and took the feathered arrow, examined its color, smelled it, and whispered: 'It's a Seven‑Star Sea Snake.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Da Zhuang, go to Li Chengming's side and have him immediately send people to gather intelligence.'

'Yes!'

Liang Da Zhuang clasped his fists and departed; Hu Xiaotian then called him back: 'Go find Xia Zhangming once more, have him go to Wuxing Commandery, inform Zhao Wusheng of this matter, and preferably have Zhao Wusheng return as well.'

Qin Yutong quietly looked at Hu Xiaotian, seeing his expression unprecedentedly grave, she vaguely guessed this was no trivial matter, and whispered: 'Are we facing a major trouble?'

Hu Xiaotian gave a faint smile: 'Someone has provoked me!' According to Hu Pi's earlier account, this time Hu Zhongyang's merchant convoy and our escorting fleet have been utterly annihilated; Hu Xiaotian never imagined that the pirates of Mangjiao Island possessed such strength. To ensure the convoy's absolute safety, he had specially dispatched four medium warships and additionally equipped a thousand elite marines. Yet despite these preparations, they still suffered defeat, indicating that the Mangjiao Island pirates are far from a rabble.

Liu Yucheng walked out of the room and said to Hu Xiaotian: 'The wounded have awakened and still wish to see you.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, turned and walked back into the room; Hu Pi had finished bandaging, and upon seeing Hu Xiaotian return, he struggled to get out of bed to salute. Hu Xiaotian said: 'Don't move; I have just finished treating your wound, and if you tear it open again it will not be good.'

Hu Pi, tears in his eyes, said: 'Sir, you must certainly save my father; those pirates are truly brutal.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Tell me the detailed course of this affair—where at sea you were ambushed by the pirates, how the battle went, and what losses you know of.'

Only then did Hu Pi start speaking from the beginning. (To be continued... ~^~)