Chapter 509

Ma Chao walked out of the house dejectedly. Hearing Guan Yu saw this and comforted him.

"It's fine. Since the Divine Doctor refuses, let's return to the academy."

At that moment, Zhang Fei turned to Lin Yu, who had barely spoken: "Big Brother, say something! Since we arrived at Mount Tiandang, you haven't said a word—what's wrong?"

Everyone also looked curiously at Lin Yu. Lin Yu muttered to himself.

"What should I say? That the Divine Doctor is Bo Ren's mother, and tell Ma Chao to leave? That's something he must face himself."

"Besides, I never intended for the Divine Doctor to save Hearing Guan Yu—I was waiting for Hua Tuo. Would it be right for me to come here and immediately 'seven-zero-seven' ask the Divine Doctor's apprentice for help? Wouldn't that be slapping the man's face?"

Lin Yu spoke up: "Let the Divine Doctor's apprentice treat the two of us."

"Can he do it? Is he reliable?" Everyone looked skeptical.

Lin Yu nodded: "Won't trying tell us? Since the Divine Doctor refuses, there's no loss in giving it a shot."

The Divine Doctor's apprentice looked nervous: "You really want me to remove the poison from him?"

Zhang Fei scrutinized him with disbelief: "You have no confidence?"

The Divine Doctor's apprentice straightened his back and declared loudly: "Though I've never treated Hua Tuo before, my technique is no less than my master's."

Everyone was stunned, especially Huang Zhong: "You're Hua Tuo? I don't know which characters your name uses."

Hua Tuo replied: "Hua as in China, Tuo as in Buddha."

"Good! Then please treat my second brother." Zhang Fei said.

"Alright, I follow Big Brother's word. Thank you, Doctor Hua," Hearing Guan Yu said gratefully.

Hua Tuo nodded.

Ten days later, Hearing Guan Yu's hand was fully healed under Hua Tuo's bone-scraping detoxification. Lin Yu and the others prepared to leave and return to the Eastern Han Academy.

At their farewell, they told Hua Tuo: "Doctor Hua, thank you for saving Hearing Guan Yu. No need to see us off—you're too kind!"

Hua Tuo smiled: "I'm not seeing you off—I was invited by Liu Bei to join the Eastern Han Academy."

Everyone looked at Lin Yu. Lin Yu smiled and explained: "The upcoming training requires Hua Tuo's help, and Hua Tuo is perfect for training—you'll learn to collaborate better together."

Lin Yu spoke these words aloud, but inwardly he planned: once the war with the Demon Realm officially begins, whenever anyone is injured, he would call on Hua Tuo—this would greatly increase their chances of victory.

Zhang Fei watched Lin Yu's smile and felt cold sweat form on his back. If Hua Tuo was helping them, how terrifying would their training become!

"Third Brother, are you having a leg cramp? Why are you shaking? Should I have Doctor Hua check you?" Hearing Guan Yu asked with concern.

Zhang Fei quickly covered up: "Ah, I'm fine! I'm just excited—we're finally going back!"

"Yeah, me too!"

"Haha, then let's go—back to the Eastern Han Academy!"

Inside the Eastern Han Academy,

"Hearing Diao Chan, wait for me!" Xiao Qiao caught up with her friend Hearing Diao Chan.

"Slow down. What do you want?" Hearing Diao Chan asked with a smile.

"Someone gave me a bunch of free vouchers. You said you wanted to throw a celebration for Hearing Guan Yu and the others—how about we take them out to dinner tonight?" Xiao Qiao grinned, waving the vouchers in her hand.

"Great idea! But…" Hearing Diao Chan hesitated.

Xiao Qiao noticed her concern: "Your mom isn't home, right? You don't need to help her."

"What if she calls back?" Hearing Diao Chan still wasn't reassured.

Xiao Qiao thought for a moment: "The principal treats you well—just tell him in advance."

"Please, come with me! Just keep me company."

Seeing Hearing Diao Chan still hesitating, Xiao Qiao declared: "It's settled—I'll pick you up tonight. I'm off!"

Xiao Qiao ran off after saying this, leaving Hearing Diao Chan helplessly watching her retreating figure.

The full moon hung high above the restaurant.

The Five Tiger Generals and Lin Yu waited for Xiao Qiao and Hearing Diao Chan. When Hearing Guan Yu learned Hearing Diao Chan would come, his palms grew sweaty.

"How does this outfit look?" Hearing Guan Yu kept asking Zhang Fei and the others, wearing a white shirt with a black Ma Jia.

"Handsome!"

"Second Brother, you've been asking this since you put on this shirt."

"You're handsome enough—anything you wear looks good."

As Zhao Yun finished speaking, Zhang Fei dashed forward and announced loudly:

"Exactly! Look at my outfit—everyone turns their head on the street!" He hadn't even finished when a cat strolled calmly past him. Everyone exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

Ma Chao glanced at his watch and exclaimed anxiously:

"It's almost eight. Why haven't Hearing Diao Chan and Xiao Qiao arrived yet?"

Hearing Guan Yu looked flustered: "Do you think they're standing us up?"

The others looked at Hearing Guan Yu with puzzled expressions.

"I mean… are they messing with us at 4.6?"

Huang Zhong waved his hand: "Relax, Hearing Guan Yu. Girls need time to get ready. Be patient."

Zhao Yun teased: "Old Huang, didn't know you were hiding such depth!"

Huang Zhong scratched his head, embarrassed: "Oh, nothing—I just read it in books."

"Really?" Everyone stared at him with knowing looks.

Finally, Xiao Qiao and Hearing Diao Chan ran up, Xiao Qiao shouting:

"Hey, sorry we kept you waiting!"

Everyone greeted them, but Hearing Guan Yu froze when he saw Hearing Diao Chan—his face flushed crimson, eyes locked on her.

【331】 Lin Yu uncovers the Huang Jin bandits

Zhang Fei and Ma Chao, seeing this, simply lifted Hearing Guan Yu and carried him to Hearing Diao Chan's side—he remained completely oblivious.

Hearing Diao Chan gazed at Hearing Guan Yu, standing like a wooden post, a sweet smile spreading across her face; Xiao Qiao, seeing their eyes meet, couldn't help waving her hand in front of Hearing Guan Yu's face.

"Alright, let's stop here for now—we'll dive deeper later!"

Hearing Diao Chan lightly patted Xiao Qiao and laughed: "Enough, Xiao Qiao, don't talk nonsense—you'll make him mad!"

Only after Hearing Diao Chan spoke did Hearing Guan Yu snap out of it and turn to Xiao Qiao: "Xiao Qiao, you've just arrived?"

Xiao Qiao feigned annoyance: "I've been here a long time!"

"Everyone's here—let's go into the dining hall," Hearing Diao Chan deftly eased the tension; everyone agreed.

As they entered the dining hall, Xiao Qiao deliberately brushed against Hearing Diao Chan, causing her to lean naturally toward Hearing Guan Yu; Hearing Guan Yu swiftly reached out to steady her, and they walked in together.

A short distance away, two figures watched this scene and burst into smug laughter.

At the table, the atmosphere was warm, laughter ringing out. Hearing Diao Chan praised.

"Hearing Guan Yu, you can play chess while scraping bone to treat your wound—how incredible!"

Hearing Guan Yu shyly waved his hand: "Not at all—I'm sure Brother or any of the others could do it too."

The others quickly declined. "Don't be ridiculous—I couldn't do it!"

"I couldn't bear it."

"Someone like Second Brother? Ordinary people can't manage it—so impressive."

"True—I tremble just seeing a doctor."

"Good thing Hearing Guan Yu and Ma Chao's matters ended smoothly."

Hearing Guan Yu rose reluctantly and suggested: "Brothers, let's drink."

Xiao Qiao interrupted indignantly: "Wait—only you men drink? What about me and Hearing Diao Chan?"

Hearing Diao Chan pouted too. Everyone laughed awkwardly.

Hearing Guan Yu looked at them: "Xiao Qiao and Hearing Diao Chan, could you..."

Lin Yu, seeing this, quickly took over: "Ladies, would you like to join us for a drink?" Both agreed happily to Lin Yu's proposal.

"Good! Come on—drink!"

Lin Yu goaded further: "My younger brothers love singing—want a performance?"

Everyone cheered in agreement. Zhang Fei declined: "I haven't sung in ages—let's skip it."

Lin Yu urged: "Your elder brother likes Hearing Diao Chan—won't you, as a younger brother, lend a hand?"

Hearing Guan Yu thought a moment: "Alright, Brother—Second Brother, I'll sing with you."

"This song, 'Love,' expresses my elder brother's heart!" Zhang Fei pointed at Hearing Diao Chan; Hearing Guan Yu quickly grabbed his hand: "Don't say that!"

"Enough stalling," Xiao Qiao urged.

The two walked to the center stage; the music surged abruptly.