Chapter 100: Settling the Score

“Oh, do you know what crime you have committed?” Emperor Cao Xinshuo of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing the words of the royal healers, his expression resembling that of a sly, amused fox.

The royal healers from the White Tiger Kingdom were relatively composed, not easily frightened. After all, even if they had offended someone from the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, the emperor would likely exercise some restraint out of caution—they were foreigners, after all. As long as their attitude was sincere, they trusted that the Vermilion Bird monarch would not be too harsh. Even if difficulties arose, their lives would probably be spared.

But the royal healers of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom were different; a single word from Cao Xinshuo could mean life or death.

Although both sides were involved in the incident, it was the Vermilion Bird healers who appeared utterly timid. Witnessing this, Cao Xinshuo felt increasingly displeased and wished to see no more of these healers.

Even if these healers had committed an error, they should not display such spinelessness before healers from another kingdom. Wasn’t this a disgrace to the Vermilion Bird Kingdom? In his mind, Cao Xinshuo had already sentenced these men to death—they had offended imperial relatives and disgraced the kingdom, and they were incompetent besides. How could he allow such inept individuals to continue bringing shame upon the Vermilion Bird Kingdom?

However, while the Vermilion Bird healers could not escape punishment, it was uncertain whether those from the White Tiger Kingdom would get off so easily. If Cao Ge and Cao Qian were ordinary men, perhaps it would be one matter. But their status within the Vermilion Bird Kingdom was exceptionally high.

To plot against the imperial kin of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom and expect to leave unscathed was sheer folly.

Those outside had no inkling of what had transpired within the palace. Curiously, the White Tiger Kingdom’s healers, having offended the imperial family and attempted to end lives, were stripped and lashed fifty times on the bare buttocks. Such punishment would be fatal to ordinary men.

Though these healers did not lose their lives, their faces were ruined and their bodies severely injured. All who suffered injuries slunk back to the White Tiger Kingdom in disgrace.

Regrettably, those who sought to live quietly in obscurity afterward found no opportunities. This group met untimely deaths due to various strange and chaotic reasons.

The White Tiger Kingdom’s expedition had begun inauspiciously, triggering their first confrontation with the Vermilion Bird Kingdom—a meeting with an immovable obstacle. Two of their patients were men of such high status.

Thus, upon learning the identities of Cao Ge and Cao Qian, the White Tiger Kingdom’s healers promptly left the Vermilion Bird Kingdom to recuperate and prepare for a contest of skill in the Four Divine Kingdoms.

Both Cao Ge and Cao Qian owed their lives to Ou Xinlai. After resolving the matter, they naturally sought to find Ou Xinlai to repay their debt of gratitude.

Though they did not know who Ou Xinlai was, the fame of Ye Zifei and Shan Ziyao in Fan City was widespread. A little inquiry led Cao Ge and Cao Mo to discover news of Ou Xinlai.

Bearing numerous gifts, they came to the Shan family to present them to Ou Xinlai.

Ou Xinlai was quite surprised to see Cao Ge and Cao Qian, having not expected these two to remember a humble person like herself. Nonetheless, she accepted all the gifts without refusal, considering them as fees for her medical treatment.

“May I ask, what is your current occupation, miss?” Cao Ge hesitated before speaking to Ou Xinlai.

“Do you have some question?” Seeing their demeanor, Ou Xinlai sensed they wished to discuss something.

“Your medical skills are extraordinary. Would you be willing to enter the palace as a royal healer?” After recounting the entire matter to Cao Xinshuo, he became quite interested in Ou Xinlai. More importantly, she possessed true skill.

He was eager to recruit a talent like Ou Xinlai to his side.

Ou Xinlai shook her head, “I am not from the Vermilion Bird Kingdom; I hail from the Black Tortoise Kingdom. Therefore, I will not remain long here. I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline.”

Cao Ge and Cao Qian exchanged looks, clearly surprised by Ou Xinlai’s refusal. After all, becoming a royal healer was a great honor.

They had hoped to act as intermediaries, helping Ou Xinlai gain entry to the palace—both to assist the emperor in securing talented individuals and to repay her lifesaving favor. Yet, she declined so decisively, and they only then learned she was not from the Vermilion Bird Kingdom.

“When I saved you both, I had no idea of your conditions. To be frank, your state was scarcely better than beggars on the street. I never expected anything in return at that time, so please do not trouble yourselves,” Ou Xinlai said candidly and frankly.

She simply found it dull that those four royal healers had buried the patients without care. For a true healer, rare and complicated ailments were a challenge, or rather, a delight.

Her initial rescue was merely to provoke those so-called esteemed healers. She imagined how amusing it would be if the two patients they had presumed dead suddenly reappeared.

Who knew, through a twist of fate, that the ones she saved were not mere worms, but dragons.

Yet, the royal family’s surname was Zhu, was it not? How had it become Cao?

Hearing Ou Xinlai’s blunt words, Cao Ge and Cao Qian had nothing to say. Indeed, at that time, they had been ravaged by illness, looking haggard with tattered clothing.

That was why the White Tiger Kingdom’s people had assumed they were poor and powerless, and had no qualms about causing their deaths.

With that perspective, the two men quickly accepted that Ou Xinlai’s rescue was not for gain.

“Then we sincerely thank you for saving our lives,” they said. Having owed her a debt, they felt awkward insisting she become the imperial healer just for Cao Xinshuo’s sake.

Had it been anyone else, they might have used their influence, but owing Ou Xinlai a favor, they could not bring themselves to force such a matter. This spared Ou Xinlai one troublesome obligation.

“Wait, do you truly wish to repay me?” Ou Xinlai’s sharp eyes caught sight of the garment Cao Ge wore.

It was a simple-looking outfit, a white robe beneath a sheer black silk overlay. Most curious was the strange design embroidered on it: a tree bearing dark, almost black fruit. Unlike other delicate patterns, this garment exuded a sense of hardness akin to ironwood.

“What is it?” Cao Ge noticed her gaze and felt slightly embarrassed.

“This garment you wear is quite striking. Might you consider gifting it to me?” The small white serpent wrapped around her wrist began to stir restlessly. Observant onlookers would notice that the jade-like bracelet on her wrist suddenly seemed to come alive.

“This…” Cao Ge hesitated. This garment had been passed down through four generations, an heirloom from his ancestors. He did not know why, but today of all days, it caught Ou Xinlai’s attention.

“What difficulty do you have?” Ou Xinlai asked seeing his hesitation.

“Well, miss, this garment is a family treasure passed down for four generations to my elder brother. It is not convenient to part with it,” Cao Qian answered on Cao Ge’s behalf.

Their ancestors had decreed this garment a treasure to be carefully preserved.

Yet, since acquiring it, they had found no clue to its true value. Their predecessors had invested great effort researching its secrets, but to no avail.

If it were not for the family’s insistence on its preciousness, Cao Qian would have gladly given it away.

Hearing this, Ou Xinlai smiled.

“A treasure is something that protects the household’s peace, saves its offspring, and helps them through hardship. I have saved your lives. If you repay me with this gift, that would settle our accounts. One might say this garment has indirectly saved your lives, fulfilling its purpose.”

She knew her words sounded like a child’s trick.

All her elaborate reasoning was merely to obtain that garment.

Cao Ge and Cao Qian found the request somewhat excessive but reasonable. After all, it was just a piece of clothing compared to their lives.

Their ancestors only said it was a treasure to be studied carefully to uncover its value.

Four generations had searched in vain; it was unlikely anyone would find the answer soon.

Thus, they agreed to give the garment to Ou Xinlai, considering it a repayment of their debt.

Upon their agreement, Ou Xinlai’s eyes brightened with delight as Cao Ge immediately took off the garment and gave it to her.

Naturally, Shan Yuoxi found another outfit for Cao Ge to wear.

Cao Ge and Cao Qian clasped their fists toward Ou Xinlai in gratitude.

“Having repaid our debt of life, we shall take our leave. Should we face trouble again, we hope you might assist us once more.”