Chapter 5: Master of Medicine

When Yun Fu arrived at the hospital, the ward was already crowded with people. As soon as they saw her, they hurriedly made way.

"Miss Yun..." Several doctors nearby tried to say something, but Yun Fu, face cold as ice, brushed past them and strode straight to Old Madam Lian’s bedside.

Even her mere silhouette exuded an imposing aura, stifling any words that might have been spoken.

Yun Fu examined Old Madam Lian’s condition, her brows furrowing deeply. She turned around, her expression frosty and unreadable.

Of all those present, only Hanqi Lian could meet her gaze, able to speak under the weight of her presence. "How is the Old Madam?"

"Surgery is needed." Yun Fu uttered the words slowly, her gaze suddenly shifting to Lian Bingqing in the crowd, making her shudder as if struck by lightning.

What should have been cured with just three days of medication now required surgery, all because this woman had acted on her own misguided cleverness.

Yun Fu let out a cold laugh, turning to Hanqi Lian.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"I need a capable assistant."

"Who?"

"Chen Zhao."

Chen Zhao, the renowned Sage of Medicine in Huaguo, held such a lofty status that even the most distinguished figures in the country would show him deference. After all, no one can guarantee a lifetime of perfect health, and a skilled doctor is as good as a life-saving remedy.

Hearing her request, everyone was shocked—just how bold was she, to demand Chen Zhao as her assistant?

Yet Hanqi Lian merely nodded, replying, "Very well, I’ll contact him at once."

While Hanqi Lian went to reach out to Chen Zhao, Yun Fu prepared everything needed for the operation, waiting only for Chen Zhao’s arrival. Her hearing was exceptional; though those outside the operating room spoke in hushed voices, she caught every word.

"The Old Madam’s injury is to the head, after all. Chen the Sage already said there was no solution before—now they’re handing her over to a mere girl."

"The family head puts too much trust in her. Who knows what motive she has?"

"Exactly, even Miss Lian was at a loss. If they’d really used her prescription, the Old Madam would be in even greater danger now."

Inside the operating room, Yun Fu could no longer suppress a cold snort. She was not one to tolerate much; for her, actions always spoke louder than words. In the next instant, she flung open the door.

The group outside jumped in surprise. Turning, they saw Yun Fu leaning against the doorway, eyes as cold as if carved from ice, a scalpel twirling idly in her slender fingers. The blade gleamed with a chilling light, but in her hand it was as harmless as a toy.

She cast them a frigid glance, her red lips parting ever so slightly. "Unless, of course, you’d like to do it yourselves."

...

Everyone shrank at the sight of the scalpel, necks withdrawing, and promptly fell silent.

At last, peace.

Yun Fu returned to the operating room, awaiting her assistant. About half an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Yun Fu stood atop the hospital bed and, too lazy to open the door herself, answered languidly, "Come in."

Hanqi Lian’s assistant half-dragged an elderly man with white hair and youthful features into the room. The old man’s face was furious, but unable to free himself from the assistant’s grip, he could only be led forward.

"Miss Yun, Dr. Chen is here. I leave Old Madam in your hands," the assistant said.

Yun Fu nodded, then gestured for Chen Zhao to take the position opposite her.

Chen Zhao, who had rushed over in a hurry, looked at the girl before him—clearly younger than his own granddaughter—and thought Hanqi Lian was playing a joke on him.

He pointed from Yun Fu to himself, disbelief written across his face. "Family Head Lian, you said the Old Madam needs surgery, and this little girl is to perform it?"

"Yes."

Faced with this confirmation, Chen Zhao found it all the more absurd.

"Family Head Lian, this is not child’s play. And this is a craniotomy, with a slim chance of success. If you insist, I refuse to participate!"

With that, he flung his sleeves and turned to leave.

The assistant promptly blocked his path.

Chen Zhao was so furious his beard quivered, glaring toward Yun Fu. "You expect me to play assistant to a girl this young? My own granddaughter is older than her! She probably hasn't even weaned off milk yet. How much medicine could she possibly know? Family Head Lian, you—"

He had meant to ask if Hanqi Lian was out of his mind, but recalling the man’s reputation as a living fiend, he swallowed the rest of his words.

Hearing no response from Hanqi Lian, Chen Zhao looked Yun Fu up and down once more, seeing a frosty, mocking smile on her lips—a look full of challenge, as if she were sneering at him.

Chen Zhao immediately flared up.

"If you want me as your assistant, you’ll have to kill me first!"

Yun Fu, already out of patience, tapped her scalpel against the tray of instruments, the sound crisp and sharp.

Both men turned to look at her.

She narrowed her striking eyes. "Is the great Sage of Medicine incapable of playing second fiddle?"

Her tone brimmed with disdain. Chen Zhao’s eyes widened, nearly choking on his own indignation.

"What did you say?"

Yun Fu tugged at her gloves, glancing at him coolly. "No wonder your students are so foolish and arrogant. Truly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."

Though her words sounded like praise, her tone dripped with scorn.

Chen Zhao’s face flushed red, his finger trembling as he pointed at Yun Fu, lost for words. "You impudent child, how brazen! I would like to see what kind of master could produce a pupil as arrogant as you!"

Yet, soon enough, Chen Zhao took up position opposite Yun Fu, determined to see what tricks this girl could possibly have up her sleeve.

In the operating room, only the two of them remained.

"Clamp," Yun Fu ordered.

"Forceps."

Throughout the surgery, Yun Fu’s demeanor was unruffled, her words sparse.

But to watch her operate was to witness a performance of the highest order.

At first, Chen Zhao stood across from her, full of indignation, thinking: Even as the Sage of Medicine, he had been unable to deal with this illness—what could this slip of a girl possibly accomplish?

Then, he heard Yun Fu’s voice, colder than ever. "Cerebrospinal fluid drained. Insert the DBS."

As these terms were spoken, Chen Zhao instinctively handed her the corresponding instruments, watching the girl opposite him remain utterly composed, as if this were not a craniotomy with less than a twenty percent chance of success.

"Stimulate the cranial nerve," Yun Fu instructed.

Chen Zhao’s brows snapped together. This was the most difficult and failure-prone step in the entire procedure, demanding extreme steadiness of hand.

Moreover, to locate the problem among the minuscule nerves and treat it was a task as daunting as reaching the sky.

Suddenly, the monitor beside the operating table began to emit a piercing alarm.

Drawing on years of medical experience, Chen Zhao barely managed to steady his hands. But when he looked up at Yun Fu, he saw her frown slightly, her gaze focused and intent, as if she hadn’t heard the alarm at all.

"Just putting on a show," Chen Zhao scoffed inwardly. He was certain Old Madam Lian would not survive this operation, and could not help but feel a pang of sorrow.

Had they listened to him and avoided surgery, the Old Madam might still have had another year or two. But now...

Within a few short seconds, Chen Zhao silently mocked this overreaching girl yet again.

Suddenly, Yun Fu’s voice rang out, sharp as a blade: "Silver needle!"