CH 6

C6 – Clear Prices be marked

“I am Hu Jinpeng. How do I address you, sir?”

“Tang Yue.”

Whenever Tang Yue entered medical mode, he would automatically shut out any external distractions and concentrate solely on his work.

In the hospital, it was a common belief that Chief Physician Tang looked the most handsome when he was performing surgeries on the operating table. Some individuals even secretly captured pictures of him and posted them online, earning him widespread admiration but almost landing him in trouble.

The person who took those pictures, believed to be the hospital director’s niece, was fired due to public pressure and reportedly faced brutal consequences.

Tang Yue reached out his hand and gestured a classic sign for asking money to Hu Jinpeng, who unfortunately didn’t understand the gesture as he belonged to ancient times.

Looking serious, Tang Yue asked Hu Jinpeng, “Did I just help you fend off the enemy?” As per the norms of that time, any good deed done by servants would be credited to their masters, but Tang Yue wasn’t shy of taking credit for his actions.

Impressed by Grandpa Shan’s martial skills, Hu Jinpeng nodded and praised him as a warrior.

“Yes, my guard killed three people. I’ll pay you ten sword coins for each life. Is that too expensive?” Tang Yue bargained like a seasoned businessman.

Hu Jinpeng was left confused for a moment before he realized what Tang Yue meant, leading his friendly expression to turn sour.

Though he knew it was beneficial to gain favor by ingratiating oneself with others, Shan had earlier warned Tang Yue that the person in the sedan chair was possibly a member of the royal family, indicating their high status.

Tang Yue wasn’t certain how Shan had deduced this, but given the current circumstances, he deemed it wise to maintain a distance from someone of such a high position who was being hunted down and could be in grave danger.

Tang Yue didn’t want to sever ties with them, nor did he regret saving them. However, due to the social background of the other party, he found it somewhat demeaning to have them owe him a favor.

Throughout history, the ruling elite of society have always held a lofty position. Therefore, it was reasonable for Tang Yue to risk his life to save someone in such a position, but it was also right for him not to do so.

“I only helped him with his treatment, right? I’ll give you the bandages for free, but you’ll have to pay me for treating his fracture, which will cost you ten knife coins. The total amount due is forty knife coins. Would you like to pay in cash or on credit?”

Standing confidently before Hu Jinpeng, Tang Yue fearlessly demanded payment.

Hu Jinpeng glared angrily at Tang Yue before having someone give him a heavy bag of money, which he threw into Tang Yue’s arms. “That’s all I have. Consider the extra as a reward.”

Without counting the money, Tang Yue knew that there were more than forty knife coins in the bag. After counting out the required amount, he returned the rest to Hu Jinpeng. “We won’t charge you extra.”

Tang Yue realized he probably wouldn’t be a profiteer for the rest of his life.

Hu Jinpeng’s mouth twitched as he put away the money and patted Tang Yue’s shoulder heavily. “You’re an interesting young man! Haha…”

Grimacing in pain, Tang Yue cursed in his heart: “You’re the only interesting one! Your facial expressions change just as quickly as a woman’s!”

Tang Yue handed the money he earned to Uncle Shan. “Keep it safe. Let’s have a big meal in town tomorrow!”

Holding the forty coins in his hand, Shan’s eyes turned slightly red, as he felt touched and grateful. “Young master, you’re truly capable!” He had forgotten that most of the money came from his own hard work.

The temple was swiftly cleaned up and the bodies of their own people were buried in the ground on a nearby hill. In contrast, the enemies carelessly discarded their corpses, and by the following night, most of them had disappeared.

Hu Jinpeng fetched water and brought it to the sedan chair, respectfully inquiring, “Young master, may I assist you in washing up and taking rest?”

Tang Yue strained to listen and eventually caught a faint response from within the sedan, “Yes.”

Swiftly turning his head, Tang Yue witnessed Hu Jinpeng draw back the curtain to assist a young man out of the sedan. Hu Jinpeng apologized and carried the young man to a bed on the ground.

In a daze, Tang Yue gazed upon the young man, feeling as if such a person did not belong in this dilapidated temple in the wilderness. He should have been seated in an ornate hall surrounded by maids and servants, lazily flipping through a book of beautiful pictures.

He pondered, “Some individuals are born to stand at the pinnacle of society, peering down upon all other living beings.”

Perhaps Tang Yue’s gaze was too intense, as the young man turned his head to meet his eyes. Though his eyes were deep, there was no discernible expression on his face, causing Tang Yue to blush.

At a loss for words, Tang Yue inquired, “Are you injured in your leg or are you unwell and unable to walk?”

The young man evaded the question and politely acknowledged the gesture. “I appreciate what you did for me.”

“It’s no trouble at all. We’re simply taking what we need,” Tang Yue regretted his selfish words. This was a time for mutual assistance, not self-centeredness.

“I didn’t have much money on me when I left. Although I don’t know where the young master is, I’ll make sure to send someone with the reward when I return.”

Tang Yue was still getting used to the way these people spoke, but when the words came from the beauty’s mouth, they had a hint of seductiveness.

Others had often told Tang Yue that he was a handsome man with a restrained demeanor, but he never quite understood it until he saw this young man. He now understood the temptation of restraint.

He quickly composed himself and acted as if nothing had happened. “It’s not necessary, it was a small matter. The reward is sufficient.”