The Bigger Your Ambition, the More Thrilling the Stage

The next day.

Since it was the weekend and there were no classes, Yang Ming found some time to head to the infirmary, intending to see how Tang San was doing.

"Yang Ming, wait for me!"

Yang Ming halted and turned around, only to see a lovely figure as vibrant as dancing flames. His head immediately began to ache.

Xiao Wu was dressed in red today, looking far livelier than usual. She skipped over to Yang Ming's side, her voice full of the resentment of a reader demanding updates.

"Yang Ming, you still haven't finished telling me the story of Dream of the Red Chamber. Where are you going now?"

"I'm going to visit my third brother."

"Then I'm coming too!"

"My dear auntie, why are you following me?"

"I don't care. I'm following you!"

Seeing Yang Ming's helpless expression, Xiao Wu wrinkled her delicate nose and gave a smug little huff.

Left with no choice, Yang Ming brought this little tagalong to Tang San's room in the infirmary.

The moment he pushed open the door, a heavy medicinal smell rushed at him, thick and pungent.

Tang San lay on the hospital bed. Two people stood beside it: one was Grandmaster, while the other wore a Spirit Hall uniform. He looked unfamiliar, though he bore some resemblance to Xiao Boss, whom Yang Ming had met before.

Yang Ming placed the fruit basket he had bought on the bedside table and looked at the Spirit Hall man in confusion.

"Who is this?"

Seeing this, Grandmaster explained with a smile.

"This is Doctor Xiao of Spirit Hall. He is an auxiliary-type Great Spirit Master and the most famous physician in Notting City."

Notting City was located in a remote border region, where renowned physicians were scarce. Finding a physician at the level of a Great Spirit Master was already incredibly fortunate.

Yang Ming suddenly understood. This Doctor Xiao was likely from the Notting City Lord's family as well, which explained why he resembled Xiao Boss. He then raised the pressing question that had brought him here.

"Doctor Xiao, how are my third brother's injuries?"

The instant Doctor Xiao saw Yang Ming, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. With a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said,

"The patient's condition isn't very good. He has a total of 208 injuries, and even his internal organs have suffered some damage. The poison has also seeped deep beneath his skin and flesh. If he does not receive thorough treatment, he may become crippled in the future. However, with my abilities, treating him will take quite some time."

Yang Ming secretly clenched his fists, guilt stirring within him.

Tang San had refused to submit to their enemies because of him, and had been tortured into this state.

"Doctor Xiao, please make sure you cure my third brother."

"Saving lives and healing the wounded is the duty of physicians." Doctor Xiao continued with a false smile. "However, you should also understand that I am very busy. I cannot stay here every day to treat the patient, so..."

"Doctor Xiao, name your price." Yang Ming immediately cut him off, staring straight at him. "How much will it take for you to cure Tang San?"

Doctor Xiao raised his right hand and spread his five fingers.

"Fifty Golden Soul Coins?" Yang Ming asked doubtfully.

"No." Doctor Xiao looked at Yang Ming meaningfully. "Five thousand Golden Soul Coins."

"Doctor Xiao, that isn't the price you gave yesterday!" Grandmaster said urgently. "Yesterday, you said it would only take 200 Golden Soul Coins. Why has the price suddenly gone up today?"

If it were only 200 or 500 Golden Soul Coins, Grandmaster could have afforded it.

But this was 5,000 Golden Soul Coins!

One Golden Soul Coin was enough for an ordinary family to live on for several months, while an ordinary Spirit Master only received a subsidy of one Golden Soul Coin per month.

This was practically robbery!

Even for Grandmaster, producing such a huge sum would be extremely difficult.

Seeing the meaningful look in Doctor Xiao's eyes, Yang Ming suddenly understood and said in a low voice,

"Is this your decision, or Bishop Beska's?"

"I like speaking with smart people. You understand as soon as I hint at it."

Doctor Xiao curled his lips, as confident as a fisherman who was about to hook a big fish.

"His Excellency the Bishop instructed me that

as long as you agree to join his Sotto City Spirit Hall Main Hall, not only will the promise he made to you yesterday remain unchanged, but His Excellency will cover all of Tang San's medical expenses. In addition, His Excellency will make an exception and personally become your teacher, guiding you on how to become an outstanding Spirit Hall Spirit Master!" It had to be said that Bishop Beska had put considerable thought into recruiting Yang Ming.

An ordinary genius student might very well have yielded under such terms.

Unfortunately, Yang Ming would never join any major power, especially not an ambitious organization like Spirit Hall. He wanted nothing to do with it.

With a sigh in his heart, Yang Ming cupped his fists and said,

"I appreciate Bishop Beska's kindness, but I have already made up my mind. For now, I have no intention of joining any organization."

Seeing this, Doctor Xiao stopped wasting words. His voice turned cold.

"Fine. Then we'll do business by the book. If you want Tang San's injuries completely treated, then with my abilities, I'll need to use my Martial Soul abilities for thirty consecutive days. Pay me a 30% deposit first—1,500 Golden Soul Coins. I'll treat Tang San for ten days. If you fail to pay me the remaining money after those ten days, then that would be a real shame."

A faint sneer hung on Doctor Xiao's lips as he looked at Yang Ming as though he were an idiot.

Originally, out of consideration for Bishop Beska's appreciation of Yang Ming, Doctor Xiao had not pursued the matter of his nephew Xiao Boss being toyed with by Yang Ming. But since Yang Ming was courting death himself, he could not blame Doctor Xiao for kicking him while he was down.

"This..."

Grandmaster took out his purse and counted it repeatedly. He only had 420 Golden Soul Coins, along with some scattered Silver Soul Coins and Copper Soul Coins. It was nowhere near enough to pay the medical fees. His face filled with worry as he said,

"Doctor Xiao, could you show some consideration for my sake and give us more time? Just half a month will do. I will definitely gather enough money."

Grandmaster was already prepared to cast aside his pride and beg his family and his old friends.

If he did that, he might really be able to gather the money.

But Doctor Xiao turned hostile without warning. He mercilessly shoved Grandmaster aside and said coldly,

"Why should I give you any face? Who do you think you are? You can't even afford the deposit, yet you want to hire me?"

With that, Doctor Xiao fixed Yang Ming with a cold stare and issued his final ultimatum.

"Now, I'll give you one last chance. Will you choose to watch your good friend die before your very eyes, or will you choose to leave with me and join Spirit Hall?"

Grandmaster lowered his head in dejection, silent.

No matter how vast his knowledge was, it was useless at this moment.

A scholar was useless in every way!

Faced with Doctor Xiao's relentless pressure, Yang Ming clasped his hands behind his back. As though he had gained some insight, he sighed.

"The bigger your ambition, the more thrilling the stage!"

After a brief pause, a fierce light burst from Yang Ming's eyes.

"A mere Spirit Hall Main Hall isn't big enough to contain a dragon like me!"

(An extra chapter for the cumulative 4,000 Qidian Coins. Thanks again for the reward!)