But why would someone like him seek out Might Duy? Hmm? The Eight Gates Released Formation? Could Shinnō have gotten his Eight Gates Released Formation from Might Duy?
Then his objective was Might Duy's Eight Gates Released Formation, but how would he obtain it? And judging by his appearance, he should already have completed the ninjutsu "Medical Forbidden Technique: Body Revival." It was a ninjutsu that strengthened cells. Ye Feng wondered whether it would work on him as he was now. He needed to find a way to get it and try it. First, he would see what Shinnō intended to do.
"Thank you, Lord Shinnō, for going to such trouble to treat me." Might Duy bowed to Shinnō. That was only because Might Duy did not know Shinnō's objective. If he knew, would he still be so grateful?
Shinnō also put on an act, hurriedly helping Might Duy straighten up:
"What are you doing? Treating the sick and saving lives is my duty, and my dream as well."
"Someone like me does a great deal of Taijutsu training every day. I know it causes damage that builds up in my body as hidden injuries. It's one thing for me, but my son Guy..." As he spoke, tears glimmered in his eyes.
Indeed, Might Guy's aptitude for ninjutsu was about the same as Might Duy's, or even worse than his father's. At least Might Duy had been able to enroll, whereas Might Guy could only enter the Ninja Academy through the back door. For Guy, Taijutsu was the only way forward, and to let Guy inherit the Eight Gates Released Formation, Might Duy increased Guy's training load every day, wringing everything out of every cell in his body. But this also did tremendous damage to Guy's body.
This, too, came from Might Duy's painstaking care as a father. He simply did not know that the medicinal baths Ye Feng had given him could also repair the body.
"Don't worry, Duy. I'll do everything I can to heal you. Even if I can't eliminate all your hidden injuries, I'll at least reduce the vast majority of them. Come, sit down and remove your clothes. Let me examine your body in more detail." Shinnō continued speaking to Might Duy in a kindly tone.
"I'll help too." Ye Feng also moved closer, wanting a detailed look at what Shinnō was doing. If there was any danger, he could help immediately.
"You're still young, so you might not be able to help. You can watch from the side and learn a little," Shinnō said with a smile.
Shinnō did not seem particularly wary of Ye Feng and let him stay nearby.
Ye Feng was also observing Shinnō. Shinnō was certain to have a scroll recording a ninjutsu like "Medical Forbidden Technique: Body Revival." Shinnō had come in carrying only one bag. The scroll was either back at the inn where he was staying, on his person, or in the bag. Something so important was unlikely to be at the inn, so it was most likely in his bag or on his person.
"Lord Shinnō, how about I help organize your things, or hold your clothes or something? Anything is fine." As he spoke, Ye Feng reached for Shinnō's bag.
But Shinnō merely glanced up at Ye Feng, then smiled and nodded.
Ye Feng lowered his head guiltily. He probably didn't notice, right? Looks like it isn't in the bag. The chances of it being at the inn are very low, so it's most likely on him. But from Shinnō's outward appearance, he did not seem to be carrying a scroll. This left Ye Feng in quite a quandary. Where exactly was that scroll?
Knowing there was no scroll in the bag, Ye Feng stopped wasting time on it. He hung it straight on the wall, then stayed beside Shinnō, watching him work while also looking for any sign of the scroll's location.
Shinnō used chakra to examine all the acupuncture points on Might Duy's body, but inwardly he was puzzled. Wasn't the Eight Gates Released Formation supposed to be a forbidden technique? Why can I only find a few hidden injuries accumulated over the years on Might Duy? Even for an ordinary ninja who trained in Taijutsu for years, this would count as very few hidden injuries, let alone Might Duy, who practices a forbidden technique. Might Duy must have some way of repairing his body. So he asked, mixing truth with falsehood:
"Duy, some of your hidden injuries seem very serious, while others seem to have healed considerably. Has some expert treated you? I'd like to meet such an expert myself and discuss medicine."
Might Duy was baffled too. He was just a poor man who could only make a living doing D-rank missions. What expert would be willing to treat him? Suddenly, something occurred to Might Duy. Could it be the medicinal ingredients Ye Feng had given him? These ingredients could actually heal hidden injuries? Then their value was far beyond his earlier estimate.
But Might Duy was no fool either. How could he possibly tell Shinnō something like that? "No one has treated me. Perhaps some parts of my body are stronger and recover a little faster."
Shinnō had also noticed Might Duy's expression. He must have thought of something. Such an effect was unique in the Shinobi World, and perhaps it would be even more helpful to his research. He had to get his hands on this method.
Thus, each of the three harbored his own designs and thought about his own affairs. For a moment, the atmosphere grew frighteningly quiet.
Only that fool Might Guy actually opened his mouth at a time like this:
"Father, didn't you use the medicinal baths Ye Feng brought over?"
Hearing this, Ye Feng and Might Duy were both startled, thinking to themselves, How did I forget about this fool? It was too late to stop him now.
All three looked at Might Guy at once. Might Guy did not understand why and merely scratched his head, thinking, What's going on? Did I say something wrong?
"Oh? A medicinal bath, with such remarkable effects? I wonder if you could let me take a look. With these medicinal ingredients, we could surely save more lives." Shinnō was truly delighted now. Someone had actually handed it right to him. But he also knew Might Duy would not reveal it casually, so he invoked the righteous cause of saving lives to put some pressure on Might Duy.
With Shinnō putting it that way, Might Duy could no longer play dumb. Besides, Shinnō was currently treating him out of kindness. Fortunately, Ye Feng had not introduced himself earlier, so he hurriedly came up with a half-true explanation:
"A friend did give me some medicinal ingredients before, saying they could replenish blood and vitality and reduce fatigue. As you know, those of us who practice Taijutsu are physically exhausted every day. We can soak in the medicinal ingredients when we get home to ease some of that fatigue. When you mentioned treating hidden ailments just now, Lord Shinnō, I didn't think of them."
On the sly, Ye Feng and Might Duy were both frantically signaling Might Guy with their eyes not to say another word.
Before you continue