Jin Family Hotel, Jin Yu Man Tang.
When Jin Yucheng learned that the old patriarch of the Yue family was staying in his hotel, he was greatly shocked. However, Yue Zhengyun's arrival provided Ye Bufan and Jin Yucheng with an even better opportunity to proceed.
Ji Feiyang dropped off Ye Bufan and Zhu Zizhen and then left.
On the way, Ji Feiyang received a call stating that an envoy from Ying Country had arrived. Ji Feiyang did not dare to delay and drove off.
"Mr. Ye," Jin Yucheng stood at the hotel entrance, meeting Ye Bufan's gaze. The two entered the hotel together.
"Where are the Yue family members?" Ye Bufan asked.
"They are all upstairs in the hotel, not one has come down," Jin Yucheng said. "A prominent family, and they lack all courtesy. It's a joke."
"It's fine. They won't be able to cause trouble for much longer," Ye Bufan waved his hand and said to Jin Yucheng, "Be ready at any time for the situation in Hanzhou. Once they make the first move, we will have our reason to act. The moment I make a move, the Yue family in Hanzhou will surely fall into internal strife. That will be the best opportunity."
"Understood," Jin Yucheng nodded heavily.
"Let's go, we'll head up now."
Ye Bufan, accompanied by Zhu Zizhen and Jin Yucheng, ascended. The Jin Yu Man Tang Hotel was decorated magnificently, its overall style reminiscent of a grand palace. Bathed in warm lighting, it created an illusion of opulence.
The three took the elevator directly to the top floor, where the accommodations were exceptionally luxurious.
The entire top floor faced only one direction, and the balcony even featured a swimming pool.
"Ding dong—"
Jin Yucheng rang the doorbell. After a moment, a man who appeared to be in his forties opened the door.
"Great Martial Venerable," Ye Bufan looked at the man. He had sensed this man's aura when he infiltrated the Yue family before, and he hadn't expected to see him here today.
The man scanned Ye Bufan and his two companions. Upon seeing Jin Yucheng, he nodded at him and then cautiously took out a metal detector to conduct a scan.
Ye Bufan smiled at the man's cautious demeanor. He hadn't expected Yue Zhengyun to be so wary. It seemed a single bad experience made him cautious for a decade.
Under the middle-aged man's watchful eye, Ye Bufan, Jin Yucheng, and Zhu Zizhen entered the hotel's largest suite.
As soon as he entered, Ye Bufan felt Yue Yangshuo's resentful gaze. On the other side, Yue Zhuoying let out a disdainful snort and turned his head away.
Yue Zhengyun, dressed in a long robe and vest, stepped forward to greet Ye Bufan and Zhu Zizhen.
"Mr. Ye, Divine Doctor Zhu, I have been waiting for you both with great anticipation." Yue Zhengyun clasped his fists in a salute before Ye Bufan and Zhu Zizhen.
Out of courtesy, Ye Bufan returned the salute.
"Mr. Ye, please have a seat." Yue Zhengyun led Ye Bufan and Zhu Zizhen to a tea table and poured boiling water into prepared teacups.
"This is the Heavenly Ice Spring water that I specifically had someone bring back. And this Pu'er is truly remarkable; it's a hundred-year-old private reserve."
Yue Zhengyun poured tea for Zhu Zizhen. Jin Yucheng discreetly left the suite, waiting outside for Ye Bufan's news.
"Patriarch Yue, I will be direct. Curing your illness is absolutely out of the question. My eldest disciple's life is also a life. Your previous apology from the Yue family was merely a perfunctory gesture," Zhu Zizhen said haughtily.
"Damn it! Old man, say that again if you dare." Yue Yangshuo, seated on a nearby sofa, was furious. It felt as if his goodwill had been in vain, and he still remembered the slaps he had received.
Yue Zhengyun turned to look at Yue Yangshuo. With a single look, Yue Yangshuo quieted down, suppressing his rage.
"Then, according to Divine Doctor Zhu, how do you suggest we handle this matter?" Yue Zhengyun asked.
Zhu Zizhen picked up the tea from the table and took a sip before speaking, "Naturally, it should be a life for a life."
"Impossible! What is my status, and what is your disciple's status?" Yue Yangshuo shouted again. "Do you believe I'll kill all your remaining disciples?"
"Look, look at this attitude! Just because you're a wealthy family from a big city, you think you're so great?" Zhu Zizhen questioned.
"Divine Doctor Zhu, please calm yourself." Yue Zhengyun turned to Yue Yangshuo, his tone instantly becoming extremely grim. He said to Yue Yangshuo, "If you utter another word, I'll have you thrown out. Do you think I can't freeze all your assets? Let's see if your alliance can continue."
Seeing Yue Zhengyun's anger, Yue Yangshuo dared not speak further and obediently shut his mouth.
Ye Bufan sat aside, silent, and slowly took a sip of tea.
However, as soon as the tea touched his lips, Ye Bufan detected something was wrong. But Ye Bufan noticed the excited look in Yue Zhengyun's eyes as he watched Ye Bufan swallow the tea, realizing this was a Hongmen Banquet.
While in the mountains, Ye Bufan had, with Lin Xiaoyao's help, cultivated a body impervious to poisons. Such a toxin was a minor matter to Ye Bufan.
"Old Zhu, this tea is poisoned," Ye Bufan calmly transmitted his voice, informing Zhu Zizhen about the tea.
Zhu Zizhen suddenly turned to look at Ye Bufan. Ye Bufan continued to transmit his voice, "Don't panic. This poison is nothing to me. If anything happens later, use your silver needles to seal your meridians first."
The two exchanged glances and signaled each other.
"I say, Patriarch Yue, can you tell me if it's a life for a life?" Zhu Zizhen turned to Yue Zhengyun and said, "While Yue Yangshuo's life is precious, my eldest disciple is, after all, my eldest disciple, a future divine doctor who is meant to inherit my legacy."
Yue Zhengyun showed a pained expression and said to Zhu Zizhen with a wry smile, "Divine Doctor Zhu, this is truly a difficult request. Young Yangshuo, though unruly, is still a key focus of our family's training. Can you consider other demands? I will do my best to fulfill what I can."
Zhu Zizhen thought for a moment, recalling Ye Bufan's instructions on the way to make unreasonable demands.
"How about this, I'll compromise. I don't want Yue Yangshuo's life. Just cripple his limbs, his legs will do. As long as he's alive, right?"
Yue Yangshuo's face turned ashen, and he looked towards the middle-aged man who had greeted Ye Bufan and Zhu Zizhen.
After Zhu Zizhen finished speaking, he felt a burning sensation in his lungs and quickly clutched his chest, looking at Yue Zhengyun.
"There's poison in this tea!" Zhu Zizhen said to Yue Zhengyun with a pained expression.
Ye Bufan echoed Zhu Zizhen, putting on a very uncomfortable look.