Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 482 - 481: At Death’s Door

Yan Daoxin also didn’t seem to like interacting with the eunuchs, remaining expressionless in the face of their courtesies, as if he neither heard nor saw anything.

The eunuch might not have encountered such a reaction from other doctors or witch doctors before, paused in surprise, and deliberately waited. Seeing that Yan Daoxin truly had no intention of acknowledging him, he suppressed his displeasure and, with a somewhat sullen face, gestured for them to follow him inside. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

As soon as they stepped into the bedchamber, the aroma of incense became even stronger. Zhu Yu’s heartbeat quickened, had she not previously heard Yan Daoxin mutter that the incense shouldn’t have any direct effect. Otherwise, with the scent on so many people, if anything went wrong, the conspiracy would be exposed, and by now she might be worried about her safety.

Inside, the bedchamber was draped with layers upon layers of curtains, through which they walked, seeing the bedchamber before them shrouded in vague barriers, creating an ethereal or ghostly atmosphere depending on one’s perspective.

In the bedchamber, there was a large couch, beside which stood two incense burners taller than a person, wafting streams of blue smoke. Behind the couch were layers of screens, beyond which probably lay the true sleeping quarters of King Fan.

On the couch was an elderly, emaciated-looking man who seemed to be over eighty, half supported by a large cushion, raising half of his body to gaze at them through a thin veil of gauze.

"These are our divine doctors, hurry and pay your respects to our king!" The eunuch squealed orders at the five individuals.

Zhu Yu and the others observed Fan Country’s etiquette and respectfully paid respects to King Fan.

As Zhu Yu bowed and straightened up, she took the opportunity to glance towards King Fan once more.

The thin gauze lent a bit of haziness to her view, yet she could still clearly see the person within.

She distinctly remembered Lu Qing mentioning before that King Fan was not very old, relatively young among the vassal state’s princes, barely having reached fifty this year, a bit younger than Zhu Cheng.

But now, seeing the person on the other side of the veil, not only did he appear exceedingly old, even deathly, as if at death’s door.

Could it be that Fan Country has two Kings, or is this the old King Fan? Or perhaps...an uncle who usurped his nephew’s power?

Zhu Yu couldn’t help but let her mind wander, yet she still maintained an honest appearance, slightly lowering her head.

"You are the wandering divine doctors reputed to have excellent medical skills?" King Fan also scrutinized them through the gauze, and after a while, probably finding it hard to see clearly, waved impatiently at the eunuch beside him to lift the gauze before them.

The two eunuchs immediately stepped forward to lift the veil separating the two sides.

Instantly, the view became clear. Zhu Yu snuck another glance at King Fan; without the gauze obscuring, he looked somewhat different from what she had originally imagined.

Despite his frail posture and extreme thinness still giving the impression of being halfway buried, his complexion seemed unnaturally radiant, and his eyes were sharp and spirited, displaying an unexpected vigor.

"Now I can see you more clearly..." King Fan spoke again, his eyes slightly bulging, uncertain if they were naturally so or affected by illness.

His gaze swept over the group, settling on Yan Daoxin’s face again: "I heard extraordinary divine doctors have arrived in the capital, causing people outside to thoughtlessly seek an audience. I thought these tales were just rumors and hearsay.

Having now seen the divine doctor in person, indeed your demeanor is extraordinary, unmatched by ordinary doctors!

May I ask where the divine doctor hails from, possessing such highly spoken of medical skills at a young age, and who is your mentor?"

King Fan’s voice was loud, sounding not only full of vitality but also unusually strong for his age, combined with his appearance, an indescribable oddness was evident.

"I have always considered the world my home, going wherever life leads, so there’s no specific place I’m from," Yan Daoxin responded slowly and respectfully, "As for my mentor, though I am not very talented, I have never embarrassed my master in the field of medicine, and there’s nothing undisclosable about that.

My medical skills were passed down from Qi Yun Mountain People of Shanqing Temple."

"Oh?! Qi Yun Mountain People?!" King Fan evidently had heard of the Qi Yun Mountain People’s name, immediately sitting upright, supporting his upper body with an arm, leaning forward eagerly, his eyes gleaming, "Is that so?! You’re actually a disciple of Qi Yun Mountain People?

I’ve heard that the Qi Yun Mountain People is one of the foremost skilled experts in the world, possessing incredible abilities, yet has a reclusive personality, not keen on mingling with mundane affairs. So not even the current Holy Emperor can sway him in any way.

Any disciple personally instructed by him is said to possess extraordinary skills!

Looking at you being so young, don’t you dare play games with me.

If you truly are Qi Yun Mountain People’s disciple, willing to diagnose and cure me, I shall treat you as an honored guest with the highest respect of Fan Country.

But if you’re merely using borrowed prestige for self-aggrandizement, I will surely have your head cut off."

As he spoke, his breaths became particularly heavy, with veins bulging at his temples, forming a conspicuous sight.

However, Zhu Yu noticed the sunken appearance of King Fan’s temples, eye sockets being likewise.

For a person’s outward appearance to combine traits of robust health and impending death is so bizarre that it left Zhu Yu bewildered.

Hearing King Fan’s words, Yan Daoxin smiled slightly, stretching his neck forward: "If the prince doubts, why not have my head cut off right now, then placed in a wooden box and hurriedly sent to Shanqing Temple for my master’s inspection.

At that time, see my master’s reaction. If he considers your guards insane and drives them away, then I am a fraud.

If my master were to fly into a rage and immediately execute your guard..."

Yan Daoxin paused, lifted his head, looking at King Fan, displaying no nervousness or unease one would expect before a monarch. Instead, his tone adopted a hint of teasing, as if somewhat dissatisfied with King Fan’s skepticism: "Oh, yes, let me remind the prince, if you ask around, anyone familiar with my master’s practice could tell you just how fiercely protective my master is."