When Chen Xiong heard the surprised voice and followed the sound with his eyes, he was completely stunned. He swore that in all the time he had known Yang Shoukang, he had never seen the nationally renowned Grandmaster of The Medical Path look like this.

He watched as Yang Shoukang practically jogged out of the private room, which was only a few steps away. Upon reaching Xu Ke, Yang Shoukang even bowed respectfully. "Dr. Xu."

Chen Xiong was dumbfounded. Xiao Ji was dumbfounded. The person who had been speaking with Yang Shoukang in the private room was dumbfounded, too.

Was this still the Yang Shoukang they knew, the Grandmaster of The Medical Path?

Xu Ke waved his hand. "Elder Yang, there's no need to be so formal."

In Xu Ke's view, while Yang Shoukang's bow wasn't entirely inappropriate, it was excessive. They were all working together on the Seven-Star Exquisite Needle, so they should be on equal footing. Besides, strictly speaking, Yang Shoukang was from his master's generation. A bow like that was, ultimately, not quite right.

But to the other three, this was even more shocking.

What is this attitude from Xu Ke? Is this how one should behave toward a Grandmaster of The Medical Path? Yang Shoukang is being completely respectful, yet you're acting like a big shot, telling him there's 'no need to be so formal...' Isn't that something a superior says to a subordinate? Hasn't Xu Ke gone too far by speaking like this? Is he not afraid of angering Yang Shoukang?

Everyone was bewildered. But what stunned them even more was Yang Shoukang's response.

"Yes!" Yang Shoukang nodded immediately, accepting the correction and standing up straight.

Now Chen Xiong was truly flabbergasted, and he even stammered, "Old... Old Yang?!"

He was beginning to doubt if this was the same Yang Shoukang he knew.

"What is it?" Yang Shoukang, excited to discuss his recent findings on the Seven-Star Exquisite Needle with Xu Ke, was visibly annoyed at his old friend's interruption.

Seeing Yang Shoukang's frown, Chen Xiong felt like cursing, despite his usual composure. The difference in treatment was just too vast. Xiao Ji had seen him and told him to wait, but upon seeing Xu Ke, had gestured for him to enter. That was one thing. But now, Yang Shoukang was acting impatient just because he spoke?

Am I really so much less important than Xu Ke?!

"What is your relationship with Xu Ke?" he demanded, suppressing the fire in his heart as he pointed at the two of them.

Yang Shoukang paused at the question, then mused, "I suppose you could say we have a mentoring relationship in medicine."

"What kind of mentoring relationship?" Chen Xiong frowned.

Yang Shoukang replied, "The kind where Dr. Xu instructs me."

Xu Ke was the one who perfected the subsequent techniques of the Seven-Star Exquisite Needle, so wasn't it natural that Xu Ke was guiding him?

At these words, the three onlookers fell silent.

Instructing... instructing a Grandmaster of The Medical Path?! Is that even possible?!

This thought not only crossed Chen Xiong's mind but Xiao Ji's and the person from the private room's as well.

Xu Ke is so young. What qualifications could he possibly have to instruct Yang Shoukang...?

Seeing Yang Shoukang's claims grow more and more exaggerated, Xu Ke couldn't stand by any longer and hurriedly interrupted, "Elder Yang, you're exaggerating. I just offered a casual suggestion while you were pondering a difficult problem, and it happened to give you a spark of inspiration. It wasn't any kind of instruction."

Yang Shoukang was of his master's generation; emotionally and logically, Xu Ke couldn't accept such a description. Seeing Xu Ke put it this way, Yang Shoukang could only nod. Since Xu Ke was unwilling to accept the status of his instructor, he couldn't force it upon him.

Hearing this, the others had a sudden realization. So that was how it was. They finally understood why Yang Shoukang treated Xu Ke with such deference. It wasn't that Xu Ke's medical skills surpassed Yang Shoukang's; he had just coincidentally sparked the grandmaster's inspiration. It made sense that Yang Shoukang would show immense respect to the person who helped him solve a difficult problem. This was also an ethos revered in the Martial Path: the adept is the master.

Chen Xiong thought to himself that if someone could help him break through the cultivation bottleneck that had plagued him for years, he would be just as grateful. What's a simple bow? He'd even kowtow!

As the shock in his heart subsided, Chen Xiong couldn't help but feel a flicker of joyful surprise. With such a favor owed, surely the grumpy Yang Shoukang would gladly agree to his request to let Xu Ke pick some medicinal herbs?

At that moment, Yang Shoukang asked, "By the way, Dr. Xu, what brings you here all of a sudden?" He had calmed down as well. The matter of the Seven-Star Exquisite Needle would have to be discussed privately with Xu Ke later. With so many people around, it wasn't a suitable time. They had to talk about other things first.

"I came with Grandpa Chen," Xu Ke said with a smile.

Hearing this, Yang Shoukang was taken aback for a moment before it dawned on him. "So you're the outstanding young man old Chen was talking about. No wonder! I was just thinking, besides you, who else in Tianhai could be considered outstanding? I was starting to think old Chen had lost his touch for judging character."

Xiao Ji, Chen Xiong, and the person in the private room were speechless. Isn't that going a bit too far?

Chen Xiong cleared his throat. "So, about the matter I mentioned?"

"No problem," Yang Shoukang said with a grand wave of his hand. "We'll head back together later and you can pick out whatever medicinal materials you need..." He trailed off, a strange look on his face. "These medicinal materials..." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He suddenly remembered that the last time Xu Ke had looked through his treasury, there was nothing he needed. What could possibly have changed this time?

But Xu Ke just smiled. "It's fine. Let's take a look first."

Only then did Yang Shoukang nod.

Then, Xu Ke glanced toward the person still in the private room and said, "Elder Yang, shouldn't you finish your business first?"

In truth, Xu Ke had wanted to say this from the moment Yang Shoukang had recklessly rushed out. With a guest still inside, was it really okay for him to abandon them like that?

Chen Xiong's expression showed his agreement. Their relationship with Yang Shoukang was closer, after all, so waiting a little longer was no issue for them. But the person inside... it was quite improper...

However, Yang Shoukang once again waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing. I saved that kid's life. What can he possibly say if I make him wait?"

At these words, everyone was at a loss, a testament to the leeway exceptional medical skill could grant a person. Just as Chen Xiong was about to speak up to smooth things over for Yang Shoukang, Yang Shoukang spoke again, a look on his face as if he were standing up for Xu Ke.

"Besides, his faction has offended Dr. Xu before. What's wrong with making him wait a little?"

Hearing this, Xu Ke was taken aback. What faction had offended me, and also had someone saved by Yang Shoukang? The Ye Family? The Huang Family?

Just then, the person from the private room walked out, a cheerful smile on his face. "Elder Yang is right. You saved my life back then. If you told me to go wash dishes at Fengming Pavilion right now, I'd do it without a second thought."

Everyone turned to look. A middle-aged man in his forties with a sharp crew cut stood there, his smile so broad it made him seem very friendly. However, when the onlookers noticed two scars near the corners of his eyes, their expressions couldn't help but shift.

Without even turning around, Yang Shoukang said, "Xia Wenfeng, cut the act. This is the Dr. Xu you said you wanted to meet. This is Xu Ke. Apologize."

Xu Ke was even more bewildered. Apologize upon meeting?

The next moment, Xia Wenfeng took a step forward and smiled at Xu Ke. "Hello, Xu Ke. My name is Xia Wenfeng, from the Northern Dragon Guard. You Jinlong asked me to say something to you. I'm sorry!"

Xu Ke's eyes widened slightly in surprise.