Chapter 484: Verifying Funds
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Su Cheng suddenly understood. He exchanged a glance with Xu Xiaohui and smiled.
This wasn't about screening patients; it was offering ordinary people, the impoverished, and the lowly a chance at survival.
If they offered healing without charge, the gates of Lingxian Hall would surely be trampled down—after all, who wouldn't seek treatment from a divine physician?
But then, the poor would still be denied access.
And if they charged gold and silver, it would be the same—how could impoverished commoners afford treatment?
What would distinguish her from those clinics with barriers higher than a man's neck?
Miaomiao cared little for others' opinions or judgments. She'd been a petty thief and had begged for food.
What she wanted was for ordinary people to be able to afford treatment.
She knew all too well how high the barriers to pharmacies were—the poor couldn't afford those diseases of the wealthy.
Once stricken, they could only wait to die. She knew that feeling all too well.
"You make a point I hadn't considered."
The youth said no more, merely walking to the doorway and kneeling before it.
"Youwei, what do you think?"
"Miss Miaomiao possesses a kind heart and exceptional talent. If she were to pursue medicine and heal the world, it would be most fitting."
"I wish to take her as my fifth direct disciple. What do you think?"
"How could I presume to comment on such matters?"
"It matters not. Between us, we speak freely. Why hold back?"
"I have no objection to Miss Miaomiao, but Master, do you recall that she also goes by another name?"
"Youwei, I believe you are overthinking this."
At this point, Chu Youwei understood clearly—Master merely sought her opinion.
As for what her opinion might be—it didn't matter!
Master had already made up his mind! Whatever she said was pointless!
That's just how Master is—always pitying this one, pitying that one!
Hmph!
Only she could afford to pity this master~
"Youwei also hoped she was overthinking it."
Two hours passed before the clinic doors slowly swung open.
Ning Xiuwen—Ning Yuan's father—still looked frail, but now he could actually walk!
Ning Yuan stared wide-eyed at the sight. After all, his father hadn't been able to get out of bed for a year and had been on the brink of death!
This Divine Healer had actually enabled his long-ill father to stand…
"Ning Yuan, thank you, Divine Healer! Your skill is miraculous!"
As he spoke, Ning Yuan knelt before Miaomiao and banged his head hard on the ground several times, as if it were borrowed!
"There's no need to thank me. You saved your father yourself. I had nothing to do with it."
"The Immortal healer's compassionate heart! Ning Yuan, I bow in gratitude to the Immortal!"
"I've already said it has nothing to do with me. The medicine is on the table. I'll take the Binglan Flower. Have some tea and then leave."
"Ning Yuan dares not linger. I'll leave now, I'll leave now…"
Just then, Su Cheng spoke, instantly drawing the attention of all three men.
"Since the Immortal said to let you have a sip of tea before leaving, why the rush?"
But how could Ning Yuan dare? Judging by the Immortal's demeanor, he seemed rather averse to flattery. Saying "have a sip of tea" was likely just a polite gesture—how could Ning Yuan possibly linger?
"Um… I'm not thirsty…"
Just as Ning Yuan was about to leave, he heard Immortal Miaomiao speak up behind him!
"Miaomiao, greetings to Master Su and Fairy Youwei."
"No need for formalities. I'm just passing through, killing time."
Ning Yuan's pupils contracted sharply. Master Su…
This is Immortal Su? So young?
Master Su's name was known throughout the Four Realms.
All spoke of him as an ethereal elder, usually riding a crane and holding a whisk.
How could he be this young?
To be honest, he had just assumed this man was the young lady's attendant! That she was the one who had fallen ill!
After all, the way this man was dressed—it hardly looked like that of an immortal!
He looked more like a scholar from the academy. Though Ning Yuan hadn't studied himself, this was exactly how he imagined a scholar should appear.
Hearing this, Ning Yuan hurriedly pulled his father down to kneel and perform the formal bow.
"Ning Yuan greets Immortal Su! I did not realize you were an immortal just now. My apologies for any offense caused. I beg you not to hold it against me!"
Su Cheng smiled. "It's nothing. Rise, please."
"They say no filial son remains by the bedside of a long-ill parent. Ning Xiuwen, you've raised a fine son."
Ning Yuan had barely risen when he was startled into kneeling once more.
"Immortal Su, you flatter him too much."
Su Cheng had no choice but to walk over and help Ning Yuan up.
"You and I are equal. There is no distinction of high or low, noble or base. I am the head of Lingxian Hall, not your emperor. You need not kneel before me."
Though Su Cheng tried his best to appear kind and approachable, the sheer weight of the title "Immortal Su" was too formidable.
Having received only a few days of schooling, Ning Yuan had no idea how to respond.
He could only rise slowly, offering thanks while bowing.
"I kept you here only to ask: do you wish to cultivate immortality?"
Ning Yuan heard Su Cheng's words clearly!
Yet the words that entered his ears inevitably made him doubt their authenticity, wondering if he had misheard!
"Disciples of Lingxian Hall have iron rice bowls—seven insurances and three pensions, with monthly stipends too~"
"No need to rush your answer. If you're interested, go home and settle things with your father before returning."
Ning Yuan could scarcely believe it. Him? An ordinary child, born into poverty, unable even to afford schooling…
"Me? I can cultivate too?"
To this, Chu Youwei could offer a reasonable explanation.
"Think of it as divine affinity. Meeting us is fate itself. Lingxian Hall accepts disciples not based on background, connections, or innate talent—only on one thing: whether you have that connection."
As for background, he was merely the son of a peasant, without even a patch of land to call his own.
As for background, he was utterly alone, with only his father—a man he'd fought tooth and nail to snatch back from the King of Hell.
As for talent, compared to proper cultivators, he was already in his twenties and had never even considered the path of immortality.
Yet here stood Master Su, Immortal Su, right before him. This was…
Divine fate?
He wasn't seeking to change his lot in life. He only wished for his father to live a better life.
He wasn't seeking wealth either. Twenty taels a month? In the sect, that was practically nothing!
It was just that in Lingxian Hall, from top to bottom, from the sect master to the disciples, everyone received twenty taels.
Only two individuals in the entire Lingxian Hall were exceptions. The first was Master Su's second direct disciple, who always ran a bit of a deficit. Twenty taels never sufficed for his spending, and now he owed Ye Qinghan over three years' worth of monthly allowance…
The second was Steward Xu, who not only received no monthly allowance but also had to pay protection fees every month…
Apart from these two unlucky souls, everyone else—including Ye Qinghan and Su Cheng—receives twenty taels monthly.
Ning Yuan still intended to think it over, and Su Cheng had no plans to make things difficult for him.
"However, you must pass the Lingxian Hall trial first. If you wish to attempt it, you may come anytime."
With that, Ning Yuan led his father away.
"May I come in for a moment?"
"Of course, Master Su. This is your house after all. Miaomiao is merely borrowing it."
Su Cheng smiled. He understood where this courtesy stemmed from.
"Miaomiao, I don't particularly like it when you call me Master Su."
"Huh?" Miaomiao looked a bit dazed and confused. "Then… Master Su?"
"Could you try calling me 'Master'?"
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