Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1350: Is This Old Man as Stubborn as a Mule?

Doctor Sun offered a wry smile. Initially, he had suspected Yan Zishu's refusal stemmed from the deep-rooted animosity between the An Yun and Shang Yue families. However, he now realized the true cause was a thousand-year-old competition.

"How dare you brazenly seek assistance from Miracle Doctor Yan? Back then, the Yan Family's ancestors were carelessly complacent and inadvertently lost to the Sun family. The Yan Family was on the cusp of becoming the Continent's preeminent medical lineage, but all their endeavors ultimately proved futile. Since that day, the Yan Family has retreated into obscurity within the city, their former glory extinguished, all due to the Sun family."

"If it were up to me, they would have been ejected without a shred of courtesy," declared several other venerable individuals, their voices laced with hostility.

"Enough, let us depart," Zirong stated with composed indifference. Having grasped the underlying reason, his desire to linger and endure humiliation evaporated.

Han Yan, too, comprehended that remaining would be futile given Yan Zishu's obstinate nature. Yet, a simple departure felt deeply unsatisfying. More pressingly, if they left, what fate awaited Zirong's afflicted state?

If the circumstances permitted, Han Yan would have resorted to coercion to compel Yan Zishu into administering the detoxification. However, she perceived Yan Zishu as a formidable cultivator at the Sword Saint Realm. Even if the other attending elders were not Sword Saints, their prowess was formidable, rendering any confrontation a foregone conclusion.

Even if a sliver of opportunity existed, given Yan Zishu's staunch professional pride as a physician, he was unlikely to yield under duress. This elder's steadfast adherence to his principles was not born of cowardice; threats would likely prove utterly ineffective.

"Yan Zishu, do you not also hail from a lineage of physicians? I understand that healers are meant to serve the world and alleviate the suffering of people. But what of you? You possess profound medical acumen yet cling stubbornly to a petty thousand-year-old grievance, devoid of a healer's empathy. Are you truly worthy of your ancestors' legacy?

Your ancestors' defeat at the hands of the Sun family compelled the Yan Family into seclusion amongst the common folk, with the fervent hope that future generations would dedicate themselves to refining the art of medical elixirs, unburdened by the pursuit of fame. Yet, you yearn for the Yan Family's past eminence, unable to relinquish your fixation on the Sun family. Observe your lavish estate; it resonates with opulence, offering no semblance of reclusion. Do you believe you are deceiving yourself or your ancestors? How can you possibly face the Yan Family's forebears?" Han Yan retorted, turning to face Yan Zishu, her voice a torrent of indignant fury.

"You... you..." Yan Zishu, who had never endured such an admonishment since his youth, trembled with incandescent rage, utterly speechless.

"Am I mistaken? We traversed the vast expanse of Shang Yue to implore your aid for a gravely ill patient, only to be met with your derision. To what end do your medical skills serve? Is this how you bring healing to the world? Should this incident come to light, the reputation of the Divine Doctor Family will be irrevocably tarnished by your actions alone!" Han Yan continued her vehement critique, gesturing pointedly at the plaque adorning his person, which proclaimed, "Healing the World."

A palpable mixture of mortification and vexation washed over Yan Zishu, his countenance flushing crimson. The concluding remarks struck a discordant chord within him, instilling a sense of dread. While expelling Doctor Sun and his companions from the Yan family might offer a transient satisfaction for his long-held grudge, allowing this affair to disseminate would indeed inflict irreparable damage upon the esteemed reputation of his Divine Doctor Family.

For countless years, the Yan family had maintained its seclusion, its former grandeur diminished, yet it still commanded considerable prestige throughout the Holy Court Continent. This very seclusion imbued them with an aura of mystery, further elevating their standing. A tarnished reputation would represent a profound disgrace to their ancestors.

"Very well, very well. I shall attend to him. However, in accordance with the established rules of the Yan Family, you must first fulfill three tasks for me. Only then will I proceed with the healing," Yan Zishu declared, his voice strained as he suppressed his burgeoning anger.

A subtle, almost imperceptible smile graced Han Yan's lips. Indeed, this elder held his reputation in extremely high regard. A stern reprimand had proven far more effective than any polite entreaty.

Doctor Sun stood utterly dumbfounded. He had spent half the day pleading with Yan Zishu, only to be met with humiliation, yet Han Yan's sharp rebukes had instantly swayed the elder's resolve.

"Stubborn as an ox, this old man must have a donkey's lineage," Doctor Sun mused internally.

"Does the Yan family truly possess such a rule?" Han Yan inquired discreetly, transmitting her voice via Qi Gathering Transmission to Doctor Sun.

"Indeed, it is not merely a regulation of the Yan family but a customary practice among many medical lineages," Doctor Sun confirmed with a nod.

"And why is that?" Han Yan probed further, her curiosity piqued.

"It pertains to the very principle you articulated earlier – the virtue of a physician lies in their compassionate service to the world. Consequently, medical families traditionally place minimal emphasis on monetary gain, and at times, they even subsidize the costs of medicine for impoverished patients. These families are typically affluent, enabling them to absorb such expenses. However, if this were to become an established norm, it could jeopardize the sustainability of the practice, leaving nascent physicians in precarious financial situations."

Doctor Sun patiently elaborated that these medical families had instituted such a rule to uphold professional standards and provide an opportunity for physicians in general. Normally, the assigned tasks wouldn't be immoral or excessively challenging, serving merely as a way to acknowledge other practitioners.

Han Yan finally grasped the situation, her brow furrowing slightly. Yan Zishu, valuing his reputation, wouldn't typically make unreasonable demands, but with this group, certainty was elusive.

"Alright, three tasks it is. As long as you save my friend's life, I will give it my all!" Although Han Yan anticipated Yan Zishu might create difficulties, she accepted without hesitation for Zirong's sake.

"No, no, no, you have it wrong. You must first fulfill three tasks for me, and only then will I save the person," Yan Zishu stated, shaking his head.

The other elders beside him sported knowing smirks.

"Senior Yan, you are clearly making things difficult for us," Doctor Sun declared with a hint of anger.

"How is this difficult? This rule is present in both the Yan and Sun families. I have agreed to assist, but I must still follow the ancestral regulations. You cannot accuse me of breaching medical ethics, can you?" Yan Zishu retorted with a sneer, his gaze filled with sarcasm as he looked at Han Yan.

He thought to himself, *'Who knows where this unruly girl came from, to dare insult me, Yan Zishu. Now, let's see what you have to say. Even if you have some backing, I am abiding by the rules of the medical families. What can you possibly do?'*

"Tell us, what do you require of us?" Han Yan inquired.

Observing the cold smiles on the faces of Yan Zishu and the elders, Han Yan knew her initial suspicion was correct. These tasks would not be easily completed, but for Zirong's well-being, she had to persevere. There was no room for retreat without even understanding the demands.