Supreme Divine Physician in the City Chapter 1587: Repaying Kindness with Death

Adjacent to the shores of South City, a humble wooden dwelling stood, radiating an aura of serene detachment from the mundane world.

The Sword God, attired in a traditional kimono and wooden clogs, with a katana resting upon his back, gazed out at the expansive ocean, lost in profound contemplation.

A figure of striking beauty halted a few paces behind the Sword God.

The Sword God's gaze dropped, and a soft sigh escaped him, "Sakurako, you have arrived."

"Father," Chiba Sakurako responded, her voice a hushed whisper as she lowered her head.

The Sword God inclined his head, inquiring, "Have the emissaries from the Martial Arts world made their presence known?"

Chiba Sakurako confirmed, "They have."

A chuckle rumbled from the Sword God, "Do they all hold me in disdain?"

Chiba Sakurako offered no immediate reply.

After a contemplative pause, Chiba Sakurako spoke, "Those who genuinely understand Father will naturally do so; those who don't, needn't bother. The superficial merely perceive the surface. Only those possessing a rich inner world can truly grasp one's essence."

The Sword God shook his head noncommittally and abruptly posed a question, "Do you believe... Ye Xuan looks down upon me?"

"He does not," Chiba Sakurako stated firmly. "He is precisely the kind of individual with a profound inner world."

A flicker of joy illuminated the Sword God's features as he smiled, "He comprehends me?"

Chiba Sakurako nodded, affirming, "Heroes invariably recognize and respect one another."

"Heroes invariably recognize and respect one another..." The Sword God's smile held a trace of bitterness. "Fate plays its games with mortals. Had it not been for your brother, perhaps he and I could have forged a strong camaraderie, and you and he... might have been quite a fitting pair as well."

Chiba Sakurako faltered for a moment, then a blush crept onto her cheeks. "Father, you are aware I have little fondness for ostentatious men."

The Sword God offered a small smile and remained silent.

His attention shifted, as if recalling something, and he inquired, "What has Ye Xuan been occupied with these past days?"

"Indulging in food, drink, and pleasure," Chiba Sakurako replied with composure.

"Oh?" The Sword God expressed surprise at this revelation.

It took a considerable time for the Sword God to collect his thoughts. He released a deep exhalation, "He harbors fear."

"Fear?" Chiba Sakurako questioned, a hint of bewilderment in her voice. "Fear of what, precisely?"

"Fear that during our duel, he will be unable to bring himself to take my life. And also, fear that should he resolve to strike, he will succeed," the Sword God explained with a smile.

Chiba Sakurako was utterly taken aback. "So, this is the reason he has been postponing our confrontation?"

The Sword God affirmed with a nod, "Indeed, it has been a considerable burden for him."

Chiba Sakurako sighed, "We too are merely pawns in this game."

"Yes, we are also victims." The Sword God tilted his head towards the heavens, and after a prolonged silence, spoke pensively, "Sakurako, should he slay me in two days' time, bear him no ill will. You understand, he is not our adversary."

Chiba Sakurako's delicate fists clenched. "Sakurako understands."

The Sword God smiled, a look of contentment settling on his face.

A subtle shift occurred in Chiba Sakurako's beautiful eyes, and she pursed her lips before asking, "And what if Father is the one to slay him?"

The Sword God closed his eyes and uttered slowly, "I shall repay the debt with my own life."

Repay the debt with his own life!

Upon hearing these words, Chiba Sakurako felt a lump form in her throat, suppressing the questions she had intended to voice.

She had initially wished to inquire about her father's chances of victory against Ye Xuan.

There was no longer any need to ask; she already grasped the grim reality that even with his title as the Sword God, facing Ye Xuan in a fair combat would almost certainly result in his demise.

Unless Ye Xuan intentionally held back, there was virtually no possibility of her father emerging victorious.

Consequently, if Ye Xuan were to lose, it would represent a tremendous act of mercy towards her father.

And if Ye Xuan were to win, well, it would simply signify that he had not shown leniency.

Regardless of the ultimate outcome... her father's fate seemed irrevocably sealed.

Chiba Sakurako closed her lovely eyes, and two silent tears traced paths down her cheeks.

The Sword God's eyes opened, and he proceeded towards a colossal boulder situated near the sea.

Clang!

Drawing the katana from his back, the Sword God grasped the hilt with both hands, fixing an intense gaze upon the massive boulder.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

The Sword God maintained his resolute posture, standing motionless for a full minute.

Finally, he sheathed his katana and turned back towards the humble cabin.

However, after he had taken more than ten steps,

the formidable boulder abruptly fractured into two pieces, slowly crumbling apart to either side.

The cleavage was as flawless and smooth as a mirror's surface.

...

The impending life-or-death confrontation between Ye Xuan and the Sword God was, without question, drawing immense attention.

Even before the duel had commenced, the atmosphere was already crackling with anticipation.

Ye Xuan was fully aware of the considerable contingent from the Martial Arts world converging upon East Sea and Canglang Island, yet he felt a sense of resignation and did not dwell on the matter.

This was because, at the present moment, he was grappling with a far more pressing concern...

Inside the director's office of the finance department, as before.

Ye Xuan's brow was furrowed, his hands resting on his knees. He sat upright on the sofa, his expression grave, gazing at Xiao Zhiqing, who stood opposite him, maintaining a prolonged silence.

A palpable tension hung heavy in the air.

Amidst this tension, Xiao Zhiqing, who stood before Ye Xuan, noticeably pouted. She felt wronged as she spoke, "God, can you perhaps not gaze at me in such a manner? I... I find myself feeling quite flustered."

"Oh, so you're capable of feeling flustered?" Ye Xuan retorted with a sneer. "Yet, you felt no such nervousness when you were shamelessly pushing your luck and overstepping boundaries?"

"When precisely did I push my luck?" Xiao Zhiqing shot back.

"You question that?" Ye Xuan's lips twitched, his whole body trembling with indignation. "Initially, we struck a deal: you would provide me with valuable insights, and in return, I would allow you to experience a kiss. It was meant to be but a simple peck. What did you do then? You... you actually..."

"Was it interest you were seeking? Very well, I shall consider it interest and let this transgression slide. But now, you're demanding a kiss for every three tips – what kind of absurd joke is this? What do you take me for? Does Ye Xuan appear to be some sort of hired hand?"

The more Ye Xuan articulated his grievance, the more his anger surged, feeling as though he might burst into tears from sheer vexation.

If this wasn't pushing her luck, then what could possibly be construed as such? Truly, all women were deceivers, and Xiao Zhiqing was no exception. Every prior agreement had been completely discarded in the blink of an eye!

Upon hearing Ye Xuan's impassioned argument, Xiao Zhiqing's delicate face flushed a faint red. She stammered, "I genuinely didn't grasp how utterly enjoyable kissing was, or I would have insisted on more from the very outset."

"But you only requested one initially!" Ye Xuan exclaimed in exasperation. "As a prominent superstar, you should possess a certain adherence to contractual agreements!"

"Contractual adherence?" Xiao Zhiqing scoffed dismissively, a smirk playing on her lips. "I've reneged on contracts numerous times before; what's one more instance?"

"What did you say?" Ye Xuan was utterly dumbfounded.

Xiao Zhiqing smirked again, an uncharacteristic pride swelling within her. "I truly don't care. My demand stands: a kiss for every three tips. If you refuse to concede, then you'll have to navigate your own path forward."

"You..."

Ye Xuan pointed an accusatory finger at Xiao Zhiqing, yet found himself utterly speechless. Such shamelessness! A truly shameless scoundrel, this Xiao Zhiqing! For a beauty to stoop to such levels was simply beyond comprehension!

However, Xiao Zhiqing paid no mind to Ye Xuan's evident discomfort, her resolve only hardening. "God, whether you agree or not, my position is unequivocally stated. Provide me with a definitive answer."

"I..." Ye Xuan's lips quivered uncontrollably. "Do I truly possess any alternative choices here?"