People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 76, The Storm is Brewing
Looking at Xu Qing's carefree and almost wild demeanor, Zi Nu couldn't tell whether he was genuinely indifferent or had some other purpose.

But in any case, she achieved her goal, even with some errors.

"Since the Imperial Physician is so generous, then I don't need to hire any other carriages to take you back."

Zi Nu waved her hand, and the carriage from Zi Lan Xuan came forward.

"Thank you for the clothes and carriage, Miss Zi Nu." Xu Qing bowed respectfully.

"Then I will await the Imperial Physician's next visit."

With Zi Nu watching him go, Xu Qing boarded the carriage of Zi Lan Xuan and left.

Zi Nu took a deep look at the departing carriage, then turned and returned to Zi Lan Xuan.

When the nobles in Zilan Pavilion saw Zi Nu return alone, they all looked over curiously, but none of them stepped forward to join in the fun, and they were more polite than before.

"With Miss Zi Nu's connection to the Imperial Physician, I'm afraid Zi Lan Xuan will have even more customers."

"Zilan Pavilion is a place of pleasure and romance, where politics are not discussed, only matters of love and romance."

These powerful figures claimed they wouldn't discuss politics, but they all knew in their hearts that Zilan Pavilion would no longer be just a place of pleasure and entertainment.

Xu Qing held a unique position in the South Korean court; he had no real power or status, but his prestige and influence were immense.

Currently, the South Korean government is divided into three factions, and Heo Cheong's joining any of them could disrupt the current balance.

Therefore, those who could afford to offend Xu Qing would generally avoid doing so, lest they give others the opportunity to win him over.

Those who are too powerful to offend are naturally out of the question, and they are also hoping that Xu Qing's connections will allow them to get promoted and avoid making mistakes.

Xu Qing's medical skills are undeniable. Everyone gets sick at some point in their lives, and Xu Qing is their last resort.

In addition, Xu Qing is tactful and flexible, well-versed in the ways of the Korean court, and has good relationships with all parties in the court. He has an excellent reputation in official circles, and everyone is willing to give him face.

Xu Qing is, after all, the Imperial Physician, and it's impossible for officials in the court to visit Xu Qing's home every day. However, once the relationship between Xu Qing and Zi Nu is exposed, officials hoping to get Xu Qing's help will probably flock to Zi Lan Xuan.

As night deepened, the lights of Zilan Pavilion shone even brighter, attracting more and more powerful and wealthy people seeking pleasure. The relationship between Xu Qing and Zi Nu also became widely known.

Not far from Zilan Pavilion, in a slightly dilapidated house.

Bloodstains were scattered in the yard as the vulture, clutching its shoulder, slowly moved into the house.

"Cough cough cough~"

The vulture coughed violently and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Looking at his completely ruined shoulder, the vulture collapsed helplessly onto the pile of thatch in the house.

“The blood oath of death is not yet complete, and the Serpent God will not let me die so easily.” The vulture revealed a ferocious smile.

Xu Qing's crossbow was indeed extremely powerful. The immense power carried by a small silver needle not only completely crippled his right arm but also caused him severe internal injuries.

Xu Qing's silver needle was originally aimed at the vulture's heart, which would have killed it if it had hit. However, the recoil of the crossbow caused a deviation, which is why it did not kill the vulture directly.

"Once I recover from my injuries, it will be Liu Yi's death day!"

The vulture struggled to reach for the healing medicine it had hidden. This dilapidated house was its secret hideout, used to conceal things it couldn't retrieve from the birds.

Just as the vulture was struggling to crawl toward the hidden compartment, a shadow gradually spread from outside the window into the room, enveloping the vulture.

The vulture turned its head to look, and the moonlight shone down, illuminating the shadowy face. In an instant, the vulture's pupils dilated, as if it had seen something terrifying.

On the other side, the carriage from Zilan Pavilion slowly carried Xu Qing towards the residence. Xu Qing sat upright in the carriage, his expression solemn, a trace of worry between his brows.

"This leverage will be handed over sooner or later, so it's good to take this opportunity to do so," Xu Qing thought to himself.

The reason he dared to openly embrace Zi Nu and leave Zi Lan Xuan was not because he didn't care about his reputation, nor was it because he was deliberately trying to experience the feel of Zi Nu's body; rather, he had his own reasons.

Today, even a Left Sima like Liu Yi came to him seeking an official position, making him realize that his influence as a middleman had exceeded his expectations. If this continued, some people would lose sleep.

Therefore, he had to offer a pledge of allegiance to make himself appear as an equal in the Korean court.

Now, more and more officials, both inside and outside the country, are seeking his help. Among the common people, his name is gradually spreading from Xinzheng to all over South Korea.

A monarch can tolerate having a highly respected person under his command, but he cannot tolerate that person being morally upright and virtuous while colluding with other ministers, especially now that the political landscape in the Korean court has reached a balance.

Although he lacks real strength, his reputation is a powerful weapon. If he sides with any of Ji Wuye, Zhang Kaidi, or Han Yu, it will disrupt the existing balance.

For Han Wang An, he was just a bargaining chip. If any of the three disobeyed or showed signs of weakness, he would be used as a pawn to balance the power among them.

He needs to voluntarily hand over some leverage now so that he can live longer and the South Korean court can feel more at ease.

"Sigh, it's really hard to navigate the imperial court. No wonder every physician in the court is so cautious."

"And the vultures, we need to send someone to check whether they are alive or dead."

"I have to go see He Guanzi tomorrow, sigh."

Xu Qing shook his head helplessly. If he were given another chance, he would never be a middleman again, as the benefits and risks were completely outweighed.

Half an hour later, Xu Qing returned to her home.

After watching the carriage leave, Xu Qing did not go home to rest. Instead, he quietly slipped out of his house and, following the method taught to him by Six-Fingered Black Knight, contacted the disciples of the Mo family and asked them to help him find out the fate of Wujiu.

After doing everything, Xu Qing returned home to await the results of the Mo family disciples' investigation.

Half an hour later, the Mo family disciple found Xu Qing with the results of his investigation.

"Imperial Physician, we searched in the direction you indicated, but found no bodies. Following the deliberately damaged bloodstains on the ground, we eventually found a house."

"That house had been dilapidated for a long time. During the search, we found some weapons and powders used by the assassins, as well as some money."

"But we haven't found the Hundred Birds Killer you mentioned."

Xu Qing listened to the report from the Mohist disciples with a solemn expression.

With neither the vulture alive nor dead, how could he possibly feel at ease?

"Please trouble you to inform the Grand Master and ask him to mobilize the Mohist disciples in Xinzheng to secretly search for the Hundred Birds Killer, Vulture. We must find out if he is alive or dead," Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

"Yes."

The Mohist disciples clasped their hands in greeting and left, leaving Xu Qing alone at home.

Xu Qing clenched his fists, his expression unpredictable. Once Wujiu leaked the news that he knew martial arts, his fate was predictable.

For a moment, Xu Qing felt a great sense of crisis, which also made him more eager to solve the drawbacks of the technique.

"It seems I have no time to hesitate. I must find a master as soon as possible to resolve the flaws in my cultivation technique."

The events of the past two days dispelled Xu Qing's complacency and overconfidence, which had arisen from everything going smoothly, and he returned to the previous sense of urgency and uncertainty.

(End of this chapter)