Chapter 80

Chapter 80 Wang Jinhu knew when to bend and when to stand tall, so at this moment he naturally lowered his posture as much as possible. He absolutely did not want to end up like Zhang Long, a living corpse. And it seemed Zhang Long wouldn't even be a living corpse for long—someone would soon finish him off. That state of being at others' mercy was utterly terrifying. Wang Jinhu would rather grovel like a grandson than become like that. 'Doctor Su, everything before was Zhang Long's doing. I tried to advise him, but he wouldn't listen. Within the Longhu Association, my authority has been basically hollowed out. I was powerless.' Wang Jinhu put on a face full of distress and grievance. Seeing such a wicked man putting on this act before her, Su Fuling felt even more disgusted. 'Leave. I don't want to see any of you.' Su Fuling dismissed him bluntly. She had been polite before, had given them a chance. All that had brought was escalating trouble. She had long realized there was no need for courtesy with these people. Wang Jinhu quickly said, 'Doctor Su, believe me. I, Wang Jinhu, can swear I never intended to offend you. From now on, the Longhu Association will follow your lead in everything. If you say go left, I won't dare go right.' Su Fuling sneered, 'So if I tell you to stop your dirty businesses, you'll stop?' Wang Jinhu was taken aback, thinking to himself, what does Doctor Su mean? Does she disapprove of their businesses? Those were all profitable ventures. He had planned to consolidate them, make a big killing, then retire and live off his savings. Now that Doctor Su had said this, he wasn't sure what to do in the future. 'Doctor Su, if you think our business is no good, the Longhu Association will gradually switch to other lines.' Su Fuling waved her hand. 'I don't want promises. Do it first, then talk.' Hearing this, Wang Jinhu understood that for now, Su Fuling had no intention of moving against him. She was giving him a chance. His heart relaxed, the fear that had gripped him easing. 'Doctor Su, today I've prepared some modest gifts. Please do me the honor of accepting them.' The Longhu Association men brought the gifts over for Su Fuling to see. There were valuable antiques, gold bars, cash, and property deeds. Wang Jinhu had taken these from his own stash—he hadn't yet gotten his hands on Zhang Long's assets—so this really cut into his savings. The total value came to about one and a half million. He hadn't saved much over the years, since his family's expenses abroad for housing, education, and property were even higher than in Harbor City. But no amount was too much to spend. If he ended up like Zhang Long, money would be useless. Zhao Facai watched with shining eyes, thinking to himself, he had always said that with the master's ability, she would never lack money. As long as she was willing, with a flick of her finger, people would rush to hand over their cash. Su Fuling looked at these things without the slightest temptation. She knew this money had been earned by harming countless people. If she spent it, her conscience would trouble her. But even if she wouldn't use it, others could. 'Uncle Facai, have them liquidate these and transfer the proceeds into the free clinic account.' She looked at Wang Jinhu. 'I won't use your money. I'll put it toward the free clinic—that counts as accumulating virtue. But no amount of money can wash away the evil you've done. You'd better mend your ways.' Chen Shasha watched from the side, full of admiration. Doctor Su was indeed the same Doctor Su who didn't covet fame or fortune. So much money, and she could turn it down. If it were her, she would have struggled to resist the temptation. Seeing Su Fuling's reaction, Wang Jinhu realized that money couldn't buy her either. The thought of that money going to some unknown people pained him. But there was no help for it. He forced a smile. 'Doctor Su is right. From now on, the Longhu Association will do more good deeds. Once I've sorted out the association's affairs, I'll continue to do more charity work.' Su Fuling ignored him. Zhao Facai, however, puffed out his chest and gestured. 'Gentlemen, please. My master needs to rest.' Wang Jinhu glanced at Zhao Facai, thinking this man was beneath notice, yet he was Doctor Su's disciple. And because of that, he had to smile at him. 'Thank you for your trouble.' Zhao Facai handled the matters outside, settled the accounts, and saw the men off. Then he excitedly came back to report to Su Fuling: the total was one and a half million Hong Kong dollars. They would transfer it into the account shortly. Then he looked at Su Fuling. 'Master, are you really going to use all of it for the free clinic? That's so much money...' Zhao Facai was thrilled—he had never seen so much money in his life. Su Fuling said, 'Uncle Facai, do you know what business the Longhu Association is in?' Zhao Facai: '...I heard from Chen Shasha. All illegal businesses, ruining many families. They dabble in gambling, drugs, and prostitution.' Su Fuling said, 'So every cent of their money is soaked in the blood and tears of who knows how many people. If I gave you this money, would you use it?' Zhao Facai: '...Then no, I wouldn't.' Either he would have to not think about it at all and spend it blindly, or if he thought even a little, the money would be hard to take. 'Master, you're right. This money is best given to those who need it most. Master, does our sect require cultivating the heart?' Su Fuling said, 'The most important thing is having a conscience.' Zhao Facai thought to himself, could it be that he hadn't been accepted into the sect because he lacked conscience? Compared to his master, he really fell short. He would have to work on cultivating his heart more. Ah, that big red envelope that man had slipped him—he might as well transfer that into the master's free clinic account too... As they were talking, Chen Shan walked in. He had actually arrived earlier, since the Longhu Association men had notified him before coming to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. But given the Longhu Association's lack of credibility, he had been keeping watch outside. After entering, he first greeted Su Fuling. 'Doctor Su, did the Longhu Association cause you any trouble?' Su Fuling said, 'Nothing much. They came to apologize, but it's certainly not sincere.' Chen Shan said, 'Getting the Longhu Association to bow their heads is no easy feat. Only Doctor Su could manage it.' Su Fuling said, 'Making them bow isn't something to be proud of. I don't want to deal with them either.' Chen Shan said, 'Next time they call me, I'll let you know first.' Su Fuling nodded. As for the Longhu Association, she didn't even want to bother with insincere pleasantries. At noon, Su Fuling finally had some free time. She personally prepared several days' worth of medicine for the children at the Four Seasons Orphanage, sorted the various precautions by category, and had Zhao Facai deliver them. Chen Shasha wanted to run the errand, but since she was Chen Shan's sister, Su Fuling worried that if she left Yau Ma Tei alone, she might run into trouble with other gangs. So she didn't let her go. 'The Medical Clinic also needs people.' Zhao Facai left smugly, planning to deposit that big red envelope into the free clinic account after delivering the medicine, and also check whether those people had made the transfer. Thinking that his master now had over a million in charitable funds and wouldn't have to worry about subsidizing the free clinic's medicine costs anymore, he felt quite happy. Even though his master couldn't spend that money herself, at least she wouldn't have to dip into her own pocket. Seeing his smug look, Chen Shasha was really annoyed. She thought to herself, next time she would just wear a mask and go out. Sigh, Doctor Su still treated her like a child. She had once been undefeated in the Sifang Association. Not only did Wen Shu not trust her skills and arranged for someone else to protect Doctor Su, even Doctor Su didn't trust her. Chen Shasha slumped over the counter, sighing. When she saw An Hui being pushed in a wheelchair by Sun Zhonghao, she still sounded listless. 'Auntie Hui, why are you here again?' An Hui said, 'I'm here to ask Doctor Su to make a house call.' Hearing 'house call,' Chen Shasha perked up. 'I'll go tell Doctor Su!' The house call had been arranged that morning. Su Fuling thought it would be tomorrow, but they came to find her today. Su Fuling said, 'Have you settled everything? I don't want to be turned away at the door.' An Hui said, 'As soon as Ms. Gao heard that Doctor Su is a Taoist divine healer, she thought those things wouldn't dare come near, so she agreed to the house call. I figured it's better to do it sooner than later. I just wasn't sure if Doctor Su was available.' Su Fuling wasn't particularly busy. It was still early, and patients wouldn't come this early. So she had Chen Shasha hang a sign and they left together. Sun Zhonghao drove, while An Hui sat in the back, introducing the scenery along the way to Su Fuling. She knew Su Fuling had only recently arrived in Harbor City and wasn't familiar with the area. An Hui's friend lived in an apartment east of Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Su Fuling had been to the Yau Tsim Mong Pier area once before, but she had been in a hurry about her uncle's matter and hadn't paid attention to the surroundings. Now, sitting in the car, she saw that the wealth disparity here was even more pronounced than in Yau Ma Tei. Seeing those tall, stylish apartment buildings, Su Fuling truly witnessed a more prosperous side of Harbor City. An Hui seized the opportunity. 'Doctor Su, the living environment here is much better. Have you thought about moving here? We have a vacant apartment here; you can move in anytime.' Chen Shasha glanced at An Hui, thinking to herself, you sly Auntie Hui, no wonder Auntie Li hates you—you're really bad. Trying to steal Doctor Su away. If Doctor Su wanted a nice place to live, couldn't the Sifang Association provide one? Doctor Su just doesn't want it! Su Fuling said, 'I'm used to life in Yau Ma Tei.' Although it didn't look as affluent as here, Su Fuling liked the earthy vitality of Yau Ma Tei, and she also needed to earn Merit Points in such a densely populated area. But she knew that was only true for her, because now in Yau Ma Tei, no one dared to trouble her. For someone else, they would definitely want to move here. Seeing Su Fuling refuse, An Hui wasn't disappointed. She knew Doctor Su was different. Soon they arrived at the local apartment building. An Hui and her husband led Su Fuling and Chen Shasha upstairs. Looking at the upscale hallway, Su Fuling remembered how her uncle always talked about a Thousand-Square-Foot Mansion. Compared to this, their place really wasn't a mansion. But when they reached the floor where An Hui's friend lived, Su Fuling felt very uncomfortable. Chen Shasha said, 'This, this is too...' Who would plaster their door with a bunch of yellow talismans? The hallway was also covered with various talismans. And the light at the entrance somehow looked reddish. For a normal person, this would be quite creepy. Even An Hui, who had been here before, was unsettled. She said to Su Fuling, 'Doctor Su, can you tell what's going on?' Su Fuling said, 'No wonder she's frightened. A normal person in this environment would become abnormal over time.' Facing this environment every day greatly affected one's state of mind. An Hui said, 'She said she hired a master to set up a formation. Ever since the formation was set up, Ms. Gao hasn't seen those things... of course, on the condition that she doesn't go out and rarely sees outsiders.' Hearing this, Su Fuling felt even more uneasy. She knew this wasn't a supernatural world; ghosts and spirits didn't exist. So this master's actions seemed more like harming people. Could it be someone trying to scam money by deliberately creating an illusion? But that couldn't achieve this effect either. After all, if the patient wasn't frightened for a long time, she would soon stop believing in these masters. But since she hadn't seen the patient, Su Fuling didn't say much. An Hui had Sun Zhonghao knock on the door. After a while, a Filipino Maid opened the door. The maid also seemed startled, cautiously looking outside when opening the door. Seeing the familiar An Hui, the maid realized they must have brought a master. She called out in a foreign language to someone inside. A haggard woman came over. She wore red clothes, her curly hair casually tied up. She looked about the same age as An Hui but more worn out. However, An Hui had said the patient was only in her early forties, actually much younger than An Hui. Gao Hong saw An Hui and then looked at the strangers outside, puzzled. 'Mr. and Mrs. Sun, where is the master you hired?' An Hui quickly introduced Su Fuling. 'This is Doctor Su. She's very capable.' Gao Hong felt a bit deceived. How could this be a master? Su Fuling was now somewhat interested in Gao Hong's condition. This was the first time she had encountered such a case. As a doctor, she naturally wouldn't be rigid; she would adapt to the patient's delusions. Just like with her first patient in Harbor City, Ding Lanxiang, she first needed to gain the patient's trust. So Su Fuling also played the part of a master. 'Ms. Gao, have you never heard of the Heavenly Eye? Some people cultivate their whole lives and see nothing, while others are born able to see many things.' Su Fuling had already activated her detection function, using up today's detection quota. [Patient Name: Gao Hong Gender: Female Age: 41 Main Condition: Panic Disorder Symptoms: Palpitations, shortness of breath, nervous tension, distorted perception of environment Predicted Change: At 2:14 AM tomorrow, will be frightened into fainting by a Long-Tongued Ghost mask.] Long-Tongued Ghost mask? Given the state of this house, such a thing shouldn't be present. If it appears at home, it means someone deliberately brought it to scare her. Gao Hong thought this seemed plausible. She asked, 'Then, Master, what do you see?' Su Fuling said, 'Do you sometimes feel that your surroundings are distorting, deforming, becoming unreal?' Hearing this, Gao Hong immediately felt this person was a true master. A real master. She usually told people around her that the world was fake, but couldn't describe it. Yet this master knew. Gao Hong quickly opened the door wide and invited Su Fuling in. She also had the maid serve tea. 'Sorry, Master, I've been having headaches lately and don't dare see people. I was rude just now.' Gao Hong invited Su Fuling to sit on the sofa and asked, 'Master, are you some kind of saintess from a sect? I've never heard of such a young master.' 'My sect saw that I had mastered my studies and sent me down the mountain.' Hearing this, everyone present believed it. Chen Shasha thought, no wonder Doctor Su could read qi—she really did come from a sect. An Hui and Sun Zhonghao were curious about where Doctor Su's sect was located. If it was on the Mainland, they would definitely want to visit if they had the chance. Gao Hong said, 'Can we contact your elders?' She thought that if the disciple was this powerful, the master must be even more so. Su Fuling said, 'Our sect has rules against easily contacting outsiders. And I am the most talented disciple of my generation.' Gao Hong felt a twinge of disappointment but also felt that this master was quite capable. Maybe she could really save her. The maid brought tea, and Gao Hong personally served Su Fuling. 'Master, please have some tea.' Su Fuling took it, took a sip, and set it down. 'I have other arrangements this afternoon, so I won't delay. Ms. Gao, let's get down to business. Since I'm here, we need to solve the problem.' Gao Hong immediately said, 'Master, do you have a way?' Su Fuling said, 'I saw some clues the moment I entered. I do have a way, but I need your cooperation.' Gao Hong said excitedly, 'Master, as long as you solve the problem, I'll pay any amount.' Su Fuling stood up. 'May I look around?' 'Of course.' The maid heard this, came over, and chattered at Gao Hong in a foreign language. Su Fuling's foreign language skills were decent, but she couldn't understand what the maid said. Gao Hong, however, understood. She said to the maid, 'This is a master, not an outsider. Even if Ah Kai finds out, he won't say anything.' The maid gestured several times, but Gao Hong was already impressed by Su Fuling's earlier display. She felt this master was more capable than the previous ones, and this one had a sect lineage. So she placed great hope in her. 'I can decide. If Ah Kai scolds you, I'll explain. Now, go back to your room.' The maid had no choice but to go inside. Gao Hong led Su Fuling around. The apartment was very large—Su Fuling thought it was twice the size of her own place. In her eyes, it was truly a mansion. This large space had only four rooms: a study, the maid's room, a media room, and a master bedroom. In the master bedroom hung a wedding photo. The bride was naturally Ms. Gao, and the groom was a handsome man who looked much younger than her. 'This is my husband. Since my troubles began, he's taken care of everything at home. Besides looking after me, he also manages my business. He never liked these things, but for my sake, he learned a lot.' Su Fuling said, 'Is it just the two of you and the maid in this house? Who else can come here at night?' 'No one else. Ah Kai and I haven't had children yet.' In earlier years, to manage the family business, she hadn't wanted to marry or have children. Later, when she met her husband, she considered starting a family. But she was worried about her health and didn't want to have a child at an advanced age, so she planned to adopt. But before that could happen, these incidents occurred. Su Fuling nodded, didn't look further, and said, 'Let's go. I've seen enough.' It was just a formality anyway.