16 The Problem with Young Master

"Let me have a look first." Xiang Ling requested and the old man granted her permission without hesitating for even a second.

As everyone watched Xiang Ling stepping toward the young boy to check his health, many anticipated that she would, once again, create a scene, as she was known for her eccentric behavior throughout Dongzhi City. Her reputation preceded her, and the crowd expected nothing less from the infamous daughter of the Country Magistrate.

However, the group from the capital city, unaware of the rumors surrounding Xiang Ling, remained oblivious to the preconceived notions. The absence of skepticism allowed them to accept Xiang Ling's proposal to diagnose their young master.

Xiang Ling approached the young boy on the wheelchair, her keen eyes observing his every movement. "Young master, can you tell me about the symptoms you've been experiencing?" she inquired with a gentle yet authoritative tone.

The boy turned his tired gaze at her and for a fleeting second, Xiang Ling was able to look past his facade and at the real sharp eyes that he had been concealing from everyone. While she was pretending to talk to the others, she noticed him studying her intensely. This only made her more certain about her guess of the overall situation.

Just like Xiang Ling, the Young Master also put on his best facade as he turned to look at the old man beside him with an unsure and almost scared look on his face. The old man gave the boy a reassuring nod as if to encourage the latter to answer Xiang Ling's question.

The boy finally returned his attention to Xiang Ling and after hesitating for a moment he finally began describing his ailments.

Xiang Ling listened intently, her mind processing the information. As the dialogue unfolded, it became clear that the young master's condition was indeed puzzling and required careful examination.

She carefully assessed his appearance. He was not only forced to use a wheelchair because of his illness but he also looked extremely pale. Taking hold of one of his hands, she checked on his internal health. It took her barely a second to realize why all the previous physicians said that the Young Master was completely fine despite his sick appearance. Not only he was healthy but his internal force was at its peak. He was way more powerful compared to any other young boy of his age.

At this point, it was pretty clear that the young boy was putting on a show for some reason.

Physician Li, who had been watching Xiang Ling closely, couldn't help but be intrigued by her approach. "Your diagnosis, Lady Chen?" he prompted, eager to see how the infamous daughter of the Country Magistrate would handle the situation. Just like the rest of the people gathered outside the shop, he too believed that Xiang Ling was going to make a fool out of herself in front of these people.

Xiang Ling, with a confident smile, outlined her thoughts. "Based on the symptoms described, I suspect a rare condition that may not be well-known in Dongzhi City. Though Young Master's internal force is powerful and he seems healthy, his physical sickness can not be neglected. If you allow me, I would like to talk to the Young Master privately."

The old man looked at the young boy for permission and after staring at Xiang Ling for a moment or two, that kid finally nodded his head in positive. The servants led Xiang Ling and the Young Master to a side room before they left them alone to talk.

"What do you want to talk about?" The boy suddenly asked and the edge in his tone made it hard for him to pretend to be sick.

Xiang Ling smiled at the kid as she clicked her fingers and a spell surrounded the room to keep their conversation private. The boy watched in awe as he finally got a sense of her powers.

"You are so powerful." The hostility was completely gone from his voice and he sounded like a kid who just found something that he liked very much.

"I am." Xiang Ling accepted before continuing, "And you are not sick at all. So what's up with this drama?"

The boy suddenly looked embarrassed and lowered his head to hide his face. "I just don't want to enter the Jingsheng Academy. I want to stay in the Capital," he mumbled so softly that if not for Xiang Ling's sharp senses, she might have completely missed it.

"And why don't you want to enter the Jingsheng Academy? From what I know, Jingsheng Academy is the most prominent Academy in the entire Mortal Realm where cultivators cultivate to surpass the highest cultivation levels to ascend to Immortality. In the entire history of the Mortal Realm, there have been only three mortals who succeeded in ascending to Immortality and all three of them were from Jingsheng Academy. People in this realm can die to enter that Academy and here you are, trying to ruin such a rare chance. Why?"

The kid didn't answer for a while and only when Xiang Ling thought she wouldn't be receiving any answer from him, did he speak, "I know that my father worked hard to earn this rare chance for me but I still don't want to go and that is because... my beloved is still in the Capital City."

"Oh!... Wait, WHAT?"

Xiang Ling stared at the little kid in astonishment with her eyes wide open and her jaw hanging open. "Y-your beloved? You... you have a beloved?" She was having a hard time wrapoing her brain around what she had just heard.

The boy looked up at her with his small sparkling eyes and nodded. "I do."