Zheng entered the dining hall of the prestige Golden Dragon Clan of Lone State. The dishes were set on the long wooden table, plates were laid out in careful harmony.
"Please have a seat Young Master Zheng." Said Master Ping.
"Thank you."
The last dishes were cleared away, leaving the table warm and faintly scented with herbs and rice. Teacups replaced bowls, steam curled upward as the butler poured calming leaf tea while the servants cleared the table.
"Young Master Zheng," said Master Ping as he sipped a tea. "The reason I invited you here was, I'll like you to meet someone important."
"She should be arriving anytime soon now."
"Who might that be? Master Ping." Replied Zheng.
"She's the heir to Chen family of the capital." Said master Ping. "Right now, she's here in the Lone State. Our families have strong bond and I want to help her in any way possible."
"Master, the young lady of Chen family has arrived." Said the butler.
"Please escort her here."
Zheng was curious of who that person might been. After few minutes, along with the butler walked in the same young lady and two men in white robe carrying the sword.
Zheng was shocked to see the same young lady he treated a day before.
"I am sorry," said master Ping. "I couldn't come to greet you."
"It's fine Master Ping."
"I'll like to introduce to this young man, Master Zheng." Said Master Ping. "He's a young talented physician."
"We meet again, Zheng." Said Mei Chen looking at him. "Given your skill, it's not a surprise that you are acquainted with Master Ping."
"It's small world, Madam Mei Chen." Zheng said sarcastically.
"Have you two met each other?" asked Master Ping.
"I happened to come across Zheng's Healing Hall," admitted Mei Chen. "while I was trolling the market yesterday."
"I have to admit, despite his age his talent rivals to those of renounce physician." Said Master Ping. "Please have a seat, Miss Chen."
Mei Chen sat across the wooden table and the butler served her a tea.
"So, why do Master Ping want us to meet?" asked Zheng.
"Mr. Chen, Mei Chen's father was close friend of mine," said Master Ping, his expression darkened. "Before he passed away, I promised him I'll protect her. Now, the Mr. Chen Senior is bedridden, there's been an inheritance conflict among Chen family. Miss Chen is the true heir but Branch family laid out the condition that Miss Chen can only inherit as head of the Chen family if she can help save Mr. Chen Senior."
"Do Mr. Chen Senior know about that?" asked Zheng.
"No, grandpa doesn't know about that." Said Mei Chen. "If grandpa know that his life is a precedent to my inheritance, he'll be deeply hurt and I really don't want to hurt him. After I lost my father, he was only the one who loved and cared for me."
"What about your mother, Miss Chen." Asked Zheng.
"She died, giving birth to me."
"sorry to hear."
"For this reason, Miss Chen has been travelling across the world looking for the cure or physician." Said Master Ping.
"All the cure and every well-known physician was helpless," said Mei Chen. "I lost all my hope until that day. The day when world felt something extraordinary, my instinct told me that he is the one who can help me so I came looking that master."
"But nobody knows who and where that master is." Said Master Ping. "We were not sure whether we can find that master or not and even if we find the master, we were not sure whether he can treat Mr. Chen Senior or not. Our hope was too slim until I met you."
"So, what can I do?" asked Zheng.
"Master Ping, what can this young man do?" said Mei Chen. "I admit he has some skill but…"
"Rest assure Miss Chen." Said Master Ping. "This young man has earned my respect and how many physicians can perform Heavenly Meridian Acupuncture perfectly?"
"Heavenly Meridian Acupuncture?" said Mei Chen. "Please don't tell me he…"
"Yes, Miss Chen." Said Master Ping. "It's worth a try."
Suddenly, Mei Chen dropped to her one knee on the floor, her voice sharp in the room. "Master Zheng… Please."
Her voice cracked, her body worn down by all the travel. She bowed until her forehead nearly touched the floor.
"I'll serve you for rest of my life." Said Mei Chen. "Please save my grandfather."
Zheng did not answer immediately. He slowly helped Mei Chen on her feet, looked directly into her eyes and said. "I'm not sure whether I can save him or not but I'll try my best to save him."
"Thank you, Master Zheng." Said Mei Chen and Master Ping in unison.
"Don't thank me yet," said Zheng. "And I don't need you to serve me for rest of your life, Mei Chen."
"So, when can we leave?" said Mei Chen, her voice full of joy.
"In four days," Zheng said. "Can I take my leave now?"
They walked through the final stretch of the pavement, butler and the servant silently followed them- their every gesture restrained but sincere. Though Zheng looked young, his presence was soothing.
They stopped at the gate. Zheng turned to Master Ping and clasped his fast and palm. "Thank you, Master Ping, for your generosity and hosting me a dinner."
Master Ping accepted the bow with his own salute-holding his fist and palm together. The butler stepped forward, offering a family token of golden dragon clan.
"A gift for you, master Zheng." Said Master Ping. "This not much but it will give you access to everything owned by Golden Dragon Clan."
"Thank you."
After returning to Soaring Sea Sect, Zheng directly went back to his living quarter. Inside he laid on his bed with his back facing the ceiling.
"AHH… what to do now." Zheng sighed underneath his pillow. "If my healing hall doesn't get any customer like today, how am I supposed to earn those coins."