Volume One, Chapter 11: The Mongol Imperial Preceptor Kidnaps the Princess, Driven Away with a Pistol

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After obtaining the handgun, Jing Tian Xia was utterly fascinated by it. In his original world, the management of firearms in the Huaxia nation was extremely strict. Yet here, it was different—this was an independent dimension, free from anyone’s control. Within the clinic, Jing Tian Xia was the master.

He loaded bullets, one by one, into the magazine, inserted it into the handgun, and then aimed at a watermelon not far away.

“I really want to test this handgun’s power, but unfortunately, there are two patients upstairs, and I can’t disturb their rest,” he murmured to himself.

Jing Tian Xia put the handgun away, holstered it at his waist, donned his white coat, and returned to the ward to check on the situation. At that moment, Zhang Sanfeng lay on the bed, his eyes covered with gauze, receiving anti-inflammatory IV drips.

Although blindfolded, Zhang Sanfeng heard Jing Tian Xia’s footsteps.

“Doctor Xia, have you arrived?” Zhang Sanfeng inquired.

“It’s me, Zhang Zhenren. Even with your eyes covered, you can tell I’m here? That’s impressive,” Jing Tian Xia said with some surprise.

“Well, I’ve practiced martial arts for nearly a hundred years. If I can’t even recognize footsteps, my training would be in vain. Doctor Xia, how long until I can remove the bandages after the surgery? It’s suffocating not being able to see anything all day,” Zhang Sanfeng asked curiously.

“Your surgery was very successful. The gauze can be removed in three days,” Jing Tian Xia replied.

Cataract surgery wasn’t a major operation, especially since Jing Tian Xia used femtosecond laser technology with clean and precise technique, thoroughly removing the cataract. So, after three days of anti-inflammatory IV treatment, Zhang Sanfeng could have the gauze taken off and leave the clinic.

“Three days! I’m not on Wudang Mountain now; my disciples and followers will be worried. They know I’m competing with the Mongol Grandmaster, exchanging blows. I ran back to the courtyard, but they don’t even know I’m here at the clinic. Could you help me send a letter to Wudang Mountain?” Zhang Sanfeng pondered and said.

“Send a letter? Zhang Zhenren, your eyes are blindfolded—can you still write? Besides, I’m only allowed inside the clinic and cannot leave. However, if you push through the door here, you can return to Wudang Mountain and toss the letter there,” Jing Tian Xia considered and replied.

“This clinic is truly amazing. Fine, prepare paper and pen for me; I will write the letter,” Zhang Sanfeng said.

Jing Tian Xia brought the paper and pen and handed them over.

Although blindfolded, Zhang Sanfeng’s perception exceeded that of ordinary people. Holding the pen, he wrote a few words on the paper:

“I am treating eye illness. Will return in three days. Do not worry. Zhang Sanfeng.”

After Zhang Sanfeng finished his infusion, Jing Tian Xia helped him to the back gate of the small courtyard.

At this moment, Yingrao Zhu came over, curious.

“Divine Doctor Xia, Zhang Zhenren, where are you going? This clinic is truly miraculous; I’ve never seen many of these things before—TV, refrigerator, washing machine—it’s incredible!” Yingrao Zhu said with curiosity.

As someone from the Ming dynasty, she had never seen these modern household appliances. Empress Ma had been living in the clinic for several days and, under Jing Tian Xia’s guidance, learned about their use, which she eagerly shared with Yingrao Zhu.

“Zhang Zhenren came to the clinic for treatment, but the people at Wudang Mountain don’t know yet, so he wants to send a letter back,” Jing Tian Xia explained truthfully.

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“Your clinic appears inside the palace—does it really connect to Wudang Mountain? I don’t believe it. I want to go with you to see,” Yingrao Zhu said.

Following Jing Tian Xia, she helped support Zhang Sanfeng to the moon gate.

Zhang Sanfeng reached the door, pushed open the moon gate, revealing an elegant courtyard, with the lush Wudang Mountains stretching in the distance.

“Although I cannot see, I smell the scent; it must be the courtyard of Wudang Mountain,” Zhang Sanfeng said.

“It really is Wudang Mountain. I’ve never been. Zhang Zhenren, give me the letter; I’ll deliver it for you,” Yingrao Zhu said with a smile.

Although a princess, Yingrao Zhu bore no airs.

“Then please, Princess, deliver this letter to the vice leader of Wudang, but do not let them know the location of this clinic. I want to recuperate here in peace, undisturbed. The fewer who know about this miraculous clinic, the better,” Zhang Sanfeng instructed.

Jing Tian Xia marveled at Zhang Sanfeng’s century of wisdom. Without needing to be told, Zhang Sanfeng had already warned Yingrao Zhu not to reveal the clinic’s existence.

Taking the letter, Yingrao Zhu smiled brightly, “Don’t worry, I’ll deliver it. It’s a perfect excuse to visit Wudang Mountain.”

“Princess, you’d better hurry and return within fifteen minutes, so as not to worry Empress Ma. We’ll wait here in the courtyard,” Jing Tian Xia said.

Thus, Yingrao Zhu took the letter and passed through the moon gate into Wudang Mountain, while Jing Tian Xia and Zhang Sanfeng waited in the courtyard pavilion.

Fifteen minutes later, the moon gate opened again. Yingrao Zhu returned—not alone, but with a strangely dressed monk. The man wore a kasaya, had short hair and a beard, was tall and sturdy, and gripped Yingrao Zhu’s arm.

“Haha, Zhang Sanfeng, hiding here! You’re not so easy to find,” the great monk laughed heartily.

“How did you find this place, Mongol Grandmaster?” Zhang Sanfeng said anxiously.

“You’re the Mongol Grandmaster? I’m Zhu Yingrao, daughter of the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming. You dare kidnap me? You’re seeking death!” Yingrao Zhu shouted angrily.

On the second floor, Empress Ma saw her daughter being held captive by the Mongol Grandmaster.

“Yingrao, shut up!” Empress Ma scolded loudly.

As empress, Ma Xiuying remained calm despite seeing her daughter held hostage. Now was not the time for harsh words, which would only worsen the situation.

Bang!

The Mongol Grandmaster grabbed Yingrao Zhu’s neck roughly.

“Daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang! You dare threaten me? I’ll strangle you to death!” the Mongol Grandmaster snarled.

“Don’t hurt my daughter. What do you want?” Empress Ma hurriedly said.

Yingrao Zhu was the youngest daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, both of whom adored her. Seeing her daughter held captive, Empress Ma was filled with anxiety.

“The Ming Empress Ma is here too? Could that beggar Zhu Yuanzhang be here as well?” the Mongol Grandmaster taunted.

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Jing Tian Xia silently cursed. The princess actually dared to reveal her identity—much less prudent than Empress Ma’s calmness.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Jing Tian Xia drew his handgun and fired three shots at the Mongol Grandmaster.

Two shots were deflected; one struck his shoulder.

“Princess, get down!” Jing Tian Xia shouted loudly.

Startled by the gunfire, Yingrao Zhu dropped to the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three more shots rang out. One was deflected; the remaining two hit the Mongol Grandmaster’s arm and thigh.

“Damn it!” The Mongol Grandmaster glared fiercely at Jing Tian Xia, then turned and fled through the moon gate.

Clang!

The moon gate suddenly slammed shut.

Jing Tian Xia held the gun, panting heavily.

He had feared exactly this—the Mongol Grandmaster really came and even took the princess hostage. Yet, catching him off guard with the handgun, Jing Tian Xia wounded the Mongol Grandmaster and forced him to flee!

“Princess, are you alright? That guy has been driven off!” Jing Tian Xia hurried to Yingrao Zhu.

Yingrao Zhu was weak and slumped to the ground, then suddenly collapsed into Jing Tian Xia’s arms.

“You really scared me to death. Thank you for saving me!” she said.

Empress Ma rushed downstairs upon seeing the Mongol Grandmaster had escaped—and her daughter clinging to Jing Tian Xia, her expression displeased.

“Yingrao, are you alright? Who told you to run around like that? Return to the palace immediately and do not come to this clinic again!” Empress Ma pulled Yingrao Zhu up.

“Mother, I was just delivering a letter for Zhang Zhenren. I’ve never been to Wudang before, so I wanted to take a look,” Yingrao Zhu explained.

At the moon gate, Empress Ma pushed Yingrao Zhu forward and opened the door. Before her was the imperial palace of Yingtian Prefecture.

With one shove, Empress Ma pushed Yingrao Zhu outside and shut the moon gate.

Yingrao Zhu was stunned to find herself back in the palace.

“I just came through that gate to Wudang Mountain; now I’m back in the palace. This clinic is truly miraculous! And that Divine Doctor Xia, he saved me with a magical weapon. Being in his arms just now made me feel so safe!” Yingrao Zhu murmured with lingering emotion.