Quarrel, For His Own Good You Should Give Way

"Serena! Serena!"

Before the person arrived, their voice did. Ignoring the guards and maids of Feng Manor, the newcomer barreled straight through; the guards tried to step forward but were blocked by his entourage, while the maids didn’t dare intervene.

The shadow guards perked up at the commotion, but as the newcomer drew closer and they saw his face, one yawned in boredom: "No threat. Not worth our time."

Other than disturbing our sleep, he’s useless.

After their assessment, the shadow guards shifted positions and settled in to watch the spectacle.

No one dared stop him. The intruder was brazen, charging straight to the back courtyard and into Serena’s quarters. With a bang, he kicked open the door: "Serena! Serena! Get out here!"

Serena jolted awake at the noise outside, flipped out of bed, and grabbed the pistol from under her pillow. As the intruder rushed in, she aimed the gun at him: "Valley Master?"

Serena frowned at the visitor, then recalled her earlier request and understood.

Simon Sun’s illness had almost healed after a month. She’d mentioned it to Ninth Royal Uncle, who agreed to let Simon return; apparently, the Master of Mystic Healer Valley came back with Simon.

"Yes, it’s me." The Valley Master showed no embarrassment about barging into a lady’s room, acting completely justified as he shooed the maids out: "Out, out, out! Can’t you see I have business with your young mistress? Go squat in the corner. Don’t block my view."

"Miss..." The maids stood frozen in the doorway, afraid to move. Under the Valley Master's fierce glare, they looked to Serena for help.

"You can go. The Valley Master isn’t a stranger." Serena put extra emphasis on the word "stranger."

No normal person would barge into someone’s room in the middle of the night, but the Valley Master was shameless and didn’t care. Seeing Serena wave the maids away, he sat down with a swagger.

Serena gritted her teeth in frustration. "Valley Master, could you step outside for a moment? Whatever you need, let me change first."

"Why bother? You’re not naked. I’m old enough to be your grandfather—what’s there to worry about? Trust me, even if Ninth Royal Uncle finds out, he won’t blame you. Besides, we’re doctors. If you keep obsessing over gender boundaries all day, aren’t you tired? Do you still want to practice medicine?" The Valley Master shot Serena a contemptuous look, as if she’d disgraced the profession.

Serena nearly cried. She never expected someone would accuse her of caring too much about male-female propriety and tell her to be less uptight.

Serena almost wanted to drag the Valley Master to Ninth Royal Uncle and let him explain what gender boundaries mean to doctors.

Of course, Serena only dared to think about it—she’d seen how petty Ninth Royal Uncle could be, and she’d be the one to suffer.

Serena took a deep breath, suppressing her urge to strangle someone, grabbed a coat, and sat across from the Valley Master. "All right, let’s talk. What brings you here at this hour?"

"I’m not here for anything special. I came to tell you two things. First, I’ll be observing your treatment of the Young clan’s heir today as Ninth Prince Manor’s representative. Second, I’m taking your apprentice—Simon Sun is no longer your disciple; from today, he’s apprenticed to me." The Valley Master stated his intent flatly, not as a negotiation but as an order for Serena to carry out.

Serena understood the first point—Ninth Royal Uncle brought Simon Sun here, and with the Valley Master aware of Victor Yun’s treatment, of course he’d want in on the action. Otherwise, Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn’t have asked for a spot. But the second point?

"What do you mean you’re taking my apprentice?" Serena’s tone was threatening, her gaze sharp. The Valley Master faltered under her stare, raising his voice: "Exactly what I said. I’m taking your apprentice as my last disciple. Write a statement to sever your master-disciple bond with Simon and let him apprentice under me."

Serena snorted coldly. "Valley Master, you’re dreaming."

"What did you say?" The Valley Master was furious, glaring at Serena.

Serena shot to her feet, slammed the table, and leaned forward. "I said you’re dreaming. So what if you’re the Valley Master? If you want an apprentice, find one yourself."

Trying to take her apprentice? He must have a death wish.

"Having me pick your apprentice is an honor, Serena. Just answer me—are you giving him up or not?" The Valley Master slammed the table and stood up too, refusing to back down.

The two of them squared off like bulls, neither willing to yield.

"No."

Serena’s answer was firm. The Valley Master puffed out his cheeks in anger. "Serena, why won’t you give in? Don’t you know Simon will go further with me than with you?"

The Valley Master’s expression was stern; he had no qualms about poking at Serena’s sore spots. "Serena, you know that with my reputation, if I declare Simon Sun as my last disciple, he’ll instantly be respected as a top physician. What can you offer Simon? For his own good, you should let him follow me."

In this, the Valley Master wasn’t wrong—teacher, family, and background all mattered. Having a good mentor was as important as a good birth. But…

"I’ll teach my own apprentice. Simon can earn respect on his own merits." Serena knew that apprenticing Simon to the Valley Master would benefit his future, but she couldn’t bear to let him go.

Without Simon, where could she find another apprentice so talented and obedient?

Don’t you realize, without me, he’ll face countless obstacles, work harder than most, and waste even more time?

The Valley Master paused, noting Serena’s grim expression, then sneered and continued: "Serena, you’re being selfish. Simon has rare talent—he should devote himself to medicine, not get caught up in messes. With me, I can shield him from trouble. Can you?"

For such a promising apprentice, he’d fight to the end!

"Serena, not only can’t you pave a smooth path for Simon, you’ll bring him trouble and hold him back. Can you honestly say his injuries had nothing to do with you? If not for you, would he be hurt so badly? Serena, you’re a walking disaster—how can you protect Simon? For his own good, you should let him apprentice under me."

He refused to believe that as the Valley Master, he couldn’t persuade Simon Sun—or Serena. He knew Serena truly cared about Simon, so for Simon’s sake, she would eventually agree…