Chapter 138: Impersonation!

Before long, the members who had participated in the Treasure Appraisal Convention began to leave one after another.

Declining the invitation from Ouyang Rui and the others, Ling Feng prepared to return to the Wenxian Sect overnight.

Following some brief pleasantries, Ling Feng bid farewell to the Ouyang family. As he was leaving, Ouyang Rui even gave him a Treasure Pavilion Token.

This token held considerable value. The Treasure Pavilion's reach extended far beyond the Ouyang family's branch in Hanwu County, spanning across the entire Tianbai Empire and even the four major empires of the Dongling Region.

Possession of the Treasure Pavilion Token entitled one to a twenty percent discount at any branch within the Dongling Region.

The Ouyang family in Hanwu County was actually just a small branch under the Treasure Pavilion.

Holders of the Treasure Pavilion Token were esteemed guests of the establishment.

Ling Feng did not refuse. His financial resources were not abundant, adhering to the saying "poor in literature, rich in martial arts." Advancing in the martial path required considerable expenses at every step.

This token from the Treasure Pavilion could significantly reduce his expenses.

Ouyang Jing accompanied Ling Feng as he left, escorting him all the way to the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion.

"Alright, there's no need to see me off any further."

Ling Feng lightly tapped Ouyang Jing's shoulder. Though his assistance wasn't entirely altruistic, it was evident that Ouyang Jing regarded him as an esteemed big brother.

"Farewell, big brother!" Ouyang Jing bowed deeply to Ling Feng, his heart brimming with gratitude for the transformative influence Ling Feng had wielded over his fate that night.

"We'll meet again," Ling Feng smiled faintly, then turned his gaze towards Lin Xian'er, who had been by his side all along, and asked softly, "Miss Lin, where do you plan to go next?"

"My plans..." Lin Xian'er pursed her lips, deliberating. "I intend to spend the night in Hanwu County and head back to the Tianwei Academy tomorrow morning. What about you, Brother Lin?"

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Returning to the sect."

"In that case..." Lin Xian'er nibbled on her bottom lip, her gaze lingering on Ling Feng. "Let me accompany you out of the city."

Ling Feng hesitated, casting a curious glance at Lin Xian'er, wondering if she harbored feelings for him...

Before he could reply, a disdainful voice resonated from a distance, "A pair of lovebirds being quite cozy, huh?"

The voice, laced with sarcasm and repulsion, instantly identified itself to Ling Feng as Jia Lang's.

Accompanying Jia Lang were several guards clad in black armor, along with several imposing middle-aged men whose sharp, penetrating gazes betrayed their exceptional prowess.

"Jia Lang!" Lin Xian'er's brow furrowed, her teeth clenched. "Stop launching verbal attacks!"

"

Hmph!

Lin Xian'er, don't think I see you as some pure saint. Turns out, you're just a used-up piece of trash!"

The profanity that came out of Jia Lang's mouth was absolutely vile and disgraceful, leaving a foul odor in the air. Lin Xian'er, unaccustomed to such repulsive language, was instantly filled with rage, causing her entire body to shake.

"Jia Lang, what is the meaning of this?!"

Ouyang Jing, on the verge of departing, suddenly witnessed Jia Lang's approach with guards from the City Lord's Mansion and elders from the Jia family. Their hostile demeanor spurred him to intervene, speaking with firmness, "This is still the territory of our Treasure Pavilion, Jia Lang. Do not underestimate us!"

Jia Lang snarled at Ling Feng, his face twisted into a malicious grin. "Who the hell are you? Get the hell out of here! Guards, seize that impostor claiming to be a divine imperial physician. Disable his dantian and Qihai acupoint first!"

"What?!"

As these words were uttered, the guests who were about to leave were all taken aback.

"Impersonating a divine imperial physician?"

"How is that possible? Who would dare to impersonate a imperial physician of the Divine Kingdom?"

"Could it be true? Is Ling Feng truly an impostor?"

Ouyang Jing and Lin Xian'er were equally taken aback and perturbed.

The position of divine imperial physician, although not an official position[1], was bestowed by the imperial emperor through a rigorous selection and approval process to obtain the token of the divine imperial physician.

Furthermore, each appointed divine imperial physician was registered and announced to various counties and proclaimed to the world.

Upon returning home, Jia Lang was initially despondent, uncertain about how to confront Ling Feng. However, when he confided in a trusted old steward, the steward immediately discerned a flaw.

This year, the imperial documents issued by the empire indeed listed several newly appointed divine imperial physicians, among whom the youngest was named Sun Siyi.

However, Ling Feng, appearing even younger than Sun Siyi, was not mentioned in the documents at all.

Therefore, the bold conjecture of the old steward was that Ling Feng's token of was definitely forged!

Impersonating a divine imperial physician was a serious offense, warranting the immediate mobilization of county garrisons for forceful suppression.

Thus, the current situation unfolded accordingly.

Little did did know that Ling Feng's token was personally crafted by the sect leader of the Cangqiong Sect and possessed the same effect as one approved by the imperial emperor.

Ling Feng's name had already been registered, but the documents had yet to be distributed to the various counties.

"You're talking nonsense!" Ouyang Jing stood beside Ling Feng, gritting his teeth. "What evidence do you have to prove that my brother is impersonating a divine imperial physician?"

"That's right, without evidence, you can't just make baseless accusations!"

Some present also held a deep admiration of Ling Feng. During the Treasure Appraisal Convention, he showcased his appraisal expertise, leaving a lasting impression on everyone, including Liu Xudong, the president of the Treasure Appraisal Guild, who showered Ling Feng with endless praise. How could he possibly impersonate a divine imperial physician?

As Ling Feng found himself encircled, Liu Xudong, who had already boarded the carriage and prepared to depart, swiftly alighted and declared emphatically, "I have full faith in Ling Feng's integrity!"

The crowd of onlookers swelled, with elders from the Treasure Pavilion joining the fray. After grasping the situation, Ouyang Rui stepped forward with a congenial smile, addressing Jia Lang, "Mr. Jia, there appears to be a misunderstanding."

"

Hmph,

as expected, you don't believe me. But some individuals have the audacity to defy imperial law!"

With a smug demeanor, Jia Lang retrieved a bamboo slip from his pocket, unfurling it slowly amidst hearty laughter. "This year, only three additional divine imperial physicians were appointed. The youngest among them, Sun Siyi, while the other two are both over fifty! Among them, there is no divine imperial physician named Ling Feng!"

Tossing the bamboo slip to the ground, he sneered, "Anyone skeptical can take a closer look. See if there's a divine imperial physician named Ling Feng!"

As his words echoed, the surroundings erupted into an uproar.

Even without inspection, Jia Lang's demeanor made it clear that Ling Feng's name was absent from the bamboo slip.

Did this imply that Ling Feng truly impersonated a divine imperial physician?

This... was a deadly offense!

1. Author's note: do not compare the divine imperial physician with ancient physicians. ☜