Pretty much everyone in the ancient martial arts world knew about the Baili family’s recent decline. After all, Baili Bin was a fairly prominent figure there. He was a prodigy that, like a phoenix, only appeared once every few centuries in the Baili family. However, even he was finished off by his enemy during the ranking competitions. Quite a lot of people were shocked by how the events played out.
Even Rong Feishuang, the most renowned healer in the ancient martial arts world was unable to help with his injuries. And so, the peoples’ hopes had been utterly crushed. The most they could do was sigh and express their condolences.
However, this all was about to change today. Tang Qingqiu uploaded a post onto a group where his friends were gathered. It contained a single photo and a line below.
Tang Qingqiu: Welcome back. [JPEG]
In the image was a young man leaning against a glass window. The setting sun behind him dyed his clothes a bright fiery red. Under the dying rays of sunlight, his face was unclear. However, they all recognized who the old man standing nearby was—no doubt about it! He’s Baili Qu!
If that’s so, then that man must be none other than Baili Bin. Although he wasn’t standing very straight, he was back on his own two feet alright!
Now that even the cripple had gotten up from his wheelchair, who could predict what else was in store for them in the future? It seemed that with Rong Feishuang’s help, Baili Bin could finally stand up. If things went on the way it did, perhaps there’s a chance for him to regain his former glory?
This incident spread like wildfire around the ancient martial arts world. This time, it was incredibly obvious how the Baili family was rising back up from the ashes. They were recouping their strength at an alarming rate. Back during the incident at the trial pavilion, Baili Bin used his formation to plug up the void. That alone was enough to send shockwaves rippling through their world.
The ripple that was spreading through the ancient martial arts world right now was multitudes greater than that incident. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before his eventual return to his throne?
It’s as if no one could stop the Baili family’s rise from their grave now.
Amidst their shock, a significant portion of them had a question in mind. Didn’t Rong Feishuang himself admit that Baili Bin’s condition was beyond the point of saving? It’s been seven years since then and most of the people in the ancient martial arts world had come to accept his statement as the truth. Why on earth then were his legs healed all so suddenly?
Not only that, even Baili Qu’s inexplicable yet chronic illness had been cured! Has Rong Feishuang been experimenting with all sorts of treatment in the past seven years?
A thread had floated up into the front page of The Forum. The post mentioned the Hua family’s arrival at the Imperial Capital. This family was well-known due to their roots in medicine, which was also brought up in the post. The OP even claimed that he or she met the heir of the Hua family in person.
In other words, this person was suggesting that perhaps, Baili Bin’s legs were cured by the legendary Hua family?
For a while, these people were getting more and more curious about the Hua family. When the actual family caught wind of this, they swiftly released news of opening a brand-new shop at the Imperial Capital in an effort to cash in on the free publicity. Unsurprisingly, their family business gained quite a lot of attention from netizens of the ancient martial arts world.
***
“The Hua family?” Zhu Yuan was still at Baili Bin’s place. He sneered when the thread popped up on his news feed. Then, he sent the thread to one of his group chats.
Zhu Yuan said, “Stop digging into this. The one who saved the Bailis isn’t the Hua family. In fact, she isn’t even from the ancient martial arts world. I’m sure you guys will receive the greatest shock of your lives when I tell you about it. Please be patient in the meantime.”
He couldn’t care less if he had created yet another tidal wave that was about to sweep across the ancient martial arts world.
Rong Feishuang was in the middle of examining Baili Bin’s legs. Halfway through his examination, he looked up at Zhu Yuan. “Could you please-”
“Nope.” Zhu Yuan turned him down before Rong Feishuang could finish speaking.
‘Traitorous disciple! Do you even have an inkling about what I was going to ask!?’ thought Rong Feishuang to himself.
Zhu Yuan stared back at his master nonchalantly before letting out a sigh. “Fine. Also, how could I not know what is going through my master’s mind? About this matter, I really am out of options. That girl will probably never come back, I can guarantee you that.” She wouldn’t even step foot in the laboratory during ordinary times, what more to say of coming to meet his master after Baili Bin’s issue was settled.
Baili Qu was still in a state of shock. He looked at Baili Bin, who was taking his first few steps while being supported by Murong Feiye. Tears slowly swelled up in his eyes. Never in his life had he been so emotional before, even when Baili Bin received the injury that would cripple him for the next seven years. Even when Rong Feishuang declared that Baili Bin’s injury was incurable, he was not fazed one bit. And yet, tears were rolling down his cheeks now.
Perhaps this is what happens when you stumble upon your last bastion of hope when all was truly lost. This feeling of his felt almost impossible to put into words.
“Old Rong, we, the Baili family owe you a favor this time. If there are any problems you face in the future, do not hesitate to ask us for help! We will never turn you away!” Baili Qu bowed at Rong Feishuang. However, before he could really bow, he was stopped by Rong Feishuang.
“Old Baili, although I wish to accept your gratitude, you have to understand that I am not the person who cured your grandson’s ailment.” Rong Feishuang sighed. “I’m guessing you bumped into that boy from the Jiang family while on your way here?”
“You’re talking about Shuxuan?” Baili Qu’s eyes grew wide open. When did Jiang Shuxuan start healing people?
Rong Feishuang shook his head. Then, he patted Baili Qu’s shoulder. “I’m talking about that girl by his side.”
“What!” Baili Qu looked at him in bewilderment. At that instant, Gu Xiqiao’s face surfaced in his memory. His throat sounded dry when he spoke. “So it’s her.” How old was she?
Murong Feiye looked up the moment he heard what Rong Feishuang said. “You’re talking about Gu Xiqiao?” How could it be?!
Tang Qingqiu tucked his phone away before glancing at their faces. “Why the surprise? She’s a med student at A University. That girl even earned the respect of Zhu Yuan right here.”
Seems like she’s a swiss army-woman. Tang Qingqiu was awed by how much potential this young lady had in her. He was initially thinking about employing her at his firm and yet it seemed that it would become quite an impossible task.
Earning Zhu Yuan’s respect? Disbelief made itself apparent on Murong Feiye’s face. When he heard Tang Qingqiu say that, Zhu Yuan nodded to confirm its truth. Only then could he believe what he was saying. Thinking about his worries from a few days ago, he couldn’t help but wonder.
“Frankly speaking, I was rather worried that when she stepped foot into the ancient martial arts world, she would get instantly annihilated by that demon girl and her friends. In hindsight, it seems like I was just thinking too much about it.”
With skills in healing that was at least on par with Rong Feishuang, she probably could gain a firm foothold in the ancient martial arts world the moment she steps foot into their realm. Though, the Jiang family remained a difficult hurdle to clear.
“Pfffttt—” Zhu Yuan choked on tea when he heard that.
“Mr. Murong, I don’t think you’re overthinking this.” Zhu Yuan placed his teacup down. As the smile on his face faded away while he shook his head, he said, “It’s inevitable that anarchy will descend upon the ancient martial arts world following her arrival. Instead of worrying about her, you’re better off worrying about Jiang Tong and her friends’ safety.”
Zhu Yuan did not spare too much time lingering around there after that. He said his goodbyes to Tang Qingqiu before leaving the place hastily in order to get back to his experiment that was waiting for him at the lab.
There’s a high chance that Gu Xiqiao would appear at the laboratory in the coming few days. This was her style. She’d pass on the treatment method to him in the form of a thorough lecture. No doubt, she would do the same for today’s treatment. She was probably the only medical practitioner on earth who would do this right? Sharing her precious information with other researchers.
***
Why were they all talking about her like this? Murong Miaoxue was already plenty fearful of Gu Xiqiao. Then came Zhu Yuan to relay all this information about her.
Murong Feiye raised his brow. He remembered his meeting with her two days ago. The only thing he noticed about her was her remarkable beauty. If her skill in medicine was included in the equation, that left Gu Xiqiao with only a single potential flaw—physical weakness. With little to no training in ancient martial arts, of course he would worry about her future in the ancient martial arts world.
Was she the same person as Murong Miaoxue had described to him?
“What Zhu Yuan said is not wrong. If she indeed enters the ancient martial arts world, then Jiang Tong and her friends would undoubtedly be outshined by her.” Baili Bin’s mouth curled into a smile. A soft glow appeared in his eyes. Placing a formation prodigy into the Baili family truly was a once-in-a-lifetime scenario.
With Jiang Shuxuan as her escort, she could go anywhere she pleases.
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same person here?” Murong Feiye couldn’t help but be skeptical about this.
Baili Bin peered down at his feet. A moment later, he chuckled. “Murong, didn’t you keep pestering me about why my formation skills improved so drastically?”
“Yeah.” Murong Feiye’s eyes lit up. “Especially that formation you created back at the trial tower. I just can’t seem to comprehend how you managed to pull it off.”
If Baili Bin used this formation against him, the match would probably end up in a deadlock.
“It was her who switched that formation for me,” answered Baili Bin bluntly.
Murong Feiye stopped smiling immediately. He stared at the smiling Baili Bin blankly and froze up for a couple of seconds.
On the other side, Gu Xiqiao had already reached home.
[Beauty Qiao, Hua Jingya is currently at the temporary meeting place for the Hua family.] Baili Bin’s legs had been cured, Rong Feishuang and co were stunned beyond words. No one paid any heed to Hua Jingya, who had silently slipped away in the nick of time. Still, no matter how far she ran, she could never escape the eyes of the system.
The system played the entire scene out for Gu Xiqiao.
Gu Xiqiao narrowed her eyes as she rinsed the vegetables at the kitchen sink. Jiang Shuxuan was originally walking around downstairs but he was pushed upstairs to tutor Hua Youlin in the English language. He probably was going to be there for a while.
Looking at the chicken soup, which she had simmered down perfectly, her bright eyes turned hazy underneath the misty lighting of their kitchen. “Little system, how about we pay the Hua family a visit for fun?”
[Um, didn’t you plan to let Little Hua…] Before the system could finish its sentence, Gu Xiqiao snapped her fingers. Their entire environment changed in a split second. It was only after this rapid change that it uttered its final few words. […deal with it.]
“Well, technically I did.” Gu Xiqiao rubbed her chin as she looked at the plaque on which the words ‘Hua family’ was written. The calligraphy was pretty impressive, she thought.
‘What? And when exactly did you change your mind?’ pondered the system.
The Hua family was holding a meeting at the moment.
Hua Jingya’s uncle, Hua Zihou had just arrived. He was the one in charge of planning their family’s rise in the Imperial Capital.
“Little Ya, what do you think about this proposal of mine?” asked Hua Zihou. Hua Jingya was on the main seat, staring listlessly into the air. Her uncle couldn’t help but frown at this very sight. He was initially against the idea of their family expanding into this territory. The Hua family had their rules they had to abide by. However, as Hua Jingya was the heiress of the family, her words were the rule. He was powerless against her will.
The look in Hua Jingya’s eyes was as deep as the ocean. “I want our family to rise up this very instant!”
Her fellow family members agreed unanimously to this. If they had no choice but to enter the Imperial Capital, then they must do so decisively.
“The young lady is right.”
“I agree.”
“It’s time for the people to witness the Hua family’s…”
“Apologies for barging in, gentlemen.” Suddenly, before the elder of the Hua family could end his sentence, the voice of a woman interrupted him, followed by her entry into the meeting room.
The core personnel running the Hua family all turned their heads in her direction. The closer that figure approached them, the stronger they could sense her overwhelming mental strength. It was so overpowering that they struggled to breathe. And yet, they still couldn’t get a good glimpse of her face. All they could see was a blurry vision of her face.
‘System, how long will it take to send every information about Hua Jingya over to the police?’ Gu Xiqiao entered the Hua family as if no one was there to stop her and proceeded to bring their heiress away.
[One minute, Miss Gu.]
Gu Xiqiao threw Hua Jingya onto the ground. Ignoring the frightened and resentful look in her eyes, Gu Xiqiao curled up her fists.
One minute. That was all it took.
The Hua family members froze up out of shock until the mysterious intruder left the place. However, it was already too late when they regained their senses. Hua Jingya was nowhere to be found!
Where she sat only a piece of paper was left behind.
They had never witnessed such a scene before. The Hua family was spooked. They couldn’t even see clearly that person’s face and under their very noses, she brought Hua Jingya away. Deep fear accompanied the look of helplessness on their faces.
The same question was on their minds. Just who did Hua Jingya manage to piss off?
Who was this person?
Why were they unable to see her face when she was standing right in front of them?
The Hua family had no answers to these questions. However, what they knew was the fear they had in their hearts. Finally, they understood that the Imperial Capital was not a place where they ruled supreme.
If that person wanted to, she could have wiped out their entire family effortlessly.
Hua Zihou forced himself to calm down. Picking up that piece of paper on Hua Jingya’s seat, he flipped through it. Then, a furious expression surfaced on his face.