The Wild Doctor and the Fair Beauty

First-grade Hall!

This was a three-story, antique-style teahouse located not far from the former Wang Family estate.

The Dongxue Room, on the third floor of the teahouse.

An old man with white hair but a youthful complexion, dressed in a long gray robe, sat savoring fine tea.

His gaze passed through the window, falling upon the former Wang Family estate.

And the banyan tree in front of it.

Beside him sat a beautiful woman in martial arts attire.

"Grandpa Zeng, will the Wang Family's patriarch really show up?"

The beautiful woman's eyes were also fixed on the former Wang Family estate in the distance.

"Fangfei, the Wang Family's patriarch and I were born in the same era. Of all the people still living, I'm likely the one who understands his character best," the old man with the youthful complexion said with a faint smile. "Since word is out that he'll arrive in Jizhou tonight, he will most certainly make an appearance."

Du Fangfei nodded lightly and poured more tea for the old man.

But a hint of melancholy clouded her beautiful features. "Grandpa Zeng, of the Four Great Martial Arts Clans of Jizhou, the Yu Family was wiped out in a fire, the Song Family left Jizhou, and now the Wang Family is gone too... What about our Du Family..."

"Fangfei, are you worried that the Du Family will follow in the footsteps of the other three?" the old man asked, stroking his beard with a smile.

He was Du Jingsong, patriarch of the Du Family—one of Jizhou's Four Great Martial Arts Clans!

And currently, the only one of the Four Great Martial Arts Clans left standing.

After the Song Family moved out of Jizhou and the Yu Family perished in a great fire, only the Wang Family had been on edge, remaining constantly on guard.

The Du Family, however, had never made a point of taking such precautions.

Du Jingsong knew very well that the Du Family had always been low-key and restrained, and had no major enemies.

Five years ago, the Wang, Song, and Yu Families had joined forces to commit a heinous act.

Only the Du Family had stayed out of it.

That was why the Du Family had been able to focus diligently on its own development over the years. An upright man need not fear a crooked shadow.

So why had the bustling crowds, which had filled the area around the former Wang Family estate today, suddenly vanished?

Because of his presence, of course.

"Grandpa Zeng, of the Four Great Martial Arts Clans, only our Du Family is left."

Du Fangfei sipped her tea. Her red lips parted as she let out a soft breath. "It's not just me who's worried. Many of our clansmen are growing anxious as well."

Du Jingsong nodded with a smile. "In these declining times, it's only normal for our people to have such concerns. But I brought you here today not just to witness the earth-shattering battle between Wang Yuan and that young prodigy, but also to put those worries to rest."

"Oh?"

Du Fangfei blinked her captivating eyes. "Grandpa Zeng, are you certain a young prodigy will appear?"

"He's been here for a long time."

Du Jingsong pointed toward Jiang Xinghai, who was sitting cross-legged under the banyan tree. "With your level of strength, you still can't perceive his presence with the naked eye."

"Really?"

Delighted, Du Fangfei hastily raised a pair of night-vision binoculars and began to observe.

Sure enough!

There, under the banyan tree near the former Wang Family estate, a man in a suit sat cross-legged. It was none other than Jiang Xinghai.

"That's strange, Grandpa Zeng. Why can't I see his face clearly?"

Du Fangfei stared at the perfectly still Jiang Xinghai. A faint, shimmering haze seemed to obscure her view.

"He's protected by a Vigorous Shield. The only reason you can't see is because you're not strong enough."

Du Jingsong explained patiently. At his level of power, he could do the same.

Du Fangfei was stunned.

Born into the Du Family, with access to all kinds of Martial Arts resources since childhood, she had only managed to become a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist.

"Fangfei, I must remind you," Du Jingsong said, picking up his teacup. "Never judge a person's true depth by their appearance. Even as a member of the Du Family, you must remain low-key and reserved. This is a rule for survival. Do you understand?"

"I will take your lesson to heart, Grandpa Zeng." Du Fangfei clenched her fists, her curiosity about Jiang Xinghai growing.

Suddenly—

RUMBLE...

Peals of muffled thunder rolled across the night sky.

Dark clouds quickly swarmed in, blotting out the once-clear night.

Soon, amidst the flashing lightning and roaring thunder, huge raindrops began to hammer down.

"Grandpa Zeng, I can't see anything with the binoculars now."

Du Fangfei pouted, looking at Du Jingsong with disappointment. "Shouldn't we get a little closer?"

"Absolutely not!"

Du Jingsong shook his head firmly. "I have no desire for a direct confrontation with Wang Yuan, nor do I want to make contact with that young man too soon. Observing from this teahouse will suffice."

Du Fangfei could only nod in resignation.

"He's here!"

Du Jingsong's expression shifted. 'I haven't seen him in years, but that old fellow's aura is even stronger now. It's a good thing I didn't reveal myself, otherwise, even I...'

「At that same moment」

A wiry old man had appeared silently in front of the former Wang Family estate.

As his eyes swept over the scene, the wiry old man's body began to tremble violently.

The once-glorious Wang Family estate was now nothing but a pile of rubble!

"Old bastard, so you're the Wang Family patriarch, Wang Yuan?"

At that moment, Jiang Xinghai rose slowly from his spot beneath the banyan tree.