Chapter 196: Conquering
At that moment, Black Dragon ran in, clearly having seen Zhao Dong. He slapped his thigh and ran, breathless, to the old man's side.
The old man looked at Black Dragon and frowned. "Little Dragon, what is the matter with you?"
Gasping for breath, Black Dragon looked at the old man, his face etched with deep bitterness. "Boss! I... I have something to tell you!"
"What is it?"
Black Dragon glanced at Zhao Dong, then back at the old man, his face still full of bitterness as he said, "Boss, this is the Master Zhao I told you about! The boxing technique you were curious about was taught to me by Master Zhao, and he also gave me the body-forging prescription!"
The old man's expression changed instantly. He stared at Zhao Dong, his face a mask of disbelief. "This man is *that* Master Zhao?"
Black Dragon nodded before turning to Zhao Dong and bowing deeply. "Master Zhao, this is my boss, Lord Tiger. I... I don't know how you two got into a conflict. This..."
Black Dragon was at a loss. He had been maintaining order in the casino's main hall when he heard someone named Zhao Dong was causing a disturbance inside. He quickly asked about Zhao Dong's appearance, and when he heard the description—damn it, it was his own benefactor! So, Black Dragon had run here without stopping.
Looking at Zhao Dong now, Black Dragon's face was full of anguish. On one side is my benefactor, and on the other is my boss of many years. If they really start fighting... I don't know what I'd do!
Zhao Dong was also somewhat surprised. So this old man was the Lord Tiger that Black Dragon spoke of. He had heard of Lord Tiger's reputation. In East Sea's underground, Hong Wu was number one, and this Lord Tiger was number two. One could say that if the total power was ten parts, Hong Wu held six and Lord Tiger held four. Hong Wu's reputation was greater and his power slightly superior, but Lord Tiger was by no means weak.
A glint flashed in Zhao Dong's eyes as he looked at Lord Tiger, whose gaze was fixed intently on him.
Finally, Lord Tiger was the first to speak. He stroked his graying beard, squinting at Zhao Dong. "I never expected you to be the Master Zhao that Black Dragon talked about. That boxing technique, and that body-forging prescription, did you create them yourself?"
"They are improvements I made based on others' work," Zhao Dong said calmly. "What about it?"
Lord Tiger's pupils narrowed slightly. "You understand prescriptions?"
"It's not that difficult," Zhao Dong replied indifferently. "I don't just understand prescriptions, I also understand alchemy formulas."
"What did you say?! You understand alchemy formulas?"
Lord Tiger's expression shifted dramatically, his eyes filled with shock as he stared at Zhao Dong. In all of China, very few people understood alchemy formulas, because those who knew how to perform alchemy were cultivators! And not just any cultivators, but Alchemists! Alchemists were a type of cultivator, but they were far rarer. It was a blessing to find even one Alchemist among ten cultivators.
A fervent light slowly kindled in Lord Tiger's eyes. If Zhao Dong really knows alchemy...
In an instant, Lord Tiger made his decision. He waved his hand and shouted, "All of you, put your guns down!"
Instantly, the men lowered their weapons in unison. Lord Tiger strode quickly to Zhao Dong, his eyes burning with fervor. "Master... Master Zhao, do you... do you really understand alchemy formulas?"
Zhao Dong's mind raced. This Lord Tiger represents a formidable local force in East Sea. Right now, my priority is to develop my own power to counter Hong Wu, not make enemies everywhere. Besides, Lord Tiger doesn't seem as nefarious as Hong Wu. If I could form an alliance...
With this in mind, Zhao Dong said in a deep voice, "I don't just understand them, I can perform alchemy."
As soon as he spoke, Lord Tiger's expression froze. The next second, his face was alight with intense excitement. He roared at his subordinates, "All of you, get the hell out of here!"
The men exchanged confused glances, wondering why their boss's attitude had changed so abruptly. Of course, they didn't dare to ask and scrambled to leave. Black Dragon remained, standing by Lord Tiger's side, his face just as excited as his boss's.
The hall fell silent. Lord Tiger looked at Zhao Dong and swallowed hard before saying, "Master Zhao, if you can perform alchemy... I, Li Qinghu, am willing to befriend you and treat you as my most honored guest!"
Zhao Dong smiled to himself. It seems this Li Qinghu understands the weight carried by the title 'Alchemist'. However, with someone like him, I have to play it cool. Agreeing too quickly would just make him look down on me.
Squinting, Zhao Dong said, "I'm not interested in the affairs of your underground forces. But today, seeing your sincerity, I'll give you a prescription. Go get the herbs and take it for three consecutive days."
Li Qinghu was puzzled. "Master Zhao, what symptoms does this prescription treat? My body is quite healthy."
Zhao Dong glanced at him. "Oh? You think you're very healthy?"
Li Qinghu froze for a moment. In the next moment, Zhao Dong stated indifferently, "You have a hidden injury. On overcast days, doesn't it feel like ants are burrowing into your bones, causing excruciating pain?"
Li Qinghu's face paled, and his voice trembled. "Master Zhao, how... how did you know that?"
Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "I can tell at a glance. Do you still want the prescription or not?"
Without another word, Li Qinghu hurriedly rummaged through a nearby drawer for a pen and paper, then presented them to Zhao Dong with reverence, excitement, and impatience. Zhao Dong wrote out a prescription and tossed it to him. Li Qinghu caught it hastily.
His heart pounded in his chest. Zhao Dong was right. It was an old affliction of his. Every time it rained, the pain was agonizing! He had seen countless doctors over the years to no effect and had eventually given up all hope.
Looking at the prescription in his hand, Li Qinghu faced Zhao Dong, his expression full of gratitude. "Master Zhao, I, Li Qinghu, thank you! I never imagined that someone as young as yourself could possess such profound knowledge. I, Li Qinghu, am truly in awe!"
Zhao Dong waved a dismissive hand. "You can save the flattery for after you're cured. You still have your doubts, so doesn't it feel disingenuous to say such things now?"
An embarrassed smile crossed Li Qinghu's old face, his innermost thoughts laid bare.
Zhao Dong cleaned his ear with a finger and said flatly, "Alright. Are you still planning to keep my friend here?"
Li Qinghu looked back at Shen Zhuxin with an apologetic expression. "Master Zhao, to be honest, I had no idea my subordinates would do something like this. I swear to heaven, I, Li Qinghu, have never ordered my men to coerce innocent women. But... with so many subordinates, it's inevitable that some things escape my notice..."
Zhao Dong's gaze turned cold. "You'd better not have. And don't say one thing to my face and another behind my back. Otherwise, I will make you regret it. I swear."
A shiver ran down Li Qinghu's spine, and he nodded frantically. "Yes, Master Zhao!"
Zhao Dong shot him one last glance, a cold, warning look that sent a chill through Li Qinghu's entire body.
Ignoring Li Qinghu further, Zhao Dong walked toward Shen Zhuxin.
She was staring blankly at him, once again completely astonished. Zhao Dong could actually make this Lord Tiger... so respectful? The reputations of Lord Tiger and Hong Wu in East Sea were legendary; even she had heard of them. When Li Qinghu introduced himself earlier, Shen Zhuxin had thought she was doomed. But she never expected...
Zhao Dong waved a hand in front of her face and smiled. "What are you daydreaming about?"
Shen Zhuxin snapped back to reality. Seeing Zhao Dong's confident smile, her cheeks flushed red. She quickly looked down, biting her lip. "It's nothing..."
"If it's nothing, then let's go. I'll take you home." As he spoke, Zhao Dong helped Shen Weiping up from the floor. He had fainted from fright but was otherwise unharmed.
Supporting Shen Weiping and with Shen Zhuxin in tow, they got into the car.
Back at the Shen family's home, Zhao Dong laid Shen Weiping on the bed. He looked at the wreckage around them, at this house that no longer felt like a home, and then at Shen Zhuxin's sorrowful expression. A pang of pity struck him. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Zhuxin, come outside with me."
Shen Zhuxin looked up, her eyes slightly red. "What is it, Brother Zhao Dong?"
Zhao Dong sighed softly. "Don't worry about it for now. Just come with me. Your dad is fine; he'll wake up on his own soon."
He walked out, and Shen Zhuxin followed without hesitation. Getting into his car, he waved at her. "You get in, too."
Standing by the roadside, Shen Zhuxin was slightly surprised but obediently got into the car. Sitting in the passenger seat, she was in a daze. This was a luxury car worth millions... It was hard to imagine.
Zhao Dong stepped on the gas, and the car shot forward. Soon, they arrived at a new location.
Seeing where they were, Shen Zhuxin asked in surprise, "Brother Zhao Dong, why have you brought me here?"