Chapter 334: Seeking Information
"Don't attack! We mean no harm!" Ghost Elder, having just escaped death by a whisker, cried out to the old woman, his heart still pounding.
"Ghost Elder?"
The old woman recognized him. She immediately put away her long spear and hurried over.
"Aunt Mei, you nearly killed me!"
"I'm so sorry, so sorry..." the woman known as Aunt Mei said with an embarrassed smile. "I was just worried you might have ill intentions, so I thought it better to strike first."
"And who is this young man? If it weren't for his quick reaction, you'd be dead by now."
Ghost Elder dusted himself off and turned to introduce them. "This is Zhao Dong, my young friend. Including today, he's now saved my life twice."
"Is that all?" Aunt Mei's expression was guarded.
"He also has a good relationship with the Su Family and saved Miss Su's life."
"I see." Realization dawned on Aunt Mei, and a flicker of admiration appeared in her eyes.
Ghost Elder spoke again. "This is Aunt Mei, Grandpa Lei's caretaker. She's been by his side for decades."
"Hello, Aunt Mei," Zhao Dong greeted politely.
"No need for formalities," Aunt Mei waved her hand. "You didn't come all this way just to say hello, did you?"
"Of course not," Ghost Elder chuckled, pulling out a jade bracelet and offering it to Aunt Mei. "We're here mainly because my young friend Zhao Dong has something to ask Grandpa Lei."
Aunt Mei pushed the bracelet back. "Ghost Elder, I'm afraid I can't agree to that."
Zhao Dong frowned. "Is our sincerity not enough, Aunt Mei? Or is Grandpa Lei unwilling to see us?"
"Don't be anxious, young man. You saved Ghost Elder and are on good terms with Miss Su. You're already a remarkable person. How could Grandpa Lei possibly be unwilling to meet you?" Her tone turned bitter. "The Grandpa Lei of today is no longer the man he once was. How could he dare look down on you?"
"Then what is it?" Zhao Dong pressed, his frown deepening.
Aunt Mei was silent for a long moment before she turned, opened the door, and made an inviting gesture.
"Follow me, and you'll understand."
「A bedroom on the second floor.」
When Aunt Mei opened the door, a white-haired old man was sitting by the window, basking in the sun.
Aunt Mei walked carefully behind him and bowed. "Grandpa Lei..."
Grandpa Lei woodenly raised his head and pointed at the white clouds in the sky.
"Cloud... cloud... That's a cloud, right?"
"Yes, you're the smartest, Grandpa Lei."
"Candy... I want candy..."
"No. You've had enough candy for today. The doctor said you can't have so much."
"Waaah! I want it! I want it! Give me candy! Give me candy!"
To their shock, Grandpa Lei started throwing a tantrum, lying on the floor and rolling around. He only stopped when Aunt Mei, with a look of utter resignation, handed him a piece of candy. Then, he contentedly went back to staring blankly out the window.
Zhao Dong and Ghost Elder were completely dumbfounded by the scene.
The great Grandpa Lei has such a peculiar habit?
Aunt Mei slowly backed out of the room and looked at the two men with a pained expression. "You see now, don't you? Grandpa Lei has Alzheimer's disease. He's forgotten everything from his past. Now, he just has the mentality of a three-year-old child."
Their hearts sank.
Ghost Elder said wistfully, "To think that the once-commanding Grandpa Lei would end up like this... A hero's tragic end. How sad, how lamentable..."
"So, please, you should leave now," Aunt Mei said, gesturing for them to go.
But Zhao Dong suddenly spoke up, "I can restore Grandpa Lei to normal!"
"You?" Aunt Mei was stunned. "You practice medicine?"
"Yes, I do," Zhao Dong nodded.
Aunt Mei was not pleased. "Young man, I know you want to get information from Grandpa Lei, but he's already like this. Please, just leave him in peace."
"I've had countless famous doctors look at him, but not one could cure his illness. Forgive me for being blunt, young man, but if all those experts were helpless, what could you possibly do?"
With that, she resolutely moved to escort them out.
"Aunt Mei, I think we should let my young friend Zhao Dong try!" Ghost Elder interjected. "I was fortunate enough to be treated by Zhao Dong myself just yesterday, so I've witnessed his medical skills firsthand. In all my years of travel, I've seen many famous doctors at work, but I believe none of them compare to him!"
"Ghost Elder, why are you being so foolish now?" Aunt Mei asked, displeased.
Ghost Elder gave a wry smile. "Aunt Mei, it must be painful for you to see Grandpa Lei like this. Zhao Dong's medical skills are extraordinary. If, by some miracle, he succeeds, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing for both you and Grandpa Lei? Besides, even if he can't cure him, it's not a life-threatening condition. What does Grandpa Lei really have to lose?"
"Well..." Aunt Mei hesitated. She looked at Zhao Dong and asked, "Are your treatment methods dangerous?"
"No. If you're worried, you can watch the entire time," Zhao Dong replied, his tone firm.
He would not let go of this sole clue to his mother's whereabouts.
Finally, Aunt Mei's resolve wavered. "Alright..." she conceded. "I'll agree to let you treat him, but don't think this shotgun is just for show!"
CLICK! CLICK!
Aunt Mei chambered a round, her eyes narrowing as she said coldly, "If you even think about harming Grandpa Lei, I swear I'll take you down with me, even if it costs me my life!"
"Don't worry. That won't happen."
Zhao Dong gave a slight nod and strode into the room.
He placed a hand on Grandpa Lei's back, and a stream of Spiritual Energy flowed into his body, causing Grandpa Lei to immediately fall into a deep sleep.
"You're a cultivator?!" Aunt Mei exclaimed, startled. A wary look flashed in her eyes, and she gripped her shotgun even tighter.
Zhao Dong had no time to bother with Aunt Mei. After laying Grandpa Lei down, he began using his Spiritual Energy to diagnose the man's condition.
Within two minutes, Zhao Dong had pinpointed the source of the ailment.