The ward was silent. All eyes were on Su Guobang.

No one had expected that President Su, who was usually as elusive as a dragon, would appear here today.

"Doctor Luo, these are some medicinal herbs I've collected. A modest gift, I hope you'll accept it," Su Guobang said, handing over a few bags with an earnest smile.

Luo Xiu could identify the herbs by scent alone. He was slightly surprised but accepted them without ceremony. This was his due compensation, so there was no need to feel embarrassed. Besides, Su Guobang certainly knew how to curry favor; the gifts were all things Luo Xiu found useful.

"Doctor Luo, you must come to my home for dinner sometime. I'll have my wife personally cook a few of her specialties for you!"

Luo Xiu was just as straightforward, nodding with a smile. "Then I'll gladly accept."

Su Guobang laughed heartily, his mood brightening. He appreciated straightforward people like Luo Xiu.

Nearby, Su Shanyue was also beaming. The thought of Luo Xiu coming to her house for dinner made her inexplicably happy.

Meanwhile, the others watched Luo Xiu chatting and laughing with Su Guobang, their expressions strange. How could Luo Xiu possibly know a major figure like Su Guobang? And they seem so familiar with each other...

Just then, Su Guobang also noticed the atmosphere in the ward was strange. He turned to face Zhao Gandan, his smile vanishing instantly as his naturally imposing and authoritative demeanor returned.

"Old Zhao, what's going on? Why are you here?"

Zhao Gandan gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and said, "President, the one who destroyed Han Zhitao's martial foundation... is him!" He pointed a finger at Luo Xiu.

Su Guobang paused, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you certain about this?"

"Absolutely!" Zhao Gandan turned to Han Zhitao. "Zhitao, tell us yourself. Was it him?"

Blood streamed from Han Zhitao's mouth and nose as he struggled to sit up, crying out, "President, it was this bastard! You have to get justice for me..."

"Insolence!" Su Guobang's sudden roar cut him off.

Everyone jumped, startled. Even Luo Xiu was taken aback; he hadn't expected the old man's voice to be so powerful, booming like a clap of thunder.

Su Guobang looked at Zhao Gandan and said gravely, "Doctor Luo is a distinguished guest of the Martial Association and a benefactor of my Su family!"

Hearing this, Zhao Gandan and Han Zhitao froze. With that single sentence, Su Guobang had made his stance perfectly clear.

Zhao Gandan took a slow, deep breath, but decided to press the issue. "If that's the case, then have him heal Han Zhitao... Didn't you just call him a Divine Doctor, President?" he challenged. "As the President of the Martial Association, are you going to do nothing when one of your own is harmed? That kind of inaction will break everyone's hearts!"

Su Guobang's brow furrowed in displeasure. Zhao Gandan was clearly trying to pressure him with appeals to morality and loyalty.

"I will have this matter thoroughly investigated."

Just then, Luo Xiu spoke up. "Old Master Su, there's no need for an investigation. I can explain everything."

Su Guobang turned to look at him.

Luo Xiu smiled faintly. "It's not complicated. This Han Zhitao was beaten into a vegetative state by his creditors over some debts. It just so happens that his wife is a good friend of mine, so I intervened."

"I hoped he would turn over a new leaf, so I used the Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm to rebuild his physical foundation, granting him a new lease on life so he could protect my friend going forward."

At this, Luo Xiu shook his head in disappointment. "Unfortunately, a leopard can't change its spots."

"The reason I crippled him is because he led a group of men to kidnap someone close to me, demanding to settle a score with me by name."

"The opportunity he received was my gift to give, so I have every right to take it back." He shrugged. "Old Master Su, it's as simple as that."

Su Guobang, however, stood as if petrified, staring at Luo Xiu, too shocked to speak.

Only one part of the entire explanation had truly registered: Luo Xiu used the Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm to rebuild Han Zhitao's physical foundation, turning him into a so-called martial prodigy.

"That... that was the Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm? Such a miraculous medicine... I've only ever heard of it in legends," Su Guobang muttered.

Luo Xiu nodded.

Nearby, He Dang Gui and Li Jiuzhen were all smiles. They had been shocked by the balm's existence, but now that they knew it came from Luo Xiu, the two old masters weren't surprised in the least. The number of surprises Luo Xiu had given them was simply too great!

"Ahem..." Su Guobang coughed twice to suppress his astonishment. He then looked at Zhao Gandan, his expression serious. "Old Zhao, is what Doctor Luo said true? Did Han Zhitao lead men to kidnap someone?"

Zhao Gandan was momentarily speechless. In fact, he knew all about it. Han Zhitao had only been able to mobilize so many experts from the Martial Association because he, the Vice President, had given his approval.

"Fool!" Su Guobang roared, his rage finally boiling over.

"A martial artist engaging in such a despicable scheme... You've thoroughly disappointed me!"

"Old Zhao, I think it's time you stepped down from your position as Vice President!"

"And Han Zhitao, your character is crooked. As of today, you are no longer affiliated with the Martial Association!"

"Doctor Luo, we're leaving!" With that, he turned and left in a fury.

Luo Xiu glanced at Lin Xiyue and gave her a nod. After a quick word with Li Jiuzhen and He Dang Gui, he followed Su Guobang out.

「In the elevator.」

Su Guobang's imposing and domineering aura vanished, replaced by a fawning smile as he looked at Luo Xiu.

"Er... Doctor Luo, dare I ask if you have any more of that Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm?"

Luo Xiu smiled faintly. "That stuff? It's nothing special. I can whip up a batch whenever. You want some, Old Master Su?"

Su Guobang was speechless. The Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm is a miraculous medicine that every martial artist dreams of! You're telling me it's nothing special? Well, if you don't care for it, I certainly do!

"Heh heh..." Su Guobang rubbed his hands together, a little embarrassed. "To be honest, I was hoping to use it on the younger generation of the Martial Association. By the way, Doctor Luo, have you joined the Medical Association?"

Luo Xiu shook his head.

Su Guobang's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! The Vice President's seat just opened up. Why don't you join the Martial Association and take the position?"

Luo Xiu was utterly exasperated and refused outright. He had no interest in joining either the Medical Association or the Martial Association.

"Let's discuss this later. As for the Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm, it's not suitable for ordinary people. Their original physical foundation has to be destroyed before it can be used, just like with Han Zhitao."

Hearing this, Su Guobang's spirits sank. Luo Xiu's words meant one had to cripple a perfectly healthy person before they could use the Heavenly Essence Restorative Balm to rebuild their foundation.

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

"Old Master Su, I'll be heading back now," Luo Xiu said.

Su Guobang smiled and waved. "Take care, Doctor Luo. Come over for dinner when you have time."

"Yueyue, you should go back with Doctor Luo, too," he continued, turning to his granddaughter. "You've only just started speaking again, and Grandpa's worried something might go wrong. I can only rest easy if you're with him."

Su Shanyue gave her grandfather a strange look and even rolled her eyes at him. He's definitely doing this on purpose. What kind of grandfather pushes his own granddaughter on someone? In the past, he'd fly into a rage if any rich young master so much as said two words to me, afraid his precious granddaughter would be whisked away. And now? He's actively pushing me out the door!

After watching Luo Xiu and Su Shanyue get into a taxi and drive off, Su Guobang stroked his beard, turned, and walked away. "A perfect match of talent and beauty," he mused.

「Inside the car.」

Su Shanyue kept her head down, fiddling with her fingers. Looking shy, she said softly, "I'm sorry, Luo Xiu. My grandfather is just... like that."

Luo Xiu laughed breezily. "It's fine. Besides, I quite like you."

At his words, Su Shanyue's cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly lowered her head even further. What did he just say? He likes me? Was that a confession? What do I do? I'm so nervous, so flustered... How am I supposed to answer him?

Just as Su Shanyue's heart was fluttering in a panic, the taxi suddenly slammed on its brakes, almost swerving into the roadside.

Luo Xiu quickly pulled Su Shanyue into an embrace to steady her. He looked up and saw the taxi driver clutching his head, groaning in pain.

Su Shanyue gasped, quickly covering her mouth in horror as she realized her voice had been what hurt the driver.

"Sorry, folks, my head suddenly started killing me... Maybe you two should get out here? I don't think I can drive anymore."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.