C62 I Heard the Call of the Good News

"What's happening here?"

In a courtyard, a group of elders were gathered, among them a towering figure with hands as wide as paddles and a stature exceeding two meters. He bore a striking resemblance to Tia Jingshan.

He was the grandmaster of the Iron Sand Palm sect, and Tia Jingshan was his own grandson.

"Patience, Grandmaster Tia. Let's wait for the old doctor to emerge," soothed the red-haired elder.

Internally, he was seething. He had played host, inviting his old friend to lend support, only to have his friend's grandson sustain severe injuries. Had the wandering doctor not arrived by chance, he would have been at a loss.

"Have they found the boy responsible?" inquired Tia Jingshan.

"Not yet. The younger ones claim ignorance of his lineage; his techniques are unfamiliar to us," the red-haired elder replied, shaking his head.

Tia Jingshan huffed in frustration, choosing to remain silent.

The red-haired elder sighed inwardly, knowing this incident could strain their families' bond. Tia Jingshan wasn't just any disciple; he was the chosen successor to lead the sect.

And there was the matter of the blood ties between Tia Jingshan and his old friend.

"Make it a priority to get to the bottom of this," he instructed a middle-aged man, sending him on his way.

A hush fell over the courtyard, punctuated only by the muffled groans of pain from within the room.

The old doctor was a master of his craft, yet notoriously temperamental. He refused to use anesthesia, insisting that his patients face the pain head-on.

The wait seemed interminable until finally, the room's door swung open. An unsightly, hunched old man stepped out, his disciple trailing behind.

"Doctor, how did it go?" Tie Wenkang asked anxiously, peering past them to where Tia Jingshan lay unconscious on the bed.

Had the pain knocked him out?

Tie Wenkang looked expectantly at the diminutive figure before him.

"It went well enough; the hand's been saved," the old doctor stated flatly before making his way to his quarters for rest.

"Please don't take offense, sir," said the old physician's disciple, a woman in her thirties clad in traditional attire, her tone laced with regret. "It's just the way Master is. Your grandson will be fine. With some rest, his hand will be as good as new."

As good as new?

So, his martial arts skills wouldn't suffer?

Tie Wenkang was astounded. This was far better than he had dared to hope. He had resigned himself to the idea that retaining eighty percent of his strength would be fortunate. Now, elated, he exclaimed, "The physician's medical prowess is truly without equal! I've brought a modest gift, which I insist you accept!"

He had always heard of the old physician's extraordinary skills, and they certainly lived up to their reputation.

Now was his chance to forge a connection. Martial artists often harbored physical ailments, and given their bold and combative nature, clashes were not uncommon. Having a skilled physician on hand was invaluable, worth more than its weight in gold.

"The consultation fee is sufficient; there's no need for a gift," the woman responded with a smile.

But Tie Wenkang was adamant. "Please, it's the least I can do. It's like a second chance at life for my grandson!"

...

Lee Yu exhaled deeply.

Strolling down the street as dusk settled, the city lights sparked to life around him.

He had declined Chen Chengde's kind offer to have his granddaughter escorted home. This area by the river was one he hadn't visited in a while, and today presented the perfect opportunity for a leisurely walk.

China's rapid development had been nothing short of meteoric, with each year bringing transformative changes.

The riverside, which Lee Yu remembered as barely more than a walking path on his last visit, now boasted a bustling square with winding paths on either side.

The square was alive with dancers, families with children, and vendors, while joggers took to the paths on either side.

"The transformation is remarkable. Let's explore the area," Lee Yu mused, finding the square a bit too crowded for his taste.

Particularly the couples clinging to each other as if they were about to merge into one—it was quite the sight to behold.

What in the world was going on?

As a son of destiny endowed with a system, chosen by the heavens, you'd think he'd have it all. But no, family discord was just the start; he was also perpetually single, forced to envy the love of strangers.

Lee Yu shook his head, refusing to let anger get the better of him. After all, getting sick would only bring trouble that no one else could fix for him.

But credit where credit's due, China's infrastructure was impressive. The path was well-lit, with street lamps at regular intervals and a variety of decorative items on display.

The gentle breeze that brushed past him was refreshingly cool.

Unable to resist, Lee Yu closed his eyes, immersing himself in the tranquility that surrounded him.

He kept moving, though. His abilities were exceptional, and his senses had been sharpened with his advanced cultivation. Even running with his eyes shut, he was unlikely to encounter any mishaps.

"The wind just stopped... Is there an object or a building ahead?"

"That smell is quite pungent. Could there be a trash can nearby?"

"Hmm, what's this? It feels soft."

Lee Yu was taken aback and reached out to feel it.

"Hey, you creep, where are you touching? Oh, is that a blind person? Lucky you!"

In that moment, his hearing, smell, and touch all kicked in. Lee Yu didn't risk opening his eyes, instead continuing to feign blindness as he cautiously stepped forward.

Talk about embarrassing!

It wasn't until he'd walked a good distance that Lee Yu finally relaxed, murmuring to himself, "How peculiar. That didn't seem like just any person..." He hadn't heard a heartbeat, nor sensed any vital energy fluctuations.

Yet there had definitely been someone standing right before him, undetected—a first for him.

"The heartbeat was so faint; I should've heard it," Lee Yu pondered. When the girl who had spoken ran off, he noticed her heartbeat was weak and slow, barely ticking twice after she'd gone some distance.

It was a fleeting encounter, and he didn't even catch a glimpse of her face.

Lee Yu quickly refocused, feeling enriched by the experience. His senses might not have been enhanced or upgraded, but their use had become more intuitive and fluid.

Like now, for instance, with a slight tilt of his ear, he could pick up a faint voice in the darkness far away.

The air was filled with a man's brash words and a woman's frantic pleas for mercy.

In the past, he might not have noticed— not because he couldn't hear, but because he would have been distracted by his senses, his vision, the environment, and various other factors.

"Heh, I've been after you for so long, why do you put on such airs of purity?"

"Don't you realize how your current, pitiful look excites me? Once we've consummated our relationship, your family will have no choice but to accept me!"

"Go ahead, scream. No one will come to your rescue, no matter how hoarse you get!"

Lee Yu could still make out the faint sound of weeping.

"No need to scream yourself hoarse," Lee Yu stepped forward, murmuring to himself, "I'm Lei Feng, answering the call of righteousness, and I'm not in it for the fame."