Volume One, Chapter Ten: The Whereabouts of the Sacred Elixir

Chu Ming glanced at Old Master Yun and said, “Sir, you needn’t worry too much. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to Xueyan. In her current condition, she’ll be stable for four or five days, which is plenty of time to search for the Seven Sacred Medicines.”

Old Master Yun nodded and replied, “Chu Ming, I won’t bother with words of gratitude—just know that I’ll never forget what you’ve done for our Yun family.”

Chu Ming smiled. “Sir, you’re too formal. Xueyan may be your family, but she’s also my wife. Saving my own wife is only right, isn’t it?”

At that, a trace of a smile finally broke through the clouded worry on Old Master Yun’s face. “Xueyan is fortunate to have met you.”

Chu Ming didn’t linger in conversation. He continued channeling his cultivation technique, pouring pure Yang energy into Yun Xueyan’s body.

More than ten minutes later, the phone on the coffee table rang. Old Master Yun picked it up, checked the caller ID, and answered. After a few brief words, his expression darkened. He didn’t even wait for the other side to finish before hanging up.

Chu Ming watched him and asked, “What’s wrong? No news about the Seven Sacred Medicines?”

Old Master Yun nodded. “No.”

Chu Ming reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll call Lin Baohu and have the Tiger Hall help with the search. We might find something.”

Old Master Yun hesitated. “Will Master Tiger… agree?”

Chu Ming smiled. “It’s not up to him. If he dares refuse, then the Tiger Hall can find itself a new leader.”

Old Master Yun stared in astonishment. Though he’d suspected Chu Ming wasn’t ordinary, this assertiveness still shocked him. For a moment, he found himself deeply pondering Chu Ming’s true identity.

Chu Ming didn’t mind Old Master Yun’s reaction. He simply took out his phone and called Lin Baohu.

The line connected, and Lin Baohu’s respectful voice came through. “Young Master, what are your orders?”

“I need to know the whereabouts of the Seven Sacred Medicines,” Chu Ming said bluntly.

Lin Baohu replied without hesitation, “Young Master, Tiger Hall has been investigating the Seven Sacred Medicines. Recently, we’ve finally found a lead. One of them, the Blazing Spirit Fruit, is in the possession of the Huang family—one of the Four Great Clans of Donghai.”

“Understood.” Chu Ming responded.

“Do you need me to handle it personally, Young Master?” Lin Baohu asked.

“No need. If I require you, I’ll be in touch.” Chu Ming ended the call and briefed Old Master Yun about the Blazing Spirit Fruit.

Learning that the fruit was in the hands of the Huang family, Old Master Yun’s face fell. After a long silence, he sighed. “Our Yun family and the Huang family are far from friendly—one could even say we’re mortal enemies. If they learn we need the fruit to save Xueyan, they’ll never agree.”

Chu Ming considered this. “I’ll go to the Huang family myself. They don’t know me, so perhaps they’ll be more agreeable.”

Old Master Yun hesitated. “If they don’t know you, they might be even less inclined to hand it over.”

Chu Ming smiled. “That’s not a problem. I’ll have Lin Baohu accompany me.”

After a moment’s thought, Old Master Yun nodded. “That may work. Try to negotiate with them as best you can. Whatever their demands, no matter how excessive, you can agree—just bring back the Blazing Spirit Fruit.”

Chu Ming agreed and sent Lin Baohu a message.

Soon, a black Land Rover pulled up outside the Yun family villa. As the car came to a stop, Lin Baohu saw Chu Ming waiting at the door and quickly got out to open the back door for him. Chu Ming got in, and Lin Baohu hurried to the driver’s seat and drove off.

Watching this from inside, Old Master Yun was left in a daze.

What was Lin Baohu’s status in Donghai? For someone like him to show such deference, Chu Ming could not simply be the last survivor of the Chu family massacre ten years ago. Unfortunately, so many in the Yun family refused to believe Chu Ming was anything out of the ordinary; otherwise, why would the Yun family not rival the three great clans?

Old Master Yun sighed quietly and turned to look at the still-unconscious Yun Xueyan.

“Xueyan, you must hold on. The future of our family rests on your shoulders.”

…

Elsewhere, the black Land Rover sped down the road.

Lin Baohu glanced at Chu Ming in the rearview mirror. “Young Master, the Huang family holds a place among the Four Great Clans, but they’re a martial family with powerful strength—even my Tiger Hall wouldn’t dare confront them directly.”

Chu Ming smiled unconcernedly. “We’re here to ask for medicine, not to seize it by force. No matter how strong they are, we’re not here to fight.”

“And don’t reveal my identity when we get there,” Chu Ming instructed.

Lin Baohu grinned awkwardly. “Understood, Young Master.”

Before long, the Land Rover stopped outside the Huang family estate. Chu Ming and Lin Baohu got out and walked straight to the main gate.

Before they could enter, they were stopped by the Huang family’s guards. “Stop right there! This is private property. No unauthorized visitors.”

Chu Ming glanced at Lin Baohu, thinking: if the guard doesn’t recognize me, surely he knows Lin Baohu?

Lin Baohu, sensing Chu Ming’s look, appeared a bit embarrassed.

Chu Ming faced the approaching guard and explained politely, “Hello, we’d like to request an audience with the master of the Huang family.”

The guard asked, “Do you have an appointment?”

Chu Ming shook his head. “No, but this is Lin Baohu of Tiger Hall. Perhaps you could announce us?”

The guard sized up Lin Baohu. “You say he’s Lin Baohu, so he is? For all I know, I’m Lin Baohu too. People like you come around all the time thinking that driving a fancy car means you can just waltz in. Tiger Hall—ha! I bet your car is rented. Take my advice, since I’m in a good mood, leave now or—”

Chu Ming interrupted coldly, “Or what?”

The guard snarled, “Or I’ll make sure you regret it!”

As he spoke, he lifted his leg to kick Chu Ming.

But before his foot could land, Chu Ming’s hand shot out and slapped him across the face.