CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 225: SAVING PEOPLE

Xiao Shixiong’s eyes bulged like copper bells, his gaze filled with utter disbelief.

To be frank, Xiao Shixiong was a member of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion. He was also the famous King of the Southern Town, and the resources at his command were naturally incomparable to those of an ordinary person.

Since the old man before him had fallen ill, Xiao Shixiong had not hesitated to seek help from the Immortal Doctor Sect. He had even invited their renowned leader. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was always the same: let nature take its course.

Xiao Shixiong understood perfectly what that meant. To let nature take its course was to accept that birth, aging, illness, and death were shackles no one could escape.

But he never imagined that Lin Xiao would now tell him that he could extend his benefactor’s life. How could Xiao Shixiong not be shocked?

But Xiao Shixiong didn’t dwell on it, because the words came from Lin Xiao, and he trusted Lin Xiao completely. After all, Lin Xiao was the beloved and sole disciple of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion’s Master, the undisputed future leader of the Pavilion. This was precisely why Xiao Shixiong addressed him as "Master."

THUD!

Xiao Shixiong fell to his knees before Lin Xiao, his eyes bloodshot. "Master, if you can grant my benefactor a few more years of life, then from this day forward, my life is yours!"

Lin Xiao helped him up. "You should step outside first."

Without another word, Xiao Shixiong turned and left the hospital room.

Lin Xiao removed the oxygen mask from the old man. The elder’s breathing immediately grew rapid, as if he might expire at any second.

Lin Xiao did not delay. He quickly pricked his own finger with the Xuantian Needle. A drop of golden blood seeped out, and Lin Xiao flicked it into the old man’s mouth.

Less than three seconds later, a sudden change occurred.

First, the old man’s pallid complexion began to turn ruddy at a speed visible to the naked eye. Not only that, but his rapid breathing started to become steady and deep. Moreover, his eyes, which had been shut for who knows how long, suddenly snapped open. A startling light flickered in his murky eyes.

After all, this was a man who had weathered a lifetime of struggles. His gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao smiled at him, then turned and walked to the door of the hospital room. He opened it to find Xiao Shixiong standing right outside, looking anxious and agitated.

Seeing Lin Xiao, Xiao Shixiong froze. He wanted to speak but didn’t dare. Lin Xiao had given him a sliver of hope, and he was terrified it would be shattered in an instant.

"Come in. Your benefactor is awake," Lin Xiao said calmly.

A jolt went through Xiao Shixiong’s body, and his eyes once again bulged like an ox’s. Filled with this shock, Xiao Shixiong rushed into the hospital room.

The patient on the hospital bed had already sat up. His complexion was rosy and his breathing was deep and even, as if nothing was wrong with him at all.

Xiao Shixiong was astonished. Utterly astonished. He stared at his benefactor in amazement, then turned his gaze to Lin Xiao.

To be frank, when Lin Xiao had first said he could save his benefactor, a flicker of doubt had crossed Xiao Shixiong’s mind. After all, it was a feat that even the leader of the Immortal Doctor Sect had been unable to accomplish. How could Lin Xiao possibly succeed? But he hadn’t voiced his doubt because he was speaking to Lin Xiao. Even if he didn’t believe it, he wouldn’t dare raise an objection.

He had never expected that Lin Xiao would actually heal his benefactor!

Excitement, an emotion more intense than any he had ever felt, washed over Xiao Shixiong. Fat tears streamed down his face.

THUD!

He knelt before Lin Xiao once again. Without another word, he began to kowtow.

THUD, THUD, THUD!

He knocked his head soundly against the floor three times.

Lin Xiao laughed and chided, "Damn it, Xiao Shixiong, it’s not a holiday or a festival. What are you kowtowing for? Besides, I don’t have any red envelopes for you!"

Xiao Shixiong burst out laughing and plopped down on the floor. "Master, I’ll give you a red envelope!" he said excitedly. "A great big one!"

"Alright, get up. You two probably have a lot to talk about. In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer."

"Master, I... I’ll see you out. I’m holding a grand feast at my home tomorrow at noon. Please, you must grace us with your presence!"

"We’ll see," Lin Xiao said with a wave of his hand. He turned and slipped away.

"Xiao Liu, who was that?" the old man on the bed asked after watching Lin Xiao leave. His voice was still a little weak but otherwise sounded normal.

Xiao Shixiong quickly replied, "Benefactor, his name is Lin Xiao. You’ve awoken entirely thanks to him. To tell you the truth, after you fell ill, I even asked the leader of the Immortal Doctor Sect to treat you, but it was useless. And I’ll admit, when Lin Xiao told me he was going to extend your life, I was skeptical. But I never imagined he would actually succeed!"

The old man’s expression grew solemn. He knew his own condition far better than Xiao Shixiong did. He should have been dead already, yet a young man had saved him.

"What divine medical skill!" the old man exclaimed.

"Yes, truly incredible. No, not just incredible—it’s terrifying."

The old man nodded. "Xiao Liu, why do you address him as ’Master’?"

Seeing that they were alone, Xiao Shixiong lowered his voice and said, "Benefactor, he is the beloved disciple of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion’s Master—the future leader of the Pavilion."

The old man shuddered. It couldn’t be helped; the Heavenly Machine Pavilion was a terrifyingly powerful existence in his mind.

"So extraordinary. Xiao Liu, you must invite him for dinner tomorrow. Tell him I have a generous gift for him!"

Xiao Shixiong nodded emphatically.

After leaving the hospital room, Lin Xiao called Bai Xiangqian. The call connected quickly.

"Mr. Lin, what are your instructions?" Bai Xiangqian asked respectfully.

Lin Xiao spoke calmly, "Xue Wenbing of the Xue Family had my wife’s cousin kidnapped. I don’t know his first name, only that it has the character for ’maple’ in it and that his surname is Qiu. Arrange for his release."

Bai Xiangqian was inwardly shocked. The Xue Family dared to provoke Lin Xiao? Were they courting death?

"Mr. Lin, rest assured, I will arrange it immediately!"

Lin Xiao grunted in acknowledgment.

"Do you have any other instructions, Mr. Lin?"

"That’s all for now," Lin Xiao said with a chuckle.

"Very well, I will handle this matter personally."

"Good."

They hung up.

Lin Xiao walked back over to where Su Qingning and the others were waiting. The group of four was pacing anxiously.

Seeing Lin Xiao return, Su Qingning’s aunt hurriedly asked, "Lin Xiao, how did it go? Is the King of the Southern Town willing to help?"

Her expression was tense, yet tinged with a sliver of hope.

Lin Xiao had intended to tell her the truth, but then he remembered how she had not only looked down on him but had also humiliated Su Qingning. He decided to tease her a bit.

"Auntie, the King of the Southern Town said this is a tricky situation. The Xue Family from Jinling City is no cause for concern, but the Xue Family from Jinhai City is another matter entirely."

At these words, everyone’s faces fell. Su Qingning’s aunt was so frightened she collapsed onto the floor, her face so pale it looked as if all the blood had been drained from her.

Lin Xiao felt a sense of satisfaction. She deserved a good scare. Maybe now she would think twice before acting so high and mighty.

"However," he added, "Xiao Shixiong did say he’s willing to help mediate."

This emotional rollercoaster was too much, and Su Qingning’s aunt immediately burst into loud sobs.