The slum district was located in the most remote part of the west of the city.
It was generally a place where migrant workers and the local downtrodden resided.
By the time Lin Chen arrived at his destination, it was past eleven o'clock.
Looking at the old dilapidated bungalow before him, Lin Chen took a deep breath and knocked.
After about two minutes, a weak voice from inside responded, "Coming, coming…"
The door opened, revealing an extremely aged face, with white hair and a body as thin as a skeleton, seemingly liable to be blown over by a gust of wind.
"Mom!"
Lin Chen choked out the word, his heart filled with grief.
"You, you're Xiao Chen."
Wang Fang was immensely excited. Her eyesight was poor, and she stepped forward to hold Lin Chen, examining him for a long while before she could see clearly.
"Mom, it's windy outside, let's go inside and talk."
"Good, good, my son is back, I'm truly so happy…"
Lin Chen helped Wang Fang into the house.
Inside, there was a bed, a table, and some worn-out daily necessities, and nothing else.
The environment was truly awful!
"Mom, why aren't you living in the old place anymore?"
Upon hearing this question, Wang Fang's body trembled. She pulled Lin Chen to sit on the bed and sighed heavily, "Alas! It's a long story."
"Mom, no rush, you can tell me slowly."
"After you were imprisoned, Qin Wanru visited me twice. She said you had offended a young master from a powerful family, and they still wouldn't let you go. She said the only way to help you was to bribe them to avoid disaster. There was nothing I could do, so I sold the house and gave her over eight hundred thousand…"
"Damn bitch!"
Lin Chen couldn't help but curse.
Back then, it was to save her that he had angered Zhang Tao and landed himself in prison. Her failure to repay his kindness and her entanglement with the enemy Zhang Tao was infidelity.
Later, under the guise of helping her, she had swindled his mother's property, which was unjust.
Such an unfaithful and unjust person, what face did she have to remain in this world?
"Xiao Chen, you, you know Qin Wanru is with that man surnamed Zhang?" Wang Fang coughed twice and asked tentatively.
"Mom, I know."
Lin Chen didn't tell Wang Fang about what had just happened, to avoid further upsetting her.
"Xiao Chen, I only found out later that Qin Wanru was such a woman. There are plenty of good women in the world, don't be anxious or upset. I don't want anything to happen to you again…" Wang Fang, worried that Lin Chen might not be able to cope, held his hand tightly and said.
"Mom, I've already come to terms with it. A woman like Qin Wanru isn't worth it. Don't worry, I will definitely make her spit out everything she's taken, and make her and Zhang Tao pay the price they deserve."
Hearing this, Wang Fang became anxious. She said with emphasis, "Xiao Chen, Mom knows you've suffered grievances for three years in prison, but you must not be impulsive! The Zhang family is wealthy and powerful. We common folk can't fight them…"
As she spoke, she covered her mouth and coughed repeatedly, her face paling slightly.
"Mom, you should lie down quickly, let me check on you."
Lin Chen carefully helped Wang Fang lie down and immediately took her pulse.
"Xiao, Xiao Chen, when did you learn medicine?"
"Mom, I found a peerless master in prison who taught me medicine. Please don't speak, I'll examine you carefully."
Wang Fang endured the pain and nodded slightly.
After a thorough examination, Lin Chen reached a conclusion.
Wang Fang's illness was due to chronic overwork. She had over a dozen ailments, large and small, and the situation was very serious. If it were delayed for another ten days to half a month, it would truly be beyond recovery.
"Xiao Chen, don't bother anymore. Mom knows her body. Seeing you come out is already enough for me…"
"Mom, don't say such disheartening things. With your son here, you'll be fine. Just bear with it, I'll start treating you now."
"Alright, alright!" Wang Fang thought Lin Chen was just comforting her, but she couldn't say anything more given his filial piety.
Lin Chen's eyes were resolute. He took out the silver needles he carried and began treating Wang Fang.
Some time passed.
Looking at the sleeping Wang Fang, Lin Chen sighed.
His mother had suffered greatly during his three years in prison and had been swindled of all her assets by that vile woman Qin Wanru. Without money for medical treatment, if he hadn't returned home in time, he would never have seen his mother again.
Thinking of this, Lin Chen's heart ached immensely. He felt that the urgent priorities were to improve their current living conditions, take good care of his mother, and then complete his master's mission.
The next moment, he recited an incantation and transformed into a streak of light, entering the 'Nine Dragon' ring gifted by his master. It was a world within a world, capable of containing everything, and was incredibly miraculous.
Lying on the 'Cold Jade Bed' that emanated a chilling aura, Lin Chen immediately began circulating his energy to cultivate. Only by continuously improving his strength could he stand at the pinnacle of power and complete the task assigned by his master.
Nothing happened overnight.
The next morning.
Lin Chen bought two baskets of steaming hot xiaolongbao and two bowls of soy milk, and ate with Wang Fang.
"Son! Mom really didn't expect your medical skills to be so good. After one treatment, Mom's body has improved a lot. My head doesn't hurt anymore, and I feel so much better than before…" Wang Fang said, smiling. She felt her son had found fortune in misfortune.
"Mom, with a few more treatments and a period of recuperation, you'll be completely healed."
"Good, good, Mom believes in your abilities. When Mom is better, you can find a wife and give Mom a chubby grandson, then Mom will be happy, hehe!"
"But Mom wants to tell you, the prettier a woman is, the more she lies. You can't trust them easily. In the future, when you find a girlfriend, she has to pass Mom's test first."
Just as Lin Chen was about to speak, there was a 'knock knock' at the door.
"Mom, you sit, I'll get the door."
"Mm."
Lin Chen walked out and opened the door.
Standing at the door was a woman with clear, bright eyes, arched willow eyebrows, a melon-seed face, and a figure that was neither too much nor too little.
What was most unique was the extraordinary aura she exuded.
Only after seeing such a woman could one truly understand what beauty was!
Lin Chen did not indulge and quickly withdrew his gaze, asking, "Miss, is there something you need?"
Shangguan Ling'er praised him inwardly and bowed, "Mr. Lin, I am Shangguan Ling'er from the Shangguan family. My grandfather is suffering from a strange illness, and many doctors have been unable to cure him. I wish to invite you to see my grandfather."
A sharp glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. He had just been released from prison, and this person had come looking for him. Was it a coincidence?
"Where did you hear about me?"
Upon hearing this question, Shangguan Ling'er felt a trace of pressure. Her expression changed a few times, and she bit her lip slightly before saying, "Mr. Lin, to be frank, my Shangguan family has significant influence in Hang City. While your matters in prison might be hidden from others, they cannot be hidden from us."
To verify Shangguan Ling'er's words, Lin Chen immediately used a secret technique to investigate.
Shangguan Ling'er's delicate body trembled violently. She felt as if something had entered her head. It was slightly painful at first, but soon returned to normal.
"Your grandfather is Shangguan Xiong, the old hero who used to be on the battlefield?"
"Yes, yes, it is he. Please, Mr. Lin, offer your assistance. As long as Mr. Lin can cure my grandfather's illness, the Shangguan family will surely reward you handsomely!" Shangguan Ling'er said, bowing to Lin Chen from the depths of her heart.
Lin Chen stared at Shangguan Ling'er for nearly a minute. To be honest, he admired her filial piety and respected Old Master Shangguan Xiong, this old hero who had shed blood and sweat for the country and its people.
"Alright, I promise you. I'll inform my mother and then I'll go with you."
"Thank you, Mr. Lin."
Shangguan Ling'er looked at Lin Chen's retreating back with great excitement. Honestly, she had full confidence in Lin Chen. On one hand, it was due to his medical skills, and on the other hand, it was because even at great cost, they had been unable to ascertain the background of Lin Chen's master.
A few minutes later.
Lin Chen emerged, and he and Shangguan Ling'er got into a luxurious car and headed to their destination.
"Mr. Lin, I've heard about your past. A man like you, who values loyalty and righteousness, is truly rare in this world."
Lin Chen smiled wryly, "What's the use of that? In this world, good people don't live long, and bad people live for a thousand years."
Shangguan Ling'er moved her lips, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin. However, there was one thing she was certain of: Qin Wanru would surely regret her actions.
After an unknown amount of time.
The luxury car drove into a magnificent mansion.
Shangguan Ling'er very politely led Lin Chen to her grandfather's residence. However, to her surprise, she saw a man she deeply disliked.
"Zhong Hao, what are you doing here?"
"Ling'er, I've invited the renowned Doctor Wu from the capital. With him here, your grandfather's illness will surely be cured."
After speaking, Zhong Hao turned his gaze to Lin Chen and asked, "And who is this?"
Shangguan Ling'er replied with a cold face, "This is Mr. Lin, whom I've invited to treat Grandpa."
Upon hearing this, the old man who was taking Shangguan Xiong's pulse turned and glanced at Lin Chen, then turned his head away again.
Zhong Hao sized up Lin Chen, sneered, and shouted, "Ling'er, you're too young and have surely been deceived. Come, escort this swindler out. The Shangguan family is not a place for fraud and deception."
"Yes, young master."
The several bodyguards standing at the door immediately rushed in upon hearing this.