In Lizhou, at the Tu family's residence.
Ever since Wang Yue healed Elder Master Tu last time, the Tu family's fortunes have been on the rise.
This greatly surprised the Tu family's rivals.
After all, everyone knew Elder Master Tu's condition back then; he wasn't expected to last more than a few days.
Everyone knew the Tu family had sought famous doctors from all over the country, but to no avail. Then, he suddenly got better.
Initially, these rivals thought it was a final burst of energy, but they later realized this burst of energy was lasting far too long.
So, these rivals began to discreetly inquire about who had cured Elder Master Tu.
However, after a long investigation, they found nothing. No renowned divine doctors had visited Lizhou recently.
The Li family, the Tu family's arch-rival, also had an elder. His condition had been quite good before, but then one day, he suddenly had a stroke.
They too had consulted famous doctors from all over, but none could diagnose the issue. This made the Li family very anxious. If Elder Master Li collapsed, their family's status would plummet.
In Lizhou, at the Tianyun Tower.
A luxurious private room.
Tian Yi sat with a young man, the atmosphere somewhat delicate.
"Young Master Li, what did you call me here for today?" Tian Yi asked with a smile.
Li Tianci poured Tian Yi a cup of wine, a smile plastered on his face. "Brother Tian is a smart man. You must have heard the recent rumors. You know very well what I want."
Tian Yi did not take the wine but smiled. "I really don't know. I've been in closed-door cultivation recently and know very little about outside news."
"Oh, I see."
Li Tianci didn't care whether Tian Yi was telling the truth or not and said with a smile, "Then I'll be direct. You accompanied Tu Jiao when she was searching for divine doctors across the country. We've heard that Elder Master Tu's illness was cured by a divine doctor Tu Jiao found. Could you introduce us?"
Tian Yi showed a look of difficulty. "Young Master Li, it's not that I don't want to help you, but that divine doctor wanders the world. I don't even know where to find him."
"Name your price." Li Tianci said calmly.
He was good at reading people, and from Tian Yi's expression, he could tell that this guy genuinely knew something.
"Young Master Li, although I'm tempted, I truly don't know." Tian Yi shook his head and stood up. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Ever since Tian Yi witnessed Wang Yue's martial arts and medical skills, he had resolved never to be his enemy. Now that the Li family was looking for him, he didn't know if it was good or bad. He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to betray Wang Yue's whereabouts.
"Brother Tian, wait a moment." Li Tianci said.
"Is there anything else?" Tian Yi asked.
"You like Tu Jiao, don't you?" Li Tianci asked.
"So what? Can you help me with that?" Tian Yi asked with a smile.
"Yes, I actually can. As long as you tell me the whereabouts and identity of that divine doctor." Li Tianci said.
"Then never mind. I really don't know about that." Tian Yi shook his head.
"We have no ill intentions towards this divine doctor. It's Elder Master Li's health that is failing. Elder Master Tu was cured even in his condition. I believe our Elder Master's illness can also be cured," Li Tianci said with a smile. "This is all benefits and no harm for that divine doctor. After all, gaining the friendship of our Li family is a tremendous honor."
"And you, you will get what you want with Tu Jiao. Perhaps in the future, you can even move into the Tu family. Isn't this what you've always wanted?"
Tian Yi's expression flickered. If it were truly as Li Tianci described, this might actually be feasible.
"I can tell you his identity, but you absolutely cannot reveal that it was me who told you." Tian Yi said.
"You can rest assured about that. Everyone in the martial world knows that I, Li Tianci, am the most tight-lipped. I will never betray a friend. And by telling me this information, we are now friends." Li Tianci said with a smile.
Tian Yi nodded and then said, "This divine doctor is a high school student. Don't be surprised. I was very surprised when I first met him, but only after witnessing his superb medical skills did I understand that I was looking at the world from the bottom of a well."
"If your Li family harbors any ill intentions, I advise you not to. This kid has an astonishing background. If you offend the forces behind him, your Li family might not be able to handle the consequences."
Hearing this, Li Tianci narrowed his eyes.
"Could this divine doctor be from an ancient martial arts family? If so, we indeed cannot afford to offend them." Li Tianci said.
"I don't know about that. Anyway, his cultivation is monstrous, and he also possesses monstrous medical skills." Tian Yi said.
Then, he shared Wang Yue's information with Li Tianci.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you." Li Tianci nodded after listening.
"Then I'll be leaving now." Tian Yi said.
"I will create opportunities for you with Tu Jiao as soon as possible. Once the deed is done, according to Tu family tradition, Tu Jiao will have no choice but to comply." Li Tianci said with a smile.
"I'll leave it to you to arrange." Tian Yi paused for a moment, then left without delay.
Exchanging information for an opportunity to enter the Tu family was a worthwhile deal no matter how you looked at it.
After Tian Yi left.
Li Tianci made a phone call.
"Investigate a high school student named Wang Yue in Xiao Cheng. Get all his background information. Also, find out where he's been recently. Investigate it all." Li Tianci ordered.
After giving the instructions, he hung up the phone.
Then, he sat down in his chair.
Although Tian Yi had given him this information, he still had some doubts.
How could a high school student possess such profound medical skills? Medical skills require not only talent but also experience.
However, Li Tianci decided to investigate Wang Yue, as this was his last chance.
He would try anything, even if it seemed hopeless.
Thirty minutes later.
Li Tianci obtained all of Wang Yue's information, with a detailed record of his life over the past decade.
Li Tianci spent half an hour reading through the documents. He discovered that Wang Yue had been a complete pushover until his third year of high school. But after entering his third year, he seemed like a different person.
He excelled in everything, whether it was academics, arts, or martial arts.
"But why would someone with such abilities have acted like such a wimp before?" Li Tianci muttered to himself.
However, he quickly understood. Based on Wang Yue's current performance, he was indeed likely the one who cured Elder Master Tu.
The information also indicated that Wang Yue had recently visited the Tu family, and after a few visits, Elder Master Tu's illness had improved, and he had become full of vitality.
"He's gone to Western Sichuan now?" Li Tianci pondered for a moment, then made another call. "Go to Western Sichuan immediately and 'invite' this person over."
"Yes." A man's voice replied from the other end of the line.
"Use any means necessary?" the man asked again.
"Elder Master Li's condition cannot be delayed. Regardless of what it takes, bring him to the Li family within three days." Li Tianci said.
"Understood." The man responded.
He then hung up the phone.
After giving his instructions, Li Tianci made another call. "I've found the person who cured Elder Master Tu. Prepare yourselves. Once I bring him over, he will examine Elder Master."
After finishing the call.
Li Tianci closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, thinking about any potential loopholes in his plan.
But after much thought, there seemed to be no loopholes.
Based on the information, Wang Yue couldn't be from an ancient martial arts family, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so ordinary before.
Therefore, Li Tianci didn't plan to go through a lengthy process of persuasion. He would adopt the most direct method.
Time was of the essence. Elder Master Li's health could not withstand further delays. Only by bringing this person over as soon as possible could his condition be stabilized.
"I hope you are truly useful. Otherwise, as the culprit who cured Elder Master Tu, your fate will be grim." Li Tianci muttered to himself.
...
Western Sichuan, Litang.
Their destination for today was Litang.
Wang Yue had never been to Litang before, but it was a must-visit spot along the 318 National Highway.
Upon arriving, Wang Yue felt an unusual coolness as soon as he stepped out of the car.
Qiao Zixuan also tightened her clothes.
Next was free time.
Yang Xiaoru and Liu Ergou came to find Wang Yue and Qiao Zixuan to hang out together. They were now tentative friends, mainly because the two of them had good personalities, and Wang Yue didn't particularly dislike them.
Yang Xiaoru and Qiao Zixuan had already become like sisters.
The next part of the day was dedicated to taking photos.
Wang Yue took pictures of the scenery and many photos of Qiao Zixuan.
Of course, Yang Xiaoru and Liu Ergou also tagged along and got quite a few photos.
However, Yang Xiaoru also took many photos of Wang Yue and Qiao Zixuan together. After what happened last night, their relationship had clearly become much closer.
While they hadn't reached the level of a couple yet, they were very close.
They were beyond friends, but not yet lovers.
After taking photos, the day quickly ended.
That evening, upon returning to the hotel, it was another new hotel. Although there were available rooms today, Qiao Zixuan still requested to share a room with Wang Yue.
The tour guide naturally had no objections, only looking at them with a hint of teasing, thinking that something must have happened last night, and perhaps the two had already crossed the line, their relationship now more than just ordinary intimacy.
After returning to the hotel, Wang Yue first washed up and then started watching TV. Today, Qiao Zixuan was also going to take a bath.
While Qiao Zixuan was showering in the bathroom, Wang Yue's mind was racing with thoughts.
Hearing the splashing water from the bathroom, Wang Yue found it hard to settle down.
To calm himself, Wang Yue decided to go out for some fresh air.
Stepping out of the hotel and feeling the cold wind, Wang Yue indeed felt much calmer.
He stayed out for a while, estimating that Qiao Zixuan should be done washing up. Just as he was about to return, he suddenly saw an off-road vehicle parked across from the hotel.
This vehicle was a Wrangler, a very rugged off-road vehicle.
In his past life, Wang Yue had always wanted to drive one of these on a road trip along the 318, but the rental cost was too high, so he gave up.
Thus, Wang Yue couldn't help but look at it a couple more times. Then, a man got out of the car, a bald man.
Judging by his face, it was as if it had been carved with a knife. The man exuded a sharp aura.
Seeing this aura, Wang Yue instinctively thought this must be a master, judging by his stance.
This bald man walked directly towards Wang Yue, then took off his sunglasses, revealing his triangular eyes?
Wang Yue found these triangular eyes a bit amusing. The imposing aura paired with these eyes seemed a bit mismatched, but he didn't laugh.
"Are you Wang Yue?" the bald man suddenly asked.
Wang Yue thought, could it be this coincidental? He's looking for me, but I'm sure I've never met this man before.
He wasn't sure if the visitor meant him harm or not.
"Is there something?" Wang Yue asked.
"There is indeed something. Please accompany me. It's important." the man said.
"Why should I go with you?" Wang Yue asked with a smile. "Are you a police officer?"
"You have no choice. To be honest, someone wants to see you, so you must come with me." the man said matter-of-factly.
"So, is this kidnapping?" Wang Yue asked again.
"If you want to think of it that way, then yes." the bald man snorted coldly. "It's already giving you face by telling you this. If you're smart, you'll come with me."
"What if I refuse?" Wang Yue asked.
"Then don't blame me." the man said, extending his hand and grabbing for Wang Yue's collar.
His speed was very fast, but Wang Yue's speed was even faster. He now possessed the Mudskipper's movement technique.
After dodging the man's grab, the man seemed a bit surprised, as if he hadn't expected to miss.
"Interesting." With that, the man charged again.
This time, his speed was even faster, clearly serious.
However, Wang Yue continuously dodged the man's grabs, like a slippery mudskipper.
"Stop running. Your stamina can't match mine." after five minutes, the man said coldly.
"Oh really? But I'm not tired at all. Are you?" Wang Yue asked with a smile.
"Then don't blame me." the man charged again, this time his hands creating afterimages. Wang Yue's Mudskipper movement technique narrowly evaded each strike, making it look extremely perilous.
Even when the man used his full strength, he still found himself unable to catch this mudskipper-like kid.
In the end, the man finally gave up. He looked at Wang Yue and said, "Alright, stop running. Let's negotiate. If you come back with me, I'll satisfy any condition you have."
"Sorry, I'm not interested." Wang Yue said.
"You know this is a golden opportunity. You will gain the friendship of the Li family. If you work for the Li family in the future, your prospects will be limitless." the man said.
"What Li family?" Wang Yue asked, bewildered.
So the man explained the situation. After listening, Wang Yue nodded and said, "But what does this have to do with me? You want me to go, so I must go? I'm not in the mood right now."
"Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." the man snorted coldly.