Chapter 3: Paying Respects to the Grandmaster

The scene shifted back to Bai Qingxue’s modest rented apartment.

Lu Fei gazed at Bai Qingya, lying weakly in her sickbed, his expression tinged with sympathy. The Frost Body—a rare and exceptional innate constitution for cultivating Daoist arts—was a blessing to the gifted, but to ordinary people, it was a curse that brought only endless suffering.

Bai Qingya had lived for fifteen years, and for fifteen years, she had known nothing but pain. Her mother had died in childbirth, and her father, repulsed by her condition, had abandoned her, remarried, and left the sisters to fend for themselves. The only solace in her life was her elder sister’s unwavering love and protection.

At the bedside, a heap of cheap plastic bottles filled with hospital-prescribed pills stood as mute testimony to her struggle. These were free medications, but the true remedy for Bai Qingya’s illness was an extraordinarily expensive herbal medicine, produced only by the Bianjing He Sheng Group.

Lu Fei asked, “Do you know what illness your sister suffers from?”

Bai Qingxue shook her head. “We’ve seen countless doctors, but none could give us an answer. Last year, an old Chinese medicine doctor at He Sheng Hospital prescribed her a herb. After taking it, her condition improved somewhat. She could never sleep before, but now, at least, she can rest.”

Lu Fei examined the herb and nodded. “That’s Lesser Sun Ginseng. It helps balance the cold energy in her body. It’s the right idea, but it’s only a temporary fix. I can treat your sister.”

Bai Qingxue eyed him skeptically. “You know how to heal people?”

“I know a thing or two. Wake your sister. I want to speak with her.”

Bai Qingxue hesitated. Lu Fei was so young—he hardly looked like someone capable of curing her sister. As she wavered, a graceful woman in her thirties hurried in, her face etched with anxiety.

“Qingxue, take Qingya and leave this place at once!”

“What’s wrong, Xinru?”

Seeing the woman’s alarm, Bai Qingxue grew panicked herself.

“There’s a mob of hundreds coming this way, looking for you. Take Qingya and escape by the back path!”

“Who are they?”

Bai Qingxue hurried to the door and saw a dense mass of people surging toward the building. At the forefront was a slick, well-dressed young man, who, catching sight of her, shouted, “Qingxue, is that the guy who hurt A-Long?”

He fixed his gaze on Lu Fei and licked his lips.

Bai Qingxue was too frightened to reply.

“You must mean the four thugs who tried to extort me this morning,” Lu Fei said nonchalantly. “I’m the one who beat them. Do you want to end up like them?”

The young man’s expression darkened, a savage grin curling his lips. “You’re the most reckless fool I’ve ever met.”

As he spoke, he lunged at Lu Fei, hand outstretched, aiming for his throat.

Lu Fei sneered, “Funny, you’re the boldest fool I’ve ever seen.”

He was about to make his move when, suddenly, a tremendous force struck the young man from behind, sending him flying forward. With a heavy smack, he crashed to the ground, landing face-first in utter humiliation. Blood smeared his features, and two teeth shattered from the impact.

“Who dares—” he started to rage, incredulous that anyone would intervene on Lu Fei’s behalf against a hundred attackers. But when he turned and saw his assailant, he was dumbstruck. “B-Boss…”

“Kneel! Disciple of the Gate of Sunlight, Yin Tiancheng, pays homage to Grandmaster!”

The one who had kicked him down was none other than Yin Tiancheng, a towering figure in Bianjing’s elite circles. Recognizing Lu Fei, Yin Tiancheng immediately dropped to his knees before him, his voice echoing through the city. At his words, a wave of shock swept through his followers.

In unison, over a hundred men fell to their knees. “Greetings, Grandmaster!”

Bai Qingxue stood frozen, utterly bewildered by the spectacle, while the young man who’d tried to attack Lu Fei collapsed in terror, losing all control over his body.

What a catastrophic mistake he’d made—he had just insulted his own boss’s grandmaster! His life was surely over.

“Who are you?” Lu Fei asked calmly.

“Grandmaster, my master is Luo Yutian—Master Luo. She often speaks of your legendary deeds. If she learns you have returned, she will rush here herself to greet you.”

Lu Fei’s teacher had seven disciples in total. He was the eldest, the senior brother to the remaining six. Luo Yutian was the disciple of his youngest junior sister, making Yin Tiancheng her disciple as well. It was perfectly appropriate for Yin Tiancheng to call Lu Fei “Grandmaster.” Since his master’s passing, Lu Fei had become the sect’s leader, and disciples like Yin Tiancheng were his pupils’ pupils.

“I understand. Take your people and leave at once. If anything like this happens again without my permission, answer to your master for punishment.”

Before Yin Tiancheng, Lu Fei carried himself with the authority of a true grandmaster.

Yin Tiancheng, trembling with fear, nodded repeatedly. “Your grandson understands.”

He bowed low, shouted for his men to withdraw, and then returned to the room, presenting a piece of imperial green jade in both hands.

“Upon hearing that Grandmaster had returned, I came as quickly as I could. I had no time to prepare a proper gift. Please accept this small token of respect.”

Lu Fei accepted it with a casual nod. “I appreciate the thought. You may go.”

“Yes, Grandmaster.”

Yin Tiancheng dared not linger and hurried out.

The commotion finally subsided, and Bai Qingya slowly awoke in her bed, her curious eyes taking in the room.

“Xiaoya, you’re awake?” Bai Qingxue exclaimed, finally snapping out of her shock.

“Sister, what happened?” Bai Qingya asked, her doll-like face full of confusion.

Bai Qingxue looked to Lu Fei, still overwhelmed by all that had just transpired.

“I was invited by your sister to examine your illness. I can cure you,” Lu Fei said.

“Yes, Xiaoya, he can cure you!” Bai Qingxue squeezed her sister’s hand with excitement. After so many years of despair, hope was rekindled in her heart. At first, she had doubted Lu Fei’s claims, but seeing Yin Tiancheng—renowned for his medical skill—treat Lu Fei as a grandmaster, she had no more doubts about his ability.

“That’s wonderful! Then I’ll leave my illness in your care, big brother,” Bai Qingya said sweetly, looking up at Lu Fei with innocent trust.

“Brother, how should we proceed with the treatment? We’ll do whatever you require,” Bai Qingxue asked hopefully, willing to give anything for her sister’s recovery.

“This place is unsuitable. Come with me to where I’m staying,” Lu Fei replied, leading the two of them to his hotel.

“You should go home now. I need to treat your sister alone and mustn’t be disturbed,” he said when they reached the hotel room, politely but firmly dismissing Bai Qingxue. The treatment process was not something she should witness.

Bai Qingxue hesitated, worried for her sister’s safety.

“Sis, you should go. I trust big brother’s medical skills,” Bai Qingya reassured her.

Bai Qingxue knew that with Lu Fei’s abilities, if he meant them harm, they would stand no chance. They could only trust him completely.

“Big brother, my sister is only fifteen. Please, I beg you, save her!” Bai Qingxue pleaded again and again before finally leaving. The door closed behind her.

Instantly, Bai Qingya’s expression turned icy cold.

“Why did you lie to my sister?”