The four elders lunged at Long Xiao simultaneously. They had been killing together since childhood, operating in the martial world for decades, and had executed hundreds of missions for the Lu family without ever failing.
Observing the four elders who moved with perfect coordination, Long Xiao immediately dispersed the five elemental energies in his dantian and amplified his senses to the utmost.
In an instant, every blade of grass and tree within thirty meters of Long Xiao was mapped into his mind. Any subtle change within this thirty-meter radius could be clearly perceived by him.
Under the influence of his qi, Long Xiao's perception speed increased severalfold. Every move of the four elders was vividly clear to him.
Unleashing the "Chimei Xiaoyao Bu" (Phantom逍遥 Step), Long Xiao became as elusive as a phantom, making it impossible for the four elders to track his movements.
"Blood Blade" was infused with Gē of War qi, and an overwhelming killing intent instantly permeated the air. Even the surrounding vegetation drooped as if on the verge of wilting, overwhelmed by the intense aura of slaughter.
When Long Xiao rescued Xin Yifei, although he unleashed a full-power strike, he had not utilized his complete five elemental qi. This time, Long Xiao deployed all the five elemental energies from his dantian for a full-power attack, creating a chasm of difference compared to his previous effort.
The four elders of the Lu family felt the presence of death for the first time. A profound fear filled their hearts.
This fear slowed their movements. Long Xiao's "Blood Blade" swept towards their shoulders.
Almost instantaneously, the right arms of the four Lu elders were severed, blood splashing everywhere. The moment they were struck, their fighting spirit completely collapsed. They retreated in unison, fleeing into the woods.
Long Xiao retracted his five elemental qi back into his dantian. He watched the four Lu elders escape into the undergrowth but did not pursue them.
Long Xiao remained standing, reliving the sensation of the full-power strike. This experience was crucial for improving his strength.
Luo Tianshui was stunned by Long Xiao's actions. Long Xiao's speed was so immense that Luo Tianshui only saw a blur of motion.
Ji Lin trembled uncontrollably, his fear overwhelming him, and a yellow liquid flowed down his pants.
This was too terrifying. Four peak Profound-level experts had their right arms severed in a single move. Ji Lin had been watching the entire battle but couldn't discern how Long Xiao had made his move.
Long Xiao returned "Blood Blade" to Luo Tianshui and said, "When using this blade, infuse it with qi to unleash its full power."
Luo Tianshui nodded, took "Blood Blade," examined it briefly, and put it away.
He had studied "Blood Blade" many times and knew that using it required the infusion of qi. However, no matter how hard he tried, he could only channel a tiny amount and could not control "Blood Blade" accurately.
Long Xiao approached Ji Lin, looked at him lying on the ground, and said, "Ji Lin, choose your fate."
Ji Lin trembled like a sieve. He wanted to beg for mercy, but his lips quivered so much that he couldn't utter a word.
Seeing Ji Lin's utter terror, Long Xiao smiled and said, "If you want to live, tell me about your Ji family and your dealings with Long Nian and Iaguchi Gorou."
Seeing a chance to survive, Ji Lin eagerly revealed everything he knew to Long Xiao.
The cooperation between the Ji family, Long Nian, and Iaguchi Gorou had not been smooth, and mutual suspicion existed between them.
Iaguchi Gorou intended to control the pharmaceutical industry in Donghai and use it as a springboard to expand Iaguchi Pharmaceuticals throughout China.
Ji Lin didn't know much about Iaguchi Pharmaceuticals. He only knew that Iaguchi Pharmaceuticals primarily manufactured medicines and had been operating in China for many years, stealing thousands of ancient Chinese formulas to develop numerous Kampo medicines.
He had also overheard Iaguchi Gorou and his father discussing Iaguchi Pharmaceuticals' cooperation with Japan's Kyokujun sect and the Black Dragon Society. Ji Lin had no idea what these two organizations did.
Ji Lin also knew little about Long Nian. He only knew that Long Nian commanded many martial arts experts, as well as masters of Profound arts and蛊 arts. Long Nian's target was the underworld of Donghai.
Long Nian had once mentioned his father, stating that the experts around him were his father's subordinates. However, he had never revealed his father's identity.
The Ji family was led by Ji Tianhu. The patriarch, Ji Yinghui, had been in poor health for many years and lived in seclusion, rarely appearing in public.
After Ji Lin finished speaking, Long Xiao asked, "How many experts does your Ji family have?"
Ji Lin informed Long Xiao that the Ji family had five cultivators at the mid-stage Profound realm and only two at the peak Profound realm. The others were not very powerful.
Long Xiao had defeated four peak Profound-level experts with a single move, rendering peak Profound-level cultivators insignificant in his eyes.
The three forces of the Ji family, Long Nian, and Iaguchi Gorou, posed no substantial threat from their martial arts experts to Long Xiao, which made him feel secure.
Seeing Long Xiao's smile, Ji Lin seized the opportunity and said, "Brother Long, I've told you everything. Please spare me."
Long Xiao nodded and said, "I can spare you, and I will heal your leg. However, when you return to the Ji family, you must notify me immediately if anyone makes a move against me."
"Of course, Brother Long is my boss from now on. If Brother Long tells me to go east, I wouldn't dare to go west."
Seeing Ji Lin's docile demeanor, Long Xiao took out a small bottle of medicinal powder from his pocket, poured a pill into Ji Lin's mouth.
He found a few branches from the bushes and a rope from the car. He then splinted Ji Lin's broken leg using the rope and wooden sticks.
Long Xiao had Luo Tianshui drive the Lu family elders' BMW to take Ji Lin to the hospital, while he drove back to Xinglin Grass Hall.
After lunch and a brief rest, Xinglin Grass Hall opened, and Long Xiao returned to sitting under the tree, resuming his medical practice.
After treating over a dozen patients, Long Xiao reached for a cup of water when Li Yizhen, accompanied by his granddaughter Li Xinran, entered with a smile.
"Master, I heard Sun Sizu has returned to Donghai and is here with you?" Li Yizhen asked, looking at Sun Sizu's consulting room.
Long Xiao nodded. Li Yizhen continued, "Master, I've made great progress recently in practicing the acupuncture techniques you taught me. Would it be alright if I also see patients here?"
Long Xiao was overwhelmed with work. Seeing Li Yizhen's arrival, he was planning to ask him for help with the patient load. Since Li Yizhen brought it up himself, Long Xiao readily agreed.
Li Yizhen and Li Xinran went to Tong Hui's consulting room. Hearing that the renowned physician Li Yizhen was practicing at Xinglin Grass Hall, people immediately requested to see him.
With two renowned physicians present at Xinglin Grass Hall, the news spread like wildfire, and the area outside became crowded.
Some had registered and were waiting for their appointments, others were inquiring about how to register, and some arrived with bundles of money, eager to see a doctor immediately.
Zhang Enyong and Bao Tie maintained order, while Chen Meijia repeatedly explained the new registration system to the crowd. Xue Meiqin called out patient numbers and guided them to their appointments.
Due to the overwhelming number of patients, the situation outside became increasingly chaotic. Bao Tie was forced to call in more than a dozen Bao family bodyguards, and Chen Meijia also summoned over ten Wumeng disciples, which finally helped to restore order.
In the afternoon, Li Yizhen, Long Xiao, and Sun Sizu treated over a hundred patients. The next day, the news spread even further, and the crowd outside Xinglin Grass Hall grew even larger.
Chen Meijia directly dispatched over thirty Wumeng disciples to maintain order, and the Bao family sent over twenty bodyguards to publicize Xinglin Grass Hall's new registration system.
For several consecutive days, Xinglin Grass Hall was packed with people. Long Xiao was constantly busy, working late into the evenings and even sleeping at the clinic.
One morning, just as Long Xiao was seeing his first patient, he received a call from Qian Yun, the assistant to Luan Jiping.
"Long Xiao, something has happened. Hurry to Beimang Mountain..."
Qian Yun's voice was urgent. The sound of fighting could be heard on the phone, along with gunshots.
Before Qian Yun could finish speaking, the call was cut off. Long Xiao immediately got up, rushed out of Xinglin Grass Hall, and drove directly to Beimang Mountain.