"But since you are so eager to seek death, I will grant your wish!"
Wu Chengshan let out a strange, shrill cry, and his trousers became soaking wet. He had actually been scared into wetting himself!
Jiang Dongchen frowned, a flicker of disdain flashing in his eyes. To be such a coward and yet dare to engage in threats and kidnapping—it was truly the height of ignorance!
However, Jiang Dongchen did not let Wu Chengshan off just because he had lost control of his bladder. He strode over to Wu Chengshan and struck him with a single palm. Wu Chengshan flew out like a cannonball, slammed heavily against the floor, rolled his eyes, and promptly passed out.
Wu Xiaofeng scrambled over to Wu Chengshan's side. Sensing that the man still had a faint breath but that his limbs had been shattered by Jiang Dongchen’s force, a flash of pure venom crossed his eyes.
Jiang Dongchen ignored Wu Xiaofeng’s murderous glare and let out a cold snort. "This is just a warning. Remember, if you try to pull any more stunts, I don't mind rooting out the Wu Family entirely."
If this had happened just a moment earlier, the guests' verbal attacks might have drowned Jiang Dongchen out. But now, they didn't even dare to breathe loudly, let alone meet his gaze. They were terrified that if they provoked him, Jiang Dongchen would treat them exactly as he had treated Wu Chengshan.
Jiang Dongchen walked casually toward Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming, his face ashen, could only retreat repeatedly. "You... what are you doing?"
A hint of mockery flashed in Jiang Dongchen's eyes. "I originally wanted to make you end up just like Wu Chengshan. But since you won't be able to function as a man for long, you will suffer day and night. I can already sense your misery, so I'll let you taste that suffering first."
***
Zhao Ming was panting heavily, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but he dared not lash out.
Jiang Dongchen suddenly turned to look at Lin Feifei. Lin Feifei rolled her eyes, so terrified that she nearly fainted. However, Jiang Dongchen’s gaze only swept over her briefly before locking onto the Matriarch. "Half a month from now, Ruolin’s injuries will be fully healed. By then, I will return with Ruolin to take back everything that belongs to her. You had better prepare yourself."
The Matriarch pointed at Jiang Dongchen, her lips trembling, but not only could she say nothing, she also rolled her eyes and fainted clean away.
Only then did Jiang Dongchen act as if he had just done something trivial. He walked over to Long Wuya and said, "I’m hungry. Aren't you going to invite me to a decent meal?"
The war had broken out the moment the engagement ceremony started. Jiang Dongchen hadn't had a single bite to eat since, hence his request.
Long Wuya stood to the side respectfully and made a gesture of invitation. Jiang Dongchen walked in front, with Hua Tianfeng and Long Wuya following behind like two attendants. In normal times, everyone would have thought Jiang Dongchen was being incredibly arrogant, but now, they felt it was perfectly fitting.
Long Ruolan hesitated for a moment, gritted her teeth, and hurried to catch up.
After Jiang Dongchen and the others left, more than half of the guests departed. Zhao Ming lunged at Lin Feifei and slapped her hard. "You bitch, you’ve ruined me!"
Lin Feifei knelt down. "Young Master Zhao, I was wrong! It was my fault. Even if I have to sell everything I own, I will find someone to cure your condition!"
Zhao Ming kicked Lin Feifei to the ground and stomped on her fiercely. The physical pain could not mask the despair and regret in his heart. Jiang Dongchen was the true dragon among men! He had been blessed but failed to realize it, actually divorcing Jiang Dongchen! He had been blind—truly, he had been blind!
The Matriarch eventually came to after being frantically revived by the Li family. Struggling to sit up, she looked venomous. "Jiang Dongchen, you said you’d bring Li Ruolin back in half a month to take back everything that belongs to her? Let me tell you, I will never let you have your way! Even if I have to hand over the Li Group to someone else, I won’t let the Li Family fall into your hands! If you have the guts, just kill me!"
***
Zhao Zhenhua and Wu Xiaofeng exchanged glances and walked to a relatively quiet spot. Jiang Dongchen was incredibly powerful and was in league with Long Wuya. If Long Wuya retaliated, the Zhao and Wu Families would be in grave danger. They were so anxious because they needed to discuss a countermeasure.
Zhao Zhenhua, true to his reputation as an old fox, said sinisterly, "Heisha will be absolutely furious when he finds out his brother died at the hands of Jiang Dongchen!"
Wu Xiaofeng nodded, but sighed. "But Heisha is elusive. How can we get this news to him?"
Zhao Zhenhua snorted coldly. "Although Heisha is hard to find, he’s not untraceable. I believe we can find him and persuade him to avenge his brother. When that time comes, Jiang Dongchen will surely be minced into meat by a furious Heisha!"
Wu Xiaofeng’s spirits lifted. "Do as you say. The Wu Family will provide maximum support in terms of manpower and financial resources!"
That was exactly what Zhao Zhenhua wanted. He slapped his chest firmly. "Wait for my good news!"
While the Wu Family, the Zhao Family, and the Matriarch were scheming against Jiang Dongchen, he had already arrived at the largest private room in Tianhai with Long Wuya and the others.
After they were seated and the food was served, Long Wuya raised his glass. "Mr. Jiang, a toast to you!"
Jiang Dongchen clinked glasses with Long Wuya. Hua Tianfeng also toasted him. Then, both men looked intensely at Long Ruolan. Long Ruolan knew exactly what they were implying and looked hesitant.
***
The combat prowess Jiang Dongchen had displayed was something she had rarely seen in her life! Plus, at the engagement ceremony, he had pointed out the exact ailments of the Matriarch, Lin Feifei, and Zhao Ming. Could her judgment have been wrong? Was Jiang Dongchen not a useless fraud, but a divine doctor whom even Hua Tianfeng admired?
*No, no!* Being strong didn't mean he was a good doctor! This bastard had always harbored improper intentions toward her, and he was just using her "illness" as an excuse to take advantage of her!
Thinking this, Long Ruolan picked up her glass reluctantly. "Fraud... Jiang Dongchen! I toast you! But I still firmly believe I am not sick!"
Without waiting for Jiang Dongchen to respond, Long Ruolan downed the glass of red wine in a fit of pique.
Long Wuya was having none of it. "Ruolan, why are you so stubborn? Is my illness fake? Is Mr. Jiang’s strength just for show? Apologize to Mr. Jiang immediately, or I’ll cut off your allowance!"
Seeing that Long Wuya was genuinely angry, Long Ruolan could only offer a reluctant apology.
Long Wuya’s expression softened slightly. "Mr. Jiang, my sister is in need of some discipline. If you could help straighten her out, I think she would make a fine woman who can manage both the household and social affairs."
Long Ruolan’s mind went blank on the spot. *My brother wants me to marry this fraud? My own brother, which eye of yours saw that this fraud is any good? How could you push your own sister into a fire pit?*
The sense of grievance welled up from head to toe. Long Ruolan stood up abruptly. "You can kill me, but I will never marry this liar!"
Jiang Dongchen’s voice sounded almost at the same time as hers. "Ms. Long, let’s not bring this up again, and we can still be friends."
Long Ruolan panted heavily. *What does that mean? You’re clearly the one coveting my beauty... how did it end up sounding like I’m the one who isn’t good enough for you? If my brother insists on me marrying you, are you going to turn against him? You fraud, can you stop putting on such an act?*
Just as she was about to retort, she felt an intense, freezing cold sensation surging from her lower abdomen. Her expression changed, and she hurriedly took out a "Warming Palace Pill" and threw it into her mouth. But the pill, which usually worked wonders, failed her this time. The feeling of being frozen solid made her let out a cold snort as she clutched her stomach and slumped onto her chair, feeling weak and limp.
Hua Tianfeng’s expression shifted. "The Nine Yin Absolute Meridian is acting up!"
Long Wuya jumped up and looked at Jiang Dongchen with a plea in his eyes. "Mr. Jiang, save my sister!"
Long Ruolan wheezed, "I just have a cold uterus, it is absolutely not the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian! Also, don't let this fraud touch me!"
Jiang Dongchen had originally intended to intervene, remembering how Long Ruolan had stood up for him during the engagement ceremony. But seeing her still being so stubborn, he frowned. With a cold snort, he abandoned the idea of helping. "She can only hold on for another thirty minutes. Ms. Long, you can try to find a way."
Cold sweat beaded on Long Wuya’s forehead. Long Ruolan, however, gasped intermittently, "In thirty minutes... I guarantee I’ll still be alive! You are nothing but a liar!"
Hua Tianfeng roared, "There is frost on your eyebrows! If you don't get treated, you will die!"
Long Wuya’s voice trembled with panic. "Sister, listen to your brother—Mr. Jiang would not lie to you! Please, stop being so stubborn!"
***
A trace of gravity finally flickered in Long Ruolan’s eyes. She hurriedly pulled out her phone to use the camera. Seeing the layer of frost on her eyebrows and cheeks, she froze. Even if she didn't know medicine, she knew this was not a symptom of a mere cold uterus. She really did have the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian!
Long Wuya was already in tears. "I only have one sister; if you are gone, I will be all alone in this world! Sister, please, beg Mr. Jiang to help! Please!"
Long Ruolan stopped resisting. "Ji... Jiang Dongchen, please save me!"
Jiang Dongchen grinned. "You beg me, and I must help you?"
Long Ruolan sat there, stunned. The freezing sensation in her body grew heavier, and her teeth began to chatter. She knew she was about to freeze to death. Yet, at this moment, she felt no blame toward Jiang Dongchen. He had insisted all along that she had the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian, but she hadn't believed him and had even called him a despicable, shameless fraud. Anyone would be offended by such insults! If there was anyone to blame, it was her for failing to recognize a master when she saw one.
With these thoughts, Long Ruolan finally lost consciousness.
Jiang Dongchen’s expression changed. With lightning speed, he poked several points on her body. His previous refusal was just to teach her a lesson, as he knew she could hold on for a bit. He hadn't expected the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian to flare up so quickly.
Without waiting for Long Wuya or Hua Tianfeng to speak, Jiang Dongchen scooped up Long Ruolan. "There are guest rooms upstairs, let’s go!"
Long Wuya and Hua Tianfeng, now completely at a loss, followed him to the fifth floor. Jiang Dongchen, ignoring all decorum, kicked open a room door, saw it was empty, and rushed in with Long Ruolan in his arms.
Just as he closed the door, he said solemnly, "Protect me from outside. Do not let anyone disturb me!"
He laid Long Ruolan on the bed. Looking at her, already nearly frozen solid, Jiang Dongchen took out his golden needles with a grave expression. He gritted his teeth and began to undress her. Soon, a body, perfect and nearly flawless, was revealed before him.
Jiang Dongchen had no time to admire this. His needles moved like the wind, and thirty-six silver needles were inserted into her thirty-six hidden acupuncture points.
Long Ruolan twitched. Then, a wave of extreme cold emanated from her, dropping the room's temperature by several degrees. Seeing the cold energy being forced out of her meridians and bones, Jiang Dongchen exhaled a long breath. But when he saw the layer of ice forming on her skin, his heart skipped a beat. The cold had been forced out, but if she couldn't withstand the residual chill, she would die. She was clearly teetering on the edge of life and death.
*What to do?*
He gritted his teeth, stripped off his own clothes, and lay on top of Long Ruolan. Even with his Profound Yellow True Qi protecting him, he couldn't help but shiver violently. He channeled his True Qi, carefully drawing the cold into his own body while transferring his body heat to her.
Seconds ticked by. Jiang Dongchen felt his own body beginning to crust over with ice. His limbs grew stiff, his heartbeat slowed, and his consciousness began to blur. He knew this was a sign that he couldn't hold on much longer, and he smiled bitterly.
***
The Nine Yin Absolute Meridian was indeed a miraculous affliction! He hadn't been fully prepared and had ended up having to use his own body heat to warm her. If he couldn't expel the cold within a minute, he, too, would turn into a frozen corpse!
Fortunately, the heavens smiled upon Jiang Dongchen. About twenty seconds later, the cold within Long Ruolan’s body weakened, and a faint warmth mingled with the chill.
*Dry wood returns to spring, yin departs and yang is born!* This was the exact sign that the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian was being effectively treated. Jiang Dongchen breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he dared not leave her side; this was the most critical moment of the treatment, and any slight negligence could undo all his hard work.
Long Ruolan’s body grew warmer, and the thin layer of ice on her skin melted into droplets that fell onto the bed. Jiang Dongchen, finally relaxed, felt a flicker of something else. After all, this was the first time he had been in such close contact with her, and she was an exceptional beauty. If he hadn't reacted, he wouldn't be much of a man.
At that moment, Long Ruolan’s eyes flew open. When she saw Jiang Dongchen pressed against her, her gaze turned fierce!
Jiang Dongchen cursed inwardly, but before he could explain, Long Ruolan mustered her strength and kicked him, sending him flying like a stray cloud.
Long Ruolan, filled with murderous intent, leapt up. "I’m going to kill you!"
Jiang Dongchen was both angry and bitter. "I was treating you! If I hadn't done that, you would have frozen solid by now!"
Long Ruolan, who had just lunged toward him, froze. Although she had been unconscious, she hadn't been entirely without sensation. Her body had felt like it was inside an ice cave, and her mind had been fading. But at the critical moment, a wave of warmth had surged into her. She had survived because of that warmth!
*Could it be... he used his own body to warm me?*
Jiang Dongchen’s voice sounded again. "Your Nine Yin Absolute Meridian is cured. If you don't believe me, check for yourself—see if the cold in your uterus hasn't disappeared, replaced by a warm sensation."
Even though her internal energy was only at the Houtian Grade One, she knew how to probe her own internal organs. Two seconds later, joy flashed in her eyes. It was true—the lingering chill in her body was gone, replaced by a warm, flowing energy.
*The terminal illness that had plagued me for years... really cured?*
It felt surreal, so her expression turned cold again. "If I find out you lied to me, I will definitely kill you!"
Jiang Dongchen scrambled up and gave her an exasperated look. "Unappreciative! A dog bites Lu Dongbin—you can't tell a good heart from a bad one!"
Catching his gaze, Long Ruolan finally realized she was unclothed. She let out a shriek and hurriedly scrambled to put her clothes on. Seeing that Jiang Dongchen’s eyes remained locked on her, her anger flared again. "Can you turn around?"
Jiang Dongchen laughed. "It's not like I haven't seen it before; what’s there to be shy about? Besides, you saw me too—we're even!"
Despite what he said, he picked up his own clothes and ducked into the bathroom.
When he emerged, dressed, he saw Long Ruolan looking complicated. She knew some things couldn't be avoided, so she walked up to him looking dejected. "Thank you."
Jiang Dongchen rolled his eyes. "Don't thank me—thank your brother. If it weren't for seeing him cry like a child, I wouldn't have saved you."
***
Without waiting for Long Ruolan to reply, Jiang Dongchen left the room. Long Ruolan panted for a while, collected herself, and then stepped out. Seeing only Hua Tianfeng and Long Wuya in the hallway, she felt a sense of relief—at least she didn't have to face that damn bastard anymore!
Jiang Dongchen had been so eager to leave the Tianhai Hotel precisely to avoid Long Ruolan. Just as he stepped out of the hotel, he received a call from Li Tianming. Li Tianming invited him to dinner, saying he had something important to discuss. Jiang Dongchen knew it was likely about Li Ruolin. Thinking that Li Tianming was the only person in the Li family who had ever been kind to him, he agreed.
He met Li Tianming at a decent restaurant. Perhaps due to the recent blows, Li Tianming looked haggard. After inviting Jiang Dongchen to sit, Li Tianming got straight to the point. "These past few days, I’ve been struggling with whether or not to see Ruolin."
Li Ruolin was his biological daughter, but she had spent the last decade drifting and suffering. Naturally, Li Tianming felt guilty.
Jiang Dongchen understood his feelings and sighed. "I advise you to wait a while before seeing her."
Because she had been deliberately suppressed, Li Ruolin was exhausted mentally. Coupled with the scars on her face, she had to avoid any drastic emotional swings if she wanted to recover without permanent damage. If Li Ruolin saw Li Tianming, she would certainly become emotional—the last thing Jiang Dongchen wanted to see.
Li Tianming sighed. "I understand."
Then, he grabbed Jiang Dongchen’s hand. "Dongchen, when I was in the Li family, I never did anything to wrong you. For now... I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Ruolin, alright?"
Jiang Dongchen smiled. "Even if you hadn't asked, I would still look after Ruolin."