This was an old man forged in that era—an era of clashing armies and soldiers' bodies wrapped in horsehide. He possessed the fierce dominance of a tiger that could devour thousands of miles and a spine as straight and unyielding as an ancient behemoth. He was a people's hero, a Founding Father of the nation.

At this thought, even a man of Zhuo Qun's identity, status, and background as the top leader in Northern Mountain City's political arena couldn't help but bow deeply without hesitation. "Old Master Xuu," he said with heartfelt respect.

As soon as he had spoken, he bowed in the same manner to the elderly gentleman beside him, who was dressed in the style of the Republican era. "Elder Xunn."

"Mhm."

Old Master Xuu nodded with a faint smile, which then widened. "Xiao Zhuo, you've really been wronged this time. If it weren't for a casual remark from Old Xun, you wouldn't have given up your position in the Capital City to come here. With your resume, you probably could have advanced much further if you'd stayed, right?"

His words were not spoken lightly. As the most outstanding representative of the Zhuo Family's second generation, Zhuo Qun would undoubtedly have enjoyed the lion's share of the family's resources to help him rise through the ranks. Not to mention, the Xuu Family was allied with them through marriage. A simple gesture from them would have persuaded many to show them favor.

Yet now, Zhuo Qun had come to take up a post in a regional office simply because of an offhand comment by Old Xun, which was undoubtedly a delay. After all, what is most important to those in the political arena? Time. With time, one can climb higher and reach farther. It was no wonder the old master would say such a thing.

"Old Master, you're being too serious," Zhuo Qun replied immediately, shaking his head. What a joke. Receiving such words from Old Master Xuu is more than enough for me. Besides, looking at the situation now, it seems rather promising! I can't believe this poor, remote 'Northern Mountain' actually hides an urban marvel like Chen Fei—a Divine Doctor of Ancient Martial Arts in his twenties, who is also a full-department level member of the special unit, Flying Leopard.

With this in mind, he began to vaguely understand why Old Xun had made those remarks. It seemed they weren't so casual after all.

"Hehe, it's good that you can remain composed. However, you must have made contact with that young man surnamed Chen by now, right? What do you make of him?" Old Master Xuu asked, his lips curling into a smile.

"The young man surnamed Chen? Ah, you mean Mr. Chen?" Zhuo Qun was taken aback for a moment. He then furrowed his brow in thought before speaking. "Old Master, this Mr. Chen seems to have a rather strong baleful aura. Moreover, his background also seems extraordinary."

"Oh? Tell me about it," Old Master Xuu said slowly, glancing at Elder Xunn in surprise.

He hadn't taken the initiative to learn much about Chen Fei, so he was far from understanding the man completely. Now, hearing Zhuo Qun describe him as having a 'strong baleful aura' and an impressive background was a bit unexpected for the old man.

"It's like this, Mr. Chen is in possession of identification from the Flying Leopard. His rank is full-department level," Zhuo Qun immediately explained, causing the old man's eyes to flicker.

"What? Full-department level?" Xuu Ji, who stood to the side, couldn't help but gasp in shock. In his thirties, or even twenties, and already at the full-department level? Was this some kind of joke? Even across the entire Forty-Nine City, in the circles of the Capital City's government officials' sons, something like this is extremely rare.

"Flying Leopard? Isn't that Little Luo's department? Seems interesting..." the old man mused, his eyes narrowing into a smile. Luo Yuanzhi was once one of his most trusted soldiers. It has been more than a decade since they last met, hasn't it?

"Leader, should I call Luo Yuanzhi and ask? I'm not aware of this matter..." Elder Xunn, standing beside him, suddenly suggested.

"Call him? There's no need." The old man shook his head with a laugh, waving his hand. "You know what Little Luo is like. The fact that he's taken a liking to this young man means he's at least trustworthy. Otherwise, he never would have issued that kind of identification."

As a leader for decades, he naturally knew his subordinate's character well. If the young man wasn't trustworthy, Little Luo would never have personally issued that level of identification. He definitely had his own measure of things.

"Mhm." Elder Xunn's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded in agreement.

"Well then, Xiao Zhuo, give Mr. Chen a call. Tell him the Leader and I have arrived and are waiting for him here."

"Elder Xunn..." Xuu Ji blurted out, his expression flustered. It was clear that even now, he still wasn't mentally prepared.

"That's enough, Little Ji," the old man said coolly before Elder Xunn could even respond, his tone firm and authoritative. "We've already come this far; we can't give up halfway, can we? If you can't control your emotions, then go outside with Xiao Zhuo. As a doctor, you of all people should understand when to do something and when not to."

"I'm sorry, Grandfather. I was wrong," Xuu Ji trembled and lowered his head, not daring to speak another word.

"Good. Remember, from this moment on, you will speak less, especially after the young man surnamed Chen arrives. Understand?" the old man said, his deep eyes fixed on his grandson.

"Yes, I understand, Grandfather," Xuu Ji could only nod.

Seeing this, Elder Xunn shook his head and said slowly, "Leader, Little Ji is just worried about you. Don't frighten him. Go on, make the call."

"Yes, Elder Xunn. Old Master, please excuse me. I'll step outside to call Mr. Chen," Zhuo Qun said with a nod after being addressed by Elder Xunn. He excused himself and walked out with his phone.

Seeing Zhuo Qun leave with the phone, Xuu Ji looked as if he wanted to say something but held back. He finally let out a helpless sigh, not daring to speak further. He could already feel his grandfather was somewhat angry; otherwise, he wouldn't have used such a stern tone. That warning stopped him from 'acting out' any further. Though his intentions were good and born of concern, there was a time and place for everything. As a doctor, he should know when to act and when not to.

***

When Secretary Zhuo Qun called Chen Fei, the latter was engrossed in studying the *"Sanyang Sword Manual"*.

When the call came in, Chen Fei answered casually. "Hello, who is this?" He clearly didn't have the number saved in his contacts.

"Hello, Mr. Chen. This is Zhuo Qun," came Secretary Zhuo Qun's very somber and formal voice from the receiver.

"Oh, Secretary Zhuo?" Chen Fei was taken aback, not expecting a personal call from him. A flash of realization crossed his mind, and he blinked. "Secretary Zhuo, has that special patient from the Capital City arrived?"

Clearly, given the man's status, he wouldn't call for anything trivial. Paired with their conversation from the other night, it all made sense.

"That's right. Old Master Xuu has arrived, accompanied by Elder Xunn..." Secretary Zhuo replied, somewhat dazed that Chen Fei had figured it out.

Hearing the tone in his voice, Chen Fei couldn't help but frown. "Secretary Zhuo, can you give me the full story? Who exactly is this person, to have you so rattled?"

"What do you mean, rattled? It's called respect, understand?" Secretary Zhuo Qun retorted irritably, then sighed and continued slowly, "Fine, since you're asking, I'll tell you. It's better than you showing up and not understanding the gravity of the situation. The person from the Capital City does indeed have an extraordinary identity…" He then carefully recounted the important details about Old Master Xuu, leaving Chen Fei utterly stunned.

"HISS!" Chen Fei drew a sharp breath. "You're saying, Old Master Xuu came to see me for medical treatment in person?"

Even with his composure, Chen Fei had never imagined the visitor would be of such stature. A national hero from that chaotic era of war, a leader of the People's Liberation Army, had personally come to Northern Mountain to seek his medical help. He felt both honored and shocked.

No wonder even Secretary Zhuo Qun, a man of his status and the new top leader of Northern Mountain City, was so shaken. There really was a good reason for it.

"Mr. Chen, we're at xxx right now. Could you please come over in person immediately?" Secretary Zhuo asked.

"Of course," Chen Fei agreed without a second thought. "Give me an hour. It's quite a distance for me, but I'm leaving right away." Given the man's identity, status, and his revered position as a great national hero, Chen Fei couldn't possibly be dismissive or refuse to help.

"That's wonderful! I'll wait for you here. Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Chen," Secretary Zhuo said, overjoyed.

"It's no trouble at all. Old Master Xuu is a national hero. Without the sacrifices he and others made back then, we wouldn't have the lives we have today. Since he's in trouble, I must naturally offer what little help I can. I'm hanging up now." With that, Chen Fei ended the call.

Putting away his phone, Secretary Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew, it's settled."

"That boy certainly knows what to say," a weathered voice sighed from behind him. It was Old Master Xuu, who had wheeled himself out. "Not like some of today's youth, who forget their roots."

It was clear the old man had overheard Chen Fei's words on the phone. Because of them, he couldn't help but feel a little more favorably toward this young man he had yet to meet. In his eyes, very few young people today truly remembered the past.

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