"Hello, Chief!"

Chief Luo Yuanzhi was clearly ecstatic today. Chen Fei noticed that the man's fingers were trembling slightly—the first time he had ever seen such a thing since he had known him.

He wore a dark-green, special-issue military uniform, his chest adorned with several ancient, rust-stained medals. They involuntarily drew one's gaze, causing the mind to drift, as if catching a faint glimpse of that chaotic, war-torn era, where countless martyrs and heroes fought for the liberation of a new age and the rebirth of its people.

While everyone was lost in silent contemplation, Luo Yuanzhi slowly walked up to Old Master Xuu. He snapped to attention, raised his hand in a sharp salute, and said, "Hello, Chief!"

"You rascal, there's no need for all this fuss," Old Master Xuu's expression reflexively sharpened, but then his features softened into a wry, self-deprecating smile. He shook his head, his eyes filled with a complex, nostalgic expression.

"Old Chief, it's been more than ten years since we last met. How is your health?" Luo Yuanzhi walked to Old Master Xuu's side as if no one else was in the room, just as he had during the years he served as the man's trusted guard.

"Yes, it's gone by so fast. Over a decade. Of all those young greenhorns you had back then, it seems there aren't many left now," Old Master Xuu murmured with a sigh before suddenly breaking into a laugh. "I was on my last legs… but thanks to Little Chen's enthusiastic help, this old bag of bones has been given a new lease on life. He's my savior."

Luo Yuanzhi had noticed Chen Fei the moment he entered the banquet hall. Normally, he would have greeted him first, but it was clear that the old master was his sole focus at this moment. So, when he heard Old Master Xuu's words, he was momentarily stunned.

"Chen Fei, thank you so much," he said, bowing slightly toward Chen Fei. In his view, since Chen Fei had saved the Old Chief's life, it was as if he had done a great favor for him, Luo Yuanzhi. After all, wasn't he the Old Chief's trusted soldier?

"Please don't, Chief Luo. A gesture like this from you... I'm afraid it'll shorten my lifespan!" Chen Fei immediately steadied the older man, his expression earnest. "Grandpa Xuu is a national hero. Helping him was my undeniable duty."

He truly believed this in his heart. The old man was a hero of the nation and its people, so when he needed help, it was only right for him to step up. There was no need for thanks.

"Alright, alright, that's enough of this sentimental back-and-forth. Both of you, sit down," Old Master Xuu said with a decisive wave of his hand. Having spent a lifetime in the military, he couldn't stand such fussy displays of politeness. "Oh, by the way, Little Luo, is that stomach problem of yours cured? Can you still drink?"

However, no sooner had the words left his mouth than he remembered that his old subordinate, Luo Yuanzhi, had suffered from stomach issues for years and was unable to drink alcohol.

"Don't you worry, Old Chief, it's a small matter. You and Mr. Xunn came here personally. How could I not join you for a hearty drink?" Luo Yuanzhi said, turning to Dr. Xunn with a respectful smile. They were old acquaintances.

"Your illness…" Mr. Xunn, however, frowned slightly upon hearing this.

He knew perfectly well that Luo Yuanzhi's stomach condition was quite troublesome. It was a combination of advanced age, deteriorating bodily functions, and old problems left over from the chaotic war years, making it difficult to cure. Even he wasn't very confident.

After all, even though Luo Yuanzhi was younger than both Old Master Xuu and himself, he was still at least ninety years old, approaching one hundred. Had it not been for his strength as a peak King of Soldiers, he likely would not have survived this long.

"What's all this talk about drinking heartily? We aren't the men we used to be. Your health is the most important thing. Oh, that reminds me…" Old Master Xuu instinctively frowned, but then, as if recalling something, his gaze involuntarily shifted to Chen Fei.

"Grandpa Xuu, don't worry. If you all want to drink, please, drink as you please," Chen Fei said with a smile, seeing the old man's gaze land on him and understanding what he wanted to hear. "Chief Luo's stomach problem is a minor issue. I'll prescribe him a few courses of medicine to take regularly. It's no big deal."

"Really!?" Chief Luo was utterly astonished. This old ailment had plagued him for decades. As a man who loved his drink, being cured was the best possible news, regardless of whether he could drink again or not.

"If Mr. Chen says it's true, then it's definitely true," Elder Xunn stated with a smile, much to everyone's surprise. There wasn't a trace of doubt in his voice. "Little Luo, it looks like your old ailment can finally be resolved. Congratulations."

One had to remember, this was the Master of the Medical Sage Hall of Huaxia, an undeniable Mount Tai Beidou of the country's Traditional Medicine Community. Yet Luo Yuanzhi's illness, which even he had been helpless to treat, was described by Chen Fei as a simple problem that could be easily cured. And Elder Xunn voiced no doubt, no objection. What did that signify?

It signified that in his heart, Chen Fei's medical skills were already far superior to his own. As the saying goes, the master is simply the one with greater skill. Thus, Elder Xunn had wholeheartedly accepted this reality.

Everyone present was intelligent enough to understand the implication. In an instant, their gazes toward Chen Fei held an even deeper sense of awe and respect.

For the renowned Master of the Medical Sage Hall of Huaxia to openly admit his skills were inferior... the meaning was clear and needed no further explanation. The old man's grandson, Xuu Ji, stole a glance at Chen Fei, a glimmer of hero-worship in his eyes.

"Uh, oh... I... Thank you, Mr. Xunn. Chen Fei, this ailment of mine, can it really... No, wait, forget what I just said! I'm entrusting this old ailment of mine to you!" Chief Luo Yuanzhi was stunned for a long moment before his face lit up with excitement as he looked at Chen Fei.

"Rest assured, Chief Luo. Your illness isn't a major problem," Chen Fei replied loudly.

"That's wonderful, just wonderful! It seems we're not going home until we're good and drunk tonight. Old Xun, you have to have a couple of glasses with me, right? Don't you dare tell me you've quit…" the old man boomed with laughter.

It had been a long, long time since he'd been able to drink so freely, especially with such familiar faces from the past—the same men who had stood beside him in fortresses under war-torn skies, who had lived with their lives on the line and thought nothing of it, drinking together all the same. How could he not be thrilled, not be overjoyed?

"I haven't quit, I haven't quit. Let's drink…" Hearing this, Elder Xunn smiled wryly and shook his head, but he didn't refuse.

"But, Old Chief, your health…" Chief Luo suddenly remembered and couldn't help but start to ask.

However, before he could finish, Old Master Xuu cut him off impatiently. "Are you getting senile, you kid? Little Chen brought me back from the brink of death. What's a little alcohol in comparison? It's a piece of cake."

"Ah, you're right. I'm getting senile, completely senile. Hahaha!" Chief Luo let out a rare, embarrassed chuckle before bursting into hearty laughter, and with that, the banquet truly began.

Though there were only seven or eight people present, the gathering was undoubtedly a top-tier assembly in all of Huaxia, perhaps even the world. Old Master Xuu, Elder Xunn, Chief Luo… any one of them was a figure who could shake the very foundations of the country with a single word. This was especially true for Old Master Xuu, one of the last remaining titans of his generation.

It would be difficult to find even four or five more people of their stature in the entire country. The significance of this went without saying.

From this perspective, Northern Mountain City's Party Secretary Zhuo Qun, Mayor Huang Tao, and even Xuu Ji, an authoritative expert from Xiehe Hospital with his background, seemed far less conspicuous. The sole exception was our very own Young Master Chen, Chen Fei.

Disregarding his age, he was absolutely on par with the three elders at this table tonight, perhaps even with Old Master Xuu himself. His relaxed state of mind allowed him to let loose completely.

And because everyone had cast aside their reservations about drinking, the evening was exceptionally joyful and lively. Even Chen Fei became slightly tipsy, to say nothing of the others. The meal carried on like this until at least ten o'clock.

"Little Chen, care for a walk with me?" the old master suddenly asked after the banquet concluded.

A walk?

Chen Fei paused for a second before nodding with a smile. "Alright." With that, the two of them chuckled and left the Peony Hotel ahead of the rest.

"Mr. Xunn, should we send some people to protect the Old Chief discreetly?" Luo Yuanzhi couldn't help but ask. After all, Old Master Xuu's status was extraordinary.

"Relax, don't be so tense. You were the one who personally invited Doctor Chen into the organization. Surely you know his capabilities?" Elder Xunn said with a wave of his hand. He then added, "But just to be safe, I'll follow them quietly. The rest of you can head back."

As he spoke, Elder Xunn's figure suddenly flickered and vanished from sight, leaving a stunned Huang Tao staring blankly.

"He… that… um, how did he just disappear?" The slightly drunk Huang Tao felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Elder Xunn is the Old Master's personal guard," the equally tipsy Zhuo Qun said beside him, letting out a satisfied burp. "You've heard of Ancient Martial Artists, right? He himself is a very formidable Ancient Martial Artist, so that's nothing to be surprised about."

"So that's how it is…" Huang Tao finally came to his senses, shaking his head slightly before nodding in understanding.

「Meanwhile」

Old Master Xuu and Chen Fei had already walked some distance.

They strolled beneath the lush canopy of trees in Sea River District's famous ecological park, feeling the cool, moist night breeze. The old man suddenly asked, "Little Chen, what are your plans for the future? Have you ever thought of paying a visit to the Capital City?"

Plans? Go to the Capital City?

Chen Fei froze for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. "To be frank with you, Grandpa Xuu, I'm not keen on going to the Capital City. My temperament is still too young and brash. It wouldn't be a good fit for me."

Too young and brash?

Old Master Xuu was momentarily stunned by Chen Fei's response, but then, not entirely surprised, he shook his head with a laugh. "I knew you'd refuse. But never mind. The Capital City is indeed a troublesome place. It's better not to get drawn into those whirlpools. Still, I'll have to ask you to keep an eye on things concerning Little Luo. That Luo Zun fellow is quite troublesome and not easy to deal with."

"You know about Luo Zun, Grandpa Xuu?" Chen Fei asked, surprised that the old man was aware of him.

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