"Why, if it isn't Chief Chen! You should have told you were coming. I would have gone to pick you up!"
Sun Siwei and Ge Shijian ca out and imdiately rushed over to greet him.
Sun Siwei and Chen Shanchun were clearly acquainted. After exchanging warm pleasantries, Sun introduced Ge Shijian to him.
As soon as he heard the na "Xuanhu dical Pavilion," Ge Shijian was deeply moved. He repeatedly apologized for his poor manners, hurriedly brewing tea and inviting the man to sit.
Sun Siwei then said to Shen Youling, "Chief Chen's dical skills are far superior to mine. Why don't you ask him to look at your grandfather's condition? He might have a solution."
Shen Youling's eyes lit up with hope, and she was just about to speak when Chen Shanchun gave a wry smile.
"Brother Sun, please don't put on the spot. When it cos to dical skills, how can I possibly compare to a grandmaster of national dicine like you? Young lady, I can take a look at your grandfather, but I wouldn't get your hopes up."
Shen Youling said hurriedly, "We would be deeply grateful, Chief Chen!"
After Chen Shanchun gave Shen Qiushi a detailed and thorough diagnosis, the result was what he had expected. He, too, shook his head, indicating there was nothing he could do.
Shen Youling sighed in disappointnt.
Shen Jiayue rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, What a complete waste of our ti.
Returning to the living room, they continued their conversation. Inevitably, the topic turned to the Chaoyuan Qi-Nourishing Soup.
Shen Jiayue had originally intended to leave, but now she stayed, directing a barrage of sarcastic remarks at Ge Shijian and deliberately making him lose face in front of Chen Shanchun.
Ge Shijian's face flushed red, and he said through gritted teeth, "In any case, I firmly believe that the Qi-Nourishing Soup is real. If I can just get my master here, I know he can cure this patient!"
Hearing this, Shang Yuenong's lips moved, but she remained silent.
When Chen Shanchun learned that they couldn't contact Lin Tang no matter what they tried, and seeing how adamant Ge Shijian was, he spoke. "Would it be too presumptuous of to take a look at the formula?"
Ge Shijian shook his head. "I'm sorry, Chief Chen, but I really can't show it to you without my master's permission."
"Ah, I understand." Chen Shanchun hesitated for a mont. After weighing his options, he took a docunt out of the briefcase he had brought with him.
"What is this?" Ge Shijian asked, puzzled.
Chen Shanchun spoke with great earnestness. "To be honest with you, the Chaoyuan Qi-Nourishing Soup was created by my ancestors. It is my family's greatest regret that the formula was not preserved in its entirety.
"This docunt is the incomplete version of the Chaoyuan Qi-Nourishing Soup formula. It's only missing five herbs!
"Dr. Ge, I hope that in light of this shared history, you will contact your master again. I am willing to pay a high price for the complete formula…"
In his mind, Ge Shijian's claim that he couldn't contact Lin Tang was just an excuse to turn away the old traditional doctors who ca asking for the recipe.
"The Chaoyuan Qi-Nourishing Soup originally belonged to your Chen family?" Both Ge Shijian and Sun Siwei were stunned.
In fact, several ancient texts, though vague, did describe a few of the herbs in the formula. That was why Ge Shijian had been able to na it instantly when Lin Tang recited it. If the incomplete formula Chen Shanchun had produced was truly missing only five herbs, then the claim that it was created by his ancestors was very likely true.
Normally, Chen Shanchun would never reveal such a top-secret docunt to outsiders. But in his desperation to complete the formula, he didn't mind letting Ge Shijian and Sun Siwei see it.
Ge Shijian examined it closely. "Hey, this isn't right! Here, and here… why does it list Rhodiola and Gynostemma? My master told it was Silken Thread Herb and Cat's Claw Jujube. And this part is different, too…"
He pointed out several more discrepancies before shaking his head. "Forgive my bluntness, but it seems there was an error when your family's formula was passed down…"
Hearing this, Chen Shanchun grew quite displeased. He stated categorically, "Impossible. Our Chen Family Genealogy's appendix has recorded every generation clearly. There may be missing parts, but there are no errors."
Ge Shijian blinked. "Are you saying my master was wrong?"
Chen Shanchun sighed with disappointnt. "He was indeed mistaken. I have no idea where he got such a fabricated recipe."
What a waste of ti. This whole trip was in vain.
Ge Shijian was speechless.
Shen Jiayue clapped her hands together sharply and said furiously, "I told you! That bastard Lin Tang was just fooling people with so made-up nonsense. Now we have definitive proof!"
She grabbed Shen Youling's arm and sneered, "Even Grandmaster Sun has this much respect for Chief Chen. You can't possibly disbelieve him and still trust that country bumpkin husband of yours, can you?"
"I…" Shen Youling was utterly at a loss for words.
It's true! On one side is the highly esteed Chief Chen. On the other is the obscure Lin Tang. They both have a formula, but they're different. Who should I believe? Is there even a question? And then there's the fact that when Shang Yuenong called Lin Tang a fraud, he resorted to violence and even threatened to kill her. He even hired that gang to cruelly cripple Ding Yuchen and the others. Isn't that just proof of his guilt? And most importantly… Grandpa fell into a coma right after taking the dicine he prescribed! All of this is irrefutable proof!
At that mont, Shen Youling's hatred for Lin Tang finally boiled over, completely irrepressible. But more than hatred, she felt an overwhelming sorrow and heartache.
I originally thought you were just being cruel and rciless, that you wouldn't save him out of spite! But now I see you're just a massive fraud, which is why you don't dare show your face again! My grandfather helped you so much, and you repaid him like this! What did I ever do to deserve you treating this way?!
Ge Shijian gripped the docunt, his expression vacant. Could Master really have been wrong? Was it just a coincidence that the dicine worked for Li Weihai?
「Elsewhere.」
anwhile, Song Chaohu had cautiously asked Lin Tang if Shen Youling was his wife. He had casually replied that she was, then added that they had broken things off, so she was basically his ex-wife now.
Even so, Song Chaohu didn't dare to be careless.
Shen Youling is a rare, world-class beauty. He says they've broken up now, but they could get back together in a couple of days. Who the hell would dare offend Master Lin's woman?
He imdiately berated his subordinates, instructing them that they must not treat her disrespectfully.
Later, his n returned to report. They said that Shang Yuenong was throwing her weight around, flaunting her status as Shen Youling's best friend. Unwilling to act rashly and risk offending Shen Youling, they hadn't dared to drag her away by force.
Song Chaohu had a headache. He relayed the situation to Lin Tang.
Lin Tang's brow furrowed instantly. What is wrong with Shen Youling? Shang Yuenong tortured a child… and she's still protecting her? That's insane!
His first impulse was to go there himself and deal with Shang Yuenong right in front of Shen Youling.
Forget it. I'll let Shang Yuenong run her mouth for a few more days. The mont they're apart, I'll go settle the score! I don't even want to see Shen Youling. I'm so disappointed in her.
「Arriving at the Antique Association building once more.」
Lin Tang's gaze swept over the mbers' entire collection. He couldn't sense the slightest trace of any spiritual materials for refining flying swords, like Gengsha.
So… it's all completely useless to .
Losing interest, Lin Tang started to walk out. Just then, he noticed everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Hmm?"
A playful smile touched Lin Tang's lips. He deliberately announced, "I quite like all of these things. My display shelves at ho are empty, so I'll take them all as decorations. Soone, pack everything up for !"
"What?"
"Isn't that a bit much…?"
The mbers of the Antique Association looked as if they were in physical pain. Their hearts were bleeding. These collections were their most prized treasures!
Is this guy a locust? He's so damn greedy!
"What, you have a problem with that?" Lin Tang asked, a smile on his face.
"No, no, no…"
"Of course not, haha…"
"It is our honor that Master Lin fancies them. We're overjoyed! How could we possibly have a problem?"
They hastily denied it, showering him with another round of flattery. At the sa ti, they all made a secret vow to never go looking for trouble by watching a spectacle again.
After dismissing the group, Zhou Rushan saw Lin Tang's pleased expression and felt his own tension ease slightly. Looks like I've made it through this ordeal…
Suddenly, Lin Tang called out, "Old Dog Zhou!"
"At your service!" Zhou Rushan jumped and hurried over.
"Have you thought it over?" Lin Tang asked.
Zhou Rushan was utterly confused. Thought what over?
Lin Tang said leisurely, "Considered how much money you're going to offer to buy back that pathetic life of yours, of course. You didn't really think I was just going to let you go, did you?"
"I…" Zhou Rushan nearly leaped out of his skin.
I've already given you the best things from my safe, including all the Centennial Elixirs! I've endured this humiliation, acting as your servant, at your beck and call! And now you want money, too?! This is outrageous!
"It was my mistake for not understanding sooner. Please forgive , Master Lin! Here, I'll transfer one hundred million to you right away…"
"Do you think you're shooing away a beggar? Or is that really all your life is worth? Weren't the Four Great Families supposed to be a big deal? Is this all you amount to?" Lin Tang's expression turned icy, and his hand moved to the hilt of his sword, ready to draw.
"Ah, I misspoke! I ant one billion!" Zhou Rushan's eyelid twitched as the shadow of death enveloped him, and he quickly changed his offer.
Lin Tang shook his head. "No, you said five billion. I heard you loud and clear."
SPURT—
Zhou Rushan spat out a mouthful of blood, wanting to roar his defiance.
With a demand that outrageous, you might as well just kill !
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