Chapter 115: Turmoil of the Heart

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Elder Luo himself was a second-rank martial artist. His current critical illness was the result of a latent internal disease accumulating to a certain degree, prematurely triggered. To save his life, the healer must meet two criteria: exceptional medical skill and being a martial artist, preferably at least second-rank or close to it.

As soon as Hong Chen began treating the elder, he knew his secret of dual cultivation in medicine and martial arts would likely be exposed. Indeed, the elder had already hinted at it. With this in mind, it was no surprise that the elder wished to win him over.

However, the elder’s first offer was to entrust half of the Luo family’s assets as collateral. This boldness startled Hong Chen, causing him to regard the old man with newfound respect.

Most families, when recruiting talent, either arranged marriages or offered hefty sums to retain them. It was rare for a family to allow outsiders to share in their fundamental interests, much less to meddle in them.

Behind the scenes, Hong Chen’s efforts to promote the Hongcheng Group and the Health Hall’s rapid development—amassing great wealth and expanding his network—were strategic. No matter how strong one was, unless invincible, these two resources were indispensable. Now, facing tens of billions in assets and the backing of a first-tier family in Southern City—the Luo family’s network laid before him—Hong Chen felt a flicker of temptation.

Yet, he did not hastily accept. He understood well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. The more easily gained, the more carefully it must be considered. Unlike ordinary profit-sharing or alliances, this was an irrevocable deal.

Seeing Hong Chen deep in thought, the elder said nothing at first but sat down slowly. After a moment, he asked a seemingly unrelated question: “Among my grandchildren, Luo Song ranks fourth. He was the one who brought you from the Health Hall. What is your impression of him, Doctor Hong?”

Hong Chen considered briefly. “He has neither notable flaws nor exceptional strengths.”

The elder replied, “He is the most honest of my grandchildren and also the most business-savvy. I intend for him to have exclusive contact with you. You may register a company yourself or have someone else do it. I will transfer half of the Luo family’s assets under the company you designate. Luo Song alone will be responsible for this. I guarantee that, apart from us grandfather and grandson, no third party within the Luo family will know your identity.”

Hong Chen was struck. “Elder, do you intend for Luo Song to be the heir after you pass?”

The elder replied candidly, “I bear half the credit for the Luo family’s current standing. My first wife deserves one-sixth, and my third wife two-sixths. The third wife died for the family’s development; I feel guilty. Therefore, when I pass, half of the Luo family’s assets will go to my eldest son, and the other half to Luo Song. He is a child who is gentle on the outside but resolute within.”

Understanding dawned in Hong Chen’s eyes. After a moment of silence, he said, “Elder, you haven’t even met me in person. Why do you trust me?”

This was Hong Chen’s greatest doubt. No matter his dual cultivation, no matter his strength to protect the Luo family a century later, the prerequisite was character. Character was unrelated to power and could not be discerned in one or two days. It required long-term interpersonal trust.

The elder smiled slyly, “You’re probably not yet thirty. Your youth means limitless potential. One day when you stand at a height even today’s Luo family can only look up to, you will not break your promise, even for your own martial heart.”

Hong Chen suddenly realized this was not merely about taking care of the Luo family—it was about binding the Luo family’s future with his own. To put it plainly, the Luo family was investing in a “lord” still gathering strength and accumulating power.

The level of a martial artist’s achievement depends increasingly on the purity of their martial heart. Any flaw means a ceiling on their potential. As long as Hong Chen wishes to advance farther on the martial path, he will not allow his martial heart to be compromised. For the Luo family, this means possessing a lifelong, invaluable safeguard.

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Furthermore, the higher Hong Chen’s future achievements, the higher the Luo family, as early supporters, will rise alongside him.

The elder was old, soon to be laid to rest, yet he harbored neither resignation nor a faint ambition—rather, a grand aspiration.

With the matter laid bare, Hong Chen no longer hesitated. Meeting the elder’s gaze, he said slowly, “Elder, I must say one thing: I cannot tolerate betrayal. If one day someone in the Luo family stabs me in the back, I will personally destroy that person and anyone involved. There will be no chance for redemption.”

The elder’s smile vanished. Solemnly, he nodded. “Good.”

Hong Chen continued, “I make no promises about the Luo family’s development. I will not meddle in family affairs. I can only say that if the Luo family faces difficulties, I will protect it to the best of my ability. As for Luo Song, if we become friends, I will naturally assist him.”

The elder was silent for three seconds before replying, “Good.”

Two affirmations signaled the agreement’s completion. Then Hong Chen swore upon his martial heart. Afterward, he removed his hat, glasses, and mask.

The elder was struck to see a face younger than he had imagined, stunned for a moment. Hong Chen smiled faintly and snapped his fingers, producing a three-inch-long silver needle.

“I’ll give you a few acupuncture treatments. While they won’t extend your life, they can improve your quality of life moving forward.” Rising, Hong Chen swiftly inserted six or seven needles into the elder’s back.

The elder’s expression changed dramatically. He clearly felt the usual internal aches vanish after just a few needles. His entire body relaxed significantly, as if returning to the vigor of fifty years old.

“If you want to live a few more years, it’s not impossible. If you can collect two or more of the following—five-hundred-year-old ginseng, one-hundred-thirty-year-old polygonum multiflorum, lingzhi mushrooms over a hundred years old, stag antler in its prime, or bear bile at its peak—I can concoct a longevity formula for you.”

Hong Chen replaced his hat, glasses, and mask, speaking casually as he did so.

To win the Luo family’s wholehearted loyalty, an agreement alone was insufficient; he needed to offer a sweetener. This was both goodwill and sincerity.

The elder’s eyes brightened suddenly. Rising, he cupped his fists. “Thank you, Doctor Hong.”

“Your grandchildren are all older than me. When we meet privately, just call me ‘young friend.’ That sounds natural, and I won’t feel awkward hearing it.”

Hong Chen smiled, waved his hand, exchanged a few more words, and then took his leave. The elder did not insist on holding him back. He led the family members to escort Hong Chen outside the mansion. They had planned to arrange a car and have Luo Song accompany him partway, but Jiang Ying volunteered instead. She pushed Hong Chen into her BMW. Before the driver of Ye’s car could react, Jiang Ying pressed the accelerator, leaving a trail of dust behind.

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The BMW exited the estate and descended the mountain road. Jiang Ying cast a glance at Hong Chen, speaking with a touch of irritation: “Why haven’t you taken off your hat, glasses, and mask yet? If you’re not uncomfortable, I’m uncomfortable just looking at it.”

Hong Chen complied, removing his disguise. “If convenient, please take me to XXX Road. My car is parked in the garage of a shopping mall there.”

Jiang Ying said nothing, implicitly agreeing. Then, out of nowhere, she asked, “So, how are you planning to thank me?”

Hong Chen was momentarily stunned. Jiang Ying snorted softly through her nose, “If I hadn’t protected you, do you think the Luo family would trust you or give you a chance to treat the elder? Do you think you could have walked out of the Luo estate today?”

Grateful, Hong Chen nodded. “I’ll give you one hundred million of the five hundred million reward.”

“I’m not interested!” Jiang Ying flipped her face away and stepped on the gas. The BMW roared, rapidly accelerating.

Seeing her anger, Hong Chen rubbed his nose, thinking perhaps one hundred million wasn’t enough and was about to offer more, when Jiang Ying said abruptly, “Think about where to go this afternoon, where to have dinner, and what to do tonight. Hurry up and decide. I warn you, if you ruin my mood, you’re in trouble.”

Glancing sideways, her eyes carried a hint of grievance, a hint of willfulness, and an inexplicable charm.

Their eyes met briefly, then Hong Chen quickly looked away, chuckling dryly as he took out his phone. “I’ll look it up online,” he muttered, his heart already in turmoil.

Whether it was Jiang Ying’s intentional or accidental drunkenness last night, which led to them spending the night together, or her lighthearted mention this morning of possibly taking advantage of the Jiang family to freeload—including giving her phone number to Cao Zilin at breakfast—these actions inevitably stirred his imagination. But Hong Chen treated them as Jiang Ying’s probing and calculation, not taking them to heart, smiling them off.

After all, this trip to Southern City was orchestrated by Jiang Ying. Who knew if she would abandon her original intentions just because he saved her once?

Yet earlier at the Luo family estate, Jiang Ying had fiercely stood up for him, even confronting Luo Jianggong and invoking the Jiang family’s name. Now, with her childish words and those plaintive eyes, she was clearly a woman already emotionally invested as if in love.

Hong Chen could no longer deceive himself or let things slide. Jiang Ying was neither a nightclub escort nor a casual acquaintance, but his brother’s sister. He had to consider their relationship carefully before making decisions and responses, neither rushing nor delaying.