Chapter 77

“Boy, you think you’re extracting information from me, but you know nothing at all.” Ding Bangning stared coldly at Xia Daoming, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

“Hmph, do you think you need to extract information from me? You’re flatteringly self-important. So what if your Ding family has produced one cultivator?”

“So what? He’s not even a powerful cultivator! If he were truly powerful, your Ding family wouldn’t need to tread so cautiously, step by step—you’d have already swept away the Xu family and monopolized Li City!”

“If you already know, why go through this charade?” Ding Bangning’s face turned pale.

“Who told you I knew? I was guessing! But now I truly know.” Xia Daoming smirked, a sigh of relief escaping him internally.

As long as the Ding family’s cultivator still fears the Grand Master, his combat power must be at the Grand Master level—and specifically, the Ninth Rank Grand Master level.

With my terrifying strength, I should have a chance to fight him.

The only thing I’m worried about now is that I’ve never seen a Grand Master or cultivator in battle.

I have no concept of just how strange and powerful their techniques truly are.

“You…” Ding Bangning never imagined that, after living so long, he’d be tricked by a young pup—he burst into a mouthful of blood, then his neck tilted sideways and he died of rage.

“Damn it, seriously? He just dropped dead? I still had a lot of questions to ask!” Xia Daoming stared blankly.

Ji Yuanzhen was equally stunned.

Ji Wenyue had repeatedly told him that her savior, Brother Xia, was a true man, a true gentleman.

This time, the moment Xia Daoming heard the news, he braved the rain to rush to their aid—further confirming Ji Wenyue’s words to Ji Yuanzhen.

Ever since learning the identity of his savior, Xia Daoming had instantly risen in his mind to the image of a loyal, righteous, emotionally noble great hero.

Yet Ji Yuanzhen never expected that this seemingly loyal and upright young man, after a series of bold maneuvers, not only tricked the old fox Ding Bangning into revealing the Ding family’s greatest secret—but also literally frightened him to death.

This was wildly inconsistent with the towering, righteous image he’d held in his heart!

But soon, Ji Yuanzhen’s shock turned to delight.

It’s good that the young man has talent, cunning, and strategy!

“This man is Ding Chushan, Ding Bangcheng’s legitimate grandson. He’s always been low-key, almost never appearing in public. A few days ago, Ding Bangcheng suddenly came to our door to propose marriage—he wanted Ji family to betroth Wenyue to him.”

“I never imagined he was a cultivator too—no wonder the three families dared to unite against the Xu family!” Ji Yuanzhen quickly pointed at the portrait and spoke gravely.

“Is cultivation that impressive? This guy’s so ugly, he dares to think Wenyue should marry him? He’s a toad trying to eat swan meat.” Xia Daoming’s hatred for Ding Chushan surged instantly.

“Cultivation truly is impressive,” Ji Yuanzhen said solemnly.

“Do you understand cultivators, Elder Ji?” Xia Daoming asked, recalling how Ji Wenyue had once mentioned her ancestors had once interacted with cultivators—he felt a spark of hope and blurted it out.

“Understand? How could I? I only have a few scattered ancestral tales about cultivators,” Ji Yuanzhen waved his hand.

“I beg you to tell me more!” Xia Daoming’s eyes lit up.

“Alright, cough, cough!” Ji Yuanzhen had barely begun speaking when he erupted into violent coughing, his whole body curling up as if he might die at any moment.

“Grandfather, are you— are you alright?” Ji Wenyue’s eyes filled with tears.

“I—I can still hold on a little longer!” Ji Yuanzhen waved weakly, gasping for breath.

“Elder, don’t speak now—first, focus on healing and calming your qi,” Xia Daoming said, suppressing his curiosity.

“Savior, please let me speak—I’m afraid if I don’t speak now, I’ll never get the chance,” Ji Yuanzhen said.

“Grandfather, no, you won’t die! I—I’ll go find medicine to heal you right now!” Ji Wenyue’s tears finally spilled over.

“Foolish child, I’m an old man. Taking one secret remedy has already drastically shortened my life—now I’ve taken two in succession, what hope remains?”

“But seeing you, Brother Xia, appear and turn the tide, saving the remaining Ji family members— even if I die right now, I can rest in peace.” Ji Yuanzhen reached out, trembling slightly, to wipe the tears from Ji Wenyue’s face.

“No, no, Grandfather, you’ve merely overdrawn your blood and vitality, and your meridians are severely overtaxed and damaged—that’s why your vitality is so weak.”

“If Wenyue finds herbs that gently nourish vitality and repair meridians, brews them into a decoction, and you take it slowly to recover, you’ll be fine!” Ji Wenyue shook her head frantically, tears falling even faster.

“Foolish child, you’re a medicinal genius—don’t you know that all medicine carries some toxicity? A healthy person can endure the potency, using strong organs to absorb the essence and expel the dross.”

“But my body now is like a house full of leaks—apply even a little force, and it won’t repair itself—it’ll collapse immediately, and I’ll be dead.”

“I understand your filial devotion, but fate is fate—what can we do?” Ji Yuanzhen smiled bitterly.

“According to Elder’s words, if the medicine’s potency is gentle enough, could your body still slowly recover?” Xia Daoming asked, a thought stirring in his mind.

“Theoretically, yes—but in this world, what medicine is truly gentle? Unless it’s Immortal rice, which nourishes life like spring rain, silent and unseen.”

“But who among mortals could ever dream of Immortal rice? Even Grand Masters who occasionally obtain a few taels to taste are already blessed beyond measure.”

“But for me? I’d need to eat it regularly, over a long period, just to have a chance at recovery—that’s pure fantasy!” Ji Yuanzhen shook his head repeatedly toward the end.

“Immortal rice really works?” Xia Daoming exclaimed in delight.

When he left the Qianjiao Martial Hall on horseback, he’d suddenly thought of something and turned back to grab some spirit rice and a handful of Fengyao grass, tying them into a bundle to carry with him—he’d planned to give them to Ji Wenyue later, so she could use them for eating and alchemy in her new home, helping her become a stronger Grand Martial Artist sooner, as double repayment for his “soft meal debt.”

“Yes, it can,” Ji Wenyue said, wiping her tears.

“Then quickly get some firewood, a small pot, and water—let’s brew some for your grandfather to help him recover.” Xia Daoming unstrapped the bundle tied to his back and opened it.

As soon as he opened it, the fragrant aroma of rice filled the air.

A pile of nearly half a dou of spirit rice glowed with tiny golden auras in the firelight, nearly blinding Ji Yuanzhen and Ji Wenyue.

The Fengyao grass had been stored separately in a box and remained unopened.

“Th-this… cough, cough!” Ji Yuanzhen was so shocked and excited he nearly couldn’t breathe.

Xia Daoming immediately patted his back gently.

If this old man died like Ding Bangning had, Xia Daoming would bear a grave sin.

Fortunately, Ji Yuanzhen finally caught his breath and gasped: “Spirit rice! This is spirit rice!”

Isn’t that obvious?

Xia Daoming was speechless.