Chapter 2774: with translation of chapter title

2575 912, Zheng Ren

At the foot of the mountain, Master Yan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he looked at several elderly people.

"Everyone, I've already explained the situation," Master Yan said. "There have been major changes in the mountains; I cannot entertain you all. Please go back for now. We'll gather again another day, and I will make amends."

"Master Yan, we've come all this way..." a stout, red‑faced elder said awkwardly, "It's just in time for the grand event..."

He spoke haltingly, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Master Yan faced the few people, smiling, and said, "I've come to welcome Boss Zheng up the mountain for a small gathering, and to inform you all that this is a family matter, not convenient to disclose; please go back."

"Master Yan, I've traveled a thousand miles just to get a glimpse," said a gaunt‑looking elder as he sat on the ground, his complexion terrible; after uttering a single sentence, he began to cough.

His lips were bluish‑purple, a frightening sight.

"You Shixiong, are you speaking to me?" Master Yan's smile remained unchanged, but his tone grew heavier.

The seated elder's facial muscles twitched a few times, but he remained silent.

"Are you trying to take advantage of the chaos, thinking the mountain gate's formation is completely destroyed, hoping to wipe out our lineage?"

"If you have the courage, come forward; if not, scatter."

Master Yan surveyed all directions; his aged body seemed to harbor boundless power. Facing the several elders and their companions, he showed no fear.

Several vehicles drove in from the distant mountains; Master Yan smiled slightly and said, "The guests have arrived; please excuse my inadequate hospitality."

Having said that, Master Yan walked forward slowly with his hands behind his back.

The seated elder's face showed a hint of malice, but he forcibly suppressed it within a few breaths.

They all knew what had happened yesterday, but none dared to confirm whether that person was still in the mountains or would take action.

Something that hadn't occurred in hundreds of years initially just drew people to see the excitement, but because the Yan family kept their doors shut, it gave rise to various thoughts.

Caught in inner turmoil, the gaunt, sinister‑looking elder finally restrained his inner agitation and decided to wait and see.

Master Yan paid no heed to the surrounding people, whether they looked fearful or greedy, standing at the roadside with a slight bow.

The distance was still far, yet he maintained a respectful posture, waiting for the black vehicle to approach.

The people at the mountain's base exchanged puzzled looks; Master Yan's deference seemed excessively low, especially since it was said that Boss Zheng was merely an ordinary person—why would Master Yan behave this way?

This is no longer ordinary respect; humility mixed with unparalleled reverence, perhaps akin to how he once faced his own master.

The black vehicle slowly drove up and stopped before Master Yan.

"Master Yan, what are you doing?" Zheng Ren said, stepping out of the car somewhat embarrassed.

"Boss Zheng, I'm sorry for the inconvenience last night with household affairs. Today at this small gathering, you must have a drink," Master Yan laughed loudly.

When the topic of drinking came up, Zheng Ren's complexion suddenly changed.

The matter of tonic water loomed over Zheng Ren like a dark cloud, occasionally flashing with lightning.

His liver and kidney functions suffered acute damage, though not quite to the point of failure; Zheng Ren didn't want this to happen again. Drinking? Even Director Pan couldn't persuade him to have a glass.

It's just that Master Yan was being overly polite—an elderly person bowing and waiting just for a drink...

Zheng Ren felt a bit embarrassed; suddenly inspired, he glanced around and thought he saw two red system panels.

Let's just let it slide; perhaps Master Yan will forget about it. We certainly can't agree outright—when we go up the mountain, we'll explain the situation to Master Yan privately; I truly cannot drink.

Just thinking about drinking makes Zheng Ren quite cautious.

Zheng Ren gave an embarrassed laugh, and Su Yun behind him said, "Master Yan, my boss can't drink; may I accompany you instead?"

"This is a great joy..." Master Yan hadn't finished speaking when he saw Zheng Ren turn his head, his gaze falling on the seated elder.

That elder bore a sinister expression, seemingly still caught in inner turmoil. His eyes fixed on Zheng Ren, the whites surrounding the pupils on all sides, with the pupils floating isolated—three whites are rare, and this four‑white appearance is even rarer.

"This old gentleman," Zheng Ren said, looking at the elder with a smile as he approached.

"Hmm? Who is this young man?" the sinister elder asked, feigning ignorance.

"Zheng..." Master Yan started to grab Zheng Ren, but after uttering a single syllable he paused, as if lost in thought, following behind Zheng Ren with his gray‑white hair fluttering in the wind.

"912, Zheng Ren," Zheng Ren laughed, "You usually live up in the mountains, right?"

The sinister‑looking elder frowned, gave a slight nod, his thoughts racing—what on earth does this person intend to do?!

He was asking knowingly; the person before him, whom Master Yan treated so courteously, must be the one who assisted Master Tan in achieving daytime ascension.

Is he looking for trouble? The sinister elder cautiously lifted his gaze toward Zheng Ren, staying on guard.

"That's it," Zheng Ren nodded. "Your condition should be checked at a hospital; perhaps there's still a solution. And he..."

As he spoke, Zheng Ren glanced at the sturdy man behind the elder.

"You need to go now; you still have a chance."

"What did you say!" the strong man snapped, his eyes bulging like copper bells as he glared at Zheng Ren.

"You're sick; you definitely need to go to the hospital," Zheng Ren said flatly. "Since you came from the mountains, I suspect my guess is correct."

Su Yun stood behind Zheng Ren, watching the two men ahead, his gaze continually assessing them through the black hair on his forehead; yet Su Yun didn't understand and felt doubtful.

"Have your muscles and joints been hurting lately? Just these past few days?" Zheng Ren asked.

"You're just pretending to be mystical," the strong man rebuked.

"Your spirits aren't what they used to be, and you constantly feel fatigued?" Zheng Ren smiled and continued, "It's not mere pretense—you've just fallen ill, or perhaps you're in the incubation period; go to the hospital and take medicine for a few days and you'll be fine. As for this elder... he's been ill too long; medication can only control it, not cure it."

Master Yan frowned, not doubting Zheng Ren's words, but quietly introduced: "Boss Zheng, they are members of the You family from Nanyang."

"Tropical regions are more prone to problems," Zheng Ren said, ignoring the You family that even Master Yan has to contend with, and added gently, "Your neck lymph nodes are swollen, and you have red spots on your hands. I ask, do those spots spread?"

"..." the strong man stared, stunned for a moment.

Zheng Ren nodded and said, "It looks like my guess was right: migratory erythema, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue. Other symptoms don't matter now; considering it's early-stage Lyme disease, we need to get to the hospital quickly, and a 1‑ to 2‑week course of penicillin will cure it."

And you. Zheng Ren looked at the old man sitting on the ground, his face sinister, "Come along as well; although it can't be cured completely, performing a Shou Bing can ease the joint pain."