C14 He Was a Master!

After taking a hit from Liu Changqing, Tang Qingcheng was the picture of misery, trudging back to the Tang family home alongside Tang Qingshan, his face smeared with dirt.

Upon their arrival, the expectant Tang family members quickly approached, inquiring, "Has Master Liu arrived?"

"Grandfather, perhaps you should ask Tang Qingcheng directly," Tang Qingshan suggested with a cold snort, casting a disgruntled glance at Tang Qingcheng.

"What happened?" Tang Zhenye, ever perceptive, sensed the tension. Observing Tang Qingshan's demeanor, he turned his probing gaze to a disheveled Tang Qingcheng and pressed for an answer.

"Grandfather... I..." Tang Qingcheng, riddled with guilt, couldn't bring himself to meet Tang Zhenye's eyes and hung his head low.

"Out with it, what have you done?" Tang Zhenye's anger and panic escalated.

"Grandfather, Liu Changqing is insufferably arrogant. When we approached him, he had the audacity to demand a reason! Since when has the Tang Family been so groveling? I must say, he's far too presumptuous! And just look at him; he doesn't resemble a doctor in the slightest. With all the experts we have here, I refuse to believe they can't heal Grandmother! That man is nothing but a charlatan!" Tang Qingcheng, sensing Tang Zhenye's rising ire, doubled down, besmirching Liu Changqing's reputation and branding him a fraud.

"You're calling him a fraud?" Tang Zhenye let out a derisive chuckle upon seeing Tang Qingcheng's self-righteous stance.

"Tang Xingqiu, take a good look at the son you've raised!" Tang Xingqiu, who was standing nearby, received a pointed look from the elder, who then shot Tang Qingcheng a look of deep disappointment. Tang Xingqiu moved closer to Tang Zhenye and attempted to mediate, "Dad, Qingcheng may act impulsively at times, but he's not one to cause trouble without reason. There might well be a misunderstanding here. For all we know, Liu Changqing could indeed be a fraud."

Tang Qingshan silently scoffed at his aunt's defense of her son. Was she truly oblivious to her son's true character?

"Dad, should I reach out to the experts in the capital again?"

Tang Xingye, ever the picture of composure, stepped forward to suggest.

"No need! Bringing in more experts is pointless! If your mother's illness could be cured, do you think I'd still be waiting? You all underestimate Mr. Liu's capabilities and have even managed to offend him! This time, you may have truly sealed your mother's fate!"

Tang Zhenye exhaled a long, helpless sigh.

"Dad, is Mr. Liu really the only one who can save Mom?"

Tang Xingye looked earnestly at Tang Zhenye.

He had seen with his own eyes how a single pill from Liu Changqing had brought his critically ill mother back from the brink. Though he had never met Liu Changqing, he was ready to trust Tang Zhenye's judgment. As things stood, there seemed to be no other option.

"Yes, there was a chance, but it's been squandered by that fool!"

Tang Zhenye was visibly distraught.

"Then, should I go and ask him myself?"

Tang Xingye offered.

"What good would that do? Mr. Liu isn't someone you can just summon on a whim," Tang Zhenye snapped back in frustration.

"Never mind, I'll go myself," he said, his anxiety for his ailing wife evident.

"I must personally atone for the mistakes he's made."

"Xingye, go to my study and bring the treasured jade to offer as an apology," Tang Zhenye instructed after a moment's thought.

"The jade from the study?"

Tang Xingye was taken aback. The jade in question was a world-class gem, a fiery red with delicate veins running through it, resembling flames dancing within. It radiated a warmth that brought comfort to the whole body upon touch.

This jade was the pride and joy of the old man, and aside from Tang Qingshan, who was occasionally allowed to handle it, it was off-limits to everyone else in the Tang family. Yet now, he was prepared to part with this treasured gem to win Liu Changqing's favor.

"Yes! A common gift won't suffice to coax Mr. Liu out of seclusion. Precious as the red jade is, your mother's life is far more valuable."

Confronted with Tang Zhenye's resolve, Tang Xingye held his peace. Wealth was fleeting, but his mother's life was priceless.

If Liu Changqing truly had the power to save his mother's life, what would it matter if it cost half of the Tang family's fortune?

"I understand, Father."

Tang Xingye nodded, then departed for Tang Zhenye's study. He carefully wrapped the red jade and accompanied Tang Zhenye to the breakfast shop where Liu Changqing worked.

Upon returning to his room, Liu Changqing was certain that the Tang family wouldn't just walk away and let things be. Without a doubt, Tang Zhenye would personally come knocking to save his wife.

Sure enough, Liu Changqing had barely practiced his cultivation for a few minutes when a knock sounded at the door.

"Changqing, we have two guests in the shop. Please come out," Zhu Zhaofeng called from outside.

"Mom, just tell them I'm busy and can't meet with them," Liu Changqing responded coolly.

He had only spared Tang Qingcheng because of Tang Zhenye's courtesy and the gift of the Nine Yin Locust Wood. Otherwise, Tang Qingcheng would have already met his end for his earlier disrespect.

By sparing Tang Qingcheng, he had settled the debt owed for the Nine Yin Locust Wood. Whatever happened with the Tang family from now on was none of his concern.

"Changqing, these two seem quite earnest. One of them is quite elderly, and he wouldn't even sit down when I offered—he insisted on seeing you. Regardless, he's an older gentleman; it doesn't seem right to keep him waiting like this."

Zhu Zhaofeng wasn't privy to the details of their conflict, but she felt compelled to advise Liu Changqing for his own good.

"I understand, Mom. Ask them to sit; I'll be out shortly," Liu Changqing said, opening his eyes and steadying the spiritual energy within him.

"Okay!"

With that, Zhu Zhaofeng departed.

Inside the breakfast shop, Tang Zhenye walked the aisle with a grave look, anxious that Liu Changqing might refuse to see him.

"Dad, what's the story with this Mr. Liu?"

Tang Xingye couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. He had never seen his father so concerned, so visibly shaken. Even with his mother's life in peril, it was unlike his typically composed father to show such distress.

"He is someone we all look up to! Xingye, you're aware that our Tang family is a branch of the prestigious Tang family in the capital. So, tell me, who holds the highest esteem there?" Tang Zhenye paused and fixed his gaze on Tang Xingye.

"That's a no-brainer. It's Udruesau's War God, Yang Haotian!" Tang Xingye answered promptly.

"And why is Yang Haotian so revered? What earned him the title of War God?"

"Well, it's all about Yang Haotian's formidable strength. Rumor has it his power is so immense that he alone can defend Udruesau's gates, striking fear into our enemies, preventing them from even thinking of invading!"

Mentioning Yang Haotian brought a look of deep respect to Tang Xingye's eyes.

"Yang Haotian is just 35, yet he's already reached the Master level. He's the nation's shield, honored as Udruesau's War God. The stability and growth we've seen in recent years owe much to him! His very presence thwarts any petty foe who might contemplate an assault. But did you know? Liu Changqing is also a Master!" Tang Zhenye's voice was tinged with excitement.

"What? He's a Master too?!"

The revelation left Tang Xingye utterly astounded. He knew all too well what being a Master signified. How many Masters could there be across the whole of Udruesau? Only a handful!

The thought of crossing a Master sent a shiver down Tang Xingye's spine, his back breaking out in a cold sweat. He dared not contemplate it any further.