RETURNING FROM THE IMMORTAL WORLD

Chapter 491 - Chapter 500

Chapter 491: Han Qingwu's Transformation

As a fragrant smell fluttered out of the villa, Tang Xiu said with a smile, "It seems the two housemaids Chi Nan hired are very good cooks. Merely its smell aroused my appetite already. Anyways, let's go inside and have a bite first."

"You were looking for a housemaid, and you even hired two now?" Asked Mu Wanying, surprised.

"I thought Tang Xiaojin and the rest would live here for some time. I didn't expect that someone would come to Shanghai, so I gave them to their care. The two housemaids were originally hired to take care of their daily life, but since that person came and took them away, I don't have the heart to drive those two out either, so I let them stay. Besides, the villa still needs some people for the cleaning."

Mu Wanying quickly asked, "Oh, who took Tang Xiaojin and the rest? Where would they be taken to exactly? Weren't those five adopted by you? How..."

"I indeed adopted them, but I don't have time to take care of them," Tang Xiu interrupted her and said. "So I arranged someone to take care of them, so they won't have any problems at all."

Despite looking doubtful, Mu Wanying eventually nodded and said, "When can I see them again?"

"You'll have opportunity to see them later!" Said Tang Xiu.

After the dinner, Chen Zhizhong stayed in the courtyard and continued practicing the body tempering technique, whereas Mu Wanying pulled Tang Xiu to take a stroll outside. Mu Wanying said that it was to help digest the food.

However, just as the duo left the villa complex, Tang Xiu's mobile phone rang. What made him puzzled was that the number on the display was unfamiliar.

"Tang Xiu speaking, may I know who am I speaking with?"

"Tang Xiu, where are you now?" From the cell phone, Han Qingwu's voice came out.

With slightly furrowed brows, Tang Xiu slowly said, "I'm at Bluestar Villa Complex right now."

"Wait for me, I'll be there right away."

After saying that, Han Qingwu hung up the phone.

Looking at Tang Xiu who had fallen into a daze while holding his phone, Mu Wanying touched him with her elbow and curiously asked, "Who was that? To think that she can make you fall into a daze like that?"

"It's Han Qingwu," answered Tang Xiu after he came back to his senses.

"Your class' teacher-in-charge? What does she want from you, calling you this late?" Asked Mu Wanying.

"I don't know," said Tang Xiu, shaking his head. "She only said that she would be coming over, yet she didn't tell me what she wants. Wanying, would it be alright with you if you stroll by yourself? I'm going back to wait for her!"

After thinking for a short while, Mu Wanying shook her head and said, "Let's just go back together!"

"All right, then," Tang Xiu nodded.

After half an hour, Han Qingwu arrived at the villa complex in a car. She asked Tang Xiu's villa number and drove straight there. When she entered the courtyard's front gave and saw Chen Zhizhong, who was practicing martial arts, her brows creased, yet she didn't pay much attention and went straight to the villa's hall.

"Tang Xiu, let's talk."

Han Qingwu's expression was one of seriousness and solemnness as she stared at Tang Xiu, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"What do you want to talk about?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"I wanna talk about..." said Han Qingwu.

Her words abruptly came to a halt as her vision moved. Disbelief showed inside her eyes as she saw Mu Wanying wiping her wet hair with a dry towel. The pajamas she was wearing, particularly, made her fall into a daze.

"Have you been good, Teacher Han?" Mu Wanying chuckle. "I heard from Tang Xiu that you were coming over. So I came out to greet you since we know each other."

Feeling somewhat irritated inside, Han Qingwu slightly frowned and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I'm temporarily staying here," said Mu Wanying with a smile.

Han Qingwu turned to Tang Xiu. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Are you two in love or something?"

"Someone once hurt me too deeply, making me not want to fall in love again. Wanying, go rest in your room! Teacher Han came to see me, and I believe she has something important to talk about," said Tang Xiu lightly.

"I will no longer disturb you then, Teacher Han," said Mu Wanying with a chuckle.

Han Qingwu gazed at Mu Wanying's back until she disappeared in the doorway to the hall. Then, she suddenly turned to Tang Xiu and inquired, "You just said that someone had once hurt you too deeply, was that person called Xue Qingcheng?"

Tang Xiu's complexion drastically changed. He abruptly got up from the sofa and a cold glint burst in his eyes, as he sternly said in a heavy voice, "Tell me, what do you know?"

Han Qingwu carefully observed Tang Xiu's expression. After a few minutes of silence, she shook her head and said, "I only know this name."

"I want to hear the truth!!!" Said Tang Xiu coldly.

"It's the truth. The pictures that sprung up inside my mind were rather baffling and confusing. And these days, I've made them clear. Although I don't know how these pictures appeared in my head, one thing for sure, it's absolutely related to me. Then again, there are two names. One being Xue Qingcheng and the other Tang Xiu. These two names are seemingly very important to me, even more important than myself."

Gazing deeply into her eyes before retracting back his gaze, Tang Xiu then sat back on the sofa. He pointed to the sofa across him and said, "Have a seat! Coming to look for me this late, I believe that this is not the only thing you want to talk to me."

After Han Qingwu taking a seat, she then said with all seriousness, "Tang Xiu, I hope you can tell me something. It's regarding these pictures I see in my head. Don't deny it. You definitely know something, because your name appears inside my head!"

"Hasn't my name already appeared in your mind after I saved you from the car accident at that time? Why are you asking about it now?" Asked Tang Xiu lightly.

Han Qingwu shook her head, "This is not what I'm talking about. It's something about you and Xue Qingcheng."

"SHUT UP!" Tang Xiu angrily yelled.

Han Qingwu stared blankly. Suddenly, a bright smile appeared on her serious face, as she looked deeply at Tang Xiu and said, "It seems that the person who has hurt you is really her. And you also know something about these pictures inside my head. Just tell me! I want to know what happened to you, and what relation does it have with me?"

"You have no right to know that," said Tang Xiu coldly.

"No, I have!" Said Han Qingwu. "These pictures appeared in my head and seriously affected me. These pictures have begun to affect my life, too; even my personally got influenced by it. Do you want to see something? This is what I learned from them, and is a method a normal human can never learn!"

Having said that, Han Qingwu slowly raised her right hand, as several empty glasses on the table between the two quietly floated several centimeters above the tabletop and stayed there motionlessly.

"You..." Tang Xiu was dumbfounded and looked at Han Qingwu in disbelief. He asked, "How did you do that?"

"I don't know, either. Since the last time the pictures appeared in my head again I felt like there was a warm current flowing inside my body, and I could control it. After seeing a few particular pictures, I then learned to release that warm current, so that I can control some things. However, there is another problem with my body."

Just as she finished speaking, she slapped her hand on the tempered glass of the coffee table, causing it to crack with her palm as the center.

Bang...

The coffee table disintegrated, scattering on the floor.

Tang Xiu abruptly got up. Never once had he imagined that his singing and zither play at the freshmen welcoming party of Shanghai University would cause so many astonishing changes to Han Qingwu. That method she had just displayed was not what a normal person could do.

"Give me your wrist!" Said Tang Xiu in a deep voice.

Without hesitating, Han Qingwu extended her wrist.

Tang Xiu checked her pulse. While sensing it, he released his spiritual sense inside Han Qingwu's body. After observation, he indeed found an abundant qi flowing inside Han Qingwu's meridians, yet it was circulating voluntarily, and the circulation route was akin to a basic route in cultivation techniques.

It's the first level route of the Profound Art Nine Ice?

Tang Xiu's mouth twitched, and then he released Han Qingwu's wrist before sitting back on the sofa. Through his observation, he had already confirmed that what Han Qingwu learned was truly the top cultivation technique World Xue Qingcheng had practiced in the Immortal during that time. It was him who had imparted this cultivation technique to Xue Qingcheng.

As of now, due to the True Primordial Qi inside Han Qingwu's body automatically circulating according to the route of the Profound Art of Nine Ice's first level, it not only it made her able to display the ability to control objects, it also changed her system as well. Therefore, she was able to smash the tempered glass coffee table into smithereens with only a slight slap of her hand.

While sitting back on her seat, Han Qingwu's eyes fixedly stared at Tang Xiu, as she asked, "Tell me, what on Earth is this, exactly? Though I can feel that the physical changes that happened to me is not a bad thing, yet I'm still anxious and worried."

"What I want to know the most is not the changes in your body, but your mind!" Tang Xiu shook his head. "Some things can be directly solved if you can recover your memories completely. Nevertheless, I can give you more time so that you can slowly recover them. I'm sure that one day, sooner or later, you will remember everything."

Stunned, Han Qingwu knitted her brows and asked, "Recover my memories? You said that those confusing pictures inside my mind are my... memories?"

"You will naturally know it later whether those are your memories or not. Look, what I can tell you is that the physical changes that are happening to you will not give you any harm, it will benefit you instead. You can rest assured about that!" Said Tang Xiu lightly.

"Tang Xiu, don't you dare fool me," said Han Qingwu.

Tang Xiu's expression turned cold as he detachedly said, "How am I supposed to fool you, huh? The changes happening to your body is your problem, to begin with. What does it have to do with me, anyway? If anything, you came to my place so late at night to look for me, asking me some questions, and I have just answered all of them. And you're still questioning me now?"

"I don't understand. Why did you hide the most important things, anyway?" Asked Han Qingwu and. "However, what I'm sure about is that you are not an ordinary person, either. Otherwise, it's impossible for you to recover from your shock so quickly after you suddenly saw my special ability. Even after you checked my pulse you were certain that the physical changes that are happening to me is a good thing."

Chapter 492: An Attempt to...

Despite the turbulent emotions inside him, Tang Xiu kept his expression calm on the surface. He looked at the serious expression on Han Qingwu's face and indifferently said, "Regardless of whether I'm an ordinary person or not, likewise, it has nothing to do with you either. Han Qingwu, I still remember telling you that you are you and I am me, haven't I? I hope that we can keep a certain distance between the two of us."

"But why?!" Han Qingwu suddenly got up. There was anger on her beautiful face. She didn't know why would her heart feel pained after hearing what Tang Xiu said .

"It's nothing. It's just that I... I'm looking at you as my teacher. There's a generation gap between us. Furthermore, there are also some precedents because of it. Because we've already met when I was your student and you were the teacher-in-charge of my class in the past, which have caused so many gossips and slanders recently. So I don't want us to be too close and be misunderstood by others."

Staring at Tang Xiu intensely, Han Qingwu loudly said, "I'm a woman, yet I'm not afraid of it! You're a man, so what exactly are you afraid of? Whoever misunderstands it, just let them misunderstand it! Even if we live together without getting married, who the hell gives a damn care about that, anyway?"

"You..."

Even in his wildest dreams Tang Xiu had never dreamt that Han Qingwu could speak such a thing. Looking at her angry expression, he immediately got up and said, "Teacher Han, we are all grown ups. We need to see things through with a clear head here. Even if you don't take me into your consideration, I believe that I have the rights to speak for myself, don't you think? If we get too close, it will affect me and... and the feeling I have with my girlfriend. You also saw her coming to my place to stay here, didn't you? She didn't say anything although you came here so late at night, yet I'm pretty sure that she must be irritated and feeling vexed about it."

"Your... your girlfriend?" Han Qingwu muttered while glancing in disbelief at the corridor where Mu Wanying just vanished a while ago.

"Yeah, Mu Wanying is my girlfriend." Tang Xiu steeled his heart as he nodded. "Don't tell me that you don't understand? With her personality, how could she possibly stay here with me if she is not my girlfriend? It's just that we don't want to expose it to anyone. But now, you just forced me to say that, so I can only be frank and honest with you."

Han Qingwu raised her hand to cover her chest. She felt like she had lost something very important to her all of a sudden. Amid that feeling of loss, there was also a stabbing pain that was exceedingly difficult to describe in words.

"I... I understand."

She turned away and left. Her expression looked extraordinarily vacant as she walked away. It was as if she had lost her soul, to the extent that she didn't take her car that was parked outside the courtyard, and just walking away muddle-headedly.

Tang Xiu followed her from behind, albeit quietly. After walking out of the courtyard, he watched her increasingly thin back, and secretly sighed inside. He knew that Han Qingwu was Xue Qingcheng, for the memory when he got ambushed in the Immortal World was something impossible for him to forget.

Therefore, what he felt toward Han Qingwu was very complicated. Gratitude, hatred, loss... and all sorts of emotions came flooding his heart. It was like all kinds of emotions were constantly rising and surging inside him.

"Master, did you have a quarrel or something?"

Coming quietly to Tang Xiu's side, Chen Zhizhong looked at Han Qingwu's back with a somewhat pitying expression.

Tang Xiu nodded, and then shook his head. After Han Qingwu's back vanished in the far corner, he sighed, "Some grievances and resentments are very complicated. Go follow her! Don't let her get into an accident on her way back home."

"All right!"

Despite realizing that he had no rights to interfere with Tang Xiu's emotional problems, Chen Zhizhong still carried out his orders and quickly returned to the courtyard. He took up his coat and put it on, as he then strode toward the direction where Han Qingwu had just gone.

As for Tang Xiu, he returned to the living room and found that Mu Wanying had come out of her room. She was now sitting on the sofa, seemingly pondering about something, yet it was unknown what she was thinking about. Had it been before, Tang Xiu might have asked about it to her, but now he didn't feel like asking her anything, and only wanted to return to his room for some peace of mind.

"I already told you long ago that she likes you, Tang Xiu."

Mu Wanying's voice suddenly rang behind Tang Xiu.

Tang Xiu's pace came to a halt as he turned to look at Mu Wanying, who was now standing, and calmly replied, "Sorry about using your name as my girlfriend just now. It was just I need to shake Han Qingwu off from me."

"Why did you do that? It shouldn't be necessary, right?" Asked Mu Wanying with a bitter smile. "Although I do not hope that you can be together with Han Qingwu, yet using this reason to reject her will hurt her very much."

"There's something I heard before, that the complicated feelings between two people had better be cut constantly, for it would be better to cut a tangled knot with a sharp knife and end the complicated emotional factors. I have my own life and she has her own. So I'm waiting for her to find her husband, and then I'll also build my own family, so we both can, and will forget each other's existence. Do you know the most terrifying thing in this world?" Said Tang Xiu indifferently.

"What is it?" Asked Mu Wanying.

"It's time! Time can heal and wipe away all wounds, yet time is also able to make one forget a lot of things," answered Tang Xiu.

Time?

Mu Wanying shook her head, "If people can live for a millennium or even ten millenniums, I may be able to accept your opinion. However, the lifespan of a human is but only a hundred years at the most. Even for some feelings that are too deeply carved into ones' bones and deeply engraved into their hearts, the passage of time, won't be enough to erase them, even after decades have passed. In their hearts, those pains will be remembered forever, and their love will always be buried deep inside."

Tang Xiu fell into silence.

He knew that Mu Wanying was right. Those grand and fabulous words he just said were just to convince himself to forget Han Qingwu, yet how could he ever forget her?

Suddenly, he felt that he was a bit ridiculous and laughable, to think that the idea of deceiving himself would actually pass by his own mind. Looking at himself in the mirror now, he realized that even if he had the intention to live as he willed it, now it seemed that it would be too hard.

While looking at the silent Tang Xiu, a dazzling smile suddenly appeared on Mu Wanying's beautiful face. She lightly stepped forward and smilingly said, "Tang Xiu, you're the Heaven's favored one in my heart, the most outstanding man I've ever met. I really want to take this chance when you are in the most unstable mental state to get into your heart. Maybe this is the best chance I'll ever have in my life. How about it? Become my man, and I'll become your woman. If you would like to, shall we get a marriage certificate tomorrow?"

"Huh? Are you getting a fever or something?"

Tang Xiu didn't want to elaborate more on this particular topic, as he intentionally raised his hand to touch Mu Wanying's forehead and said with a smile.

Mu Wanying let out a faint smile. As if seemingly outguessing Tang Xiu, she still kept on drilling, "Don't try to change the subject, will you? I don't have a fever, I'm very healthy and sane. I know you are kind of helpless since you don't want to get entangled with so many outstanding women. If you were to marry me, you can have a reason to justify yourself to them. So why not do it?"

The smile on Tang Xiu's face slowly fading away. He looked at Mu Wanying's extremely beautiful face as he stepped back and shook his head, "I'm sorry. I can't give you my feelings."

"We can put aside the sentimental issue for now. I believe that as long as I can have your body, I can also have your heart sooner or later," said Mu Wanying.

"Do you really think you can have my heart if you can possess my body?" Tang Xiu shook his head yet again.

"Maybe not, but how can I know if I don't give it a try?" Said Mu Wanying. "If I win, then you will be completely mine. And if I lose, I'll still admit it, regardless."

Tang Xiu turned around and ascended the stairs, leaving only a few words to Mu Wanying, "I don't think you need to try it anymore, for someone has already taken possession of my body, despite not having my heart. The matter that gnaws my heart still cannot be untied, and even if there are more people knocking on my door, I still cannot give them my heart."

Mu Wanying was frozen, dumbfounded.

Everything she said tonight all came from the bottom of her heart, yet she never expected that Tang Xiu would unexpectedly give her such an answer.

Who was it?

She really wanted to find out who the woman was. She felt faintly envious toward the woman who could get Tang Xiu's body, even though she was unable to get his heart.

This night, Mu Wanying was struck with insomnia. So was Han Qingwu.

As for Han Qingwu who looked like losing her mind, she walked aimlessly and and in a muddle-headed state for a very long time. Only after she was almost hit by a car on the driveway did she snap back to her senses, as she was saved by Chen Zhizhong who came to the rescue.

After she returned to her place, Han Qingwu soaked herself in the bathtub for a very long time, yet it was like she was being enveloped by a bulb of Death qi. Then, still looking vacant and muddleheaded, she crawled out of the bathtub, putting on pajamas, and laid herself down on the bed with her eyes open until dawn.

****

The next morning, Tang Xiu went to the campus. After exchanging some books in the library, he chatted with Yue Kai, Xue Chao, and some others, and then called Chen Zhizhong to begin his trip back to Star City.

At South Gate Town...

A good smell fluttered into Tang Xiu's nose just as he entered the house, causing his heart to turn particularly calm at this moment.

A mother is truly an existence a family must have!

For the 10,000 years he had lived in the Immortal World, he had always dreamed of going back home; wishing to smell the fragrance of food made by his mother after he struggled in the outside world. Back then, he always wanted to see that familiar back, and seeing her everlasting young face. Suddenly, he realized that he was truly laughable for having such chaotic feelings affected him. No matter what he had encountered in the past, he had already returned back home now and was truly living in the same world as his mother's.

"Xiu'er, where is your baggage?" Asked Tang Yunde with a faint smile while walking down the stairs, as he looked at Tang Xiu who came back empty-handed.

As of now, Tang Xiu didn't want to tell him the matter with the interspatial ring, so he casually fabricated a reason. Nevertheless, he was actually feeling warm in the inside. Back then, never had a chance to taste a fatherly love was also one of his regret. But now, not only was he able to return to his mother's side after he returned, that regret was also made up by his father's love. These were all the reasons that he felt warm inside.

"Dad, where's Mom?"

"She's cooking in the kitchen. We knew you were coming back, and she, she just rejected everything I told he even if I already told her that I'd handle it," said Tang Yunde smilingly.

Tang Xiu let out a smile and walked into the kitchen door. There, he saw the back of his busy mother, Su Lingyun. As if she had heard the sounds of his footsteps, Su Lingyun turned her head toward him.

"Xiu'er, you're back!!! Go wash your hands. I'll quickly fry a dish for you!"

"All right, Mom!" Tang Xiu smilingly replied, and then turned toward the bathroom with a happy look on his face.

The dinner was only attended by their family of three, yet the atmosphere was harmonious and overflowed with joy. This kind of atmosphere not only filled Tang Xiu's heart with warmth, even Su Lingyun who was recalling the past days got affected. Some certain moments made her eyes turn red, but the smile on her face was particularly dazzling.

Chapter 493: Lay Out

The 11th was a red-letter day and the sun was shining brightly, while the atmosphere seemed to be filled with a cheerful and merry mood. After Tang Xiu drove away from South Gate Town, he went straight to the Magnificent Tang Corp's General HQ. However, he was quite helpless, because the four security guards at the entrance didn't recognize him at all.

"Sir, you cannot get in without a working card. If you're really looking for someone here, please contact that person and let him come out to pick you up. You can then go inside after registering. I hope you can cooperate and help us do our work, Sir," said a middle-aged security guard, who stood straight with a serious expression on his straight face.

"This is probably the second time I got stopped at the door of my own company. Anyhow, I won't make things difficult for you since you're so dedicated to your duty. I'll call Kang Xia and let her speak with you," said Tang Xiu with a wry smile.

Kang Xia? The General Manager?

The four security guards looked surprised. Suddenly, they realized what Tang Xiu just said. This place was his own company?

Tang Xiu dialed Kang Xia's phone, saying that he got stopped at the entrance. Amidst Kang Xia's laughter, he gave the phone to the security guard in front of him.

A short while after, the security guard's expression turned into that of shock, then repeatedly nodded. Following that, he gave the phone back to Tang Xiu with a respectful manner and said, "Boss, please forgive us. We didn't know who you were before."

Tang Xiu patted his shoulder and smilingly said, "No worries. You did a good job. If you were to allow me inside without knowing who I am, then I would have questioned your ability and professionalism. Keep up the good work and the Magnificent Tang Corporation will surely treat you fairly."

Having said that, he stepped inside under the security guards' excited gazes. The business building and area now belonged entirely to the Magnificent Tang Corp. as its home office, yet Tang Xiu didn't know what method Kang Xia used, nor did he know how much money she spent. Shortly put, all the companies that were originally stationed in this edifice had all been moved out.

"Well, how was it, Boss? How does it feel not being allowed to enter your own building?"

Just as Tang Xiu came out of the elevator, he saw Kang Xia outside, smiling and looking happy. There was also Andy with her, whose eyes were especially bright. Nevertheless, Kang Xia's comment made Tang Xiu squeeze out a wry smile yet again.

Shortly after, the trio then came to the General Manager Office. After Kang Xia gave up her seat to Tang Xiu, she placed a stack of documents on the table and said, "Boss, some of these documents contain information about the financial state of our Magnificent Tang Corp since we started making profits. A few others are about the forces that have dispatched their investigation teams aimed at our Magnificent Tang Corp. Please have a look at them first, then we'll have a discussion about that."

Nodding in response, Tang Xiu then pointed to the sofa at the corner and said, "Please wait for me there. I'll read them first."

After a full two hours, Tang Xiu had finished reading all the information Kang Xia gave him. He got up and walked to the sofa in front of Kang Xia and Andy, and then sat down. After lighting a cigarette and taking a puff, he said, "The income of our company is quite good. At present our pockets can be considered to be quite plenty. Anyhow, there's something that piqued my curiosity, though. That is about those dozens company that used to be stationed in this edifice. What means did you employ to get them out?"

"Well, shortly put, benefits are prime motives," said Kang Xia with a chuckle. "Everyone comes due to profits and prosperity, and it is also commonly believed that another motive for people's activities in many cases is to seek reputation and the like. Thus, in this case, benefits, personal connections, and circumstances played their roles. I offered them a batch of Gods Nectar. That was what made them willing to move out."

Giving her a thumbs up, Tang Xiu praised, "Making you work for me and give your best for the company was truly the right choice. Anyhow, let us not talk about the financial affairs now. I've read all the information on the forces against our company. As of tonight, there will be a group of experts coming to Star City. I will need to make some arrangements, and then solve all those people."

"How are you going to solve them?" Asked Kang Xia, doubtful.

"I'll make them vanish from the world," said Tang Xiu lightly.

"Are you going to kill them all, Boss?" Asked Kang Xia quickly, shocked.

"Nah, killing them is not a good idea," said Tang Xiu, shaking his head. "I'm preparing to pack them up and send them out of the country and quietly have them work at a mining area in Africa for several years. We will only let them go several years later, after the Magnificent Tang Corp possess plenty of power and capital. When that time comes, they will not be a threat to us anymore."

"I don't think this is a good idea," Kang Xia hesitated. "After all, if we only capture a group, others will keep coming at us. This method is nothing but a temporary solution that doesn't touch the root of the problem."

"Hence, like I said, I have to arrange something in advance. There's a saying that a fox can assume and borrow the strength and majesty of a tiger. You should understand that, right? If these forces think that we have the country involved, will they still dare to continue acting so rampant? Our products, on the other hand, will also be exported outside the country in the future, so I must also lay a few preparations in advance as well. Whoever dares to touch the Magnificent Tang Corp will have to suffer grave consequences, regardless of who they are."

With a thoughtful look, Kang Xia nodded and smiled, "All right. I'm quite relieved since you're handling the matter, Boss."

"Don't flatter me, alright?" Tang Xiu chuckled. "For now, immediately tell all the top executives of our company that the Italian Mafia Syndicate—Cubo Clan, and the United States' Brauns Group have been trying to buy them. I need to talk with them."

Kang Xia complied with the instruction and immediately took out her phone.

A few minutes later, four middle-aged men and women came to the General Manager's office. When they saw Tang Xiu there, their eyes immediately lit up and turned excited. Prior to this, these top executives had been restless and uneasy inside, afraid of those people who had been trying to buy them, yet they couldn't get a satisfactory answer from the company as for how to respond. But now, since the very Boss himself unexpectedly showed up, it was evident that he would act to solve this problem.

"Boss!" The four respectfully greeted.

"I remember all of you. Aside from Supervisor Yu Sasha, the three of you also attended our Magnificent Tang Corp's celebration party. That time you were all fighting against those troublemakers, too. For the case this time, I also learned from Kang Xia that you all have done a very good job in responding to the matter. That's great! I'm very happy to have dedicated senior executives like you all."

Upon hearing Tang Xiu call out her name, Yu Sasha smilingly said, "I did join in the fight that time, Boss. I used a wine bottle to smash them!"

Tang Xiu laughed, "You're great! Anyhow, there is an important task I want to give you. I just don't know whether you dare to accept it!"

"What task is it, Boss?" Asked Yu Sasha curiously.

"I'll give you a stack information for you to sell to those guys. After you get the money, tell them that some people from the State Special Department are currently eyeing them, so they must quickly leave after they get what they want," said Tang Xiu.

The four executives exchanged dismayed looks. None of them understood why would Tang Xiu plan such a thing.

Seeing their confusion, Tang Xiu smiled lightly and said, "Relax! The information is fake; it's main purpose is to make them confused. Additionally, I need them to spread out the news to their homeland that our State Special Department is involved in this matter."

"Are you trying to scare them out, Boss?" Asked Yu Sasha. "If they find that the information is fake, won't they be angered and retaliate against us?"

"I have something up my sleeve; they will never retaliate. I came this time exactly to solve this trouble and make sure it ends here, so that our Magnificent Tang Corp can enter its development track faster."

"We'll do it, Boss!" Said a middle-aged man executive seriously.

"However much you can sell this information for, all of the money will belong to you. I hope you can seize this opportunity," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

"Really?"

The four looked surprised. It was commonly known that men would die for riches, just as birds would die for food. Those people attempting to buy them had offered them quite a huge amount of money, so they were absolutely willing to take risks if that money would belong to them. What was more, it was not betrayal and was only a means to deal with the enemy. Thus, they would have no psychological burden nor have a guilty conscience in doing so.

****

At noon.

Inside a certain guest room at the Long's Dining Hall in Star City, two executives of the Cubo Clan were standing calmly before the window, observing the movements outside the room. There were also four burly men in black suits standing on both sides of the door with serious expressions on their faces, looking like a pair of bodyguards.

"Big Brother, do you think that Supervisor from the Magnificent Tang Corp will really sell the Gods Nectar formula to us? There are only five minutes left to the appointment, yet she hasn't appeared till now," Alessandro furrowed his brows deeply as his eyes kept scanning the entrance below.

Ashberford grimly smiled, "She must know how frightening we are. Now that she has promised to cooperate with us, I'm pretty sure she will bring what we want."

"What if she deceives us and gives a fake? We're getting the formula for the Gods Nectar, but we can't verify the authenticity of the formula at all," said Alessandro with a doubtful expression.

"She will never dare!" Said Ashberford. "The Chinese have a saying that one must do or give something in return for the money that has been received. Now that she dared to receive our money, she will never dare to sell a fake; she cannot afford to face our anger. Unless she doesn't want to live any longer."

Alessandro nodded, "You're right. We, the Cubo Clan, have always been the ones bullying others. Not the other way around. Anyone who dares to trick our people only has one fate, death! However, there's something I don't understand. That woman refused our offer previously, why would she suddenly change her mind now?"

"People will die for money like birds will for food," said Ashberford with a sneer. "She may be a bit timid, but she changed her mind after considering it for a few days. Besides, the amount of money we promised her is enough for her to travel to any city in the world. Pretty much enough to enjoy a comfortable life for her lifetime, mind you."

"Yeah, that makes sense. I... Oh, she's coming," Alessandro suddenly looked at the entrance below as his eyes lit up.

"I see her, too. Our people are already waiting for her and will bring her here. Prepare the money now. We'll transfer it into her account after we get the formula. I'm hella sure that she will go to some far and remote place after she gets the money. Those fucking bastards from the Magnificent Tang Corp will definitely be bewildered, since they will never expect that their Gods Nectar formula has actually fallen into our hands," said Ashberford.

Alessandro laughed, "If the composition in this formula enable us able to brew and produce Gods Nectar, our clan will definitely be benefited greatly. By then, your campaign to become the godfather of our clan will be easy, big brother."

Chapter 494: Variables

A happy smile fully covered Ashberford's rough face. He was already fantasizing about what he'd do when he became the godfather of the clan.

There was a time in the past when their clan controlled a lot of grey businesses in Italy, among which were business that posed risks. In recent years, due to the intentions of his father to reduce their number of grey businesses, they began to massively invest in honest businesses.

Therefore, after they appraised the Gods Nectar that was touted as the best wine in the world through a "special" channel, they immediately decided to contact the Magnificent Tang Corp in an attempt to get exclusive rights for selling it in the Italy market. The result made them disappointed, however, since the Magnificent Tang Corp didn't want to cooperate with them at all.

It left them with no choice, as his father's orders were akin to imperial orders. Hence, he had to obtain the Gods Nectar's formula either by hook or crook. Since the Magnificent Tang Corp didn't want to cooperate with them, they might as well produce the wine themselves.

Ashberford was a particularly astute person, yet he was proud and conceited. He could smell enormous profits from Gods Nectar through the sales figure of the Magnificent Tang Corp. If they could get this wine for their Cubo Clan, their clan would have their wealth multiplied within several years; even their clan's strength would be enhanced further.

Such a result would aid him in running for the position of the clan's godfather.

Knock, knock...

The door was knocked. Ashberford strode forward and opened the door himself. After seeing Yu Sasha standing outside, a bright smile appeared on his rough face, as he gentlemanly said, "Welcome, Miss Yu. Please come inside."

After Yu Sasha entered the room, she directly opened the conversation, "I got some problems. The formula for the Gods Nectar can't be handed over to you for now. But rest assured that I will give it to you after you've transferred the money into my account."

Ashberford's face changed. Though he was quite upset, he tried to restrain himself and asked, "May I know what kind of problem it is?"

Yu Sasha stayed silent for a moment before answering, "Last night, the Magnificent Tang Corp.'s General Manager contacted someone from China Special Department. And now the entire Magnificent Tang Corp is under the protection of the country. If not for me getting the Gods Nectar's formula ahead of time, I would have no means to get it now."

The Chinese Government?

There was a look of fear in Ashberford's eyes. He knew perfectly well the situation in China. It would be very troublesome once the government got involved in this matter. Nevertheless, he secretly rejoiced inside because of Yu Sasha's boldness and intelligence by getting the Gods Nectar's formula ahead of time.

"Miss Yu, I believe you have figured out what kind of existence our Cubo Clan is in these last few days. I don't want to threaten you, but you should already know the fate of whoever deceives us. Give me your account number, I'll order someone to transfer the money to you now."

After thinking for a while, Yu Sasha finally told Ashberford her account number with a firm expression. The bank account she gave him, however, was not from a Chinese bank, but from a bank in Switzerland.

Several minutes later, a middle-aged man who was sitting in front of a laptop looked up and spoke to Ashberford, "Boss, this Swiss bank account is newly approved, but the name and the information are more or less the same as hers."

"That's quite a smart move, Miss Yu," said Ashberford with a laugh. "A Swiss bank may disclose some information pertaining to their clients, but most of it remains confidential. Anyhow, we have just transferred the money to this account. It's impossible for others to know that you suddenly have a huge sum of money in your account. Even if you continue working for the Magnificent Tang Corp, there won't be no danger at all if you keep your shoes dry."

"Regardless of that, we—Chinese have a saying that it's better to make a ship that can last for all time," replied Yu Sasha.

Giving her a thumbs up, Ashberford then turned his head and said, "Transfer the money to her."

"Copy that!" The middle-aged man sitting before the laptop immediately inputted a string of account numbers, and then began the transferring process via online banking. Two minutes later, 10 million USD had been transferred to Yu Sasha's account.

"Miss Yu, the money has already been transferred to you. When will you give me the Gods Nectar formula?" Asked Ashberford.

"I've taken quite a risk coming here today. It wasn't easy for me, either, because the top executives of my company are under surveillance by the people from the State Special Department. Hence, meeting during the day won't do. But I'll be at the Star City's River Street Old District at 12 o'clock tonight. I'll be waiting at the entrance of the supermarket with the Gods Nectar formula."

Ashberford nodded, "Do you mind if I send people to secretly follow you? Besides, we have already given you 10 million USD. It will be very troublesome for us if you run away, you know."

"Feel free to follow me if you want to," said Shasha lightly. "But I gotta warn you, though. Once I return to the Magnificent Tang Corp I will probably be under tight surveillance from the Chinese officials. It's best not to send people to follow me if you don't want yourself to get exposed."

"Got it. I know the situation and what to do," said Ashberford.

Yu Sasha didn't say anything more after that. She straightly left the room and vanished very quickly at the entrance of the Long's Dining Hall.

Meanwhile, the same course of the events was also taking place in another 5-star hotel ten kilometers away from there. Only, the buyer this time was not the Cubo Clan, but the person-in-charge of the Brauns Group from the United States. Certainly, a company as wealthy as the Brauns Group offered a higher price. They offered 20 million USD to buy the formulas of the Gods Nectar, Skin Care Lotion, and Scar Removal Cream.

****

Dusk arrived. Inside an auto garage shop on the River Street of Old District of Star City, more than a hundred experts of the Everlasting Feast Hall had quietly arrived there. The entire site was full of people, yet nobody spoke.

Among these people, except a dozen or so core experts of the Everlasting Feast Hall, the rest were all peripheral members. They might not be as strong as the core experts, but they were still many times more powerful than common people.

"Boss, Tie Zhongkui is reporting. Ready to accept orders!"

The valiant and powerful Tie Zhongkui finally arrived, as he stood before Tang Xiu and reported respectfully.

Nodding to him, Tang Xiu then said, "Your mission will be quite difficult, since your opponents should be very strong as well. What I'm tasking you with is to capture those people from the Cubo Clan, an Italian mafia syndicate, and the people from the Brauns Group, a United States company, who are currently in Star City. Capture all of them and send them abroad via special means, and then dump them on our mining area in Africa as forced labor. Additionally, send some people to keep them under surveillance there. In the case they are trying to escape, you can kill them."

"Consider it done, Boss," said Tie Zhongkui in a deep voice.

Tang Xiu nodded and took out two sheets of information. Handing them over to Tie Zhongkui, he said, "This is the information on the members of the Italian mafia in Star City, and the other one is on people from the United States company, Brauns Group. All of the names listed in these two documents must be captured. Certainly, this document may not have information on some of them if they haven't been investigated yet. Still, you must find all of them and drag them to the mining area in Africa."

"Affirmative!" Answered Tie Zhongkui respectfully.

Tang Xiu take a quick glance at everyone around, and said, "Twenty of you come with me. There are some arrangements that need to be done separately."

Immediately, 20 seasoned burly men stood under Tie Zhongkui's command.

Following that, Tang Xiu distributed some forged credentials that were made in the afternoon and then said in a deep tone, "Your task is very simple. You all will pose as people from the State Special Department and will appear in the vicinity of the Magnificent Tang Corp. If you guys encounter suspicious persons, do not alert the enemy. Take a look at these photos and memorize their faces. If these four were to appear, do check them out and question them. Do remember that the interrogation must be simple and casual. After that, let them leave."

"Affirmative!" The 20 strong men then memorized Tang Xiu's orders.

With all the arrangements properly placed, each and every one of them vanished from the auto garage shop. However, Tang Xiu didn't leave, but turned and walked into a room next to the repair shop.

"Has everything been arranged properly?" Asked Kang Xia with a smiling face.

"Yeah, everything's done," said Tang Xiu with a nod. "Let's wait until 12 sharp to draw all the fishes in the net."

"Are you not going to follow them?" Asked Kang Xia.

"If I still have follow them for such a trivial matter, then they are useless," Tang Xiu shook his head. "Relax! These core members of the Everlasting Feast Hall are the cream of the crop. They will definitely be able to deal with this issue easily, for they have done this many times already. I, however, am now thinking about another issue."

"What is it?" Asked Kang Xia, confused.

"It's about the people from Japan," answered Tang Xiu.

"Ah, about that Yamamoto Family from Japan. They did send people, requesting a cooperation with our Magnificent Tang Corp, but I rejected them," said Kang Xia. "There have been no other movements from them until now, though."

"I already know the situation on their side. The young lady of the Yamamoto Family, Kuwako Yamamoto, is someone under me. She received an order two days ago, assigning her to command a group of experts and come to Star City. Their purpose is the same as the Cubo Clan and Brauns Group. They are preparing to buy the top executives of our company and steal the formulas of our products."

"Oh!! When did you turn Kuwako Yamamoto into one of ours, Boss?" Asked Kang Xia, astonished.

"About a few months ago!" Said Tang Xiu.

"Is she reliable?" Asked Kang Xia again, looking worried. "It's not like I'm discriminating or something, but her people are... I'm afraid that..."

"Nah, don't worry about it. Her life is in my hands, so she will never dare to betray me," Tang Xiu waved his hand. "Besides, she also has another identity. She's the future Master of Japan's Northstar One Blade School. And I have the intention to nurture and train her well since I will use her as a springboard to control the authority and wealth of some organizations in Japan."

Knowing Tang Xiu well, Kang Xia knew that she didn't need to be worried since he was so sure about it, though she was clueless about what method Tang Xiu had employed.

"Boss, since Kuwako Yamamoto is one of us, then what exactly are you worried about?"

Chapter 495: Solving the Problems

"Kuwako Yamamoto being sent out makes me concerned. If she goes back empty-handed her status in the Yamamoto Family will be affected. Also, not only will she gain a bad reputation in the Northstar One Blade School, she will also be considered as incompetent, thus greatly impacting the acceptance of the Yamamoto and the Northstar One Blade School in the future."

"What are you gonna do about that, then?" Asked Kang Xia.

"I'm still thinking, but I don't have any idea as of yet," said Tang Xiu.

Kang Xia's expression moved as she quickly said, "Boss, that plan of ours, didn't we have some of our people act as officials from the State Special Department? Since we must deal with the Italian mafia, Cubo Clan, the United States company -- Brauns Group -- as well as a few other forces that have yet to act, why don't we keep acting as government officials and join in the play with Kuwako Yamamoto?"

"How should we do it, exactly?" Asked Tang Xiu, his expression moved.

Kang Xia faintly smiled, "If those attempting to mess with us are all wiped out and disappear, those brought by Kuwako Yamamoto will eventually leave China, though they may suffer some losses. We can impersonate our government officials to get rid of them."

Tang Xiu's eyes lit up. He clapped his hands and said, "Yeah, that's a very good idea! I was originally planning to let Yu Sasha pass the news to the Cubo Clan and Brauns Group. I'm sure they have sent the news back to their homeland that our Special Department is involved in this matter now. If the Japanese team led by Kuwako lost some of their people, and then finally ran away, we can also use Kuwako's testimony to confirm this point. It will play a very good role in deterring our enemies."

"Your problems have been solved, then. How will you reward me, Boss?" Said Kang Xia with a smile.

Tang Xiu pulled her and kissed her forehead, and then smilingly said, "This is your reward!"

Coiling her hands around Tang Xiu's waist, Kang Xia said, "This is far from enough. I told you that I wanna have a child with you."

Tang Xiu stared blankly. He looked to the bed in the innermost part of the room and immediately took her into his arms and strode toward it.

Colors of spring were overflowing, and the room was filled with reserved moans.

An hour later, Tang Xiu looked at the sleepy Kang Xia as he put on his clothes and went out of the room. After lighting a cigarette, he silently began thinking how to make the game more realistic.

****

Time flew by.

Inside a certain suite of the Long's Dining Hall, Ashberford was smoking a large cigar as he looked at Alessandro after hanging up the phone. There was a vigilant look on his eyes as he spoke in a heavy voice, "It's confirmed. The officials of the China Government are indeed meddling in this issue. Our people have discovered them near the Magnificent Tang Corp. We'll need to call my father and tell him about this situation."

Alessandro's complexion similarly changed. He nodded and quickly picked up his mobile phone. A few minutes later, he hung up the phone and said, "Big Brother, I just called the Godfather. He wants us to get the Gods Nectar formula at all costs without compromising our safety. If those China officials dare to attack us he said to counterattack immediately, then withdraw from Star City and leave China through our special channels."

"I see," Ashberford nodded. "Tonight all of us will leave for the Street River Old District Yu Sasha told us. We'll immediately withdraw after getting the Gods Nectar formula. As of now, China is no longer a safe place for us."

"Got it! I think so too," said Alessandro.

"There's only half an hour left to 12 AM," Ashberford looked at his watch. "Despite this place being quite near Street River Old District, we had better go there now as to prevent any unexpected accidents! That's right, have our people there already prepared?"

"All of them are ready!" Alessandro said. "They will stay low if there's no danger, and will immediately attack should any dangers arise."

"Good!"

****

At a very dark entrance of the Supermarket in the River Street Old District.

Covered with a coat and wearing a black hat and mask on her face, Yu Sasha was quietly walking to a dark corner. After arriving there, she stopped and stayed still. Not far from her position, more than ten of the Cubo Clan people were silently observing her through binoculars, and messaged Ashberford about her movements.

About five minutes to 12 AM two cars quickly stopped at the supermarket entrance. After six or seven men got off the cars, Ashberford turned around to look for Yu Sasha.

"What took you so long?"

When Yu Shasha stood up from the dark corner, she looked toward Ashberford. There was a dissatisfied look on her face, as well as a bit of anxiousness.

"It's only five minutes to our agreement time, so we're not even late," said Ashberford. "Miss Yu, did you bring what we want?"

Yu Shasha glanced around, looking like a thief. After confirming that there was nothing exceptional in the surroundings, she quickly took a piece of paper and stuffed it into Ashberford's hand, and then quickly said, "This is the Gods Nectar formula. You can conduct an experiment to test it. I will not deceive you; I don't have the courage to do so. However, you must promise we'll never seen each other again if this formula is authentic."

A joyful look filled Ashberford's eyes as he took a fast glimpse at the recipe. Looking satisfied, he smilingly said, "I understand. You're an employee of the Magnificent Tang Corp, after all. And employees who sell confidential information of their company will be sentenced. Rest assured, though! We will never expose you."

There was a change in Yu Sasha's expression as she looked deeply at Ashberford before she turned around and half-run away. Shortly after, her figure had disappeared into the darkness.

Ashberford turned to Alessandro and said in a deep voice, "Tell our people to converge now, and let's leave Star City immediately."

"Affirmative!"

There was an excited expression on Alessandro's face. He quickly took out his mobile phone and dialed a string of numbers. However, even though the call ringed until the call ended, no one answered him.

"What could have happened? How could nobody answer?"

Ashberford's expression slightly changed and asked in a deep voice, "Nobody answered? What is Arinto doing? Isn't he nearby? Go find them! This damn asshole, maybe he lost his phone again. I will severely punish him after I get back home."

Alessandro quickly responded and dashed away with a few men. After having inspected the vicinity, he furrowed his brows and returned to report, "Big Brother, I can't find them. Logically speaking, they should be lurking nearby, but how can I not see their traces at all?"

Ashberford frowned, "Wasn't Arinto continuously sending us messages about Yu Sasha's movements from his hiding spot previously? How could their traces suddenly disappear? Keep looking for them! They must be nearby."

Following that, they kept searching for more than half an hour observing many places with binoculars. Yet they were unable to find Arinto and the dozen other men that were with him even though they searched many of their hiding places.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Ghost-like figures silently approached the group with Tie Zhongkui as the leader. His mouth clamped a sharp dagger as he quietly appeared beside Ashberford like a ghost in the dark night. The knife that was previously clamped in his mouth was instantly placed on Ashberford's neck.

"We meet again, old friend!"

Tie Zhongkui's cold voice sounded in Ashberford's ears.

At the same time, several core experts of the Everlasting Feast Hall aimed their muzzles at Alessandro and the rest.

Ashberford's body turned stiff. He swiveled his head to look at Tie Zhongkui. His pupils suddenly shrank, as he exclaimed in astonishment, "Oh my God! You're that damn demon... no no no, it should be Dear Zarys. I know that it's not your real name, but it's the only name I know to call you by. How could you be here? Are there any misunderstandings between us?"

"There is no misunderstanding between us, Ashberford. But you are interfering with the interests of my Boss, trying to steal his stuff. Hence, you must be punished. I would have killed you directly if I were to follow my previous codes, since I still vividly remember the bullet you left in my left arm."

"Don't! Don't do it, Zarys!" Ashberford hurriedly said. "We had no hostile relationship at the beginning, and I only did that because you killed a lot of my Cubo Clan's experts. Besides, I think the issue has been cleared between the two sides, no? Also, who is your Boss? Can I talk to him? I think everything can be resolved if we just talk."

"Nope, there has never been any mistakes nor misunderstandings." Tie Zhongkui sneered. "You can rest assured, though. Our Boss is kind-hearted and doesn't want us to kill you. But you will have to make a trip with us. Of course, I will still kill you if you resist."

****

In Star City tonight, incidents in which the Everlasting Feast Hall's members captured the enemies occurred in several other places. Everything was carried out smoothly, and except for a few people who were mercilessly slain due to fighting back, the rest were knocked down and tied up. They were then thrown into a container truck that had been prepared in advance.

Inside the auto garage shop in the Street River Old District, Tang Xiu was sitting in the courtyard and pondering some issues as his mobile phone rang.

"How are things going, Tie Zhongkui?" Asked Tang Xiu directly after pressing the answer button.

"It's been done, Boss," said Tie Zhongkui. "All those on the list have been captured by us; we have also captured some who were not on the list and all of them have been sent to the port by our men. We'll send them out of China tonight."

"Tell them to pay attention to their safety on the way there, and execute those who dare to revolt," said Tang Xiu.

"Copy that!" Replied Tie Zhongkui respectfully.

"Come to the auto garage shop. There are some things I need you to deal with. Also, find a quiet place for the rest to settle, and don't let them attract the attention of outsiders," said Tang Xiu.

"Boss, I'll send the men to board the ship first, and then come over to your position," said Tie Zhongkui.

"Copy that!" said Tang Xiu.

Chapter 496: The Main Character Arrives

The whistling breeze of autumn brought an unceasing drizzle of beads of water.

Three ghostly figures silently approached the auto garage where Tang Xiu was in. Shortly after, the three figures jumped over the wall and entered the site and appeared before Tang Xiu, who was sitting cross-legged on the roof of an abandoned car.

With Tang Xiu's present strength, the slightest sign of disturbance could alert him. He instantly opened his eyes and saw Tie Zhongkui and two experts of the Everlasting Feast Hall.

"So, how are things going?"

Cupping his fists, Tie Zhongkui replied, "It's all done, Boss. There are a total of 66 people that were secretly sent to a smuggling cargo ship. We're not particularly familiar with this route as of yet. However, Snake Head said that there hasn't been any inspections conducted in this navigational route in recent years. As long as the ship arrives in the South China Sea we'll take our special route as always, smoothly sending them to the mines in Africa."

Tang Xiu nodded, "Your way of dealing with the matter makes me feel at ease. Anyhow, the reason I called you was for another issue I need you to deal with."

"Please tell us," said Tie Zhongkui respectfully.

"Now that all the forces that came to Star City eyeing my Magnificent Tang Corp had all been cleared away, there are still, however, some forces that haven't given up yet. We can expect them to come to Star City in the next few days. So, I will need you to collaborate with the other party to play a good show."

"Who exactly is this other party?" Asked Tie Zhongkui, confused.

"It's the House of Yamamoto from Japan," said Tang Xiu.

Killing intent burst from Tie Zhongkui's eyes as he replied in a cold voice, "Boss, why do we have to cooperate with the Yamamoto family? I know this family, and their way of handling things is ruthless, employing all sorts of despicable and unpredictable methods which are virtually impossible to guard against. I have once clashed with them. Though I did kill many of their people, several brothers also lost their lives in their hands."

"These Yamamoto are indeed not a friendly bunch. But this time, the person who will lead their team to Star City is the young lady of the House of Yamamoto. She's also the future Master of Japan's Northstar One Blade School. The woman called Kuwako Yamamoto, my subordinate."

"Kuwako Yamamoto?" Tie Zhongkui's expression changed as he quickly said, "I heard about her, Boss. She's an outstanding junior of the House of Yamamoto who entered the Northstar One Blade School and is favored by the current Master of the Northstar One Blade School. A couple of years ago her shadow was seen among assassins who were allegedly involved in more than a dozen sensational assassinations across Europe and South America."

"She is indeed very formidable. Though she should still be a little lacking compared with you, I'm quite sure that she'll soon catch up; she does have the aptitude for that. So you must work hard in your cultivation apart from performing your duties. Furthermore, I just told you that she's also my subordinate, so you can cast away your worries regarding her loyalty. This time she's coming here following an order, so you must coordinate with her in the show to come."

"Please elaborate, Boss," said Tie Zhongkui.

Tang Xiu slowly explained the plan he had in mind. After having finished with the explanation, he seriously said, "For the sake of having Kuwako Yamamoto's status in the House of Yamamoto staying as it is, you must be discreet and do things secretly. I'll give you the list of the people on her team you must remove once they arrive in Star City. However, the others not on the list must not be killed nor seriously injured."

"Affirmative!" Said Tie Zhongkui as he cupped his fists.

****

The morning came as the first wisp of sunlight shined on the earth, the yellowing leaves soon swayed in the midst of the cool breeze. In the courtyard, several flowers that bloomed in autumn sent their faint fragrance in the wind.

"The air is very good. It's very fresh."

The door was pushed open and Kang Xia, who was well-dressed, came out through the door. After stretching her hands comfortably, her eyes landed on Tang Xiu whose hairs were moistened by dew.

Tang Xiu floated down, as he smiling said, "It was a bit rainy last night, so the drizzle made the air fresher. Have you had a good sleep? Ready to leave now?"

Recalling the romantic scene last night, her extremely beautiful face was painted with a red blush. She nodded, "I rested well. Anyways, did someone from the Everlasting Feast Hall came back last night?"

"Tie Zhongkui was here. Our operation ended successfully, and those who conspired against the Magnificent Tang Cor have all been sent away on board of a ship. I'm sure that they will appear in a remote mining area in Africa in a few days. Also, like I told you before, they accomplished this mission without a hitch."

"They truly are very formidable," praised Kang Xia.

"Any one of them is stronger than a so-called martial arts grandmaster, to begin with. Besides, their experience abroad has made them a very competent bunch. Last night's mission was nothing but a trivial issue, so I was confident they could do it smoothly."

Kang Xia's eyes were somewhat blurred, yet she stayed in her spot and didn't speak again as if she recalling something.

"What are you thinking about?" Asked Tang Xiu.

Kang Xia came back to her senses and smilingly said, "Boss, I'm kind of imagining 20 years in the future. You're someone with great ideas, as well as great courage and energy. With your wisdom and ability, your vision is something that ordinary people are unable to imagine. I simply do not dare to imagine how powerful you will become 20 years later!"

Tang Xiu couldn't help laughing, "Despite knowing that you're just flattering me, I still feel good hearing it, you know. Anyway, how did you get this idea?"

"From those children," said Kang Xia.

Tang Xiu was silent, before he slowly said, "I must adopt a lot of homeless children whose aptitudes and character are good. But maybe only a few of them will still be able to follow me when I leave in the future. As long as they are still alive in the future, let alone training them for 20 years, it wouldn't be a problem if I still have to train them for 200 years."

"Can a human really live to 200 years old?" Asked Kang Xia with a curious expression.

Tang Xiu let out a mysterious smile and answered, "I have seen terrifying people who have lived for 20,000 years or even longer. What you experienced at present is still lacking. Just wait! As long as you cultivate diligently and perform well, I'm sure you can go with me in the future?"

"Where will we go, exactly?" Asked Kang Xia quickly.

"To the place where celestials and immortals reside. All right, let us not speak about this. I'm rather starving right now, so let's have breakfast first! Afterward, I'll drive you over to the company, and I also have other things to handle."

"Where are you going?" Asked Kang Xia with a puzzled expression.

"Star City Chinese Medical Hospital!" Answered Tang Xiu with a smile outlined on the corner of his mouth.

****

At Star City Chinese Medical Hospital...

The entrance to the hospital was crowded by streams of people. There, Li Hongji was walking back and forth with an anxious expression on his face. He looked at his watch once in a while, as Dai Xinyue next to him similarly looked anxious, yet there was a proud expression on her face.

"President, should I phone Master?"

Dai Xinyue finally couldn't bear anymore.

Li Hongji's expression moved, yet turned slightly awkward. Then, he shook his head and said, "I think it won't be necessary. Tang Xiu has given his word that he'd come to our Chinese Medical Hospital to give medical services. I'm sure he will keep his promise. Let us wait a bit more. Besides, there's half an hour left to the working hours still. I'm sure he will arrive in time."

"I called Master last night and confirmed that he indeed returned to Star City yesterday. He is probably on the way here," said Dai Xinyue with a smile.

"En!" Li Hongji felt a bit relieved, yet his eyes kept watching the highways at both ends of the road.

Creak...

The braking sound of tires sounded near Li Hongji and Dai Xinyue. The driver's window then opened and Tang Xiu poked his head out, asking, "President Li, Xinyue, what are you two doing outside? Are you waiting for me?"

"Master!" Dai Xinyue's eyes lit up, as she called out in pleasant surprise.

Surprised and happy, Li Hongji clapped his hands and said, "Tang Xiu, you came at last! Anyhow, our hospital is fully crowded today. All of them are patients who have been waiting for you. I'm afraid they will go berserk and eat me alive if you didn't come."

"Hahaha, please don't exaggerate things, President Li! All right, I'll park my car first. You two please wait for me in the consultation room," said Tang Xiu with a laugh.

Li Hongji hastily said, "There's no parking space left in the parking lot, Tang Xiu. Just give your car to the security guards and let them do it. Let us have a chat while walking to the consultation room! Anyhow, I have to tell you something. Your previous consultation room cannot be used anymore due to special reasons. But I've picked up a more spacious consultation room for you and had someone prepare and clean it up."

After Tang Xiu got off the car and threw the car keys to a security guard, he curiously asked, "Special reasons? What special reasons?"

While pointing to the inside, he said, "Take a look at the biggest consultation room on the east side of the consultation building. Two queue lines are going to arrive here soon, and all of them have something in common. That is, they want you to examine them. Also, it's still half an hour away from the doctor's formal work shift. But who knows how long these queues will become in an hour."

Tang Xiu looked inside and saw that the two lines were already 20 to 30 meters long. His mouth twitched a few times. The number of people in the queues just outside the consultation building already numbered several hundred people. Even if only one-third of them wanted to see the doctor, the number would still be over a hundred people. Added with the rest in the hallway inside the consultation building... Tang Xiu didn't dare to imagine how long it would take to consult and treat all of them.

"President Li, I won't be able to finish the examinations today! How about you think of a ways to share these patients with other doctors? Of course, if you really run into patients with difficult diseases, then you can turn them over to me!"

"I also thought about that!" Li Hongji forced a smile. "But the majority of them come from every part of the country due to their admiration toward you, and also want you to treat them. Some of them have even been staying in our Star City Chinese Medical Hospital for more than a month just to wait for you."

After thinking for a while, Tang Xiu gritted his teeth and said, "Such being the case, let's do it this way then! However, you have to use the time efficiently. You see, there are already a lot of patients in the current queue, so we'll begin closing the queue for patients in this line. If more patients come later, they are not to be scheduled for medical examination today if their condition is not urgent. Otherwise, I may not be able to treat them if I become dead tired today."

Chapter 497: Unprecedented Event in History

There was a concern on Li Hongji's face as he said, "Tang Xiu, according to my observations, the number of patients already exceeded 200. Are you sure you can finish treating them today?"

"I'm not sure, but the least I can do is try," said Tang Xiu.

"It will be quite laborious for you, Tang Xiu," Li Hongji nodded. "For your medical examinations today the hospital will provide anything you need, no matter what it is."

Tang Xiu only let out a calm smile. What the hospital could provide wouldn't be of a great help to him. Nonetheless, Li Hongji's attitude made him satisfied. After arriving at the largest consultation room on the east side of the consultation building, Tang Xiu took a look at the hundred square meters' long consultation room. There was only simple office equipment and treatment equipment aside from the consultation tables and chairs here. In the innermost corner, however, was a place covered with a draper. Without anyone telling him what it was, Tang Xiu could tell that behind it was a sick bed.

"President Li, you can go take care of your matters! I'll handle things here," After observation, Tang Xiu turned to Li Hongji.

As he sent Li Hongji away, a slight smile appeared on his face. He then said to Xinyue, "Let us do it like previously, Xinyue. Prepare everything in advance, and start the consultation later. Also, there are a lot of patients today. I estimated that we'll probably be busy until evening, so you had better be prepared mentally."

"Master, let alone being busy till night, even if I get busy for three days and three nights, I can bear it as long as I can study by your side. Also, I've prepared everything appropriately, so we can start at any time," said Dai Xinyue with a smile.

"Okay, let's start then!" Tang Xiu smiled.

Yet Dai Xinyue hastily said, "But Master, there's still half an hour left to the start of the work hours. Didn't we also wait previously?"

Tang Xiu wore a serious look and said, "You're my disciple, Xinyue. I don't want you to be shackled by rules and regulations when you give medical services. Working hours are set by people and can be broken by people as well. As a doctor, healing the wounded and rescuing the dying is a matter of unquestionable moral truth and principle. Saving people is akin to fighting fire, so it's best to start early and never delay for even half a second."

Upon hearing the speech, Xinyue quickly said, "I understand, Master."

Tang Xiu nodded, "Go have a look at the last queue number! After you're done with it, come back here and report to me how many patients there are. Also, tell the four patients in the front row to come inside when you go out."

Ten minutes later, after Tang Xiu had diagnosed the first four patients, the total number of patients had also been counted. What made him feel quite relieved was that the number of patients was less than what he imagined, being only 162.

Consultation and treatment! Without stopping.

However, unknown to Tang Xiu, who was currently busy inside the spacious and bright consultation room, a commotion was raised outside. More and more patients and their families rushed to Star City Chinese Medical Hospital along the passing of the day. A lot of people rushed there after hearing that Tang Xiu was performing examinations.

At present, Li Hongji was standing before the window of the President's Office watching the sea of people in the large courtyard downstairs. His face turned faintly pale. Although he had expected that many people would come to Chinese Medical Hospital due to Tang Xiu, the young divine doctor that was going to give medical services in October, never once had he imagined that so many people would come. His eyes lingered at the front entrance of the hospital for a while, feeling a bad premonition.

Knock, knock...

The door to his office was knocked hard. As the door was pushed open, the Vice-president of the hospital rushed inside and hurriedly spoke, "President, there are too many patients coming to our hospital. Added with their family members, the number of people now exceeds the normal number of visits to our hospital by 10 times. Something major is bound to happen if the situation continues like this."

Turning his head with difficulty, Li Hongji looked at the Vice President, whose face was full of anxiousness. His lips twitched a few times, as he forced a wry smile and said, "This is a hospital, and those patients are coming here to see a doctor. Can we keep them out? I already know there are too many people. But what can we do since the hospital is already crowded? We have done what we could and even already informed the patients who came later to come back tomorrow, but they keep coming and we can't stop them!! Do you want me to send security guards to drive them out?"

The Vice President argued in a heavy voice, "President, if it's not enough and we can't do anything else, let's call the police! We have too few security guards to maintain order in the current situation. Please ask the local police station to send a few police officers in order to avoid people being stampeded and any other possible emergencies. They should be able to maintain order."

Li Hongji was stunned. It was beyond his imagination that his Vice President could present such a proposal. After giving it thought, however, he too felt that it was indeed a good idea. It must be noted that with so many people coming to the hospital, a great calamity would happen should such an incident happen.

"I'm afraid the nearby local police station has their hands full already and won't be enough to maintain order. Alright, I'll personally contact the City Council's leader and ask him to send a large number of policemen to help maintain order. Also, reassign some doctors who have light workloads and call the doctors who are on leave or on vacation. Tell them to help maintain order as well. The public has already recognized our hospital as well as the doctors working here. This is a good thing indeed, but it would be very troublesome if a big incident were to happen in our hospital."

"Affirmative, Sir. I will do it immediately." The Vice President turned around and quickly ran outside.

****

At Star City's Public Security Bureau...

Deng Jianmin was walking toward his office in high spirits. He had been having a relaxed time due to the low incidence of criminal cases recently. Though there had been many cases before that were eventually unsolved, that was in the past. Now he was not under tight scrutiny and tremendous pressure because of those cases anymore.

Perhaps this time next year I will be working in the provincial level bureau, no?

As Deng Jianmin strode into his office, he took out a cigarette and lit it up out of habit. This joyous idea came to him after taking a deep puff. After all, the provincial bureau's chief accepted his visit, even encouraging him to work more diligently, and saying that he was bound to serve the people later if he went a step further.

It's a pity, though! I would have enough merit if the previous cases were solved smoothly.

Ring, ring, ring...

The stationery phone rang.

Deng Jianmin came to his desk, grabbed the microphone and said, "Deng Jianmin speaking. May I know who am I speaking with?"

"Chief, the President of Star City Chinese Medical Hospital, Li Hongji, is looking for you. He said that this is an urgent matter. He has already called you, but your phone was off," a respectful voice was heard from the microphone.

Deng Jianmin took out his mobile phone and found that it was out of battery. He then immediately said, "I see. I'll call him back later."

After hanging up, Deng Jianmin recharged his mobile phone. After turning it on, he dialed Li Hongji's number.

"Hello, President Li, are you looking for me?"

"Yeah! I have something that needs your assistance, Chief Deng. You must help me."

Deng Jiangmin was a bit surprised. It was really a rare and precious occasion for Li Hongji to actually have something that needed his assistance. After all, the man's status was quite prominent. A fact that must be noted was that he had been acquainted with Li Hongji for many years, yet he had never been asked for assistance, not even once. After a short time pondering, he smilingly said, "President Li, please tell me what you require my assistance on."

With a bitter voice, Li Hongji said, "Bureau Chief Deng, the young divine doctor of our Star City Chinese Medical Hospital, Tang Xiu, has come back to the give medical services at our hospital before the 11th holiday. As a result, the patients and their family members came rushing to our hospital, and the number is simply a blast. I'm afraid there would be stampede accidents, as well as troubles created by the patients' family members. So, can you send a group of policemen to help maintain order?"

Dumbfounded, it was out of Deng Jianmin's imagination that Li Hongji's request would unexpectedly be this ridiculous. Was it necessary for the police to maintain order in the hospital just because the place was crowded with people? Wasn't this too exaggerated?

"About that... are you not joking with me, President Li? You need the policemen from our Public Security Bureau to help maintain order for this kind of situation? Even if there are a bit more patients there, it won't be to that extent, right?"

"Chief Deng, the number of patients visiting our Star City Chinese Medical Hospital has increased a lot in the past one to two months. However, the number of patients and their families today went beyond ten times that in the past! As of now, not only is the hospital consultation building already crowded with people, even more of them are occupying the courtyard outside. You can send someone to our hospital immediately if you don't believe me. You will understand when you see it."

Hesitating due doubtfulness for a short while, Deng Jiangmin then finally nodded, "Such being the case, then so be it! I'll be coming over there with some of my men, and we'll talk again after I've seen the situation."

"All right!"

As the call ended, Deng Jiangmin shook his head and was at a loss whether he had to be amused or vexed. Although he was convinced by Li Hongji due to his conduct and personality, he still couldn't believe that such an exaggerated thing would happen in Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. It was common knowledge that incidents where people got trampled might arise in some major events or activities held in the city. But the patients were going to the hospital to see a doctor, how could it be possible to seal up the entire hospital, anyway?

Immediately after, he brought seven policemen and rushed to Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. When he saw the situation at the Chinese Medical Hospital's entrance, he stared blankly with disbelief filling his eyes. A huge number of people were crowding the entrance, even spilling out to the roads outside and causing a severe traffic congestion. If not for a dozen or more traffic policemen who had already arrived to clear the road, it would have been extremely difficult for the two police cars to get there.

"This scene is similar to those major events in the city! Li Hongji truly said the truth. It seems that the number of policemen I brought won't have any effect at all."

Deng Jiangmin made a phone call, and took along with him several policemen. He quickly got off and ran toward the hospital's entrance. Even after he arrived near the entrance, it took him and his men ten minutes before being able to squeeze through the entrance. Yet the situation in the courtyard inside made him even more dumbfounded and shocked.

There were too many... there really were too many people here!

Merely inside the range of his vision, there were at least seven thousand people in the entire courtyard outside the hospital. What was more bizarre and ridiculous was that the gaps between vehicles in the parking lot were also full of people.

Chapter 498: The Power of an Internet Celebrity

Tian Xiaomeng was frustrated. It was depressing to the point of vomiting blood. She was a popular girl, being especially famous on the internet as an internet celeb. Yet now, as she was accompanying her mother to see a doctor today, she was left speechless, for the entirety of the Star City Chinese Medical Hospital was fully filled with a sea of people. And it wasn't even 8 AM! The most important fact was that the number had not only reduced, but had suddenly increased instead.

"Mom, come on! Let's leave this place and go to another hospital. There are so many people here, we may not be able to get a number even if we wait for three days and three nights!" Said Tian Xiaomeng with a helpless expression while standing in the line nearby the hospital's entrance.

"No. I heard that the young divine doctor, whose medical skills are extraordinary, has finally come to Star City Chinese Medical Hospital to render his medical services. It will be a pity if we don't get a number after standing in line. Rumor has it that the young divine doctor, Tang Xiu, can diagnose and treat very fast. If... if we are lucky, maybe we can get on the line today!" Zhao Qin said, as even she herself was not sure about it. Nearly in her 50s, she still retained a graceful bearing.

"Mom, please have a look at the people here. Needless to say that the young divine doctor could treat very fast, but even if he's able to treat a person every three to five minutes, I'm afraid that our turn will not come today! Just look around, there are so many of them that they look like ants," said Tian Xiaomeng helplessly.

"Let's just wait and see," said Zhao Qin with a forced smile.

Tian Xiaomeng knew her mother's physical condition. She had a kind of precordium ache that always pained her, yet nobody was able to detect the problem or its condition. It always made her mother worried and uneasy. Since she really wanted that young divine doctor, Tang Xiu, to diagnose and treat her, then she would accompany her herself.

As she looked around, Tian Xiaomeng sighed inwardly, "This Tang Xiu, who is touted as a young divine doctor, is truly amazing. Merely coming to this Chinese Medical Hospital to provide his medical services, yet so many patients have already recognized and come to see him. He's virtually a model for my generation. If my live broadcast channel was so popular and had so many loyal followers, how good would that be..."

Suddenly, her expression moved, as an idea surfaced in her mind. The glint in her eyes turned more vivid as she glanced around. Her eyes finally landed on a family of three near her, and asked, "Hello, may I ask you something?"

The young woman who was hugging her child smilingly replied, "What do you want to ask?"

"Are you also here for the young divine doctor?" Asked Tian Xiaomeng.

The young woman nodded, "Of course. I came here to see that young divine doctor for consultation and treatment. My daughter has been in poor health, and the problem is with her kidneys. We have already spent a lot of money and visited many hospitals, yet there has been no cure for her. So when I heard that the young divine doctor can cure my daughter's illness, we rushed from Jingmen Island. And not only that, we have been waiting here for a few days."

With eyes turned wide, Tian Xiaomeng exclaimed in alarm, "You are from Jingmen Island? And... and you've been waiting here for several days?"

"Yeah! Why are you getting excited over this little mater? More than half of the patients here have heard his fame and hail from every part of the country. I even heard that some people have been waiting here for more than a month," said the young woman.

Badum, badum, badum!

Tian Xiaomeng could feel her heart crazily pounding. The shock made her unable to calm down for a long period of time. After a long while, only then did she remember to take her mobile phone out and access her live broadcast channel.

"WOOT! The anchor is unexpectedly online now! That's great!"

"Isn't the broadcast time 8 PM every day? Luckily, I got a reminder set up whenever the anchor gets online, or else I would have missed seeing the goddess-like host."

"The Meng girl is coming online at this hour? That's strange, where are you now, girl? How could there be so many people around you???"

"Hey, Goddess, where exactly are you?"

"What kind of situation are you in now, Mengmeng?"

"..."

Just as Tian Xiaomeng appeared on her live channel, the number of people online rose. In a few minutes, the number of followers online her channel had reached more than 4,000 people.

After reading the comments, Tian Xiaomeng finally coughed softly and said, "Hello, everyone. I broadcast at 8 PM every day. But today, I just came across a very big event. This is simply an incredible sight if I may say, so I want to share it with all of you.

"Do you see the people around me? This sea of people? I'm now in Shuangqing Province's Star City, at the Chinese Medical Hospital. As of today, a young divine doctor came to render his medical services here, and tens of thousands people who heard about his fame are now flocking here from every part of the country.

"Just as I learned about this situation, I was so shocked my heart nearly jumped out. There are too many people here, guys! Some of them come from other regions, and they have arrived in Star City a couple days ago; there are some others who have come a month ago, and have been waiting since just because they want to see that young divine doctor, to get diagnosed and treated by him. This makes me unable to imagine to what degree and how extraordinary that young divine doctor is! Why so many people came to see him and consult their health and get his treatment?

"Have you ever saw something like this? There's too many patients here to see the doctors, and even the police from the Public Security Bureau came to maintain order! I myself just had a look outside the hospital, and the number of policemen inside and outside the hospital has now reached several hundred at the least..."

Along with Tian Xiaomeng's explanation, the comments section simply exploded. Numerous followers posted their messages and constantly updated the screen.

"Heavens! Are you not kidding us, Young Lady Mengmeng? Western medical science is far more powerful and reliable than the traditional Chinese medical knowledge! Star City Chinese Medical Hospital is but only a small player, how could they possibly have such a big reputation?"

"Goddess Meng, is it for real, or is it a fake?? Is that young divine doctor really that skilled? Is there a chance that he's a swindler or something?"

"Man, that's so unbelievable. I thought it was a major event or something like that. Never thought it to be a hospital."

"Divine Doctor Tang! I know that young divine doctor. His name is Tang Xiu, the most skilled divine doctor from Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. My family has a relative who suffered from a very troublesome chronic illness, but he has turned for the better because of Divine Doctor Tang."

"Dear Meng, what exactly are you doing in Star City Chinese Medical Hospital? Are you sick or in a bad condition?"

"..."

The comments kept flashing without stopping. Tian Xiaomeng found herself somewhat overwhelmed and unable to catch up. However, she still picked some messages with issues she could answer, and told them what she knew and thought of.

When her followers found out that Tian Xiaomeng was accompanying her mother to see the said doctor, comments contained blessings, regards, donation, and rewards kept flashing unceasingly. There were even some local riches, who threw a lot of money in the form of rewards and donations. And quickly, the amount and number rose faster than the total number of her usual monthly live broadcast in the past.

Tian Xiaomeng was thrilled and excited. Never once had she ever dreamed of earning such a big harvest after half an hour of live broadcast. However, the most unexpected thing was that the website management noticed this particularity because the number of viewers in her live channel had continued to rise, and several local riches had been throwing money away.

"I'm at the top? It got pinned up?"

Tian Xiaomeng looked at the spot that displayed the number of viewers and followers on the screen of her mobile phone. Seeing as how it kept increasing so dramatically, her mouth was agape. Her shocked expression was so pure and lovely that it only caused the reward hit and donation to turn more frenzied.

At the same time, many followers and viewers downloaded the live broadcast to edit it into clips, and then shared the video through various channels. In an instant, a lot of people knew that there was a big event in Star City, and knew that Star City Chinese Medical Hospital had a young miracle-working doctor who possessed superb medical skills that could bring a patient back to life.

Among those clips were also some with banners that many people flagged as "The Cops Act as the Hospital's Escort". This was because a small-timer young anchor broadcasting a live streaming on her small channel, yet it was like a butterfly effect, for the video was unceasingly being shared, forwarded, and constantly being spread out through various channels.

****

At 12 PM Tang Xiu was still receiving patients for consultation and treatment. During the whole morning he hardly dared to waste the slightest amount of time. Even so, he could only treat 60 patients in the morning. There were also two patients with very troublesome diseases that he had to ask to go to the hospital's Inpatient Department first. When he ended the day's consultations, he then went to the Inpatient Department to give them treatment.

"Please make way. Everyone, please make way!"

Li Hongji and several other leaders were trying to squeeze into the consultation room. When he saw that Tang Xiu was currently giving acupuncture treatment to a patient inside a separated curtain-closed compartment, he then waited for Tang Xiu to come out.

"Dr. Tang, it's already noon. Please have a rest and go to the cafeteria to eat something! We still have many patients; let us continue the work to give them treatment again in the afternoon," said Li Hongji.

Tang Xiu was silent for a while. He slowly shook his head and said, "I'm eating there. Could you ask someone to bring it here, President Li? I will only have a bite before continuing."

Li Hongji was taken aback. He forced a wry smile and said, "Dr. Tang, work must be alternated with rest, please!"

Tang Xiu replied with a reluctant expression, "I also know that it's necessary to alternate work with rest. But we have too many patients, and if I don't hurry up and use time efficiently, I'm afraid I will be very busy and unable to finish it by tomorrow morning."

Squeezing out another forced smile, Li Hongji said, "Dr. Tang, even if you want to hurry up, you will probably be unable to finish treating them by tomorrow morning. Outside is... Well, I'm going tell you, then! There are really too many patients outside. As of now, not only has the hospital's courtyard already full of people, even the areas outside the hospital have already been crowded. The comrades from the Public Security Bureau have dispatched several hundreds of police officers, yet they are barely able to maintain order. The patients said that they won't leave until they can see you."

"What?"

Tang Xiu's eyes turned wide, a look of disbelief in his eyes. After a short while, he hurriedly asked, "Haven't you told them that only the patients who get the number today can get treatment? Didn't you tell them to come back again tomorrow if they can't get a number?"

Li Hongji forced a wry smile, "I already told them. Our hospital's security guards have already broadcasted it a dozen times already, yet they don't want to leave. It's simply useless. I just can't send people to drive them away!"

Tang Xiu gulped, "I can't manage that much either. President Li, send someone to supervise it. Tell them that the treatment will be given to those who have a queue number; and as for those who don't, give them the number according to their line number in the queue today, and tell them to come early tomorrow morning. Remember, the total number distributed to the patients must be the same as today's."

"All right!"

Chapter 499: Problems with One's Attitude

The entire day was spent in the consultation room receiving patients. Despite being working fast, there were too many patients, and he couldn't handle more than his limit. At 10 PM, he sent off all the patients who were still in the queue, yet he was quite helpless since today's treatment was not yet over for him; there were still six more patients who needed his treatment. Their treatment would need a lot of time, and they were all waiting in the Inpatient Department.

"Are you tired, Xinyue?"

Tang Xiu got up to stretch himself. He turned to look at the faintly pale Dai Xinyue, whose forehead had thick beads of sweat running down her face.

"Yeah, I'm very tired, Master. I'm afraid I'm going to faint if we have to treat a dozen patients more," said Dai Xinyue with a smile.

"Your physical fitness is very poor, that I know. After this is over, I'll impart you something else that will greatly enhance your physical fitness. Anyhow, I'm going to treat those six patients in the Inpatient Department by myself. As for you, go home and rest. You must still come to work before 8 o'clock tomorrow morning."

"One must finish what one has started, Master. I'm your disciple and assistant, so I must stay by your side to treat all of the patients. Also, what I can gain from studying alongside you for a day is far more than a year of study anywhere else. Fatigue and hardship is no longer able to deter me."

"You're indeed worthy of being my disciple," praised Tang Xiu. "You can bear hardships and heavy workload, as well being hardworking. That's great. After the October holiday ends, ask a leave from the hospital for some time, and have a trip with me to Shanghai!"

"What exactly am I gonna do with you in Shanghai, Master?" Asked Dai Xinyue curiously.

"I will impart my Chinese medical knowledge to you as far as possible in the next several months. I'm sure that as long as you are diligent and work hard, after studying with me for several months, your level won't be inferior to those who have been immersing themselves in Chinese medical science for dozens of years, though you may not be able to reach my level."

"Great, that's great!" Dai Xinyue's eyes lit up, as she immediately replied in excitement, "I'll listen to your arrangement, Master."

"This attitude of yours is very good, but still, it's very late. If you insist on following me to treat the remaining six patients, I'm afraid you won't have a good rest tonight, and you will not be in high spirits tomorrow all day long. Just go back home! Take a good relaxing bath, and have a good sleep. I'll be waiting for you here at 8 o'clock in the morning," said Tang Xiu with a faint smile.

"This..." Dai Xinyue was a bit hesitant. But after seeing Tang Xiu's serious expression, she eventually nodded and said, "Then, I'm going back home first, Master. But after you treat those patients you must also have a good rest, Master."

"Sure thing!" Tang Xiu nodded slightly.

Following that, he packed up his things, took the medicine box, and walked out of the consultation room. Outside, he saw Li Hongji and several senior executives of the Chinese Medical Hospital standing there. What surprised him was that someone was standing beside the hospital's leaders. It was an old acquaintance of his, Deng Jiangmin, the Chief of the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

"What are you people doing here?" Asked Tang Xiu with a surprised tone.

Li Hongji deeply looked at at Tang Xiu and said, "Dr. Tang, what you've done today made me speechless; I don't know what I to say. It was shocking, touching, as well as moved my heart. Having a divine doctor such as you in the medical society makes me happy and proud at the same time. For that, I thank you. Thank you very much."

Looking like a Buddhist monk who was unable to understand what it was all about, Tang Xiu asked in a puzzlement, "Did you not make a mistake? What exactly are you thanking me for?"

"As of today, you made me see what miracles meant in the medical profession," said Li Hongji. "You've treated 156 patients in just a day, and to those patients, your existence is simply a gospel. I'm thanking you for the gratitude I feel from the bottom of my heart."

Though smiling in response, Tang Xiu ignored what he said, "I have promised you that I'd come provide medical services. Thus, this is my duty and responsibility, to begin with. President Li, as long as you prevent the cops from arresting me as a bad guy or something, please leave out the ceremony."

Stepping forward, Deng Jiangmin smilingly said, "Divine Doctor Tang, a good doctor such as you who treats illnesses and saves patients, how could we arrest you? Moreover, it was almost too late for us to protect you! If anything, there might be a misunderstanding between us prior to this. But seeing what you've done today, I can tell that the previous cases truly had no relationship with you whatsoever. As for tomorrow... Tomorrow I will personally lead my men to help maintain order here."

"It's all in the past. Anyways, I have yet to finish for today. I need to go to the Inpatient Department. If there isn't anything else, you all can go home earlier! I'm going to treat the last six patients, and then go home as well."

"Dr. Tang, please don't! It's already 10 PM. If the patients have a troublesome disease it will take you at least until the early hours. You've gone through such a high workload today, you need to rest as well," quickly said Li Hongji.

"Rest assured, I'm fine!" Said Tang Xiu with a smile.

Having said that, he hurried to the Inpatient Department carrying the medicine box. Along the way there, numerous patients and their family members pointed their fingers at Tang Xiu with eyes full of admiration and gratitude.

Just like Li Hongji said, when Tang Xiu had finished treating the six patients whose conditions were quite troublesome, it was already 12 o'clock. After driving his car and arriving home, he only had time to do a simple washing, and then straightly hit the bed. However, he had only slept for three hours when he was already up to do a round of cultivation in high spirits until five AM. After washing himself, he took his car and left South Gate Town.

5:30...

Darkness still engulfed the sky at this time, but Tang Xiu had already arrived at the vicinity of Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. He let out a wry smile when he saw that the hospital's entrance was already crowded. Even though the night had passed, there were this many patients and their family members outside the hospital. It could be imagined that the number of people inside the courtyard was even greater.

"There are so many people, continuing this way won't do!"

Tang Xiu parked his car a few hundred meters away from the entrance. After getting off, he walked to a dark corner where he took a cigarette and lit it up. He took a deep puff and silently pondered how to solve the issue.

As of now, he had already realized that the strength of an individual was limited. For instance, the number of patients who had come from all over the country was really too many. He couldn't employ a technique to clone himself and spread them out, neither was he able to treat all of them by himself.

Should I find a helper?

This idea appeared inside Tang Xiu's mind, and he finally made up his mind. However, the number of people skilled in the Chinese Medical field he knew of was very few. After carefully and slowly racking up his memories, he recalled the name of Chu Guoxiong, a disciple of a sage doctor whom he had met in Jingmen Island once. Furthermore, he also remembered that Li Hongjin was Chu Guoxiong's Senior Brother. He immediately took his mobile and contacted Li Hongji, who was still asleep.

"My Junior Brother is indeed in Star City, Dr. Tang. He knew the other day that you'd come back from Shanghai to provide medical services at our Chinese Medical Hospital during the 11th holiday, thus he wanted to visit you. Eventually, he didn't want to disturb you since there were too many patients yesterday."

"President Li, if it's convenient, can you ask Chu Guoxiong to come to Star City Chinese Medical Hospital this morning? I want him to be my assistant," said Tang Xiu.

Surprised and astonished, Li Hongji said, "You want my Junior Brother to be your assistant? It won't be a problem. I'll immediately contact him and ask him to... ask him to go to Chinese Medical Hospital now and wait for you there."

"I've already arrived at the hospital. I'm stuck outside the entrance, though. After calling you, I'll have to climb over the wall and begin to receive the patients," said Tang Xiu with a laugh.

"You... you're already there?" Li Hongji was surprised. He could hardly imagine that Tang Xiu, who had been very busy and spent all day working yesterday, only having rested for five hours before returning to the hospital. Such attitude and professionalism deepened his respect toward him.

"Yeah, I'm here already," Tang Xiu laughed.

"Then... Then I'll get up right now and rush to the hospital. We'll talk more when I get there," said Li Hongji after pondering for a moment.

A few minutes later, Tang Xiu appeared at the entrance of the consultation building. As he looked at the crowd, a wry smile painted his face, as he squeezed his way through.

"Hey, hey, hey... what the hell's up with you? You don't know how to line up behind or something?" Amid the too crowded queue, a middle-aged man turned his head to the back as he looked at Tang Xiu and angrily shouted.

In an instant, more than a dozen pair of eyes were fixated on Tang Xiu.

Squeezing out a forced smile, Tang Xiu replied, "If I were to line up like you, then no one would give the patients consultation and treatment. Everyone, could you please make way? I need to go to the consultation room."

"What absurd things are you spitting out, kid? Don't ever think that posing as a doctor will make us make way for you. Just go back in the queue, and stay there obediently. Otherwise, everyone will make you look quite good later."

"I'm Tang Xiu," said Tang Xiu, creasing his brows.

The middle-aged man angrily replied, "I don't give a damn care if you're Tang... Huh? That's not right. You... you are... Tang, Divine Doctor Tang?"

"That's right, I'm him!" Said Tang Xiu with all seriousness. "If you still want to get treatment, please make way for me."

Suddenly, a youth who was eight meters away loudly called out, "Divine Doctor Tang, it really is you! I saw you yesterday, but I never thought you would come so early today! There's still nearly two hours from the start of the doctor's working hours, no?"

In a flash, the middle-aged man's expression drastically changed. The anger on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a reverential and fearful expression. He hastily explained, "D-Divine Doctor Tang, I'm really sorry... I-I didn't know it was you. Please don't be angry with me! Our family of three have all been waiting for you since yesterday until this morning because of your extraordinary medical skills. Therefore..."

"Explanations are not needed, since I won't care about it." Tang Xiu waved his hand. "I will do my best to give patients consultation and treatment as long as everyone maintains order in the queue. All right, we can't waste time, so please makes way, everyone!"

With the crowd in front making him a corridor, Tang Xiu entered the consultation room very smoothly. Because the numbers had already been distributed yesterday, Tang Xiu simply tidied up the consultation room and began receiving the patients.

About ten minutes later, at the entrance of outpatient service building, Tian Xiaomeng, who was staying in the queue for the purpose of having an interview and helping her mother to line up, sat up drowsily with weariness all over her face.

"Hey, who just stepped on me?"

The pain transmitted from her feet made Tian Xiaomeng immediately sober up and cry out due to the pain. She then looked up and saw that the queue had began to move forward.

"I'm sorry, little girl," quickly said a middle-aged man.

No longer bothered about her foot, Tian Xiaomeng quickly got up and asked, "Uncle, it's still 6:30 AM now. How come the queue began to move forward already?"

Chapter 500: Hiding Abilities

After the crowded queue moved five meters forward, the middle-aged man then said with a smile, "You were asleep, so you didn't see Divine Doctor Tang's arrival. The queue moved forward because eight patients have already been diagnosed and treated by Dr. Tang."

"How is this possible? Why did Divine Doctor Tang come so early? I heard he left at the early hours last night," Tian Xiaomeng said with astonishment.

"That's dedication and professionalism. And also the benevolence possessed by a sage doctor. As of yesterday, Divine Doctor Tang diagnosed and treated 166 patients, and today he must also treat the same number of patients. Whether it's his treatment speed, or the effect of his treatment, it's worthy of everyone's admiration.

Hearing this, Tian Xiaomeng didn't know what to say. Nowadays, the relationship between patients and medical practitioners was quite problematic as numerous issues between doctors and their patients had often been reported. She herself had been to many hospitals and met many doctors, yet never once did she expect to meet such a good doctor in this life.

"Yeah! It's really admirable." Tian Xiaomeng couldn't help but sigh.

"True! It's very admirable."

"What a good divine doctor!"

"If there are more doctors like Divine Doctor Tang in this world, how good would it be?"

"Yeah, it's rare for a doctor to be back to the hospital after only five hours of rest."

"..."

The patients waiting in the queue all expressed their admiration.

From their expressions, the keen Tian Xiaomeng could see respect, admiration, and various others emotions.

"Please move aside!"

A loud and clear voice was heard. Many people looked toward the back and quickly made way when they saw who the arrivals were.

"I didn't expect the even the hospital's higher ups themselves would come so early. It should be because of Divine Doctor Tang!" Said Tian Xiaomeng in a low voice after she saw them.

The middle-aged man nodded, "But of course. Divine Doctor Tang will only be rendering his medical services for three days. The higher ups of the hospital cannot not attend to Divine Doctor Tang, to begin with."

"How could things be so exaggerated, Uncle. It's simply because the President was affected by Divine Doctor Tang. He was ashamed of resting at home, so he could only choose to come earlier..." Tian Xiaomeng laughed.

"Hahaha..."

***

In the consultation room...

Just as Tang Xiu sent off a patient, he saw Li Hongji coming in with Chu Guoxiong. After several months of not having met him, the man had become thinner. Just as he came closer, the faint scent of medicinal herbs could be smelled from him; it was evident that he had been dealing with medicinal herbs recently.

"Dr. Tang, I brought my Junior Brother with me," said Li Hongji with a smiling face.

Tang Xiu looked at Chu Guoxiong and said, "Chu Guoxiong, you haven't forgotten me, right?"

Squeezing out a wry smile, Chu Guoxiong said, "I may forget who I am, Divine Doctor Tang, but how could I ever forget you? If anything, you've given me a good lesson in Jingmen Island. You made me realize the true meaning that 'one must never judge others by their appearance, for we also cannot measure an ocean with a bushel'. Hence, I apologize for everything that happened before."

"Let the bygones be bygones." Tang Xiu waved his hand and smilingly said. "As practitioners of Chinese medical knowledge, the most important thing for us is to have a broad mind, as well as understand that virtue, goodness, and morality are the way to convey our Dao. I believe President Li has told you why I invited you here, right? How about it? Would you be willing to help me here for two days?"

"I don't mind, but I'm afraid that the patients won't take me into account! They have come to Star City from faraway places, and their purpose here is to consult with a certain doctor -- you," said Chu Guoxiong.

"Actually, it won't be an issue for you if it is not a special case of incurable diseases or something like that," said Tang Xiu with a smile. "There are few patients here that contracted incurable diseases. Hence, nearly all of them can be treated by you. With the two of us working together, not only can we treat more patients, I can also relax a little. Of course, if you come across a case that you find difficult to deal with, I will promptly take over the diagnosis."

"Then I'll respect your arrangement, as well as obey your instructions," said Chu Guoxiong with a nod.

Following that, Tang Xiu looked at Li Hongji and smilingly said, "President Li, I may have to trouble you to add two more consultation tables! Also, please call another two assistants."

Li Hongji looked vacant, and asked with a puzzled expression, "Why do you want another two consultation tables? Who exactly are the other assistants?"

"As far as I know, this Chinese Medical Hospital has a senior Chinese doctor surnamed Hu who has good medical skills. When he arrives to work, please tell him to help me! If he comes across any doubts or problems with the incurable diseases during the diagnosis or treatment, tell him that I will personally act," said Tang Xiu.

After pondering for a short while, Li Hongji then nodded with a smile, "No problem. I'll handle this. However, since the two of them are joining you, can you increase the number patients you will treat today?"

"Don't increase the number too much, just 100 people!" Tang Xiu nodded and answered.

"No problem," said Li Hongji with a smile. "Anyhow, the queue is very long. Let alone adding another 100 people, even if we add another 500 people, I'm afraid there will still be quite a lot of people left!"

Shortly after, Li Hongji left the consultation room. Tang Xiu gave a signal to Chu Guoxiong to wait, whereas he continued his consultations.

"Divine Doctor Tang, you must save my daughter." Gong Liqun led an 9 years-old looking girl sitting on a chair in front of the doctor's table, as she looked at Tang Xiu and said with a pleading expression.

Tang Xiu motioned the girl to stretch out her wrist. While checking her pulse, he asked, "Did you bring her medical records? What is her sickness from the previous examination?"

"Leukemia!"

Gong Liqun put medical records in front of Tang Xiu. She was 40 years-old this year. Her husband died in a car accident, leaving her widowed and her daughter orphaned. She was a HRD Manager of a foreign capital company with decent salary back then. The family of two had a comfortable life previously, but ever since her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia six months ago, she had no choice but resign from her job. Following that, she took her daughter to seek medical treatment from the hospital in Beijing and other big hospitals in Shanghai.

However, completely curing leukemia was an almost impossible task. Just as she was preparing to take her daughter to seek medical treatment abroad, she heard that a miracle-working doctor suddenly appeared in Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. Thus, she rushed here with her daughter with hope, and the two had been waiting for more than a week in Star City.

Tang Xiu creased his brows slightly. There was a helpless expression in his face. He may be revered as a divine doctor, yet his helplessness was not because he couldn't cure this disease. He may be able to cure some of the more difficult cases that the medical world was yet able to solve until now. But if the matter of him being able to cure these diseases were to be publicized, that would probably draw him quite the trouble.

At the side, Chu Guoxiong had a queer expression. He didn't expect that the first case he would see from Tang Xiu's treatment was the thorny and troublesome blood sepsis case. Though his Master was also touted as a sage and divine doctor with extraordinary medical skills, yet he himself must go through extreme difficulties to cure leukemia thoroughly.

After checking the girl's pulse, as well as using his spiritual sense to examine her condition, Tang Xiu felt quite helpless inside, for the condition of the girl was quite serious.

Leukemia is also known as the white blood disease, a kind of disease with a clonal characteristic of malignant hematopoietic stem cells. Its clonal characteristic made the multiplication of leukemia cells out of control, and the crowding that results from such cells blocking the mechanism of the bone marrow produces healthy blood cells. The disease accumulated in the bone marrow then infiltrated other hematopoietic organs, while at the same time suppressing the organs' normal functions to produce healthy blood cells.

Tang Xiu got up. He gently touched her lymphatic node and found it enlarged. The girl showed a pained expression when he touched it.

"How should I call you?" Tang Xiu looked at Gong Liqun and asked.

Gong Liqun told her name.

"Ms. Gong, your daughter's condition is very serious. If you continue to ignore it, I'm afraid she'll only be able to live for half a year at the most. Even if you try to suppress the disease with common medicine, it won't have a significant effect on her. However, I'll give you a prescription of Chinese traditional medicine. You can bring your daughter now to get the medicine, and please give it to her when she's suffering from the pain."

The expectation and hope on Gong Liqun's face vanished, replaced by grief and unwillingness. After being silent for 10 seconds, she then asked with a somewhat hoarse voice, "Is there really no other means, Divine Doctor Tang?"

"There is," answered Tang Xiu.

Gong Liqun's eyes lit up, and she hastily asked, "What is the solution?"

"Saying it now wouldn't be appropriate. Just take your daughter home and get her the prescribed medicine I just gave you. Come to the Inpatient Department tonight, I'll look for you there. I will talk to you about it in detail then," said Tang Xiu.

"I'll leave my mobile number to you, then," said Gong Liqun hurriedly. "My daughter is staying in the A area, ward #9015. We'll be waiting for you there."

Tang Xiu sat back in his chair, and then handed over the prescription to Gong Liqun, saying, "Give her the medicine according to this prescription once every morning and evening for two weeks."

"Alright!" replied Gong Liqun quickly.

At the side, Chu Guoxiong had a strange expression on his face, as he asked in a whisper, "Divine Doctor Tang, can you really treat this disease?"

"There's no guarantee, but I can try," said Tang Xiu.

Chu Guoxiong nodded. Although he admired Tang Xiu's courage, he was not optimistic about Tang Xiu's ability to cure leukemia. What he noted was that his Master, Gui Jianchou, was also able to cure leukemia in its early stages. But for the middle and late stages, it couldn't be cured completely despite his outstanding medical skills. He could only guarantee that there would be no recurrence in the short term after the treatment.

Afterward, Tang Xiu diagnosed and treated more than a dozen patients. Chu Guoxiong, who had been standing beside him and observing Tang Xiu's unusual consultation and treatment methods, was shocked inwardly. Tang Xiu's treatment methods were particularly unusual, and even he himself had never seen or heard of it.

Nevertheless, Tang Xiu's treatment speed, as well as its after-effects, made him sincerely convinced, as admiration and worship gradually appeared in his eyes.

At 8 o'clock in the morning, after the senior Chinese medical doctor surnamed Hu had arrived at Star City Chinese Medical Hospital, the old man and Chu Guoxiong joined the consultation and treatment marathon. Although the two men were unable to grasp Tang Xiu's methods, they were genuinely skilled and had mastered their medical skills, nonetheless. Many patients also left satisfied after getting diagnosed and treated by them.

However, many patients who came to Star City Chinese Medical Hospital for treatment were patients with incurable diseases, hence the two men encountered a lot of patients with troublesome conditions, and eventually made Tang Xiu solve them.