Volume Two: The Anbei Consortium Chapter Twenty-Five: I Hear the Call of Good Fortune

"What on earth is happening here?"
In a quiet courtyard, several elders sat together. Among them was one with broad palms and a towering stature of over two meters, his features bearing a faint resemblance to Iron Mountain.
He was Tie Wenkang, the head of the Iron Palm Sect, and Iron Mountain was his grandson.
"Master Tie, don’t be anxious. Let’s wait for the old physician to finish," said a gentle red-haired elder nearby.
Deep inside, he was also simmering with frustration. He had invited his old friends to help, but now his friend's grandson lay severely injured. If the old physician hadn't happened to be passing through, he would have been at a loss for what to do.
"And that boy? Have you found out who he is?" Tie Wenkang asked.
"Not yet. We asked the juniors, but none know which family he’s from. None of us have seen his fighting style before," the red-haired elder replied, shaking his head.
Tie Wenkang snorted coldly, saying no more.
The red-haired elder sighed inwardly. This incident would surely strain the bond between their two families. Iron Mountain was the Iron Palm Sect's prized disciple, groomed to become the next leader.
Not to mention the blood ties between Iron Mountain and his old friend.
"Tell the men below to investigate thoroughly!" The red-haired elder summoned a middle-aged man and gave his orders.
The courtyard fell silent, broken only by muffled cries of pain from inside the room.
The old physician was renowned for his superb medical skill and extensive knowledge, but his eccentric temper was infamous. No matter how grave the injury, he never used anesthesia—even if he had to cut and scrape bones, the patient endured the pain fully conscious.
After a long while, the door opened. Out stepped a hunchbacked, ugly old man, followed by his disciple.
"Doctor, how is he?" Tie Wenkang hurried forward, peering past them to see Iron Mountain unconscious on the bed.
Had he fainted from pain?
Tie Wenkang’s gaze was hopeful as he looked at the old man, whose stature barely reached his waist.
"It’s not bad. The hand is saved," the old physician said blandly, then bypassed them and headed toward his quarters.
"Forgive my master," the physician’s disciple—a woman in her thirties dressed in ancient attire—spoke apologetically. "He’s always been like this. Your grandson is out of danger. With some rest, his palm will recover completely."
Recover completely?
So his martial skills would not suffer?
Tie Wenkang was astonished. This far exceeded his expectations; he’d thought retaining eighty percent of his strength would be lucky. Now, joy lit his face as he exclaimed repeatedly, "The physician’s skill is indeed unrivaled! I have prepared a humble gift—please accept it!"
He had long heard of the old physician’s miraculous skill, and now, seeing it firsthand, he knew the tales were not exaggerated.
He was determined to forge a connection. For those who practice martial arts, injuries and hidden dangers are inevitable—and with their hot-blooded tempers, fights break out often. Having a brilliant physician was worth more than gold.
"The consultation fee is paid; no need for gifts," the woman smiled.
Tie Wenkang insisted, "It is necessary—this is a debt of rebirth for my grandson!"
...
Li Yu blew gently on his hands.
As he walked along the city streets, night descended and the bright lights illuminated the metropolis.
He had declined Chen Chengde’s offer to have his granddaughter escort him home. This area happened to be near the river, and he hadn’t strolled these paths in ages; tonight was the perfect opportunity to wander and observe.
The rapid development of China in recent years was like a sports car speeding down the highway—every year brought astonishing changes.
Last time he’d visited the riverside, Li Yu recalled only a few pedestrian paths. Now, there was a sprawling plaza, with winding walkways on both sides.
Everywhere in the square people danced, took care of children, set up stalls; runners filled the roads on either side.
"So much has changed. Let’s walk a bit more," Li Yu thought, finding the crowds overwhelming.
Especially the couples pressed so close together they seemed ready to melt into each other—truly an assault on the eyes...
What an absurd situation.
As the chosen child of destiny, graced with a system,
He could bear a disharmonious family, but being eternally single, forced to watch others’ happiness, was almost too much.
Li Yu shook his head, reminding himself not to get angry—for illness would find no one to care for him.
Still, he had to admit, China’s infrastructure was remarkable; streetlights every few meters, ornamental displays everywhere.
The breeze added to the comfort, brushing past and cooling him as he walked.
Li Yu closed his eyes and took in the serenity around him.
His steps never faltered; with his cultivation, his senses were heightened—he could even run with his eyes closed and avoid mishap.
"The wind disappears here... Is there something ahead—a structure or an object?"
"This smell is sharp... Is there a garbage bin up ahead?"

"What’s this—so soft?"
Li Yu was surprised, reaching out and grasping.
"You filthy pervert! Where are you touching? Wait, are you blind? Lucky for you!"
...
His hearing, smell, and touch worked in concert. Li Yu dared not open his eyes, instead feigning blindness as he walked forward step by step.
Too embarrassing!
He walked quite a distance before finally relaxing. He muttered, "How strange—she didn’t seem like an ordinary person..." He hadn’t heard any heartbeat, nor sensed any blood flow.
Yet someone had been standing right in front of him, and he hadn’t noticed—an unprecedented occurrence.
"Her heartbeat was so slow; otherwise, I should have heard it," Li Yu pondered. When the girl spoke and ran away, he focused and detected a faint, slow heartbeat—she’d taken several steps before it even thumped twice.
It was an encounter of chance; he hadn’t even seen her face.
Li Yu quickly calmed himself. Still, the journey had proven fruitful. His senses hadn’t been upgraded, but their use felt more natural and fluid.
For example, at this moment, his ears twitched and he caught sounds from the distant darkness.
Men’s arrogant voices, women’s frightened pleas...
Before, he wouldn’t have noticed—not because he couldn’t hear, but because distractions—visual, environmental, all kinds—would have masked it.
"Heh heh, I’ve chased you for so long—stop pretending to be so pure."
"Do you know how your pitiful look makes me feel? Once we’ve sealed the deal, your family will surely accept me!"
"Scream all you want—even if you shatter your throat, no one will save you!"
Li Yu could hear the faint sobbing.
"No need to scream yourself hoarse," Li Yu strode forward, murmuring, "I am Lei Feng—I heard the call for good deeds, and I’ll do it without leaving my name!"