Lai Peng stared at the transmission jade token, his face lighting up with joy. "Hahaha! Incredible! The president is finally cured!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.
He continued with a laugh that echoed his delight, "This is undoubtedly the most uplifting news for my White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in recent years. It's even more satisfying than amassing a fortune!"
Meanwhile, the guard who had earlier blocked the duo approached Lai Peng, his eyes alight with keen interest. He leaned in closer, eager to catch a glimpse of the message from the vice-president.
Just then, Lin Feng, with widened eyes and a shake of his head, blurted out, "No, it can't be!"
He paused, his eyebrows knitting together in skepticism, and asserted with a resolute expression, "Your president's ailment isn't that simple to cure!"
Lin Feng knew exactly what was wrong with President Du Bailei of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. In Autumn Glory City, it seemed only he, his master Qiu Liaoxi, and Ning Xian had the skills to pinpoint President Du Bailei's condition. This particular ailment was detailed extensively in the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records.
And if there was an attempt to cure the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Lin Feng was certain that he was the only one capable of achieving it. This confidence stemmed from the fact that the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, crucial for the cure, was extremely rare. Only he had the ability to ingest the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass with the aid of his Burning World Red Lotus, offering a complete solution for President Du Bailei's ailment.
Therefore, he found it impossible to believe that the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce had already been cured by someone else.
"Lai Peng, what are you talking about?" Lai Peng asked Lin Feng, his expression showing clear annoyance. "President Du Bailei's chronic illness has been treated. What do you mean it's not easy to cure?"
He was confident in the news since it had come directly from the vice-president.
"That's right! Young man, aren't you happy to see my president get better?" The guard interjected, his face twisting into a scowl, as he looked at Lin Feng with hostility. If it weren't for Lai Peng's previous assurance about bringing Lin Feng here, he would have already started to throw him out.
Seeing their displeased reactions, Lin Feng's heart raced, and he quickly tried to explain. "No, that's not what I meant. I'm worried that President Du Bailei might have been misled by someone!"
"Brother Lin Feng," Lai Peng interjected, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Is it really possible for someone to fake the cure of such a chronic illness?"
"Now that our president is better, there's no need for your intervention. Let's go," he said, giving Lin Feng a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Then, taking hold of his arm, he began to lead him away from the scene.
Feeling a strong sense of reluctance and not wanting to let this significant opportunity pass, Lin Feng protested, "No, Brother Lai, please trust me this time."
"Only I, Lin Feng, can cure President Du Bailei in Autumn Glory City!" he declared, his eyes burning with self-confidence and a hint of desperation.
The guard, skeptical and scornful, immediately retorted, "What do you mean only you can cure him? Look at you, still so young. How dare you make such a bold claim!?"
Lai Peng's patience was wearing thin, and he spoke with evident irritation. "Little brother Lin Feng, although we have some connections, if you continue to create a scene like this, I won't be able to stay courteous."
"I..." Lin Feng started to respond but found himself at a loss for words. He realized that insisting further would only worsen the situation with Lai Peng and the guard, diminishing his chances of meeting the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Yet, the thought of leaving filled him with a deep sense of reluctance and a growing resentment towards the unknown individual who had treated President Du Bailei, someone he had never even met.
"Let's go!" Lai Peng pulled on Lin Feng's arm firmly, leading him towards the stairs.
As they descended, Lin Feng, clenching his teeth in a mix of frustration and resolve, declared, "Charlatan! The person who treated your president must be a charlatan!"
In his mind, he was already formulating a plan, thinking, 'I have to find a way to meet President Du Bailei, reveal the truth about this fraudster, and then truly heal his condition.'
Lai Peng, observing Lin Feng's behavior, was filled with confusion. He thought to himself, 'What in the world has gotten into Lin Feng?'
At that moment, the third-floor corridor came alive with movement, signaling the approach of several people toward the staircase.
Then, a distinctly displeased, hoarse male voice, carrying a note of authority, resonated through the air, "Who are you calling a charlatan!?"
"Who!?" Lin Feng's body tensed up, instantly realizing from the voice that the newcomer was someone significant. He turned around swiftly, and then froze in place.
Before him stood a burly man with a peculiar appearance, his brows furrowed and eyes glaring coldly at Lin Feng. Accompanying the burly man were three familiar figures – Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, both appearing confused and speechless, and Jiang Chen, who had his eyes wide open, his hand covering his mouth in sheer astonishment.
Lin Feng's own eyes grew wide with shock, his face contorted as if he was struggling to process the scene, teetering on the edge of a complete breakdown.
Du Bailei stepped forward, his presence commanding and his voice taking on an even more severe tone, "I said, who are you calling a charlatan!!"
"No, it's not..." Lin Feng stammered, overwhelmed with embarrassment and unable to find the right words. He was also shocked to realize that the 'charlatan' he referred to was none other than Ning Xian, his mentor, and Jiang Chen.
At that moment, Qiu Liaoxi interjected awkwardly, trying to diffuse the tension, "President Du, this is a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding, that's all."
Jiang Chen quickly stepped in, eagerly trying to smooth things over, "Right, right, right! Misunderstanding, misunderstanding!"
He continued, eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and surprise, "This Lin Feng is a disciple of Alchemist Qiu Liaoxi, also a well-known alchemist himself. Oh, what a coincidence!"
"What!? This Lin Feng is Alchemist Qiu's disciple!?" Du Bailei exclaimed, his face morphing into an expression of utter astonishment mixed with a hint of incredulity. A sense of the absurd started to rise within him.
Lai Peng and the guard stood there, equally stunned, not having expected such an unexpected twist in the situation!
"Master, Ning Xian, how... how did you all end up here?" Lin Feng asked, his voice a blend of embarrassment and confusion.
Qiu Liaoxi, with a gentle smile and a shake of her head, began to explain the situation. Through her words, Lin Feng came to understand that it was actually Jiang Chen who had brought Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian to this place.
Lin Feng thought bitterly, 'Jiang Chen! It's this guy again!' A surge of resentment welled up inside him. 'He must be trying to leverage my master's expertise to treat the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce and gain some benefits!'
'Damn it, if it weren't for him, I would be the one treating President Du Bailei, and I wouldn't be in this embarrassing situation!'
Lin Feng brooded, a sense of frustration gnawing at him. 'Aargh! Is Jiang Chen destined to be my nemesis? Whenever he's around, I'm always struck by misfortune!'
At this moment, Jiang Chen tilted his head slightly and regarded Lin Feng curiously, asking, "What are you doing here? Also, just now..."
Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi also looked at him with interest, waiting for his response.
Lin Feng thought with rising frustration, 'This guy, he always causes trouble wherever he goes!' Feeling a surge of anger in his heart, he took a deep breath and replied, albeit with a touch of embarrassment, "Well, I too heard about President Du Bailei's illness and had a plan to help him recover. Who would've thought we'd run into each other like this?"
Upon hearing Lin Feng's explanation, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi suddenly had a moment of realization. They understood that Lin Feng must have learned about the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass and, recognizing an illness he could treat, wanted to demonstrate his abilities. Little did he know, he would be outdone by someone from their own group.
"I see," Du Bailei remarked with a nod, a look of understanding crossing his face. "It was all just a misunderstanding!"
"Thank you for your kind intentions, young friend Lin Feng. Fortunately, your master has already cured my illness," he added with a grateful smile, his expression reflecting relief and appreciation.
Lin Feng glanced at Qiu Liaoxi, Ning Xian, and Jiang Chen with a gleam in his eyes. After a brief hesitation, he still felt compelled to ask, "President Du... was really cured?"
He had diagnosed Du Bailei's illness and knew that Qiu Liaoxi or Ning Xian were capable of doing the same. Yet, he found it hard to believe that they had actually managed to cure Du Bailei.
Given that finding the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss was an almost impossible task, Lin Feng had convinced himself that only he, Lin Feng, had the means to cure Du Bailei.