Feng Xian drove through the city streets at breakneck speed, arriving at the hospital in record time. He parked the car abruptly and strode toward the hospital entrance with determination etched on his face.
Just as he was about to enter, he crossed paths with a familiar figure— a young man in a tailored suit with slicked-back hair, flanked by a group of lackeys. It was **Shen Yunnan.**
Feng Xian immediately recognized him, but today wasn't the day for pleasantries—or confrontations. He had more urgent matters to attend to. Deciding to avoid him, Feng Xian kept his eyes forward and tried to walk past.
Unfortunately, Shen Yunnan had other plans. Spotting him, Shen raised his voice theatrically, loud enough to draw attention.
"Well, well! Isn't this Chairman Feng Xian? What a coincidence running into you here!"
He smirked and exchanged knowing glances with his cronies. They quickly moved to block Feng Xian's path.
Feng Xian's eyes narrowed, annoyance flashing across his face. "What do you want, Shen Yunnan?"
Shen stepped closer, his smirk widening. He lightly tapped Feng Xian's shoulder with mock familiarity.
"Consider this a warning," he said, his tone low but menacing. "Don't mess with the Shen family. Next time, things won't be this simple."
Leaning in closer, Shen added in a whisper, "You wouldn't want to end up like your... romantic father, would you?"
A chorus of laughter erupted from Shen's group, their mocking tone grating on Feng Xian's nerves.
Satisfied, Shen Yunnan motioned to leave, but before he could take a single step, Feng Xian grabbed him from behind and threw him over his shoulder with a resounding *thud*. Shen hit the ground hard, the air knocked out of him.
"Ahhh!" Shen groaned, clutching his side as pain shot through his body.
"Boss!" his lackeys cried, rushing to help him.
"Take him down!" Shen barked through gritted teeth.
The lackeys charged at Feng Xian, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he cracked his neck, his lips curling into a cold smile.
"I *hate* it when people try to steal my lines," he muttered before delivering a roundhouse kick that sent the first lackey sprawling.
In the blink of an eye, the rest of Shen's men fell one after another, each dispatched with precision and ease. Within moments, the hospital entrance was littered with groaning bodies.
Feng Xian stood tall amidst the chaos, arms crossed as he stared down at Shen Yunnan.
"You said you'd deal with me next time?" Feng Xian scoffed. "Do you really think I'd let you live long enough for there to *be* a next time?"
Before Shen could muster a reply, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed around them. A larger group of men appeared, clearly reinforcements sent by the Shen family.
Shen Yunnan's confidence returned in an instant. "Hahaha! Feng Xian, you didn't expect this, did you? My Shen family's men are everywhere! Keep fighting if you dare—this time, you're dead!"
But his laughter abruptly turned into a wheeze as the movement tugged at his injuries. Clutching his chest, Shen winced in pain.
Just as the circle of reinforcements began to close in on Feng Xian, a commanding female voice rang out.
"Stop!"
A figure leaped gracefully over the crowd, landing beside Feng Xian. The woman was tall and striking, dressed in sleek black, with an aura of authority that made everyone pause.
Shen Yunnan squinted at her. "And who the hell are you?"
"Mu Chuyun," she replied, her tone icy. "President of the Imperial City Martial Arts Association."
The moment her title was spoken, a collective gasp swept through Shen's men. Shen Yunnan's face went pale.
"The Martial Arts Association…?" he stammered, visibly shaken. "You mean *that* Mu Chuyun?"
The fear in his voice was palpable. Rumors about Mu Chuyun's strength were legendary—she could take down ten men with a single move. Against her, they were no more than ants.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Shen Yunnan forced a nervous smile. "Uh… well… I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to… So, we'll be leaving now!"
Without waiting for a response, he signaled his men, who hastily picked him up and fled, stumbling over one another in their rush to escape.
As the last of them disappeared from sight, Mu Chuyun turned to Feng Xian, her expression softening. "Were you here to stand up for Zhang Lingyi?"
But before she could get an answer, Feng Xian was already gone.
---
Meanwhile, Feng Xian had slipped away unnoticed, heading straight to the inpatient department. His destination was Jun Wushang, and he had no intention of lingering for unnecessary conversations.
Back at the hospital entrance, Mu Chuyun could only sigh in exasperation as she waited for Ling Qingxiao to arrive.
---
Minutes later, Ling Qingxiao rushed into the hospital, barely catching her breath as she hurried upstairs. At the operating room doors, she froze at the sight of Zhang Lingyi being wheeled in, his body covered in blood.
"Son!" she cried, her voice breaking.
"Little brother!" Mu Chuyun's worry mirrored her own as she reached out.
A nurse stepped forward, stopping them. "Please wait here. The operation is about to begin."
The doors closed behind Zhang Lingyi, the indicator light above turning on.
Ling Qingxiao sank to the floor, clasping her hands together in prayer. "Please… let my son be okay…"
Mu Chuyun knelt beside her, offering quiet comfort. "Godmother, Xiaoyi will be fine. He's strong, and we'll do whatever it takes to help him recover."
---
After what felt like an eternity, the operating room doors opened, and a doctor stepped out.
"Zhang Lingyi's family?"
Ling Qingxiao shot to her feet. "I'm his mother! Doctor, how is he?"
The doctor's expression was grave. "The patient suffered severe injuries while fighting back against his pursuers. While his life is no longer in danger…"
Ling Qingxiao clutched her chest. "What do you mean? What's wrong?"
The doctor hesitated before continuing. "The injuries to his reproductive system were extensive. There's a high chance he may never regain full functionality."
The words hit her like a thunderclap. Ling Qingxiao staggered, her legs threatening to give way.
Mu Chuyun caught her, holding her steady. "Godmother, don't lose hope. We have the resources to find the best specialists in the world. Xiaoyi *will* recover."
Ling Qingxiao nodded, her resolve hardening. "If I find out who did this to him, they'll regret ever being born."
Mu Chuyun quickly interjected. "Feng Xian has already avenged him. He fought off Shen Yunnan and his men singlehandedly."
Ling Qingxiao's eyes widened. "Feng Xian… did that?"
Mu Chuyun nodded, recounting the events.
"He stood up for Xiaoyi without hesitation. He took on Shen Yunnan and even scared off the Shen family's reinforcements."
Ling Qingxiao's eyes filled with tears. "He truly went that far for Xiaoyi…"
---
As the operation concluded, Zhang Lingyi was wheeled into his ward. Ling Qingxiao rushed to his bedside, holding his hand tightly.
"Son… how did this happen? Didn't your cousin send people to protect you?"
Zhang Lingyi remained silent, his pale face etched with pain. Ling Qingxiao's heart ached as she looked at him, determined to uncover the truth.
###
Where are the stones...!?