Lin Fei stepped out of the hospital, the cool breeze brushing against his face. His footsteps were aimless, the chaos in his mind reflected in the bustling streets around him. He didn't know where he was going; he just needed to move. To escape. To think. The revelation of Lin Qingchen's identity as Su Qing's mother was a dagger that twisted with every step he took.
"Why her?" he muttered, his voice low and bitter. "Why did it have to be her?"
He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Su Qing had been the one who made him feel warmth, the first person in years to break through the ice encasing his heart. And now, even that comfort had been torn away, leaving only bitterness. She'd taken that from him too—or so he thought.
Lost in his thoughts, Lin Fei wandered until he found himself by the banks of the Yangtze River. The majestic flow of water stretched out before him, its surface glimmering under the midday sun. The gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore had a calming effect. He stopped and sat on a stone near the riverbank, his eyes fixed on the flowing water.
The river carried a quiet serenity, its currents seeming to whisper tales of resilience and endless journeys. As Lin Fei watched the rippling waves, he felt the storm within him subside. The water's movement was steady, determined. No matter the obstacles it faced, it continued to flow, carving a path forward.
With a sigh, Lin Fei muttered, "Let's see where it takes me."
His words carried more weight than he realized. In that moment, he made a decision. He couldn't afford to be consumed by the past. He had a goal: to become stronger, to refine his meridians, to awaken the Heavens Core Bead. Nothing else mattered. Everything else—the pain, the betrayal—would have to wait.
Lin Fei stood, brushing dust off his clothes, and turned back towards the city. The sun was high in the sky by the time he reached his small house. It had been ten days since he last stepped foot here. The sight of the familiar structure brought a strange mix of comfort and melancholy.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside, only to be greeted by a thick layer of dust covering every surface. The air was stale, a reminder of how much time he'd spent in the hospital. Lin Fei rolled up his sleeves and began cleaning, his movements brisk and purposeful. By the time he was done, the house looked livable again.
Afterwards, he went to a nearby store to buy essentials. Returning home, he cooked a simple meal. The taste of warm food filled his stomach and gave him energy he hadn't realized he was lacking. Once he finished eating, Lin Fei headed to the small garden behind his house.
The garden was his sanctuary, a modest space where he felt at peace. He sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and began cultivating. He focused on the Ethereal Flow Technique, channeling his true qi to refine his second meridian. The process was grueling. Unlike the first meridian, this one resisted his efforts, the pathways clogged with impurities that made progress slow and painful.
Beads of sweat formed on Lin Fei's forehead as he gritted his teeth and pushed through the discomfort. Hours passed, the sun's position shifting as the day waned. By the time he opened his eyes, the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink. He exhaled deeply, feeling both exhausted and accomplished.
"It's harder than I thought," he muttered to himself. "Refining the second meridian is going to take more time than I expected."
He stood and stretched, feeling the stiffness in his limbs. As he reflected on his progress, a thought crossed his mind. In the Senzhong world, spirit medicines rich in true qi had been essential for cultivation. If Earth had similar resources, they could significantly speed up his progress.
Lin Fei walked back inside and grabbed his battered mobile phone. Its cracked screen flickered as he searched the internet for any information on spirit medicines. After a while, he stumbled upon an article about a cultural fair happening in the southern part of the city. The fair boasted rare antiques, including traditional Chinese medicines rumored to be over a century old.
"Could be worth a look," he thought. "Even if I can't afford anything, I might learn something useful."
The fair wasn't far from his house, so Lin Fei decided to visit. Locking the door behind him, he set off, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the streets. The journey was uneventful until he reached a narrow alley. The streetlights didn't reach here, and the area was littered with discarded trash. The darkness made him uneasy, but he pressed on.
As he neared the end of the alley, a faint voice reached his ears.
"Help... help me..."
Lin Fei stopped, his senses on high alert. He turned, trying to locate the source of the voice. Again, it came, faint and desperate.
"Please, someone... help me..."
This time, he pinpointed the sound. It was coming from deeper within the alley. Lin Fei moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the dim surroundings. At the far end of the alley, he saw a young woman lying on the ground. She looked to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. Her long hair was disheveled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. A red mark on her face hinted at the slap she'd endured.
Surrounding her were four men, their expressions twisted with malice. They held knives, their leering faces lit by the faint glow of a distant streetlamp.
"Help! Please, someone help me!" the woman cried, her voice trembling with fear.
One of the thugs sneered. "Go ahead, scream. No one's going to save you tonight."
Another laughed, his tone mocking. "Yeah, cry all you want. You'll enjoy this soon enough. Just relax, beauty."
The woman's face contorted in disgust and terror as the men closed in. But before they could get any closer, a cold voice cut through the night.
"Stop."
The thugs froze, turning to see an eighteen-year-old boy standing a few feet away. Lin Fei's expression was calm, but his eyes burned with intensity.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the thugs snarled. "Get lost, kid, before we send you to hell."
Lin Fei didn't flinch. His voice was steady as he replied, "Leave her alone. Or you'll regret it."
"I think I'll teach you a lesson so you don't meddle in other people's business," one of the thugs growled, stepping forward. "Yeah, beat him up," another chimed in as the rest laughed. The thug swung his fist towards Lin Fei's face, but Lin Fei sidestepped with ease, letting the punch sail past him.
"You bastard!" the thug snarled, pulling out a knife as his anger boiled over. He charged at Lin Fei, aiming to slash him. The others laughed, confident their comrade would finish the job. But just as they turned back towards the girl, a loud cracking noise cut through the alley.
"Ahhh!" the thug screamed as he crumpled to the ground. Blood dripped from his nose, and Lin Fei stood over him, his fist still clenched. The other thugs stared in disbelief.
"Attack him! Kill him!" the fallen thug shouted, clutching his face. The others, enraged, charged at Lin Fei, swinging their knives wildly.
Lin Fei focused, his movements precise. As the first thug lunged, Lin Fei dodged and delivered a powerful punch to his face. The thug flew backward, landing with a thud and losing consciousness. The remaining two became more furious, attacking in tandem. Lin Fei evaded their strikes, but one managed to land a shallow cut on his shoulder. Blood seeped through his shirt, but Lin Fei's expression remained steely.
The pain from the cut was sharp, but it wasn't deep—his cultivated body had made him more resilient. The sight of his own blood fueled his fury. With renewed determination, Lin Fei retaliated. He delivered a flurry of blows, his fists connecting with devastating precision. One thug fell to the ground, clutching his stomach in agony, while the other stumbled back, dazed.
Lin Fei turned his gaze to the boss, who had been watching in stunned silence. Panic overtook the man as he saw his comrades defeated. He dropped his knife and fell to his knees, trembling.
"Brother, brother, please spare me! I'm sorry! I'll do anything you want, just don't kill me!" the boss begged, tears streaming down his face.
Lin Fei walked towards him, his cold eyes boring into the man. "Do you have money?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
The thug boss stammered, "Y-yes, yes! I have money!" He fumbled with his pocket, pulling out a wallet. With trembling hands, he produced a bank card. "Take this! It has 30,000 yuan! The password is written on the card! Please, spare me!"
Lin Fei took the card, slipping it into his pocket. He stared at the boss for a moment before saying, "Get lost. And don't ever let me see you again."
The boss scrambled to his feet, waking his unconscious comrades one by one. They stumbled away, disappearing into the darkness of the alley.
Satisfied, Lin Fei turned his attention to the girl. She was staring at him with wide eyes, her expression a mix of shock and awe. Tears still glistened on her cheeks, but there was relief in her gaze.
"Thank you... thank you for saving me," she said, her voice trembling.
"No problem," Lin Fei replied curtly. He felt a sense of satisfaction knowing his increase in strength, with his strength he can even fight ten thugs and come out victorious. As he approached the girl, he extended a hand to help her up.
She took his hand hesitantly and stood. Lin Fei couldn't help but notice her beauty. Her face was delicate, with a pointed nose and cherry lips. Her slender waist and graceful posture added to her charm, though her disheveled state couldn't hide the fear she had endured.
End of Chapter 8.