When Crow was sent flying, everyone stared in shock.
How is he so strong?
Crow himself was dumbfounded. He endured the excruciating pain as he scrambled to his feet, gritting his teeth. "You motherfucker, I'll kill you!"
"Stand down!" Dr. Shi barked. "Haven't you made enough of a fool of yourself?"
He approached Jiang Ce, his expression grim. "Kid, you've got some skills, but let me tell you, you're finished."
"How dare you molest our Young Miss! Do you have any idea who she is? She's the precious daughter of Mr. Shen, Shen Xuanran!"
"You can forget about keeping those hands of yours. Chop them off yourself right now, and I might leave you with a shred of dignity."
You must understand, the Mr. Shen he spoke of was the Underground Emperor of all of East Sea City. He was a figure whose very stomp could make the whole city tremble.
I bet this kid will start shivering and begging for mercy as soon as he hears this.
But to his surprise, Jiang Ce had no reaction at all.
Dr. Shi frowned. "Are you deaf? Is there something wrong with your ears?"
Jiang Ce didn't even raise his head. "Shut up," he said coldly.
Dr. Shi's eyes widened, and he ground his teeth. "Alright, kid. You've got guts!"
Just then, Crow ran over. "Dr. Shi, I've called all the brothers in the area! This kid won't even have a grave!"
A few minutes later, the roar of countless engines ripped through the air.
Countless heavy motorcycles arrived. A burly, powerfully built man sat on each one, the steel rods in their hands scraping against the ground, kicking up trails of sparks.
A quick count revealed about thirty-four men.
Dr. Shi sneered. "Kid, you had your chance. Before, it was just about your hands. Now... it won't be that simple!"
"I'll give you five seconds. Any last words?"
Jiang Ce glanced at Dr. Shi and said flatly, "You've offended the person who saved your Young Miss's life. Aren't you afraid of the consequences?"
Dr. Shi's face was a mask of sarcasm. "Her life-saver? Haha, you're going to make me die of laughter."
"I began studying medicine at six. In all my years of practice, I wouldn't dare claim I could cure the Young Miss's illness. Who the hell do you think you are, bragging like this?"
"And... what if I really did cure her?"
Dr. Shi paused for a second before replying with disdain, "If you really cured her, I'd kneel down and call you 'Dad'!"
"Well, having a son like you would be pretty embarrassing," Jiang Ce retorted. "But if you're that eager, I suppose I can't stop you."
Enraged, Dr. Shi bellowed, "Motherfucker! You're asking for death! Everyone, get him! Kill him!"
The group of men charged forward, swinging their steel pipes, but at that exact moment, the unconscious Shen Xuanran began to cough violently.
She was waking up.
Instantly, everyone froze, dumbfounded. Dr. Shi himself was startled. "Young Miss, you're awake?"
But after a second glance, they saw that Shen Xuanran had only coughed once before falling still again.
Jiang Ce explained, "Her consciousness is still hazy, but the poison will be expelled soon. She'll wake up for good in a moment."
Dr. Shi's face was a picture of shock.
Could it be that this kid really cured the Young Miss?
"What are you waiting for? Go on, call me 'Dad', my good son," Jiang Ce said with a disarmingly innocent smile.
"You!" Dr. Shi was livid.
Suddenly, Crow yelled, "Something's wrong! The Young Miss is coughing up blood again!"
Everyone looked closely and saw Shen Xuanran, still lying on the ground, let out a cry as she spat out a mouthful of dark, viscous blood.
Everyone wondered what was happening.
Jiang Ce glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, don't worry. That's a normal part of detoxification."
But no one was listening to him.
Crow's eyes were bloodshot. "He's made her worse! Kill him!"
The crowd surged forward, their emotions inflamed.
Jiang Ce frowned. It seemed a fight was inevitable. Perfect. This was a good chance to test his current strength. He took a deep breath, and the energy within his body began to surge wildly.
Just as he was about to make his move, a woman's sharp voice commanded, "Stop!"
Turning around, Jiang Ce saw that Shen Xuanran had somehow gotten to her feet and was wiping the foul blood from the corner of her mouth.
This time, she was truly awake.
Crow's eyes lit up, and he rushed to her side. "Young Miss! You're finally awake."
Dr. Shi was in utter disbelief. "How... How is this possible?"
In truth, Shen Xuanran had been aware of everything that was happening. She had simply been too weak to open her eyes, possessing only a faint consciousness and the ability to hear. She knew, of course, that it was Jiang Ce who had saved her. She looked at Dr. Shi. "Uncle Shi, I'm fine now. Tell them to stand down."
"But... Young Miss, how can that be? This kid is just a common swindler!" Dr. Shi said, his voice full of anxiety.
Shen Xuanran's expression turned cold. "So you don't even trust my word?"
A sudden chill made Dr. Shi shiver. "No, I wouldn't dare..."
"Everyone else, disperse."
Like a queen issuing a decree, all the bikers retreated at her command. Then, she walked up to Jiang Ce.
"Thank you for saving my life. What would you like as a reward?"
She was quite direct.
Jiang Ce's eyes narrowed slightly. "Anything I want?"
"As long as it's within my power. Of course, there aren't many things outside of it."
"Good." Jiang Ce suddenly pointed at Dr. Shi. "It's simple. I want him to kneel down and call me 'Dad'."
Dr. Shi erupted in fury. "You bastard, what did you just say?!"
Shen Xuanran was taken aback for a moment, then a smile bloomed on her face.
Interesting.
"Young Miss, you can't possibly agree to this! He's challenging your authority and making a mockery of you! This is humiliating for all of us..."
"Uncle Shi."
"Ah, Young Miss, what is it?"
"Go ahead."
Dr. Shi was stunned. "No, Young Miss..."
"A bet's a bet. Weren't you the one who proposed it just now?"
Instantly, Dr. Shi's face turned as ugly as if he'd just eaten shit. But with Shen Xuanran's order given, he knew he had no choice. He reluctantly knelt and whispered, "Dad."
Jiang Ce pursed his lips. "I can't hear you."
Dr. Shi gritted his teeth and raised his voice. "Dad!"
"Too quiet."
"Dad!"
"Have you not eaten?"
"..."
"DAD!"
Finally, Dr. Shi roared the word with every ounce of strength he had.
Only then did Jiang Ce nod in satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad. Loud and clear. Alright, my good son, you may rise."
Dr. Shi scrambled to his feet, seething with humiliation, and stormed away.
Shen Xuanran observed from the side, her long lashes fluttering. She had agreed to Jiang Ce's request because she could clearly feel that the disease within her was gone. For the past year, she had sought out countless famous doctors for this illness, all of whom were helpless. Yet, the man before her had cured her.
It seems I've stumbled upon a real treasure today.
Suddenly, she seemed to realize something, and her expression changed.
Wait... that aura he's exuding, the one that keeps even mosquitoes and flies at bay... He's a Martial Artist!
Her father had powerful figures like this in his service, and her long-term exposure to them had made her exceptionally sensitive to Martial Artists.
The aura emanating from him is even more formidable than that of the protectors in my own household! Is he a Postnatal Martial Artist, or has he already reached the Innate level? A divine healer who is also a powerful Martial Artist... and so young! No wonder. A favor that others would consider a priceless treasure was something he could just throw away.
A thrill of excitement ignited within Shen Xuanran.
This time, I've truly found a treasure! If I can recruit him, I might be able to solve the crisis my father is facing... I absolutely cannot let him get away!
Jiang Ce spoke up. "Miss Shen, since your illness is cured, I'll be going if there's nothing else."
A ripple seemed to pass through Shen Xuanran's eyes. She then gracefully approached him.
"I still don't know your name."
"Jiang Ce."
"Jiang Ce... A good name."
Before Jiang Ce could react, Shen Xuanran had pressed him against the car. She leaned in close, her breath fragrant.
"Jiang Ce, how about this? As thanks for saving my life, let me treat you to dinner. What do you say?"