"Here."
Jiang Ce took the dagger and with one slice, the pustule burst open. A stream of thick, black blood flowed out, emitting a foul, nauseating stench.
"It's done."
Shen Xuanran immediately let go of the towel and hurried to check on him. "Dad, how are you? Are you feeling better?"
Shen Fuli gasped for breath as if he had just been let out of a coffin, his voice hoarse. "I... I'm fine."
"Friend Jiang, what about my illness?"
Jiang Ce wet the towel with water again and wiped away the filthy blood, saying lightly, "It's fine now."
Only then did Shen Fuli realize his body felt incredibly light. Not only that, but he also felt as if he had grown more than ten years younger, his physical constitution significantly stronger!
"Is it really... really cured? To be honest, a moment ago I thought you were settling a score and trying to strangle me on purpose. I never expected... you actually healed me."
Shen Xuanran added with delight, "Father, Jiang Ce cured my illness before, too!"
"What? He's a miracle doctor!" Shen Fuli exclaimed. "Friend Jiang, you've healed our whole family. No matter what, you must accept my bow!"
As he spoke, Shen Fuli tried to get off the bed to kowtow.
Jiang Ce quickly stopped him. "Mr. Shen, although your illness is cured, your body still needs time to recover. Don't make any large movements."
"Friend Jiang, just tell me what you want! I, Shen Fuli, will satisfy you even if I have to sell everything I own!"
Jiang Ce smiled. "Practicing medicine is an act of kindness. I don't expect any reward, so there's no need."
"How can that be?" Shen Fuli immediately waved his hand, but couldn't think of a suitable reward. Suddenly, his eyes fell on Shen Xuanran, and he slapped his thigh. "What a brilliant idea! My daughter has always been headstrong, but she has a good heart. Today, I'll make an executive decision and betroth my daughter to you!"
Hearing this, Shen Xuanran instinctively wanted to refuse, but looking at Jiang Ce's handsome face, she found herself at a loss for words as her pretty face flushed bright red.
Jiang Ce, on the other hand, was completely stunned.
What is wrong with this family? I was just forcibly dragged here to be a dance partner. How did that turn into them marrying their daughter to me?
He hurriedly waved his hands. "No, absolutely not. If you say another word, I'm leaving."
Shen Xuanran felt a wave of relief at Jiang Ce's words, yet she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
But Shen Fuli seemed oblivious. His eyes twinkled as he said, "Young man, it's normal to be a bit shy, I understand. Let's just give you two some more time to get to know each other. I'll let you young people sort it out yourselves."
Jiang Ce looked completely exasperated. Suddenly, he remembered something. "Right, Mr. Shen, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
"Speak your mind! Don't be a stranger! And stop calling me Mr. Shen, it's too formal. I'm older than you, so if you don't mind, just call me Uncle Shen. You can even switch to calling me father-in-law later!"
After saying this, Shen Fuli burst into laughter, causing Shen Xuanran's face to burn with embarrassment once more.
Jiang Ce ignored Shen Fuli's joke and said seriously, "Uncle Shen, I want to tell you that although your and Xuanran's symptoms are not very similar, the root cause is the same. It's just that your condition was more severe."
"The root cause is a type of poison!"
"Poison?" Shen Fuli was a smart man and understood immediately. "Are you saying someone has been poisoning my daughter and me?"
Shen Xuanran interjected, "But that can't be right. Father's and my meals are prepared by trusted aides and inspected constantly. There's no way they could be tainted."
Jiang Ce shook his head. "No, this poison isn't very potent and has almost no immediate effect on the human body. A single test would never detect it. However, with continuous poisoning over a long period, the effects become increasingly severe."
"Your and Xuanran's illnesses both began a year ago. I suspect the poisoning has also been going on for a year. For it to continue for so long, the culprit must be adding it to either your food or your drinking water."
Shen Xuanran was aghast.
Shen Fuli, worthy of his title as the Underground Emperor, didn't panic. Instead, he immediately sank into deep thought.
"So, Friend Jiang, you're saying there's a traitor among my men?"
"That's for you to investigate, Uncle Shen."
"I understand." Shen Fuli nodded, his expression chilling as he took out his phone and made a call. "I want the kitchen investigated immediately. Don't let a single dog get away. If anyone dares to run, take them out!"
This incident would undoubtedly lead to a bloodbath, but it had nothing to do with Jiang Ce.
After hanging up, Shen Fuli looked at Jiang Ce again with an appreciative expression.
Such a young miracle doctor, and so broad-minded and imposing. Most importantly, I am a Martial Artist myself. I could sense the Inner Strength Jiang Ce used to treat me. It was so profound, indicating formidable power. A talent like him is destined to become a dragon among men, not some creature confined to a small pond! My earlier words were no joke. If my daughter could really win over Jiang Ce, it would be a wonderful match! I'm getting old and nearing retirement, but I still don't have a capable successor. Although I'm the leader in the East Sea, retiring without a successor will naturally lead to a crisis. If Jiang Ce became my son-in-law, I wouldn't have to worry about those watching like tigers...
Shen Fuli was busy with his internal calculations.
Suddenly, Shen Xuanran's phone buzzed. She took it out and her brow furrowed. Looking at Jiang Ce, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Jiang Ce, take a look at this..."
"What is it?"
Jiang Ce took the phone and was instantly shocked.
The screen displayed an image of a sudden car crash on an overpass with severe casualties. The car at the very front of the pile-up was, unmistakably, a Rolls-Royce.
Isn't that the car Wang Xinyao was in?! Wang Xinyao is in trouble!
"Where is this?!" Jiang Ce demanded immediately.
"It's... the Golden Phoenix Overpass."
"I'm on my way."
"Wait, do you want me to come with you?"
"No need."
With that, Jiang Ce walked straight out the door.
Puzzled, Shen Fuli leaned in for a look. When he saw the Rolls-Royce's license plate, his brow furrowed slightly. He asked in confusion, "Isn't that the young woman from the Wang Family of Capital City? What's her connection to Jiang Ce?"
With a complicated expression, Shen Xuanran nodded. "That's right. She said she's Jiang Ce's... fiancée."
"Fiancée?" Shen Fuli looked intrigued, then said in a low voice, "Looks like you have some serious competition, daughter."
In front of her father, Shen Xuanran acted like a well-behaved girl, blushing as she said, "Father, don't say such things..."
Shen Fuli laughed heartily. "What's there to be embarrassed about? So what if she's from the Wang Family of Capital City? She's still just a fiancée. Nothing's set in stone yet."
"Daughter, you have to seize this opportunity. When Jiang Ce was treating me just now, I discovered something else—his Inner Strength is incredibly profound. In my opinion, he has at least reached the level of an Innate Middle Period Martial Artist!"