Li Elder's residence was neither luxurious nor spacious—just a typical civilian home. Surrounding several adjacent side rooms was a simple earthen wall two meters high and half a meter thick, forming a modest courtyard. A semicircular arched gate faced the entrance direction, and through the partially open wooden doors, one could see many visitors gathered inside. Upon entering the courtyard, Han Li realized that the actual number of people present was far greater than what he had seen from outside, as they gathered in small groups, quietly discussing Li Elder's condition. Han Li had long heard that Li Elder was one of the few kind-hearted senior figures in the Seven Xuanyuan Sect, rarely losing his temper—whether with junior disciples or colleagues—and never engaged in power struggles within the sect. Naturally, his reputation for being a genuinely good person earned him widespread praise throughout the sect, making his popularity exceptionally strong.
Now that Li Elder has encountered difficulties, those with some status, whether sincerely concerned or merely formally polite, naturally wish to personally visit or send representatives to extend their greetings—thus creating the current gathering of people. As soon as Han Li entered the courtyard, he was immediately recognized by the on-site attendees. Instantly, the lower-ranking figures such as the protectors and guardians rushed toward him, eager to greet him one by one.
"Good morning, Doctor Han!"
"Ah, Doctor Han has arrived!"
...
A continuous stream of well-wishes poured into his ears, making it impossible to ignore.
Observing their warm and enthusiastic expressions, Han Li smiled warmly and returned each greeting with equal courtesy, appearing most polite on the surface. Yet, deep down, he found himself growing increasingly weary of these insincere formalities.
Fortunately, the more senior figures remained reserved, several deputy hall heads and attendants merely gave a subtle nod to Han Li, indicating their acknowledgment without coming closer. Their demeanor actually gave Han Li a sense of goodwill—he no longer had to repeatedly greet these elders. Ma Rong, being relatively junior, found himself unable to speak, merely watching as Han Li engaged in lengthy exchanges with these guests. He was visibly anxious, his hands continuously rubbing together. Finally, when Han Li had finished his last conversation, Ma Rong immediately rushed forward, grabbing Han Li's arm and pulling him toward the inner room. This impetuous move somewhat displeased those who had hoped to establish a personal connection with the esteemed physician Han Li. On the surface, Han Li seemed to offer a slight smile of resignation, yet within, he felt genuinely pleased—finally able to avoid any awkwardness and move past the persistent guests. Thus, Han Li was directly ushered into the living room.
There weren't many people inside, aside from a few relatives, two senior elders, and the Deputy Door Master, Ma. But what surprised Han Li most was that Li Feiyu was also present. This came as a surprise to Han Li, since he believed Li Feiyu had no close ties with Elder Li—so why was he here? As he pondered these questions, he noticed Li Feiyu standing beside a slender, tear-streaked young woman, gently comforting her with constant words of reassurance. The attentive and tender manner in which he was behaving was entirely different from his usual demeanor, whether with his fellow disciples or with himself—clearly caught in a deep romantic entanglement. Observing Li Feiyu's deep affection, Han Li suddenly understood and found himself both astonished and amused. He then carefully studied the young woman's appearance, trying to figure out just how a woman of such graceful charm could have captured the wild, untamed spirit of Li Feiyu, a man known for his relentless, almost reckless nature.
The young girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a light green dress that matched her petite frame perfectly. A jade hairpin was inserted into her hair, and her sleek black hair was braided into two small plaits resting at the back of her head, giving her naturally sweet face a touch of spirited charm. However, her eyes were slightly puffy and red, making her appear delicate and endearing—so much so that one felt a strong urge to embrace her and treat her with gentle care.
"Hm! Truly a genuine beauty," thought Han Li, marveling inwardly. He found it quite understandable that Li Feiyu had fallen deeply in love with this girl, yet he also felt a subtle sense of admiration and envy—wondering when he himself might find a beloved companion of the same grace.
Perhaps sensing Han Li's attention, Ma Rong hurried forward to introduce the other guests in the room to him.
Han Li had already met Ma's chief and a white-faced elder named Han, so there was no need for further explanation. Ma Rong immediately stepped forward to greet him.
"Master Ma and Elder Qian are well!"
"Ah, good! Doctor Han has arrived!" Master Ma appeared very approachable, not showing off his status in front of Han Li.
"Why call him 'Doctor Han' instead of just 'Han'?" Han Li silently chided himself in his mind.
Elder Qian, on the other hand, nodded coldly—quite the opposite of Master Ma's warmth—but Han Li didn't take it personally. He knew Elder Qian practiced a unique internal energy cultivation method that required emotional detachment and celibacy, making him naturally reserved with everyone.
The other elder, a sturdy, red-faced man, was someone Han Li had never met before. However, his hands were rough, with short, thick fingers, clearly indicating he had mastered a special set of hand techniques.
"This is Elder Zhao, a close friend of my master. He used to supervise the Treasure Hall's operations outside the mountain, and only returned recently," Ma Rong explained.
Master Zhao gave a neutral, nasal "hm" with his nose, said nothing, but his eyes were filled with evident skepticism—clearly doubtful about the young age of the invited Dr. Han and his medical expertise. Since Master Zhao didn't seem particularly warm toward him, Han didn't feel the need to actively seek out his favor. He simply offered a calm greeting and intended to move past him. (I'll be gathering all the feedback from my readers on the inconsistencies and making targeted revisions tomorrow—only able to update one chapter at that time. I hope you'll understand! I'm working to improve the writing, and thank you all for your continued support!)