A month after Ye Yurou's treatment and the announcement during the Martial Arts Tournament, Chen Zhenlong, together with his wives and daughter, paid a visit to the City Lord's Mansion as for Ye Mo's invite.
Ye Zong, in regards to Ye Yurou's condition, had prepared a small feast to his residence as a celebration of her recovery.
This small banquet was limited only to the close friends and family of Ye Zong, mostly those people who knew about her treatment that had occurred not long ago.
"C-Chen Linlin pays respect to Lord Ye Mo!" Stuttering over her words, Chen Linlin with eyes full of amazement, greeted the towering figure in front of her.
"And the City Lord too, honey," Chen Yinying, standing beside her daughter, spoke in a soft voice, reminding Chen Linlin that there were two men standing before them.
"C-City Lord too!" Realizing her mistake, Chen Linlin quickly greeted Ye Zong, her small face steadily turning red with embarrassment.
Seeing her reaction, the adults in the room couldn't help but laugh as they watched the charming little princess of the Divine Family fumbled her greetings upon formally meeting Ye Mo.
"Well, nice meeting you, young lady." Smiling warmly to the little girl, Ye Mo took out a couple of candies from his interspatial ring, and handed it to the awestruck Chen Linlin. "I'm glad to see that you're in a good health, Here, take these, good children deserve treats"
Receiving the sweets, it was unclear whether Chen Linlin heard any of the words Ye Mo said to her, as the little girl was too engrossed admiring the legendary Hero of Glory City standing In front of her.
While this was not the first time the two had met.
since Ye Mo had once visited Chen Linlin in the past to examine her condition and possibly to determine what kind of illness she was inflicted with.
This was the first time Ye Mo and Chen Linlin had properly met, without the latter being sick or asleep.
So no one could blame Chen Linlin for ending up a fumbling mess upon meeting Ye Mo.
This was Lord Ye Mo after all, no citizens in Glory City haven't heard the tales of his Glory.
While everyone was exchanging greetings and pleasantries, one small girl were hiding behind her mother's back, she was quietly scanning the members of the Divine Family, searching for someone she wishes to see.
Someone who saved and healed her mother and little brother.
Ye Ziyun was told by her father that Xue Hui is a member of the Divine Family, and part of Chen Zhenlong's family, but no matter how much Ye Ziyun searched, she couldn't even catch a glimpse of that boy among the crowds.
Noticing her daughter's wandering gaze, Ye Yurou pondered, wondering why her daughter seemingly wanted to flip the entire room to search for someone.
Until it dawned on her, which made her lips pursed in amusement, guessing who her daughter was looking for, 'of course it was Xue Hui, Yun'er wouldn't stop talking about him since I woke up' A faint smile tugged at her lips, "of course, Yun'er would be eager to see her little doctor again," Ye Yurou thought to herself.
Ye Yurou had been told by Ye Zong that their daughter had stayed by Xue Hui side during her treatment the entire time, acting like a little assistant, wiping Xue Hui's sweats from time to time.
Ye Yurou herself had been wanting to meet her little doctor to properly thank him for saving her and her baby in her tummy, but unfortunately for Ye Yurou, her pregnancy was quite delicate due to her recent illness and had been advised not to move around too much.
Even her father-in-law, Ye Mo, had not left the mansion since the incident last month, all to keep her and the child inside her safe.
Understanding the reason for her daughter's behavior, Ye Yurou took Ye Ziyun's hand and gently pulled her toward Chen Zhenlong and her husband, interrupting their conversation.
"Brother Zhenlong, it's been a while, I'm glad to see you."
Both men paused their talks upon hearing Ye Yurou's voice as they turned to her direction, answering her.
"It has indeed been quite some time. I'm happy to see you well, Sister Yurou," Chen Zhenlong replied with a smile.
Once the pleasantries were over, Ye Yurou pretended to look around her, searching for someone, an action that intrigued Chen Zhenlong, which made him inquire about it.
"Are you looking for something, Sister Yurou?" He asked, which made Ye Yurou nod in response.
"Yes, I am indeed looking for someone." Placing Ye Ziyun in front of her, holding her by the shoulders, Ye Yurou asked the whereabouts of her little doctor, "Where is Xue Hui? I was hoping that I would finally meet him. I haven't thanked him personally for saving me and my baby."
After hearing her words, Chen Zhenlong's expression turned awkward as he gave the woman an apologetic look.
Both Chen Wenrou and Chen Yinying, along with their daughter, approached in their direction to join in their conversations, and just like Chen Zhenlong, Chen Wenrou and Chen Yinying both let out an awkward laugh upon hearing Ye Yurou's question.
Chen Linlin, on the other hand, puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms in annoyance.
With a troubled looks, Chen Zhenlong tried to explained the reason why Xue Hui didn't come along with them. "Sister Yurou… I… you see… Xiao Hui left yesterday to train at the St. Ancestral Mountain together with his master."
"Oh!"
Not only Ye Yurou, but all members of the Snow Wind Family showed a disappointed expression on their faces after hearing words.
They had all been looking forward to meeting Xue Hui again, wanting to properly thank him for what he'd done.
But with him currently in the middle of training, outside the glory city, it seemed that they would have to wait for another chance to do so.
As they pondered that thought, a small voice cut the momentarily silence, and she complained about Xue Hui.
"Hui-hui is annoying." Chen Linlin voiced out, her eyebrows is knitted cutely as she huffed in annoyance. "Xue Hui left and didn't bring me along."
Although Chen Linlin knew that she couldn't go along with Xue Hui due to her current condition.
She simply hated the idea that Xue Hui not being around her. She was worried that if something bad were to happen again, no one would be able to fix it, just like her illness back then.
Other than Xue Hui, no one had been able to do anything to get rid of her illness. Not even Ye Mo who's the number one expert of Glory City, was.powerless it comes with her condition.
Only Xue Hui had the ability to save her, so it's only natural for Chen Linlin to feel unease whenever he's not around.
"H-He's not an annoyance. He healed my mother."
Snapped from her thoughts, Chen Linlin gaze landed on the source of the voice.
It didn't take long for Chen Linlin to recognize who that person was.
standing in front of Ye Yurou, with a frowning look, aimed at her is Ye Ziyun, a girl who's the same age as her.
The two little girls met each other gazes, awkward silence permeated inside the room, neither of the little girls made an attempt to start a conversation, which added to the awkwardness in the atmosphere.
Seeing the two, the men in the room were at a loss about what was going on to the two, and simply shrugged it off as little kids being shy with each other.
The ladies on the other hand, exchanged a knowing glance, as everyone was thinking the same thing.
'You two young ladies are way too small to be fighting over a boy.'
Suppressing her laughter, Chen Yinying placed her hand on her daughter's back and gently pushed her forward, encouraging the two to greet each other.
"Lin'er, this is Ye Ziyun. The two of you used to play together when you were both really, really small. Say hi to her, honey," Chen Yinying urged, as the two princess unenthusiastically wave at her each.
"Hi!" Chen Linlin said in a stoic voice.
"Hello!" Ye Ziyun answered in the same manner.
Watching their stiff greetings, Ye Yurou, Chen Wenrou and Chen Yinying all winced in unison.
Leaning slightly at her side, Ye Yurou whispered to Chen Yinying, "so!.. Xue Hui is one of those kinds of boys, huh?" She whispered in a knowing tone.
Chen Yinying nodded as she stared at the two small girls. "Yup! Hui-hui is going to be in a lot of trouble with girls when he grows up, that's for sure" she replied, laughing softly, as she imagined Xue Hui being pulled from both sides by Chen Linlin and Ye Ziyun.
Although, in her mind, Chen Yinying was mentally cheering for her daughter to tug harder to not lose with Ye Ziyun.
Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the forest within the St. Ancestral Mountain Range.
A boy and a white demon beast donkey, are stealthily stalking a Thunder Mammoth bear when suddenly.
"Achoo!!"
"ROAR!"
"SILVER! PLAN B!"
"RA-UL!"
THUD!
BOOM!
Back in the City Lord's Mansion, inside the patriarch's office.
"Brother Zhenlong... this... how... congratulations this is great news for our Glory city!" Ye Zong uttered in great shock.
During their talks, Chen Zhenlong asked Ye Zong if they could have a private talk together with Ye Mo since he wished to reveal something that only few people had knowledge about.
Agreeing, Ye Zong brought both Chen Zhenlong and Ye Mo and his office, so they could have a talk in private.
To Ye Zong and Ye Mo surprised Chen Zhenlong began to explain the reason for their talks as he removed the effect of the Mask Realm Bracelet he was wearing revealing to the both of them his true cultivation strength.
one-star Legend Rank Demon Spiritualist.
"For you to actually break through the shackles of Black Gold rank and step into Legend Rank Demon Spiritualist… this is a great fortune for our Glory City, a great news indeed" Ye Mo said solemnly, as he gave Chen Zhenlong an appreciative nod.
Chen Zhenlong's breakthrough had a great significant meaning for the survival of glory city, and it also lifted a tons of weight from Ye Mo's shoulders, he could at least sleep at night without worrying the lack of legend rank expert that could take his spot as a powerful protector of the city once his cultivation began to decline.
"This is all thanks to Xue Hui and his Master. Due to their help, I was able to break through," Chen Zhenlong replied while placing the Mask Realm Bracelet back onto his wrist.
Both Ye Zong and Ye Mo nod in understanding while thinking about all the mystery shrouding Xue Hui and his master.
Chen Zhenlong then told Ye Mo and Ye Zong the version of the story that he and Xue Hui had crafted beforehand, to avoid accidentally revealing some of Xue Hui's secrets.
Ye Mo and Ye Zong both listened diligently and were surprised by the amount of things they learned from Chen Zhenlong experience during his time outside the wall.
In the end, Chen Zhenlong explained the reason why he wished to hide his breakthrough from the public, which was fully supported by Ye Mo and Ye Zong.
"For such a thing to actually happen… Do you think it was the Dark Guild?" Ye Zong asked, his eyes flashed with fury. So it turned out that Chen Zhenlong's daughter had been poisoned,, "Those bastards are becoming more and more vicious with their methods, It's too bad that we still have no clue where their whereabouts are.
The only group of people Ye Zong suspected was the Dark Guild as they are known for causing a lot of grief to the people of Glory city, murder, kidnapping, plundering and more, Dark Guild was a group of villainous individuals hiding in the shadows, a pest who had caused Glory City so much trouble.
"Maybe… I don't know," Chen Zhenlong answered unsurely. "Right now, I'm just being extra careful and on alert if they show up. Whoever they might be, dark guild or not. They hurt my family once, I won't let that kind of thing ever happened again." Chen Zhenlong declared, his eyes burning with resolve.
Right now, they had zero clue to whoever was behind Chen Linlin's vicious attack.
All they could do for now is to keep on alert to anything suspicious and always remain vigilant.
"You should be careful as well, Brother Zong. With what happened to my daughter, I can already tell that whoever the culprit behind it wouldn't be afraid to target anyone." Hearing the advice, Ye Zong nodded.
Chen Zhenlong's words is indeed correct, "You're right." Ye Zong replied "I should talk all about this to my wife and daughter. It wouldn't hurt for them to be cautious."
Chen Zhenlong, Ye Mo and Ye Zong all remained quiet as they pondered all the things they discussed.
As the atmosphere became too heavy, Ye Zong decided to change the topic with something more positive.
As Ye Zong leaned comfortably to his chair, he let out a genuine smile as he began a new topic pertaining to Xue Hu. "But that boy of yours is certainly something, huh, brother Zhenlong"
Hearing Ye Zong words, Ye Mo himself nodded, "Trained by a Heavenly Doctor, and already so excellent in the field of healing that he already surpassed the capability of those of genius physicians, at such a young age. Not to mention his cultivation, such a speed despite having a red soul Realm, the future is surely looking brighter for our Glory City," Ye Mo stated, his tone filled with admiration for Xue Hui.
"Is there really no way for us to meet this mysterious master?" Ye Zong asked. He truly wanted to personally thank this mysterious master for nurturing such a great student.
If it hadn't been for Xue Hui, his wife and unborn child might not be with them now.
Based on Xue Hui's explanation back then, the reason the treatment had taken so long and depleted most of Xue Hui's soul force, was because he's been trying to resuscitate Ye Yurou's unborn child.
Unaware, Ye Zong had almost lost both his wife and child without even knowing the latter's existence.
No one could imagine how grateful Ye Zong was for Xue Hui's help, if Xue Hui asked Ye Zong to die for him, Ye Zong would never even falter to do it. The grace of saving his wife and child is something Ye Zong would never forget even in his last breath.
Chen Zhenlong chuckled softly, knowing it's impossible for him to meet that mysterious master.
"Good luck with that, Brother Zong," Chen Zhenlong said humorously. "As I mentioned before, even during our journey, other than Xiao Hui, this mysterious Master of his doesn't talk to anyone. That Master didn't even show himself to us even once." Hearing Chen Zhenlong's words, Ye Zong let out a disappointed sigh, "it can't be helped, if that's the case, I just hope that the Master stays in the glory city for good," Ye Zong answered.
Inwardly, Chen Zhenlong mentally thanked the Mask Realm Bracelet for helping him to conceal his aura, as Ye Mo and Ye Zong couldn't tell the abrupt fluctuations to his soul force sign that he was trying to hide something, something with Ye Mo's calibre could easily notice.
Stroking his beard, Ye Mo let out a grunt as he stood up from his chair.
"It is clear that this mysterious master is forging the boy through fire, and letting him to face all the challenge by himself." Such a method of training one's disciple was very common to those acentric Master, so Ye Mo is not surprised at all, for Ye Mo, as long Xue Hui continued to grow into a powerful expert then that's all enough for him.
"You don't have to worry, Zhenlong. My son and I will help you to keep your secret. It's also a good thing that our Glory City has another hidden Legend Rank."
After assuring that they would keep Chen Zhenlong's cultivation a secret, Ye Mo walked to the door, and slightly opened it, enough so he could peeked at the banquet outside the office, pleased to see that everyone was enjoying themselves.
"With me and that mysterious Master, that already two Legend Rank experts, known by the public guarding over Glory City.
With that information alone it, its enough to deter those evil people to take any action." Ye Mo shifted his gaze back to Chen Zhenlong and Ye Zong, making the two stand straight as they were bathed by Ye Mo's majestic aura.
"And with you, Zhenlong, hiding in the shadows, we can use your strength to catch them off guard if they ever decide to show themselves," Ye Mo added, which made Chen Zhenlong nod in response.
After finishing his words, Ye Mo's majestic aura of a Legend Rank Demon Spiritualist completely disappeared like a bubble bursting in the air, replaced by the gentle aura of an old grandpa.
"That covers everything. Let's head back to the banquet, I'm hungry," Ye Mo said, ending the talk as he walked out of the room, to rejoin the banquet.
Chen Zhenlong and Ye Zong both exchanged a quick glance before following Ye Mo.
The banquet continued as both families enjoyed each other's company.
Except for two little girl, every attempt to make Chen Linlin and Ye Ziyun become friendly with each other ended in failure, prompting their mothers to eventually give up.
For some unknown reason, Chen Linlin and Ye Ziyun were simply too awkward around each other to even start a small conversation.
Meanwhile, in the outside world.
Within the St. Ancestral Mountain Range,
a huge waterfall could be seen at the heart of a dense, lush forest.
Behind its powerful torrent of water was a hidden cave, protected by inscriptions.
Inside the cave were Silver who looked visibly afraid, as he frantically circled around the collapsed body of Xue Hui, pale as a chalk and weakened in great extent, underneath him is a pool of blood spreading slowly around him, as the blood flowed out through his mouth, ears, nose and eye
"Ra-ul! Ra-uul!"
End of Chapter 33.