Chapter 24 Crossing the Threshold

"Let's clear out these unrelated people first. The patient has just been revived and needs peace and recuperation."

"Understood, benefactor," Tang Long replied respectfully. Without hesitation, he grabbed Qian Wanbao and tossed him out.

"You useless lot, nothing but sacks of wine and rice, get out of my hospital!"

"What's the point of having you here, standing outside like decorations!"

"Good-for-nothing fools, standing here is just a waste of air!"

The scolding was so harsh it was almost comical.

Even Ye Tian couldn't help but chuckle at this man's temperament—so unconventional despite his age.

Soon, only Tang Zhenguo, Tang Long, and Ye Tian remained in the emergency room.

The old man's face was now serene, as if he were sleeping peacefully.

With the disturbances gone, Ye Tian finally spoke.

"There is a harsh truth I must tell you."

"Please, go ahead!" Tang Long nodded solemnly.

"It was by dividing a thread of my true energy that I managed to extend this old man's life for another three months," Ye Tian said, gesturing at the silver needles in the old man's body. He spoke calmly and openly.

"Although he possesses unparalleled martial prowess and has reigned supreme in the martial world, in the end, he is still a mortal who has never touched upon Qi cultivation."

"Were it not for me, today would have marked the end of his life."

At these words, Tang Long's eyes grew dim.

"I understand."

Ye Tian's meaning was clear—he had only prolonged Tang Zhenguo's life for three months. After that, the old man would die all the same.

"Hey, don't look so grim," Ye Tian suddenly laughed heartily. "I know you're a filial son, so I'll point you toward a solution."

"A person's lifespan is limited, but with the right treasures—marvels of nature rich in spiritual energy—one can replenish it. For example: a thousand-year-old ginseng."

"Use your connections and power. Go find one. Once you do, come see me, and I can prolong his life again."

Instant joy flooded Tang Long's face, and he hurriedly knelt in gratitude.

"Thank you, benefactor!"

Ye Tian waved his hand, then left without further ado. Only at Tang Long's urging did he leave a landline number for the Tianhua Hotel, since he didn't own a mobile phone.

Because of Tang Long's actions, everyone—from the news media to onlookers—had been driven out of the hospital, so peace finally returned outside.

Only the father and daughter of the Zhou family remained, anxiously waiting by the doors.

"Manyun, when do you think Brother Ye will come out?" Though past fifty, Zhou Manshan—still showing traces of his former handsomeness—was visibly tense.

"They say people of great skill usually have odd tempers. We must be especially mindful and respectful," he added.

"Father, why are you so nervous? Brother Ye is very easy-going," Zhou Manyun couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time she had ever seen her father so flustered.

"You know nothing. Brother Ye brought Old Master Tang back from the dead—never mind the monumental merit, his medical skills are godlike!"

"And after he saved you and your sister before... I must invite him to the Zhou family and build a strong connection. Not a single word must go wrong!"

"You old man, you’re far too calculating!" Zhou Manyun couldn't help but pout, though secretly she was delighted.

If it weren’t for the miraculous stories spreading outside, she would never have imagined that Ye Tian was so incredible—capable of reviving the recently deceased!

He was, in all honesty, a living immortal.

"Oh, by the way, daughter, do you know if Doctor Ye is married? If not, you and your sister ought to seize the opportunity. If one of you can't win him over, both of you together would be fine!"

Zhou Manshan laughed aloud at the thought.

If he could secure such a son-in-law, with Old Master Tang as the family’s backer, the Zhou family would surely rise to become the fourth great house of Zhongdu!

"Father, you might not care about your dignity, but I still do! It's so embarrassing to be out with you—there are people everywhere, can't you watch your mouth?"

Hearing her father's suggestion, Zhou Manyun's face rapidly flushed crimson.

Though her words protested, her heart beat wildly.

We might like him, but does he think the same about us?

Zhou Manyun was quietly apprehensive.

Just as the father and daughter argued, Ye Tian approached them.

"Manyun, you're still here waiting for me?"

"Yes, Brother Ye. I was hoping you’d come have dinner at our house." As she said this, Zhou Manyun's cheeks turned red all the way to her neck.

This was not one of her father's suggestions—she had blurted it out on her own, as if bewitched.

What a wonderful daughter I have!

Zhou Manshan beamed with joy, giving his eldest daughter a secret thumbs-up.

"Of course, we did agree on that earlier," Ye Tian nodded, then turned to Zhou Manshan. "Uncle Zhou, it’s an honor to finally meet you."

"Not at all! Doctor Ye, it’s our privilege!" Zhou Manshan grinned from ear to ear, seizing Ye Tian's hand at once.

"Let's get in the car and talk on the way!"

"All right… Just call me Xiaotian."

The three of them drove swiftly back to the Zhou family residence.

All along the way, Zhou Manshan's smile never faded. He utterly abandoned the demeanor of a family head, showering Ye Tian with praise until Ye Tian himself was a little embarrassed.

He dropped hints at every turn, trying to pair Ye Tian with his daughter.

"Ah, Xiaotian, I've heard my little one say you’re not only handsome and caring, but also a skilled fighter and a brilliant doctor."

"I didn’t believe it at first—how could a young man of twenty be all that?"

"But now that I've met you today, I realize even her praise was too modest!"

"You flatter me, truly," Ye Tian replied. At last, as soon as they got out of the car, he escaped under the pretext of needing the restroom.

He could withstand a storm of insults, but not Zhou Manshan’s relentless flattery.

It was simply too awkward to endure.

While Ye Tian was in the restroom, the doorbell at the Zhou home suddenly rang out in rapid succession.

"Ding ding ding!"

"Brother Zhou, it’s been half a month—I’ve missed you!"

The head of the Wang family of North City, Wang Beixuan, strode in, laughing heartily, and made himself comfortable in the living room without the slightest restraint.

"Brother Wang, what brings such a rare guest to my door today?" Zhou Manshan wore a bright smile, but inwardly cursed. Old fox, as if I don’t know why you’re really here?

Wang Beixuan was as cunning as they come—he must have heard that Ye Tian was visiting the Zhou family and was here to make his presence felt!

"Rare guest? Come, now, Brother Zhou, aren't we the best of friends?" Wang Beixuan said, his eyes immediately scanning the room.

"By the way, where is Doctor Ye?"

Of course...

Zhou Manyun sneered inwardly. As expected.

"Xiaotian? He’s in the restroom," Zhou Manshan replied deliberately.

"Oh my, Xiaotian, is it?"

At that moment, with a turn around the corner, Zhou Manshan looked up and saw a grand procession of more than twenty people pushing open the doors of the Zhou family’s living room, crowding the spacious room until there was no space left.

"We’ve come to pay our respects to Mr. Ye. Where is he?"

"That’s right, Old Zhou, don’t keep him to yourself. Let us see Mr. Ye!"

Families and clans from across the city—first and second-tier, and even old friends and merchants of the now-fallen Ye family—poured in like a swarm.

"Damn it, you old fools, have you no shame?"

Zhou Manshan’s face darkened—clearly, they had all come to compete for Ye Tian’s attention.