Chapter 16: Shaking the Great Tree, A Single Gesture Conjures Medicine

A single statement from Ben Xiao put immense pressure on Paul Mu's family. Paul Mu, looking at the corpses strewn across the floor and then at Ben Xiao, who stood with his hands behind his back. Paul felt his entire body drenched in cold sweat. Gulp! Gulping nervously, he approached Ben Xiao with a forced smile, "Ben Xiao, I am Pearl Mu's uncle. You should also call me 'Uncle'. I hosted this dinner tonight with the intention of helping resolve your conflict with the Lei family..." He started to cling to the familial relationship. Slap! A loud slap landed fiercely on Paul Mu's face. "What are you to make me call you 'uncle'?" Slap! Another slap landed harshly on Paul Mu's face. "Helping to resolve the conflict? Can you even utter such shameless words? From the beginning to the end, you’ve been flaunting your superiority in front of Pearl Mu, helping outsiders suppress and mock her. Did you show any intention of resolving the conflict?" "What you did today was merely out of fear that the Lei family's wrath would fall on you. Thus, to protect yourself, you set up a banquet under the guise of kinship, assisting outsiders in oppressing Pearl Mu." "Had I not been here today, how would Pearl Mu have been treated by you? Such a good woman, what has she done to deserve such treatment from her own family?" "Ha, 'kinship', nothing but a tool for your use. Is this what an uncle is?" With each statement, Ben Xiao landed another slap on Paul Mu's face. Paul Mu, shamed and unable to retort, his face swollen from the slaps, didn't dare to respond. Thump! Ben Xiao kicked him down at Pearl Mu's feet: "If you weren't Pearl Mu's uncle, and I didn't want to make it hard for her, you'd be dead already." "But, you owe my wife an apology." Thump! Paul Mu, panicked, immediately knelt before Pearl Mu, tears streaming down: "Niece, I'm sorry! Your uncle was foolish! I've let you suffer these years." "Over these years, I've climbed up the ladder at all costs, blinded by power and money. Ben Xiao has awakened me. Niece, I'm sorry!" "To show my sincerity, I'm willing to give you half of my wealth as a token of compensation." Saying this, Paul Mu shakily took out paper and pen, wrote a promise to transfer half of his wealth, and presented it with both hands. Odelette Mu and Oliver Mu, seeing this, also hurriedly knelt before Pearl Mu, loudly apologizing. Pearl Mu stood there, stunned, watching Paul Mu's family. Memories of the ridicule, persecution, and oppression she suffered from Paul Mu's family flashed through her mind. All the grievances she endured were released at this moment, turning into tears that blurred her vision. After a long time, she reached out, took the contract... Paul Mu, seeing this, was overjoyed: "Niece, we are still a family. Let's be harmonious, like we were five years ago, okay?" Pearl Mu, tears in her eyes, shook her head decisively. "Your weakness, apology, and flattery today are only because you fear Ben Xiao." "Kinship, something you use and regret at will, trying to buy back with money? What do you take me for, Pearl Mu?" "Return to how it was before? No need." With that, she raised her delicate hands. Rip! She tore the contract into pieces. Turning it into confetti, it fluttered down onto Paul Mu's head. "From now on, fend for yourself." Leaving these words, Pearl Mu, holding Angus Mu's hand, walked out of the banquet hall with Mermaid Su. ... In the banquet hall. Paul Mu knelt on the ground, his body weak, still muttering apologies. Oliver Mu said, "Dad, they've already left." Paul Mu finally stood up, gazing towards the door: "I never imagined that Ben Xiao, whom we always ridiculed and looked down upon, would have such immense power. We were blind." Odelette Mu, full of resentment: "Dad, Pearl Mu and Ben Xiao went too far. You're her uncle and were willing to give half your wealth to ease the conflict, yet she refused. They have no respect for elders." Paul Mu regained his composure, a sinister gleam in his eyes: "I admit, Ben Xiao is indeed powerful. But does Pearl Mu think she can do as she pleases with Ben Xiao's support? She's still too naïve." Oliver Mu was excited: "Dad, have you thought of a way to deal with Ben Xiao?" Paul Mu shook his head: "I can't, but Ben Xiao going to the Lei family in three days means certain death. He has no idea how terrifying the Lei family is!" Oliver Mu, growing more excited: "Even Deputy Director Luo was taken down, and Ben Xiao holds Kwame Liu's trump card. Can the Lei family handle it?" Paul Mu sighed: "Son, you're still too naive. Ordinary people think power is the pinnacle of this world. But I know the real world isn't like that." Oliver Mu, surprised: "Isn't this world all about power, wealth, and status?" Paul Mu shook his head: "That's only the peak that ordinary people can see. Above power and wealth, there's a more terrifying kind of person. They have the power over life and death." Oliver Mu: "Control over life and death? Are there such people?" Paul Mu, with a cold gaze: "They transcend the limits of the human body, can withstand bullets, are invulnerable to knives and guns, and can kill from a distance. They are known as — martial arts masters." Oliver Mu gasped: "Are there really such people in the world?" Paul Mu: "General David Hua from Binh Giang Province is a martial arts master. He led the war to stabilize Binh Giang Province, defeating countless enemies, dominating the province." Oliver Mu, shaking: "What? David Hua is a martial arts master. No wonder he holds such an extraordinary position in Binh Giang Province." Paul Mu nodded: "And behind the Lei family, there is also a martial arts master. Once a master appears, all bow in submission. How could Kwame Liu compete?" Oliver Mu, thrilled: "So, if Ben Xiao goes to the Lei family, he's doomed?" Paul Mu, fiercely: "He's as good as dead!" "Ben Xiao, you're still too young..." ... After seeing Paul Mu's family kneel to Pearl Mu and offer half of their wealth, Ben Xiao quietly left the Mu household. What followed was Pearl Mu's family matter. Ben Xiao didn't want to interfere too much. But he had already given Pearl Mu the choice. Leaving the Mu household, Ben Xiao’s expression grew solemn, sighing lightly. "Ultimately, I'm still trapped by a woman. Master, Mom and Dad, you know I'm determined to rebuild the Xiao family from Dongyong Mountain. Why did you arrange a fiancée for me? After all, I've already failed once." Ben Xiao walked along the residential area's mountain road, smiling wryly. The wind grew stronger. The cold February wind, cut like a knife against the skin. Unknowingly, he arrived outside Jin Xiu No. 1. Here, towering trees obscured the sky, the scenery was beautiful. Situated on the mountain top, one could overlook the bustling city of Jiang Bei. In a nearby pavilion, an elderly man around seventy years old practiced Tai Chi with a young and graceful woman. The old man, full of vitality, had an air of nobility, clearly no ordinary person. His movements were steady and heavy, seemingly effortless, revealing his skill in martial arts. Ben Xiao stopped, watching for a while, then sighed. "What a pity." Ben Xiao turned around and left right away. Suddenly, a displeased woman's voice called out: "Stop." Ben Xiao turned, seeing the young woman calling him, slightly surprised: "What's the matter?" The woman, about 1.7 meters tall, wore a yoga outfit that highlighted her devilish figure. Her ponytail added a youthful and efficient charm, though she had a slightly overbearing air. "Your sigh and shaking head, saying 'what a pity'. Do you think my grandfather's Tai Chi is not good?" "Jabari, don't be rude," the elderly man chided, then smiled at Ben Xiao: "My granddaughter is spoiled by me, please don't mind." "But, young man, if you have something to say, feel free." Noticing the old man's polite demeanor, Ben Xiao had a good impression of him and mentioned: "You haven't recovered from an old injury. Practicing Tai Chi will aggravate it!" The woman grew more displeased: "Nonsense. Tai Chi is gentle and beneficial for my grandfather's recovery. This advice was given by Ndubisi Chen, a famous acupuncturist in Zhonghai. How can you speak so recklessly?!" Ben Xiao shook his head: "Although Tai Chi is gentle, at its depth, the combination of fist and energy inevitably affects the muscles and bones. If it were a common injury, it would be fine. But your grandfather's injury is not ordinary." Hiss! The old man gasped in shock. His injury was a secret! Apart from a few descendants and Ndubisi Chen, no one knew. Yet this young man saw through it at a glance. The woman was also quite shocked, unable to help but ask, "Then what injury did my grandfather suffer?" Ben Xiao calmly replied, "The old gentleman appears normal on the outside, but his inner strength is drying up. Despite taking various strengthening medicines, it's not a cure. This is an injury caused by the internal energy of a martial arts master. And it's been twenty years." Swoosh! The old man was greatly shaken! Many famous doctors in Jiang Bei had failed to diagnose the cause, yet this young man saw through it from meters away. The old man looked at Ben Xiao differently and immediately stepped forward enthusiastically, shaking Ben Xiao's hand. "Young man, you are truly a master..." "My surname is Zhou, and my first name is Vivian. This is my granddaughter Jabari Zhou... We were impolite just now; please forgive us, sir." "Young man, please have a seat!" Hearing that this old gentleman was Vivian Zhou, the only general star of Jiang Bei, Ben Xiao's eyes filled with respect, and he joined them at the stone table in the pavilion. Vivian Zhou immediately asked Jabari Zhou to make tea, very hospitable. Ben Xiao sipped the tea and asked, "How did you provoke a martial arts master?" Before the old man could answer, Jabari Zhou eagerly spoke, "My grandfather was born in the military and participated in a border defense war in Zhonghai twenty years ago, where he was gravely injured by a martial arts master from Donghai. Since then, my grandfather has suffered greatly, and visiting famous doctors has been futile." "If it weren't for Master Ndubisi Chen prolonging my grandfather's life, he might have passed away long ago. But Master Chen also said that my grandfather's days are numbered..." Towards the end, Jabari Zhou's eyes moistened, and she clenched her teeth. Ben Xiao's brows furrowed, a cold light flashing in his eyes. Donghai Country, was known for its cherry blossom totem. Before the establishment of Xia Country, they invaded and slaughtered countless people, committing atrocities, especially in Jin Ling, where they massacred three hundred thousand compatriots... Donghai, with its heinous crimes, was detested by both gods and men. After a while, Ben Xiao calmed down and said, "General Zhou is a military man who was injured serving his country. He deserves respect and admiration. Since that's the case, I'll treat him." Swoosh! Jabari Zhou was greatly surprised, clearly skeptical: "You can really cure my grandfather?" The Zhou family had sought countless famous doctors over twenty years, all to no avail. Even the renowned Master Ndubisi Chen of Zhonghai couldn't help. And now, this young man claimed he could cure him? Ben Xiao nodded affirmatively: "It's a trivial matter." Vivian Zhou was overwhelmed with emotion: "Sir, whatever medicinal herbs or equipment you need, just say the word, and I'll have them prepared immediately..." "There's no need for that. The medicinal ingredients can be taken from right here," Ben Xiao stated casually. Vivian Zhou and Jabari Zhou looked around in confusion. Jabari Zhou chuckled skeptically, "Sir, you must be joking. Where are there medicinal herbs here?" Ben Xiao looked up at the frost and dew on the grass and trees at dusk, musing, "Frost and dew, the essence of the sun and moon, are the best tonics. Using myself as the furnace, I can make the medicine." He then lightly slapped the trunk of a nearby hundred-year-old banyan tree. Whoosh! The three-hundred-year-old giant banyan tree shook violently, as if struck by a high-speed truck. Countless droplets of frost and dew fell like dense rain. With a gentle raise of his right hand, Ben Xiao selected a single drop out of three thousand. Rubbing his hands together, the frosted dew miraculously turned into a soft, pill-like substance. "This medicine, refined with frost dew, will strengthen your foundation and nourish your origin. After taking it, you can extend your life by ten years. Two more doses, and you'll be completely cured," Ben Xiao handed the pill to Vivian Zhou, then turned to leave. Vivian Zhou, utterly astounded by the spectacle, took the pill with trembling hands: "May I ask for your name, sir?" "Ben Xiao!" His figure had already moved far away, yet his voice lingered in the pavilion. Vivian Zhou and Jabari were left dumbfounded. After a while, Jabari regained her senses, looking at the pill in Vivian Zhou's hand: "Grandfather, can this pill really cure your illness? Shouldn't we have Master Ndubisi Chen inspect it first? Just to be safe..." Before she could finish— Whoosh! Outside the pavilion, the three-hundred-year-old banyan tree that Ben Xiao had touched suddenly withered rapidly. The lush and verdant tree instantaneously turned yellow and wilted, its branches filled with dried leaves. Jabari Zhou stepped back in fear, exclaiming, "How... How could this happen?" Hiss! Vivian Zhou gasped in shock, his expression one of horror: "This young man, he extracted the three-hundred-year life essence of this great banyan tree and refined it into medicine. He truly is a divine figure!" After saying this, Vivian Zhou swallowed the pill. Jabari Zhou was astonished: "Grandfather, how could you just eat it like that? What if he had malicious intentions... Over the years, given your high position, there have been many who wanted to harm you." But Vivian Zhou simply shook his head and sighed: "If he wanted to harm me, I would have been dead just now." Jabari Zhou was skeptical: "Is he as powerful as you say?" Vivian Zhou replied: "He is a martial artist, and not just an ordinary one." Jabari Zhou asked: "Yellow rank? Black rank?" Vivian Zhou shook his head. Jabari Zhou continued: "Then he must be an internal energy practitioner... at most in the realm of transformation!" Again, Vivian Zhou shook his head. Finally, realizing the gravity of the situation, Jabari Zhou asked: "Could he be a legendary martial arts master?" Vivian Zhou nodded affirmatively: "Just now, this young man shook the great tree and extracted its three-hundred-year essence to refine the medicine. He must be at least a martial arts master!" "What? A martial arts master? Isn't that like General David Hua from Pinghai Province, a once-in-a-generation figure?" Jabari Zhou's face lost color. David Hua of Pinghai Province! In Pinghai Province, he was revered almost like a god! Vivian Zhou nodded solemnly: "General Hua only broke through to the realm of a martial arts master at the age of forty. And this person, barely in his twenties, has already achieved it. His future prospects are limitless!" "Looking at the entire Zhonghai, there are only a handful who could contend with him. With such a divine figure coming to Zhonghai, times are changing. If our Zhou family could form a good relationship with him, it would be a blessing accumulated over eight lifetimes." Jabari Zhou's expression was one of utter shock, and for a long time, she was speechless. Slap! Vivian Zhou suddenly patted Jabari Zhou's shoulder: "Go find out where Mr. Xiao is staying. I want to prepare a generous gift and personally visit to express my gratitude." Jabari Zhou looked at Vivian Zhou in disbelief. A visit from General Zhou himself. In the entire Zhonghai, there were not many who could receive such treatment. If word got out, wouldn't it cause a sensation? ----------