Elder Li's residence was not luxurious, nor did it occupy a particularly large area. It was simply an ordinary house surrounded by a rammed-earth wall two meters high and half a meter thick, enclosing a modest courtyard. A half-moon archway had been opened in the wall facing the main approach, and through the half-open wooden gate, one could see quite a few visitors inside.
Once Han Li stepped into the courtyard, he realized the actual number of people was far greater than what he had glimpsed from outside. They gathered in small clusters of two or three, talking in low voices about Elder Li's condition.
Han Li had long heard that Elder Li was one of the few senior figures in the Seven Mysteries Sect who possessed a genuinely mild temperament. He rarely lost his temper with anyone, whether a lowly outer disciple or a fellow elder, and never engaged in power struggles within the sect. For such a good-natured man, praise naturally abounded throughout the organization, making him extraordinarily well-liked. Now that Elder Li had fallen ill, those with any degree of status—whether out of genuine concern or merely to save face—of course had to come visit in person or send representatives, which produced the current scene of a crowded courtyard.
The moment Han Li entered, he was recognized by the crowd. Those of lesser standing, such as the various Protectors, immediately swarmed around him, each competing to be the first to greet him.
"Doctor Han, how wonderful to see you!"
"Doctor Han has arrived!"
……
Waves of fawning greetings poured into his ears ceaselessly—there was no avoiding them.
Looking at these eager, ingratiating faces, Han Li wore a matching sunny smile. He returned each greeting with meticulous courtesy, never missing a single person, appearing thoroughly polite—while inwardly, he was thoroughly sick of this hollow socializing.
Fortunately, those of higher standing—several Vice Hall Masters, Offering Hall members, and the like—maintained a degree of restraint befitting their status, offering only subtle nods in Han Li's direction without approaching.
Their behavior actually earned a bit of goodwill from Han Li. At least he wouldn't have to put on a show for several more dignitaries.
Ma Rong, whose status was too low to interject, could only stand off to the side, watching helplessly as Han Li exchanged endless pleasantries with these people. His face was taut with anxiety, and he wrung his hands ceaselessly.
The moment Han Li finished greeting the last person, Ma Rong could no longer contain himself. He rushed forward, seized Han Li by the arm, and pulled him toward the house. This rough behavior drew looks of displeasure from those who had hoped to cultivate a relationship with Doctor Han.
Han Li put on a slightly pained smile on the surface, but inwardly he was delighted. Without having to offend anyone, he had been freed from those relentless chatterboxes.
Just like that, Han Li was dragged directly into the main hall by Ma Rong.
There were not many people inside. Besides several family members, two Elders and Vice Sect Master Ma were also present. But what greatly surprised Han Li was that Li Feiyu was in the room as well.
This caught Han Li off guard. As far as he knew, Li Feiyu and Elder Li had no particular connection—why would he be here?
While his mind buzzed with questions, Han Li noticed that Li Feiyu was standing beside a petite, tear-streaked young woman, murmuring words of comfort to her. His attentiveness was utterly unlike the way he behaved around other fellow disciples—or around Han Li himself. It was the unmistakable expression of a man completely ensnared by love.
Seeing Li Feiyu so deeply lost in the throes of romance, Han Li suddenly understood. A mixture of surprise and amusement stirred in his heart.
He quickly studied the young woman's appearance, wanting to see just what kind of ravishing beauty had managed to tame a lawless daredevil like Li Feiyu.
The girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a jade-green hairpin in her hair. She wore a lotus-green dress that complemented her petite frame perfectly. Her glossy black hair was braided into two small plaits draped behind her, lending a touch of playfulness to her already sweet features. However, her eyes were red and swollen at the moment, and the whole of her looked utterly pitiful—enough to make anyone want to pull her into their arms and dote on her.
"My, my—what a genuine little beauty," Han Li marveled to himself, feeling that Li Feiyu falling for this girl was entirely understandable. Yet a faint trace of envy and jealousy flickered through him as well—he wondered when he might find a sweetheart of his own.
Perhaps noticing that Han Li had been eyeing the young woman, Ma Rong quickly stepped forward to introduce everyone in the room.
Sect Master Ma and a pale-faced Elder Qian, both of whom Han Li had already met, needed no further introduction. He promptly stepped forward to pay his respects.
"Sect Master Ma, Elder Qian—greetings!"
"Heh heh! Young Doctor Han has arrived!" Sect Master Ma appeared quite approachable, putting on no airs of authority in front of Han Li.
Doctor Han is fine—why add 'young'? Han Li silently gripped to himself.
Elder Qian merely gave a cold, perfunctory nod—the complete opposite of Sect Master Ma's warmth—but Han Li took no offense. He knew that the internal cultivation technique this man practiced required the severing of all emotion and desire, which explained his frigid demeanor toward everyone.
The third elder was a burly, ruddy-faced man Han Li had never seen before. His palms were rough-skinned, and his fingers were short and thickly built—the clear sign of someone who had trained a specialized physical technique.
"This is Elder Zhao, a close friend of my master's. He had been overseeing the Treasure Gathering Hall's operations outside the mountain and only returned a couple of days ago," Ma Rong introduced from the side.
Elder Zhao responded with a noncommittal nasal grunt, saying nothing, but the suspicion in his gaze was unmistakable. He was clearly dubious about the so-called Doctor Han being so young, and harbored doubts about his medical skills.
Since Elder Zhao showed no warmth, Han Li saw no reason to press himself on him either. He offered a bland greeting and moved on.
(Author's note: Tomorrow I'll be consolidating the changes suggested by readers for the less plausible parts of the story, so there will only be one chapter update. Please bear with me, readers! I'll keep working to make the story better. Thank you all for your support!)
(End of chapter)